Patents Examined by Yean-Hsi Chang
  • Patent number: 7158374
    Abstract: A method and system for assembling a keypad or a keypad module to a processing portion of an electronic device is described. The keypad module is a sealed unit connectable to the pre assembled processing portion through a common interface. The keypad module includes a bezel substrate that has a locally thin region where an accessory can be placed. For example, a speaker may be included in the keypad module. The keypad module itself may be its own an electromechanical entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wulff, David E. Bellows
  • Patent number: 7154746
    Abstract: A cover for an opening in the housing of a portable electronic device that provides a function in addition to that of protecting the opening from dirt. The cover can be coupled to the housing so that it can move between a closed position within the housing's surface recess and an open position that allows access to the opening in the housing. In the closed position, the cover becomes part of the housing and the of the device is generally unchanged. The cover can function as an antenna for wireless communication between the device and a network or access point, and it can contain circuitry for devices such as transmitter/receivers. The cover can also function as a display device, a speaker, or an alarm. Thus an existing cover that occupies space within the volume of a handheld device can be utilized for expanding the functionality of the device while generally retaining the current form factor of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Hanson, Yoon Kean Wong
  • Patent number: 7154744
    Abstract: A portable information appliance includes a first case having a display, a second case and a hinge coupling the cases together so the cases are foldable relative to each other. The second case covers the display of the first case in the folded condition. The hinge hasa pivotally-rotating unit which contains at least one electronic component. When the cases are in an opened position, the pivotally-rotating unit moves from an initial position in which the electronic component faces a direction that is either the same as or opposite to a direction along which the display faces, to a position at which the electronic component faces along an opposite direction than when the pivotally-rotating unit is returned to the initial position when the cases are folded. Opening of the cases does not move the pivotally-rotating unit from the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikazu Sawai
  • Patent number: 7151662
    Abstract: A bracket element for a prefabricated distribution device enclosure includes a body having a front surface, a rear surface and at least one side surface connecting the front surface to the rear surface. The bracket element includes a module opening extending through a portion of the front surface for at least partially receiving a communications module therein. The bracket element also includes an enclosure connection orifice arrangement of a plurality of enclosure connection orifices located on one of the side surface and/or the rear surface. An attachment mechanism is in operable communication with one or more of the enclosure connection orifices for securing the bracket element to a surface of the distribution device enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Greyfox Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel M. Tarkoff, Dale E. Pfeifer, John M. Liston
  • Patent number: 7149078
    Abstract: A video display system comprises a base portion, a first hinge coupled to the base portion, and an arm including a first end coupled to the first hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the first hinge. The video display system further comprises a second hinge coupled to a second end of the arm, and a display panel coupled to the second hinge, wherein the display is movable about the second hinge, the display panel comprising a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: George C. Schedivy
  • Patent number: 7149081
    Abstract: A hard disk mounting assembly includes a chassis (10), a first cage (20) mounted to the chassis, a hard disk drive(40) (HDD) and a second cage (60). The HDD defines a plurality of fixing openings (42). The first cage includes a plurality of mounting pillars (28) resilient connected with the cage and received in the fixing openings of the HDD at one end portion. The first cage further defines a pair of engaging apertures (34) at opposite sides thereof. The second cage has a base (62) and two connecting arms (68) depending from the base. the base forms a plurality of elastic fingers (66). The first cage is mounted to the chassis and the HDD is received in the first cage, the second cage hitches the first cage by the connecting arms with the elastic fingers pressing the HDD, thereby mounting the HDD to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Hai Lie Ye, Zhou Xu
  • Patent number: 7149082
    Abstract: A device for protecting peripheral component cards used in portable computers. The user may use a protective sheath over the extended portion of a peripheral card (e.g., Secure digital cards, Secure digital I/O, camera card or the like) which protrude out of the protective casing of a portable computer to protect the peripheral components from accidental damages. The protective sheath is designed to act as a cushion and to absorb forces applied to the peripheral card in case of an accidental drop or when coming into a contact with an external object. The user may carry a plurality of protective sheath, which are adopted to fit a plurality of peripheral component cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Baiko, Bill Hanson, Len Turnbow
  • Patent number: 7145767
    Abstract: A display for a computer system comprising a display screen and a support for supporting the display screen, the support comprising a base and a column attached to the base, the column being provided with a screen support part and with at least one connector to which a module of the computer system may be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Olivier Mache, Jacques H Helot, Vincent Tournadre
  • Patent number: 7142414
    Abstract: A signal management system that includes a chassis and a plurality of signal management modules supported by said chassis. Each module has a housing with input and output connectors and electronic circuitry electrically connecting the input and output connectors. One of the input and output connectors is a miniature coaxial connector. Each of the input and output connectors of the modules being connected to cables carrying one of either RF and optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: PCI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee, Richard Martin, Brad Nikkari, Luc Matteau, Tasos Lambos, Troy Beggs
  • Patent number: 7142416
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may include a support structure which may contain a plurality of electrical components. A remote device may receive system data from at least one component in the support structure, which may comprise a rack. The remote device may process the system data to determine the physical arrangement of the electrical components within the support structure. Such physical arrangement information may be presented on a display at the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kalpana Subbarao, Kevin J. Brusky, John DeNardo
  • Patent number: 7139165
