Ericsson Gmbh

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab

Leif Brunstrom

John Charles Phillips

John Joseph Hayes, Jr

Michael Kornby

Sven Pettersson

Stefan Munther

The present invention is directed towards a front cover for a portable electronic device as well as a portable electronic device including such a front cover. The front cover comprises a bottom layer of stiff plastic material having a first opening where at least one input key is to be provided, and a top layer of flexible plastic film that covers the bottom layer including said first opening. These two layers are furthermore bonded to each other. In this way a keypad is provided where dirt cannot enter between keys. The mounting process for the device is furthermore much simplified. It is furthermore possible to produce a waterproof keypad.

IMF cover for a portable electronic device

A recyclable cellular telephone is disclosed having an inner rigid cellular electronics supporting frame member surrounded by a replaceable outer cover. The telephone is acquired having a limited period of use. The electronics of the telephone operate to disable the telephone following expiration of the period of use. Following expiration of the period of use, the telephone is returned for refurbishment where the outer cover is stripped and replaced and the electronics tested before being recycled with a new period of use for an another acquisition. The cellular network supporting telephone operation also monitors the period of use, disabling telephone access to the network following expiration. Directory numbers are selectively assigned to the recyclable telephones from a pool of available numbers, with assigned numbers returned to the pool after expiration of a predetermined period or telephone deactivation for re-use by another recyclable telephone. The recyclable telephones are activated and deactivated in a number of ways, including through the use of a separate activation and deactivation station which communicates with the telephones over a radio frequency communications link.

Recyclable cellular telephone and method and apparatus for supporting

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Jarfalla, Sweden

Leif Brunstrom