Abstract: A technique and apparatus for integrating a speaker with button (or keyboard) components such as a tactile membrane and/or PCB. The tactile membrane conventionally used between buttons and switch mechanisms to provide tactile feedback to a user upon depression of the button is extended to form a vibrating portion of a speaker. The vibrating portion is doped with or otherwise includes an activating material (e.g., copper) which will be physically affected by a magnetic field. The activating material may be adhered to the upper and/or lower side of the vibrating portion, or doped therein. A coil for the speaker is formed with a coil tracing pattern formed on one or more layers of a PCB. One or more amplifier circuits may be included to drive one or more coil patterns, to cause a fluctuating magnetic field in the direction perpendicular to the vibrating portion of the tactile membrane.

Abstract: A wireless communication handset with a sensor and detection circuitry to detect user proximity to the handset is disclosed. The detection circuitry is connected to the control unit of the handset to implement ring volume control. When a user comes into close proximity of the sensor, the detection circuitry signals the control unit to lower the ring volume. Alternatively, the control unit will initiate an automatic answering service when the user comes into close proximity of the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize cradle contacts for completing diagnostic tests of rechargeable devices, such as cordless telephones. A cordless telephone handset or base is placed into a test fixture. Once the handset or base is cradled, diagnostic message signals are transmitted through cradle contacts in the test fixture and handset/base. The message signals may be made up of ASK signals. The beginning and end of each test may be identified by a code or codes embedded in a message signal. The use of cradle contacts to complete diagnostic tests alleviates problems associated with use of internal test access ports to carry out such tests.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for allowing a user to selectively disable all or a portion of the manual controls, e.g., the keypad and/or other buttons (including switches, keys, on-hook button, and/or other buttons) of customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment includes a button disabling module which allows subsequent control signals relating to the particular keys or buttons which have been disabled to be essentially ignored. Thus, for instance, if an on-hook button is inadvertently depressed while the on-hook button has been disabled by the button disabling module, the telephone line interface of the telephone will not signal the termination of the telephone call to the central office. The manual controls of the customer premises equipment can be disabled by the user in any of a number of different ways.