U.S. patent application number 11/459451 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for user interface substrate for handset device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Motorola, Inc.. Invention is credited to John P. Boos, Steve C. Emmert.
Application Number | 20080037769 11/459451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38971443 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080037769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Emmert; Steve C. ; et
al. |
February 14, 2008 |
USER INTERFACE SUBSTRATE FOR HANDSET DEVICE
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).
Inventors: |
Emmert; Steve C.; (Crystal
Lake, IL) ; Boos; John P.; (Grayslake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA INC.;C/O VEDDER PRICE KAUFMAN & KAMMHOLZ, P.C.
222 N. LASALLE ST
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Assignee: |
Motorola, Inc.
Schaumburg
IL
|
Family ID: |
38971443 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459451 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/433.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/035 20130101;
H04M 1/23 20130101; H04M 1/026 20130101; H04M 1/03 20130101; H04M
1/0266 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/433.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A substrate for a handset device comprising: a keypad contact
array on the substrate; and a display electrode pattern on the
substrate.
2. The substrate of claim 1 further comprising a first surface and
an opposing second surface wherein the keypad contact array and the
display electrode pattern are both on the first surface.
3. The substrate of claim 1 wherein the keypad contact array and
the display electrode pattern comprise a conductive material.
4. The substrate of claim 1 further comprising a connector
operatively coupled to the substrate.
5. The substrate of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
interconnect electrical contact pads on the second surface
substrate.
6. The substrate of claim 1 wherein a portion of the substrate
defines at least a portion of an audio port.
7. A substrate for a handset device comprising: a first surface and
a second surface; a keypad contact array on the first surface of
the substrate wherein a portion of the substrate defines at least a
portion of an audio port; a display electrode pattern on the first
surface of the substrate; and a display operatively coupled to the
display electrode pattern.
8. The substrate of claim 7 wherein the display is configured to at
least partly surround the audio port portion on the substrate.
9. The substrate of claim 8 wherein the display is an
electrophoretic display.
10. The substrate of claim 8 further comprising a connector
operatively coupled to the second surface of the substrate and a
plurality of electrical contact pads on the second surface.
11. The substrate of claim 8 further comprising at least one
integrated circuit operatively coupled to the bottom surface of the
substrate.
Description
RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to co-pending applications
entitled "HANDSET KEYPAD", filed on even date, having docket number
CS29452VLT, Ser. No. ______, having inventors Mark Finney and Steve
Emmert, owned by instant Assignee and is incorporated herein by
reference; and "HANDSET DEVICE WITH LAMINATED ARCHITECTURE", filed
on even date, having docket number CS29435VLT, Ser. No. ______,
having inventor Steve Emmert, owned by instant Assignee and is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to mobile devices and, more
particularly, to handset devices that employ displays and other
user interfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] By way of example, the expansion of the cellular coverage in
emerging markets requires phone designs that are very low cost in
both material and conversion cost. Furthermore, success in these
markets will require phone designs that are compelling and
competitive in terms of design, proportions and appearance.
Existing low cost phone designs typically use design approaches
that have additional major housing components and internal
component stacking that result in increased thickness.
[0004] Common methods of phone construction typically incorporate
separate display module assemblies and printed circuit board
assemblies, loaded into a housing assembly that includes a back
cover and a front cover typically secured with screws, snap fit
parts, or similar interlocking means. Using multiple separate
sub-module assemblies and housing structures can be expensive
compared with low cost product demands of consumers.
[0005] Also, the telephone microphone audio port and the front and
rear speaker ports must be well sealed. If the seals are broken
there might be an unwanted path from speaker to microphone which
causes unwanted echo sounds, or the loudness and frequency response
could be affected. In conventional phones the front housing is used
to seal the phone, but this approach adds cost and size to the
phone.
[0006] Accordingly improved mobile device structures and method of
making such structures would be desirable.
[0007] In addition, with respect to keypads, keypads are known to
be used in many types of devices, including but not limited to,
handheld devices such as cell phones, non-handheld devices such as
desktop phones, and any other device that employs keys as part of a
user interface. Problems can arise with keypad usability in mobile
devices and other devices where, for example, a user is not looking
at the keypad. Some handset devices are known that include bell
keypad layouts that include the numbers 0-9 in addition to other
function keys such as "send" keys and other function keys and
include tactile key dividers. One example may be found on the
PEBL.TM. flip phone sold by Motorola, Inc. Such phones may include
raised silicone portions that are in s-curve shapes and
corresponding mirrored s-curve shapes. The two shapes are separated
down the center of the keypad such that non-horizontal numbers 1, 5
and 3 are surrounded by a plurality of the s-curve and mirrored
s-curve raised silicone protrusions. As such, the raised
protrusions may be in a parallel orientation above and below
non-horizontal keypad numbers 1, 5 and 3 with a space between the
s-portion and mirrored s-portion centered below center number of
the phone such as numbers 2, 5, 8 and 0. This configuration can
assist a user when they are not looking at the phone to provide
suitable vertical tactile separation between numbers in a vertical
direction. In a horizontal direction however since the raised
silicone portion is curved a user may inadvertently slip down to a
next row of numbers instead of selecting the number in the
horizontal row. For example, numbers in the horizontal row 1, 2 and
3 versus numbers in the second horizontal row 4, 5 and 6 can
potentially be inadvertently selected since the raised tactile
separations curve down and between horizontal rows.
[0008] Other keypad designs are known which use, for example, the
keys themselves such as raised thin buttons that extend in a
straight line horizontally. However, since the raised portion
serves as the key and since the raised portions are horizontally
straight across, it can be difficult to distinguish horizontally
which number is being selected without looking at the phone. Other
designs are also known which employ raised depressible button that
are configured in a "v" shape in a horizontal line configuration.
However, as with the type above, these raised sections are the keys
themselves and can require separate components for each of the keys
resulting in separate pieces potentially increasing the cost of the
device, increasing the manufacturing complexity of the device and
decreasing the reliability of the device.
