Patent ID: 7623118

Claim:
A keypad assembly for a mobile computing device, the keypad assembly comprising: a plurality of key structures, wherein the plurality of key structures are structured to extend from a surface of the mobile computing device; a substrate that includes a plurality of contact elements, wherein each contact element corresponds to one of the key structures; a plurality of conductive structures provided on the substrate, wherein each of the plurality of conductive structures is positioned over an aligned contact element, and wherein each of the plurality of conductive structures is deflectable to cause contact with the corresponding contact element; a plurality of actuation members provided on a carrier, wherein each of the plurality of actuation member is positioned between a corresponding one of the key structures and a corresponding one of the conductive structures, and wherein the carrier is formed to be flexible, and each of the plurality of actuation members is formed to be more rigid than the carrier; and wherein each of the plurality of actuation members is moveable by insertion of the corresponding key structure to cause the corresponding conductive structure to deflect and cause contact with the aligned contact element for that conductive structure.