Communications device methods and apparatus including ergonomic key layout and intuitive user interface

A portable communications device comprising:

• a lid including first and second audio control elements in said lid for controlling at least one audio output level of said portable communications device;
• a body including a plurality of input keys, the number of input keys included in said body being limited to a number less than 10;
• a hinge assembly for movably attaching said lid to said body, said lid being movable between said closed and open positions;
• a lid position sensor for detecting the position of said lid;
• wherein said limited number of keys includes at most 7 keys, said keys including at least two dedicated call keys used for initiating calls to predetermined telephone numbers;
• wherein said lid includes an outside portion and an inside portion, a first display being mounted in the outside portion, said inside portion including a speaker and a second display, said second display being larger than said first display and being positioned in said lid closer to said hinge assembly than said speaker;
• and
• wherein said limited number of keys includes a total of 3 dedicated call keys being positioned in a straight line and four additional input keys positioned in a cross pattern, an up arrow key being positioned at the top of said cross pattern and a down arrow key being positioned at the bottom of said cross pattern.

A portable communications device comprising:

• a lid including first and second audio control elements in said lid for controlling at least one audio output level of said portable communications device, said audio control elements being audio control switches;
• a body including a plurality of input keys, the number of input keys included in said body being limited to a number less than 10, said input keys including at least two dedicated call keys used for initiating calls to predetermined telephone numbers, a first one of said two dedicated call keys being dedicated a telephone number of a telephone operator and a second one of said two dedicated keys being dedicated to a second telephone number, said second telephone number being a telephone number which is programmed by the user via an update method which does not involve entry of the second telephone number from the keys of the phone;
• a hinge assembly for movably attaching said lid to said body, said lid being movable between said closed and open positions;
• a lid position sensor for detecting the position of said lid;
• wherein said lid includes first and second halves and wherein said audio control switches are located in the first half and wherein said hinge assembly is attached to said second half;
• and
• wherein the portable communications device does not have a dedicated key with a hang up indicator function displayed on a key surface of said dedicated key, said limited number of input keys including four keys positioned in a cross pattern, an up arrow key being positioned at the top of said cross pattern and a down arrow key being positioned at the bottom of said cross pattern, one of said four keys in said cross pattern being used during an ongoing call to perform said hang up control function.

A portable communications device comprising:

• a lid including first and second audio control elements in said lid for controlling at least one audio output level of said portable communications device;
• a body including a plurality of input keys, the number of input keys included in said body being limited to a number less than 10;
• a hinge assembly for movably attaching said lid to said body, said lid being movable between said closed and open positions;
• a lid position sensor for detecting the position of said lid;
• wherein said limited number of keys includes at most 7 keys, said keys including at least two dedicated call keys used for initiating calls to predetermined telephone numbers;
• wherein said lid includes an outside portion and an inside portion, a first display being mounted in the outside portion, said inside portion including a speaker and a second display, said second display being larger than said first display and being positioned in said lid closer to said hinge assembly than said speaker;
• and
• wherein said limited number of keys includes at least a total of 3 dedicated call keys and four additional input keys, one of the 3 dedicated call keys controlling initiation of a voice dialing call.

A method of controlling audio output levels in a cell phone operating an on state in response to activation of either of a first and second control element the cell phone including a lid which can be in either an open or closed position, the method comprising:

• detecting when one of said first and second control elements is activated;
• determining the volume control operation to be performed as a function of both said lid position and which one of said first and second control elements was activated;
• wherein the volume control operation performed in response to activation of said first control element when said first control element is activated and said lid is in an open position is opposite the volume control operation performed in response to activation of said first control element when said first control element is activated and said lid is in a closed position;
• and
• wherein the volume control operation performed in response to activation of said second control element when said second control element is activated and said lid is in an open position is opposite the volume control operation performed in response to activation of said second control element when said second control element is activated and said lid is in a closed position.