Research in Motion Corporation

Blackberry Corporation

Other

Todd Robert Paleczny

Arnett Ryan Weber

Patrick Clement Strittmatter

Perry Allan Faubert

Denis Lahaie

Cameron Russell Steeves

Timothy Herbert Kyowski

Dietmar Frank Wennemer

Richard James Brogle

Ramon Lamers

Farzin Dehmoubed

Ian Paul Barta

Risto Tuomas Kontio

Patrick Smittmatter

Kurt Johannes Gerd Mehlhorn

Patrick Strittmatter

Kurt Johannes Mehlhorn

A display screen of an electronic device may be supported by one or more subassemblies positioned between the display screen and a printed circuit board to which the display screen is secured. Each subassembly is able to act as an independent suspension for the display screen and is able to cushion the display screen by absorbing mechanical tolerances and mechanical shock and vibration. The subassemblies may be mounted on the printed circuit board using surface mount technology.

Suspension and tolerance absorption subassembly for a display screen

A piezoelectric assembly is provided, including an electrode assembly, a signal electrical connector, and a reference electrical connector. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. The signal electrical connector is in electrical communication with the first electrode and configured to be connected to the current or voltage source so as to provide electrical communication with a current or voltage source. The reference electrical connector is in electrical communication with the second electrode and configured to be connected to the reference source so as to provide electrical communication with a reference source. One of the signal electrical connector and the reference electrical connector includes a metal shim for supporting the electrode assembly. A flexible printed circuit board is provided including a trace. An interconnecting structure effects electrical communication between the trace and the metal shim. The interconnecting structure is disposed within a passage provided between a first side surface and an opposite second side surface of the flexible printed circuit board, and extends through the first side surface to provide a coupling structure coupled to the metal shim at a coupling structure surface interface, and also extends through the second side surface to provide a retainer disposed in opposition to the first side surface to provide a retainer disposed in opposition to the first side surface.

Piezoelectric assembly

A piezoelectric assembly is described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a piezoelectric assembly comprising: an electrode assembly; a signal electrical connector electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a reference electrical connector electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a spacer positioned about a perimeter of the electrode assembly and disposed between the signal electrical connector and the reference electrical connector such that no electrical communication is provided between the signal electrical connector and the reference electrical connector through the spacer; wherein a humidity barrier space is defined between the signal electrical connector, the reference electrical connector and the spacer, and wherein the electrode assembly is disposed in the humidity barrier space.

A method of measuring drop impact at an electronic device includes detecting a fall based on signals from drop detection sensor of the electronic device, receiving an output from a piezoelectric sensor in response to detecting the fall, and storing drop data based on the output from the piezoelectric sensor in a memory at the electronic device.

Portable electronic device and method of measuring drop impact at the portable electronic device

An electronic device includes a base, a touch-sensitive input surface spaced from and moveable relative to the base, and an actuating arrangement between the base and the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement is arranged to vary a force on the touch-sensitive input surface in response to detection of a touch event on the touch-sensitive input surface. The actuating arrangement includes an actuator including a piezoelectric disk coupled to a substrate that includes an elastically deformable truncated disk.

Portable electronic device including tactile touch-sensitive input device

A piezoelectric assembly and portable electronic device having a piezoelectric assembly are described. The piezoelectric assembly comprises a first electrode for electrical communication to a current or voltage source, a second electrode for electrical communication to a reference source, a piezoelectric material in electrical communication with each one of the first and second electrodes and between the first and second electrodes, a signal electrical connector in electrical communication with the first electrode and configured to be connected to the current or voltage source, and a reference electrical connector in electrical communication with the second electrode and configured to be connected to the reference source so as to provide electrical communication between the second electrode and the reference source.

A portable electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display and a piezoelectric actuator disposed and preloaded on a support and arranged to provide tactile feedback to the touch-sensitive display in response to an actuation signal. The touch-sensitive display may be biased toward the piezoelectric actuator to preload the piezoelectric actuator.

Portable electronic device and method of control

A portable electronic device includes a touch-sensitive display and a piezoelectric actuator arranged to provide tactile feedback to the touch-sensitive display in response to an actuation signal. A pad is disposed in alignment with a force sensor such that depression of the touch-sensitive display causes the force sensor to generate a force signal. A processor configured to receive the force signal and to generate the actuation signal based on the force signal.

Piezoelectric actuator arrangement

A portable electronic device includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display movable with respect to the housing, and at least one piezoelectric actuator arranged to provide tactile feedback to the touch-sensitive display in response to an actuation signal by moving the touch-sensitive display. The at least one piezoelectric actuator may move the touch-sensitive display, resulting in vibration or a single movement of the touch-sensitive display.

An actuator assembly for use in an electronic device is described. The actuator assembly includes a support tray, an actuator supported on the support tray, and a cover over the actuator and coupled to the support tray, a portion of the cover being movable relative to the support tray when the actuator is actuated.

Actuator assembly and electronic device including same

A mobile device is disclosed that includes a housing, a touch sensitive display subassembly, and a gasket. The touch sensitive display subassembly is received in the housing and is movable relative to the housing. The touch sensitive display subassembly includes a lens overlaying a display. The gasket is attached to only one of the housing and the touch sensitive display subassembly. This gasket inhibits passage of debris between the housing and the touch screen display subassembly.

Gasket for a mobile device having a touch sensitive display

A method includes applying a lip, comprised of a first material, along at least a portion of an actuator of an electronic device, and applying a coating, comprised of an elastic material, to cover a part of the actuator, the coating disposed to facilitate actuation of the actuator.

Growing community of inventors

Heidelberg, Canada

Todd Robert Paleczny