Abstract: A body support structure includes a structural lattice structure having a first stiffness, and a compressive lattice structure supported by the structural lattice structure and having a second stiffness less than the first stiffness. A skin lattice structure is supported by the compressive lattice structure, wherein the skin lattice structure is resistant to shear deformation in response to a normal force and is expandable in a direction transverse to the normal force.

Abstract: A multi-function key system for use with an electronic device can include at least one key (230) and an optical film (255) optically coupled to the key. The optical film (255) can include a first optical filter (260) corresponding to a first color of light and a second optical filter (265) corresponding to a second color of light. The multi-function key system further can include a first light source (275), disposed below the key, that emits the first color of light and a second light source (280), disposed below the key, that emits the second color of light. A controller (215) can selectively activate the first light source (275) or second light source (280) responsive to an event detected within the electronic device.

Abstract: A device that includes a circuit board (214) and a first electrical contact (100). The first electrical contact can include a jacket (104) and a magnetic member (102) that slideably engages the jacket. The jacket can be soldered, fastened or clamped to the circuit board, or conductively attached to the circuit board in any other suitable manner. A first portion of the jacket can be attached to the circuit board so as to provide electrical continuity between the jacket and a conductive portion of the circuit board. The magnetic member can include a flange (108, 208) and can be translationally moveable between a first position in which the flange does not engage the jacket and a second position in which the flange does engage the jacket.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a muting method for mobile telephones. The method can include a step of selecting a multifunction selector of a headset during a communication session. A mute toggle request can result that is conveyed to a mobile communication handset. Software within the handset can toggle a mute state for the communication session. In one embodiment, the multifunction selector can be a multifunction selector of a wireless headset. This selector can be overloaded to accept and terminate calls and/or to increase and decrease volume. In one configuration, the multifunction selector can be a laminate switching mechanism, which accepts a swiping and tapping input. For example, swiping a finger along the mechanism in one direction can increase volume, in another direction can decrease volume, and double tapping the mechanism can toggle a mute state.

Abstract: A device that includes a circuit board (214) and a first electrical contact (100). The first electrical contact can include a jacket (104) and a magnetic member (102) that slideably engages the jacket. The jacket can be soldered, fastened or clamped to the circuit board, or conductively attached to the circuit board in any other suitable manner. A first portion of the jacket can be attached to the circuit board so as to provide electrical continuity between the jacket and a conductive portion of the circuit board. The magnetic member can include a flange (108, 208) and can be translationally moveable between a first position in which the flange does not engage the jacket and a second position in which the flange does engage the jacket.

Abstract: A button assembly (100) that includes a flexible electronic circuit (105) having a first side (110) and a second side (115). The button assembly also can include a biometric sensor (100) mounted to the first side of the flexible electronic circuit. Further, a switch (200) can be positioned at least proximate to the second side of the flexible electronic circuit. A stiffening member (305) can be attached to the first side or the second side of the flexible electronic circuit. The biometric sensor can be operable between a first position and a second position to effectuate opening or closing of the switch. The button assembly can operate the biometric sensor between the first and second positions utilizing pivotal, translational, and/or rotational movement.

Abstract: A connector (30) can include a housing (32), a plurality of magnets (14) within the housing used for data transfer and at least one alignment magnet (16 or 18) within the housing used for proper alignment and polarity. The connector can also include at least one magnetic induction circuit (52) coupled to at least one of the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets can include a plurality of inductor elements or micro-metric inductor elements. The magnetic induction circuit can be a magnetic induction circuit using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying modulation. A connector (64) can further include an inductive coil (67) operating at a lower frequency than the at least one magnetic induction circuit. The inductive coil can enable contact less energy transfer from the connector to an energy storage device (69) operatively coupled to an electronic product (62).

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display-input apparatus (108) for displaying alternate character sets, in correspondence with a selected mode of operation of the device. The display-input apparatus uses first and second cholesteric display layers (302, 304) to display the different character sets. Each cholesteric display layer displays a different character set when active. When not active, the cholesteric display layer is rendered transparent.

Abstract: An inclinometer (600) can include a first housing portion (400) having a sloped surface (402) including plurality of conductive areas or surfaces (401, 415, 430, 445, 460, 416, 431, 446, and 461) on the sloped surface, and a second sloped surface (404) having a common contact (480) separate from the conductive areas. The conductive areas can be a plurality of conductive areas corresponding for example to tilt degrees of 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 respectively in a left orientation and 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 respectively in a right orientation. The inclinometer can include a housing (602) that mates with the first housing portion and encloses the first housing portion and a conductive substantially spherical element or ball (700) therein. The ball can traverse the sloped surface and form a connection between the common contact and the at least one conductive portion as it traverses the sloped surface.

Abstract: A multi-function key system for use with an electronic device can include at least one key (230) and an optical film (255) optically coupled to the key. The optical film (255) can include a first optical filter (260) corresponding to a first color of light and a second optical filter (265) corresponding to a second color of light. The multi-function key system further can include a first light source (275), disposed below the key, that emits the first color of light and a second light source (280), disposed below the key, that emits the second color of light. A controller (215) can selectively activate the first light source (275) or second light source (280) responsive to an event detected within the electronic device.

Abstract: A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device (101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent of any incoming signal received.

Abstract: A touch screen assembly includes a first outer layer (102) and a second outer layer (110) separated by a separator layer (118). The first and second outer layers are transparent, and the separator layer has openings (120) at button locations where buttons will be defined. On each of the outer layers is a layer of transparent conductor (104, 112). On the first outer layer the transparent conductor is in the form of a contiguous trace or path. The touch screen assembly is placed on a display element (203) and images displayed on the display element can be seen through the touch screen assembly. Images such as characters are displayed at button locations, and when a user presses on one of the images the conductive layers on the first and second outer layers of the touch screen assembly come into contact.

Abstract: An illuminated keypad (400) includes a substantially transparent keypad (420) having a plurality of actuator buttons (412), a plurality of switches (404) residing substantially and correspondingly below the plurality of actuator buttons, a display laminate layer (415) residing between the plurality of actuator buttons and the plurality of switches, and a light source (417) reflectively illuminating a pattern of a symbol on the laminate layer by radiating light through the substantially transparent keypad. The display laminate can include a driver layer (406) having a conductor pattern configured in the pattern of the symbol to be displayed on the substantially transparent keypad, a transparent conductor layer (410), and an electrically active ink layer (408) disposed between the transparent conductor layer and the driver layer.

Abstract: An RF Parallel Inverted “F” Antenna (PIFA) antenna (101) that is suitable for incorporation into wireless devices constructed with automated manufacturing techniques. The PIFA antenna (101) includes a first arm (102) and a parallel second arm (104) connected by a conductive bridge (106). An RF feed (108) is attached to one end of the first arm (102) and is used to physically and electrically mount the compact PIFA antenna (101). An opposite end of the compact PIFA antenna (101) includes a support structure (150) that provides stability and support of the compact PIFA antenna (101) during construction of a circuit board on which it is mounted. The end support (150) is designed to minimize the use of insulating material to minimize dielectric effects upon the radiation pattern of the conductive elements of the compact PIFA antenna (101) all while maximizing the mechanical stability of the component during secondary manufacturing operations.

Abstract: An RF Parallel Inverted “F” Antenna (PIFA) antenna (101) that is suitable for incorporation into wireless devices constructed with automated manufacturing techniques. The PIFA antenna (101) includes a first arm (102) and a parallel second arm (104) connected by a conductive bridge (106). An RF feed (108) is attached to one end of the first arm (102) and is used to physically and electrically mount the compact PIFA antenna (101). An opposite end of the compact PIFA antenna (101) includes a support structure (150) that provides stability and support of the compact PIFA antenna (101) during construction of a circuit board on which it is mounted. The end support (150) is designed to minimize the use of insulating material to minimize dielectric effects upon the radiation pattern of the conductive elements of the compact PIFA antenna (101) all while maximizing the mechanical stability of the component during secondary manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (2100) includes a hinge body (2102) made of two hinge body halves (900). Each hinge body half is identical so that only one part need be manufactured, and two of them used to form the hinge body. Each hinge body half has a first leg (902) that is longer than a second leg (904). The first leg has a retaining lip (912) at the end which forms a retaining feature. Each leg of the hinge body defines an axis of rotation for the body elements (104, 106). A portion (1508) of a flexible circuit board (1506) is captured between the hinge body halves so as to electrically interconnect circuitry placed in each body element. A detent mechanism is provided to hold the body element in preselected positions with respect to each other, and includes a spring (2106), a cam (2108) and a cap (2110) having cam follower features (2118). The cam is held in place with respect to the body element housing, while the cap is fixed in position with respect to the hinge body.

Abstract: An adaptable keypad or button utilizes a display laminate made up of a driving layer (108), an electrically active ink layer (110), and a transparent conductor layer (112). In a preferred embodiment, the display laminate is placed between a switch (302, 303, 304) and an actuating member. The driving layer has a series of symbols or characters created by conductor patterns (202, 204, 208, 210) in the shape of the symbols or characters. Some of the conductor segments are used exclusively by one character, some are used exclusively by another character, and some may be common to both characters. The conductors making up the desired character or symbol to be displayed are electrically energized, causing a corresponding pattern in the electrically active ink layer to appear.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adding additional circuitry (19) to a circuit board (11) having a radiation shield (14) associated therewith include the additional circuitry (19) mounted onto a flex circuit (21) which in turn is mounted on the radiation shield (14). A conductor (32) containing portion (24) of the flex circuit (21) extends therefrom and is routed around and through a cutout (18) in the bottom surface of the radiation shield (14). The conductor (32) is connected to the printed circuit board (11) at the location of the cutout (18) in the radiation shield (14).