Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically coupling a battery with a battery-powered device. The connector includes a first dual-contact assembly and a second dual-contact assembly. Each of the dual-contact assemblies includes a positive contact for contacting a positive PP3 terminal of a PP3 battery, and a negative contact for contacting a negative PP3 terminal of the PP3 battery. Each dual-contact assembly is configured so that, when the dual-contact assembly is physically engaged with either of the PP3 battery terminals, one of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly electrically engages the PP3 battery terminal, while the other of the contacts of the dual-contact assembly is electrically insulated from the PP3 battery terminal. Accordingly, the PP3 battery may be installed in either of two valid connection states relative to the connector, in which appropriate electrical connectivity is provided via the connector to a device to be powered by the PP3 battery.

Abstract: A battery carriage is provided, including first and second dual-contact assemblies. The first dual contact assembly is disposed on a body portion of the battery carriage and the second dual contact assembly is disposed on a separable portion of the battery carriage. Each dual contact assembly includes a positive contact configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery and a negative contact configured to contact a negative terminal of the battery. The separable portion of the battery carriage is selectively moveable into and out of a coupled state with the body portion. When the separable portion is moved into the coupled state, the dual contact assemblies are held spaced apart to define a receptacle in which the dual contact assemblies hold opposing ends of the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein related to the avoidance of undesirable optical effects in a liquid crystal display used with a touch-sensitive display input device. For example, one embodiment provides a user interface comprising a body, a light source disposed within the body, and a liquid crystal display configured to create an image displayable on one or more display surfaces coupled to the body. The user interface device further includes a light delivery system positioned optically between the light source and the liquid crystal display to deliver light produced by the light source to the liquid crystal display. The light delivery system comprises a light exit surface spaced from the liquid crystal display to form a gap positioned between the light exit surface of the light delivery system and the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying encoded digital data in a multichannel hologram are described. A method can include steps of reading a first channel of a multichannel hologram, extracting first content data stored in the first channel, reading a second channel of the multichannel hologram, extracting second content data stored in the second channel, and utilizing the extracted content data. The extracted content data may be used for digital signature recognition. A system can include a multichannel hologram configured to store first, second, and third content data at first, second, and third channels respectively, at least one optical sensor configured to read the first, second, and third channels of the multichannel hologram and extract the first, second, and third content data, and a processor configured to measure an acceleration when the system is acted upon by a force.

Abstract: A peripheral input device having a body configured to be stored within a housing of a computer device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a wireless input device is configured to be recharged within the housing. Further aspects of the invention relate to an input device configured to operatively connect to underutilized ports of a computer system. In one embodiment, the input device operatively connects to a PCMCIA port of a computer. Yet further aspects of the invention relate to an input device having an expandable body, wherein the body may be configured to have an increased surface area upon expansion of the body.

Abstract: Mechanical architecture for providing maximum viewing area on key button tops of keys for a user input device. The viewing area is for the display of information on the key buttons, and also includes tactile feedback similar to standard laptop keyboards, all using low cost manufacturing methods such as injection molding. The architecture optimizes an aperture through the core of the key switch assembly in order to project an image through the aperture and onto the display area of the key button. The architecture relocates in at least one embodiment the tactile feedback mechanism (e.g., dome assembly) out from underneath the key button to the perimeter or side of the key switch assembly. The architecture finds particular application to input devices such as keyboards, game pods, data entry device, etc., that operate in combination with an optical surface (e.g., wedge lens).

Abstract: Architecture for automatic switching between multiple modes in a handheld device such as a mouse based on the presence of specular light, or lack thereof. When applied to a presenter mouse, the architecture facilitates the automatic switching between mouse mode and presenter mode without manual intervention by the user. An optical approach is well suited since most optical systems include a light source, lenses, and light sensors to detect reflected light from the source (or lack thereof). The approach leverages the existing light source and lenses in a mouse to minimize incremental cost, yet provide a robust technique for detecting lift from the tracking surface thereby automatically switching between modes as the user moves the mouse on and off the tracking surface. A delay circuit and/or image comparison can also be provided that eliminates undesirable triggering to a different mode by preventing unintended switching between the multiple modes.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to a keyboard with integrated key and touchpad. In an example embodiment, a keyboard is provided that includes a plurality of keys, each key being capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs. The keyboard also includes a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of the keys to allow pointer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad.

Abstract: A user input device for use with a computing device is provided. The user input device may include a housing with a bottom portion including a substrate that includes a transparent portion. The user input device may further include an optical tracking engine mounted in the housing proximate the substrate and being configured to transmit and/or detect light for tracking movement of the user input device through the transparent portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A keyboard for use with a computing device and a method of manufacturing a keyboard key are provided. One disclosed keyboard includes a plurality of keys, each key having a key cap including a perimeter wall and a void positioned within the perimeter wall and opening to a top of the key cap. Each key further includes a cushion having a top portion configured to be contacted by a digit of a user and a bottom portion configured to be fitted within the void in the key cap. The cushion being may be configured to absorb an impact force directed against the key during a keystroke.