[0009] Accordingly, a need exists for an improved keypad.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention and the corresponding advantages and
features provided thereby will be best understood and appreciated
upon review of the following detailed description of the invention,
taken in conjunction with the following drawings, where like
numerals represent like elements, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of one example of a handset device depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of one example of a handset device depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a lengthwise cross section of an assembled version
of the handset device of FIG. 1 taken along the lines 3-3 depicting
one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a widthwise cross section of an assembled version
of the handset device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 4-4 depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the cross section
shown in FIG. 4 depicting one embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of part of a laminated front
sub-assembly of one example of a handset device depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of the handset device of FIG. 2 depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 2 depicting one
embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a widthwise cross section of the speaker cavity
of an assembled version of the handset device of FIG. 8 taken along
lines 11-11 depicting one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a handset
device shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention; and
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front view of a phone of FIG. 1 assembled
illustrating one example of a keypad in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Briefly, a substrate for a handset device includes a keypad
contact array on the substrate and a display electrode pattern on
the substrate. In addition, in one example, the substrate for a
handset device may include a first surface and a second surface. A
keypad contact array and a display electrode pattern may be
included on the first surface of the substrate. A display may be
operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern. A portion of
the substrate may define at least a portion of an audio port.
[0025] As such, the substrate combines a display electrode pattern,
such as is useful for laminated display, and as the keypad contact
array. This architecture provides yield a thin, space efficient,
and cost effective design that is further useful as a component in
a thin and cost effective handset device. The substrate
architecture facilitates designing a display around an audio port
to create a unique appearance while implementing a necessary
function in a space efficient manner. Other advantages will be
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0026] FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of one example of a handset device 10 depicting one
embodiment of the invention. A rear perspective of the same handset
device 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The handset device 10 can be embodied
as any suitable handset device having any suitable functionality,
including but not limited to, a wireless telephone, an internet
appliance, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a
digital entertainment device, a radio communication device, a
tracking device, a personal training device, a global positioning
device, or a combination thereof. For purposes of illustration
only, a wireless telephone device is exemplified.
[0027] The handset device 10 includes a laminated front
sub-assembly 15 and a rear housing 20 supporting the laminated
front sub-assembly 15 where 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 20. The laminated front
sub-assembly 15 includes, in one example, a sheet 36 and a user
interface substrate 56. The laminated front assembly 15 may also
include an adhesive sheet 40. Adhesive sheet 40 may be a pressure
sensitive adhesive and may be in multiple sections. As shown,
adhesive sheet 40 is separated into three sections, a small strip
at the top, a small strip at the bottom, and a main "A" shaped
section through the middle. Different thicknesses of adhesive may
be needed in different areas based upon the underlying structure to
which they are adhered. The laminated front assembly may also
include a keypad substrate 44 (e.g., an elastomeric substrate such
as silicone or other suitable material), a keypad contact array 48,
a display 52, a user interface substrate 56 that supports the
display 52, a user interface substrate adhesive 60, and a metal
chassis 64. The handset device 10 may further include a microphone
68, a charging jack 72, a top antenna 76, a bottom antenna 80, a
battery cover 84, integrated circuit substrate retaining screws 88,
and rear housing retaining screws 92.
[0028] The user interface substrate 56 includes a top surface 96
and a bottom surface 204 (see FIG. 2). The user interface substrate
56 further includes an upper part 100 and a lower part 104. The
display 52 is operatively coupled to the upper part 100 of the user
interface substrate 56. The display 52 is coupled to a display
electrode pattern 604 (see FIG. 6, discussed below) that is formed
on the top surface 96 of the upper part 100 of the user interface
substrate 56. A keypad contact array 108 is formed in the lower
part 104 of the user interface substrate 56. The keypad contact
array 108 may be a patterned, conductive material such as exposed
copper or other electrically conductive material from a layer of
the user interface substrate 56, such as a printed circuit board.
The user interface substrate 56 may be a printed circuit board
(PCB) comprising a resin-based material, such as FR4, or any other
suitable material. For example, the user interface substrate 56 may
be a PCB with a patterned copper alloy layer on the top surface 96.
The user interface substrate 56 may have a patterned, conductive
material on both the top surface 96 and the bottom surface 204.
Other substrate materials may also be used, such as resin-based
composite material, polyester, flexible substrate material,
ceramic, or any other suitable substrate material as is known in
the art. The patterned conductive material may alternatively
include a conductive ink layer. Other materials for the user
interface substrate 56 include FR4 Type No. MCL-E-67, manufactured
by Hitachi Chemical Co. or Pyralux.RTM. manufactured by DuPont.
Other materials for the keypad contact array 48 include ESP-10
Tactile Sheets manufactured by Panasonic or SK5AB Series Contact
Sheets manufactured by Alps Electric, Inc.
[0029] The user interface substrate 56 may further include
informational lighting for a keypad and display 52. For example,
two LED's (not shown) may be operatively coupled to ends of light
guides 507 (see FIG. 5) on the user interface substrate 56. Two
narrow light guides 507 may be placed along the right and left
sides of the top surface of the user interface substrate 56 and
retained by stamped metal brackets 112 that wrap around the edges
of the user interface substrate 56. The light guides 507 are
aligned to the LED's in order to carry light the full length of the
handset device 10 and to distribute that light into the keypad and
on top of the display 52. The metal brackets 112 may also serve as
light reflectors.
[0030] The metal chassis 64 includes a top surface 116 and a bottom
surface 208 (see FIG. 2). The metal chassis 64 may be a stamped
metal sheet such as stainless steel or any suitable material, such
as aluminum, copper, steel, or alloys thereof, and may be machined
by any other process, such as casting, forging, drilling, cutting,
or molding, as is known in the art.
[0031] During assembly of the laminated front sub-assembly 15, the
user interface substrate 56 is operatively coupled to the metal
chassis 64. For example, the bottom surface 204 of the user
interface substrate 56 may be adhered to the top surface 116 of the
metal chassis 64 via the user interface substrate adhesive 60. The
user interface substrate adhesive 60 may be a sheet of adhesive or
a composite film having two-sided adhesive, such as 9495 MP
manufactured by 3M. The user interface substrate adhesive 60 may be
any type of adhesive, as known in the art, such pressure-sensitive
adhesive, heat cured adhesive, or ultraviolet cured adhesive.
Alternatively, the user interface substrate 56 may be assembled to
the metal chassis 64 using a combination of physical interlocks,
such as screws, formed hooks, snap catches, soldering or welding,
either in place of or combined with the user interface substrate
adhesive 60.
