Abstract: A handset device (10) includes a laminated front sub-assembly (15) and a rear housing (20) supporting the laminated front sub-assembly. In addition, in one example, an integrated circuit substrate (24), a battery (28), and a speaker (32) are held adjacent to each other in a non-stacked arrangement in the rear housing. In one example, the laminated front sub-assembly may include a sheet (32) having operative indicia coupled therewith and a user interface substrate (56) operatively coupled to the sheet. The laminated front assembly 15 can also include a display (52), such as an electrophoretic display, held between the user interface substrate (56) and the sheet (32).

Abstract: A keypad (1200) includes a plurality of keys (1202) and a plurality of key dividers (1204-1210) wherein each of the key dividers includes a plurality of raised guide portions (1212-1214) and at least one tactile cue portion (1214) that is interposed between the plurality of raised guide portions (1212-1214). In one example, the keypad (1200) is a bell keypad and is made up of an elastomeric substrate (44) that includes the key dividers (1212-1214), a keypad dome array (48) that supports the silicone substrate (44) and a keypad sheet (36), such as a top sheet of a front assembly, having keypad indicia thereon and slots operatively sized to receive the plurality of key dividers.

Abstract: A handset device (10) includes a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (78) and having a contact pad (266). An adhesive (60) is operatively coupled to the substrate (56). The adhesive (60) defines a second audio port portion (276) stacked with the first audio port portion (278) and defines a first electrical port portion (262). A speaker (32) having an electrical connector (238) is operatively coupled to the contact pad (266) through the first electrical port portion (262). The adhesive (60) is operative to seal the first and second audio port portions (278 and 276) from the electrical port portion (262). In addition, in one example, the handset device (10) may include a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (278), a speaker (32) operatively coupled to the substrate (56), and a rear housing (20) operatively coupled to the substrate (56) and defining an audio cavity (1104).

Abstract: A display for a mobile communication device is disclosed. The display may include a first layer with refractive index n1, having at least a rough surface on one side, a second layer, having refractive index n2, applied contiguously on a side opposite from the rough side of the first layer, wherein n1>n2>nair and nair, is the refractive index in air media, a reflective display disposed on a side of the second layer opposite from the first layer, and at least one light source located adjacent to at least one edge or side of the first layer.

Abstract: A multimodal electronic device (100) includes a shutter enabled dynamic keypad for presenting one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, which is presented by an optical shutter (204) that opens or closes windows or shutters that are geometrically configured as alphanumeric or device keys or symbols. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, is limited to those needed for the particular mode of operation of the device (100). The optical shutter (204) is a low-resolution display that presents user actuation targets to a user in a low-resolution key area. As each mode of the device changes, the corresponding keypad configuration presented changes accordingly.

Abstract: A multimodal electronic device (100) includes a shutter enabled dynamic keypad for presenting one of a plurality of keypad configurations to a user. Each keypad configuration, which is presented by an optical shutter (204) that opens or closes windows or shutters that are geometrically configured as alphanumeric or device keys or symbols. Each keypad configuration, in one embodiment, is limited to those needed for the particular mode of operation of the device (100). The optical shutter (204) is a low-resolution display that presents user actuation targets to a user in a low-resolution key area. As each mode of the device changes, the corresponding keypad configuration presented changes accordingly.

Abstract: A method for a 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 caps, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes each 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 key caps.

Abstract: A keypad including a plurality of user interface key caps flexibly coupled to a carrier and forming a substantially planar unitary member. The user interface key caps defined by and located between nested slots formed in the substantially planar unitary member wherein the nested slots are devoid of a material from which the plurality of user interface key caps and the carrier are formed. A flexible web is disposed the slots between the plurality of user interface key caps, wherein the plurality of user interface key caps, the carrier and the flexible web constitute a unitary member.

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 handset device (10) includes a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (78) and having a contact pad (266). An adhesive (60) is operatively coupled to the substrate (56). The adhesive (60) defines a second audio port portion (276) stacked with the first audio port portion (278) and defines a first electrical port portion (262). A speaker (32) having an electrical connector (238) is operatively coupled to the contact pad (266) through the first electrical port portion (262). The adhesive (60) is operative to seal the first and second audio port portions (278 and 276) from the electrical port portion (262). In addition, in one example, the handset device (10) may include a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (278), a speaker (32) operatively coupled to the substrate (56), and a rear housing (20) operatively coupled to the substrate (56) and defining an audio cavity (1104).

Abstract: A handset device (10) includes a laminated front sub-assembly (15) and a rear housing (20) supporting the laminated front sub-assembly. In addition, in one example, an integrated circuit substrate (24), a battery (28), and a speaker (32) are held adjacent to each other in a non-stacked arrangement in the rear housing. In one example, the laminated front sub-assembly may include a sheet (32) having operative indicia coupled therewith and a user interface substrate (56) operatively coupled to the sheet. The laminated front assembly 15 can also include a display (52), such as an electrophoretic display, held between the user interface substrate (56) and the sheet (32).

Abstract: A keypad (1200) includes a plurality of keys (1202) and a plurality of key dividers (1204-1210) wherein each of the key dividers includes a plurality of raised guide portions (1212-1214) and at least one tactile cue portion (1214) that is interposed between the plurality of raised guide portions (1212-1214). In one example, the keypad (1200) is a bell keypad and is made up of an elastomeric substrate (44) that includes the key dividers (1212-1214), a keypad dome array (48) that supports the silicone substrate (44) and a keypad sheet (36), such as a top sheet of a front assembly, having keypad indicia thereon and slots operatively sized to receive the plurality of key dividers.

Abstract: A substrate (56) for a handset device (10) includes a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). In addition, in one example, the substrate (56) for a handset device (10) may include a first surface and a second surface. A keypad contact array (108) and a display electrode pattern (604) may be included on the first surface (96) of the substrate (56). A display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604). A portion of the substrate (56) may define at least a portion of an audio port (274).

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 caps, the luminescent layer carrying a plurality of switch domes each 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 key caps.