Blackberry Corporation

Research in Motion Corporation

Yun Sun Lee

Chin Feng Hsu

Paul John Kudrna

Michael Thomas Pope

James Nelson Aldrich

David Anthony Dettling

Jessica Leanne Compton

Puneet Gupta

Chin Feng Martin Hsu

A multi-action capacitive switch comprising a capacitive sensing area in a surface, a plunger comprising conductive material, and a structure of flexible conductive material. A change in capacitance caused by the presence of a user's finger travels from the capacitive sensing area, down the conductive material of the plunger, over the structure, and to a capacitive touch detector in contact with the structure. An actuation of the switch, for example by pressing, is detected by an actuation detector. In a handheld electronic device, a user may initiate a phone call using such a multi-action capacitive switch. The method includes displaying a list of phone numbers in response to detection of a user's finger on a predetermined key and calling one of the numbers when the user actuates the predetermined key.

Multi-action capacitive switch and methods of use

A key/display assembly includes a first switch and a display module disposed aside the first switch. A touch-sensitive input panel overlies the first switch and the display module, and the touch-sensitive input panel includes a first touch-sensitive region proximate the first switch. The electronic mobile device further includes a first key defined by the first switch and the first touch-sensitive region. As such, the first key is actuated by pressing the first touch-sensitive region to displace the first touch-sensitive region and thereby actuate the first switch.

Electronic mobile device seamless key/display structure

A mobile device has a first housing and a second housing movably coupled to the first housing such that the mobile device can be manipulated between an open state and a closed state. The mobile device can also be placed in a holster. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile device has a sensor configured to generate a sensor output indicative of (i) whether the mobile device is in the open state or closed state and (ii) whether the mobile device is in the holster.

Apparatus and method for detecting physical state and holster presence

Growing community of inventors

Rolling Meadows, IL, United States of America

Yun Sun Lee