The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 06, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1995
Takahiro Miwa, Konan, JP;
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nagoya, JP;
Abstract
A compact keyboard for use in a portable electronic device includes keys arranged in two level sets. Each set includes an upper level and a lower level, and the keys of the upper and lower levels of each set are arranged in an interdigitated or staggered fashion such the keys of each set form a pattern similar to a pattern of a single row of keys of a standard full-sized keyboard. This key arrangement allows a compact device having limited horizontal dimensions to mimic a key pattern arrangement of a full-sized keyboard. The keys may have pointed indicator portions that bear a character or symbol that indicates the functions of the keys. The pointed indicator portions of the upper and lower levels of a single set may be interdigitated such that characters or symbols on the keys are arranged in a substantially straight line.