Abstract: A clam shell style electronic product (10) includes a base housing portion (12), a flip housing portion (26) pivotably coupled to the base housing portion, a display (28) mounted in the flip housing portion, and a camera (16) in the base housing portion that can be selectively angled to a desired position relative to the display. The camera can be in a position substantially perpendicular to the base housing portion when the camera is locked in a stored position. In the stored position, a camera viewing angle (15) is substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the base housing portion and not necessarily aligned with a display viewing angle (20) for the display. The camera can rotate to a position substantially perpendicular to a display viewing angle (30) when the flip housing portion is in an open position and the camera is in an unstored (or unlatched or released) position.

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 button assembly (100) that includes a flexible electronic circuit (105) having a first side (110) and a second side (115). The button assembly also can include a biometric sensor (100) mounted to the first side of the flexible electronic circuit. Further, a switch (200) can be positioned at least proximate to the second side of the flexible electronic circuit. A stiffening member (305) can be attached to the first side or the second side of the flexible electronic circuit. The biometric sensor can be operable between a first position and a second position to effectuate opening or closing of the switch. The button assembly can operate the biometric sensor between the first and second positions utilizing pivotal, translational, and/or rotational movement.

Abstract: A near field communication loop antenna (308) is mechanically coupled to the cover (300) of a cellular telephone. The antenna (308) is coupled on the inside of the cover (300) between a keypad (302) and the cover (300), whereby the antenna (308) surrounds the keys (314) and is sandwiched between the keypad assembly (302) and the cover (300). A near field communication antenna (406) is coupled to the outside surface of the cover (300) surrounding a display and sandwiched between a lens (400) and the phone cover (300). A near field communication antenna embedded in the phone cover material, whereby the antenna surrounds either the keys or the display, is disclosed as well.

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 device and method for optimizing lighting for a display (108) in a multi-display electronic device (100), is disclosed. The method includes emitting light waves (302) from at least one light source (244), to a back surface (122, 132) of each display in a plurality of displays (108, 110), thereby back-lighting the plurality of displays (108, 110). At least one display of the plurality of displays is selectively back-lighted.

Abstract: A loop antenna (100) shares terminals with a thermistor on a battery. The battery (300) has at least two terminals (302 & 304) that connect to a thermistor (514). An electromagnetic wave radiating and receiving element (522) shares the at least two terminals (302 & 304) with the thermistor (514) but is electrically isolated from the thermistor (514) so that the thermistor (514) resistance can be measured while the electromagnetic wave radiating and receiving element (522) can communicate electrical RF signals via the at least two terminals with an RF circuit. A wireless communication device that uses the battery (300) and the loop antenna (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a radio communication device, includes a motor (102) that can operate in a first mode where it provides a vibration feature and a second mode where it can adjust the focus of a camera assembly (118). When in the second mode, a motor shaft (106) is caused to engage with a worm gear (108) that moves a gear (112) found in the camera assembly (118). The worm gear (108) causes an adjustment in the camera's lens in order to adjust the camera's focus when the motor shaft (106) is turned either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Abstract: A wireless device lighting system provides backlighting of a display (104) and/or a user interface (1526) of a wireless device (100). A user interface (1526) includes a plurality of buttons (112) for entering information and at least one multicolor LED for emitting light. The at least one multicolor LED is located behind the plurality of buttons (112). The user interface (1526) further includes a connector for connecting the user interface (1526) to the wireless device (100) and a circuit board for mounting the at least one multicolor LED and the connector. The user interface (1526) further includes a light pipe for allowing light emitted from the at least one multicolor LED to be emitted from the buttons (112), the light pipe located between the at least one multicolor LED and the buttons (112). The user interface (1526) further includes a selector for allowing a user to define a color of light for emission by the at least one multicolor LED.

Abstract: An acoustic seal system (100). The system (100) includes a flexible sealing element (110) having a ridge (134) for engaging a cover (118) with a sealing interference fit, a plate (112) in which the flexible sealing element (110) is secured to the plate (112) and a mesh (114) for controlling particle contamination. The mesh (114) is secured to the plate (112), and the plate (112) and at least a portion of the flexible sealing element (110) are secured to a portion of an inner housing (116). The portion of the flexible sealing element (110) engages the portion of the inner housing (116) with a sealing interference fit. When the cover (118) engages the inner housing (116), the flexible sealing element (110) provides an acoustic seal between the cover (118) and the inner housing (116).

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: An acoustic seal system (100). The system (100) includes a flexible sealing element (110) having a ridge (134) for engaging a cover (118) with a sealing interference fit, a plate (112) in which the flexible sealing element (110) is secured to the plate (112) and a mesh (114) for controlling particle contamination. The mesh (114) is secured to the plate (112), and the plate (112) and at least a portion of the flexible sealing element (110) are secured to a portion of an inner housing (116). The portion of the flexible sealing element (110) engages the portion of the inner housing (116) with a sealing interference fit. When the cover (118) engages the inner housing (116), the flexible sealing element (110) provides an acoustic seal between the cover (118) and the inner housing (116).

Abstract: A transducer assembly (100) and a method for producing same. The transducer assembly (100) includes a transducer (110), a flexible circuit element (112) in which the transducer (110) is coupled to the flexible circuit element (112) and a transducer seal (114). The transducer seal (114) seals the transducer (110) when the transducer seal (114) is positioned between a cover (125) and the flexible circuit element (112). The flexible circuit element (112) can be coupled to a display (120) and a circuit board (124). The display (120), the circuit board (124), the transducer (110), the flexible circuit element (112) and the transducer seal (114) can be housed within a telecommunications device (200). In addition, the circuit board (124) can include a zero insertion force connector (132) for receiving the flexible circuit element (112).

Abstract: A method (200) of assembling a mobile communications unit (120). The method (200) includes the steps of producing (212) a universal base component (118) at an assembly facility (110) and shipping (214) the universal base component (118) to a separate facility in which the separate facility contains a selection of user interfaces (122). The user interfaces (122) are used to initiate a feature in the mobile communications unit (120), and the selection of user interfaces (122) includes user interfaces (122) associated with different customers (114). The method (200) also includes selecting (216) a user interface (122) from the selection of user interfaces (122) and incorporating (218) the selected user interface (122) into the universal base component (118) at the separate facility.