Abstract: A magnetic tile construction set is disclosed that may be used to construct extended 3-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, plastic magnets are attached to multiple edges of a lightweight core. The magnets have a width and length comparable to the thickness of the core and a length that is an order of magnitude longer than the thickness of the core. Tiles may be attached to one another at the tile edges through magnetic forces that do not vary by more than a factor of two over the range of angles from 45 degrees to 180 degrees.

Abstract: A magnetic tile construction set is disclosed that may be used to construct extended 3-dimensional structures. In one embodiment, plastic magnets are attached to multiple edges of a lightweight core. The magnets have a width and length comparable to the thickness of the core and a length that is an order of magnitude longer than the thickness of the core. Tiles may be attached to one another at the tile edges through magnetic forces that do not vary by more than a factor of two over the range of angles from 45 degrees to 180 degrees.

Abstract: A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity.

Abstract: A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity.

Abstract: A modular illumination system includes light emitting tile modules, each module comprising a light guide substrate, at least one source of illumination optically coupled to a light guiding substrate and interconnection means to connect one light emitting tile module to another light emitting tile module. The interconnection means may include mechanical and/or electrical elements. A plurality of modules may be connected to create an extended continuous extended illuminating system without significant gaps or seams. In one embodiment, the light guiding substrate of one module extends over the source of illumination of an adjacent module. In a further embodiment, the light guiding substrate may be textured to create a patterned area with higher light extraction. In a further embodiment, the source of illumination may be included in a separate electrical member. The illumination sources may include LEDs directed into an edge of the light guiding substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical feature such as a 3-D circuit on a substrate is described. The method includes the following steps. A catalytic paint is first selectively deposited on the surface of a molded polymer substrate to form a paint coating of the substrate. A conductive metal such as copper or nickel is then deposited onto the coating to form a plating of the substrate. An electrical feature is then obtained by forming a precision conductive pattern in the conductive metal.

Abstract: A hinge member provides electrical conductivity between pivotable bodies of an electronic device without the use of individual conductive wires, flexible conductive cables, bundles of wire, discrete connectors, or combinations thereof. The hinge member physically interconnects a first body to a pivotable second body of an electronic device, and includes a cylinder made in at least two portions and having circumferential grooves with three dimensional circuitry in the grooves and extending onto a mating surfaces of the two portions. Spring contacts connect to the three dimensional circuitry in the grooves and provide electrical connection to the first body.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical conductivity through the hinge(s) of an electronic device without the use of individual conductive wires, flexible conductive cables, bundles of wire, discrete connectors, or combinations thereof is disclosed. A hinged member physically interconnects a movable body to a non-movable body of an electronic device, where at least one of the movable member and non-movable member includes three dimensional circuitry. The hinged member comprises electrically conductive material integrated therein and forming part of the hinge member. By use of this conductive material integrated within the hinged member, the hinged member provides electrical conductivity between the movable body and the non-movable body.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a keypad and a sensor that indicates proximity of a user to the electronic device, whereupon the keys of the keypad are illuminated. In particular, when the distance between the user and the sensor is less than a predetermined threshold, the keypad is illuminated in anticipation of the user providing keypad input to the electronic device. The sensor can be an infrared, an ultrasonic or a capacitive sensor. Alternately, the sensor can indicate contact between the user and the sensor, wherein the contact does not provide keypad input to the electronic device, for example, when the user touches but does not push a key of the keypad.

Abstract: An electrical connector establishes electrical connection between transceiver electronics disposed in a main body of the phone and remote electrical components contained in a movable cover. One or more fixed contacts operatively connected to the transceiver electronics are disposed on the main body of the phone. Movable contacts operatively connected to the remote electrical components are disposed on the cover. The movable contacts on the cover engage the fixed contacts on the main body when the cover is in the open and closed positions. Commutating contacts can be used to maintain a continuous connection as the cover travels between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Radiotelephone antennas include rigid antenna elements integral to the antenna substrate or housing. As such, the present invention configures the antenna without requiring a separate flex circuit winding to provide the conductive windings in the antenna. Methods for fabrication of the antenna are also described. Preferably, the antenna is formed in a two-shot molding process.