[0032] The metal chassis 64 may provide structural strength and
rigidity to the laminated front sub-assembly 10. The metal chassis
64 also provides features to facilitate ease of assembly and
disassembly of the handset device and for shielding structure
between components in the rear housing, such as the top and bottom
antennas 76 and 80, and the front of the handset device 10.
However, as an alternative, the metal chassis 64 may be eliminated.
For example, a metal layer, such as an inner copper layer in a
multiple level PCB, may be added to the user interface substrate
56, to function as a grounding plane/shield and to strengthen the
user interface substrate 56. In addition, mechanical coupling
features, such as slots, tabs, and screw bosses, may be formed,
molded, cut, or embedded in the user interface substrate 56 so that
the user interface substrate 56 may be operative to movably retain
screws, tabs, slots, or other features of the rear housing 20.
[0033] The display 52 is operatively coupled to the top surface 96
of the user interface substrate 56, such as by a conductive
lamination adhesive (see FIG. 6) or other suitable attachment
technique. The display 52 has a top surface 136 and a bottom
surface 702 (see FIG. 7). The display 52, as a sub-assembly, may be
coupled to the user interface substrate 56 by, for example,
adhering the back of the display 52 to the user interface substrate
56 using the lamination adhesive. In another embodiment, a
conductive adhesive may be used to bond the bottom surface 702 of
the display 52 to the display electrode pattern 604 of the user
interface substrate 56. Layers of the display 52 may be laminated
onto the user interface substrate 56. For example, where the
display 52 is an electrophoretic display, the layers of the
electrophoretic display (EPD) may be sequentially laminated
directly to the user interface substrate 56 as shown in FIG. 6 and
as described below. In the case of an EPD display, or similar
laminar display, the display electrode pattern 604 (see FIGS. 6 and
7) on the top surface of the user interface substrate 56 may be
used as a backplane electrode to control the display 52.
[0034] The keypad contact array 48 is secured to the top surface 96
of the user interface substrate 56. The keypad contact array 48 has
a top surface 148 and a bottom surface 216 and may further include
topological features such as depressible domes as known in the art.
The keypad contact array 48 may include, for example, an array of
metal domes 152 held in flexible carrier sheet as is known in the
art. For example, the keypad may include stainless steel domes 152
in a plastic carrier sheet. The domes 152 need not be metal but may
include other conductive materials, or combinations of materials,
such as carbon or graphite. The keypad contact array 48 may be
adhered to the top surface 96 of the user interface substrate 36.
The plastic carrier sheet is laminated to the PCB throughout the
entire back surface 216, aside from where the metal domes actually
reside. Typically this is accomplished via a screen printed
pressure sensitive adhesive that has been applied to the back
surface 216 of the plastic carrier film. Typically, this adhesive
is also used to actually hold the metal domes in place on the
plastic carrier sheet. The array of domes 152 is thereby suspended
over the keypad contact array 108 of the user interface substrate
56. When a contact dome in the array 48 is depressed, an electrical
connection is made between the conductive material of the dome and
the conductive material of the keypad contact array 108.
[0035] The keypad substrate 44 may be used to provide tactile cues
for a user of the keypad 1200 (see FIG. 12). The keypad substrate
44, which may be of a silicone material or other suitable material,
may be secured either to the keypad dome array 48 or to the user
interface substrate 56. However, preferably, the top surface 120 of
keypad silicone substrate 44 is attached to the back surface 224 of
sheet 36. The keypad substrate 44 includes a top surface 120 and a
bottom surface 220 (see FIG. 2). The top surface 120 of the keypad
substrate 44 may include suitably shaped key dividers. In this
example they are shown as arced key dividers extending outwardly
from the top surface 120 of keypad silicone substrate 44. These
arced key dividers may extend through arced slots 172 in the sheet
36 in the assembled handset device 10 to provide improved tactile
feedback for the user of the handset device 10.
[0036] The sheet 36 is secured to the user interface substrate 56
via adhesive sheet 40 to form the laminated front sub-assembly 15.
In addition the sheet can be adhered to brackets 112. However, a
non-adhesive sheet can be used or any suitable coupling mechanisms.
The sheet 36 has a top surface 156 and a bottom surface 224 (see
FIG. 2). The sheet 36 has an upper part 160 and a lower part 164.
The sheet 36 is planar and has no upwardly or downwardly extending
side walls. The sheet 36 may be secured to the user interface
substrate 56. For example, the perimeter of the bottom surface 224
of the sheet 36 may be adhered to the top surface 96 of the user
interface substrate 56 through the adhesive sheet 40. For example,
the adhesive sheet 40 bonds to upper and lower edges of the user
interface substrate 56, to the right and left edges of the light
guide brackets 112, and to the complete perimeter of the display
52. As a result, a complete perimeter of adhesive sheet 40 may be
assembled to prevent dust from entering the handset device 10, in
general, and the display viewing area, in particular. The adhesive
sheet 40 may be a sheet of adhesive or a composite film having
two-sided adhesive. The adhesive sheet 40 may be any type of
adhesive, as known in the art, such as pressure-sensitive adhesive,
heat cured adhesive, or ultraviolet cured adhesive. For example,
the adhesive sheet 40 may be a material such as 9495 MP
manufactured by 3M.
[0037] The sheet 36 provides a rugged surface capable of
withstanding direct contact with the user and exposure to the
environment. The sheet 36 may be a hard coated transparent
material, such as poly carbonate, acrylic, or polyethylene
terephthalate. Other material such as Tupilon NF2000, manufactured
by Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corporation and HP92S,
manufactured by GE Plastics may also be used if desired. The sheet
36 may serve as an exterior surface for user interaction with the
keypad 32 and as a transparent protective cover for the display
52.
[0038] To facilitate operator use of the handset device 10, the
sheet 36 may include operative indicia 226 (see FIG. 2 as discussed
below), such as alphanumerical graphics or other graphics to
facilitate operation of the device 10. The sheet 36 may include a
navigation key 168, useful, for example, to navigate menus on the
handset device 10. The navigation key 168 may be molded into the
sheet 36 or may be mechanically coupled to the laminated front
sub-assembly 15.
[0039] The sheet 36 serves as a protective lens for the display 52.
In addition, the combination of the sheet 36 and the adhesive sheet
40 seals out dust and other contaminates from the display 52. The
sheet 36 may be sized to fit over the display 52 or the keypad or
both the display 52 and keypad. The sheet 36 may be sized to fit
inside the rear housing 20. The sheet 36 may be sized to extend
over the exterior side walls 304 (see FIG. 3) of the rear housing
20.
