Handheld electronic device having reduced keyboard and multiple password access, and associated methods

A method of establishing a first password and a second password for a handheld electronic device, said handheld electronic device having a first reduced keyboard having a plurality of first keys, said first password being valid and accepted when input using said first reduced keyboard of said handheld electronic device, said second password being valid and accepted when input using a second reduced keyboard of a second electronic device, said second reduced keyboard having a plurality of second keys, said handheld electronic device having a first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system and said second electronic device having a second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, comprising:

• performing a first key depression sequence on said handheld electronic device, said first key depression sequence resulting from entering a predetermined character string having a plurality of predetermined characters in a predetermined order by pressing particular ones of the first keys of said first reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order;
• converting said first key depression sequence into a first character string using said first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system;
• determining a second character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a second key depression sequence on said second electronic device by entering the predetermined character string by pressing particular ones of the second keys of the second reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) converting said second key depression sequence using said second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system;
• and
• storing said first character string as said first password and said character string as said second password.

A method of controlling access to a handheld electronic device, said handheld electronic device having a first reduced keyboard having a plurality of first keys and a first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, comprising:

• permitting access to said handheld electronic device when a first password is input using said first reduced keyboard of said handheld electronic device;
• and
• permitting access to said handheld electronic device when a second password is input using a second reduced keyboard of a second electronic device, said second electronic device having a second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system and a plurality of second keys;
• wherein said first password consists of a first character string and said second password consists of a second character string, wherein said first character string is a first converted character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a first key depression sequence on said handheld electronic device, said first key depression sequence resulting from entering a predetermined character string having a plurality of predetermined characters in a predetermined order by pressing particular ones of the first keys of said first reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) using said first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system to convert said first key depression sequence, and wherein said second character string is a second converted character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a second key depression sequence on said second electronic device by entering the predetermined character string by pressing particular ones of the second keys of the second reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) converting said second key depression sequence using said second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system.

A handheld electronic device, comprising:

• a first reduced keyboard having a plurality of first keys;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing a plurality of routines executable by said processor, a first password, and a second password, said first password being valid and accepted when input using said reduced keyboard, said second password being valid and accepted when input using a second reduced keyboard of a second electronic device, said second reduced keyboard having a plurality of second keys, wherein a first one or more of said routines implements a first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, wherein said second electronic device has a second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, and wherein a second one or more of said routines is adapted to:
• receive a first key depression sequence, said first key depression sequence resulting from entering a predetermined character string having a plurality of predetermined characters in a predetermined order by pressing particular ones of the first keys of said first reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order;
• convert said first key depression sequence into a first character string using said first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system;
• determine a second character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a second key depression sequence on said second electronic device by entering the predetermined character string by pressing particular ones of the second keys of the second reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) converting said second key depression sequence using said second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system;
• and
• store said first character string as said first password and said character string as said second password.

A handheld electronic device, comprising:

• a first reduced keyboard having a plurality of first keys;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory storing a plurality of routines executable by said processor, wherein a first one or more of said routines implements a first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system, and wherein a second one or more of said routines is adapted to:
• permit access to said handheld electronic when a first password is input using said first reduced keyboard;
• and
• permit access to said handheld electronic when a second password is input using a second reduced keyboard of a second electronic device, wherein said second electronic device has a second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system and a plurality of second keys;
• wherein said first password consists of a first character string and said second password consists of a second character string, wherein said first character string is a first converted character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a first key depression sequence on said handheld electronic device, said first key depression sequence resulting from entering a predetermined character string having a plurality of predetermined characters in a predetermined order by pressing particular ones of the first keys of said first reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) using said first non-predictive keystroke interpretation system to convert said first key depression sequence, and wherein said second character string is a second converted character string that would result from:
• (i) performing a second key depression sequence on said second electronic device by entering the predetermined character string by pressing particular ones of the second keys of the second reduced keyboard that include the predetermined characters in the predetermined order, and (ii) converting said second key depression sequence using said second non-predictive keystroke interpretation system.