Blackberry Corporation

Günther Heinrich Burghardt

Wolfgang Theimer

Klaus-Dieter Meierling

Frank Von Heimburg

Heinz Henning Taschke

Wolfgang Michael Theimer

A physical keyboard having a plurality of individual keys temporarily overlays a touch-sensitive display. Each individual key selectively provides either of a first level of capacitive coupling and a second, different level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display. By one approach the key provides that first level of capacitive coupling to the touch-sensitive display when a user asserts the key (for example, by pressing upon the key) to thereby communicate to the touch-sensitive display a selection of that individual key. The key can provide that second level of capacitive coupling when a user touches, but does not assert, the individual key. So configured, this second level of capacitive coupling serves to communicate to the touch-sensitive display an input instruction other than a selection of that individual key.

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Bochum, Germany

Günther Heinrich Burghardt