Programmable keypad for sized optimized device
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAlistair Hamilton, Vanessa Rimando, Sudhir Bhatia, Thomas Conticello, Shane MacGregor
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided that facilitate configuration of a keypad by end users of the portable host device, via employing a mapping component that can map individual keys of the keypad to characters and/or functions predefined by a user (e.g., defined for the host unit via a proprietary application/software). The reconfigurable keypad of the present invention can provide for a one touch access to special characters and/or performance of predetermined functions designated by the user, and thus facilitates performances of customized functions that can be unique to the end users.
Claims17
A portable unit comprising:
- a keypad assembly;
- a screen that presents an end user with a map between a plurality of keys upon the keypad assembly and associated functionality;
- a mapping component communicatively coupled to the keypad assembly, the mapping component receives input from the user with respect to the map presented upon the screen and configures one or more keys based at least in part upon the received input;
- and
- a data collection component that scans a bar code which sets a configuration of the keypad assembly to predefined functions desired by the user based on information from the bar code.
A keypad assembly comprising:
- a mapping component that assigns at least one of a function and character, predefined by a user based on information from a bar code, to a key on the keypad assembly, the assignment corresponds to a map between keys and associated functionality displayed upon a screen;
- and
- a modulator key that switches characters assigned to a key between two or more alternatives.
A method for keypad customization of a host unit comprising:
- displaying a mapping between keys and functionality on a graphical user interface;
- utilizing the host unit to scan a bar code which reconfigures the keys based on information from the bar code;
- receiving a reconfiguration scheme from a mapping component of the host unit by way of the graphical user interface, the mapping component operatively connected to keys of a keypad assembly of the host unit;
- and
- mapping the reconfiguration scheme to the keys.
A portable unit comprising:
- means for displaying a map of keys and associated function(s);
- inputting means for inputting data;
- and
- means for configuring the inputting means to configure keys with respect to the map through information acquired by scanning a bar code to correspond to an end user's predefined function(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.