Abstract: A method of forming a poly(arylene ether)-containing solid concentrate is described. The method includes blending a poly(arylene ether), a thermosetting resin, and a compatibilizing agent in the presence of a solvent to form a homogeneous solution, and removing the solvent to yield the solid concentrate. The solid concentrate is useful for preparing curable conditions.

Abstract: A connector (30) can include a housing (32), a plurality of magnets (14) within the housing used for data transfer and at least one alignment magnet (16 or 18) within the housing used for proper alignment and polarity. The connector can also include at least one magnetic induction circuit (52) coupled to at least one of the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets can include a plurality of inductor elements or micro-metric inductor elements. The magnetic induction circuit can be a magnetic induction circuit using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying modulation. A connector (64) can further include an inductive coil (67) operating at a lower frequency than the at least one magnetic induction circuit. The inductive coil can enable contactless energy transfer from the connector to an energy storage device (69) operatively coupled to an electronic product (62).

Abstract: The invention concerns a portable carrying apparatus (100) and a method (800) of the operation thereof. In one arrangement, the portable carrying apparatus can include a holding device (104) and a clip (106). The holding device can be made of a material that is capable of transmitting light. A light source (302) can be activated by an activation device (410) to illuminate the holding device in the occurrence of an event. The method can also include configuring the duration as well as a sequence of illumination of the light source, depending on the event that takes place.

Abstract: A keypad assembly (10) with embedded audio components can include a keypad and an audio component (14) within at least one key (12) of the keypad. At least one key can include an audio port (13). The keypad assembly can further include an insulating layer (18) or flexible circuit (21) between the audio component and a printed circuit board (17) as well as a switch (15) or other switch activation means on the printed circuit board for activating a function when the at least one key is depressed. The audio component can be a microphone or a speaker or an ultrasonic transducer for example. The keypad assembly can include a plurality of keys where each key in the plurality can have a microphone or speaker to form a microphone array or speaker array respectively. For example, the audio generating component can be formed using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology.

Abstract: The invention concerns a collapsible projection assembly (112) and a method (600) for operating same. The collapsible projection assembly can include a rotatable arm (116) having at least one pivot point (118), a projector (120) that can project an image (122) onto a surface (114), a first sensor (124) that can detect the location of an input device (128) in relation to the image and a second sensor (126) that can detect when the input device pierces a plane (130) above the image. The rotatable arm can be movable from a non-operational position to an operational position such that a predetermined spatial relationship between the projector, the first sensor and the second senor can be at least substantially maintained when the rotatable arm reaches the operational position.

Abstract: A charger docking station (102) is used to charge a battery (122) of a portable information device (104), and provide enhanced input (110) and enhanced output (112) ability. The enhanced input allows a user to more easily input information into the portable information device, while the enhanced output allows the user to view more information than may be displayed by a display (126) of the portable information device. When the charger docking station is connected to a power source (116) a power supply (114) provides power to the enhanced input and display elements, but when the power source is disconnected from the power supply, the enhanced input and display elements are powered from the battery of the portable information device, or from an external auxiliary battery (106), or both.

Abstract: A video game system (100) includes one or more game carousels (101), one or more physical game media (118), and one or more game consoles (112). The game carousel (101) is capable of holding one or more game media (118). The game console (112) wirelessly requests, from the game carousel (101), access to game code associated with a game media (118). If the game media (118) is physically present in, or in communication with, the game carousel (101), access is granted and at least a portion of the game code is wirelessly transmitted from the game carousel (101) to the game console (112). Once the game media (118) is removed from, or stops communication with, the game carousel (101), or if the game carousel (101) and game console (112) stop communication with each other, game play is terminated at the game console (112).

Abstract: A keypad assembly for an electronic device where characters are displayed on the buttons has a flexible display laminate (105). The flexible display laminate has a driver layer (106) on which button regions of conductor (300) are formed. Surrounding the button regions are conductorless regions (312). The lack of conductor in the surrounding regions allows appropriate tactile feedback to a user when the user depresses an actuating member (112), through which character formed by the flexible display laminate may be seen, actuating a popple switch circuit which allows the device to detect the button press.

Abstract: A method of forming a poly(arylene ether)-containing solid concentrate is described. The method includes blending a poly(arylene ether) and a thermosetting resin in the presence of a solvent to form a homogeneous solution, and removing the solvent to yield the solid concentrate. The solid concentrate is useful for preparing curable conditions.

Abstract: A system includes a temperature chamber (100), a text fixture (402), a test coupon (400), a data acquisition unit (404), an ohmmeter (406) and a computer (410). The temperature chamber (100) provides temperature extremes to the test coupon (400). The test coupon (400) includes a substrate (314), one or more vias (418-429) and traces (402-412) connecting the vias. The data acquisition unit (404) continuously measures a resistance value of the circuit formed by the vias (418-429) and traces (402-412) during temperature cycling of the test coupon (400) held by the test fixture (402). The ohmmeter (406) measures the temperature of the test coupon (400) with a thermocouple. The data is used to detect failures of the materials in the test coupon (400) during the temperature cycling.

