Abstract: An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) media connector for a reduced sized communication cards. A metallic shield is wrapped substantially about the connector and secured to the connector by a plurality of pins integral with the connector. The shield has a plurality of tabs securely connected and grounded to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is interposed between the top and bottom covers of a compact flash card. Since the connector shield is securely connected and grounded to the PCB, the shield reflects and/or absorb the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the connector. Further, a plurality of cantilever beam springs integral with the shield, and biased towards the covers of the compact flash card, serve to ensure that the shield remains in substantial physical contact and electrical communication with the metallic covers of the compact flash card.

Abstract: An antenna system for a portable computer allows communication between a portable computer and a wireless communication system to be established. The antenna is placed in a use position when the computer is opened to facilitate wireless communication and the antenna is placed in a storage position when the computer is closed. In the storage position, the antenna is placed in a storage compartment in the base unit of the computer. Additionally, the antenna has a first position in which the antenna is generally linearly aligned and a second position in which the antenna is positioned at approximately a 90° angle.

Abstract: The present invention is an adaptor module that allows an electrical connection to be established between a communication system and a communication card. Advantageously, the adaptor module can be configured to provide an interface between the communication card and various communication systems, such as conventional telephone systems, cellular telephone systems, digital telephone systems, local area networks (LANs), personal area networks (PANs), wireless systems, etc. Additionally, the adaptor module can provide an interface between a plurality of communication systems and the communication card. For example, the adaptor module may provide an interface for a plurality of connectors from the same type of communication system and/or the adaptor module may provide an interface for connectors from different types of communication systems. Advantageously, the adaptor module can provide simultaneous communication with these various communication systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated connector that may provide a diagnostic display for a user. The illuminated connector may be used on such devices as computers including laptops, notebooks, and subnotebooks. The illuminated connector receives launched light energy and acts as a wave guide. Additionally, the launched light energy may be redirected by the use of selected reflective surfaces. The illuminated connector is particularly useful for structures such as a jack for a PCMCIA card, a Telco cable, and a LAN cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for interconnect modularity of an electronic communication card such as a PCMCIA card where a printed circuit board has a peninsular electrical lead configuration upon a finger section thereof and an electronic device that is slidably disposed upon the peninsular lead configuration. The electronic device preferably has a standardized footprint and the device may be an electrical interconnect such as a cable, a jack such as an RJ-11 jack, an IRDA transceiver, a combination cable and 4-pin connector, and an electronic video interface. The system provides a solution to insufficient spacing between tip and ring leads and remaining leads on a 15-pin connector required by various international safety standards. The system may also include a translucent portion of the electronic device and a light source that, in combination provide a visual diagnostic output for the user.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector for use in both a communications card or a communication or computing device for fusibly interfacing between a media connector and a downsized computer or communication device is provided. In a first embodiment, the communications card comprises a retractable access portion and a fixed portion. In a second embodiment, the fixed portion is a communication or computing device without an intermediary communication card. The retractable access portion has an aperture formed therein configured to receive the media connector. A fusible link is formed by a fusible pin block which includes a conductive terminal having a first and a second end mates with both the retractable access portion and the fixed portion. The first end makes electrical contact with the media connector while, simultaneously, the second end slidingly makes electrical contact with the fixed portion as the retractable access portion is extended beyond the computer housing during use.

Abstract: A communications card capable of being mounted in electrical communication with a computer has formed therethrough an aperture so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. A plurality of contact wires are disposed in the aperture. The contact wires have a tapered section formed thereon for preventing embedding and damage to the contact wires caused by plugging and unplugging the physical/electrical media connector in the aperture. The contact wires also have a remote end that is substantially rounded. The cross-section of the media connector is greater than the thickness of the communication card. The physical/electrical media connector also has a biased retention clip, a contact pin block, and contact pins. The retention clip has several standardized characteristics including a broad fixed end protruding from an outer surface of the contact pin block.

Abstract: A long useful life, light permeable cover of pigmented, injection-molded silicone rubber for elastic manual placement over and self-retention on a light source enclosure. The cover, due to memory, is self-biasing and self-retaining upon the light source enclosure against inadvertent removal and may be used in large multicolor, automatically programmable, electrically changeable, broad spectrum displays, such as scoreboards.