Tcl & Alcatel Mobile Phones Limited

Philippe Barthelet

Christophe Thullier

Eric Dalla Ricca

Sylvain Gautier

Gilles Durand

Pascal Vetu

Jean-Philippe Robin

An electronic device includes a microprocessor connected to an input keyboard comprising primary conductive lines connected to primary areas and to a terminal. It further includes first, second and third secondary conductive lines connected to secondary areas and to a terminal. It further includes input keys each of which, when operated, establishes contact between a primary area of a primary line and a secondary area of a secondary line to place each of these two lines in a high state. It further includes first and second processors each having a first input connected to the terminal of the first or second secondary line, a second input connected to the terminal of the third secondary line, and an output that is either in the same state as the first or second secondary line to which it is connected if the third secondary line is not in its high state, or in the high state if the third secondary line is in its high state, and is connected, like each primary line terminal, to the microprocessor so that it can determine each key operated as a function of the respective states of the primary lines and the outputs of the first and second processing means.

Input keyboard with increased number of keys for an electronic device with a limited number of connecting pins

A portable communication device with an external housing () containsat least a mechanical switch () and at least one key () for actuation of said mechanical switch (), said key comprising an actuation surface () which protrudes from said external housing through an aperture (), and the mechanical switch being able to be actuated by swiveling of the key () around an axis (XX') substantially perpendicular to said actuation surface. According to the invention said key is made of plastic material and comprises, in its thickness and behind said actuation surface, at least one emerging slit () extending substantially parallel to said actuation surface.

Portable communication device with swiveling key

The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising a casing containing a printed circuit () and comprising a front face () and a rear face (), and a removable keypad module () electrically connected to the printed circuit (). According to the invention, the device further comprises a removable clip () that encloses the perimeter of the keypad module () in order to lock the keypad module to said front face ().

Growing community of inventors

Bois-Colombes, France

Philippe Barthelet