Abstract: A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device (101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent of any incoming signal received.

Abstract: A communication device provides voice communications addressed to destinations corresponding to relevant characters in a game (117) in play. The communication device (101) provides, for example, a transmitter (105) for transmitting calls when operably connected to a dispatch network (111), and a processor (107). The processor is configured to facilitate interfacing with a user to play a multi-player game, in play between players including a first player on the communication device (101) and one or more second players having communication devices (103). The processor (101) is configured to facilitate, responsive to a call request, communicating via the transmitter with one or more recipients of a call from the first player, including automatically determining, in accordance with information representing the relevant characters, the appropriate recipient or recipients of the call, and causing the transmitter (105) to call the recipient or recipients.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided with an electrical interface in a battery compartment (204) of the mobile communication device. The interface is provided by a flexible circuit member (106) disposed on a radiation shield (100), which is mounted on a circuit board (14) of the mobile communication device. The flexible circuit member and shield are accessible through an opening (206) in the back surface (210) of the battery compartment. Initially the mobile communication device is provided with a label (214) concealing the electrical interface. The label may be removed later so that a battery accessory module (600) may replace a standard battery (502). An accessory circuit (808) in the battery accessory module connects to the mobile communication device through the interface, and provides additional functionality to the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display-input apparatus (108) for displaying alternate character sets, in correspondence with a selected mode of operation of the device. The display-input apparatus uses first and second cholesteric display layers (302, 304) to display the different character sets. Each cholesteric display layer displays a different character set when active. When not active, the cholesteric display layer is rendered transparent.

Abstract: A multi-purpose product packaging (100, 200) for an electronic host product (250) having its own casing can include an apparatus casing (110, 210) for removably and substantially encasing the electronic host product, circuitry (240) within the apparatus casing for providing at least one function to the electronic host product, and an interface (255) on the apparatus casing for enabling the at least one function to operate in conjunction with the electronic product. The apparatus casing can be made of recyclable products and the interface can form a portion of the circuitry within the apparatus casing. In one embodiment, the electronic host device can be a phone and the circuitry can provide any number of functions including the function of charging a power source within the phone.

Abstract: A wearable electronic product (50) includes an electronic host device (52), at least one peripheral device (54) that selectively couples and decouples to the electronic host device and activates independently of the electronic host device, and means (51) for wearing the wearable electronic product by a user. The peripheral device can activate automatically (107) upon being decoupled from the electronic host device and can also activate independently (109) of any other peripheral device. In this regard, the peripheral device can automatically sense (104) the need for its own power source to become active and can optionally automatically sense the need for activating a new wireless link (108) to the electronic host device using its own power source (57) when selectively decoupled from the electronic host device.

Abstract: A laminate, comprises a thermoplastic substrate, a conductive metal foil at least partially disposed on at least one side of the substrate, and an adhesive disposed between the substrate and the metal foil. The adhesive includes a blend of a poly(arylene ether), a thermosetting resin, a toughening agent, a plasticizer, and a cure agent. The laminate finds particular utility in circuit board applications.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (2100) includes a hinge body (2102) made of two hinge body halves (900). Each hinge body half is identical so that only one part need be manufactured, and two of them used to form the hinge body. Each hinge body half has a first leg (902) that is longer than a second leg (904). The first leg has a retaining lip (912) at the end which forms a retaining feature. Each leg of the hinge body defines an axis of rotation for the body elements (104, 106). A portion (1508) of a flexible circuit board (1506) is captured between the hinge body halves so as to electrically interconnect circuitry placed in each body element. A detent mechanism is provided to hold the body element in preselected positions with respect to each other, and includes a spring (2106), a cam (2108) and a cap (2110) having cam follower features (2118). The cam is held in place with respect to the body element housing, while the cap is fixed in position with respect to the hinge body.

Abstract: An illuminated keypad (400) includes a substantially transparent keypad (420) having a plurality of actuator buttons (412), a plurality of switches (404) residing substantially and correspondingly below the plurality of actuator buttons, a display laminate layer (415) residing between the plurality of actuator buttons and the plurality of switches, and a light source (417) reflectively illuminating a pattern of a symbol on the laminate layer by radiating light through the substantially transparent keypad. The display laminate can include a driver layer (406) having a conductor pattern configured in the pattern of the symbol to be displayed on the substantially transparent keypad, a transparent conductor layer (410), and an electrically active ink layer (408) disposed between the transparent conductor layer and the driver layer.

Abstract: A multi-configuration portable electronic device is provided. The device includes at least one processor, a first body element including at least one input, and a second body element including a display. The second body element is pivotally coupled to the first body element such that the device can be positioned into a plurality of physical configurations. In response to a change in the physical configuration of the device, there is a change in at least two of a mode of operation of the input device, a mode of operation of the display, and an active software application being executed by the processor. In a preferred embodiment, the physical configurations of the device include a portrait configuration in which the device functions as a wireless phone, and a landscape configuration in which the device functions as a text messaging pager, PDA, handheld computer, electronic organizer, or media player.