Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).

Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).

Abstract: An electronic handset device includes a panel pivotally coupled to a base housing portion wherein the panel is pivotal between closed and opened configurations relative to the base housing portion. A movable housing portion is slidably coupled to the panel and is pivotal in unison with the panel. A user interface on the panel is concealed by the movable housing portion when the movable housing portion slides to a closed configuration relative to the panel, and the user interface is exposed when the movable housing portion slides to an opened configuration relative to the panel.

Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device 100 with a unique thin and cost-effective form and design can have a large display 170 and a large full qwerty keypad 138 on the outward surface and can have a capacitive touchpad 186 on the inward surface of the flip 102 or slide that facilitates navigation on the display and can detect and recognize the flip or slide position within the mobile electronic device. A pattern of capacitive traces or wires 202 can be laid out within the layers of a printed circuit board to detect a user's finger gestures without enlarging or adversely impacting the size of the mobile electronic device. The attractive mobile electronic device can also provide for the use of a speaker port 196 underneath a removable battery door 194 and a way to seal a port under a battery door for audio enhancement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torsion spring mechanism that supports and guides a flexible printed circuit for use in an electronic device with a sliding motion. The spring mechanism includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined by a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a predetermined spring constant and is capable of exerting a force. When the force of the torsion spring is unreleased the sliding housing is closed and when the force of the torsion spring is released the sliding housing is opened. An electrically conducting flexible printed circuit is at least partially supported by both the first and second segments while freely traversing the torsion spring length with an unsupported portion enough to provide adequate movement of the flexible printed circuit about the torsion spring length. In this way, a spring compartment within the device being approximately 5 millimeters in depth may support and protect the unidirectional torsion spring mechanism and flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: An electronic handset device includes a panel pivotally coupled to a base housing portion wherein the panel is pivotal between closed and opened configurations relative to the base housing portion. A movable housing portion is slidably coupled to the panel and is pivotal in unison with the panel. A user interface on the panel is concealed by the movable housing portion when the movable housing portion slides to a closed configuration relative to the panel, and the user interface is exposed when the movable housing portion slides to an opened configuration relative to the panel.

Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device 100 with a unique thin and cost-effective form and design can have a large display 170 and a large full qwerty keypad 138 on the outward surface and can have a capacitive touchpad 186 on the inward surface of the flip 102 or slide that facilitates navigation on the display and can detect and recognize the flip or slide position within the mobile electronic device. A pattern of capacitive traces or wires 202 can be laid out within the layers of a printed circuit board to detect a user's finger gestures without enlarging or adversely impacting the size of the mobile electronic device. The attractive mobile electronic device can also provide for the use of a speaker port 196 underneath a removable battery door 194 and a way to seal a port under a battery door for audio enhancement.

Abstract: An improved mobile electronic device 100 with a unique thin and cost-effective form and design can have a large display 170 and a large full qwerty keypad 138. The keypad can have a camera 156 and flash 154 with a light barrier 158. A clear moldprint keypad can be used with graphics 148 on the backside of the keypad. The keypad can be positioned over a series of switches 162 or domes. The keypad 138 can further be recessed below the rim 136 of the housing 134 of the base so that the keypad will not contact a table or desk and be inadvertently activated if the keypad is placed face down. The moldprint keypad can be used to minimize wear of the graphics 148 and can have a specific textured pattern over the flash which can act as a lens to maximize light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a torsion spring mechanism that supports and guides a flexible printed circuit for use in an electronic device with a sliding motion. The spring mechanism includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined by a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a predetermined spring constant and is capable of exerting a force. When the force of the torsion spring is unreleased the sliding housing is closed and when the force of the torsion spring is released the sliding housing is opened. An electrically conducting flexible printed circuit is at least partially supported by both the first and second segments while freely traversing the torsion spring length with an unsupported portion enough to provide adequate movement of the flexible printed circuit about the torsion spring length. In this way, a spring compartment within the device being approximately 5 millimeters in depth may support and protect the unidirectional torsion spring mechanism and flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for routing a flex circuit (102) through a hinge (112). The device includes a first housing (108) having electronic circuitry (104) and a second housing (110) having electronic circuitry (106). A hinge coupling the first housing to the second housing wherein the hinge has a barrel wherein the barrel includes a chamber (114). A flex guide (116) is positioned in the chamber of the hinge barrel and a flexible circuit routed from the first housing into the hinge barrel and the hinge chamber, into the flex guide such that the flexible circuit engages the flex guide creating a dynamic folding region in the first housing that folds upon itself as a result of rotation of the first housing and the second housing.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (1200) comprises a resilient wire (404) supported proximate its first end (412) and second end (414) by a support structure (406). The latch mechanism (1200) also includes one or more hook shaped catches (218) that have cammed outer surfaces (302) and wire engaging openings (304). To engage the latch mechanism (1200) the resilient wire (404) is urged against the cammed outer surfaces (302) bending the resilient wire (404) and allowing the resilient wire to rebound into the wire engaging openings (304). To disengage the latch mechanism the resilient wire (404) is deflected, e.g., by pushing a moveable manual actuator (408) that is engaged with the wire, in order to release the resilient wire (404) from the wire engaging openings (304) of the catches (218).