Abstract: A three terminal magnetic sensing device (TTM) having a trackwidth defined in a localized region by a patterned insulator, and methods of making the same, are disclosed. In one illustrative example, one or more first sensor layers (e.g. which includes a “base” layer) are formed over a collector substrate. A patterned insulator which defines a central opening exposing a top layer of the one or more first sensor layers is then formed. The central opening has a width for defining a trackwidth (TW) of the TTM. Next, one or more second sensor layers are formed over the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers through the central opening of the patterned insulator. The one or more second sensor layers may include a tunnel barrier layer formed in contact with the top layer of the one or more first sensor layers, as well as an “emitter” layer. Various embodiments and techniques are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently managing the storage of e-mail message information for a mobile station are described. In one illustrative example, a plurality of e-mail messages are received by the mobile station through a wireless network and stored in memory. If a size of the e-mail messages reaches a predetermined limit of the memory, e-mail message bodies of some of the e-mail messages (e.g. relatively “old” e-mails) are automatically deleted from the memory while e-mail message headers of the e-mail messages are retained. E-mail message headers of e-mail messages having deleted e-mail message bodies may still be visually displayed in a list at the mobile station. Subsequently, if a user selection of one of these e-mail messages in the list is identified, an e-mail message body of the e-mail message is requested by the mobile station and received from a server through the wireless network.

Abstract: A magnetic head having an improved fringing field and overwrite capability, and a method of making the same, are described.

Abstract: A magnetic write head configured for high data rate operation has first and second pole pieces, a write gap formed between the first and second pole pieces, and at least one long and narrow magnetic column extending between the first and second pole pieces which is magnetically in parallel with the write gap. The magnetic column serves as a low frequency attenuator in the magnetic write head as it shunts magnetic flux excess away from the write gap at low frequencies. Thus, the magnetic write head is configured to write data at a high data rate where a sufficient magnetic flux is produced at the write gap, and configured to write data at a low data rate where the at least one magnetic shunting element shunts magnetic flux excess so that a reduced magnetic flux is produced at the write gap. This reduced low frequency or DC magnetic flux does not exceed the maximum flux level beyond which excessive side-writing and adjacent track interference (ATI) would otherwise begin to occur.

Abstract: A method of determining a magnetic track width of a magnetic head. The method begins by obtaining a full track profile of the magnetic head which includes a plurality of signal amplitudes read across a track of a magnetic disk at a plurality of magnetic head positions. An initial magnetic track width value is then determined from the full track profile data. Preferably, this initial value is the magnetic write width which is determined based on the difference between left and right head positions which read half of the maximum signal amplitude. To determine the final magnetic write width, the initial value is adjusted with side reading correction values. The side reading correction values are determined based on left and right side reading “tails” of a bell-shaped signal curve which is formed by the full track profile data when graphed. It is not necessary to obtain the microtrack profile to determine these side reading values.

Abstract: A magnetic head with improved hard magnet properties includes a read sensor; a multi-layered seed layer formed adjacent to the read sensor and over a contiguous junction region of the read sensor; and a hard bias layer formed over the multi-layered seed layer. The multi-layered seed layer includes a first seed layer of oxidized tantalum and a second seed layer of chromium. The contiguous junction region exposes one or more sensor materials such as tantalum, nickel-iron, cobalt-iron, copper, platinum-manganese and ruthenium. The hard bias layer is preferably cobalt-platinum-chromium.

Abstract: A spin valve transistor (SVT) for a magnetic head and a method of making the same are described. A slider of a disk drive is formed of a semiconductor material, such as silicon. A free layer is formed over the semiconductor material and a magnetic pinned layer is formed over a portion of the free layer. The free layer has an edge that is substantially flush with an air bearing surface (ABS) between the magnetic head and the disk, whereas the magnetic pinned layer has an edge that is recessed away from the ABS. Advantageously, since the free layer serves as a flux guiding structure for the sensor, the sensor has a thinner profile at the ABS to accommodate higher recording densities.

Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a portable radiotelephone (100), with a speaker assembly is described. The portable radiotelephone (100) has a housing, which includes an upper housing (102) and a lower housing (108), configured to carry at least one of a receiver and a transmitter. A speaker (342) has a front side acoustically coupled to a first air space in front of an ear placement region (120) of the upper housing (102). The speaker (342) has a rear side acoustically coupled to a second air space. At least a first passage acoustically couples the first air space to a third air space that is substantially separated from the second air space.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electrical circuitry interface (112) adapted for coupling with an energy source (106), a comparator (138), and a DC-DC converter circuitry (134) having a switch circuit (161) and an energy storage circuit (132). The switch circuit (161) is coupled to the electrical circuitry interface (112) and to the energy storage circuit (132), and is controlled to charge the energy storage circuit (132). A first input (166) of the comparator (138) is coupled to a voltage that varies with a nominal supply voltage of the energy source (106). A second input (168) of the comparator (138) is coupled to a threshold voltage. A comparator output (160) of the comparator (138) is coupled to the switch circuit (161). In operation, the DC-DC converter circuitry (134) charges the energy storage circuit (132) for a certain time period or until the stored voltage is greater then a desired voltage.

Abstract: An integrated speaker assembly (400) of a portable electronic device, such as a portable radiotelephone (100), is described. A housing portion (116) has a first surface adapted to form at least part of a front surface (112) or a rear surface (113) of the portable radiotelephone (100). A speaker diaphragm (402) is attached to a second surface opposite the first surface.

