Abstract: A circuit assembly (1800) includes a first circuit substrate (1200) defining a first major face (1201) and a second circuit substrate (1500) defining a second major face (1502). A plurality of electrical components (1203,1204,1205) can be disposed on one or more of the first major face or the second major face. One or more substrate bridging members (1301,1302,1303,1304) are disposed between the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate. Each substrate bridging member can define a unitary structure having a first end bonded to the first major face and a second end bonded to the second major face to bridge the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate.

Abstract: A circuit assembly (1800) includes a first circuit substrate (1200) defining a first major face (1201) and a second circuit substrate (1500) defining a second major face (1502). A plurality of electrical components (1203,1204,1205) can be disposed on one or more of the first major face or the second major face. One or more substrate bridging members (1301,1302,1303,1304) are disposed between the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate. Each substrate bridging member can define a unitary structure having a first end bonded to the first major face and a second end bonded to the second major face to bridge the first circuit substrate and the second circuit substrate.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) with a customizable key pad assembly. The method (300) can provide the steps of: providing (310) a wireless communication device; connecting (320) a side pad module to the wireless communication device; and coupling (330) an end cap module to the wireless communication device. Advantageously, the method (300) provides an automated, modular and simplified method to assemble a wireless communication device.

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via respective point to point communication paths, where the point to point communication path is maintained while the multiple housing elements of the device move relative to one another. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, the point to point communication paths correspond to channels formed between the multiple housing elements, which in some instances may be at least partially recessed within one or both of the housing elements. In some instances the channels may traverse free space. In still further instances the channel may include a light pipe.

Abstract: An electronic device [200] includes a housing [100] for containing circuitry [205] that generates a light beam. The electronic device includes pivotal portions [105, 110] of the housing. A light receiver [245] is associated with one of the housing pivotal portions. A light redirecting mechanism [215] is mounted at a predetermined location of the housing other than to the one pivotal portion thereof and is configured to redirect the light beam in a plurality of predetermined optical paths in which the light receiver is disposed with relative pivoting between the housing pivotal portions.

Abstract: An optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device (100) is provided. The first housing and the second housing are adapted to move relative to one another between a plurality of usage positions. The optical communication system includes a first optical communication element (202), a second optical communication element (204), and an optical waveguide (206). The first optical communication element is capable of emitting light and can be coupled to one of the first and second housing. The second optical communication element is capable of receiving the light and can be coupled to the housing to which the first optical communication element is not coupled. The optical waveguide is capable of conveying the light emitted by the first to the second optical communication element. The second optical communication element can substantially encompass a locus of the output light.

Abstract: An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Abstract: An electronic device [200] includes a housing [100] for containing circuitry [205] that generates a light beam. The electronic device includes pivotal portions [105, 110] of the housing. A light receiver [245] is associated with one of the housing pivotal portions. A light redirecting mechanism [215] is mounted at a predetermined location of the housing other than to the one pivotal portion thereof and is configured to redirect the light beam in a plurality of predetermined optical paths in which the light receiver is disposed with relative pivoting between the housing pivotal portions.

Abstract: An optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device (100) is provided. The first housing and the second housing are adapted to move relative to one another between a plurality of usage positions. The optical communication system includes a first optical communication element (202), a second optical communication element (204), and an optical waveguide (206). The first optical communication element is capable of emitting light and can be coupled to one of the first and second housing. The second optical communication element is capable of receiving the light and can be coupled to the housing to which the first optical communication element is not coupled. The optical waveguide is capable of conveying the light emitted by the first to the second optical communication element. The second optical communication element can substantially encompass a locus of the output light.

Abstract: An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via respective point to point communication paths, where the point to point communication path is maintained while the multiple housing elements of the device move relative to one another. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, the point to point communication paths correspond to channels formed between the multiple housing elements, which in some instances may be at least partially recessed within one or both of the housing elements. In some instances the channels may traverse free space. In still further instances the channel may include a light pipe.

