Abstract: The subject innovation and/or methods relate to a compact durable communication device that can include a plurality of improvements to provide durability and thinness. The devices can be a clamshell smartphone, a messenger device, a thin smartphone, and/or any other suitable mobile communication device. The improvements can include a magnesium plate, an opening for an electrical component associated with the plate, internal antenna placement, an extended backlight for a dual display, and/or a mono hinge to provide connectivity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein for creating and using a multi-function device that allows a user to transform the device into the desired feature-set form which permit access to that feature's functions, without a need for a user to traverse a series of interface menus to get to the desired functionality. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can be transformed into a phone, a media player, and a camera.

Abstract: A system that integrates navigational device (e.g., mouse) functionality into a cellular telephone or other handheld device (e.g., personal organizer, personal media player). A device can employ existing optics from an image capture device (e.g., camera) as the optics for the mouse. A mouse engine can receive an input from the optics and route the input via a Bluetooth™, or other existing connection (e.g., wired or wireless) to transfer the mouse coordinates to a desktop. In another example, a device can employ a touch sensitive pad to supply motion input to a mouse engine. Further, a device (e.g., personal organizer, pocket personal computer) can utilize an existing touch screen as a touch sensitive input to a mouse engine. A laser pointer can be integrated into a device thereby enabling presenters to use the device to point to slides and other target visuals.

Abstract: An ergonomic pointing device receives user commands for controlling an electronic device. Typically a switching assembly is provided underneath a navigation wheel. The switching assembly comprises switches for generating and/or modulating signals in response to the received commands. Locating the switches in the switching assembly allows, for example, increased manufacturing tolerances. Additionally, the switching assembly can be secured to a device base such as a printed circuit board of the electronic device using, for example, a solder reflow process. Attaching the wheel assembly to the base permits, for example, the use of materials (such as rubber) and colors for the wheel that would otherwise be incompatible with a high temperature process.

Abstract: An ergonomic pointing device receives commands from a user for controlling an electronic device. The ergonomic pointing device generally comprises a shaft, a roller, and a frame. The shaft comprises a ground spring contact and two direction-sensing spring contacts. The roller is disposed around the shaft so that the roller is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The inside of the roller comprises a conductive surface that is arranged to remain in electrical contact with the ground spring contact of the shaft throughout the entire revolution of the roller. The conductive surface is also arranged to alternately make and break electrical contact with the direction-sensing spring contacts during an entire revolution of the roller such that the direction and speed of the revolution of the roller can be determined. The shaft is free to move along the Z-axis but not to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector and jack is provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing and a stereo plug protruding from a front surface of the main connector housing. A first pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a first side of the stereo plug, and a second pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a second side of the stereo plug opposite the first side of the stereo plug. An alignment feature protrudes from the front surface of the main connector housing adjacent the stereo plug, providing orientation key and anti-rotation functions to be provided with a narrower profile.

Abstract: An ergonomic pointing device, such as a mouse, includes a wheel to provide an input signal in addition to X and Y position signals provided by a rotatable ball of a standard mouse. The wheel extends from an upper surface of the pointing device and may be rotated and depressed by the finger of the user, the wheel being positioned and configured to allow a user to activate the wheel while maintaining a finger in a biomechanically neutral position. The mouse is coupled to a computer having a visual display device capable of displaying a data file having adjustable display characteristics. As a user rotates the roller, the mouse generates computer signals that are interpreted by an operating system and software applications running on the computer. The signals generated by the roller, together with a given software application, can be used in spatial navigation.

Abstract: An ergonomic pointing device receives commands from a user for controlling an electronic device. The ergonomic pointing device generally comprises a shaft, a roller, and a frame. The shaft comprises a ground spring contact and two direction-sensing spring contacts. The roller is disposed around the shaft so that the roller is free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The inside of the roller comprises a conductive surface that is arranged to remain in electrical contact with the ground spring contact of the shaft throughout the entire revolution of the roller. The conductive surface is also arranged to alternately make and break electrical contact with the direction-sensing spring contacts during an entire revolution of the roller such that the direction and speed of the revolution of the roller can be determined. The shaft is free to move along the Z-axis but not to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An improved battery pack is provided for powering a hand-held portable electronic device such as a wireless telephone, hand-held personal computer, or personal digital assistant. The battery pack includes a generally rectangular battery cell where the battery cell has an upper surface and a lower surface, a length, a width and a thickness suitable for insertion into a hand-held portable device. The battery pack includes a battery cell casing for enclosing an outer perimeter of the battery cell, and the casing has a width equal to the thickness of the battery cell. A first locking latch of a pair of locking latches is defined along a first side of the battery cell casing and a second locking latch of the pair of locking latches is defined along a second side of the battery cell opposite the first locking latch.

Abstract: A mobile device contains a case to rigidly secure and protect components of the mobile device, especially against large shock forces that can occur when the mobile device is dropped. The case is typically formed using a material that is generally rigid, lightweight (i.e., less dense), and relatively inexpensive, such as magnesium. The case further comprises rigid sidewalls that surround the peripheral edges of the device display. The sidewalls are arranged to protect the display by absorbing incidental shock forces. The case further comprises a surface is configured as a platform to receive a keypad. The surface is arranged to prevent forces from being transmitted from the keypad to an internal print circuit board, which provides protection against the internal printed circuit board from being flexed to the point of failure. The mobile device may further comprise a boot that is slidably coupled to the frame.

