Self-configuring multiple element portable electronic device

Abstract

A self configuring multiple element portable electronic device ( 100 ) and method is provided. The device comprises at least a first electronic element ( 104 ) and a second electronic element ( 106 ) and a joint ( 112 ) connecting the first electronic element and the second electronic element, with the joint allowing movement in more than one plane of the first electronic element in relation to the second electronic element, wherein the self configuring multiple element portable electronic device is capable of self configuring an operational mode based on a relative position of the first electronic element with respect to the second electronic element. The method comprises the steps of detecting a relative position of the first electronic element relative to the second electronic element, and selecting an operational mode of the device based on the relative position. A keyboard having a plurality of keys has a first at least some of the keys active in a first mode of operation and in a second mode of operation a different set of keys, which are at least some of the first at least some of the keys are active.

1 . A qwerty keypad for a handheld electronic device, comprising: 
 a plurality of input keys each having an alphabetic character associated therewith,    at least some of the plurality of keys having an alphabetic character associated therewith having a numeral associated therewith,    the numerals inclined at an angle of approximately  45  degrees relative to the alphabetic characters.    
   
   
       2 . The qwerty keypad of  claim 1 , the least some of the plurality of keys having an alphabetic character associated therewith and having a numeral associated therewith having a shape different than the other input keys of the qwerty keypad.  
   
   
       3 . The qwerty keypad of  claim 1 , the alphabetic characters and the numeral disposed on the plurality of input keys.  
   
   
       4 . The qwerty keypad of  claim 1 , the alphabetic characters and the numeral disposed on the plurality of input keys.  
   
   
       5 . The qwerty keypad of  claim 4 , the least some of the plurality of keys having an alphabetic character associated therewith and having a numeral associated therewith larger than the other input keys of the qwerty keypad.  
   
   
       6 . A self configuring multiple element wireless portable electronic communication device, comprising: 
 a housing having a first element and a second element;    a keyboard, having a plurality of keys, said keyboard disposed on said first element;    a sensor disposed in said housing and detecting a relative position of said first element relative to said second element;    a hinge coupling said first element to said second element such that said first element and said second element configure in a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation; and    a keyboard controller disposed in said housing, said keyboard controller coupled to said sensor,    wherein a first set of keys, of said plurality of keys of said keyboard have a first function in response to said first element being in said portrait configuration and    wherein said first set of keys, of said plurality of keys of said keyboard have a second function in response to said first element being in said landscape configuration.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said device has at least two operational modes and wherein said device self configures an operational mode based on a position of said first element relative to said second element.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein a second set of keys of said plurality of keys of said keyboard are activated by said keyboard controller in response to said first element being in a second position relative to said second element.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first set of keys is a subset of said second set of keys.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said second set of keys has a second set of indicia associated therewith, and 
 wherein said second set of indicia correspond to a second operation mode of said at least two operational modes.    
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said first set of indicia are oriented at approximately a 45 degree angle relative to said second set of indicia, such that said second set of indicia can be read when said device is configured in said first position and said second position.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 6  of the the, wherein said second element includes a display device capable of being configured as a landscape display device and a portrait display device.