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:
Apr. 11, 2006
Filed:
Aug. 06, 2004
Paul Robert Chyc, Broomfield, CO (US);
Roman Peter Rak, Waterloo, CA;
Jason Griffin, Waterloo, CA;
Steven Fyke, Fort Erie, CA;
Paul Robert Chyc, Broomfield, CO (US);
Roman Peter Rak, Waterloo, CA;
Jason Griffin, Waterloo, CA;
Steven Fyke, Fort Erie, CA;
Research in Motion Limited, Waterloo, CA;
Abstract
A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.