# US 6,965,789 B2 · Portable communication device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,965,789 B2 - Document ID: US6965789B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/451,900 - Filed: 2001-11-27 - Published: 2004-07-08 - Granted: 2005-11-15 - Earliest claimed: 2000-12-29 - Assignees: Vertu Limited - Inventors: Michael Harry Spencer Hauge; Todd Richard Metlen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6965789B2 ## CPC - H04M 1/0249: {Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly} - 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) - H04M 1/23: Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof (by improving visibility H04M1/22) - H01H 2217/004: Larger or different actuating area - H01H 2217/024: Profile on actuator - H01H 2221/00: Actuators - H01H 2221/026: Guiding or lubricating nylon - H01H 2223/0345: with keys positioned directly next to each other without an intermediate bezel or frame - H01H 2223/054: Mounting of key housings on same printed circuit - H04M 1/22: Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## 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 ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprises first and second bearings for supporting the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second bearings are spaced apart. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bearing is non-resilient. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bearing comprises corundum gemstone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first bearing is a ruby bearing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second bearing is resilient. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second bearing is a PFTE bearing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch actuator comprises a key tip for providing the upper surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key tip comprises metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key tip comprises a precious material, such as gold, platinum, or silver. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the key tip comprises a jewel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch actuators are physically discrete. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching elements are physically discrete. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, 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. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the switching element comprises a spring plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the spring plate comprises a flexed tongue between the fixed and free ends. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A device as claimed in claim 17, 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) 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. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) 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. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) A device as claimed in claim 17, 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. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the spring plates of first and second adjacent keys in the column are also in phase. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front face is substantially transparent. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein the front face comprises a precious material, such as sapphire. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array comprises a row of keys protruding through a single opening in the front face. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array comprises a plurality of rows of keys, each row of keys protruding through a respective single opening in the front face. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the array of keys is a 3×4 array. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the array of keys is an alphanumeric key array. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of keys are arranged in at least one row extending laterally, wherein the keys in the row are contiguous. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the contiguous keys protrude through a single V shaped opening in the front face. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) A device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the contiguous keys extend right across the front face, from one side of the front face to the other. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) 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. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of keys has a vertex, in the boundary of its upper surface, indicative of the location for tactile actuation. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A device as claimed in claim 36, 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 and the central key is said one key having a vertex in the boundary of its upper surface. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) A device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the vertex in the boundary of the at least one of said keys is obtuse. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one of said keys has a boundary with a substantially V shaped portion along one side. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) A device as claimed in claim 1, 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.