Method and system for assembling keypad
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorsThmas Wulff, David E. Bellows
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for assembling a keypad or a keypad module to a processing portion of an electronic device is described. The keypad module is a sealed unit connectable to the pre assembled processing portion through a common interface. The keypad module includes a bezel substrate that has a locally thin region where an accessory can be placed. For example, a speaker may be included in the keypad module. The keypad module itself may be its own an electro-mechanical entity.
Claims25
A keypad assembly, comprising:
- a bezel substrate;
- a plurality of keys independently movable relative the bezel substrate;
- and
- an electronic circuit layer situated between the bezel substrate and the keys, wherein a locally thinned portion of the bezel substrate is adapted to receive an accessory of the keypad assembly.
An electronic device for processing user inputs, comprising:
- a processing unit including a common processing unit interface;
- and
- a keypad assembly including a common keypad interface adapted to connect with the common processing unit interface, the keypad assembly being adapted to be attached to the electronic device after assembly thereof, the keypad assembly including a bezel substrate, a plurality of keys independently movable relative the bezel substrate and an electronic circuit layer situated between the bezel substrate and the keys, a locally thinned portion of the bezel substrate is adapted to receive an accessory of the keypad assembly.
A method of manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the steps of:
- assembling a processing portion of the device;
- assembling a plurality of keypad assemblies having different configurations;
- selecting a desired one of the plurality of keypad assemblies;
- and
- attaching the desired assembled keypad assembly to the assembled processing portion via a common interface.
The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of:
- providing a speaker integrated with the desired assembled keypad assembly.
The method according to claim 24, further comprising providing the processing portion with a plurality of software applications, such that selected configurations of software applications are used according to the electronic identification elements of the keypad assemblies.
An electronic device for processing user inputs, comprising:
- a processing unit including a common processing unit interface;
- a battery coupled to the processing unit;
- and
- a keypad assembly including a common keypad interface adapted to connect with the common processing unit interface, the keypad assembly being adapted to be attached to the electronic device after assembly thereof, wherein the keypad assembly is a door cover for the battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.