[0040] It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that a top
sheeting, not shown, such as an anti-scratch film or a protective
shipping film, may be placed on top of the sheet 36 within the
scope of the invention.
[0041] The rear housing 20 is assembled to support the laminated
front sub-assembly 15. The rear housing 20 includes a base wall 230
(see FIG. 2) having a top surface 176 and a bottom surface 228 (see
FIG. 2), external side walls 178 extending upward, and a ridge 180
(see also FIG. 5) on external side walls adapted to receive the
sheet 36 of the laminated front sub-assembly 15. The rear housing
20 further includes internal side walls 182 adapted to support the
metal chassis 64 of the laminated front sub-assembly 15 or to
support other components held in the rear housing 20, such as the
integrated circuit substrate 24, the speaker 32, the top and bottom
antennas 76 and 80, and the charging jack 72. The internal side
walls 182 are also adapted to form a battery compartment 184 within
the rear housing 20 yet without a base wall 230 underlying the
battery 28 such that the battery 28 can be serviced without
disassembly of the rear housing 20 from the laminated front
sub-assembly 15. The rear housing 20 may be a resin-based material
that is molded using techniques well known in the art of injection
molding. The rear housing material may be a single material or a
composite material. For example, the rear housing 20 may include
Lexan EXL1414, manufactured by GE Plastics and Bayblend T85,
manufactured by Bayer.
[0042] The rear housing 20 is adapted to receive relatively large
components, such as the integrated circuit substrate 24, the
battery 28, and the speaker 32, such that these components may be
held adjacent to each other in the rear housing 20 in a non-stacked
configuration in the rear housing 20. That is, no member of the
group of the integrated circuit substrate 68, the battery 100, and
the speaker 32 is stacked on any part of another member. The
battery 28 is retained in the rear housing 20 between the speaker
32 and the integrated circuit substrate 24. These components occupy
a relatively large amount of the volume of the rear housing 20. In
addition, due to the thin profile achieved by the laminated front
sub-assembly 15, thicknesses of the integrated circuit substrate
24, the battery 28, and the speaker 32, once assembled, may
determine the relative height of the assembled handset device 10.
By distributing the integrated circuit substrate 24, the battery
28, and the speaker 32 over the length of the rear housing 20 in an
adjacent and non-stacked arrangement, the thickness of the
assembled handset device 10 is minimized.
[0043] The integrated circuit substrate 24 is assembled to the
metal chassis 64 via screws 88. Alternatively, it could be held in
rear housing 20 via screws, or snap catches, or similar mechanism.
The integrated circuit substrate 24 is further operatively coupled
to the laminated front sub-assembly 15 by screws to metal chassis
as described above. The integrated circuit substrate 24 has a top
surface 186 and a bottom surface 232 (see FIG. 2) and is adapted to
carry a plurality of integrated circuit packages, dies or other
electronic devices. The integrated circuit substrate 24 may be a
printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a resin-based material, such
as FR4, with a patterned, conductive material thereon or any
suitable material. For example, the integrated circuit substrate 24
may be a PCB with a patterned copper layer on the top surface 186.
The integrated circuit substrate 24 may have a patterned,
conductive material on both the top surface 186 and the bottom
surface 232 and may be a multiplayer printed circuit board such as
those provided by WUS and Unimicron Technology Corp or any other
suitable manufacturer. Other substrates materials may be used, such
as resin-based composite material, flexible substrate material, or
ceramic, as is known in the art. The integrated circuit substrate
24 may carry and interconnect a primary transceiver chip set, or
engine, for the handset device 10. The integrated circuit substrate
24 may carry any or a combination of electronic devices, including
central processing units, memory, modulators, and demodulators as
known in the art. The integrated circuit substrate 24 may be
electrically coupled to the user interface substrate 56 via
connector 188 on the top surface 186 of the integrated circuit
substrate 24. The integrated circuit substrate 24 may be
mechanically coupled to the metal chassis 64 using screws 88
retained threaded in bosses 1020 (see FIG. 10) on the metal chassis
64. The metal bosses 1020 may also serve to connect electrical
ground between the integrated circuit substrate 24 and the metal
chassis 64, thereby grounding the metal chassis 64 for purposes of
shielding the substrate 56 from unwanted electrical radiation,
enhancing the antenna radiation pattern, and providing an
electrical path for electrostatic discharges. The bosses 1020 may
be press fit with the metal chassis or may be integral with the
chassis. The integrated circuit substrate 24 may be accessible for
repair or replacement by removing the rear housing 20 and battery
28.
[0044] The battery 28 is held in the rear housing 20 in the battery
compartment. The battery 28 is further coupled to the integrated
circuit substrate 24 through spring contacts as known in the art.
The battery 28 may be any electrical storage cell as is known in
the art. The battery 28 may be rechargeable. The battery cover 84
may be mechanically coupled to the rear housing 20 by catch
features 189 on the battery cover 84. The battery 28 may be easily
removed by removing the battery cover 84.
[0045] The speaker 32 is held in the rear housing 20. The speaker
32 is further coupled to the integrated circuit substrate 24 using
electrical connectors 238 that pass through metal chassis 64 and
user interface adhesive 60 and connect with conductive pads on the
bottom of the user interface substrate 56. The conductive pads are
coupled to electrically conductive traces that are connected with
the integrated circuit substrate through connectors 268 and 188.
The audio output side 190 of the speaker 32 is disposed toward the
front of the handset device 10 while the back side 236 (see FIG. 2)
of the speaker 32 is held by the rear housing 20. The speaker 32
may be of any type known in the art such as solid state speaker, a
ceramic speaker, or a wound coil speaker. The speaker 32 may be
used, for example, to provide low volume phone audio, loud speaker
audio, ring tone audio, or vibration. The speaker 32 may further
include electrical connectors 238 (see FIG. 2), such as spring
connectors.
[0046] Top antenna 76 and bottom antenna 80 may be held in the rear
housing 20. The top antenna 76 may be further coupled to the
integrated circuit substrate 24 through the user interface
substrate 56 in a similar manner as the speaker. The coupling to
the antennas on the user interface substrate 56 may take the form
of controlled impedance transmission lines, achieved by employing
coplanar waveguide transmission lines having impedance largely
defined by the spacing between conductor traces on a single layer,
which are suitable for low cost assemblies, or by multilayer
transmission line structures such strip-lines or microstrip-lines.
