Background of the Invention Modern mobile communications devices are expected to have a large display area for the display of video or colour images, internet web sites, or personal organiser programs, whilst also providing a large, easy-to-use data entry device, such as a keypad. At the same ; time, such devices need to maintain a small overall footprint and overall device length. These are obviously conflicting requirements.

Wireless communication units such as mobile phones are distinct from handheld electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) whose market requirements differ significantly to those of mobile phones in that they are not expected to pass stringent drop tests, have no real size limitations and therefore can support much larger displays and flexible keypad configurations. Such mechanisms have a number of disadvantages. The very large display and fixed keypad size cause an increase in the overall device size. Such

features are acceptable for some handheld devices such as PDAs, but are in direct conflict with the design objectives of other portable devices, such as mobile phones.

The Kyocera PDA QCP6035 incorporates a touch sensitive screen, with a hinged mechanism that prevents the keypad from being used at the same time as the full display. A further weakness in this design is that it produces a structure with inherent weaknesses, which would not allow it to meet the drop-test requirements for other portable devices, such as mobile phones.

Thus, a hinging structure is inherently weak and would not be considered by a mobile phone designer as providing any advantage worth considering in the design of mobile phones.

A desired design feature of mobile phone users is a compact device with a full sized keypad and display which allows the complete display area to be viewed whilst still allowing full access to the keypad.

Thus, a need exists for a portable communication device with an improved data entry and display mechanism, wherein the above mentioned disadvantages of known devices may be alleviated.

Statement of Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable communications device as claimed in Claim 1.

P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting frame for a data entry mechanism, as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assembling a mobile information and/or communications device, as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12.

Further features of the present invention are as defined in the appended Claims.

In summary, a portable communications device with a display and a data entry mechanism is described whereby the data entry mechanism is located to the device such that it covers a non-viewable area of the display, for example an area associated with device drivers and light guide mechanisms. In this manner, the overall length of the device can be substantially reduced while at the same time improving its structural rigidity, without degrading the performance of the device by impinging upon the device's viewable display area. The data-entry mechanism of the device is formed in a cantilever configuration with a display, such that the mechanical strength of the device is improved. This allows a designer the option of reducing the strength and cost of other materials in the device such as the housing, and thus reducing the overall device cost. The significant reduction in device length provides a unique selling point for the device manufacturer and a benefit for the end user.

Brief Description of the Drawings P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication device adapted in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation and front elevation of a mobile phone in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the mobile phone of FIG.

2 in expanded detail, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates a support frame and keypad arrangement, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic of a device showing the display and overlap area, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a device, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of a mobile telephone. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be embodied in any other type of mobile information and/or communication P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

device that requires or incorporates a display and data entry device. It is also envisaged that the present invention is not limited to wireless or portable devices, as fixed devices such as business/home telephones that connect to the public services telephone network (PSTN) also often include a display and a data entry mechanism and could thus benefit from the inventive concepts described herein.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of part of a communications device 100, adapted to support the inventive concepts of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The communication device 100, in the context of the preferred embodiment of the invention, is a mobile phone. As such, the communication device 100 contains an antenna 102 preferably coupled to a duplex filter or antenna switch 104 that provides isolation between receive and transmit chains within the wireless communications device 100.

The receiver chain, as known in the art, includes- receiver front-end circuitry 106 (effectively providing reception, filtering and intermediate or base-band frequency conversion). The front-end circuit is serially coupled to a signal processing function 108. An output from the signal processing function 108 is provided to a suitable output device 110. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the output device is a display overlapped by, and mechanically located by, the keypad arrangement as described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5.

As known in the art, and for completeness, the receiver chain also includes received signal strength indicator P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

(RSSI) circuitry 112, which in turn is coupled to a controller 114 for maintaining overall communications device control. The controller 114 is also coupled to the receiver front-end circuitry 106 and the signal processing function 108 (generally realised by a DSP).

The controller 114 may therefore receive bit error rate (BER) or frame error rate (FER) data from recovered information. The controller is also coupled to a memory device 116 that stores operating regimes, such as decoding/encoding functions and the like. A timer 118 is typically coupled to the controller 114 to control the timing of operations (transmission or reception of time- dependent signals) within the communications device 100.

As regards the transmit chain, this essentially includes an input device 120 which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a key pad arrangement with integrated support frame structure 304. The keypad arrangement is coupled in series through transmitter/modulation circuitry 122 and a power amplifier 124 to the antenna 102. The transmitter/ modulation circuitry 122 and the power amplifier 124 are operationally responsive to the controller.

