Research in Motion Corporation

Scott Macintosh

Teodor Dabov

Larry Hawker

Felipe Simoes

Roman Peter Rak

Frank Mathew Tyneski

Velimir Pletikosa

Jana Regenwetter

Larry Edward Hawker

Felipe Oliveira Simoes

Scott MacIntosh

Jason Tyler Griffin

Cortez M Corley

Frank M Tyneski

Philip Simoes

An improved handheld electronic device and keypad include tactile features that help a user to identify certain keys of the keypad. In the present exemplary embodiment, the keypad includes keys in a predetermined region that can be employed during a telephone operation. The keypad additionally includes other keys outside the predetermined region. The keys in the predetermined region include tactile features that enable the user to identify and actuate the keys in the predetermined region during a telephone operation with the user directing minimal visual attention to the handheld electronic device.

Handheld electronic device and keypad having tactile features

Disclosed is a keypad and microphone arrangement for a communication device. The arrangement comprises: a key having a cap portion and a stem portion; a base layer attached to the stem portion; a key circuit to recognize activation of the key; a support member to support the key and base layer; a microphone located beneath the support member; a port in the base layer extending from an upper surface of the base, through an interior of the base layer, to a lower surface of the base layer. The support member has an opening extending from its top surface, through its interior, to its bottom surface. There is also an air channel connecting the microphone to ambient air above the cap portion, the air channel comprising the port and the opening. The stem portion and the cap portion are located about the port such that the cap portion extends fully over the port. The arrangement may be used in any communication device having voice reception capabilities.

Keypad and microphone arrangement

Keypad

Handheld device

Handheld electronic device

Growing community of inventors

Toronto, Canada

Teodor Dabov