Abstract: A strip to point optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device is provided. The strip to point optical communication system (200) includes a point optical communication element (202) that is capable of receiving the light. The point optical communication element (202) is coupled to either the first housing (102) or the second housing (104). The strip to point optical communication system (200) also includes a strip optical communication element (204) that is coupled to either the first housing (102) or the second housing (104) to which the point optical communication element (202) is not coupled. The length of the strip optical communication element (204) corresponds to the travel distance of the first housing (102) and the second housing (104). The strip optical communication element (204) is located to coincide with a travel path of the point optical communication element (202).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices in a battery powered electronic device (202) for hot swapping batteries, the battery powered electronic device having a battery holder (210) with a first connector (203) and a second connector (205), and having a first battery (204) in contact with both the first connector (203) and the second connector (205). The method includes maintaining power to the device from a first battery (706). The method also includes partially moving the first battery out of the battery holder in a predetermined direction to break contact with the first connector (712) while maintaining contact with the second connector (714). The method further includes partially inserting a second battery into the battery holder in the predetermined direction so that the second battery is received by the battery holder and makes contact with the first connector (712). In another embodiment the method includes charging one or another battery through the first connector or the second connector.

Abstract: A portable device includes a speaker with an active vent fed by a front of a speaker diaphragm and a larger passive vent fed by a rear of the speaker diaphragm. The outputs of the active and passive vents are acoustically coupled to respective active and passive ports, coupled together outside of the housing within an ear placement region for a user of the portable electronic device to obtain a more uniform frequency response from the speaker configuration over a larger region of a user's ear placement possibilities than would be available with the active vent alone. This is accomplished by a close acoustic coupling of the ports in combination with diverse porting of active and passive acoustic signals. The passive path also serves to relieve pressure near a user's ear to improve signal quality.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect apparatus (503) comprises a housing (500), an electrically conductive contact (209) and an electrically conductive spring member (211). The housing (500) has an electrically insulative outer layer (602) and an electrically conductive inner layer (603). The electrically conductive contact (209) includes a protrusion (311) having an edge (317) and partially displaced from a plane (307) of the contact (209) at an acute angle. The electrically conductive spring member (211), coupled to the electrically conductive contact (209), biases the electrically conductive contact (209) towards the housing (500) in a manner such that the edge (317) of the protrusion (311) extends through the electrically insulative outer layer (602) and into the electrically conductive inner layer (603) to form an electrical interconnection between the electrically conductive contact (209) and the electrically conductive inner layer (603).

Abstract: An apparatus provides an electrical connection (113) between an RF shield (109) and a printed circuit board (115) in a radio communication device (100). A spring member (211), having a free end (209), extends laterally from the RF shield (109). The free end (209) includes an edge (317) formed by the angular displacement of a triangular portion (315) from a bottom surface (307) of the free end (209). The flexible nature of the spring member (211), under load, drives the free end (209) into the printed circuit board (115) such that the edge (317) is imbedded into solder (205) disposed on a conductive circuit (207) on the printed circuit board (115).

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a communication device, such as a radiotelephone (100), has within its housing (106) an apparatus for electrically coupling an electroacoustic transducer (201), such as an earpiece, to radiotelephone circuitry (403). The apparatus comprises resilient conductive means, for example conductive barrel springs (213-216), abutting both the conductive contacts on the earpiece (214, 243) and the corresponding conductive contacts on a printed circuit substrate (205, 208, and 206, 207). A bracket (211) manually attached to the printed circuit substrate (203) positions the conductive barrel springs (213-216) while they are compressed between the earpiece (201) and the printed circuit substrate (203) during the assembly of the radiotelephone (100). A plurality of barrel springs (213-216) are used to provide redundant electrical coupling and stability for the earpiece (201). The apparatus advantageously provides for improved manufacturability and convenient replaceability of the earpiece (201).