The bottom antenna may be coupled in a similar manner as the
speaker and top antenna if desired or in any other suitable manner.
For example, the bottom antenna 80 can be directly coupled to
electrical contacts on bottom of the integrated circuit substrate
24, or other surface thereof. The two antenna elements 76 and 80
may be attached to the rear housing 20 on the bottom surface 176 of
the housing 20. Alternatively, a single antenna may be used. The
antennas 76 and 80 may include integral connectors 192 for
operatively coupling the antennas 76 and 80 to the laminated front
sub-assembly 15. The connectors 192 may be in the form of spring
connectors wherein the stamped metal is shaped to bend under
loading. In the assembled handset device 10, the connectors 192
pass through electrical ports 246 (see FIG. 2) in the metal chassis
64 to contact the user interface substrate 56. Force exerted on the
connectors 192 from the rear housing 20 hold the connectors 192 in
place while the bending, or spring action, of the spring connector
insures electrical connectivity without the need for soldering.
Dual planar antennas are shown as top and bottom antennas 76 and 80
and are of stamped metal although other antenna types, as known in
the art, may be used. Dual planar antennas may be useful in a
handset device 10 with a full length shield as defined by the metal
chassis 64.
[0047] A microphone 68 may be held in the rear housing 20 in any
suitable manner. The microphone 68 may be coupled to the integrated
circuit substrate 24. For example, the microphone 68 may be
electrically coupled to the integrated circuit substrate 24 by, for
example, soldering lead wires from the microphone 68 directly to
the integrated circuit substrate 24. The microphone 68 may be held
in the rear housing 20 by internal side walls 182 in the rear
housing 20 adapted to support the microphone 68. Internal side
walls 182 in the rear housing 20 may further support the microphone
68 against the user interface substrate adhesive layer 60 secured
to the user interface substrate 56. A charging jack connector 72 is
also held in the rear housing 20 and may be secured to the
integrated circuit substrate 68. The microphone is held in
primarily by press fit of the surrounding microphone grommet into a
formed feature in the metal chassis 64, as depicted by feature 285.
Features in housing 20 apply pressure to the back of microphone to
seal it against back surface 204 of substrate 56.
[0048] FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of one example of a handset device depicting one
embodiment of the invention. Further to the embodiments described
above, the rear perspective view of the handset device 10 better
illustrates certain aspects.
[0049] Operative indicia 226 may be applied to the sheet 36. For
example, decorative ink may be applied to the bottom surface 224 of
the sheet 36 to provide color and decoration to the front of the
handset and to provide operative indicia 226, such as graphics, to
aid operation of the handset device 10. An opening in the
decorative ink provides a viewing window for the display 52.
Alternatively, decals, appliques, or other graphic films, paints,
or coatings may be used as known in the art.
[0050] The bottom surface 220 of the keypad silicone substrate 44
may include extensions 242, or plungers, that actuate the domes 152
of the keypad dome array 48 when a user exerts force on the keypad
silicone substrate 44.
[0051] To facilitate passage of electrical signals between
components or layers without cabling or soldering, electrical ports
may be defined in structures within the handset device 10. For
example, the metal chassis 64 may define electrical port 246 for
passing through the connector 192 of the upper antenna 76.
Similarly, the user interface substrate adhesive 60 may define
electrical port 250 that, upon assembly of the metal chassis 64
with the user interface substrate adhesive 60, extends the antenna
electrical port to the user interface substrate 56. Electrical
contact pad 254 may be included on the bottom surface 204 of the
user interface substrate 56 as a conductive path and accepts the
antenna connector 192. The antenna connector 192 is held against
the contact pad 254 by mechanical force applied by the rear housing
20 contacting the antenna 76 when the handset device 10 is
assembled.
[0052] Similarly, the metal chassis 64 may define electrical port
258 for passing through the connector 238 of the speaker 32. The
user interface substrate adhesive 60 may define electrical port 262
that, upon assembly of the metal chassis 64 with the user interface
substrate adhesive 60, extends the speaker electrical port to the
user interface substrate 56. Contact pad 266 may be included on the
bottom surface 204 of the user interface substrate 56 as a
conductive pad to accept the speaker connector 238. The speaker
connector 238 is held against the contact pad 266 by mechanical
force applied by the rear housing 20 contacting the bottom side 236
of the speaker 32 when the handset device 10 is assembled.
[0053] A connector 268 for the integrated circuit substrate 24 may
be secured to the bottom surface 204 of the user interface device
56. An electrical port 272 for passing the connector 268 may be
defined in the metal chassis 64. After the metal chassis 64 and the
user interface substrate 56 are assembled, the electrical connector
188 of the integrated circuit substrate 24 may be plugged into the
user interface device connector 268 to operatively connect the
substrates.
[0054] Electrical components 1002 (see FIG. 10), including drivers
for the display 52, may be secured to lower part 104 of the bottom
surface 204 of the user interface substrate 56. However, the upper
part 100 of the bottom surface 204 of the user interface substrate
56 (the side opposite from the display 52) may be kept free from
components in order to facilitate lamination of an electrophoretic
display film 52.
[0055] Referring also to FIG. 3 and FIG. 11, to facilitate passage
of sound between the speaker 32 and outside the handset device 10
and between the outside of the handset device 10 and the microphone
68, microphone audio port 316 and speaker audio port 320 may be
defined by stacked openings in layers of the laminated front
sub-assembly 15, the adhesive sheet 40 and metal chassis (if they
are used). For example, for the speaker 32, audio port portion 274
is defined by the metal chassis 64, audio port portion 276 is
defined by the user interface substrate adhesive 60, audio port
portion 278 is defined by the user interface substrate 56, audio
port portion 280 is defined by the adhesive sheet 40 and audio port
portion 282 is defined by the sheet 36. It will be recognized that
FIG. 11. does not show detail of all the layers above the speaker
for ease of description purposes. For example it does not show
display 52 nor adhesive sheet 40 that form portions of the ports.
