Handheld electronic device and keyboard having multiple function keys

(19)

(11)

EP 1 892 736 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	21.05.2008 Bulletin 2008/21

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	27.02.2008 Bulletin 2008/09

(21)	Application number: 07119733.9

(22)	Date of filing: 24.02.2004

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International Patent Classification (IPC):

H01H 13/70^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR LT LV MK RS

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	04250990.1 / 1575069

(71)	Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
	Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3W8 (CA)

(72)	Inventor:
	Fyke, Steven Henry Waterloo, Ontario N2L 6M1 (CA)

(74)	Representative: Howson, Richard G.B.
	Kilburn & Strode 20 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4PJ London WC1R 4PJ (GB)

(54)	Handheld electronic device and keyboard having multiple function keys

(57) An improved handheld electronic device having an improved keyboard provides enhanced usability with fewer keys by enabling the keys to pivot slightly to provide multiple functions to the keys. The improved keyboard may, for example, include internal strips of conductive carbon that are disposed adjacent the keys and are electrically engageable with contacts on a printed circuit board. Specifically, when a key is pressed directly downward it collapses a single dome and connects together a set of primary contacts to provide a first function. When the key is pressed at the side thereof, the key pivots slightly, collapses the dome and connects together the primary contacts, and also engages a carbon strip with a pair of secondary contacts to connect together the secondary contacts, all of which provide a second function. The keyboard may be configured to be of a QWERTY configuration while using only a relatively small number of keys.

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