Rocker user interface for handheld devices, and method for implementing same

1. An apparatus comprising:

a stem fabricated from an elastomeric material and having a first end and a second end, said second end being mountable to a base, wherein said base is a portion of one of a wireless device and a gaming device;

a cap secured to said first end of said stem, wherein said elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to a first position subsequent to being moved from said first position to a second position; and

conductive elements positioned on said cap for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when said second end of said stem is mounted to said base and said cap is depressed to said second position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric material comprises at least one of silicon, santaprene, rubber, plastic foam, and flexible plastic.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second end of said stem is mountable to said base for facilitating resilient movement of said cap relative to said base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base is a cover portion of a device comprising at least one of a cell phone, mobile phone, communicator, multimedia phone, and gaming device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conductive elements are fabricated from an electrically conductive material comprising at least one of carbon, silicon, copper, and aluminum.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said stem between said first end and said second end is substantially solid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said stem between said first end and said second end is substantially solid and cylindrical in shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to an unbiased position subsequent to being moved to a second position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to an unbiased position by resistance to a rocking motion.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to an unbiased position by resistance to a downward compression.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to an unbiased position by resistance to an axial rotation.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a body fabricated from an elastomeric material, said body including:

a stem portion having a first end and a second end, said second end being mountable to a base, wherein said base is a portion of one of a wireless device and a gaming device; and

a cap portion extending from said first end of said stem portion, wherein said elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to a first position subsequent to being moved from said first position to a second position; and

conductive elements positioned on said cap portion for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when said second end of said stem is mounted to said base and said cap portion is depressed to said second position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said elastomeric material comprises at least one of silicon, santaprene, rubber, plastic foam, and flexible plastic.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second end of said stem is mountable to said base for facilitating resilient movement of said cap relative to said base.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said base is a cover portion of a device comprising at least one of a cell phone, mobile phone, communicator, multimedia phone, and gaming device.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said conductive elements are fabricated from an electrically conductive material comprising at least one of carbon, silicon, copper, and aluminum.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said stem portion between said first end and said second end is substantially solid.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of said stem portion between said first end and said second end is substantially solid and cylindrical in shape.

19. An apparatus consisting substantially of:

a stem fabricated from an elastomeric material, said stem having a first end and a second end, said second end being mountable to a base, wherein said base is a portion of one of a wireless device and a gaming device;

a cap secured to said first end of said stem, wherein said elastomeric material of said stem is effective for resiliently urging said cap substantially to a first position subsequent to being moved from said first position to a second position; and

conductive elements positioned on said cap for establishing an electrical connection between circuit elements of a printed wire board when said second end of said stem is mounted to said base and said cap is depressed to said second position.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said elastomeric material comprises at least one of silicon, santaprene, rubber, plastic foam, and flexible plastic.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said second end of said stem is mountable to said base for facilitating resilient movement of said cap relative to said base.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said base is a cover portion of a device comprising at least one of a cell phone, mobile phone, communicator, multimedia phone, and gaming device.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said conductive elements are fabricated from an electrically conductive material comprising at least one of carbon, silicon, copper, and aluminum.

24. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein at least a portion of said stem between said first end and said second end is substantially solid.