Abstract: A housing for a wide angle warning light which is to be integrated with a vehicle exterior mounted rear-view mirror is defined by building up a model on the mirror and using the model to produce a mold which is subsequently utilized to form the housing. The housing is, during the integration procedure, adhesively bonded to the mirror and the light head of the warning light is then mounted on the housing.

Abstract: By monitoring both charge current and the battery voltage (306, 308) the likelihood of overcharging a battery is reduced. Battery voltage is compared to a predetermined limit (310) and the battery goes into trickle charge if the predetermined limit is exceeded (312), but now by also determining if a positive delta in charge current has occurred (314), the charger can trickle charge the battery (312) even if the cutoff voltage is never exceeded.

Abstract: A communication apparatus (100) includes an automatically configured multimode talk switch (154). The communication apparatus (100) can be operated in a simplex communication mode, for receive or transmit operations, and a duplex communication mode, for simultaneous receive and transmit operations. The switch (154) is automatically configured as a push-to-talk momentary switch when the communication apparatus operates in the simplex communication mode (232, 235), and automatically configured as an on-hook/off-hook switch, when the communication apparatus operates in the duplex communication mode (242,245).

Abstract: An integrally formed ported reflex horn comprises an outer housing having a plurality of side walls disposed about a central axis, an open discharge end and a second closed end, oppositely disposed to the open end. The horn also includes a compression driver reception member, for rigidly maintaining a conventional compression driver within the hollow interior of the horn housing, and sound wave guide structure which defines a plurality of ports and a divider for splitting sound waves exiting the throat of the compression driver into a plurality of constituent sound waves of substantially equal sound pressure levels. The constituent sound waves are redirected toward the housing open end as they travel through respective ports and are recombined into a single wave front after exiting the ports upstream of the housing open end.

Abstract: A heatsink assembly (100) provides additional heat dissipation for a high-power integrated circuit package (102) contained within a communication product housing (130). There is an integral heatsink (104) protruding from the package. The heatsink frictionally mates with the first end (108) of a thermally conductive member (106). The second end (110) of the conductive member is magnetically-coupled to the rear surface (123) of a loudspeaker magnet (122). Tabs (111) extending away from the second end of the conductive member provide added mechanical support, preventing the second end from sliding against the rear surface of the magnet. Heat generated by the high-power device is transferred from the package heatsink, via the thermally conductive member, to the loudspeaker magnet such that heat is dissipated away from the package and toward the magnet.

Abstract: Available battery life of a rechargeable battery is assessed and indicated to a user (300). A temporary load is switched onto a fully charged battery (304, 308) and voltage measurements are taken in both unloaded and loaded conditions (306, 310). The battery's internal impedance is determined (312) based on the measured voltages and is compared to a predetermined threshold (314). The predetermined threshold is set based on a value representing a selected minimum available capacity of the battery. An indicator alerts the user as to the status (316, 318) of the available battery life of the battery.

Abstract: A battery charging system (200) is capable of maintaining a fully charged battery (202) without overcharging or undercharging the battery regardless of the operating mode of the radio (204). Charging system (200) includes a charger (202) which senses the capacity of the battery (206) through a capacity resistor (224) at a capacity sense terminal (244). The charger (202) also senses the radio current through the same capacity sense terminal (244) using a current sensing device (226). Charger (202) continuously compensates for the current drain presented by the radio (204).

Abstract: A self-latching antenna field coupler (120) includes two housing members (210, 230). One of the housing members (230) is movable, relative to the other housing member (210), between a first position to define an antenna receiving channel (222), and a second position to define a secured antenna chamber (322). A latch actuator (250) is mechanically coupled to the movable housing member (230), to automatically effect movement of the movable housing member (230) from the first position to the second position when an antenna (195) is received in the antenna receiving channel (222).

Abstract: A tilt switch assembly (100) includes a hall-effect device (102) for determining if a magnet (110) which is placed within a housing (112) has tilted a predetermined amount causing the hall-effect device to actuate. In another embodiment of the invention (300), a movable magnetic filed concentrator (306) which moves in response to switch assembly (300) being tilted causes a tilt condition signal to be generated when the switch assembly (300) is tilted a predetermined amount. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a magnet (502) is stored within a cavity area which allows for the magnet to tilt when the switch assembly (500) is tilted a predetermined amount. Once the magnet (502) becomes tilted, a tilt condition signal is generated.

Abstract: Supply of energy to a radio device (220) as provided by a battery pack (210) is remotely controlled by coupling a transistor switch (213) between an energy source (212) within the battery pack (210) and battery terminals (222 and 224). The transistor switch (213) is controlled by a control signal (238) which is applied to the battery (210) through a control terminal (217) disposed on the battery.

Abstract: A battery charger for charging a battery (4) for a radio (12), is provided having two terminals (6 and 8). A charging circuit (24 and 26) has a controllable parameter for charging the battery (4). An operational mode detector (30) is coupled to the two terminals (6 and 8) for detecting an operational mode of the radio. A control circuit (22) is coupled to the operational mode detector (30) and to the charging circuit (24 and 26) for controlling the controllable parameter in response to the operational mode detected.

Abstract: A simplex radio-accessories interface connector (30) connects the simplex radio (10) having a speaker amplifier (102) and a push-to-talk (PTT) detector (103) to accessories which include an earpiece speaker (107) and a PTT switch (110). The connector (30) has a first connector mating assembly (25a-d and 84a-d) for coupling the connector (30) to the radio (10) and a second connector mating assembly (44a-c and 48a-c) for coupling the connector (30) to the accessories. Inside the connector (30), a receive audio line (104a) couples the speaker amplifier (102) to the earpiece speaker (107) and a PTT detect line (122) couples the PTT detector (103) to the PTT switch (110). At the second connector mating assembly (44a-c and 48a-c), the receive audio (104a) and the PTT detect (122) lines are combined (44a and 48a).

Abstract: The alert circuit includes a minimum number of inexpensive descrete electronic components to provide a flashing alert when battery voltage drops below a predetermined trigger voltage. A single unijunction transistor circuit functions as a combination low voltage detector and oscillator to output periodic pulses to an LED annunciator circuit when battery voltage is low.