Resistive keyboard with status keys

A method of arranging a keyboard for entering information in an electronic device, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of first resistors connected in series;
• providing a plurality of first keys electronically connected to said series of first resistors at a plurality of locations for providing a first information when at least one of the first keys is pressed, wherein the first information is indicative of the location of the pressed first key;
• and
• providing a plurality of second resistors connected in series to the series of first resistors, wherein each second resistor has a different resistance;
• and
• providing a plurality of second keys separately connected in parallel to the second resistors for selectively by-passing the second resistors when one or more second keys are pressed, wherein a second information is provided when one of the first keys is pressed together with at least one second key, and wherein the second information is indicative of the resistance associated with the at least one pressed second key.

An electronic device comprising:

• a keyboard for entering information, wherein the keyboard comprises:
• a plurality of first keys electronically connected to a series of first resistors at a plurality of locations for providing a first information when one of the first keys is activated, wherein the first information is indicative of the location associated with the activated first key;
• a plurality of second resistors connected in series to the series of first resistors, wherein each second resistor has a different resistance;
• and
• a plurality of second keys separately connected in parallel to the second resistors for selectively by-passing the second resistors when one or more second keys are activated, wherein a second information is provided when one of the first keys is activated together with at least one second key, and wherein the second information is indicative of the resistance of the at least one activated second key;
• means, responsive to the first information and second information, for providing a third information indicative of the information entered via the pressed first and second keys, and
• means, responsive to the third information, for processing the entered information.