Abstract: An electronic circuit (200) for a portable electronic device includes an energy source interface (202), a load (204) coupled to the energy source interface (202), an energy storage circuit (206) having a maximum operating voltage, and a switch circuit (208). The switch circuit (208) is coupled to the energy source interface (202) in series with the energy storage circuit (206). The switch circuit (208) operates to switchably decouple the energy storage circuit (206) in response to a voltage at the load (204) that exceeds the maximum operating voltage.

Abstract: A mobile station (102) has electrical circuitry (301) that operates to reduce power consumption. A synthesizer (318) is tuned so that a receiver (314) receives a home radio frequency (RF) signal during a receive slot (504) of a PCH subframe (209). A controller (310) detects if an upcoming subframe has an uplink requirement and if data from the home RF signal indicates that an idle condition exists. If the upcoming subframe does not have an uplink requirement, synthesizer (318) is tuned during a long idle slot (506) of PCH subframe (209) to measure signal strengths of two peripheral RF signals. If the idle condition does exist, electrical circuitry (301) is placed into a low power mode throughout a transmit slot (508), a receive slot (512), a long idle slot (514), and a transmit slot (516).

Abstract: An electronic component assembly (102) for an electronic device (100) comprises an electronic component (140), a retainer (142), and an elastomeric connector (144). The electronic device (100) includes a housing (104, 106) and a printed circuit board (PCB) (108) having PCB throughholes (128, 130) and PCB conductive pads (200, 202). The electronic component (140) has a bottom side (146) including substantially planar conductive regions (152, 154) and electrical leads (148, 150) extending therefrom. The retainer (142) positions the elastomeric connector (144) adjacent to the substantially planar conductive pads (152, 154). Electronic component assembly (102) is placed and attached to the PCB (108) by inserting the electrical leads (148, 150) through the PCB throughholes (128, 130) and subsequently clinching the electrical leads (148, 150).

Abstract: A combined radiotelephone and paging device (101), hereinafter the combined unit, normally operates as a radiotelephone. In response to a predetermined condition, the combined unit operates as a paging device. The predetermined conditions include low battery voltage and poor communication channel quality or a request signal from a remote transceiver (109) of the radiotelephone system. The paging system and the radiotelephone system may be independent communication systems or they may be a single communication system. The combined unit (101) and its unique switching characteristics allows the combined unit (101) to utilize the paging devices beneficial qualities of lower power consumption and broader service range to enhance the usefulness of a radiotelephone.

Abstract: A holder (100) for a portable electronic device (600) comprises a mountable housing (102), a latching mechanism (104), and an electrical connector (101). The portable electronic device (600) has a bottom surface (608) defining a slot (800) and a front edge (610) including an electrical connector (624). The mountable housing (102) has a first end (151) and a second end (153). The latching mechanism (104) is movably disposed on the first end (151) and includes a biasing element exerting a force on the latching mechanism (104) in a direction towards the second end (153). The electrical connector (101) is positioned on the second end (153) and includes electrical contacts facing the first end (151). When the portable electronic device (600) is properly inserted within the holder (100), the latching mechanism (104) engages the slot (800) for securing the portable electronic device (600) within the holder (100) and for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between electrical connectors (101, 624).

Abstract: A mobile station (101) and a base station (103) coupled to a land line network (200) communicate over a radio frequency (RF) communication link (202). The mobile station (101) includes a jack (104) for optionally attaching a cord (172) between the mobile station (101) and the base station (103) for establishing a wireline communication link therebetween. When the wireline communication link is established, the RF communication link (202) is terminated. During a telephone call when the RF communication link (202) is established, the cord (172) may be attached to establish the wireline communication link without interrupting the telephone call.

Abstract: A portable radio communication device (102) includes a housing (302), and a transmitter (906) and control circuitry (902) disposed in the housing (302). The housing (302) is configured to carry a first battery source (112) and to optionally simultaneously carry a second battery source (114). The control circuitry (902) configures the transmitter (906) to transmit in accordance with a first set of power levels when the second battery source (114) is available, and in accordance with a second set of power levels when the second battery source (114) is unavailable. The first set of power levels includes at least one power level greater than any of the second set of power levels.

Abstract: A housing unit (302) includes a latching mechanism (106) having a cylindrical head (202), a cylindrical rod (204), a cam (206), and a catch (208). The latching mechanism (106) is rotatably mounted in the housing unit (302). The catch (208) and a cam surface (216) of the cam (206) are rotatably exposable through an opening (164) on the housing unit (302) and the cylindrical head (202) is exposed through a circular opening (314) on the housing unit (302). When a battery door cover (102) meets with the housing unit (302) for attachment, a catch (118) of the battery door cover (102) rides the cam surface (216) to rotate the latching mechanism (106) until the catch (208) locks with the catch (118).

Abstract: An antenna (116) includes an antenna cap (1300), a helical coil (1302), and a bushing (1304). The antenna cap (1300) is sized to fit the helical coil (1302) and forms a bushing threading. The bushing (1304) forms a cylindrical portion (1320) and a cylindrical portion (1322). The cylindrical portion (1320) is sized to receive the helical coil (1302). The cylindrical portion (1322) defines a cap threading and is configured to threadedly receive the antenna cap (1300).