MXPA06003187A - Keypad for an electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad (110) for an electronic device (100) includes nested telephony keys (115) having both an indented edge and a protruded edge in a substantially planar surface. The keys (151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163) have alphanumeric telephony labels consistent with the ISO Standard keypad. A priority routine enters a character of a first alphanumeric label when a switch under a key is held for shorter than a first toggle period, and the priority routine enters a character of a second alphanumeric label when the switch is held for longer than the first toggle period.

Description

NUMERIC KEYBOARD FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to reduced keypads for devices such as landlines, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and remote controls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A reduced keypad for a telephone, PDA, remote control, or similar device typically has between twelve and twenty keys to control the operation of the device. The keys generally include: number keys "0" - "9"; telephone keys "*" and "#", and keys for additional functions such as "menu" "cancel", "cursor up", "cursor down", "cursor right", "cursor left", and "select". There is a standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for reduced keyboards where the number of keys is associated with certain groups of three letters of the alphabet: ISO / IEC 9995-8: 1994 and ITU-T Recommendation E.161 Option A. An arrangement of prior art keyboard ISO standard is illustrated in Figure 7.

According to the ISO Standard, the "2" key is associated with the number "2" and the letters "A", "B", and "C". Likewise, the "3" key is associated with the number "3" and the letters "DEF" and so on until the "9" key, which is associated with the number 9 and the letters "WXY". In addition to the number keys, the ISO standard has telephone keys "*" and "#". The ISO standard requires that the keys be arranged in four rows of three keys. The known, and natural, extensions of the ISO standard are to include the missing letter Q on the "7" key and the missing letter Z on the "9" key or to also incorporate characters belonging to other languages than English. For example, characters in German and French may be associated with a telephone key. Also without being part of the ISO standard, sometimes the "1" key is associated with a space / gap and punctuation, and occasionally the "0" key is associated with special symbols. In order to increase the number of functions available through a device (or maintain a constant number of functions by virtue of decreasing the size of the device), manufacturers generally increase the number of keys on the reduced numeric keypad. Frequently this includes reducing the surface area of the keys and / or reducing the distance between the keys. However, as a surface area of the key and / or the distance between the keys decreases, it becomes more difficult to press a key with precision. Users with large or insensitive fingers, users with impaired fine motor coordination, or users who wear gloves frequently suffer from incorrectly pressing the keys on such reduced keypads. To compound the problem, the smaller area on the key surfaces and between keys results in small labels for the keys which can be difficult to read. In addition to increasing the number of keys on a small numeric keypad, often several keys on the reduced numeric keypad are associated with multiple functions and / or meanings in order to enable the increased number of features and functions of the device. Commonly, the reduced numeric keypad functions as an alphanumeric keypad for features such as sending messages and phone book, where both letters and numbers are entered from the reduced numeric keypad. Typically, alphanumeric characters are selected by repeatedly pressing an associated key and displaying the options until a pause (or selection of another key) by the user indicates that an option has been chosen. For example, if a user presses the "2" key once, the letter "A" is entered, if the user presses the "2" key twice, the letter "B" is entered, and if the user presses the key "2" three times, the letter "C" is entered. This scheme is known as multi-pressure input (or multi-hit) and provides a letter-by-letter data entry method. A disadvantage of the multi-pressure entry scheme is that up to four strokes may be required to enter a letter, which results in time consuming data entry. An alternative for multi-pressure input is a two-pressure input scheme. A first pressure specifies a group of letters and a second pressure is related to the place of the desired letter in the group. Therefore, first pressing the "5" key for the character group "JKL5" and then pressing the "2" key will result in the entry of a "K". Although this two-pressure input scheme eliminates the three and four pressures contemplated in the multi-pressure input scheme, it requires at least two pressures to enter a letter. Another letter-by-letter input scheme involves the prediction of the next letter of a word based on any previously entered letters and the present pressure. For example, if "F" and "O" have already been entered, pressing the "7" key may result in an "R" on the screen. Additional presses of the "7" key will bring up the characters "S", "P", and "7". This is an improvement in the two-pressures and multi-pressures input schemes but usually still requires more than one pressure per letter of a word. In any of the letter-by-letter input schemes, the reduced numeric keypad generally has a period of timeout omission so that if pressing the key pauses longer than the timeout period, this will be interpreted as a confirmation of the most recent key pressures. The confirmation of an entry by selecting a different key (including a dedicated confirmation key) is also possible under the multi-pressure input scheme. In contrast to the letter-by-letter input schemes, there are also word-by-word input schemes where a user presses only once each key corresponding to the group of letters containing the desired letter until a word is completed . A processor inside the device accesses a dictionary of complete words and suggests a list of possible complete words that correspond to the entered number sequence. A selection key is used to pass each of the possible full words. However, the one-push approach is not useful for entering words not found in the dictionary (usually proper names, abbreviations, and specialized terms). When the dictionary does not contain the intended