Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of non-cylindrical shaped battery cells arranged on, and physically affixed to, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB may include a bend axis that facilitates folding of the flexible PCB to form an upper portion of the flexible PCB and a lower portion of the flexible PCB. A central stiffener may be positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion of the flexible PCB using an adhesive foam tape to form a battery assembly. The battery system may include a flexible housing with an internal cavity that receives the battery assembly. The central stiffener, and the adhesive foam tape, may provide a degree of rigidity and/or absorption to the PCB to reduce localized deformation of the PCB when the battery system experiences shock forces and to prevent damage to components of the battery assembly. The stiffener may be formed from non-metallic material.

Abstract: The technology provides a mobile communication device having separable components, including a control module configured for only short-range wireless communication and a docking station module configured for both long-range wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The control module includes a touch-sensitive display, a short-range wireless transceiver and a processor that electrically couples the touch-sensitive display and the short-range wireless transceiver. The docking station module includes a docking area that receives the control module, a docking short-range wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the control module, a long-range wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate with a long-range network and a docking processor that electrically couples the docking short-range wireless transceiver and the long-range wireless transceiver. The technology provides a sleek light-weight control module having full functionality of the docking station module.

Abstract: Hybrid keypad apparatus are disclosed herein. An example dome sheet carrier apparatus disclosed herein includes a first carrier portion having a first plurality of domes and a second carrier portion adjacent the first carrier portion. The second carrier portion has a second plurality of domes different than the first plurality of domes, where each of the second plurality of domes has a conductive material adjacent an apex of the second plurality of domes.

Abstract: A key/display assembly includes a first switch and a display module disposed aside the first switch. A touch-sensitive input panel overlies the first switch and the display module, and the touch-sensitive input panel includes a first touch-sensitive region proximate the first switch. The electronic mobile device further includes a first key defined by the first switch and the first touch-sensitive region. As such, the first key is actuated by pressing the first touch-sensitive region to displace the first touch-sensitive region and thereby actuate the first switch.

Abstract: Hybrid keypad apparatus are disclosed herein. An example dome sheet carrier apparatus disclosed herein includes a first carrier portion having a first plurality of domes and a second carrier portion adjacent the first carrier portion. The second carrier portion has a second plurality of domes different than the first plurality of domes, where each of the second plurality of domes has a conductive material adjacent an apex of the second plurality of domes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising an image sensor; a flash adjacent to the image sensor; an image sensor lens covering the image sensor; a flash lens covering the flash, the flash lens defining a chamfer on a flash surface, the flash surface adjacent to the image sensor lens; and a housing for housing the image sensor and the flash.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising an image sensor; a flash adjacent to the image sensor; an image sensor lens covering the image sensor; a flash lens covering the flash, the flash lens defining a chamfer on a flash surface, the flash surface adjacent to the image sensor lens; and a housing for housing the image sensor and the flash.

Abstract: A button array panel for a handheld communication device. The button array panel can include buttons and a continuous and seamless layer covering each button. Each button has an associated function and full recovery. A substrate layer can also be provided and can be interposed between the buttons and continuous and seamless layer. The button array panel can be a side button array panel or a keypad button array panel. The button array panel can prevent material, such as dust or liquid, from penetrating the handheld communication device.

Abstract: A translucent or transparent cover plate has an inner side and an outer side. A decoration portion bearing a decoration or art work is attached to the inner side of the cover plate. The decoration or art work is visible through the outer side of cover plate. Retention features can be attached or joined to the cover plate to enable the cover plate to be attached to an electronic device.

Abstract: A key/display assembly includes first and second switches, a display module, and a lens is disposed adjacent the display module. The lens includes a first contact region, a second contact region, and an inner surface that supports a first foot between the first contact region and the second contact region. A first key is defined by the first switch and the first contact region and is actuated by deflecting the first contact region to actuate the first switch. A second key is defined by the second switch and the second contact region and is actuated by deflecting the second contact region to actuate the second switch. When actuating the first key, the first foot inhibits the second contact region from actuating the second switch. When actuating the second key, the first foot inhibits the first contact region from actuating the first switch.

