The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 27, 2001
Kenneth Jenks, Capitola, CA (US);
Troy Hulick, San Jose, CA (US);
Huy Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
Steven Shiozaki, Belmont, CA (US);
palmOne, Inc., Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a “plug-in” button module for a personal digital assistant (PDA). Specifically, the “plug-in” button module includes a button frame module having a membrane layer (e.g., thermo-plastic urethane or thermo-plastic elastomer) molded over it. The plug-in module can be snapped into the PDA over its button array. In this manner, the plug-in button module provides a seal for the buttons of the PDA that restricts dirt, grim, and other foreign particles from getting underneath them. Furthermore, since the plug-in button module is modular, it can be manufactured separately from the rest of the PDA in a wide variety of ways. For example, the membrane layer of the plug-in button module can be fabricated with different shapes, colors, hardnesses, decorations, textures, and opacities. In this manner, a user is able to personalize their PDA by snapping in a particular plug-in button module.