The assembly of the handset device 10 creates a continuous audio
port through the handset device between the audio output side 190
of the speaker 32 and the top surface 156 of the sheet 36 by
vertically stacking sections of audio port portions defined in each
layer. In similar fashion, for the microphone 68, audio port
portion 285 is defined by the metal chassis 64, audio port portion
286 is defined by the user interface substrate adhesive 60, audio
port portion 288 is defined by the user interface substrate 56,
audio port portion 292 is defined by the adhesive sheet 40, and
audio port portion 294 is defined by the sheet 36. The assembly of
the handset device 10 creates a continuous microphone audio port
through the handset device between the microphone 68 and the top
surface 156 of the sheet 36. The microphone 68 is surrounded by a
rubber grommet, as shown in FIG. 3. The grommet seals
circumferentially to the body of the microphone via interference
fit, and also seals circumferentially to the metal chassis 64 via
interference fit in formed feature 285, and seals via pressure to
back side 204 of substrate 56, the pressure being applied by a rib
wall 182 in rear housing 20.
[0056] A gasket 296 seals the audio output side 190 of the speaker
32 to prevent audio leakage or echo between the speaker 32 and
microphone 68 in the handset device 10, and sealing an audio cavity
at the interface of the chassis 64 to the housing 20. When the
handset device 10 is assembled, the internal side walls 182 in the
rear housing 20 mechanically support the speaker 32 against the
gasket 296. The audio port 282 is sealed against leakage by the
adhesive layers 60 and 40 around the entire perimeter of the metal
chassis 64, the user interface substrate 56, and the sheet 36 in
the porting holes.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a lengthwise cross section of an assembled version
of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one embodiment of the
invention. The cross section shows a thin, laminated front
sub-assembly 15 including a laminate of the metal chassis 64, the
user interface substrate adhesive 60, and the user interface
substrate 56 onto which the keypad and the keypad silicone
substrate 44 are laminated in a lower part 304 of the handset
device 10 and onto which the display 52 is laminated in an upper
part 308 of the handset device 10. The adhesive sheet 40 and the
sheet 36 are laminated across lower part 304 and upper part 308 to
complete the laminated front sub-assembly 15. Among other
advantages, the laminated front sub-assembly 15 provides user
interface functions of display and keypad entry while sealing and
protecting the contents of the handset and while exhibiting a very
thin profile.
[0058] The cross section shows the rear housing 20 supporting the
laminated front sub-assembly. In particular, external side walls
178 support the sheet 36, while internal side walls 182 support
other layers of the laminated front sub-assembly such as the metal
chassis 64 and the user interface substrate 56. The rear housing 20
holds large components such as the integrated circuit substrate 24,
battery 28, and speaker 32. Internal side walls 182 support the
speaker 32 and the integrated circuit substrate 24. Internal side
walls 182 define the battery compartment 184 (see FIG. 1) while
supporting the battery 28, indirectly, by coupling to the battery
cover 84. In addition, the microphone 68 is supported by internal
side walls 182. The top antenna 76 and the bottom antenna 80 are
supported by the base wall 230 of the rear housing 20.
[0059] The integrated circuit substrate 24, battery 28, and speaker
32 are held adjacent along the length of the handset device 10
while not stacking. This arrangement minimizes the thickness of the
handset device 10. The top antenna 76 and the bottom antenna 80 are
held along the bottom of the handset device 10 while the metal
chassis 64 is positioned between the antennas 76 and 80 and the
sheet 36 of the handset device 10. Speaker audio port 320 and
microphone audio port 316 are defined by ports in several layers of
the laminated front sub-assembly 15 as described above.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a widthwise cross section of an assembled version
of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part of the cross section
shown in FIG. 4 depicting one embodiment of the invention. The
interface between the sheet 36 and the rear housing 20 is shown in
detail. In this example, a supporting surface is located along
sidewalls of the rear housing to support the sheet 36. In this
example, the ridge 180 is formed in the exterior side wall 178 of
the rear housing 20 to receive the sheet 36 such that sheet 36
partly extends over the exterior side wall 178 of the rear housing
20 while fitting inside the rear housing 20. Alternatively, the
rear housing 20 may simply present a flat surface, without
notching, such that, if the sheet 36 is sized to extend on top of
the exterior side wall 178, then the sheet 36 will not fit inside
the rear housing 20. Alternatively, the sheet 36 may be sized to
fit inside the rear housing 20 without extending over the exterior
side wall 178. In addition, the edge 504 of the sheet 36 is
chamfered to provide a smooth interface edge. It will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that other embodiments of the
interface between the sheet 36 and the rear housing 20 are possible
within the scope of the invention.
[0061] The battery cover 84 mechanically couples to the rear
housing 20 such that the rear housing 20 supports the battery 28
via the battery cover 84. While a latch arrangement 506 between the
rear housing 20 and the battery cover 84 is depicted, it will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art that other embodiments of the
interface between the rear housing 20 and the battery cover 84 are
possible within the scope of the invention. In the example shown,
the door hooks along one side via the hooks shown on the far right
side of FIG. 4. There are three of these hooks and can be seen at
the very bottom of FIG. 1, (not labeled). The door is rotated down
and two plastic catch features 189 shown in FIG. 1 engage with a
stamped metal leaf spring latch (not shown) that is assembled to
housing 20. Feature 506 is a light detent to assist the latch and
keep that edge of the cover flat. Rather than hooking on one side
and latching on the other side, it will be recognized that the door
could hook on the bottom edge and latch at the top edge, or
vice-versa or that any suitable door configuration may be used.
[0062] A light guide 507 is secured to the user interface substrate
56 by the light guide bracket 112. Several additional features of
the display 52 are illustrated. A back barrier film 508 is disposed
between the user interface substrate 56 and the user interface
substrate adhesive layer 60. The back barrier film 508 prevents
moisture from entering the display 52 from the back side of the
user interface substrate 56. A suitable dispensed sealant 512 is
applied to the user interface substrate 56 along the edge of the
display 52. The dispensed sealant 512 prevents moisture entry into
the display 52. A front barrier film 516 is disposed over the
display to prevent moisture entry into the display 52.
