Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body having electronic circuitry therein, and further includes an exposed interface that enables the electronic circuitry to transfer information. In addition, the electronic device includes a pivoting member attached to the main body such that the pivoting member may rotate about the main body between at least a first position and a second position, the pivoting member including at least one antenna element. The pivoting member covers the exposed interface when in the first position, and when the pivoting member is in the second position, the antenna element serves as an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving information wirelessly in conjunction with the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: An antenna structure is comprised of a body, an antenna element coupled with the body, and an arm support coupled with the body and the antenna element. The arm support also includes a recessed portion on one side adapted to receive a two-sided customizable plate. The customizable plate is made of a non-metallic material. The customizable plate is further adapted to fit within the recess and can be adhered to the recessed portion of the arm support. The customizable plate can also be graphically customized to display a viewable image. In addition, the customizable plate can be imprinted with a metallized pattern on the side that faces the recessed portion when seated in the arm support. The imprinted metallized pattern can beneficially affect the performance characteristics of the antenna element.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a main body having electronic circuitry therein, and further includes an exposed interface that enables the electronic circuitry to transfer information. In addition, the electronic device includes a cap member releasably attachable to the main body in at least a first position and a second position, the cap member including at least one antenna element. The cap member covers the exposed interface when attached to the main body in the first position, and when the cap member is attached to the main body in the second position, the antenna element serves as an antenna for transmitting and/or receiving information wirelessly in conjunction with the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A portable communication device is equipped with a level application to provide the device with a level sensing functionality. The level application and level sensing functionality is based on data related to the orientation and/or motion of the device. The level application and level sensing functionality allow the position of the communication device in multidimensional space to be ascertained relative to a reference plane, which allows a user to utilize the communication device as a level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses presented herein control antenna connectivity for a wireless communication device as a function of rotation of a connector assembly plugged into the device, such as where an external antenna or cable includes the connector assembly. Assuming the device has a mating connector for the external antenna that changes the connections of internal and external antennas as a function of the connector mating depth, the method comprises configuring the wireless communication device and/or the external antenna with a mechanical feature that changes the mating depth between the device's and the antenna's mating connectors responsive to external antenna rotation. In one embodiment, a body portion of the external antenna retains the mating connector and includes a cam feature or other mechanical feature that engages an edge or surface of the device as the antenna is rotated, thereby pushing the antenna out from the device.

Abstract: The present invention uses metallization termination techniques to reduce the electro-magnetic field scattering at the edges of metallized areas. The metallization termination techniques provide a gradual transition from high conductivity areas to high impedance areas. The mobile phone antenna illuminates the PCB allowing currents to flow on the PCB. When the currents reach edges of the PCB they flow through a region of increasingly high impedance without reflecting back or scattering.

Abstract: A mobile terminal having a two part housing enabling a first part of the housing to slide laterally and longitudinally and to pivot relative to the second part of the housing. This enables the terminal to assume at least eight configurations. With such variety of configurations, the housing may change function with a change in configuration. This enables the user to use the terminal for a number of different functions by repositioning the device to a different configuration. A first position, for example, may be for PDA use with an alphanumeric keypad exposed. Another position may be for cellular telephone use with a numeric keypad exposed. Another position may be for use as a digital camera, and another use may be that of a global positioning device. A further use may be that of a video conferencing device. Yet another device may be that of a gaming device.

Abstract: The present invention uses metallization termination techniques to reduce the electro-magnetic field scattering at the edges of metallized areas. The metallization termination techniques provide a gradual transition from high conductivity areas to high impedance areas. The mobile phone antenna illuminates the PCB allowing currents to flow on the PCB. When the currents reach edges of the PCB they flow through a region of increasingly high impedance without reflecting back or scattering.

Abstract: A wireless adapter for a digital camera enables communications between the digital camera and remote devices over a wireless network. The wireless adapter comprises a wireless card and a card holder having a card slot to receive the wireless card. The wireless card is insertable into the card slot of the card holder and includes a wireless interface for communicating with remote devices. A file transfer residing on either the wireless card or card holder receives image data from the digital camera and transfers the image data to a remote device.

Abstract: A wireless adapter for a digital camera enables communications between the digital camera and remote devices over a wireless network. The wireless adapter comprises a wireless interface for communicating with remote devices, a housing for enclosing said wireless interface, a mechanical connector on said housing to mechanically connect the wireless adapter to the digital camera, and a camera interface to electrically connect the wireless adapter with the digital camera.

Abstract: A wireless adapter enables a camera or other digital camera without inherent networking capability to post or send images to a remote destination. The wireless adaptor comprises a wireless interface for communicating with a remote destination over a wireless network, a camera interface to interface the wireless adaptor to a camera, and a file transfer agent. The file transfer agent uses the wireless interface to transfer the image data received from the digital camera to a destination device. In at least one embodiment, the file transfer agent emulates one or more printers, with each emulated printer corresponding to a different destination. With that configuration, the wireless adaptor transfers image data received from the digital camera to a selected destination based on which emulated printer is selected by the digital camera. Destination parameters for multiple destinations can be loaded and stored in the wireless adaptor.

