Abstract: Systems and components are provided for charging an Information Handling System (IHS). Systems include an AC adapter configured to report attributes of the adapter. The adapter includes a DC cord that supports a data channel. The DC plug includes a circuit for operating an indicator light based on an control signal. The system includes a power port controller that receives the reported adapter attributes, determines a charging state of the IHS; generates the control signal based on the determined charging state; and transmits the control signal to the indictor light circuit via the data channel. The indicator control signal may be used to operate indicator lights on both ends of a reversible DC cord. The indicator control signal may specify a color or brightness of the indicator and may indicate a charging state of the IHS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving, by a destination device at which a securement-monitoring application is operating, from a securement sensor device, a securement-condition communication indicating a condition of a securement remote to the destination device. Operations also include determining, by the destination device using the securement-monitoring application, an action to take responsive to the securement-condition communication, such as notifying a user of an undesired condition at the securement. The operations further include initiating the action determined.

Abstract: A push lifter includes a body portion; a rod slidably disposed inside the body portion; an urging portion to urge the rod in a direction away from the body portion; and a rotator disposed rotatably about an axial of the rod at the one end of the body portion to lock or unlock the rod. The rod includes a first rib portion, and a second rib portion distanced from the first rib portion in an axial direction of the rod, to rotate the rotator. The rotator includes an inner cam portion so that when the rod is pressed to slide inwardly of the body portion, the first rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator, and when the rod is released to project outwardly from the body portion, the second rib portion abuts against the inner cam portion to rotate the rotator.

Abstract: A power generation switch apparatus including multiple switch keys, a power generation apparatus that is driven to perform power generation by an operation force applied to the multiple switch keys, multiple switches being supplied with an electric power generated by the power generation apparatus and performing a switching movement by an operation of the multiple switch keys, and a switch signal transmission circuit being driven by the electric power from the power generation apparatus and outputting multiple switch signals that are different from each other in correspondence with the switching movement of the multiple switches.

Abstract: A switch device (10) and method for generation of energy for operating the switch device (10), wherein the switch device (10) is provided with a drive unit (120) interacting with an actuation device operable by a user, and with a moving device (130) configured to be set in motion by the drive unit (120), and with an energy harvester (132, 140, 140a) for providing energy to the switch device (10) in dependence on a motion of the moving device (130), such that energy for commands or other operations is provided to the switch device (10). The moving device (130) is configured to be repeatedly repositioned in relation to a defined zero position, as long as it has kinetic energy, in order to provide kinetic energy which can be converted in electric energy by the energy harvester (132, 140, 140a). Such an electromechanical device for generating energy can ensure wireless operation of the switch device (10) without the need of batteries or any other kind of power supply.

Abstract: A switch and a method for controlling the switch, the switch including a movable touch piece configured to be turned by manual operation of an operation button, a movable contact that is provided in the movable touch piece and configured to be brought into contact with and separated from a fixed contact to close and open a contact, and a remote control unit configured to be able to operate the operation button by remote control, the remote control unit including a stepping motor, and a transmission member configured to transmit turning action of the stepping motor to the operation button to close and open the contact.

Abstract: A switch includes a printed circuit board and a contact piece with first and second contacts. The printed circuit board has a power input contact, a power output contact, a noncontact area, and a plurality of signal contacts that are disposed at a plurality of predetermined positions. The power input contact and the plurality of signal contacts are disposed on the printed circuit board such that, upon movement of the first contact from the noncontact area to a signal contact, the second contact will align with the power input contact prior to the first contact aligning with the signal contact.

Abstract: A dome switch device enables electric contact by pressing of a central region or even any other region of a dome sheet formed to extend in a longitudinal direction with the same result regarding the amount of electrical contact. The dome switch device preferably includes a dome sheet extending along a longitudinal direction and having conductivity and a contact module provided on a substrate such that a plurality of both-pole (two-pole) contact portions are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction of the dome sheet, in which the contact module, when being pressed regardless of where along the dome sheet is pressed, whether being pressed on a central region thereof or any other region other than the central region, electrically contacts the dome sheet with a high quality electrical contact.

Abstract: A switch includes a printed circuit board and a contact piece with first and second contacts. The printed circuit board has a power input contact, a power output contact, a noncontact area, and a plurality of signal contacts that are disposed at a plurality of predetermined positions. The power input contact and the plurality of signal contacts are disposed on the printed circuit board such that, upon movement of the first contact from the noncontact area to a signal contact, the second contact will align with the power input contact prior to the first contact aligning with the signal contact.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use haptic feedback to deliver status information to users in environments and situations where sight and/or sound is too overt from a privacy perspective. In one embodiment, localized haptic sensations can be delivered to a user through a tactile element that is positioned on a region of a housing of the electronic device that is engaged by a user.

