Abstract: An electronic device includes a frame having a frame member with a frame connector. The frame defines a component cavity. The electronic device also includes a user interface coupled to the frame that is visible external of the frame, with the user interlace displaying data to an operator. A user input is coupled to the frame member and includes a terminal electrically coupled to the frame connector. A circuit board is received in the component cavity and is operably coupled to the user interface. The circuit board is electrically connected to the frame connector at a separable interface. The user input can pick up a signal from anywhere on the electronic device based on an action of touching, handling or placing and process that signal to cause a predetermined effect. The signal from the user input is transferred to the user interface via the frame connector and the circuit board.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a frame having a frame member with a frame connector. The frame defines a component cavity. The electronic device also includes a user interface coupled to the frame that is visible external of the frame, with the user interlace displaying data to an operator. A user input is coupled to the frame member and includes a terminal electrically coupled to the frame connector. A circuit board is received in the component cavity and is operably coupled to the user interface. The circuit board is electrically connected to the frame connector at a separable interface. The user input can pick up a signal from anywhere on the electronic device based on an action of touching, handling or placing and process that signal to cause a predetermined effect. The signal from the user input is transferred to the user interface via the frame connector and the circuit board.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing participants within a group conversation on a wireless communication network to at least temporarily break away from a group conversation and hold a side bar conversation. The side bar conversation may comprise several different types, including a public conversation (much like the original group conversation) or may constitute a private conversation (much like a standard phone call) or private text messaging or data exchange. A group conversation user wishing to hold the side bar conversation uses his user interface to alert other group conversation user(s) with whom he would like to hold the side bar conversation. Either the initiating user or the recipient user(s) can recommend the type of side bar conversation to be had using their user interfaces.

Abstract: A ceramic filter (100) is disclosed. The filter (100) has a filter body comprising a dielectric material having a plurality of surfaces with each surface having a plurality of metallized through holes extending through the dielectric material defining a first series of resonators (102) in a first plane and a plurality of second metallized through holes in a different plane and extending transversely with relation to the first, defining a second series of resonators (104). The filter (100) also has a metallization layer substantially coating all surfaces of the filter (100) with the exception that a portion of the surface surrounding each resonator is left unmetallized, and a coupling structure (108) for coupling electrical signals into and out of filter (100).

Abstract: A ceramic bandpass filter (10) with improved input/output isolation can be surface mounted. Input/output pads (18 and 2) through which electrical signals pass are located on one surface of a block of dielectric material (12) to permit use of the so-called surface mount manufacturing techniques. Slots in the sides of the block that preferably run between the input-output pads can reduce coupling between the input/output pads and permit adjustment of high-side transmission zeroes by changing the dimensions of the slots. No wired connections to the ceramic bandpass filter block are required.

Abstract: Surface acoustic wave devices (160) as well as other electronic devices, can be mounted into the sides of ceramic blocks (150) that comprise a ceramic block filter device. The surface acoustic wave device as mounted in the filter block does not require or displace volume that would be required to mount the surface acoustic wave devices in their own housings.

Abstract: A ceramic filter (10) can be surface mounted. Input/output pads (18 and 20) through which electrical signals pass are located on one surface of a block of dielectric material (12) to permit use of the so-called surface mount manufacturing techniques. No wired connections to the ceramic bandpass filter block are required.

Abstract: A dielectric block filter construction having resonating cavities formed therein to form one half wave-wavelength resonators thereby. The resonating cavities span opposing side surfaces of the dielectric block forming the dielectric block filter to define openings at the opposing side surfaces. Outer surfaces of the dielectric block, including the opposing side surfaces having the openings defined thereat, are coated with an electrically-conductive material except for portions of one side surface of the dielectric block about peripheral surfaces of input and output couplers formed on the one surface. Because the opposing outer surfaces are coated with the electrically-conductive material, the opposing outer surfaces of the dielectric block are self-shielding to prevent propagation of electromagnetic radiation through openings defined by the resonating cavities of the dielectric block.

Abstract: A duplexer for a radio transceiver is disclosed in which two volumes of dielectric material each have at least two holes and each is covered with a conductive material except for one surface. An electrode on the one surface of each volume is coupled to one of the holes and is coupled to a substrate via a terminal passing through a mounting device. The substrate provides coupling between the terminals of the two volumes and a common antenna.

