Abstract: A display system includes a display and a control circuit operable with the display. The display is configured to provide visual output having a presentation orientation. When user input is received, the control circuit can alter the presentation orientation from an initial orientation in response to user input. When non-user events or device events are detected, the control circuit can revert the presentation orientation to the initial orientation in response to the non-user event or device event. Where the presentation orientation has a user input configuration associated therewith, the user input configuration can either be altered with the presentation orientation or retained in an initial disposition.

Abstract: A display system includes a display and a control circuit operable with the display. The display is configured to provide visual output having a presentation orientation. When user input is received, the control circuit can alter the presentation orientation from an initial orientation in response to user input. When non-user events or device events are detected, the control circuit can revert the presentation orientation to the initial orientation in response to the non-user event or device event. Where the presentation orientation has a user input configuration associated therewith, the user input configuration can either be altered with the presentation orientation or retained in an initial disposition.

Abstract: A user input for an electronic device includes a haptic feedback layer (100) and a touch sensitive user interface (200). The haptic feedback layer (100) provides a tactile response to a user when the user actuates a user actuation target (301) on the touch sensitive user interface (200) to simulate a popple-style button. The haptic feedback layer (100) includes a chassis (101) and a plurality of oppositely facing, interlaced cantilever beams (105,106) emanating therefrom, further separated by a support beam (113), and spanning at least a portion of the haptic feedback layer (100). One or more piezoelectric actuators (119) are coupled to the cantilever beams and are responsive to a controller (201). When the controller detects user actuation of the touch sensitive user interface (200), the controller (201) causes at least one of the piezoelectric actuators to actuate in accordance with an actuation signal.

Abstract: An infrared sensing assembly for allowing detection of a location of an external object, as well as a mobile device employing such an assembly and related methods of operation, among other things, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensing assembly includes a pyramid-type housing structure having a central surface and multiple outer surfaces each of which extends in an inclined manner away from the central surface. The sensing assembly further includes multiple phototransmitters each positioned proximate to a respective one of the outer surfaces, and a photoreceiver positioned proximate to the central surface, with each respective photoelectric device being oriented so as to correspond to its respective surface. The sensing assembly is operated so that light is emitted from the phototransmitters, reflected by the object, and received by the photoreceiver. By processing signals from the photoreceiver that are indicative of the received light, the external object's location is determined.

Abstract: An infrared sensing assembly for allowing detection of a location of an external object, as well as a mobile device employing such an assembly and related methods of operation, among other things, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensing assembly includes a pyramid-type housing structure having a central surface and multiple outer surfaces each of which extends in an inclined manner away from the central surface. The sensing assembly further includes multiple phototransmitters each positioned proximate to a respective one of the outer surfaces, and a photoreceiver positioned proximate to the central surface, with each respective photoelectric device being oriented so as to correspond to its respective surface. The sensing assembly is operated so that light is emitted from the phototransmitters, reflected by the object, and received by the photoreceiver. By processing signals from the photoreceiver that are indicative of the received light, the external object's location is determined.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device, and methods therein, including producing a user-configurable sensory output (620) upon the occurrence of some event on the device, for example, the transition between sleep and active modes, or the mechanical actuation of a portion of the device. In some embodiments, the user-configurable sensory output terminates (630) after a specified time period. In other embodiments, a service provider selects the sensory output and associates it with a particular event that occurs on the device, whereupon the sensory output is produced on the device upon the occurrence of the event, for example, to communication information from the service provider.

Abstract: A user input for an electronic device includes a haptic feedback layer (100) and a touch sensitive user interface (200). The haptic feedback layer (100) provides a tactile response to a user when the user actuates a user actuation target (301) on the touch sensitive user interface (200) to simulate a popple-style button. The haptic feedback layer (100) includes a chassis (101) and a plurality of oppositely facing, interlaced cantilever beams (105,106) emanating therefrom, further separated by a support beam (113), and spanning at least a portion of the haptic feedback layer (100). One or more piezoelectric actuators (119) are coupled to the cantilever beams and are responsive to a controller (201). When the controller detects user actuation of the touch sensitive user interface (200), the controller (201) causes at least one of the piezoelectric actuators to actuate in accordance with an actuation signal.

Abstract: A keypad (102) for entering data in an electronic device (100) is disclosed. The keypad includes a thin circuit (202) with a first side (302) and a second side (304). The keypad also includes a user interface (204) located on the first side of the thin circuit. In addition, the keypad includes a dome array system (206) coupled to the second side of the thin circuit.

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 mobile communication device having a light accessory port. The mobile communication device can include a housing, a transceiver, a controller coupled to the transceiver, a light generating source coupled to the controller, and an optical transmission port coupled to the light generating source and coupled to the housing. The optical transmission port can be configured to optically and detachably couple a visibly perceptible light-emitting light output device to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device, and methods therefore, including producing a temporary user-configurable sensory output (620) of the mobile wireless communication device upon the occurrence of some event on the mobile wireless communication device, for example, upon entry into a wireless communication service area. In some embodiments, the user-configurable sensory output terminates (630) after a specified time period.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device, and methods therefore, including producing a user-configurable sensory output (620) of the mobile wireless communication device upon the occurrence of some event on the mobile wireless communication device, for example the transition between sleep and active modes, or the mechanical actuation of some portion of the device. In some embodiments, the user-configurable sensory output terminates (630) after a specified time period. In other embodiments, a service providers selects the sensory output and associates it with a particular event that occurs on the device, whereupon the sensory output is produced on the device upon the occurrence of the event, for example to communication information from the service provider.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of positively locating a plate (14) within a housing (12) includes a first boss (24) and a second boss (36), each boss including petals (26, 38) that are expandable in the radial direction. A plate (14) with two clearance holes (47, 49) is disposed in the housing (12) such that the two bosses (24, 36) engage the two holes (47, 49). A fastener (52) is placed in each of the first and second bosses (24, 36), thereby expanding the petals (26, 38) radially and locating the plate (14) with respect to the X and Y direction and rotationally. The method and apparatus improves the interchangeability between various plates and housings.