Abstract: An LCD counter assembly including a housing that houses an LCD display at a first end and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly at a second end opposite the first end. A diffuser is intermediate the PCB assembly and the LCD display, the LCD display and the PCB assembly in electrical contact with a connector that provides electrical signals from the PCB assembly to the LCD. The first end of the housing includes an aperture through which the LCD display is readily visible to an observer. The PCB assembly may include a backlight to improve the visibility of the LCD display. The PCB assembly further includes a PCB having a printed circuit and a plurality of pads, a single piece, double beam, activation and trigger switch combination assembled to the board, the board configured to receive the double beam activation and trigger switch combination and a removable tab to separate the activation switch in the double beam combination from one of the plurality of pads.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and media for generating characters for electronic devices using condensed keyboards are disclosed. Embodiments comprise a method of manipulating a set of keys adapted to be manipulated using fingers of a left hand and a right hand of a user, each of the keys capable of generating multiple characters. A variation of the method includes using one or more keys adapted to be used by thumbs of the user to generate other characters and/or control characters. Other embodiments comprise keyboards, apparatuses, and portable electronic devices that comprise two sets of keys for manipulation and desired character generation. The keyboards generally have four or more keys for each hand, and the keyboards may be located on the back and/or sides of portable the systems.

Abstract: An electric tool includes a power supply, a controlling apparatus and a two-way motor. The motor includes first and second leads. The controlling apparatus includes a first conductive element connected with the anode of the power supply, a second conductive element connected with the cathode of the power supply, a switching device comprising a carrier for carrying and switching the conductive elements between a neutral position, a first operative position and a second operative position. In the neutral position, the conductive elements do not contact the leads of the motor. In the first operative position, the first end of the first conductive element contacts the first lead of the motor and the second end of the second conductive element contacts the second lead of the motor. In the second operative position, the second end of the first conductive element contacts the second lead of the motor and the first end of the second conductive element contacts the first lead of the motor.

Abstract: A key assembly has a circuit board, an elongated flexible key, and an elastically deformable support. The flexible key has a center and two side portions. The side portions and the elastically deformable support each have electrically conductive regions that are positioned over electrical contacts of the circuit board. A sufficient downward force on the flexible key causes one of the electrically conductive regions to contact the underlying electrical contacts. With this configuration, the key assembly provides an electrical output signal even if the human operator applies the downward force on a side portion instead of on the center portion of the flexible key shell.

Abstract: A manually operable, electrical operating member having two key buttons for the respective switching-on and switching-off of the current, which key buttons are arranged on mutually opposite sides and can be operated in several steps. A common, mechanically operable switch is provided with which the key buttons are each in an operative connection.

Abstract: The present invention is for an ambidextrous lockout switch system for use with a power tool. With the system of the present invention in place, a multi-step process must be carried out before the power tool can be activated. The system is adapted for the process to be carried out with either a left or a right hand. The present invention includes a handle body having a switch trigger or lever blockable by a barrier. The barrier is movable with either a left of a right lockout button, with the right lockout button being operably linked to the left lockout button. The system includes also a spring, which is mechanically coupled to the barrier. The spring effectively restores the barrier to a position in which the barrier blocks actuation of the switch trigger or lever.

Abstract: An electrical switch, such as a two-position rocker or a momentary rocker switch, has an electrically conductive armature made of magnetic material that includes at least two faces extending from a common vertex. The armature is mounted to pivot about its common vertex to bring at least one of the armature faces into and out of electrical shorting relationship with electrical conductors of the switch that, preferably, are formed directly on a nonconductive sheet magnet coupler layer. The sheet magnet coupler layer magnetically attracts and holds the rocker armature in a switch position until a user applied actuating force is applied to a face of the armature such that the armature pivots to another switch position and, preferably, the switch is provided with an armature illumination system.

Abstract: A door opening circuit comprises pipe-shaped housing and a button which can be moved axially in a housing in order to actuate a circuit component connected to the housing. The button is held in a rest position by a force and can be pushed in a direction opposing said force. Perpendicular to the push path of the bottom and pivotable about a pivot mount. A lever is provided perpendicular to the push path of the button and pivotable about a pivot mount. The lever acts upon a circuit component from a position at a distance to the pivotal mount, whereby the button impinges upon the lever between the pivotable mount and the aforementioned position. Another button is located concentrically to the first button on the reverse side of the housing. The pivotal mount is provided with a lever element. The lever can be moved in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis towards the first button.

