Abstract: The description relates to devices having sensing tips and releasably retaining the sensing tips. One example includes a tip holder that defines a cavity that receives the sensing tip. This example also includes first and second clamps positioned radially around the tip holder and extending through holes in the tip holder into the cavity to contact the sensing tip. The example further includes a flexible clamp band positioned around the first and second clamps and biasing the first and second clamps inwardly against the sensing tip.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing of a printed circuit board for installing in a battery-powered device, the method including mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) a PCB surface mount component comprising a planar mount configured to be mounted on the PCB and a kinetic energy absorption element with a battery contact on a distal end of the energy absorption element, and trimming the PCB out of a panel comprising the PCB and a border around the PCB, the border connected integrally with the PCB, wherein the border comprises supports configured to support corresponding ear extensions in the absorption element in order to align the battery contact with a PCB plane.

Abstract: Techniques for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes components for determining an angular and/or rotational orientation of the apparatus relative to an input surface. Based on the different determined forces and/or orientation information, input characteristics of a handheld input apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: The description relates to devices having sensing tips and releasably retaining the sensing tips. One example includes a tip holder that defines a cavity that receives the sensing tip. This example also includes first and second clamps positioned radially around the tip holder and extending through holes in the tip holder into the cavity to contact the sensing tip. The example further includes a flexible clamp band positioned around the first and second clamps and biasing the first and second clamps inwardly against the sensing tip.

Abstract: Techniques for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes components for determining an angular and/or rotational orientation of the apparatus relative to an input surface. Based on the different determined forces and/or orientation information, input characteristics of a handheld input apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: A device and a method for manufacturing of a printed circuit board for installing in a battery-powered device, the method including mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) a PCB surface mount component comprising a planar mount configured to be mounted on the PCB and a kinetic energy absorption element with a battery contact on a distal end of the energy absorption element, and trimming the PCB out of a panel comprising the PCB and a border around the PCB, the border connected integrally with the PCB, wherein the border comprises supports configured to support corresponding ear extensions in the absorption element in order to align the battery contact with a PCB plane.

Abstract: Techniques for haptics for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a haptic motor for generating different haptic interactions between a tip of the apparatus and an input surface. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. In at least some embodiments, a haptic mode for the haptic motor is determined based on load force detected by the strain sensor.

Abstract: Techniques for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes components for determining an angular and/or rotational orientation of the apparatus relative to an input surface. Based on the different determined forces and/or orientation information, input characteristics of a handheld input apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: A contact to provide an electrical connection between two circuit boards, such as a rigid circuit board and a flexible circuit board installed in a container, such as an electronic stylus or a cellular telephone. The contact head generally has the shape of an inverted spoon, which allows the contact head to slide smoothly onto a desired electrical contact pad on the flexible circuit board. The contact has a unitary design, including a spring, which reduces the likelihood of damage to the flexible circuit board or to the contact when the rigid circuit board is installed in the electronic stylus. The spring design reduces the likelihood that the contact will be bent when the rigid circuit board is installed, and also allows the contact to be balanced, which is advantageous for wave-soldering operations. The contact also has a pick surface, which is useful in vacuum pick-and-place operations.

Abstract: Techniques for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes components for determining an angular and/or rotational orientation of the apparatus relative to an input surface. Based on the different determined forces and/or orientation information, input characteristics of a handheld input apparatus can be controlled.

Abstract: An open sided ergonomic grip is described. In at least some embodiments, the described grip is configured for a handheld apparatus and consists of at least two parts, a rigid body portion and an inner elastic portion. The body portion has a longitudinal opening that allows functionality of a handheld apparatus to be accessible.

