A device such as a portable computing/communications device is configured with slotted touch-on-metal buttons integrated into an edge panel. A ToM button structure includes a structural fascia integrated into the edge panel, defining a touch-button area including a touch-button length. The structural fascia is slotted, with alternating sections that are respectively relatively-thinner and relatively-thicker. The ToM button can be integrated into curved for flat edge panels. Button-press detection can be based on, for example, either inductive and capacitive deformation sensing. The ToM button structure can be configured for a predetermined button-press deformation based on a defined touch-button length, defined slotting difference between the relatively-thinner sections and the relatively-thicker sections and a defined deformation pressure.

An apparatus utilizes multiple strain gauge (SG) sensing units which are each disposed adjacent an inner surface of the device housing. Electrical voltage generated by the SGs is amplified by one or more amplifiers to maximize the resolution between a voltage output of an SG when in a non-pressed state and a voltage output of the SG when in a pressed state. Additionally, an electronic circuit is configured to identify a baseline voltage output for an SG over a period of time for comparing to a voltage output for the SG when the SG is in a pressed state such that the pressed state of the SG can be identified by the electronic circuit by comparing a current output voltage of the SG to the identified baseline voltage.

A method for manufacturing a mobile communications device such as a smart phone with an increased display area covering the entire full face of the device includes providing a device case of hand-holdable size, said case comprising a front face and a back face, and embedding in the front face of said case a touch screen display panel entirely occupying said front face, except for rims surrounding said display; and embedding in the back face of said case an inwardly facing back panel containing other components of the mobile communications device, including a camera.

An electronic device includes a housing, a button hole disposed on a side of the housing, a physical button mounted in the button hole, a support bracket that supports the physical button, and a waterproof bracket that seals, on a side of the housing to which the button hole is adjacent, at least part of a specified area where the physical button and the support bracket are disposed. The waterproof bracket includes a first bracket that makes close contact inside the housing in a direction toward a first surface of the housing and a second bracket that extends from the first bracket while forming a predetermined angle with the first bracket and that makes close contact inside the housing in a direction toward a second surface of the housing that is different from the first surface of the housing.

Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays that are bent to form displays on multiple surfaces of the devices. Bent flexible displays may be bent to form front side displays and edge displays. Edge displays may be separated from front side displays or from other edge displays using patterned housing members, printed or painted masks, or by selectively activating and inactivating display pixels associated with the flexible display. Edge displays may alternately function as virtual buttons, virtual switches, or informational displays that are supplemental to front side displays. Virtual buttons may include transparent button members, lenses, haptic feedback components, audio feedback components, or other components for providing feedback to a user when virtual buttons are activated.

The present invention may comprise: a terminal body having a front surface and a rear surface; a display unit disposed on the front surface and configured to output first screen information; a rear input unit disposed on the rear surface and configured to receive a touch input; and a control unit which, when a predetermined touch input is received by the rear input unit, controls the display unit to display a window area on at least one area of the first screen information, wherein the window area is displayed while a touch is sensed by the rear input unit, and a apart of second screen information, which has been output on the display unit before the first screen information is output, is displayed in the window.

An electronic device includes a body including a case formed of a metallic material and forming side surfaces; a display unit coupled to the case, and forming a front surface of the body; a grip sensor attached to one region of the case, and configured to sense a pressure applied to the side surfaces; and a controller configured to execute a specific function by the grip sensor, wherein the case forms a mounting space for accommodating the grip sensor therein, and wherein the case includes a transformation portion formed in a thickness direction of the case, at a region near the grip sensor.

An electronic device including a housing including a front panel and a rear panel, the rear panel arranged on a side of the housing opposite the front panel, a processor configured to execute instructions and the processor being arranged within the housing, a display device configured to generate an interface based in part in response to the processor, where the display device is arranged in the front panel, a touchscreen associated with the display device and configured to sense a user input, where the user input is provided to the processor and where the touchscreen include part of the front panel, and a rear input arranged on the rear panel of the housing and configured to provide a dedicated input to the processor, the processor providing advanced user controls on the interface in response to operation of the rear input.

The Touch Pad cell phone is a touch pad built into the rear of a cell phone that works along with an on-screen cursor that the user can activate with their finger and control the features of their phone one handed.

A key device comprises a housing in which a key hole is formed, a side key unit assembled at the key hole of the housing, and a gap of a predetermined thickness formed between a portion of the assembled side key unit located within the key hole and the key hole, wherein the gap is secured by processing any one or both of the side key unit located within the key hole or the housing in which the side key unit is assembled.