word, the text entry can be returned to one of the letter-by-letter schemes or to an error correction mode. The last text entry of the intended word may then require more key fingerings than if the user had started with a letter-by-letter scheme. Therefore, there is a need for a reduced numeric keypad that facilitates the entry of alphanumeric characters without miniaturizing the surface areas and distances between keys. There is also a need for a reduced numeric keypad compatible with the ISO standard so that only a small learning or practice to enter alphanumeric characters is required. The various aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art with careful consideration of the following figures and detailed description that is attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 shows a numeric keypad executed in an electronic device according to a first preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the keypad shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows details of a telephone key shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows an alternative telephone key according to a second preferred embodiment. Figure 5 shows a flowchart for character entries, with a priority in the numerical entry, using the numeric keypad shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 shows a flow chart for character entries, with a priority in the input not numerical, using the numeric keypad shown in figure 1. Figure 7 shows a numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES A numeric keypad for an electronic device includes nested telephone keys that have both a raised edge and a serrated edge on a substantially planar surface. The keys have alphanumeric telephone signs compatible with the numeric keypad of the ISO standard. A priority routine enters a character from a first alphanumeric label when a switch under a key is held for a shorter period of time than a first switch period, and the priority routine enters a character from a second alphanumeric label when the The switch is held longer than the first switch period. When the priority routine favors numbers, numbers are entered when the switch is held for less time than the first switch period while non-numeric characters are entered when the switch is held for longer than the first switch period. When the priority routine favors non-numeric characters, non-numeric characters are entered when the switch is held for less time than the first switch period while entering numbers when the switch is held for longer than the first switch period. At least one additional switch period is provided so that additional characters can be entered using the same key when the switch is held for longer than the additional switch period. The numeric keypad provides an ergonomically efficient key and space shape. This numeric keypad facilitates the entry of alphanumeric characters by provisioning priority routines that allow a key with multiple switches to quickly enter numeric and non-numeric characters. Figure 1 shows a numeric keypad 110 executed in an electronic device 100 according to a first preferred embodiment. In this mode, the electronic device 100 is a mobile telephone; however, many other electronic devices such as landlines, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and remote controls can use the numeric keypad. The numeric keypad 110 includes a plurality of keys in a substantially planar region. These keys can have different shapes, sizes, features, and functions. For example, programmable keys 122, 124, 126 have different functions depending on their labels according to the screen 190. The END (end) key 132 and the SEND (send) key 134 perform common telephone functions for the mobile telephone, and the key UP / DOWN 136 is a bi-directional key that allows the up and down movements of a cursor on the screen 190. The keyboard 110 also includes telephone keys 115 with a layout compatible with the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard shown in Figure 7. The key 151 is labeled with the number "1" as well as various punctuation marks. In the first preferred embodiment, the punctuation marks are period and the symbol "@". The key 152 is labeled with the number "2" and the letters "A", "B" and "C". Also, the key 153 is associated with the number "3" and the letters "DEF" and so on through the keys 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, up to the key 159, which is associated with the number " 9"and the letters" WXYZ ". The key 161 is labeled with the telephone symbol "*" and a backward signal, the key 162 is labeled with the number "0" and the plus sign "+", and the key 163 is labeled with the telephone symbol "# "and a space sign. The labels are displayed on the keys themselves in this mode. However, the labels could be adjacent to the keys and still be legibly associated with the appropriate key. Each of the telephone keys 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 has a similar shape, which will be described in detail. If you have the same shape, making the keyboard is simpler because fewer unique parts are required; however, each key does not require the same form in order for the keyboard to demonstrate the benefits. Figure 2 shows an exploded view 200 of the keyboard 110 shown in Figure 1. The layer 210 shows a portion of the numeric keypad of a plastic housing of the electronic device 100 shown in Figure 1. The layer 250 shows covers keys 222, 224, 226, 232, 234, 236 as well as key covers for telephone keys 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 261, 262, and 263. Preferably, the covers of key are made from a soft flexible material, such as silicone. In another embodiment, the key covers are made of a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic mounted on and held in a position aligned by a soft flexible membrane or canvas. Each telephone key is aligned on three layered switches 270 and 290. For example, the key cover 251 is aligned on three switch domes 272, 274, 276 in the region 271. The apex pressure of a key cover 251 causes that the switch dome 274 below the apex closes against the circuit board contact 294. Similarly, the pressure of the left base of the key cover 251 causes the switch dome 272 below the left base to close against the circuit board contact 292 while the pressure of the right base of the key cover 251 causes the switch 276 below the left base to close against the circuit board contact 296. Preferably, the switches in the layers 270 and 290 are in a substantially hexagonal packing arrangement, which is the most efficient sphere packing arrangement.