    Abstract: A computer system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention may have either a local or a remote low-voltage power button. The arrangement is freely reconfigurable by the end user. A socket or plug is accessible from the exterior of the enclosure of a main unit. On the inside of the enclosure, the socket or plug is coupled to circuitry for sensing activity in a power button. The socket or plug is adapted to removably mate with a corresponding socket or plug on either a low-voltage power button or a low-voltage power button extender assembly. The low-voltage power button may comprise simply a switch integrated with a socket or plug. The low-voltage power button extender assembly may comprise a switch coupled to a socket or plug by means of a flexible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Pankaj Sharma, Steven B. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7136284
    Abstract: The invention proposes an electrical device for attachment to a holder, particularly in a vehicle, wherein the electrical device is attached on the one side by means of a hook connector and on the other side by means of a detent mechanism, preferably a pivoting ratchet. The detent mechanism can be secured by means of a lock so as to prevent unauthorized removal of the electrical device, which is preferably a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Geelhaar, Peter Knochenhauer
  • Patent number: 7130184
    Abstract: A portable terminal connectable to various external accessories. The potable terminal includes an earjack in which the external accessories can be plugged; an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) section for converting a resistance value of an external accessory plugged in the earjack into an ADC value; a memory for storing ADC values of the external accessories; and a controller for converting a resistance value of the external accessory plugged in the earjack into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section, determining what type of external accessory plugged in the earjack by comparing the converted ADC value with the ADC values stored in the memory, and performing a function of the plugged-in external accessory via a corresponding pin of the earjack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyeong-Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 7126814
    Abstract: A space-saving frame member for use in supporting a keyboard adjacent to a monitor. The frame member has an upper end and a lower end, and means for attaching the upper end of the frame member to the monitor such that the lower end of the frame member extends from a lower side of the monitor to support the keyboard. The frame member may be retractable such that when in an extended position, the user can access the keyboard. When the keyboard is no longer in use, the frame member may be retracted such that the keyboard is stored beneath and behind the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Vickram Vathulya
  • Patent number: 7120013
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for transferring a large amount of stored data includes storing the large amount of data on a plurality of RAID's in a storage area network in a first location, each of the RAID's having one or more disk packs, receiving a request for a portion of the stored data from a second location downloading the requested stored data at the first location to at least one disk pack, and sending the disk pack to the data requester at the second location, whereby the data requester can start using the data substantially immediately upon receipt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Henry Hutchings, IV, William W. Kaake, Jr., Jeffrey K. Fields, Tunney A. Dong, Kevin Lee Balch, Rosemarie Spencer
  • Patent number: 7120016
    Abstract: A disk array device comprises: a hard disk drive module including a disk for recording information thereon and having one side that has a length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk; a battery module; an operation module; a fan module having at least one cooling fan; a controller module having a controller; a power supply module provided for supplying power to the modules; a circuit board to which the above-mentioned modules are connected via electrical connectors; and a substantially box-shaped chassis in which the modules and the circuit board are housed. A front surface and a rear surface of the chassis are opened in a rectangular shape. A length of one side of the opened front surface of the chassis is substantially the same length as the one side of the hard disk drive module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Masahiko Sato, Kenichi Tateyama, Naoto Matsunami, Koichi Kimura, Hidehiko Iwasaki, Kenichi Takamoto, Kenji Muraoka, Takamasa Ishikawa, Nobuhiro Yokoyama, Kiyotaka Takahashi, Yoshinori Nagaiwa
  • Patent number: 7113393
    Abstract: The invention is a method for adjusting a keyboard support assembly from a storage position under a support surface to a use position. A keyboard tray is extended in a direction generally parallel to and past the support surface. A first side arm is translated in a direction generally parallel to the support surface. A front portion of the first side arm is attached to the keyboard tray at a front attachment point. A front sliding member portion of the first side arm and a rear sliding member portion of the first side arm is slid along a rail. The rail is fixably mounted to a mounting surface. A positioning surface of the first side arm is engaged with a positioning mechanism fixed to the mounting surface. The front portion of the first side arm is forced to rotate the first side arm about a pivot point in the rear sliding member due to the engagement of the positioning surface with the positioning mechanism. The keyboard tray is translated in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 7106585
    Abstract: A holding dock for portable computers to house a portable computer and disperse heat includes an upper lid, a holding surface, sidewalls and a hub to form a heat dissipation space. Heated air generated by the computer may enter the heat dissipation space through a heat dissipation section formed on the holding surface. The hub has a fan mounted thereon to draw the heated air to provide heat dissipation effect for the portable computer. The hub further can connect other electronic devices to the portable computer. The heat dissipation space can also house the portable computer to facilitate carrying and storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Cooler Master Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 7102883
    Abstract: A memory package comprising a first circuit board having a plurality of memory element sockets and a second circuit board coupled to the first circuit board and comprising a controller chip. The first and second circuit boards are disposed within a tray having a base and two sides. A handle is connected to the tray such that the handle is pivotal with respect to the tray. The handle has a lever system and latch that is slidably engaged with the lever system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Hardt, George D. Megason, Kurt A. Manweiler
  • Patent number: 7099149
    Abstract: A handheld computer comprises a generally rectangular housing and a cover movably connected thereto by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a tubular member or arm that has one end fixedly (non-rotatably) secured to an edge of the cover and an opposite end pivotally coupled to an edge of the cover. The hinge assembly enables the cover to be moved to at least three different positions. The cover provides a different function in each position. The hinge assembly comprises a pin and slot arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Krieger, Randall Clark Lewis