Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20080019502A1/en
Timestamp: 2019-07-15 21:36:56
Document Index: 483476667

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 100', 'art 104', 'art 100', 'art 100', 'art 104', 'art 160', 'art 164', 'art 104', 'art 100']

US20080019502A1 - User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port - Google Patents
User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port Download PDF
US20080019502A1
US20080019502A1 US11/851,673 US85167307A US2008019502A1 US 20080019502 A1 US20080019502 A1 US 20080019502A1 US 85167307 A US85167307 A US 85167307A US 2008019502 A1 US2008019502 A1 US 2008019502A1
US11/851,673
US8619067B2 (en
Steve Emmert
2006-07-24 Priority to US11/459,451 priority Critical patent/US20080037769A1/en
2007-09-07 Application filed by Motorola Solutions Inc filed Critical Motorola Solutions Inc
2007-09-07 Priority to US11/851,673 priority patent/US8619067B2/en
2008-01-24 Publication of US20080019502A1 publication Critical patent/US20080019502A1/en
2013-12-31 Publication of US8619067B2 publication Critical patent/US8619067B2/en
A substrate (56) for a handset device defines at least a portion of an audio port (274) and may include a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). A display (52) is coupled to the substrate and is configured to at least partially surround the audio port portion on the substrate. 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). The display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604).
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/459,451, filed on Jul. 24, 2006, entitled “USER INTERFACE SUBSTRATE FOR HANDSET DEVICE”, having inventors Steve Emmert and John Boos; and is related to application Ser. No. 11/459,446, filed on Jul. 24, 2006, entitled “HANDSET KEYPAD”, having inventors Mark Finney and Steve Emmert; and is related to application Ser. No. 11/459,460, filed on Jul. 24, 2006, entitled “HANDSET DEVICE WITH LAMINATED ARCHITECTURE”, having inventor Steve Emmert, owned by instant Assignee and is incorporated herein by reference.
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.
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™ 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.
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.
Briefly, a substrate for a handset device includes at least a portion of an audio speaker port defined by the substrate. A display, such as an electrophoretic display, is coupled to the substrate and is configured to at least partially surround the audio port portion 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. The display may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern.
In one example, the substrate combines a display electrode pattern, such as is useful for laminated display, and as the keypad contact array. This architecture provides 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.
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.
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. 7, 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® 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.
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 9495MP 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.
The metal chassis 64 may provide structural strength and rigidity to the laminated front sub-assembly 15. 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.
The display 52 is operatively coupled to the top surface 96 of the user interface substrate 56, such as by a conductive lamination adhesive 608 (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 FIG. 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.
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 56. 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.
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 and display 52. 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 9495MP manufactured by 3M.
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 Ipilon 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 and as a transparent protective cover for the display 52.
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 178 (see FIG. 3) of the rear housing 20.
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.
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 24, the battery 28, 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.
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 multilayer 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 connector 188 may pass through openings 132 and 124. 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.
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.
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.
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 where the metal layer is removed from the underlying user interface substrate 56.
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 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 or various shades of gray depending on the polarity of the voltage and the amount of time the voltage is applied. A front barrier film 516 which may include an ultraviolet filter is disposed over the display to prevent moisture entry into the display 52.
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. 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.
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 184 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
1. A substrate for a handset device comprising:
at least a portion of an audio port defined by the substrate; and
a display operatively coupled to the substrate wherein the display is configured to at least partially surround the audio port portion on the substrate.
2. The substrate of claim 1 wherein the display is an electrophoretic display.
3. The substrate of claim 1 wherein the portion of the audio port is comprised of a plurality of openings through the substrate.
4. The display of claim 2 wherein the display has at least a portion curved around the audio port.
5. A handset device comprising:
a housing and substrate within the housing comprising:
6. The handset device of claim 5 wherein the display is an electrophoretic display.
7. The handset device of claim 6 comprising a speaker positioned adjacent to the portion of the audio port and wherein the portion of the audio port is comprised of a plurality of openings through the substrate.
8. The handset device of claim 6 wherein the display has at least a portion curved around the audio port.
9. The handset device of claim 7 comprising a keypad contact array operatively coupled on a same side of the substrate as the display.
10. The handset device of claim 9 further comprising a display electrode pattern operatively coupled to the substrate and wherein the electrophoretic display is laminated with the display electrode pattern.
US11/851,673 2006-07-24 2007-09-07 User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port Active 2029-03-09 US8619067B2 (en)
US11/459,451 US20080037769A1 (en) 2006-07-24 2006-07-24 User interface substrate for handset device
US11/851,673 US8619067B2 (en) 2006-07-24 2007-09-07 User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port
US11/459,451 Continuation US20080037769A1 (en) 2006-07-24 2006-07-24 User interface substrate for handset device
US20080019502A1 true US20080019502A1 (en) 2008-01-24
US8619067B2 US8619067B2 (en) 2013-12-31
ID=38971443
US11/459,451 Abandoned US20080037769A1 (en) 2006-07-24 2006-07-24 User interface substrate for handset device
US11/851,673 Active 2029-03-09 US8619067B2 (en) 2006-07-24 2007-09-07 User interface substrate for handset device having an audio port
US (2) US20080037769A1 (en)
CN (1) CN101495946A (en)
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