Abstract: A circuit shielding structure includes a circuitry package and a layer of conductive polymer material coating at least a portion of the circuitry package. The layer of conductive polymer material may include a metal filled polymer such as a silver particle filled fluoroelastomer.

Abstract: A flip cover and antenna assembly for a portable phone is disclosed as being rotatably coupled to a main housing thereof. The flip cover and antenna assembly includes a first flip cover housing, a second flip cover housing matable with the first flip cover housing, and an antenna element positioned between the first and second flip cover housings. The antenna element further includes a ground plane bonded to the ground plane first surface. A dielectric foam is positioned over any remaining area of the ground plane first surface. The first and second flip cover housings have flanges which extend from at least a portion thereof to wrap around corresponding edges of the main housing, which enables extensions of the ground plane to be provided conforming to the flanges. The ground plane may also be patterned in order to control the radiation pattern thereof and limit any interference from other components of the portable phone.

Abstract: A portable phone is disclosed as including a main housing, circuitry located within the main housing for operating the portable phone in a designated mode of communication, a support bracket assembly detachably coupled to the main housing, a flip cover rotatably secured to the support bracket assembly about a first axis, and an antenna coupled to the circuitry for transmitting and receiving signals in the designated communication mode associated with the flip cover. The flip cover is also rotatable about a second axis with respect to the support bracket assembly, which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: A hands-free headset includes first and second earpieces and is configured such that the second earpiece is integrally mounted to and stowed against the first earpiece during mono-communications operation or during storage. The headset includes two retractable cords which engage with a portable communications device. A sliding grommet attached to the retractable cords controls the separation of the cords and facilitates the two cords being reeled into a common cord reel. The headset also includes a switch which directs the desired electrical path to either stereo listening or communications operation. The headset further includes a docking platform which can be attached to the body of the portable communications device for storage and which holds the integral mounted earpieces against the cord storage reel for an aesthetic stowed hands-free device.

Abstract: Radiotelephones include flat blade antennas and flip configurations. The flat blade antenna and flip are mounted to the radiotelephone via dual hinges. The flat blade antenna is configured to be captured by the flip to define a cover in the stow position. The flat blade antenna rotates separate from the flip. The flat blade antenna opens to an angular position greater than the adjacently mounted flip.

Abstract: Flat blade antenna and flip mounting structures and associated methods include biasing the flat blade antenna to travel beyond a predetermined angle of rotation to separate from the flip in the open position. The flat blade antenna and flip are mounted to the radiotelephone via dual hinges and have low turning force components which provide a predetermined force vector to facilitate the blade antenna opening to a desired operative position. The flat blade antenna rotates separate from the flip. The flat blade antenna can open to an angular position greater than the adjacently mounted flip. The biasing mounting configuration provides turning forces which facilitates both the opening and closing of the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna assembly has a shaft element with first and second ends. The antenna assembly also has a tube-like element disposed about the first end of the shaft element which tube-like element acts as a matching structure for the antenna assembly and strengthens and rigidifies the antenna assembly to resist bending of the shaft element proximate to the first end thereof. The antenna assembly further has a dielectric material disposed between the tube-like element and the shaft element at the first end. Moreover, the antenna assembly may be combined with a housing to form a radio-communication assembly, the housing having a surface with an edge, the tube-like element acting as a matching structure and strengthening and rigidifying the antenna assembly to resist bending of the shaft element at a fulcrum defined by the edge. Furthermore, a method reconfiguring an antenna on a radio-communication assembly is provided.

Abstract: A shielding and thermal dissipation structure for an electronic assembly including a distribution circuit and at least one electronic component mounted on a surface of the distribution circuit. A plastic housing overlays the at least one electronic component, and includes an outer periphery defining a housing interior and substantially surrounding the outer periphery of the at least one electronic component. A closed end on one side of the housing outer periphery has an interior surface facing the at least one electronic component with a metal coating about 5 microns thick on the interior surface. The metal coating is chosen from the group of nickel and gold. An electrically conductive gel in the housing interior about the plastic housing outer periphery (and preferably including carbon particles or carbon fibers) is in intimate contact with the distribution circuit and the metal coating.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an integrated circuit die having first and second opposing faces, a plurality of spaced apart bonding regions on the first face, and at least one groove in the second face. The at least one groove allows the die to flex upon application of stress to the bonding regions due to thermal cycling of the integrated circuit die, compared to absence of the at least one groove. Preferably, multiple grooves are provided, a respective one of which extends between a respective pair of adjacent spaced apart bonding regions. The grooves may be fabricated by sawing and/or etching the grooves in the second face. The sawing and/or etching may be performed at the wafer stage, before the integrated circuit dies are singulated. Alternatively, the sawing and/or etching may take place after the integrated circuit dies are singulated from the wafer.

