Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via respective point to point communication paths, where the point to point communication path is maintained while the multiple housing elements of the device move relative to one another. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, the point to point communication paths correspond to channels formed between the multiple housing elements, which in some instances may be at least partially recessed within one or both of the housing elements. In some instances the channels may traverse free space. In still further instances the channel may include a light pipe.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus (100) that can include a first housing (110) and a second housing (120) rotationally coupled to the first housing where the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing about an axis of rotation (170). The apparatus can also include an optical transmitter (130) coupled to the first housing where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light. The apparatus can further include a lightguide (140) including a first lightguide end (144) substantially at the axis of rotation where the lightguide can include a second lightguide end (142) located at a distance from the axis of rotation where the second lightguide end is optically coupled to the optical transmitter. The apparatus can additionally include an optical receiver (135) coupled to the second housing at the axis of rotation where the optical receiver can also be optically coupled to the lightguide at the first lightguide end.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus (100) that can include a first housing (110) and a second housing (120) rotationally coupled to the first housing where the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing about an axis of rotation (170). The apparatus can also include an optical transmitter (130) coupled to the first housing where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light. The apparatus can further include a lightguide (140) including a first lightguide end (144) substantially at the axis of rotation where the lightguide can include a second lightguide end (142) located at a distance from the axis of rotation where the second lightguide end is optically coupled to the optical transmitter. The apparatus can additionally include an optical receiver (135) coupled to the second housing at the axis of rotation where the optical receiver can also be optically coupled to the lightguide at the first lightguide end.

Abstract: An electronic device [200] includes a housing [100] for containing circuitry [205] that generates a light beam. The electronic device includes pivotal portions [105, 110] of the housing. A light receiver [245] is associated with one of the housing pivotal portions. A light redirecting mechanism [215] is mounted at a predetermined location of the housing other than to the one pivotal portion thereof and is configured to redirect the light beam in a plurality of predetermined optical paths in which the light receiver is disposed with relative pivoting between the housing pivotal portions.

Abstract: An optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device (100) is provided. The first housing and the second housing are adapted to move relative to one another between a plurality of usage positions. The optical communication system includes a first optical communication element (202), a second optical communication element (204), and an optical waveguide (206). The first optical communication element is capable of emitting light and can be coupled to one of the first and second housing. The second optical communication element is capable of receiving the light and can be coupled to the housing to which the first optical communication element is not coupled. The optical waveguide is capable of conveying the light emitted by the first to the second optical communication element. The second optical communication element can substantially encompass a locus of the output light.

Abstract: An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable electronic device including an earmount. The earmount includes an inductor configured to convert an alternating magnetic field to alternating current. The device also includes a rectifier circuit coupled to the inductor and configured to convert alternating current to direct current for trickle charging, and a rechargeable power source configured to receive from the rectifier circuit direct current for trickle charging of the power source. Also disclosed is a charger adapted for use with the wearable wireless communication device described above. The charger is configured to receive an earmount of the wearable electronic device and to electromagnetically couple to the wearable electronic device via the inductor included in the earmount. Also disclosed is a system for trickle charging of a wearable electronic device. The system may include a charger and one or more wearable electronic devices, each device including an earmount having an inductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless communication device including a housing and an earmount attached to the housing. A wireless transceiver is supported by the housing, the wireless transceiver being configured to communicate with a cellular base station. A power source supported by the housing can be coupled to the wireless transceiver, the power source having sufficient energy to power the wireless transceiver for communication with the cellular base station. The earmount is attached to the housing at a portion proximate to the power source. An antenna supported by the housing is coupled to the wireless transceiver, the antenna being configured to propagate wave energy primarily in a direction about the power source.

Abstract: An electronic device [200] includes a housing [100] for containing circuitry [205] that generates a light beam. The electronic device includes pivotal portions [105, 110] of the housing. A light receiver [245] is associated with one of the housing pivotal portions. A light redirecting mechanism [215] is mounted at a predetermined location of the housing other than to the one pivotal portion thereof and is configured to redirect the light beam in a plurality of predetermined optical paths in which the light receiver is disposed with relative pivoting between the housing pivotal portions.