Thus, an information and/or communications device 100 including at least a display 110 and an input device/ data entry mechanism 120 located proximate to the display is provided. In particular, an overlapping display/keypad arrangement is provided such that the aforementioned disadvantages with prior art arrangements have been substantially alleviated.

The invention can be better understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG's 2 to 5.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side elevation and front elevation of a mobile phone are illustrated, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A display 200 is shown as being located substantially adjacent a keypad 204. However, on closer examination of the area 202 where the two elements meet, it can be seen that the keypad 204 overlaps the display 200. This overlap aspect of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a magnified view of the detail indicated in FIG. 2 is shown. It can be seen that the display 300 is located within the device housing 312 and abuts the acoustic chamber 310, both components being mounted to a4 :,. PCB (not shown). The display 300 and the acoustic chamber 310 are designed to be structural support components of the communication device 100, i. e. they provide mechanical support for the device as well as fulfilling their functional purposes. The support frame 306, including a flexibile printed circuit (FPC) and the keydome assembly 304, is located to the device 100 in the region directly above the acoustic chamber 310 and display 300. The support frame thus overlaps with the display 300 by a length 302, which provides a positive mechanical location for the display.

It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that within the length 302 the keypad arrangement 304 and support frame 306 are so arranged that they overlap. The formed edges of the P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

support frame extend across the width of the device (not shown) and preferably extend beyond the length of the non-viewable display area 302 over the acoustic chamber 310. The support frame is mechanically located to the acoustic chamber 310 and extends into the area above the display 302, but is not physically mounted to the display itself. The section of support frame 306 that exhibits the formed edges 308 is preferably located partially above the acoustic chamber and partially above the display, but running the entire length of the non- viewable portion 302.

This produces a cantilever-type support structure which transmits any forces applied to the keypad 304 in the region, of the overlap with the display, into the acoustic chamber. The increased stiffness of the frame in this region, due to the formed edges 308, ensures that any deflection of the frame in a direction perpendicular to the display 300, due to forces with a component perpendicular to and in the direction of the display, is minimised. Thus, the display does not have to withstand the forces applied to the keypad in the overlap region with the keypad, as the stiffness of the formed support frame and the cantilever construction ensures that the forces are transmitted to the acoustic chamber and into the device housing 312. This construction prevents bruising or other damage to the display 300 and increases the mechanical strength and integrity of the communication device 100.

The handset designer can thus utilise this increased mechanical integrity to optimise other aspects of the design in order, for example, to reduce component costs without compromising the overall integrity of the P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

handset. It may thus be possible to utilise a thinner cheaper housing material, as the added stiffness supplied by the support frame compensates for the concomitant reduction in mechanical rigidity resulting from a weaker housing structure.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a support frame and keypad arrangement 400 is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The length of the device 100 is normally defined by the total length of the display in addition to the length of the data entry device. In the case of a mobile phone handset the data entry device is usually a keypad.

In accordance with the teachings of the current invention the keypad assembly, formed from a flexible printed circuit board (FPC), a support frame 406 and a keydome assembly 404, overlaps with the display 200 in the non- viewable area of the device drivers. In this manner, the arrangement thereby reduces the total length of the device by an amount equal to the length of the non viewable portion of the display. This can be as much as 6mm-7mm, which in the context of a mobile phone handset design is a very substantial saving.

With reference to FIG. 4 it can be seen that the formed edges of the support frame 408 run laterally 416 across the full width of the frame and longitudinally 414 only along a portion of its length. The keydome assembly 404 and FPC are bonded to the frame 406 as indicated by arrows 402. The FPC also incorporates a board to board connector for electrical connection of the keypad to the device. The support frame 406 is made of stainless steel, or an equivalent, the shape preferably being P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

formed in a stamping operation. The edges 408 of the frame are formed mechanically in a subsequent operation at approximately 90° to the plane of the frame and to a depth of approximately lmm-1. 5mm, the formed edges of the frame being located so as to increase its mechanical stiffness.

The stiffness of the component is an indication of the stress-to-strain relationship of the structure, and is thus a measure of the mechanical deflection in the structure which can be expected when a given force is applied. The increased stiffness provided by the formed edges 408 thus implies a reduction in the maximum deflection of the frame in the region of the formed edges, under twisting or bending moments or forces acting perpendicular to the plane of the frame.

The advantage of a stamped stainless steel structure is its low cost and excellent physical properties, although it is : : envisaged that other materials could also be-used.

A further option for strengthening the support frame structure, without mechanically forming the edges would be to simply increase the thickness of the frame material in the edge region. However, this is a more expensive solution. It would also be possible to construct the support frame from a stiff plastic, which is injection moulded to have the form of the steel frame 406, or construct with thicker material in the edge regions, or use a steel mesh structure.

