Abstract: The disclosure provides a navigation assembly having a compact design that reduces a depth dimension in a z-direction or along a z-axis that is substantially perpendicular to a front face of a mobile communication device. The navigation assembly includes an optical lens unitarily formed with a cover, the cover having an upper surface that receives user inputs thereon and a lower surface that receives the optical lens. A sensor array is provided in optical communication with the optical lens and a coupling structure is provided to mechanically couple the optical lens and the sensor array. The cover overlays a gap formed between the navigation assembly and adjacent keys to prevent contaminants such as liquids, dust, lint, or the like, from entering an interior of the mobile communication device. The cover also includes a decorative ring that defines a tracking window and outlines a perimeter of the underlying sensor arrays.

Abstract: A user input device, a portable electronic device including the user input device, and an operating method therefor, manages multiple modes of the user input device based on detected force and direction of tilt. The user input device includes a base member with top surface. A sensor touchpad module is disposed above the top surface of the base member. A plurality of pressure sensors is disposed between the base member and the sensor touchpad module. A processor manages a set of user input modes based on whether at least one of a first set of signals associated with a first user input mode and a second set of signals associated with a second user input mode has been detected.

Abstract: A surface mountable navigation device with tactile response includes a flexible coupling component and a navigation sensor. The flexible coupling component can be a flexible printed circuit having a first end and a second end. The flexible coupling component can be folded at least partially on itself so that the first end is above the second end. The first end of the flexible coupling component can be coupled to the navigation sensor. The second end of the flexible coupling component can be coupled to a circuit board of an electronic device. The second end can have a plurality of conductor pads adapted to electrically couple the navigation sensor to the circuit board. As the flexible coupling component can be folded onto itself, the navigation device requires less space within the interior of the electronic device.

Abstract: An input device includes an electrical isolator disposed on a base, the electrical isolator comprising at least a first element extending away from the base. A first actuator is disposed on the base and on a first side of the first element and is configured to provide first tactile feedback. A second actuator is disposed on the base and on a second side of the first element and is configured to provide second tactile feedback. A touch sensor is disposed with the first actuator and the second actuator and is arranged to provide touch data such that input is provided based on the touch data.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method in an electronic device provide for controlling a camera, wherein the camera can selectively operate in a first focus mode and in a second focus mode. The first focus mode is initially selected. In response to detecting a state of the electronic device, the second focus mode is selected. The first focus mode can be an autofocus mode. The second focus mode can be an extended depth of field mode, wherein software processing is used to extend the focus range of the camera. The detected state of the electronic device can be a previous user selection, a low power mode, or a continued request for taking photographs following taking a photograph in the autofocus mode.

Abstract: The technology provides a mobile communication device having separable components, including a control module configured for only short-range wireless communication and a docking station module configured for both long-range wireless communication and short-range wireless communication. The control module includes a touch-sensitive display, a short-range wireless transceiver and a processor that electrically couples the touch-sensitive display and the short-range wireless transceiver. The docking station module includes a docking area that receives the control module, a docking short-range wireless transceiver configured to communicate with the control module, a long-range wireless transceiver that is configured to communicate with a. long-range network and a docking processor that electrically couples the docking short-range wireless transceiver and the long-range wireless transceiver. The technology provides a sleek light-weight control module having full functionality of the docking station module.

Abstract: A grounding connector for an electronic device having a first housing element and a second housing element comprising a ground clip, a cam surface and a follower. The ground clip is electrically coupled to a first housing element, and selectably electrically coupled with the second housing element. A cam surface is positioned on the first housing element and in proximity to the ground clip. The follower is slidably positionable on the second housing element, and has a first end that engages the cam surface and a second end that engages the ground clip. The ground clip is electrically coupled to a second housing element while the electronic device is in each of the collapsed orientation and the articulated orientation. Upon movement between the collapsed orientation and the articulated orientation, the cam surface directs the follower to electrically decouple the ground clip from the second housing element.

Abstract: A grounding connector for an electronic device having a first housing element and a second housing element comprising a ground clip, a cam surface and a follower. The ground clip is electrically coupled to a first housing element, and selectably electrically coupled with the second housing element. A cam surface is positioned on the first housing element and in proximity to the ground clip. The follower is slidably positionable on the second housing element, and has a first end that engages the cam surface and a second end that engages the ground clip. The ground clip is electrically coupled to a second housing element while the electronic device is in each of the collapsed orientation and the articulated orientation. Upon movement between the collapsed orientation and the articulated orientation, the cam surface directs the follower to electrically decouple the ground clip from the second housing element.

Abstract: A pour spout is provided for dispensing liquid from a fluid carrying vessel such as a liquor bottle. The pour spout includes an insertable member configured to engage an internal surface of the bottle neck and form a liquid tight seal therewith. An external spout extends from the insertable member for directing the flow of liquid out of the vessel. Within the pour spout, an internal flow channel extends through both the insertable member and the external spout, the flow channel forming a nozzle aperture at the end of the external spout allowing liquid contained within the vessel to flow through the spout. Finally, a sealable cap is operably attached to the external spout. The cap may be operated between an open and a closed position, wherein in the open position, liquid can flow through the cap, and in the closed position, an air tight seal is formed over the end of the spout.

Abstract: A circuitized electrical cable having a flat cable having a stripped portion exposing conductors of the cable and having a circuit board mounted to the stripped portion wherein the conductive fingers at a first edge of the circuit board are soldered directly to the correspondingly oriented conductors of the cable. The circuit board may include componentry in order to provide for altered signal transmission of the signal lines of the cable such as for signal line termination. The circuit board may include a second edge having a beam having conductive fingers adhered thereto and the circuit board may be inserted within a housing having a shroud protruding therefrom surrounding the beam in order to provide for a male I/O connector electrically connected to conductors of the electrical cable.

Abstract: A feed-thru IDC terminator is provided for simultaneously terminating a bus and connecting a bus to a peripheral device. A first end of the feed-thru connector includes IDC contacts and a second end of the feed-thru connector includes feed-thru contacts and a printed circuit board is mounted therebetween having termination circuitry thereon.