Patent ID: 7911450

Claim:
An input apparatus for a handheld electronic device, the handheld electronic device including a housing and a processor apparatus disposed on the housing, the processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory, the input apparatus comprising: a plurality of input members, each input member being movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position; a single tactile feedback device associated with the plurality of input members to provide a tactile feedback to a user; and a single actuating element movable between a first position and a second position by movement of one of the plurality of input members to the actuated position, each of the plurality of input members including a cam portion; and the single actuating element including a number of apertures each having an end, and a number of reaction portions, the reaction portions being disposed at the ends, each reaction portion configured to engage the cam portion of a corresponding input member in the actuated position, a first input member in the actuated position moving the actuating element to the second position thereby directly actuating the tactile feedback device, completing a circuit to provide a first input to the processor, causing the processor to ignore inputs from a second input member in the actuated position while the first input member is in the actuated position, and preventing actuation of the tactile feedback device by the second input member in the actuated position while the first member is in the actuated position.