Switch with integrated microphone aperture for a handheld computer

• US 20020115472A1
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Andress, Scott R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,697,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/048 comprising microphone or speaker
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03

Abstract

A handheld computer is disclosed. The handheld computer includes a housing, computing electronics supported by the housing, and a display supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics. The handheld computer includes a switch supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics. A microphone aperture is disposed in the switch.

A rocker switch is also disclosed. The rocker switch is configured to be used in a handheld computer. The rocker switch includes a first button portion associated with a first button direction and a second button portion associated with a second button direction. The rocker switch includes a microphone aperture disposed in the rocker switch.

Claims

1. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing,

computing electronics supported by the housing;

a display supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics;

a switch supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics; and

a microphone aperture disposed in the switch.

2. The handheld computer of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone pickup electrically coupled to the computing electronics and in audio communication with the microphone aperture.

3. The handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the switch is a pushbutton.

4. The handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the switch is a rocker switch.

5. The handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the switch is configured to be used for scrolling on the display.

6. The handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the handheld computer is configured for telephony.

7. The handheld computer of claim 1, wherein the handheld computer is configured with voice recognition software.

8. A rocker switch configured to be used in a handheld computer, comprising:

a first button portion associated with a first button direction;

a second button portion associated with a second button direction; and

a microphone aperture disposed in the rocker switch.

9. The rocker switch of claim 8, wherein the microphone aperture is disposed between the first button portion and the second button portion.

10. The rocker switch of claim 8, wherein the rocker switch is configured to scroll information on a display.

11. The rocker switch of claim 8, wherein the rocker switch is configured to be used in a handheld computer.

12. The rocker switch of claim 8, wherein the rocker switch is configured to be used in a telephony device.

14. The handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the switch is a push button switch.

15. The handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the switch is a rocker switch.

16. The handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the computing electronics include telephony electronics.

18. The handheld computer of claim 17, wherein the microphone is electrically coupled to the computing electronics.

19. The handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the switch includes two distinct sections configured to provide different input signals when actuated.

20. The handheld computer of claim 13, wherein the aperture is configured to provide a voice conduit to a microphone, through the housing.

13. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing;

computing electronics supported by the housing;

a display supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics;

a switch configured to provide user input to the handheld computer; and

a microphone aperture disposed in the switch.

17. A handheld computer, further comprising:

a microphone in audio communication with the microphone aperture.

21. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing;

computing electronics suppoted by the housing;

a display supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the computing electronics;

a first switch configured to provide user input to the handheld computer;

a second switch configured to provide user input to the handheld computer, the first switch being adjacent the second switch; and

a microphone aperture disposed adjacent the first switch and the second switch.

22. The handheld computer of claim 21, wherein the microphone aperture goes through the housing.

23. The handheld computer of claim 21, wherein the microphone aperture is disposed between the first switch and the second switch.

24. The handheld computer of claim 23, wherein the first switch is located above the second switch.

25. The handheld computer of claim 23, wherein the first switch is located to the left of the second switch.