Abstract: A multi-function key system for use with an electronic device can include at least one key (230) and an optical film (255) optically coupled to the key. The optical film (255) can include a first optical filter (260) corresponding to a first color of light and a second optical filter (265) corresponding to a second color of light. The multi-function key system further can include a first light source (275), disposed below the key, that emits the first color of light and a second light source (280), disposed below the key, that emits the second color of light. A controller (215) can selectively activate the first light source (275) or second light source (280) responsive to an event detected within the electronic device.

Abstract: A display (200) that includes a first screen layer (205) having a first dimension (230) and a second screen layer (210) having a first side (211) bonded to a first side (206) of the first screen layer. The second screen layer can have a second dimension (225) that is greater than the first dimension, thereby defining a portion (235) of the second layer that extends beyond the first layer. The display also can include at least one integrated circuit chip (245) attached to the portion of the second layer. The integrated circuit chip can include, for example, a display driver. A stiffening component (250) can be positioned, at least in part, over the integrated circuit chip. The stiffening component also can be positioned over at least a substantial part of the defined portion of the second layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flash shutter mechanism (105) and a method (200) of operating same. The mechanism can include a flash (114) that may illuminate when an image is captured and a lens (116) that can cover the flash, including when the flash is illuminated. The lens can have a substantially transparent state and a substantially opaque state. In particular, the lens can be in the substantially transparent state when a camera mode is activated and can be in the substantially opaque state when the camera mode is deactivated. In one arrangement, the shutter mechanism can be positioned in a camera phone (100), and when the lens is in the substantially opaque state, the lens can have a color that may substantially match a portion of a housing (118) of the camera phone. The lens may also cover an image capture device (112).

Abstract: A multi-function key system for use with an electronic device can include at least one key (230) and an optical film (255) optically coupled to the key. The optical film (255) can include a first optical filter (260) corresponding to a first color of light and a second optical filter (265) corresponding to a second color of light. The multi-function key system further can include a first light source (275), disposed below the key, that emits the first color of light and a second light source (280), disposed below the key, that emits the second color of light. A controller (215) can selectively activate the first light source (275) or second light source (280) responsive to an event detected within the electronic device.

Abstract: A communication device (10) in a clam shaped housing includes a camera (12) incorporated within a first portion (18) of the clam-shaped housing and a lens (14) incorporated within a second portion (19) of the clam-shaped housing. The camera and the lens can substantially align when the first portion pivots relative to the second portion. The lens can be an afocal converter lens that changes an effective focal length of a lens of the camera from among a wide angle, a telephoto, and a macro lens. The communication device can have at least one among a main display (15) on a flip portion of the communication device or an auxiliary display (16) on an opposing side (21) to enable viewing without the lens when the communication device is an open position and the auxiliary display can enable viewing with the lens when the communication device is in a closed position.

Abstract: A highly readable LCD display (300) with sub-pixels (100) that each has two portions, a tinted portion (116, 120, 124) that is at least partially transmissive and is covered by a color filter (108, 110, 112) in order to color that sub-pixel (100). Sub-pixels (100) further include an un-tinted portion (118, 122, 128) that is at least partially reflective and is not covered by a color filter. The absence of a color filter for the un-tinted at least partially reflective portion of the LCD cell results in greater contrast and reflective brightness for that portion of the cell. The tinted and un-tinted portions are part of the same LCD cell (102, 104, 106) and darken along with the tinted portion of the respective sub-pixel. Three sub-pixels (102, 104, 106) are used to form a three-color pixel (100), a number of which are arranged in a rectangular display array (300).

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising a body portion (110) and a display portion (130) that is rotatably connected to the body portion. A switch (160,161, 162, 163,164) is operable to reverse the modes of the inner (141) and outer (142) bistable clear-reflective layers in response to rotation of the display portion (130) with respect to the body portion (110).

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising a body portion (110) and a display portion (130) that is rotatably connected to the body portion. A switch (160,161, 162, 163,164) is operable to reverse the modes of the inner (141) and outer (142) bistable clear-reflective layers in response to rotation of the display portion (130) with respect to the body portion (110).

Abstract: A circuit board (10) has a frangible portion (12) for carrying information relating to the circuitry carried on the circuit board. The information is carried in the form of a label (18) or barcode, and identifies the version of the circuitry so that during manufacturing, and later during repair, the circuit can be correctly identified. The frangible portion is broken from the circuit board, but kept with the circuit board. In one embodiment, an adhesive label retains the frangible portion.