Abstract: A retractable antenna assembly with a rod disconnect mechanism includes a conductive resilient member positioned intermediate the top load element and the rod. The resilient member translates in a transverse direction corresponding to the extension and retraction of the antenna to disconnect the rod from the top load element when the antenna is retracted.

Abstract: Radiotelephone antenna assemblies including three-dimensional carrier circuits which integrate separate signal and ground paths on an antenna base assembly and which includes a matching circuit thereon. The present invention configures the antenna assembly passage to define a three dimensional circuit to match the differing impedances generated by retractable top load antennas (retracted and extended impedances) without requiring a separate switching circuit and wiping contacts.

Abstract: Multiple frequency band antennas are pivotally connected to electronic devices such that coaxial connectors are not required. A dielectric substrate, including a plurality of radiating elements disposed thereon, is pivotally connected to an electronic device housing so as to have a predetermined path of rotation from a first position to a second position. At least one of the radiating elements disposed on the dielectric substrate is maintained in a substantially constant spaced-apart relationship with a conductive element disposed within the housing throughout the predetermined path so as to be capacitively coupled with the conductive element.

Abstract: An axially compliant coaxial connector includes a conductive cylindrical sleeve having a helical slot formed therein, an electrical insulator having a central bore disposed within the sleeve, and a conductive pin having a helical slot formed therein disposed within the electrical insulator central bore. The sleeve and pin are configured to be elastically deflected when a compressive force is appliced along an axial direction.

Abstract: Light-reflecting structures are provided on the lower surface of a cover mounted over the keys of a keypad assembly. The light-reflecting structures reflect light from a vertical-emitting source, such as an LED, to the side surfaces of the individual keys of the keypad assembly. The keypad assembly embodying the present invention provides an efficient and low-cost structure for illuminating the keys of a keypad without the use of lightguides or separate sources of light for each key, thereby also providing a desirable low profile keypad assembly.

Abstract: A test assembly suitable for life testing a computer pointing stick includes a rigid shaft that is rotated by a motor and a mounting mechanism for holding and positioning the pointing stick under test in a coaxial relationship with the rigid shaft. A cantilever spring arm is rigidly connected at one end to the rigid shaft so that it rotates with the rigid shaft and is mechanically coupled under lateral spring tension at its other end to the pointing stick. The spring rotates with the rigid shaft and applies lateral force to the pointing stick via a collar attached to the pointing stick, the direction of the applied force rotating with the rigid shaft and cantilever spring. A counter records the cumulative number of flexure cycles required to make the pointing stick functionally fail.

Abstract: A transflective liquid crystal display (LCD) uses the reflective and refractive characteristics of an edge-lit flat light pipe as a backlight panel behind the liquid crystal layer. The front and/or back surfaces of the edge-lit backlight panel are textured to enhance reflectivity of ambient light and transmission of edge light. The front surface of the panel is textured with pits that have walls at an angle to enhance reflectivity over a range of viewing angles. Further, the back surface of the panel is textured with pits having wall angles, and a pattern to enhance the uniform reflection of edge light toward and through the front surface of the backlight panel. The indentations may be conical, triangular or random. The pit wall angles lie within a preferred range of angles to optimize the amount of light within the useable viewing angle for the LCD.

Abstract: A touch sensing direct input data display device is described. The data display screen is directly and solely supported within a housing by stiff springs having essentially uniaxial freedom of motion. Strain gauge sensors are applied directly to the springs and are connected in a full Wheatstone bridge sensing circuit. The outputs of the sensors are fed to a calculating and processing device for calculaating the X, Y and Z coordinate information relative to the point on the face of the display which has been pushed or touched. The Z component is of total force and the X any Y components give the two dimensional location for the application of the force measured in the Z axis. The stiff springs allow very little deflection to occur under normal touch imposed fores on the display screen. They permit essentially uniaxial motion only in the Z axis.