Abstract: A multiresonator dielectric block filter is disclosed in which capacitive coupling between resonators disposed in the dielectric block is controlled by an electrode strip coupled to the conductive material covering the majority of the dielectric block surface. The electrode strip extends at least partially between two adjacent resonators to control the capacitive coupling between the resonators.

Abstract: A dielectric block filter which may be mounted on a printed circuit board or other substrate as a single component is disclosed. The dielectric filter utilizes metalized hole resonators having coupling characteristics determined by the metalization pattern on one surface of the dielectric block. Input and output coupling is accomplished via terminals asymmetrically arranged in a mounting bracket. Mounting tabs on the bracket opposite a recessed area holding the dielectric block secure the filter to the circuit board and provide ground connection for the filter.

Abstract: A multiresonator dielectric block filter is disclosed in which capacitive coupling between foreshortened resonators disposed in the dielectric block is controlled by an electrode strip coupled to the conductive material covering the majority of the dielectric block surface. The electrode strip extends at least partially between two adjacent resonators to control the capacitive coupling between the resonators.

Abstract: An interdigital microstrip transmission line filter (100) includes three electrically conductive strips (104, 106 and 108) each coupled to grounded portions (110 and 120) on one end and coupled to respective capacitive loading pads (112, 116 and 114) on the other end. Input and output pads (130 and 140) may be coupled to signals from other circuitry located off or on the same substrate (150). Grounded portion (110) extends between capacitive loading pads (112 and 114) for minimizing undesired coupling between non-adjacent strips (104 and 108). As a result, the unique microstrip filter (100) has a frequency response that is substantially devoid of passband transmission zeros.

Abstract: A unique RF signal combining/sorting apparatus is disclosed that includes first and second filters each comprised of one or more bandstop/bandpass filters intercoupled by transmission lines. The bandstop/bandpass filters include a shunt inductor or capacitor and a dielectric block having an input electrode plated on its top surface and a hole located at predetermined distance from the input electrode. The dielectric material is preferably a ceramic comprised of BaO, TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2. The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver except for a portion of the top surface surrounding the hole and electrode and is essentially a capacitively coupled, short-circuited coaxial transmission line. Each of the first and second filters is tuned to pass the frequencies of one signal and attenuate the frequencies of the signal passed by the other. The unique RF signal combining/sorting apparatus can be configured as a multi-signal combiner, multi-signal sorter, or multi-signal combiner/sorter.

Abstract: A unique ceramic bandpass filter is disclosed that is comprised of a dielectric block having one or more holes extending from its top surface to its bottom surface and further having input and output electrodes each disposed on the dielectric block at a predetermined distance from a corresponding hole. The dielectric material is preferably a ceramic comprised of BaO, TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2. If there is only one hole in the dielectric block, the input and output electrodes may be arranged around that hole. If there are two or more holes in the dielectric block, one electrode may be located near the hole at one end and the other electrode may be located near the hole at the opposite end of the dielectric block. The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver with the exception of portions near each hole and the input and output electrodes. Each plated hole is essentially a coaxial resonator.

Abstract: An embodiment of a unique ceramic bandstop filter is comprised of a dielectric plate having an input electrode disposed centrally on the top surface thereof and a dielectric block fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the plate and having a hole opposite the input electrode. The dielectric material is preferably a ceramic comprised of BaO, TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2. The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver except for a portion of the top surface surrounding the hole and is essentially a short-circuited coaxial transmission line. In another embodiment of the unique ceramic bandstop filter, a dielectric block has a hole extending between top and bottom surfaces thereof and an input electrode plated on the top surface near the hole. The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver except for a portion of the top surface surrounding the input electrode and hole.

Abstract: An embodiment of a unique ceramic bandstop filter is comprised of a dielectric plate having an input electrode disposed centrally on the top surface thereof and a dielectric block fixedly attached to the bottom surface of the plate and having a hole opposite the input electrode. The dielectric material is preferably a ceramic comprised of BaO, TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2 : The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver except for a portion of the top surface surrounding the hole and is essentially a short-circuited coaxial transmission line. In another embodiment of the unique ceramic bandstop filter, a dielectric block has a hole extending between top and bottom surfaces thereof and an input electrode plated on the top surface near the hole. The dielectric block is entirely plated with copper or silver except for a portion of the top surface surrounding the input electrode and hole.