Remote keypad

A multifunction key, comprising:

• (a) a key body;
• (b) a set of at least three make-and-break contacts disposed below said key body;
• said key body being titled in a plurality of primary angular directions in order to selectively actuate only one of said set;
• and
• (c) a resisting arrangement configured to provide a greater resistance to a user tilting said key body in one of a plurality of secondary angular directions compared to said user tilting said key body in one of said primary angular directions.

A multifunction key, comprising:

• (a) a key body having a lower side;
• (b) a set of at least three make-and-break contacts disposed below said key body;
• said key body being titled in a plurality of primary angular directions in order to selectively actuate only one of said set;
• (c) an elongated element having a first end and a second end, said first end being disposed on said lower side;
• and
• (d) a template which is rigidly supported, said template being formed, such that, when a user tilts said key body in one of a plurality of secondary angular directions, a greater inhibition is provided by said template against said elongated element than when said user tilts said key body in one of said primary angular directions.

A system, comprising:

• (a) a processor;
• and
• (b) a input device having a plurality of keys, said input device being associated with said processor, at least one of said keys being a control key, at least one of said input device and said processor being configured such that:
• (i) when said control key is depressed and released, a next keystroke is assumed, for at least a period of time, to be in conjunction with said control key that was previously released;
• (ii) a first key that is depressed while said control key is depressed is assumed to be in conjunction with said control key;
• and
• (iii) after a release of said control key and said first key, a depression of a second key is assumed to be a start of a new keystroke.

A input device comprising:

• (a) at least eight multifunction keys, each of said multifunction keys being configured for single-touch selection of one of four functions, one of said four functions being uniquely associated with a digit in the range 2 to 9, each of three of said four functions being uniquely associated with a letter:
• and
• (b) a multifunction key configured for single-touch selection of one of at least three functions, wherein:
• (i) one of said at least three functions is associated with a digit zero;
• (ii) one of said at least three functions is associated with a letter from a group consisting of a letter ‘P’ and a letter ‘Q’ and a letter ‘R’ and a letter ‘S’;
• and
• (iii) one of said at least three functions is associated with a letter from a group consisting of a letter ‘W’ and a letter ‘X’ and a letter ‘Y’ and a letter ‘Z’.

An input device comprising:

• (a) at least eight multifunction keys, each of said multifunction keys being configured for single-touch selection of one of four functions, one of said four functions being uniquely associated with a digit in the range 2 to 9, each of three of said four functions being uniquely associated with a letter;
• (b) a multifunction key configured for single-touch selection of one of at least two functions, wherein:
• (i) one of said at least two functions is associated with a symbol ‘*’;
• and
• (ii) one of said at least two functions is associated with a letter from a group consisting of a letter ‘P’ and a letter ‘Q’ and a letter ‘R’ and a letter ‘S’;
• and
• (b) a multifunction key configured for single-touch selection of one of at least two functions, wherein:
• (i) one of said at least two functions is associated with a symbol ‘#’;
• and
• (ii) one of said at least two functions is associated with a letter from a group consisting of a letter ‘W’ and a letter ‘X’ and a letter ‘Y’ and a letter ‘Z’.