Motorola Mobility LLC

Motorola Corporation

William H Meitzler

Adrian Napoles

Paul A Vonallmen

A hand-held communication device, such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), comprises a sensor assembly and an auxiliary input interface. The auxiliary input interface is situated along one or more exterior surfaces of the device and is electrically coupled to processing circuitry within the device. The sensor assembly is removably attached to the one or more exterior surfaces of device and provides signals at the multiple outputs in response to tactile inputs from the user. In one embodiment, an assignment procedure assigns tactile inputs from the user to predefined functions of the device and/or one or more software applications installed in the device. During subsequent operation of the device, each of the specific tactile input executes one or more predefined functions.

Hand-held communication device with auxiliary input apparatus and method

A hand-held communication device (), such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), comprises a sensor assembly () and an auxiliary input interface (). Auxiliary input interface () is situated along one or more exterior surfaces () of device () and is electrically coupled to processing circuitry within device (). Sensor assembly () is removably attached to the one or more exterior surfaces () of device (). Sensor assembly () preferably includes multiple pressure sensors for receiving tactile inputs from a user, and multiple outputs for coupling to auxiliary input interface (). Sensor assembly () provides signals at the multiple outputs in response to tactile inputs from the user. In one form, during an assignment procedure, tactile inputs from the user are assigned to predefined functions of the device and/or one or more software applications installed in the device. Subsequently, during normal operation of the device (), each of the specific tactile input results in the execution of one or more predefined functions. Sensor assembly () is preferably realized by a combination that includes an elastomeric connector () and a top portion having a flexible shroud () and multiple conductive strips () that are configured for contacting conductive regions () of elastomeric connector ().

Hand-held communication device with auxiliary input apparatus, and method

One or more electrochromic surfaces ( ) (formed on rigid or flexible carrier surfaces) are used in various ways with one or more radio frequency energy radiating elements ( ) and/or guiding elements ( and ) to lend selective reflectivity to achieve greater resultant control over directionality, gain, phase, and/or shape of the radiated energy.

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Elk Grove Village, IL, United States of America

William H Meitzler