Sony Ericsson patents programmable keypad

PROGRAMMABLE KEYPAD

Abstract
A device may include logic configured to process a request for a keypad layout, and to provide a keypad layout via keypad display in response to the processed request.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008]According to one aspect, a device is provided. The device may comprise logic configured to process a request for a keypad layout, and to provide the keypad layout via keypad display in response to the processed request. Implementations of the logic may be further configured to apply power to the keypad display to provide the keypad layout, and to remove power from the keypad display without erasing the keypad layout. The logic may be configured to reapply power to the keypad display to modify the keypad layout.

[0009]Implementations of the device may include logic configured to receive a user request via the keypad display, and to modify the keypad layout in response to the user request. The device may further include a display and the logic may be further configured to receive an input associated with a first one of a plurality of applications or functions provided by the device and provide a keypad layout associated with the first application or function via the keypad display. Implementations of the logic may be configured to detect a presence of a user or an input device, acknowledge the presence via the keypad display, and modify the keypad layout in response to the acknowledged presence. Implementations of the device may include logic configured to detect a pressure related to a user request, and to use the detected pressure to initiate processing of the user request.

[0010]Implementations of the device may include logic configured to provide front lighting or back lighting to the keypad display based on the keypad layout. Implementations of the logic may be further configured to allow a user to request the keypad layout using at least one of a control key, a function button, a voice input, a menu selection, or a touch input.

[0011]According to another aspect, a method is provided. The method may comprise providing a first keypad layout via a programmable keypad; receiving an input via the programmable keypad, a display device, an input device or a spoken command; and providing a second keypad layout via the programmable keypad in response to the input. In the method, the providing a first keypad layout may further comprise providing the first keypad layout via an electrophoretic based programmable keypad or a liquid crystal display based programmable keypad. In the method, receiving an input may further comprise using pressure or presence to detect the input.

[0012]Implementations of the method may further comprise receiving the input via a user's digit, a stylus, or a spoken command. Implementations of the method may further comprise acknowledging the input via tactile feedback and illuminating a portion of the programmable keypad in response to the input. Implementations of the method may further comprise providing information via a display device in response to the input, where the provided information is related to the first keypad layout, or the second keypad layout.

[0013]According to yet another aspect, a mobile communications terminal is provided. The mobile communications terminal may include a programmable keypad configured to receive input from a user, and processing logic configured to receive a request for a configuration of the programmable keypad, provide the requested configuration to the user via the programmable keypad, receive an input via the programmable keypad based on the configuration, and provide information to the user via the programmable keypad or the display based on the input. The mobile communications terminal may include processing logic that is further configured to receive the request via a control key, an input device associated with a function performed by the mobile communications terminal, a microphone, a touch-sensitive portion of the display, or the programmable keypad, and provide the information to the user via the programmable keypad using electrophoretic based display or a liquid crystal display. Implementations of the processing logic may further be configured to provide the requested configuration using one of a number of languages. Implementations of the processing logic may be further configured to receive an input associated with a first one of a plurality of applications or functions provided by the mobile communications terminal and provide a user interface associated with the first application or function via at least one of the programmable keypad or the display.

[0014]According to yet another aspect, a computer readable medium that stores instructions executable by a processing device operating in a mobile communications terminal is provided. The computer readable medium may comprise instructions to receive an input via a programmable keypad, instructions to process the input, and instructions to reconfigure the programmable keypad in response to the processing.

[0015]According to still another aspect, a mobile communications terminal is provided. The mobile communications terminal may comprise means for providing information via a programmable keypad; means for receiving an input via the programmable keypad; means for processing the input; and means for providing new information via the programmable keypad in response to the processing.