Patent ID: 8036723

Claim:
A keypad and microphone arrangement for a communication device, said arrangement comprising: a key comprising a cap portion and a stem portion; a base layer supporting said key, said base layer being attached to a bottom part of said stem portion; a microphone located below said keypad; a port connecting said microphone to ambient air above said base layer, said port having a first opening extending from a top side to a bottom side of said base layer; a key circuit to recognize activation of said key, said key circuit located beneath said base layer and mounted on a first printed circuit board (PCB), said first PCB having a second opening from its to surface through its interior to its bottom surface; a second PCB for mounting said microphone thereon; and a support member for said key circuit mounted to said second PCB and located below said key circuit, said support member having a third opening from its top surface, through its interior to its bottom surface, wherein said cap portion extends fully over said first opening of said port on said top side; and an air channel is defined from said microphone to said port on said top side of said base layer, said air channel comprising said first opening, said second opening and said third opening.