Abstract: A thin flexible antenna has radiating elements made of thin nickel-titanium, a highly flexible and rigid alloy. The radiating elements are covered with silicone elastomer dielectric layers that have suitable elongation properties to withstand extreme bending stresses outer jackets cover the antenna. The outer jackets have a textured exterior surface that evenly distributes the bending stresses across the antenna.

Abstract: A termination contact for an antenna that has a Ni--Ti radiating element is formed by a layer of electrically conductive carbon filler disposed on the Ni--Ti radiating element. A conductive element is positioned on the layer of conductive carbon filler to provide electrical interface between the Ni--Ti radiating element and external RF circuitry. In to prevent contamination, a protective layer of silicon elastomer covers the conductive layer and the Ni--Ti radiating element such that a portion of the conductive element is exposed to provide a RF feed point.

Abstract: Flexible diversity antennas having gain and bandwidth capabilities suitable for use within small communications devices such as radiotelephones are provided. A core of flexible material has an electrical conductor embedded therewithin in a meandering pattern and is surrounded by a first layer of flexible dielectric material. At one end of the antenna, the first layer of dielectric material is surrounded by flexible conductive material. The flexible conductive material is surrounded by a second layer of flexible dielectric material. The portion of the antenna surrounded by conductive material serves as a tuning element, and the portion of the antenna not surrounded by conductive material serves as a radiating element. A flexible signal feed is integral with the antenna and extends outwardly from the flexible core.

Abstract: A shield for an electronic device having a pair of cooperating printed circuit boards includes an integrated connector for connecting the printed circuit boards. The shield is provided with a frame attachable between the circuit boards and structure attached to the frame for supporting a connector that electrically connects the circuit boards. In one embodiment, the contacts of the connector are embedded in a sub-frame attached to the frame. In another embodiment, a connector holder is formed with the frame for supporting a connector that connects the printed circuit boards. By virtue of the unitary structure, problems associated with tolerance stack-up can be eliminated, and usable printed circuit board area can be maximized.

Abstract: A shock and vibration attenuating structure and method is provided for an electronic assembly including a distribution circuit and at least one electronic component mounted on a surface of the distribution circuit. The shock and vibration attenuating structure includes a layer of elastomer material adapted to overlay the distribution circuit and substantially conform to the at least one electronic component. The layer includes a negative image of at least part of the at least one electronic component to allow the elastomer material to envelope the at least part of the at least one electronic component, and at least one relief formed in the elastomer material. The at least one relief is spaced from the negative image of the at least one electronic component and has a predetermined size, shape, and location in the elastomer material selected to protect the electronic component from shock and vibration induced loads and deflections with the layer overlaying the electronic assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for packaging a microelectronic device to be connectable to a distribution circuit. The apparatus is in the form of a microelectronic package including a microelectronic device having first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a plurality of Input/Output pads on the first surface capable of being electrically interconnected to a distribution circuit, a base adapted to support the microelectronic device in a predetermined operative relationship to a distribution circuit, and a first layer of elastomer gel sandwiched between the first surface and the base. The first surface of the microelectronic device overlays the base so as to allow an electrical interconnection through the base between the microelectronic device and a distribution circuit.

Abstract: A flexible strip transmission line is disclosed. The flexible strip transmission lines consists of a plurality of flexible layers enabling the transmission line to be folded or repeatably bent. The central layer consists of a flexible dielectric material. On opposing side of the dielectric layer are first and second flexible ground planes formed of a metalized fabric. The flexible ground plane layers are bonded to the dielectric material using a bonding agent such as silicone adhesive. An abrasion resistant material is connected to the outer surface of the flexible ground plane layers to provide a protective exterior shell.

Abstract: A device for connecting the RF signal circuitry of a portable phone and a plurality of antennas utilized to transmit and receive signals is disclosed. The connector device includes a female portion electrically coupled to the RF signal circuitry, with the female portion providing a plurality of ports for electrical coupling with the RF signal circuitry. A complementary male portion is also provided which is electrically coupled to the antennas, the male portion including a separate pin member connected to each antenna. Each pin member of the male portion is received within a corresponding one of the ports in the female portion as the male and female portions of the connector device are mated together. In this way, the RF signal circuitry and the antennas are electrically coupled. The antennas of the portable phone are integrated with a flip cover rotatably mounted to a phone base containing the RF signal circuitry, where the flip cover may be either fixedly or detachably secured to the phone base.

Abstract: A coaxial cable assembly for connecting at least one antenna element with RF signal circuitry of a portable phone is disclosed. The portable phone includes a base portion in which the RF signal circuitry is located and a flip cover rotatably secured to the base portion in which the antenna elements are located. The flip cover is rotatably secured to the base portion by means of a support bracket assembly. The coaxial cable assembly provides a separate coaxial cable for each antenna element, with a first end thereof being coupled to the antenna element and a second end being coupled to the RF signal circuitry. Each coaxial cable is shaped to extend through the support bracket assembly so as to withstand bend stresses associated with rotation of the flip cover, with certain locations of the coaxial cable being formed to maintain such shape.