Abstract: A communication device (10) in a clam shaped housing includes a camera (12) incorporated within a first portion (18) of the clam-shaped housing and a lens (14) incorporated within a second portion (19) of the clam-shaped housing. The camera and the lens can substantially align when the first portion pivots relative to the second portion. The lens can be an afocal converter lens that changes an effective focal length of a lens of the camera from among a wide angle, a telephoto, and a macro lens. The communication device can have at least one among a main display (15) on a flip portion of the communication device or an auxiliary display (16) on an opposing side (21) to enable viewing without the lens when the communication device is an open position and the auxiliary display can enable viewing with the lens when the communication device is in a closed position.

Abstract: A control assembly (400, 500, 600) for a communication device includes a housing having a light permeable portion (406, 506, 606), along with a rotary control formed of a shaft (408), a knob (508) or belt (608) each having a surface, and a light shining light through the light permeable portion onto the surface. Light sensitive motion detection circuitry (402, 502, 602) detects movement of the surface through the light permeable portion (406, 506, 606). The control can be implemented in high profile, low profile, scroll and slider bar embodiments, all providing a sealed environment to the communication device.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly for a clam style portable communication device (100) provides for a hermetically sealed device that prevents water intrusion. A flex (106) electrically interconnects a flip compartment (102) to a main radio compartment (104). First and second seals (112, 114) coupled to the ends (108, 110) of the flex (106) provide independent sealing of the flip compartment (102) from the main radio compartment (104). Thus, the flex (106) provides both electrical interconnect and independent mechanical sealing of the two compartments (102, 104).

Abstract: A method of detecting wetness in an accessory jack of a portable communication device (100), such as a two-way radio, is provided. By monitoring an accessory jack detect pin of the radio (104) for a change in resistance (106) that falls within predetermined parameters, a determination can be made (108) as to whether the accessory jack contacts are wet or dry. An alert is provided to a user (110) of the portable communication device that the accessory jack contacts need to be dried.

Abstract: An antenna assembly allows for a retractable/extendable antenna to be used in conjunction with a sealed portable communication device (200). An antenna bushing assembly (204) is used in conjunction with a sealed housing (208) having an unsealed compartment (206). The sealed housing (208) includes a radio frequency (RF) connector (210) formed therein. The bushing assembly (204) includes an RF plug (216) for mating with the RF connector (210) of the sealed housing (208). A sleeve (230) extends from the bushing assembly (204) to act as a passageway fro water intrusion into the unsealed compartment (206). An antenna (100) can thus retract and extend within the sleeve (230) of the unsealed compartment (206) while the RF connection remains intact due to the interconnect provided between the bushing assembly (204) and the sealed housing (208).

Abstract: A device for generating electrical energy from the vibrations generated by a well bore drill tool during the operation of the tool when drilling oil wells, the device comprising an array of piezoelectric elements mounted in the tool and connected to a vibrating part of the tool for converting vibrations of the tool into electrical energy.

Abstract: A rotary control assembly (400) for a communication device includes a magnetic sensor (410) integrated within a housing (406) and a magnet (404) integrally coupled to a rotary control (402) for controlling the magnetic sensor. User rotation of the rotary control (402) and integral magnet (404) controls resistance of the magnetic sensor (410). The variation in resistivity of the magnetic sensor (410) corresponds to selection options associated with the rotary control. The rotary control assembly (400) provides a self-sealed environment. Either continuous variable control or defined detent control can be incorporated into a communication device using assembly (400).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a code-multiplexed readout value of photocurrents for a photo-detector array of cells are disclosed. Readout values are determined using a multiplexer and current amplifier for each cell and a current-to-voltage converter for each row of cells. The multiplexer multiplexes a photocurrent in an electrical domain for a respective cell using a code and generates electric currents responsive to the photocurrent. The current amplifier amplifies the electric currents. The current-to-voltage converter for each row generates the readout value for that row of the array responsive to the amplified electric currents.

Abstract: A shield frame (100) is provided that allows for a narrow width shield track to be used in a radio frequency (RF) shielding apparatus (300, 500). The shield frame (100) is formed of a sheet metal frame (102) overmolded with a conductive elastomer (104) to provide compliance in a z-axis (114) direction and stiffness in x-axis and y-axis directions (116, 118). The shield frame (100) is sandwiched between two substrates (120, 122) of a shielding assembly, one substrate having electrical components in need of isolation (326) and the other providing a ground plane (322, 522). The shield frame (100) is compartmentalized (112) to align with the areas in need of isolation.

Abstract: A communication device (100) is provided with a technique (400) for self-diagnosing an air leak. The leak is determined without having to open the communication device by applying a temporary excitation signal to the speaker terminals (402) to produce a damped response (404) and then monitoring the damped response (406) of the speaker.

Abstract: Electronic device for control of an interactive game in which the user advances by means of overcoming sensory tests (sight, touch, smell and ingenuity) and tests of skill. The control device is organized based on a data network, with a server element (6), a switch element (7), several cell control computers (sub-network) (1-5) and other enigma control computers (sensory tests) (1?-51?). The user actions, through an electronic console (12, 13) which identifies him, are detected by the control elements governed by microprocessor, which communicate them to the central device in order to interact again with the user by means of sound messages over the background sound system of the game or through the headphone that each user console incorporates.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for finding a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that points to a most updated authoritative source of information contained in database systems, including crawling websites to determine likely publicly available records and processing the likely publicly available records to determine a unique list of URLs each of which point to information content of crawled web sites that are likely to be the most updated authoritative source of the information content.

Abstract: It comprises a central hollow body (12c) including a central part (10c) of the open chamber connected to a negative pressure source and at least two side hollow bodies (12a, 12b) joined to both sides of central hollow body (12c) by a hinge (13) which admits rotations with respect to a common axis substantially normal to the surface to be treated. The central part (10c) of the open chamber (10c) has an opening (14) at the hinging area (13) and side hollow bodies (12a, 12b) comprise respective side parts (10a, 10b) of the open chamber communicated with the said opening (14) of central part (10c) of the open geometry and comprises, by means of the said three side and central part (10a, 10b, 10c) of the open chamber the two side and central hinge (13) of the head.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for finding a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that points to a most updated authoritative source of information contained in database systems, including crawling websites to determine likely publicly available records and processing the likely publicly available records to determine a unique list of URLs each of which point to information content of crawled web sites that are likely to be the most updated authoritative source of the information content.

Abstract: A convertible garment and method for providing pants that may be converted into a satchel, backpack, gun case or pillow. The convertible garment and method includes a pair of pants having a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and a lower torso portion. Each of the first and second leg portions is integrally coupled to and extends away from the lower torso portion. Each of a plurality of drawstrings is used for cinching various portions of the pants. A first of the drawstrings is attached to a free end of the first leg portion. A second of the drawstrings is attached to a free end of the second leg portion. A third of the drawstrings is attached to the first leg portion and positioned generally adjacent to the lower torso portion, and a fourth of the drawstrings is attached to the second leg portion and positioned generally adjacent to the lower torso portion.