Abstract: Embodiments of battery holders with dual-contact assemblies are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a battery holder with a substrate and a spring dual-contact assembly, wherein the spring dual-contact assembly comprises a positive contact configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery positioned in the battery holder with the positive terminal oriented toward the spring dual-contact assembly and a negative contact configured to contact a negative terminal of a battery positioned in the battery holder with the negative terminal oriented toward the spring dual-contact assembly. The positive and negative contacts are coupled to an insulator configured to hold the positive contact and negative contact in a fixed relation to one another. Further, one or more cantilever wire springs hold the negative contact, positive contact and insulator in a resiliently displaceable relationship to the substrate.

Abstract: One or more dual-contact assemblies and a battery receptacle including such assemblies. A dual-contact assembly includes a positive contact, a negative contact, and an insulating connector disposed between and connecting each of the positive contact and the negative contact in an electrically insulating disposition relative to each other. A dual-contact assembly hereof can be resilient such that at least one of the positive contact, the negative contact and the insulating connector of the resilient dual-contact assembly are resiliently movable, the insulating connector maintaining the positive and negative contacts of the resilient dual-contact assembly in an electrically insulated disposition relative to each other. In a battery receptacle, at least two dual-contact assemblies are connected to a substrate in a battery receiving disposition.

Abstract: The convenient recharging of a charge storage device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a portable device accessory with a charge storage device holding mechanism and a recharging circuit. The system also comprises a portable device with an interface at which the portable device and the portable device accessory are connectable. A charge storage device-switching mechanism is disposed within the portable device accessory or the portable device. The charge storage device-switching mechanism is actuatable to switch a first charge storage device in the portable device with a second charge storage device in the charge storage device holding mechanism of the portable device accessory by mechanically connecting and/or disconnecting the portable device from the portable device accessory.

Abstract: A keyboard key has a key portion that forms a cantilevered beam pivotable about an axis. A switch is disposed relative to the cantilevered beam, such that rotation of the cantilever beam about the axis causes depression of the switch. The switch is offset from an applied force-receiving portion of the key portion. A touch sensitive key also includes a touch sensor detecting contact with the key portion of the key. The invention can be extended such that the key portion is formed of transparent or semi-transparent material. The invention can also be extended to include touch sensitive areas on any portion of an upper case of the computer keyboard.

Abstract: Force measuring systems for electronic pens, styli, or other products may include structure for changing a direction or location of application of a force (e.g., a force transmitted via pen or stylus contact with a writing surface) from a first direction or location to a second direction or location. In this manner, a sensor portion of the force measuring system may be reoriented in a direction such that it is not normal to the direction of the force. This feature may help make electronic pens or styli (or other products) thinner and dimensioned more consistent with their non-electronic counterparts. Various structures for changing the direction or location of application of the force are described.

Abstract: Battery carriages are provided herein that interface with batteries in the correct polarization, regardless of the orientation in which the batteries are inserted in the battery carriages. Such battery carriages may be advantageously used with any device that uses batteries. Such a device may include two or more battery carriages, wherein each of the battery carriages includes first and second dual-contact assemblies disposed on a substrate. Each of the two dual-contact assemblies may have a positive contact and a negative contact. The positive contacts may each be configured to contact a positive terminal of a battery and to be connected to a positive circuit connection, and the negative contacts may each be configured to contact a negative terminal of a battery and to be connected to a negative circuit connection.

Abstract: One or more dual-contact assemblies and a battery receptacle including such assemblies. A dual-contact assembly includes a positive contact, a negative contact, and an insulating connector disposed between and connecting each of the positive contact and the negative contact in an electrically insulating disposition relative to each other. A dual-contact assembly hereof can be resilient such that at least one of the positive contact, the negative contact and the insulating connector of the resilient dual-contact assembly are resiliently movable, the insulating connector maintaining the positive and negative contacts of the resilient dual-contact assembly in an electrically insulated disposition relative to each other. In a battery receptacle, at least two dual-contact assemblies are connected to a substrate in a battery receiving disposition.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed relating to a keyboard with integrated key and touchpad. In an example embodiment, a keyboard is provided that includes a plurality of keys, each key being capable of being pressed to select one or more keyboard inputs. The keyboard also includes a micro touchpad provided on an upper surface of a first key of the keys to allow pointer control by moving a finger or other object across a top surface of the micro touchpad.