Staggered keyboard for a portable device

摘要

A staggered keyboard for use with a portable device is provided. The staggered keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged into a plurality of rows of keys. For each row of keys, the labeling of the keys is arranged in either a linear or an arced relationship depending upon the key layout, but the key centers are staggered from key to key along at least two distinct reference lines or arcs so that adjacent keys can be placed in overlapping and/or contiguous configurations thereby minimizing the size of the keyboard layout. By staggering the key centers while maintaining a familiar layout of the key labels, typing efficiency can be maintained while the overall size of the keyboard is reduced.