Abstract: A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for providing backlight to a display in an electronic device. The device comprises: a housing; an ambient light collector; a backlight panel; a shutter; and a photodetector. The ambient light collector has: a body having the first end and a second end, which is located within the housing. The body receives ambient light from around the electronic device and transmits it to the second end. The body is shaped to direct the ambient light from the first end towards the second end and has a turn in it between the first and second ends. In the body, each conduit has an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being connected to the second end of the body, and each conduit extending downward and away from the second end.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for calculating a backlight level for an image being displayed on an electronic device. The system comprises: a backlight adjustment module to calculate an intensity value of an image for display on the electronic device; a display for displaying the image; and a backlight system to provide a backlight for the display. The backlight system is responsive to control signals generated by the backlight adjustment module. In the system, the intensity value represents an average intensity of the image.

Abstract: A method is for calibrating a contrast offset value for an LCD contrast control system in a mobile device. The method includes the steps of adjusting a user contrast setting on the mobile device to a desired optimal values initializing the contrast offset value, determining a contrast ratio of the LCD, and incrementing the contrast offset value until the contrast ratio reaches a peak value.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual navigational input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that compares vibrational results of a contact by a user on the case with reference vibrational results to identify the nature of the contact and to interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case is in the nature of a sliding contact over a series of first features or over a series of second features and can be interpreted as one of more navigational inputs to the processor. The exemplary contact can also be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual keypad input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The input apparatus includes a number of vibrational sensors that sense the vibrational results of a contact with the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that determines from the vibrational results a location on the case where the contact was made. Depending upon the location of the contact, the routine can interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case can be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

Abstract: A mobile communication device having a keyboard with a set of keys representing alpha-numeric characters, the keyboard comprising a light source, located within said mobile communication device; for providing a light; a set of sensors, associated with said keys, for sensing an amount of said light in a vicinity of each of said set of sensors, to determine which of said set of keys has been selected; and a transparent flat cover, overlying said set of sensors, displaying said set of alpha-numeric characters, for associating said set of alpha-numeric characters with said set of sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for providing backlight to a display in an electronic communication device. The device comprises: a lens to collecting ambient light from outside the device; a body to transmit the ambient light from the lens to a backlight system for the display for dispersion within the backlight system. The backlight system then provides the light as a backlight to the display. A reflector may be provided for the device. An internal shutter may also be provided to block light from escaping out of the lens.

Abstract: A method is set forth for automatically adjusting screen and keypad brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and keypad, for optimum legibility under varying lighting conditions, with minimal eye strain and distraction to the user. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and independently adjusting backlight intensity of the display screen and keypad responsive to the light level samples. Preferably, correct screen and keypad adjustments are made responsive to the user pulling his or her handheld device out of its holster notwithstanding non-optimal ambient light detection while the device is being removed from the holster. According to another aspect, the described method allows for ambient light detection in a handheld device where the light sensor and a message notification indicator share a common light pipe.

Abstract: In a handheld computing device that includes a backlit display having a variable-intensity backlight, a method for controlling the intensity of light produced by the backlight involves the following steps. The computing device also includes user data input means, and data processing means coupled to the user data input means and the backlit display. The data processing means includes at least one software application that is configured to display information on the display. The method involves the steps of (1) setting the intensity to a first intensity level and activating one of the software applications; and (2) setting the intensity to a minimum intensity level, less than the first intensity level, after expiry of a predetermined elapsed time of non-activity from the user data input means. The predetermined elapsed time is based on the activated software application.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for providing backlight to a display in an electronic communication device. The device comprises: a lens to collecting ambient light from outside the device; a body to transmit the ambient light from the lens to a backlight system for the display for dispersion within the backlight system. The backlight system then provides the light as a backlight to the display. A reflector may be provided for the device. An internal shutter may also be provided to block light from escaping out of the lens.

Abstract: A shared light pipe is set forth for transmitting light generated by a message waiting LED in a mobile communication device, in one direction, and transmitting ambient or surrounding light, in an opposite direction, to a light sensor for controlling a display backlight of the device. The light pipe includes an elongated first portion having a first end for receiving and transmitting light and external surfaces for reflecting light there through via total internal reflection (TIR), a second portion coextensive with the first portion for outputting light received at the first end and reflected through the first portion, and a second branch coextensive with the first portion for receiving and transmitting light for output at the first end.

Abstract: The invention provides a printed circuit board (PCB) for use in an electronic device. The PCB comprises: a top side; a bottom side; an edge between the top side and the bottom side; a cavity from the top side to the bottom side; a region on the top side for mounting an electronic device; and a connector for receiving connections from the electronic device. In the PCB, the connector is located on either the bottom side or the edge of the side of the PCB. The electronic device can be a display module.

Abstract: In a portable computing device that includes a backlit device having a variable-intensity backlight, a light sensor, and a light controller coupled to the light sensor and the backlight, a method for controlling the intensity of light produced by the backlight involves the steps of (1) with the ambient light sensor determining the ambient light level at the computing device; and (2) with the light controller automatically adjusting the intensity of light produced by the backlight in accordance with the determined light level.

Abstract: A portable computing device includes a housing having an external surface, and an event notifier, a display device, and a light controller disposed within the housing. The event notifier includes an event notification lamp, and a light conduit terminating at the external surface for conveying light between the event notification lamp and the external surface. The display device includes illumination means for improved visualization of information rendered on the display device. The light controller is coupled to the event notifier and the illumination means. The light controller is configured to determine the intensity of ambient light external to the housing via the light conduit, and to adjust the intensity of light emitted by the illumination means in accordance with the determined ambient light intensity.

Abstract: The invention provides a microphone coupler for a microphone located within a housing of a portable communication device and a device incorporating the coupler. The coupler comprises a body section and a conduit or just a conduit. The body section is shaped to fit around the microphone and is defined by one or more walls and within the walls an interior cavity is defined. One wall has a port in through connecting to the cavity. The cavity can receive at least a portion of the microphone and provides a space between the microphone and the body section. The conduit has an internal channel, a distal end, a proximate end and openings at each end connecting to the channel. For the conduit, the proximate end is connected to the body section and the second opening mates with the port.

Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a system motherboard; and a display secured to the system motherboard. The display comprises a display panel, and a circuit board carrying display electronics for the display panel. The system motherboard includes a cavity, and the display electronics extend from the circuit board into the cavity. Preferably, the cavity comprises an aperture, and the display electronics are compactly disposed on the circuit board within a common area that is aligned with the aperture.

Abstract: The volume, or audio intensity, of audio output from a mobile communication device may be selected based on a detected state of the environment of the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A field sequential liquid crystal display maintains its white colour point through compensation values to at least one colour light emitting diode that illuminates the display. The compensation values may be impedances to control the current or pulsing of the current source according to a pulse width modulation technique. A degradation curve may be used to calculate extrapolate the theoretical forward voltage of the light emitting diode. Additional complexity arises from the need for calculating uptime for multiple light emitting diodes of different colours. Brightness levels may also be factored in.

Abstract: A wireless handheld communications device with a liquid crystal display, especially, a field sequential liquid crystal display, includes a visual notification for a powered up, inactive state. The visual notification is preferably through a light emitting diode that may be part of the backlighting system for the LCD or may be independent from the backlighting system. The waveforms, periodicity, colour selection, and colour sequencing may be customizable by one or both of the manufacturer and user.