Portable communication device

• US 20040132504A1
• Filed: 01/26/2004
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Original Assignee: Vertu Corporation Limited
• Inventors: Hague, Michael, Metlen, Todd Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/00 Actuators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/026 Guiding or lubricating nylon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/0345 with keys positioned directly next to each other without an intermediate bezel or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/054 Mounting of key housings on same printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A portable communication device is disclosed comprising a front face (3) having a plurality of openings therein, and an array (6) of keys. Each key has a switch actuator, a switching element, and coupling means. The switch actuator has an upper surface bounded by side walls, and the switch actuator of each key of the array (6) protrudes from one of the plurality of openings to provide its upper surface for tactile actuation by a user and is physically discrete from the others. The coupling means couples the tactile actuation of the upper surface by a user to the switching element.

Claims

1. A portable communication device comprising

a front face having a plurality of openings therein, and

an array of keys, each key comprising a switch actuator and a switching element, wherein each switch actuator protrudes from one of the plurality of openings to provide its upper surface for tactile actuation by a user, and

a coupler for coupling the tactile actuation of the upper surface by a user to the switching element,

wherein the coupler comprises a shaft extending from the switch actuator and a first bearing around the shaft, the first bearing allowing for longitudinal movement of the switch actuator with respect to the first bearing and being a jewelled bearing.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises first and second bearings for supporting the shaft.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second bearings are spaced apart.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shaft extends through the switching element and the first bearing is located on one side of the switching element, between the switch actuator and the switching element, and the second bearing is located on the other side.

5. A device as claimed in any of preceding claim, wherein the first bearing is non-resilient.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first bearing comprises corundum gemstone.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first bearing is a ruby bearing.

8. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the second bearing is resilient.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second bearing is a PFTE bearing.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the switch actuator comprises a key tip for providing the upper surface.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key tip comprises metal.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the key tip comprises a precious material, such as gold, platinum, or silver.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the key tip comprises a jewel.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the switch actuators are physically discrete.

15. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the switching elements are physically discrete.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the switching element comprises a contact and a mechanism responsive to the coupling means for bringing the contact into and out of contact with a corresponding contact of the device.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the switching element comprises a spring plate.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the spring plate has a fixed end and a free end, and a contact for contacting with a corresponding contact of the device, towards the free end.

19. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the coupling means is arranged to couple the tactile actuation of the upper surface by a user towards the fixed end of the spring plate.

20. A device as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the spring plate comprises a flexed tongue between the fixed and free ends.

21. A device as claimed in any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the array comprises a row of keys and the spring plates of first and second adjacent keys in the row are perpendicular to each other.

22. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the spring plate of a third key in the row, adjacent the second, is perpendicular to the second.

23. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the spring plate of the third key is parallel to, and in phase with, that of the first key.

24. A device as claimed in any of claims 17 to 23, wherein the array comprises a column of keys and the spring plates of at least first and second adjacent keys in the column are in parallel with each other.

25. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the spring plates of first and second adjacent keys in the column are also in phase.

26. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front face is substantially transparent.

27. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the front face comprises a precious material, such as sapphire.

28. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the array comprises a row of keys protruding through a single opening in the front face.

29. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the array comprises a plurality of rows of keys, each row of keys protruding through a respective single opening in the front face.

30. A device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the array of keys is a 3×

4 array.

31. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the array of keys is an alphanumeric key array.

32. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of keys are arranged in at least one row extending laterally, wherein the keys in the row are contiguous.

33. A device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the contiguous keys protrude through a single V shaped opening in the front face.

34. A device as claimed in claim 32 or 33, wherein the contiguous keys extend right across the front face, from one side of the front face to the other.

35. A device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the contiguous keys comprise a central key, a left key to the left of the central key and a right key to the right of the central key, such that the central key is contiguous with the left and right keys, whereas the left key is contiguous with only the central key and the left key is contiguous with only the central key.

36. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one of said plurality of keys has a vertex, in the boundary of its upper surface, indicative of the location for tactile actuation.

37. A device as claimed in claim 36 when dependent upon claim 35, wherein the central key is said one key having a vertex in the boundary of its upper surface.

38. A device as claimed in claim 36 or 37, wherein the vertex in the boundary of the at least one of said keys is obtuse.

39. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one of said keys has a boundary with a substantially V shaped portion along one side.

40. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one of said keys has a substantially V shaped boundary, with a first vertex in one side and a second vertex in another side.

41. A portable communication device comprising an array of keys having a switch actuator, a switching element and a jewelled bearing, substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.