Abstract: A sliding mechanism (104) is provided in an electronic device (101) including a housing having first and second portions (102, 103) movable between a closed position and an open position. The sliding mechanism (104) includes a cam plate (201, 1101) secured to the first portion (102) of the housing. A slider plate (204, 1104) is attached to the second portion (103) of the housing. A biasing member (308, 1108) couples the cam plate (201, 1101) to the slider plate (204, 1104). Sliding movement of the first portion (102) of the housing relative to the second portion (103) of the housing actuates the biasing member (308, 1108) to urge the first and second housing portions (102, 103) towards the closed position or the open position of the electronic device (101).

Abstract: A hinged panel (110) coupled to a body member (120), for example in a wireless communications device, including a torsion spring (150) coupled to the body member and to the panel, a cam (127) coupled to the body member, a follower (134) coupled to the panel. A decreasing counter-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is above a specified level, and an increasing assisting-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is below a specified level.

Abstract: A slider mechanism (414) includes a first element (516), a second element (518) and a biasing device (590). The second element (518) slides with respect to the first element (516) along a path. The biasing device (590) functions as an over-center mechanism, such that external force is required to move the slider mechanism (414) for an initial range of its travel, and stored energy is used to move the slider mechanism (414) along a subsequent range of its travel. The biasing device (590) includes a pair of springs (524, 522) that are under compression. The springs (524, 522) are accommodated in openings (530, 532, 534) formed in the first and second elements (516, 518) and the springs (524, 522) move in a plane of the mechanism (414) to reduce the thickness of the slider mechanism (414).

Abstract: A keypad assembly, the keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key cap layer, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface keycaps.

Abstract: A keypad assembly, the keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key cap layer, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface keycaps.

Abstract: A keypad assembly, the keypad assembly including a keycap layer 110 having multiple user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier portion, a luminescent layer 120 disposed toward a backside of the plurality of key cap layer, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of key caps of the key cap layer. In some embodiments, a backing material is applied to a backside of the user interface keycaps.

Abstract: A portable telephone (100, 700) such as a flip type cellular telephone is provided with a pivoting head (112, 710), that includes a multipurpose auxiliary display (118, 720), and a camera (122, 716). The pivoting head facilitates using the camera to capture pictures of the user of the cellular telephone, or of a scene that the user is observing.

Abstract: A hinged panel (110) coupled to a body member (120), for example in a wireless communications device, including a torsion spring (150) coupled to the body member and to the panel, a cam (127) coupled to the body member, a follower (134) coupled to the panel. A decreasing counter-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is above a specified level, and an increasing assisting-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is below a specified level.