Abstract: A radio housing (100) is formed of a front plate (102) having screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) and first and second side plates (104, 106). The first and second side plates (104, 106) have a plurality of non-symmetrical, three-dimensional (3-D), dovetail sections (108, 110, 112, 114) for aligning and capturing the screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) of the front plate (102). The front plate (102) and first and second side plates (104, 106) are formed of an injection molded thermoplastic material. The three pieces (102, 104, 106) are coupled together. The three-piece injection housing formed of injunction molded materials allows the housing (100) to be customized to specific customer requests not currently available with past overmolded materials.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: An improved venting and sealing assembly for a portable communication device is provided. The venting and sealing assembly is formed of a housing enclosure having a walled aperture with a bottom surface and an offset through-hole passing therethrough. A flexible substrate having a vent hole is coupled to the housing enclosure across the walled aperture such that the vent hole is offset from the offset through-hole. A breathable membrane is coupled across the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A rigid plate having an opening is coupled to the breathable membrane, the opening of the rigid plate being aligned with the vent hole of the flexible substrate. A closed-loop sealing rib is formed around the vent hole of the flexible substrate and/or upon the bottom surface of the walled aperture of the housing enclosure. The assembly provides a vent path and a self-sealing enclosure.

Abstract: A radio housing (100) is formed of a front plate (102) having screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) and first and second side plates (104, 106). The first and second side plates (104, 106) have a plurality of non-symmetrical, three-dimensional (3-D), dovetail sections (108, 110, 112, 114) for aligning and capturing the screw mount receptacles (222, 223, 224, 228, 229, 230) of the front plate (102). The front plate (102) and first and second side plates (104, 106) are formed of an injection molded thermoplastic material. The three pieces (102, 104, 106) are coupled together. The three-piece injection housing formed of injunction molded materials allows the housing (100) to be customized to specific customer requests not currently available with past overmolded materials.

Abstract: A rotary control (100, 500, 700) provides improved running-torque through a running-torque stack up assembly (140). The running-torque stack up assembly (140) may be implemented in a modular approach (500, 700) independent of a shaft (130) and switch housing, or may be implemented to incorporate the shaft (100) and switch housing. The running-torque stack up assembly (140) is formed of a spring (114), a stationary disk (112), and a rotating disk (108) having sliding top and bottom surfaces provided through either pads (106, 110) or an overmolded coating (710).

Abstract: A rotary control (100, 500, 700) provides improved running-torque through a running-torque stack up assembly (140). The running-torque stack up assembly (140) may be implemented in a modular approach (500, 700) independent of a shaft (130) and switch housing, or may be implemented to incorporate the shaft (100) and switch housing. The running-torque stack up assembly (140) is formed of a spring (114), a stationary disk (112), and a rotating disk (108) having sliding top and bottom surfaces provided through either pads (106, 110) or an overmolded coating (710).

Abstract: A method for managing power of a power source and a system is disclosed. The method includes determining (404) a power source capacity value for the power source having a plurality of cells. Further, the method includes determining (406) a cell-capacity value for each cell of the plurality of cells. Furthermore, the method includes determining (408) a duty-cycle ratio value for each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined cell-capacity value of the cell and the power source capacity value. Moreover, the method includes drawing (410) power from each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined duty-cycle ratio value of the cell to achieve the power source capacity value for the power source.

Abstract: A thermal-electrical assembly (200) provides with improved heat sinking, electrical shielding and electrical grounding. The thermal-electrical assembly is configured using a shield (202) having a windowed aperture (204), a pliable frame (206) formed of thermally and electrically conductive material having contours (210) that fit within and are retained by the windowed aperture, and a thermal insert (208) formed to fit within the pliable frame. The combination of pliable frame 206 and thermal insert (208) close off the shield (202) while providing contact areas for dissipating heat from heat generating circuitry or components. Communication devices, such as portable radios having tight space constraints, can incorporate the thermal-electrical assembly (200) to minimize electrical emissions while maximizing heat dissipation.

Abstract: A thermal-electrical assembly (200) provides with improved heat sinking, electrical shielding and electrical grounding. The thermal-electrical assembly is configured using a shield (202) having a windowed aperture (204), a pliable frame (206) formed of thermally and electrically conductive material having contours (210) that fit within and are retained by the windowed aperture, and a thermal insert (208) formed to fit within the pliable frame. The combination of pliable frame 206 and thermal insert (208) close off the shield (202) while providing contact areas for dissipating heat from heat generating circuitry or components. Communication devices, such as portable radios having tight space constraints, can incorporate the thermal-electrical assembly (200) to minimize electrical emissions while maximizing heat dissipation.

Abstract: A user interface for a communication device includes a light emitting diode (LED) (200) providing both a transmit-carrier indicator and transmit-audio feedback to the user. By varying the intensity (202, 204, 206) and/or color spectrum (302, 304, 306) of the LED (200). relative to changes in transmitted audio, the user is provided with transmit-audio feedback. If LED (200) is a bi-color LED, then receive-audio feedback can also be indicated to the user by varying the second color's intensity and/or spectrum.

Abstract: A method for managing power of a power source and a system is disclosed. The method includes determining (404) a power source capacity value for the power source having a plurality of cells. Further, the method includes determining (406) a cell-capacity value for each cell of the plurality of cells. Furthermore, the method includes determining (408) a duty-cycle ratio value for each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined cell-capacity value of the cell and the power source capacity value. Moreover, the method includes drawing (410) power from each cell of the plurality of cells according to the determined duty-cycle ratio value of the cell to achieve the power source capacity value for the power source.

Abstract: A rotary switch, having at least two operating positions, includes a molded base with a printed electric circuit plated on at least one surface of the base, and at least one detent for providing the operating positions for the rotary switch. The detents also provided at least one electrical contact. A rotating contact member is rotatably attached to the base. The rotating contact member includes at least one electrical contact formed thereon for providing at least one connection with the printed electric circuit as the rotating contact member rotates.

Abstract: An expandable chassis includes a four sided frame with a central opening to receive a plate or "shield" which is allowed to move within the frame between two predetermined positions. Protuberances on the shield contact the frame and limit its inward movement while outward movement is limited by a spring clip on the shield that snaps into an aperture in the frame. Tabs on the frame support integrally formed spring fingers on the shield which tend to force the shield outward. A membrane switch contact assembly and a speaker are respectively attached to the inside and outside surfaces of the shield. By compressing the shield partially into the frame, the chassis assembly slides into a molded plastic housing. A rubber key actuator pad on the outside of the housing has a plurality of keys each having a protrusion or "actuator" that extends partially into an actuator hole in the housing. When the key is depressed, the actuator depresses and activates one of the switches in the membrane switch contact assembly.