Other switch geometries, such as square packing, are possible but less efficient. As will be explained with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6, a user may enter numeric and non-numeric characters using the numeric keypad 110 depending on the input mode of the device and the time a particular switch remains closed. Figure 3 shows details of a telephone key 200 shown in Figure 1. Depending on its orientation, the telephone key 300 could be one of the twelve telephone keys 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 , 161, 162, 163 shown in Figure 1. In the orientation shown, key 300 has a serrated bottom edge 312 in the substantially flat region of the numeric keypad (shown in Figure 1). The key 300 also has a raised upper edge 322 substantially opposite to the serrated edge 312. In this embodiment, the highlighted upper edge 322 has a generally convex shape while the serrated bottom edge 312 has a generally concave shape. Various angles and curves can be used to form raised edges and alternate serrated edges. The serrated edge 312 and the opposing edge 322 allow adjacent keys to be "nested" close to one another. The density allowed by the nested keys allows for larger key surface areas, which allow the user to more easily press the keys and read any labels on the keys. The key 300 also has other edges, which may be uniform, toothed, or highlighted. In this first preferred embodiment, the side edges 314, 316 are slightly toothed and the base edges 324, 326 are highlighted. As can be seen in Figure 1, the alternate orientation of each key column allows the highlighted base edge 324 of a key to be nested against the slightly toothed side edge 314 of an adjacent key. Instead of inverting the orientation of the keys in adjacent columns, the key columns can maintain the same orientation but can be staggered in order to promote a nesting configuration. These configurations and key forms promote a large key surface area. In order to promote the efficient use of the keyboard, the switches are substantially aligned below the centers of the raised edges 322, 324, 326. Because the hexagonal packing is the most efficient arrangement for spherical packing, preferably the angle 390 formed by lines 393, 396 between the center of the upper edge and the centers of the base edges is approximately sixty degrees. Depending on the exact arrangement of the switches and the user's preferences, the angle 390 is preferably not greater than about ninety degrees and not less than about forty-five degrees. The telephone signs are placed on the surface of the key 300, which are compatible with the numeric keypad of the ISO standard. In this first preferred embodiment, a number is placed in the central region 345 on the surface of the key. As with conventional numeric keyboards of the ISO standard, the number is more prominent on the key surface. In regions 332, 334, 336 of secondary prominence the letters associated with the number in region 345 are placed. For example, if a "2" is placed in the central region 345, a letter "A" would go in region 332 , a letter "B" would go in region 334, and a letter "C" would go in region 336. Of course, the exact regions of secondary prominence may vary according to the use of the design. For example, the letters could be placed on the numeric keypad adjacent to the key instead of on the key itself. Therefore, regions of secondary prominence would be in the housing instead of the key itself. However, by maintaining consistency with the ISO standard, it will be familiar for users to locate telephone numbers, letters, and 'symbols on the numeric keypad, despite any unusual key form. Figure 4 shows an alternate telephone key 400 according to a second preferred embodiment. An alternate telephone key 400 could be replaced by the telephone keys 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 shown in Figure 1. In the orientation shown, the key 400 has a serrated bottom edge 412 in the substantially flat region of the numeric keypad (shown in Figure 1). The key 400 also has a raised upper edge 422 substantially opposite to the serrated edge 412. Various angles and curves can be used to form raised edges and serrated edges. These serrated edges 412 and opposing raised edges 422 allow adjacent keys to "nest" close to one another. The density allowed by the nested keys allows for larger key surface areas. The key 400 also has other edges, which may be uniform, toothed, or highlighted. In this second preferred embodiment, the side edges 414, 416 are substantially uniform and the base edges 424, 426 are slightly highlighted. By correlating Figure 1, the orientation of the keys allows the base edge 424 of a key to rest against the substantially uniform side edge 414 of an adjacent key. This also allows a larger key surface area.