It can also be seen in FIG. 4 that the FPC, the support frame 406 and the keydome 404 assembly are assembled into one keypad/frame module. The manufacturing process for the mobile phone or handset is preferably based on the P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

assembly of modules. This reduces the complexity and cost of the manufacturing process. Thus the keypad frame module, which is a feature of the present invention, allows the construction of the handset to be further simplified, while at the same time increasing the mechanical integrity of the device.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic front elevation view of a communications device 100 shows the location of the display 110 with viewable area 500 and non-viewable area 506. The location of the data entry device 504 according to the present invention is shown, as are the lengths of the display viewable portion 508, non-viewable portion 502 and data entry device 510. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non- viewable area 506 is the part of the display 200 where the light guides, device drivers and/or any other electronic and/or optical components necessary for the functioning of the display 200 are located. The display component is itself located in its own housing, part of which covers the display, thus also forming part of the non-viewable area 506.

During the manufacturing process, described in detail in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the display and the acoustic chamber are mounted onto a main PCB (sub-assembly) in steps 605 and 610, such that the two components abut and provide mutual mechanical support. The PCB assembly is then assembled to the housing of the handset in step 615.

The support frame is then bonded to the keydome and FPC assembly in steps 620 and 625. The support frame is then located on the keypad/FPC assembly to overlap the display.

P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

The inventive concepts described herein find particular applicability when it is desirable to reduce the size and/or volume of such a device, whilst retaining a full sized keypad and maintaining device integrity. It is envisaged that the inventive concepts of the present invention could also be used for increasing the mechanical strength of a mobile device in order to make it suitable for more extreme operating conditions, such as would be expected of sports equipment or other such life-style products. It is also recognised that the mechanical advantages provided by the teachings of the current invention can be utilised to allow the mechanical requirements on other components in the device to be lowered, whilst still maintaining the overall mechanical integrity of the device.

Thus, in summary, a mechanism for assembling a product in a manner that allows reuse of components as well as achieving the length reduction target has been described.

A keypad-support frame was designed to sit with a clearance above the top of the display, thereby allowing for manufacturing and assembly tolerances. A metal support frame is designed to provide the rigidity required to meet the design considerations of low-cost and reliability.

The preferred arrangement protects display drivers from forces applied to keys by an user. Furthermore, prevention of pressure marks on LCD are alleviated. In addition, the arrangement has been determined as being sufficient to pass mobile phone drop-test requirements.

It will be understood that the information and/or communications device with a display-overlapping keypad P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

arrangement described above, aims to provide at least one or more of the following advantages: (i) A reduced device length and/or volume with substantially no, or minimal, reduction in the viewable display area, or in the functionality of the keypad data entry mechanism.

(ii) The aforementioned display arrangement provides significant strengthening to the mechanical structure of the device.

(iii) The cantilever arrangement protects the display from damage by preventing forces which impinge upon the keypad from being transmitted to the display.

(iv) The modular construction of the keypad/ support frame allows the manufacturing process to be simplified and provides a reliable means of positively locating the display.

(v) The frame is used to provide an acoustic seal with the plastic frame beneath, which was used as an acoustic chamber.

(vi) An improved user interface (UI) as a standard man machine interface (MMI) is able to usefunction keys that are below the display, with the keys'function displayed by software on the display. The optimium position for the function keys is as close to the active area of the display as possible.

(vii) The use of a rigid support frame allows the electro-mechanical assembly to be shipped as rigid sub assembly, thereby facilitating quick and easy assembly and reducing assembly times and therfore cost.

(viii) The design provides the flexibility to ship the factory assembly as a fully testable handset, even when the keypad is not fitted, thereby providing improved customisation as the factory asssembly may be P387 PCT spec. doc 20/12/2004

shipped to a configuration centre where different keypads can then be fitted at a later date.

(ix) Mounting a keypad and dome assembly directly onto a metal frame improves a customer perception for the quality of the keypad, as a tactile feel of the keypad provides a positive feel when compared with a keypad and dome assembly mounted directly onto plastic support frame. The metal frame is more reliable over time (ageing) whereas a plastic frame would relax, could deform and would become more flexible over time. The metal frame offers further advantages in that it is not affected by temperature changes or through continual forces applied by an end user during use, as compared to a plastic frame.

Whilst the specific and preferred implementations of the embodiments of the present invention are described above, it is clear that one skilled in the art could readily apply variations and modifications of such inventive concepts..- Thus, an information and/or communication device with an improved data entry and display mechanism has been described where the aforementioned disadvantages with prior art arrangements have been substantially alleviated.