KEYBOARD ASSEMBLY FOR A MOBILE DEVICE

摘要

A keyboard assembly for a mobile device is provided that reduces the separation between keys by reducing the number of required dome switches. A reduction in the number of dome switches can alternatively reduce the amount of real estate taken up by dome switches on a printed circuit board (PCB). Fewer dome switches than keys are provided on a PCB to activate a desired functionality when a key is depressed. The do me switches are each actuatable by and disposed between more than one key, such keys preferably being adjacent keys. Each key has an actuator with at least one arm for actuating a dome switch in an actuated dome switch pattern when the key is depressed. Such a keyboard assembly can be used for any electronic device having a standard QWERTY or Dvorak keyboard layout, a standard telephone or numeric keypad layout, or any other layout of keys.