Abstract: A portable communication device (100) comprises a first housing element (202) and a second housing element (204), wherein the second housing element (204) is movingly connected to the first housing element (202) such that the second housing element (202) is settable to substantially three positions. A sensor (112) coupled to the first housing element (202) and the second housing element (204) produces a position signal to indicate the position of the second housing element (204) relative to the first housing element (202), and an activation element (230) produces an activation signal in response to a user input. A controller (106) operates the portable communication device (100) in one of a standby mode, a private-mode, and a speakerphone mode in response to the position signal and the activation signal.

Abstract: A portable radio telephone is adapted to provide handsfree operation and adapted to be held against a user's ear to provide private operation. A housing of the portable radio telephone has an ear placement region on a front surface thereof. A speaker is disposed in the housing behind the ear placement region. The ear placement region is adapted to be held against a user's ear to provide private operation creating a first air volume between the user's ear and the ear placement region. In a preferred embodiment, an air path between the first air volume to a second air volume at the back surface of the housing includes at least a first port positioned within the ear placement region, an air cavity within the housing, and at least a second port positioned at a back surface of the housing.

Abstract: The radio frequency (RF) shielding method uses RF shield clips. The RF shield clips have a base and two walls. The base is shaped to form two stabilizing legs for providing vertical stability. The two walls extend upward from the base, each wall has a portion flanged outward for accepting a portion of a RF shield. Each of the walls has multiple inwardly protruding domes for providing point contact to the RF shield.

Abstract: An electronic device employs a method and apparatus for shielding an electrical circuit (101) that is disposed on a substrate (120). A base member (103) that includes a top portion (104) and a plurality of side portions (105) is electrically coupled to a receptacle area (121) of the substrate (120) such that the plurality of side portions (105) substantially encircle the electrical circuit (101). The top portion (104) of the base member (103) includes a plurality of tab members (108) interposed with a plurality of receptacle openings (109). A substantially planar cover (102) that includes a plurality of protrusions (111) is positioned adjacent to the top portion (104) of the base member (103) such that each protrusion (111) is positioned within a corresponding receptacle opening (109). The cover (102) is then urged until each protrusion (111) interlocks with a corresponding tab member (108) to substantially enclose and, thus, shield the electrical circuit (101).

Abstract: A support assembly, and associated method, for permitting a reduced-sized, card member to be received by a standard-sized, card reader assembly of a radio telephone. The support assembly is comprised of a frame formed of a standard-sized, card member having a through-hole extending therethrough. The through-hole is of dimensions corresponding to the card member of the reduced dimensions. A thin, support sheet covers a portion of an opening formed by the through-hole on a top surface of the frame to form a front joist thereby, and the thin, support sheet is folded about an edge of the frame similarly to form a rear joist over an opening formed upon a bottom face surface of the frame by the through-hole. The front joist and the rear joist together form a pocket for supporting the card member of the reduced dimensions within the through-hole.

Abstract: A keypad apparatus for a radio telephone has the keypad circuit (200) inked onto the lightpipe (105), thereby, allowing freedom in designing the shape of the keypad (103) and reducing the amount of circuitry required on the main circuit board (109) contained within the housing (107) of the radiotelephone.

Abstract: A heat sink assembly for a plurality of transistors includes specially-formed spring clips and a specially-formed heat sink to hold the transistors firmly on the heat sink, and a lead protector that mates with the heat sink to receive and protect the leads of the transistors during handling. The lead protector and the heat sink include integrally-formed fastener/alignment pins for aligning the lead protector with the heat sink, and for aligning the completed heat sink assembly with a circuit board and for holding the assembly securely fastened to the circuit board. A particular feature of the lead protector permits it to mate with heat sink in a first discrete position in which it receives and protects the transistor leads, and to more closely mate with the heat sink in a second discrete position in which the transistor leads pass through the lead protector and into target holes in the circuit board.