Abstract: An electronic device for detecting switching circuitry failure is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to detect switching circuitry failure based on the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control the switching circuitry based on whether switching circuitry failure is detected.

Abstract: An electronic device for detecting switching circuitry failure is described. The electronic device includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes a processor coupled to the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to detect switching circuitry failure based on the load voltage measurement. The processor is configured to control the switching circuitry based on whether switching circuitry failure is detected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel system and method for connecting and interfacing a communications device, such as a modem, to a two-wire telephone line via a telephone base set (e.g., PBX or PBX-like), thereby allowing for data communications on the telephone line. The modem and the telephone base are interconnected by way of an interface adapter. Interface circuitry present within the interface adapter converts the digital interface (e.g., a wireless or cellular interface) into a PBX-compatible interface for interaction with a PBX phone base set. The interface adapter allows a modem that has a digital peripheral interface such as a cellular interface to communicate with a PBX base using the existing cellular interface. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a cable detector circuit that allows the modem to automatically detect when it is connected to a telephone base by way of the interface adapter.

Abstract: A chip component assembly is provided that includes a plurality of chip components each having respective first and second terminal elements, the first terminal elements being joined to corresponding solder pads on a printed circuit board, the solder pads being in communication with electronic circuitry of the printed circuit board, and the second terminal elements being joined together by an array ground plane of a grounding device. The grounding device additionally includes a ground path structure which physically and electrically connects the array ground plane, and thus the chip components, to a ground pad located on the printed circuit board so as to provide a ground path from the chip components. Preferably, the array ground plane additionally includes a plurality of resilient contact elements which provide for substantial and continuous contact between the array ground plane and an ancillary ground plane, such as the top cover of a PC card.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring and controlling automation equipment. The present invention uses a modem's processing and memory resources to interpret and translate data and commands associated with automation equipment. When receiving data from the automation equipment, the modem interprets the data using its own processing power and stores the interpreted results in its own memory for subsequent retrieval. Commands for control are translated into a compatible format by the modem and then transmitted to the automation equipment. The present invention also allows for remote access through the modem for both monitoring and controlling without requiring any host interaction. A modem according to the present invention further provides for its host to operate in a mode of reduced processing and power consumption while the modem continues to monitor and control automation equipment.

Abstract: An interlocking computer card device having computer module dimensions such as a PCMCIA type III architecture comprising two PCMCIA type II computer card devices. Each computer card device has a full wall extendable media connector and a substantially identical computer card housing. The full wall extendable media connector can be configured to couple with a media-plug facing different directions or it can be attached to an antenna for receiving wireless communications. The computer card housing has a bottom planar surface, a top planar surface, a connector housing that extends out of the top planar surface and a recess that has substantially the same shape as the connector housing. The computer card housing also has protrusions and dimples that are configured for coupling with corresponding dimples and protrusions of another computer card housing.

Abstract: A chip component assembly is provided that includes a plurality of chip components each having respective first and second terminal elements, the first terminal elements being joined to corresponding solder pads on a printed circuit board, the solder pads being in communication with electronic circuitry of the printed circuit board, and the second terminal elements being joined together by an array ground plane of a grounding device. The grounding device additionally includes a ground path structure which physically and electrically connects the array ground plane, and thus the chip components, to a ground pad located on the printed circuit board so as to provide a ground path from the chip components. Preferably, the array ground plane additionally includes a plurality of resilient contact elements which provide for substantial and continuous contact between the array ground plane and an ancillary ground plane, such as the top cover of a PC card.

Abstract: A peripheral component providing multiple types of interfaces. In one embodiment, the peripheral component comprises a housing with logical circuitry within. A platform operable to move in and out of the housing is coupled to the housing. The platform has a receptacle interface which is electrically connected to the logical circuitry. Additionally, the platform has a wireline interface also electrically connected to the logical circuitry. Furthermore, an antenna is embedded in the platform and electrically connected to the logical circuitry. In another embodiment, the receptacle is an X-jack™, and the wireline interface is a 15-pin connector. In another embodiment, the peripheral component is a type II PCMCIA card. In one embodiment, the logical circuitry comprises a wireless device. In one embodiment, the wireless device is a Bluetooth™ device.

Abstract: A peripheral component providing multiple types of interfaces. In one embodiment, the peripheral component comprises a housing with logical circuitry within. A receptacle is electrically connected to the logical circuitry. The receptacle may be operable to receive an RJ-11 plug and/or an RJ-45 plug. A wireline interface, for example, a 15-pin connector, is also electrically connected to the logical circuitry. Furthermore, a resilient antenna is electrically connected to the logical circuitry. The antenna is operable to conform to fit inside the housing, and when extracted, the antenna is operable to return substantially to a pre-determined shape, wherein reception and transmission of a wireless signal are optimized. In one embodiment, the logical circuitry of the peripheral component comprises a wireless device, for example, a Bluetooth™ device. In another embodiment, the peripheral component is a type II PCMCIA card. In still another embodiment, the receptacle is an X-Jack™.

Abstract: This is a system and method by which the light from a light source on a selectively attached portable expansion device, such as a PCMCIA card, is more visible to a user. It is accomplished by using a light transfer medium, such as transparent plastic, in the plug of a media cable. The light transfer medium is molded in such a way to continue the path of light from the connector interface into the plug of the media cable. Inside the plug the light reflects off of a molded reflector in an upward and outward direction. The light can then be viewed through a transparent opening or viewing window, which may be bubbled or rounded to increase the overall viewing angle. Thus, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector that has a low physical profile but a high optical profile and is particularly useful in devices and peripherals implemented in reduced-size form factors, such as PC cards, compact flash cards or other removable media.