In order to promote the efficient use of the numeric keypad, the switches are aligned substantially below the centers of the raised edges 422, 424, 426. Because the hexagonal packing is the most efficient arrangement for spherical packing, preferably the angle 490 formed by lines 493, 496 between the center of the upper edge and the centers of the base edges is approximately sixty degrees. Depending on the exact arrangement of the switches, and the user's preferences, the angle 490 is preferably not greater than about ninety degrees and not less than about forty-five degrees. On the surface of the key 400, the telephone signs compatible with the keyboard of the ISO standard are placed. In this second preferred embodiment, a number is placed in the central region 445 on the surface of the key. As with the numeric keypads of the ISO standard, the number is more prominent on the surface of the key. In regions 432, 434, 436 of secondary prominence are placed the letters associated with the number in the region 445. For example, if a "2" is placed in the center region 445, a letter "A" would be in the region 432 , a letter "B" would go in region 434, and a letter "C" would go in region 436. Of course, the exact regions of secondary prominence may vary according to the use of the design. For example, the letters could be placed on the numeric keypad adjacent to the key instead of being on the key itself. Therefore, regions of secondary prominence would be in the housing instead of being in the key itself. However, by maintaining consistency with the ISO standard, users will find familiar to locate telephone numbers, letters, and symbols on the numeric keypad shown in Figure 1, despite unusual key forms. Figure 5 shows a flow diagram 500 for character input, with a numerical input priority, using the numeric keypad shown in figure 1. Telephone keys 151,152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 shown in Figure 1 are used to enter both numeric and non-numeric characters into an electronic device. The start step 501 of the number priority routine can be triggered on a variety of routes. For example, if a user starts typing a number on the numeric keypad using a telephone key, they will initiate the number priority routine. This would occur, for example, when a user is typing a telephone number into a telephone or typing a television channel into a remote control. Alternatively, a user can navigate using programmable keys or other non-telephone keys to initiate a number entry routine, such as entering a phone number in a phone book or setting up favorite television channels. If a switch associated with a telephone key is held for a period less than a rebound elimination period, the number priority routine will ignore the key pressure as shown in step 510. For this preferred embodiment, the elimination period of bounces is approximately fifty thousandths of a second. Of course, different rebound elimination periods can be executed depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user's preferences. If a switch associated with a telephone key is held for a period longer than a rebound elimination period as shown in step 510, the number priority routine will determine whether a single-character switch was pressed as shown in the Step 515. Figure 1 shows two switches that are associated with more than one character. These are in the left base switch of the key 157, which is associated with both the letter P and the letter Q and the right base switch of the key 159, which is associated with both the letter Y and the letter Z. Of course, other switches may be associated with more than one character; however, it is reasonable that there is a multi-character switch for the letters Q and Z due to the fact that those letters are not included in the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard. If the switch is a single-character switch, step 520 determines when the switch was held for a period less than the first switch period. For this preferred embodiment, the first switch period is about one second. Of course different first switch periods can be executed depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user preferences. If the switch was held for a period longer than the first switch period, a number associated with the switch is input as shown in step 523. If the switch was held for a period longer than the first switch period, a associated with the switch is entered as shown in step 526. It can be seen that, for each telephone key, there are three switches associated with a single number but only a maximum of one switch is associated with a non-numeric character. If the switch is a multi-character switch as determined in step 515, step 530 determines when the switch was held for a period less than a second switch period. For this preferred embodiment, the second switch period is equal to the first switch period and is approximately one second. Of course, different second switch periods can be executed depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user preferences. If the switch was held for a period less than a second switch period, a number associated with the switch is input as shown in step 535. If the switch was held for a period longer than the second switch period, the step 540 determines whether the switch was held for a period less than a third switch period, which is longer than the second switch period. In this embodiment, the third switch period is simply twice as long as the second switch period and approximately two seconds. If the switch was held for a period less than the third switch period, a first character associated with the switch is input as shown in step 543. If the switch was held for a longer period than the third switch period, a second character associated with the switch is entered as shown in step 546. In the preferred embodiment, the second character is the missing character of the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard (for example, Q or Z) while the first Character is included in the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard. Unless there is a strict key pressure in step 550, the number priority routine returns to step 510 and prepares to receive additional key pressures. A strict key pressure, such as END (finish) or SEND (send) (shown in Figure 1), causes the number priority routine to end in step 599. Preferably, this flow chart is executed in the software of the electronic device. As is apparent from flowchart 500, the number priority routine allows a fast and reliable number entry using the numeric keypad. However, non-numeric characters can also be entered by holding a switch for a longer period than a first switch period or, under certain conditions, longer than a second switch period. Although in this embodiment the second switch period is equal to the first switch period, and the third switch period is simply twice as long as the second switch period, the three switch periods do not need to be related (to the extent that that the third switch period must be longer than the second switch period). Figure 6 shows a flow chart 600 for character input, with a priority in the non-numeric entry, using the numeric keypad shown in figure 1. The telephone keys 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163 shown in Figure 1 is used to enter both numeric and non-numeric characters into an electronic device. The start step 601 of the non-numeric character priority routine can be caused in a variety of ways. For example, if a user uses a browser, short message service, text message service, or name application in the phone book, it will initiate the non-numeric priority routine. If a switch associated with a telephone key is held for a period less than a rebound elimination period, the non-numeric character priority routine will ignore the key pressure as shown in step 610. For this preferred embodiment, the period Bounce elimination is approximately fifty thousandths of a second. Of course, different rebound elimination periods can be executed depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user's preferences. If a switch associated with a telephone key is held for a longer period than a rebound elimination period as determined in step 610, the non-numeric character priority routine will determine whether a single-character switch was pressed as shown in FIG. shown in step 615. Figure 1 shows two switches that are associated with more than one character. These are the left base switch of the key 157, which is associated with both letters, P and Q, and the right base switch of the key 159, which is associated with both letters, Y and Z. Of course, other switches can be associated with more than one character; however, it is reasonable that there is a multi-character switch for the letters Q and Z due to the fact that these letters are not included in the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard. If the switch is a single-character switch, step 620 determines when the switch was held for a period less than a first switch period. For this preferred embodiment, the first switch period is approximately one second. Of course different first switch periods can be executed depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user preferences. If the switch was held for a period less than the first switch period, a non-numeric character associated with the switch is input, as shown in step 623. If the switch was held for a longer period than the first period of switch, a number associated with the switch is entered as shown in step 626. It can be seen that, for each telephone key, three switches are associated with a single number but only a maximum of one switch is associated with a non-numeric character. . If the switch is a multi-character switch as determined in step 615, step 630 determines when the switch was held for a period less than a second switch period. For this preferred embodiment, the second switch period is equal to the first switch period and approximately one second. Of course, a different second switch period can be executed, depending on the application of the numeric keypad and the user's preferences. If the switch was held for a period less than the second switch period, a first character associated with the switch is input as shown in step 635. If the switch was held for a longer period than the second switch period, step 640 determines whether the switch was held for a period less than the third switch period. If the switch was held for a period less than the third switch period, a second character associated with the switch is input, as shown in step 643. If the switch was held for a longer period than the third switch period , a number associated with the switch is entered, as shown in step 646. In the preferred embodiment, the second character is the missing character of the telephone keypad arrangement of the ISO standard (for example, Q or Z) while includes the first character in the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard. Although in this embodiment the second switch period is equal to the first switch period, and the third switch period is simply twice as long as the second switch period, the three switch periods do not need to be related (but the third switch period must be longer than the second switch period). Unless there is a strict key pressure in step 650, the non-numerical priority routine returns to step 610 and prepares to receive additional key pressure. A strict key pressure, such as ending (END) or sending (SEND) (shown in Figure 1), causes the non-numeric priority routine to end in step 699.