[0063] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of part of a laminated front
sub-assembly of one example of a handset device depicting one
embodiment of the display 52 that includes by way of example an
electrophoretic display of a type such as an E Ink (trademark)
imaging film based display produced by E Ink Corporation, Cambridge
Mass., USA. An example of a lamination of the user interface
substrate 56 and the display 52 is depicted along with additional
adhesive and sealing or barrier layers as described below. In this
example, the display 52, includes a conductive lamination adhesive
608, an electrophoretic ink 612, an indium tin oxide coating 616,
and a front electrode sheet 620. The display 52 is laminated onto a
display electrode pattern 604 (see FIG. 7), or back electrode
pattern, residing on the user interface substrate 56. The display
electrode pattern 604 may include, for example, a metal layer that
is selectively etched. The selective etching leaves a display
electrode pattern 604 and interposed spaces 606 where the metal
layer is removed from the underlying user interface substrate
56.
[0064] The ITO coating 616 of the display 52 may be connected to
pads, not shown, on the display electrode pattern 604 on the user
interface substrate 56 through a conductive epoxy. As known in the
art, microcapsules in the electrophoretic ink 612 contain
positively and negatively charged white and black particles.
Generally, when an appropriate voltage is applied between the
display 52 and the ITO coating 616 on display film 620 and the
display (back) electrode pattern 604, the white particles will be
attracted to one electrode, and the black particles will be
attracted to the other electrode. The attractive force will move
the particles to thereby cause parts of the display 52 to appear
either black or white. A front barrier film 516 which may include
an ultraviolet filter is disposed over the display to prevent
moisture entry into the display 52.
[0065] Alternatively, thin film transistors may be used as the
display electrode pattern (back electrode) as is the case for an
active matrix electrophoretic display. As described above, a back
barrier sheet 508, front barrier film 516, further including a
front barrier sheet 628 and an optically clear adhesive 624, and a
dispensed sealant 512 may be disposed to prevent moisture
penetration into the display 52.
[0066] FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one
embodiment of the invention. The top surface 96 of the user
interface substrate 56 includes the display electrode pattern 604.
The display electrode pattern 604 defines shapes, numbers, and
pictures that will appear on the display 52 when appropriate
voltage is applied across the display 52 and the display electrode
616 and electrodes pattern 604 (the front and back electrodes). The
"background" of the display is, itself, an active electrode, so it
can be driven to white or black. The keypad contact array 108 is
shown in greater detail. The speaker audio port 276 is defined by
the back barrier film 508. Also, there are labels 628 and 624 in
FIG. 7. The speaker audio port 278 is defined by the user interface
substrate 56. The display 52 is assembled to the user interface
substrate 56. The front barrier film 516 is assembled to the
display 52. The dispensed sealant 512 is disposed around the
perimeter of the display 52. A cutout 708 in the layers of the
display is adapted to at least partially surround the area of the
user interface substrate audio port 278. While a radius cutout 708
is depicted, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that
various cutout shapes may be used, including shapes that completely
surrounding the audio port 278. Lamination of an electrophoretic
display 52 to a display electrode pattern 604 makes this design
feature possible.
[0067] FIG. 8 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of the handset device of FIG. 2 depicting one
embodiment of the invention. The bottom surface 228 of the rear
housing 20 and the bottom surface 208 of the metal chassis 64, as
assembled in the front laminate sub-assembly 15, are shown in
greater detail. The battery compartment 180 is defined by the rear
housing 20. The rear housing 20 includes screw bosses 812. The
laminated front sub-assembly 15 includes screw bosses 816 to retain
screws 92 and to thereby mechanically couple the rear housing 20 to
the front laminate sub-assembly 15. The integrated circuit
substrate 24, and microphone 68 are attached to the metal chassis
64. Although shown in FIG. 8, charging jack 72 is assembled to rear
housing 20, held in place by support rib walls as shown in FIG. 1.
Cut-outs in substrate 24 and metal chassis 64 allow spring contacts
on the charging jack to mate with contacts pads on substrate 24.
Tabs 804 defined on the rear housing 20 operatively couple with the
slots 808 defined on the metal chassis 64 to connect the rear
housing 20 and the front laminate sub-assembly 15. It will be
recognized by one skilled in the art that other coupling shapes
could be formed into to the front laminate sub-assembly 15 or the
rear housing 20. The gasket 296 operative to seal the speaker audio
port 274 is secured to the metal chassis 64. The gasket 296 may be
adapted to form a first ring 822 surrounding and sealing the audio
port 274 and a second ring 826, larger than and surrounding the
first ring 822 and sealing an audio cavity 1104 sealing the audio
cavity at the interface of the chassis 64 to the back housing 20
(see FIG. 11 discussed below). Alternatively the first and second
ring could be constructed from separate gaskets, which may be more
suitable to an arrangement in which audio port 274 and the
interface of the chassis 64 to the back housing 20 are not in the
same plane.
[0068] FIG. 9 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the front
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 1 depicting one
embodiment of the invention. The vertical stacking of audio ports
274 and 278 defined in the laminated layers of the metal chassis 64
and the user interface substrate 56 of the laminated front
sub-assembly 15 are shown in greater detail. The display 52
partially surrounds the audio port 278 of the user interface
substrate 56. The speaker 32 is assembled under the audio port
stack with the electrical connector 238 ported through the
electrical port 258 of the metal chassis 64. A medallion 916 with a
mesh screen 920 is assembled into the sheet 36. When the sheet 36
is assembled to the user interface substrate 56, the mesh 920 forms
the final audio port for the speaker 32.
[0069] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view, shown from the rear
perspective, of part of the handset device of FIG. 2 depicting one
embodiment of the invention. The vertical stacking of speaker audio
ports 274, 278, and 282 defined in the laminated layers of the
metal chassis 64, the user interface substrate 56, and the sheet 36
of the laminated front sub-assembly 15, respectively, is shown in
greater detail. Gasket 296 seals the audio port 274 for the speaker
32. The vertical stacking of microphone audio port portions 286 and
288, and 292 defined in the laminated layers of the metal chassis
64, and the user interface substrate 56 of the laminated front
sub-assembly 15, respectively, is shown in greater detail. The
adhesive sheet 40 may be applied to the perimeter of the sheet 36.
The keypad substrate 44 may be coupled to the sheet 36. The keypad
array 48 may be coupled between the keypad substrate 44 and the
user interface substrate 56. Electrical components 1002, including
drivers for the display 52, may be secured to the user interface
substrate 56. The microphone 68 may be secured to the integrated
circuit substrate 24. Screw bosses 1020 are defined in the metal
chassis 64 to retain the screws 88 for attaching the integrated
circuit substrate 24.