Abstract: An optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device (100) is provided. The first housing and the second housing are adapted to move relative to one another between a plurality of usage positions. The optical communication system includes a first optical communication element (202), a second optical communication element (204), and an optical waveguide (206). The first optical communication element is capable of emitting light and can be coupled to one of the first and second housing. The second optical communication element is capable of receiving the light and can be coupled to the housing to which the first optical communication element is not coupled. The optical waveguide is capable of conveying the light emitted by the first to the second optical communication element. The second optical communication element can substantially encompass a locus of the output light.

Abstract: An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via respective point to point communication paths, where the point to point communication path is maintained while the multiple housing elements of the device move relative to one another. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, the point to point communication paths correspond to channels formed between the multiple housing elements, which in some instances may be at least partially recessed within one or both of the housing elements. In some instances the channels may traverse free space. In still further instances the channel may include a light pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector including two mating sleeves, at least one of which having a plurality of first conductive contacts, a second mating sleeve configured to be rotatably joined to the first mating sleeve and also configured to support circuitry. The connector may also include at least one shaft configured to join the two mating sleeves to form a hinge. The shaft may further include at least a plurality of second conductive contacts, at least some of which that form portions of rings to make intermittent contact with at least one of the first conductive contacts based on the position of the at least one shaft relative to the position of at least one of the two mating sleeves. Embodiments of the connector may include a jack style hinge configuration, a hinge and pin style configuration, a hinge without a pin style configuration, or a spring loaded bolt configuration.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having pivotal portions and having a hinge defining a hinge axis between the pivotal portions about which the pivotal portions are pivotal. A light source is associated with one of the pivotal portions and a light receiver is associated with the other pivotal portion. A first substantially rigid light pipe is mounted to the one pivotal portion and is configured to receive light from the light source and direct light therefrom along the hinge axis. A second substantially rigid light pipe is mounted to the other pivotal portion and configured to receive light from the first light pipe along the hinge axis and direct light therefrom to the light receiver.

Abstract: A strip to point optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device is provided. The strip to point optical communication system (200) includes a point optical communication element (202) that is capable of receiving the light. The point optical communication element (202) is coupled to either the first housing (102) or the second housing (104). The strip to point optical communication system (200) also includes a strip optical communication element (204) that is coupled to either the first housing (102) or the second housing (104) to which the point optical communication element (202) is not coupled. The length of the strip optical communication element (204) corresponds to the travel distance of the first housing (102) and the second housing (104). The strip optical communication element (204) is located to coincide with a travel path of the point optical communication element (202).

Abstract: A keypad module for a portable communication device including a housing and plurality of keys that each actuate electronic switches. The keypad includes a keypad inlay having a left side and a right side, means for securing the keypad inlay to the front side of the housing, means for releasing the keypad inlay from the housing. The means for releasing the keypad inlay enables the keypad inlay to be removed from the housing by simultaneously depressing at least two of the plurality of keys.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a housing and a button array contacting the housing. The button array includes a plurality of buttons and is positioned between the housing and a transparent shield. The transparent shield is attached to the housing to secure the button array to the housing. The transparent shield is positioned between the button array and a liquid crystal display to shield the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A bracket mounting apparatus includes a bracket body, at least one bracket arm and a rivet-head integrally formed in and extending from the bracket arm to allow the bracket mounting apparatus to be secured to a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A protective enclosure apparatus includes a base and a cover. The base includes a plurality of pins each including cap portion. The cap portion includes a contact surface. A cover includes a plurality of cover openings formed therein for receiving the pins and a latch portion communicating with each of the cover openings. The latch portion is angled to allow an end portion of the latch portion to engage with the contact surface and to allow the latch portion to be biased toward the plurality pins when the cover is pulled away from the base.