Abstract: Techniques for haptics for a handheld input apparatus are described. Generally, a handheld input apparatus can be used to provide input to various types of devices. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes a haptic motor for generating different haptic interactions between a tip of the apparatus and an input surface. According to various embodiments, a described handheld input apparatus includes strain sensor for determining different load forces on a tip of the apparatus. In at least some embodiments, a haptic mode for the haptic motor is determined based on load force detected by the strain sensor.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, methods of manufacture, and other embodiments associated with semiconductor/processor module assemblies are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a bolster plate assembly for a semiconductor module assembly that includes a bolster plate and a leaf spring pre-loaded onto the bolster plate. The example system may also include the leaf spring being releasably attached to the bolster plate and positioned to provide a force in a direction generally away from the bolster plate. The leaf spring can be configured to release from the bolster plate upon attaching the semiconductor module assembly to the bolster plate that causes the leaf spring to exert the force in the direction generally away from the bolster plate and against a semiconductor module assembly.

Abstract: A variable-gap thermal-interface device for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink is provided. The device comprises a multi-axis rotary spherical joint comprising a spherically concave surface having a first radius of curvature in slideable contact with a spherically convex surface having the same first radius of curvature. The device further comprises a block having a proximal end rotatably coupled with the heat sink through the rotary spherical joint and having a distal end opposite the proximal end. The device further comprises a wedge having a variable thickness separating a first surface and a second surface opposite and inclined relative to the first surface, such that the first surface is thermally coupled with the distal end of the block, and the second surface is thermally coupled with the heat source.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic board comprising a plurality of individual devices, each device having a plurality of connectors, the connectors mated to receptacles on the board, and a heat dissipating cover connected to the board and forming a cavity incarcerating the plurality of devices, the cover thermally contacting a plurality of the individual devices, the cover having a dimensional pattern such that its outer surface area is greater than its planar area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for facilitating installation of a shroud on a pin grid comprises a first alignment structure including a first plurality of longitudinal elements adapted to be inserted within each gap of the pin grid along a first direction and a first handle extending in a perpendicular manner to the plurality of longitudinal elements, and a second alignment structure including a second plurality of longitudinal elements adapted to be inserted within each gap of the pin grid along a second direction and a second handle extending in a perpendicular manner to the second plurality of longitudinal elements, wherein when the first alignment structure and the second alignment structures are inserted within the pin grid, the first and second handles form at least a partial frame structure to receive the shroud in a position to receive pins of the pin grid.

Abstract: A variable-gap thermal-interface device for transferring heat from a heat source to a heat sink is provided. The device comprises a multi-axis rotary spherical joint comprising a spherically concave surface having a first radius of curvature in slideable contact with a spherically convex surface having the same first radius of curvature. The device further comprises a block having a proximal end rotatably coupled with the heat sink through the rotary spherical joint and having a distal end opposite the proximal end. The device further comprises a wedge having a variable thickness separating a first surface and a second surface opposite and inclined relative to the first surface, such that the first surface is thermally coupled with the distal end of the block, and the second surface is thermally coupled with the heat source.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic board comprising a plurality of individual devices, each device having a plurality of connectors, the connectors mated to receptacles on the board, and a heat dissipating cover connected to the board and forming a cavity incarcerating the plurality of devices, the cover thermally contacting a plurality of the individual devices, the cover having a dimensional pattern such that its outer surface area is greater than its planar area.

Abstract: A cooling fan apparatus includes a plastic housing and an electric fan. The housing containing the fan is mounted directly on the external surface of equipment being cooled. No separate mounting frame is utilized. The modular fan apparatus is on-line replaceable and is useful with other units to provide cooling fan redundancy. Preferably, a filtered electrical connector and a light emitting diode are integrated with the housing.

Abstract: A clip fastener includes a base and a clip head that is distant from the base. The clip head includes a barb having a rounded outer surface including a ramp that increases in diameter towards the base. An elongate clip neck connects the base with the clip head. The clip neck has sufficient resilience under compressive forces exerted on the rounded outer surface of the barb to permit movement of the barb. The clip may be formed as an individual unit for use in fastening operations, or it may be molded into component structures, such as fan carriers for computer fans.