[0070] FIG. 11 is a widthwise cross section of the speaker cavity
of an assembled version of the handset device of FIG. 8 depicting
one embodiment of the invention. The diagram shows features of the
audio porting and sealing in the handset device 10. The speaker 32
is coupled to the electrical contact 266 of the user interface
substrate 56 by the electrical connector 238 though a combined
electrical port 263 that includes the electrical port 258 defined
by the metal chassis 64 and the electrical port defined by the user
interface substrate adhesive layer 60. The electrical connector 238
may be a spring contact, as shown, or another type of pressure
contact or other non pressure connector. Helical springs may be
used, beam springs, elastomeric contacts or any suitable connector
may be used. The electrical connector 238 may be gold or gold
plated.
[0071] The speaker audio port 320 over the speaker 32 includes the
stacked audio port portion 274 defined by the metal chassis 64, the
audio port portion defined by the user interface substrate adhesive
layer 60, the audio port portion 278 defined by the user interface
substrate 56, and the audio port portion defined by the sheet 36.
The user interface substrate adhesive layer 60 is operative to
separate the combined electrical port 263 from the combined audio
port 320. That is, the presence of the adhesive layer 60 prevents
audio transmitted from the speaker 32 through the combined audio
port 320 from leaking back into the handset device 10 through the
combined electrical port 263. In addition, the gasket 296 is
interposed between the speaker 32 and the metal chassis 64. The
gasket 296 also prevents audio transmitted from the speaker 32
through the audio port 320 from leaking back into the handset
device 10 through the combined electrical port 263.
[0072] The rear housing 20 also may be adapted to provide an audio
cavity 1104 below the speaker 32. For example, the rear housing 20
may be adapted to support the speaker 32 on the internal side wall
182 of the rear housing 20 while spacing the interior surface 1108
of the base wall 230 and the interior surfaces 1112 of the external
side walls 178 away from the speaker 32. The audio cavity 1104 may
increased the bass response (and loudness) of the speaker 32 which
may be particularly useful when using the speaker 32 as a
loudspeaker. The rear housing may further be adapted to provide
notches 1116 to support the gasket 296 on the exterior side walls
178. The gasket 296 may be adapted to form a first ring 822
surrounding and sealing the audio port 274 and a second ring 826,
larger than and surrounding the first ring 822 that seals the audio
cavity 1104. It will be recognized by one skilled in the art that
other embodiments of the rear housing and gasket interface will
work. Alternatively, separate walls could be formed in the rear
housing to enclose the audio cavity 1104, rather than integrating
these walls with the side walls of the housing. Or, an entirely
separate part could be used to form the side walls 1112 and back
wall 1108 of the audio cavity, such as a molded elastomeric
enclosure, which may allow elimination of outer portion 826 of
gasket 296. (c) Separate gaskets could be used to seal the speaker
and the audio cavity. The gasket 296 may define a first ring seal
around the speaker 32 and a second ring around the first ring to
seal around the audio cavity 1104 (see FIG. 11) as is shown, for
example, in FIG. 8. The top antenna 76 and integral connectors 192
may be located within audio cavity 1104, and coupled through
openings in the metal chassis 64 and substrate adhesive layer 60 to
the user interface substrate 56, in a similar manner as the speaker
32 and electrical connectors 238.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a keypad 1200 includes a
plurality of keys 1202 shown here to be in a bell keypad
configuration having the numbers 0-9 in addition to a "*", "#" in
addition to function keys such as power keys and other keys as
shown. However, it will be recognized that any suitable keypad
configuration may be used. Also referring to FIG. 1, the keypad
1200 includes a plurality of key dividers 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210
that are positioned with respect to the plurality of keys 1202 and
are found on the keypad substrate 44 (see FIG. 1). Each of the
plurality of key dividers 1204-1210 includes raised guide portions
1212, 1213 and 1214 and tactile cue portions 1216 and 1218 that are
interposed between the plurality of raised guide portions 1212,
1213 and 1214. However, it will be recognized that any suitable
number (fewer or more) of raised guide portions and tactile cue
portions may be used. In this example, the number keys 1-9 are
positioned in horizontal rows 1220 and the keys in the horizontal
rows are positioned between parallel arced key dividers such as key
dividers 1206 and 1208, or key dividers 1208 and 1210
respectively.
[0074] In this example, the keypad 1200 also includes a segmented
key divider 1222 which is positioned above a plurality of keys, in
this example the first row of number keys 1, 2, 3. The segmented
key divider 1222 shows two segmented portions 1224 and 1226. Also
in this example, the segmented key divider 1222 is positioned
adjacent to the navigation key 168. Other key dividers 1230 and
1232 may also be used as desired.
[0075] The tactile cue portions 1218 and 1216 provide lateral
tactile cues for a finger or other object in the horizontal
direction. In the example shown, a set of parallel arced key
dividers also provides an arced rail between which a finger may be
guided. The tactile cue portions 1216 and 1218 as shown in this
example, are recessed with respect to the plurality of raised guide
portions. However, it will be recognized that the tactile cue
portions 1218 and 1216 may also be raised with respect to the
plurality of raised guide portions 1214, 1213 and 1212. As noted
above, the keypad 1200 may be made in any suitable manner and in
this example, includes the sheet 36, the keypad substrate 44, the
keypad array 48 and the patterned contacts 108 secured in a manner
to facilitate operation. The sheet 36 includes keypad indicia
thereon and slots operatively sized to receive the plurality of
arced key dividers. Although arced key dividers are shown, straight
key dividers or other suitably shaped key dividers may also be
used.
[0076] As also shown, the tactile cue portions 1216 and 1218 are
offset from centers of the keys. For example, the number 7 along
with the letters "pqrs" associated with a key are centered with
respect to its corresponding raised guide portion and the
corresponding tactile cue portion is offset from the center of the
key.
[0077] Accordingly, many advantages of the above illustrated
described structure will be recognized by those ordinary skilled in
the art. The substrate combines a display electrode pattern, such
as is useful for laminated display, and as the keypad contact
array. This architecture provides yield a thin, space efficient,
and cost effective design that is further useful as a component in
a thin and cost effective handset device. The substrate
architecture facilitates designing a display around an audio port
to create a unique appearance while implementing a necessary
function in a space efficient manner.
[0078] The above detailed description of the invention, and the
examples described therein, has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. While the principles of the invention
have been described above in connection with a specific device, it
is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by
way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *