Abstract: Systems and methods (1400) for packaging an electronic component (108, 110) in an electronic device (100). The methods involve: circumscribing the electronic component with a multi-purpose component (120, 122) at least partially formed of a transparent material and a compressible material. A water tight seal is created by the multi-purpose component between the electronic component and a housing (102) of the electronic device. The multi-purpose component provides an indicator for indicating a location of the electronic component on the electronic device to a user thereof in dark or semi-dark environments. The indicator is provided by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. The multi-purpose component also communicates status information of the electronic device to the user by emitting light therefrom. Various types of status information can be communicated to the user by emitting different colored light from the multi-purpose component, respectively.

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising: a housing (106) having a front panel (132) and a plurality of sidewalls (134); a plurality of electronic connectors (108-112, 124-128) disposed on said front panel; at least one handle (102, 104) pivotally coupled to a first sidewall such that the handle is transitionable between a locked closed position and an unlocked open position; and at least a first lock mechanism (140, 142) coupled to the housing and the handle so as to facilitate a selective transition of the handle from its locked closed position to its unlocked open position. The handle is angled N0 degrees relative to the first sidewall and resides adjacent to the electronic connectors when in its locked closed position. The handle is angled N degrees in a direction away from the first sidewall when in its unlocked open position, where N has a value greater than zero.

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising: a housing (106) having a front panel (132) and a plurality of sidewalls (134); a plurality of electronic connectors (108-112, 124-128) disposed on said front panel; at least one handle (102, 104) pivotally coupled to a first sidewall such that the handle is transitionable between a locked closed position and an unlocked open position; and at least a first lock mechanism (140, 142) coupled to the housing and the handle so as to facilitate a selective transition of the handle from its locked closed position to its unlocked open position. The handle is angled N0 degrees relative to the first sidewall and resides adjacent to the electronic connectors when in its locked closed position. The handle is angled N degrees in a direction away from the first sidewall when in its unlocked open position, where N has a value greater than zero.

Abstract: Hand-held communication devices (10) include one or more sensors (78, 92) positioned so as to permit the user to perform optical finger navigation (OFN) and other types of finger navigation on a display (68) of the device (10) while the user holds the device (10) using the same hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods (1000) for reducing a form factor of an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve disposing a first user interface component (702) in a housing (710) of ED (700) such that its center axis (718) is at an angle (720) relative to a plane (722) that is perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (712) of ED. A second user interface component (704) is disposed in the housing such that its center axis (724) is parallel to the horizontal center axis of ED, and such that a top portion (734) thereof is overlapped by a bottom portion (732) of the first user interface component. A third user interface component (706) is disposed in the housing such that its center axis (726) is parallel to the horizontal center axis of ED, and such that a top portion (730) thereof overlaps a bottom portion (728) of the second user interface component.

Abstract: Systems and methods (900) for providing an electrical connector (101, 700) in an electronic device (100). The electrical connector comprises a connector body (350) comprising a planar layer of insulator material having a first face (470) opposed from a second face (370), and a peripheral wall extending around a periphery of the connector body. The electrical connector further comprises one or more conductive posts (401, 403, 405, 407), each having an electrical contact at a first end, and a spring anchor (311, 313, 315, 317) at an opposing end. The connector body comprises one or more elongated cavity structures, each comprising a recess (613) molded into the second face. Conductive spring members (301, 303, 305, 307), each comprised of an elongated cantilevered beam element, are secured by one of the spring anchors within one of the cavity structures. An outer seal (360) is provided, coextensive with the peripheral wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods (1000) for reducing a form factor of an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve disposing a first user interface component (702) in a housing (710) of ED (700) such that its center axis (718) is at an angle (720) relative to a plane (722) that is perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (712) of ED. A second user interface component (704) is disposed in the housing such that its center axis (724) is parallel to the horizontal center axis of ED, and such that a top portion (734) thereof is overlapped by a bottom portion (732) of the first user interface component. A third user interface component (706) is disposed in the housing such that its center axis (726) is parallel to the horizontal center axis of ED, and such that a top portion (730) thereof overlaps a bottom portion (728) of the second user interface component.

Abstract: Systems and methods (900) for providing an electrical connector (101, 700) in an electronic device (100). The electrical connector comprises a connector body (350) comprising a planar layer of insulator material having a first face (470) opposed from a second face (370), and a peripheral wall extending around a periphery of the connector body. The electrical connector further comprises one or more conductive posts (401, 403, 405, 407), each having an electrical contact at a first end, and a spring anchor (311, 313, 315, 317) at an opposing end. The connector body comprises one or more elongated cavity structures, each comprising a recess (613) molded into the second face. Conductive spring members (301, 303, 305, 307), each comprised of an elongated cantilevered beam element, are secured by one of the spring anchors within one of the cavity structures. An outer seal (360) is provided, coextensive with the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A user control knob retention system includes a nut (20) which has a base (25). The base includes two opposing nut end faces (23a, 23b), and a threaded bore (21) aligned with a base central axis (29). A wall (27) extends transversely from a first one of the nut end faces. The wall defines an inner surface (42) which comprises a circular arc coaxial with the central axis. The wall extends at least partially around a circumference of the base to define a capture space (26). An insert (30) rotatably retained within the capture space includes a body having a cylindrical shape. A retention barb (34) disposed on an outer cylindrical surface of the insert is configured for engaging an interlocking element (54) formed on an interior bore (58) of a user control knob (50).

Abstract: Hand-held communication devices (10) include one or more sensors (78, 92) positioned so as to permit the user to perform optical finger navigation (OFN) and other types of finger navigation on a display (68) of the device (10) while the user holds the device (10) using the same hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging a Control Assembly (“CA”) on an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve: mounting a first component (112, 812, 908) of CA on a Top Surface (“TS”) (104, 804, 904) of ED (100, 800, 900) such that a Central AXis (“CAX”) (136, 836, 934) thereof is at an acute angle (170, 870, 962) relative to a plane (152, 852, 952) perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (150, 850, 950) of ED; mounting a second component (106, 806, 906) of CA on TS such that CAX (132, 832, 932) thereof is at a first Obtuse Angle (“OA”) (164, 860, 960) relative to the plane; and mounting a third component (108, 808, 912) of CA on TS such that CAX (134, 834, 936) thereof is at a second OA (166, 862, 970) relative to the plane. The second or third component may have a trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods (1400) for packaging an electronic component (108, 110) in an electronic device (100). The methods involve: circumscribing the electronic component with a multi-purpose component (120, 122) at least partially formed of a transparent material and a compressible material. A water tight seal is created by the multi-purpose component between the electronic component and a housing (102) of the electronic device. The multi-purpose component provides an indicator for indicating a location of the electronic component on the electronic device to a user thereof in dark or semi-dark environments. The indicator is provided by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. The multi-purpose component also communicates status information of the electronic device to the user by emitting light therefrom. Various types of status information can be communicated to the user by emitting different colored light from the multi-purpose component, respectively.