Abstract: An improved hand-held computing device is provided. The hand-held computing device includes a slidably retractable keyboard and battery compartment cover having a pair of elongate slide members extending from opposing edges of the cover. The slide members extend into a casing of the hand-held computing device for attaching the cover to the computing device. Each of the elongate slide members has a detent defined along a forward portion of the slide member for engaging a detent catch disposed in the interior of the casing for retaining the slide members from exiting from the casing and separating from the casing when the cover is retracted to an open position. A pair of ball assemblies is provided for allowing the slide members to slidably insert into and retract from the casing. The battery compartment includes an interior battery cover for closing the battery recess to prevent the battery from dislodging from the battery recess when the keyboard and battery compartment cover is in an open position.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector and jack is provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing and a stereo plug protruding from a front surface of the main connector housing. A first pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a first side of the stereo plug, and a second pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a second side of the stereo plug opposite the first side of the stereo plug. An alignment feature protrudes from the front surface of the main connector housing adjacent the stereo plug, providing orientation key and anti-rotation functions to be provided with a narrower profile.

Abstract: An electrical connector and a USB connector are provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing having an upper pin housing and a lower pin housing. A stereo plug that protrudes from a front surface of the main connector housing lies between the inner surface of the lower pin housing and the inner surface of the upper pin housing. The electrical connector is adapted to connect to a jack. The upper pin housing and the lower pin housing are adapted to connectively engage a forward plug port housing of the jack. The jack is mounted within the casing of an electronic device such as a hand-held personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a wireless telephone, or a paging device. When the electrical connector is connected to the jack, the upper pin housing is inserted into an upper housing receiving port and the lower pin housing is inserted into a lower housing receiving port so that the electrical connector is mated to the casing of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector and a USB connector are provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing having an upper pin housing and a lower pin housing. A stereo plug that protrudes from a front surface of the main connector housing lies between the inner surface of the lower pin housing and the inner surface of the upper pin housing. The electrical connector is adapted to connect to a jack. The upper pin housing and the lower pin housing are adapted to connectively engage a forward plug port housing of the jack. The jack is mounted within the casing of an electronic device such as a hand-held personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a wireless telephone, or a paging device. When the electrical connector is connected to the jack, the upper pin housing is inserted into an upper housing receiving port and the lower pin housing is inserted into a lower housing receiving port so that the electrical connector is mated to the casing of the electronic device.

Abstract: An improved hand-held computing device is provided. The hand-held computing device includes a slidably retractable keyboard and battery compartment cover having a pair of elongate slide members extending from opposing edges of the cover. The slide members extend into a casing of the hand-held computing device for attaching the cover to the computing device. Each of the elongate slide members has a detent defined along a forward portion of the slide member for engaging a detent catch disposed in the interior of the casing for retaining the slide members from exiting from the casing and separating from the casing when the cover is retracted to an open position. A pair of ball assemblies is provided for allowing the slide members to slidably insert into and retract from the casing. The battery compartment includes an interior battery cover for closing the battery recess to prevent the battery from dislodging from the battery recess when the keyboard and battery compartment cover is in an open position.

Abstract: An improved battery pack is provided for powering a hand-held portable electronic device such as a wireless telephone, hand-held personal computer, or personal digital assistant. The battery pack includes a generally rectangular battery cell where the battery cell has an upper surface and a lower surface, a length, a width and a thickness suitable for insertion into a hand-held portable device. The battery pack includes a battery cell casing for enclosing an outer perimeter of the battery cell, and the casing has a width equal to the thickness of the battery cell. A first locking latch of a pair of locking latches is defined along a first side of the battery cell casing and a second locking latch of the pair of locking latches is defined along a second side of the battery cell opposite the first locking latch.

Abstract: An electrical connector and a USB connector are provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing having an upper pin housing and a lower pin housing. A stereo plug that protrudes from a front surface of the main connector housing lies between the inner surface of the lower pin housing and the inner surface of the upper pin housing. The electrical connector is adapted to connect to a jack. The upper pin housing and the lower pin housing are adapted to connectively engage a forward plug port housing of the jack. The jack is mounted within the casing of an electronic device such as a hand-held personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a wireless telephone, or a paging device. When the electrical connector is connected to the jack, the upper pin housing is inserted into an upper housing receiving port and the lower pin housing is inserted into a lower housing receiving port so that the electrical connector is mated to the casing of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electrical connector and a USB connector are provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing having an upper pin housing and a lower pin housing. A stereo plug that protrudes from a front surface of the main connector housing lies between the inner surface of the lower pin housing and the inner surface of the upper pin housing. The electrical connector is adapted to connect to a jack. The upper pin housing and the lower pin housing are adapted to connectively engage a forward plug port housing of the jack. The jack is mounted within the casing of an electronic device such as a hand-held personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a wireless telephone, or a paging device. When the electrical connector is connected to the jack, the upper pin housing is inserted into an upper housing receiving port and the lower pin housing is inserted into a lower housing receiving port so that the electrical connector is mated to the casing of the electronic device.

Abstract: An ergonomic pointing device, such as a mouse, includes a wheel to provide an input signal in addition to X and Y position signals provided by a rotatable ball of a standard mouse. The wheel extends from an upper surface of the pointing device and may be rotated and depressed by the finger of the user, the wheel being positioned and configured to allow a user to activate the wheel while maintaining a finger in a biomechanically neutral position. The wheel and associated structure, as well as the forces required to rotate and depress the wheel, are configured to reduce inadvertent actuation and to provide a user with tactile feedback, thereby allowing the user to accurately and intuitively activate the pointing device without exceeding an acceptable extension and range of motion for the user's finger and wrist. The mouse is coupled to a computer having a visual display device.