Abstract: The present invention selectively uses a high-impedance layer to reduce the effects of E-M scattering at metallic discontinuities. The high-impedance layer can be fabricated using a combination of metallic and resistive materials that are typically used in electro-static discharging (ESD) applications. A thin layer of metal can be deposited on the surface of a dielectric substrate such as polyethylene. This metallic layer can be on an inner, outer, or buried layer of the material. The metallic layer allows the RF induced currents to spread out over a designated surface area. A layer of resistive material can be applied to a similar dielectric layer. The resistive layer provides sufficient attenuation to decrease the RF surface waves and minimize electro-magnetic scattering on the printed circuit board (PCB). Furthermore, since the metallic and resistive materials can be applied in very thin layers, sufficient transparency can be preserved in desired areas such as the mobile phone's display region.

Abstract: An antenna configuration for a flip type mobile phone is disclosed. The antenna configuration is designed to reduce, to a hearing aid compatibility (HAC) M3 rating or better, any scattered EM field effects that can cause interference to an active hearing aid. The antenna configuration comprises a halfwave type antenna extendable from the lower portion of the mobile phone. The antenna does not share the same vertical axis as the lower portion of the mobile phone when extended. Rather, it forms a tilt angle (?) that extends the antenna away from the upper portion of the mobile phone creating a greater separation distance between the speaker and the antenna. An antenna feed contact couples the antenna to components within the mobile phone. An antenna matching network can tune and attenuate the antenna configuration to enhance operation in the GSM frequency bands.

Abstract: A supplemental antenna assembly is provided for use with an electronic device having an integral radio antenna, such as a wireless-enabled laptop computer, notebook computer, gaming device, personal digital assistant (PDA), or circuit card (e.g., a PCMCIA card) or other circuit assembly designed be used with such a device. The supplemental antenna assembly includes a parasitic element supported by a frame. The frame is configured to be attached to the housing of the portable device such that an inductive coupling is provided between the parasitic element and the integral radio antenna. The parasitic element may include, for example, an antenna and/or a coupling element, e.g., a coupling element configured to be connected to an external antenna.

Abstract: A communications device includes a cover member, a circuit board having a lowest point of potential, and an antenna to transmit and receive RF signals. The antenna is electrically connected to the circuit board. A carrier is interposed between the circuit board and the cover member. The carrier includes an electrically conductive layer electrically connected to the point of lowest potential of the circuit board.

Abstract: Multi-band, Inverted-F Antenna with capacitively created resonance, and radio terminal using same. The present invention creates an additional resonance frequency in a planar-style, inverted-F antenna (PIFA), such as that typically used in mobile radiotelephone or other types of radio terminals. A first radiating branch of the antenna is connected to the signal feed conductor and the ground feed conductor. A second radiating branch is connected to the signal feed conductor and the ground feed conductor at one end and is capacitively coupled to the first radiating branch at the other end so that the antenna resonates at an additional resonance frequency. The additional resonance frequency can be used for, among other things, adding GPS or Bluetooth functionality to a radiotelephone terminal that otherwise operates on GSM (Global System for Mobile) or other mobile radiotelephone terminal frequencies.

Abstract: Selectively engaged antenna matching for a mobile terminal. Antenna matching can be engaged, disengaged, or switched as needed depending on whether a movable cover or clam-shell portion of a mobile terminal is open or closed. A switch can connect a single matching network to a radiating element in one case, and disconnect the single matching network from the radiating element in the other case. Alternatively, the switch can connect one matching network to the radiating element to achieve one matched condition, and the other matching network to the radiating element to achieve the other matched condition. In other embodiments, a switchable matching arrangement can alter the signal and/or ground feed points of an antenna. The technique can be applied to planar, fixed external, or collapsible antennas.

Abstract: An antenna/push-button assembly includes a first contact, a second contact movable relative to said first contact, and a button member including an integral antenna. The button member is movable to engage the second contact with the first contact. The antenna may be a patch antenna. A portable telecommunications device includes an antenna/push-button assembly comprising a button member. The button member includes an integral antenna. The button member is operable to control a function of the device.

Abstract: Multi-band, Inverted-F Antenna with capacitively created resonance, and radio terminal using same. The present invention creates an additional resonance frequency in a planar-style, inverted-F antenna (PIFA), such as that typically used in mobile radiotelephone or other types of radio terminals. A first radiating branch of the antenna is connected to the signal feed conductor and the ground feed conductor. A second radiating branch is connected to the signal feed conductor and the ground feed conductor at one end and is capacitively coupled to the first radiating branch at the other end so that the antenna resonates at an additional resonance frequency. The additional resonance frequency can be used for, among other things, adding GPS or Bluetooth functionality to a radiotelephone terminal that otherwise operates on GSM (Global System for Mobile) or other mobile radiotelephone terminal frequencies.

Abstract: Compact, planar inverted-F antennas are provided that radiate within multiple frequency bands for use within communications devices, such as radiotelephones. Multiple signal feeds extend from a conductive element in respective spaced-apart locations. A respective plurality of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are electrically connected to the signal feeds and are configured to selectively connect the respective signal feeds to ground or RF circuitry. In addition, each MEMS switch can be opened to electrically isolate a respective signal feed.