Abstract: The technology provides a mobile communication device having separable components, including a control module configured for only short-range wireless communication and a docking station module configured for both long-range wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The control module includes a touch-sensitive display, a short-range wireless transceiver and a processor that electrically couples the touch-sensitive display and the short-range wireless transceiver. The docking station module includes a docking area that receives the control module, a docking short-range wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the control module, a long-range wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate with a. long-range network and a docking processor that electrically couples the docking short-range wireless transceiver and the long-range wireless transceiver. The technology provides a sleek light-weight control module having full functionality of the docking station module.

Abstract: An electronic mobile device includes a plurality of keys. Each of the plurality of keys is defined by a corresponding one of a plurality of deflectable portions of a film layer, a corresponding one of a plurality of actuators, and a corresponding one of a plurality of switches. Each of the plurality of keys is actuatable by deflecting the corresponding one of the plurality of deflectable portions and a flexible frame to displace the corresponding one of the actuators and thereby actuate the corresponding one of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A key/display assembly includes a first switch and a display module disposed aside the first switch. A touch-sensitive input panel overlies the first switch and the display module, and the touch-sensitive input panel includes a first touch-sensitive region proximate the first switch. The electronic mobile device further includes a first key defined by the first switch and the first touch-sensitive region. As such, the first key is actuated by pressing the first touch-sensitive region to displace the first touch-sensitive region and thereby actuate the first switch.

Abstract: A key/display assembly includes first and second switches, a display module, and a lens is disposed adjacent the display module. The lens includes a first contact region, a second contact region, and an inner surface that supports a first foot between the first contact region and the second contact region. A first key is defined by the first switch and the first contact region and is actuated by deflecting the first contact region to actuate the first switch. A second key is defined by the second switch and the second contact region and is actuated by deflecting the second contact region to actuate the second switch. When actuating the first key, the first foot inhibits the second contact region from actuating the second switch. When actuating the second key, the first foot inhibits the first contact region from actuating the first switch.

Abstract: A connector and a system for connectors of a mobile device wherein the connector is angled, that is, wherein the connector includes an external interface for receiving an external connection and an internal interface configured for connection to a printed circuit board, wherein the internal interface is connected to the external interface and the internal interface is at a predetermined angle with respect to the external interface. In a mobile device, the external interface is at an angle to a main printed circuit board of the mobile device.

Abstract: A button array panel for a handheld communication device. The button array panel can include buttons and a continuous and seamless layer covering each button. Each button has an associated function and full recovery. A substrate layer can also be provided and can be interposed between the buttons and continuous and seamless layer. The button array panel can be a side button array panel or a keypad button array panel. The button array panel can prevent material, such as dust or liquid, from penetrating the handheld communication device.

Abstract: A connector and a system for connectors of a mobile device wherein the connector is angled, that is, wherein the connector includes an external interface for receiving an external connection and an internal interface configured for connection to a printed circuit board, wherein the internal interface is connected to the external interface and the internal interface is at a predetermined angle with respect to the external interface. In a mobile device, the external interface is at an angle to a main printed circuit board of the mobile device.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a cover and a housing theretogether, such as a keypad cover and a housing of a portable radiotelephone. A generally tubular hinge arm is formed at an end portion of the cover, and two hinge pins, each having identical cam surfaces formed upon edge surfaces thereof are inserted into the hinge arm and positioned such that the cam surfaces of the respective hinge pins extend beyond opposing sides of the hinge arm such that the hinge pins are caused to rotate in unison with rotation of the cover. A spring member is tandemly-positioned between the two hinge pins to exert spring forces thereupon. Two cam followers are affixed to the housing in a manner such that the cam surfaces of the hinge pins abut against the cam followers.