Abstract: This invention includes an electronic accessory having a single button that actuates all of its control features. In one embodiment, the accessory is a MP3 player wherein songs are stored on a multimedia card. Once the card has been loaded an inserted, the MP3 player is coupled to an energy source. In a preferred embodiment, the energy source is preferably a cellular telephone. After coupling, all of the functions of the MP3 player are controlled with a single button. In a preferred embodiment, power is actuated by pushing the button for one second. Volume is adjusted by toggling the button laterally. Tracks are selected by pushing the button quickly while power is applied. Power is turned off by depressing the button for two seconds or more.

Abstract: A push-pull rotary switch includes a board having two circuits on opposite sides. Conductors are respectively positioned above the circuits for contacting ground and contact pads of the circuits. A shaft extends through the conductors and the board and is rotatable and moveable between inward and outward positions. The conductors are connected to the shaft to rotate and move with the shaft. A first conductor contacts the ground pad and a contact pad of a first circuit when the shaft is in the inward position. A second conductor contacts the ground pad and a contact pad of a second circuit when the shaft is in the outward position. A first trace is connected to the first circuit ground pad and a second trace is connected to the second circuit ground pad. A contactor connects a ground trace to at least one of the first and second traces at all times.

Abstract: Apparatus for firing projectiles at targets and for illuminating such targets include a projectile-firing elongate weapon having a fore-end structure and a target illuminator on that fore-end structure in a first quadrant between a vertical plane and a horizontal plane longitudinally through such elongate weapon in a firing position of that weapon. Additionally or alternatively, a target illuminator may include a housing in one piece with part of the fore-end structure. An electric lamp assembly for target illuminators, flashlights or other light sources has a support structure, a bezel structure on that support structure, and a shock-absorbed reflector structure inside that bezel structure. Such shock-absorbed reflector structure includes a reflector having a focal point, a first shock absorber between that reflector and the support structure and a second shock absorber between the bezel structure and that reflector.

Abstract: An activation device with a start button and an emergency stop button for an electric appliance such as a circuit breaker equipped with a start control device and a stop control device with alternating movements. Also included is a disengageable transmission device, preferably consisting of a toggle lever acted upon by a safety lever capable of detecting the position of the emergency stop button, is placed between the start button 14 and the start device specific to the circuit breaker. This arrangement prevents the circuit breaker from being started by forcing the start button even though the emergency stop button has been pressed and is locked in the stop position.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a movable contact 15 and a fixed contact 14. A member 26 can move the contact 15 to make or break the switch. A latch including a movable device controls the initial movement of member 26 but the member 26 then moves independently of the latch. The device can be moved to release the latch either manually (by 31) or by another mechanism. This other mechanism can be an electromagnet 41; it also can be an inertia body 51 releasable from a rest position in response to excessive acceleration.

Abstract: Power supplies which include sockets for supplying DC voltages as well as cables for supplying DC voltages to internal components of, for example, a computer are configured to prevent a user from connecting to an inappropriate DC voltage. The apparatus includes a special multiple din socket which provides a different voltage at each din of a subset of the dins, only one din of which is alive at a time. The apparatus includes a switch at each socket operative to select only a single din of a subset of dins at that socket. The illustrative apparatus includes several sockets, each one of which includes a different subset of dins selected by a switch, a single din at a time.

Abstract: A portable electrically operated compressor system for pressurizing and repressurizing containers with compressed air. The system has two primary positions: A compressor position which has a single compressor motor switching mechanism which both activates the compressor motor and turns it off when the desired pressure level is reached and, designed to mate with the compressor system, a container position having an air inlet valve.

Abstract: A rotary switch which includes a rotary actuator, a linear switch having a linear actuator and a rotary to linear translator interconnecting the rotary actuator to the linear actuator. Rotation of the rotary actuator causes the translator to move linearly and, in turn, to move the linear actuator.

Abstract: A wall mounted alarm switch assembly intended to be positioned at the site of an existing electric circuit includes a remote mechanical actuating mechanism for the switch assembly. The actuating mechanism comprises dual side-by-side manual interfaces or knobs which are positioned at a location immediately below the position of the switch assembly. The manual interfaces are connected to the switch assembly by rigid members. The distance between the manual interfaces and the switch assembly is adjustable. The alarm switch is activated when both interfaces are moved, each in a direction away from the other, thereby separating the two interfaces.

Abstract: A switching mechanism is provided including a control member and a switching element which is coupled to the control member and by means of a coupling element can be moved between a first and a second position. The switching mechanism includes two coupling elements which are arranged in series in the switching direction, each coupling element being constituted by a hinging V-shaped member, a point of intersection of a V-shaped member being alternately located within range for action thereon by the control member.