Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Chao Chen

Jason Tyler Griffin

Timothy Herbert Kyowski

John A Holmes

Dietmar Frank Wennemer

Jana Lynn Papke

Xiaofeng Li

Felipe Oliveira Simoes

Douglas Fregin

Li Huang

Tim Kyowski

Todd Andrew Wood

Shannon Tyler Moore

Kevin Roy Sugden

Donald Somerset Mckenzie

Michael Welker

Jana Regenwetter

Cortez M Corley

Joseph Michael Hofer

Robert W Phillips

Vijai Rajagopal

Steven Andrew Prsa

Dennis Penner

Robert William Phillips

Mihal Lazaridis

Roman Peter Rak

Norman Miner Ladouceur

Marc A Drader

Robert James Lowles

Lawrence Edward Kuhl

Ken Wu

Keizo Marui

Colin Mark Werner

Dan Kaufman

Doug Fregin

Robert Pillips

Chen Xu

Douglas Edgar Fregin

Dennis J Penner

Chen Charles Xu

Asset tracking device

A keypad for an electronic device is provided and includes a substrate comprising an array of dome elements, an array of frets, an array of mechanical keys disposed in rows interleaved between the frets, a first deflection web supportively disposed adjacent to the substrate and a second deflection web disposed between the frets and the keys and the first deflection web. The substrate is configured to pre-load the first and second deflection webs toward the keys.

Method of forming a keypad assembly

A dome-shaped element disposable in a keyboard of an electronic device is provided. The dome-shaped element includes a concave surface originating at a center and terminating at a periphery. The concave surface includes an annular array of elastic elements extending from the center to the periphery. At least one of the elastic elements includes a first portion with a first slope proximate to the center and a second portion with a second slope proximate to the periphery. The concave surface is deflectable between an un-deflected position and a deflected position and is configured to affect an operation of the electronic device in the deflected position.

Dome-shaped assembly and handheld electronic device including dome-shaped assembly

An apparatus (such as a keyboard) has a plurality of keycaps and a corresponding light guide film disposed on the underside of those keycaps. The light guide film has a periphery, and at least portions of that periphery are thicker than in an interior portion of the light guide film. So configured, more light can be made available for backlighting purposes in the thicker portions than at the thinner portions. These teachings include determining the various (different) thicknesses to employ for the light guide film based upon desired backlighting of one or more of the plurality of keycaps.

Method and apparatus pertaining to keycap light guides

A keypad for an electronic device is provided and includes a substrate, a plurality of frets disposed with the substrate and a plurality of mechanical keys disposed with the substrate and arrayed in rows interleaved among the plurality of frets, at least one of the keys being deflectable toward a position at which a switch of a circuit is affected and a capacitive sensor layer disposed between the frets and the keys and the substrate to register movement of a capacitive element across the frets and the keys.

Double pre-loaded deflection webs for keypad

A backlighting assembly for use in a keypad assembly. The backlighting assembly includes at least one light emitting source configured to emit light; and a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key. The light guide assembly includes both a light guide film and a substantially rigid frame to guide light and to provide structural support.

Backlighting assembly for a keypad

A key assembly for an electronic device having a one-piece keycap and an electronic device having such a keycap are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a key assembly for use in an electronic device, comprising: a keycap having a plurality of rigid key portions separated by mechanically deforming portions; and a flexible member having opposed first and second sides, the first side having a plurality of key stems which are attached to the plurality of key portions, the second side having a plurality of actuators for actuating dome switches of the electronic device.

Key assembly for a handheld electronic device having a one-piece keycap

A latching assembly comprises a bracket, and a hook. The hook comprises: a top; a base having a first portion proximate to a first end and a second portion proximate to a second end. The second portion is inclined or sloped towards the top. A front surface extends from the first end to the second end. The front surface is substantially parallel to the surface of the second part at the first end, forming a first portion of the base for engaging the bracket. The front surface is further inclined or sloped toward the surface of the second part at the second end. When the bracket and the hook are engaged and the first part and the second part are separated by force, the bracket slides on the second portion of the base and the inclined or sloped front surface at the second end, thereby disengaging the bracket from the hook.

Latch mechanism for portable electronic device

A backlighting assembly for use in a keypad assembly. The backlighting assembly includes at least one light emitting source configured to emit light; and a light guide assembly configured to receive the emitted light and direct the light toward the at least one key. The light guide assembly includes both a light guide film and a light guide frame for directing light from the light source toward the key(s).

A keypad comprises a keypad frame and a metal spacer disposed on a backside thereof. At least one metal fret having a plurality of metal standoffs is disposed amongst the corresponding keycaps. These metal standoffs connect to the metal spacer (for example, via laser welding). The keypad frame can include a plurality of registration components and the metal spacer can include corresponding registration component-receiving openings disposed therein.

Method and apparatus pertaining to keypad frets

A keypad is described herein in which the keypad can have a keypad sheet and a keymat layer molded onto the back side of the keypad sheet. The keypad sheet can include a plurality of keys formed on a front side of the keypad sheet and a plurality of actuators formed on a back side of the keypad sheet and protruding from the back side of the keypad sheet. Slits are cut around at least some of the keys to provide the keys with flexibility. The slits do not pierce the keymat layer.

Keypads for mobile devices and method of manufacturing the same

The disclosure describes a system and a frame for mounting a display device above a printed circuit board (PCB) in within a housing of an electronic device. The system comprises: a frame section formed to be located on the PCB about a surface device on a surface of the PCB, the frame section comprises a plurality of connected bars, one of the plurality of bars having a depression in its top surface to allow a connector of the display device to fit against the frame section, the frame section being securable to the PCB such that at least a part of the surface device is surrounded by the frame section.

System and frame for mounting a device above a printed circuit board in an electronic device

A keyboard includes a stiffener having a plurality of recesses defined therein, a flexible printed circuit defining a plurality of venting holes, each venting hole in correspondence with one of the plurality of recesses, and a dome sheet provided on top of the flexible printed circuit and including a plurality of domes, each of the domes in correspondence with one of the plurality of venting holes.

Keyboard with flexible printed circuit defining a plurality of venting holes

A key assembly comprises a contact-responsive switch and a keycap having a plinth extending from an underside surface thereof. A key mat disposed between the keycap and the contact-responsive switch has a recessed area formed therein. This recessed area is sized and configured to receive the keycap's plinth. If desired, an adhesive can physically adhere the keycap to the key mat. By one approach, the key assembly also comprises a substantially-planar elastic layer disposed between the keycap and the contact-responsive switch. If desired, this elastic layer and the aforementioned key mat are integrally coupled to one another. By one approach this elastic layer has at least one opening disposed therethrough. This opening (or these openings) can be disposed at least in part in common with the aforementioned recessed area of the key mat.

Apparatus and method pertaining to a key assembly having a plinth-receiving key mat

Growing community of inventors

Waterloo, Canada

Chao Chen