Preferably, this flowchart is executed in software of the electronic device. As is evident from the flow chart 600, the non-numeric character priority routine allows fast and reliable entry of the non-numeric character using the numeric keypad. However, numeric characters can also be entered by holding a switch for a longer period than a first switch period, or under certain circumstances, a second or third switch period. Therefore, the numeric keypad facilitates the entry of alphanumeric characters while maintaining a key surface and distance enters the keys reasonable. The numeric keypad is also compatible with the numeric keypad arrangement of the ISO standard, which facilitates the rapid learning and use of the numeric keypad. Although this description includes what are nowadays considered the preferred embodiments and the best modes of the invention described in a form that establishes the possession thereof by the inventor and that allows those skilled in the art to make and use the invention, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents of the preferred embodiments described in the present invention and that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which are limited not by the preferred embodiments but by the appended claims, including any modification made during the processing of this application and all the equivalents of those claims as issued. In addition it will also be understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like, if any, are only used to distinguish one from another entity, concept, or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual or order among said entities, concepts or actions. Some of the inventive features and many of the inventive principles are best executed with or in software programs or instructions. It is expected that those skilled in the art, notwithstanding a significant effort and many design options motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles described in the present invention, may easily generate such software instructions and programs with minimal experimentation. Therefore, an additional analysis of said software, if any, will be limited in the interest of brevity and reduction of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (21)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - An electronic device with a numeric keypad on a substantially planar surface comprises: a first key with a serrated edge on the substantially flat surface, a first edge protruded on the substantially planar surface, a first alphanumeric tag associated with the first highlighted edge of the first key; a second key with a sharp edge on the substantially planar surface adjacent the serrated edge of the first key; and a third key with a serrated edge on the substantially planar surface adjacent the first highlighted edge of the first key.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first key further comprises: a second serrated edge on the substantially planar surface; a third edge highlighted on the substantially planar surface; and an angle formed by lines between a center of the first highlighted edge and centers of the second highlighted edge and the third highlighted edge is greater than about forty-five degrees.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle is less than about ninety degrees.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a priority routine that enters a character associated with the first alphanumeric label when the first key is held for a period less than a first switch period.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first alphanumeric label represents a number.

6. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that the priority routine enters a character associated with the second alphanumeric label when the first key is held for a period longer than the first switch period.

7. - The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second alphanumeric label represents a non-numeric character.

8. - The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second alphanumeric label represents a letter.

9. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the second alphanumeric label represents a space.

10. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that the priority routine enters a character associated with the second alphanumeric label when the first key is held for a period less than a second switch period that is greater than the first Switch period.

11. The electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that the priority routine enters a character associated with a third alphanumeric label when the first key is held for a period longer than the second switch period.

12. A numeric keypad, on a surface having a substantially planar region, comprising: a first key with a serrated edge in the substantially flat region, a first edge highlighted in the substantially planar region, a first alphanumeric tag associated with the first key, and a second alphanumeric tag associated with the first highlighted edge of the first key; a second key with a sharp edge in the substantially planar region near the serrated edge of the first key; and a third key with a serrated edge in the substantially planar region proximate the first highlighted edge of the first key.

13. The numeric keypad according to claim 12 characterized in that the first key further comprises: a second edge highlighted in the substantially flat region; a third edge highlighted in the substantially planar region; and an angle formed by lines between a center of the first highlighted edge and centers of the second highlighted edge and the third highlighted edge is greater than about forty-five degrees.

14. The numerical keypad according to claim 13, characterized in that the angle is less than about ninety degrees.

15. The numeric keypad according to claim 13, further comprising: a fourth key with a serrated edge in the substantially flat region next to the second highlighted edge of the first key.

16. The numeric keypad according to claim 15, characterized in that the first key, the second key, the third key, and the fourth key have approximately the same shape.

17. The numeric keypad according to claim 12, characterized in that the first key, the second key, and the third key have approximately the same shape.

18. The numeric keypad according to claim 12, comprising: a first tag associated with the first key.

19. The numeric keypad according to claim 18, characterized in that the first label represents a numeric character.

20. The numeric keypad according to claim 18, further comprising: a second tag associated with the first key.

21. The numeric keypad according to claim 20, characterized in that the second label represents a non-numeric character.