Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display-input apparatus (108) for displaying alternate character sets, in correspondence with a selected mode of operation of the device. The display-input apparatus uses first and second cholesteric display layers (302, 304) to display the different character sets. Each cholesteric display layer displays a different character set when active. When not active, the cholesteric display layer is rendered transparent.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a display-input apparatus (108) for displaying alternate character sets, in correspondence with a selected mode of operation of the device. The display-input apparatus uses first and second cholesteric display layers (302, 304) to display the different character sets. Each cholesteric display layer displays a different character set when active. When not active, the cholesteric display layer is rendered transparent.

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising a body portion (110) and a display portion (130) that is rotatably connected to the body portion. A switch (160,161, 162, 163,164) is operable to reverse the modes of the inner (141) and outer (142) bistable clear-reflective layers in response to rotation of the display portion (130) with respect to the body portion (110).

Abstract: A hinge assembly (2100) includes a hinge body (2102) made of two hinge body halves (900). Each hinge body half is identical so that only one part need be manufactured, and two of them used to form the hinge body. Each hinge body half has a first leg (902) that is longer than a second leg (904). The first leg has a retaining lip (912) at the end which forms a retaining feature. Each leg of the hinge body defines an axis of rotation for the body elements (104, 106). A portion (1508) of a flexible circuit board (1506) is captured between the hinge body halves so as to electrically interconnect circuitry placed in each body element. A detent mechanism is provided to hold the body element in preselected positions with respect to each other, and includes a spring (2106), a cam (2108) and a cap (2110) having cam follower features (2118). The cam is held in place with respect to the body element housing, while the cap is fixed in position with respect to the hinge body.

Abstract: A communication device (100) comprising a body portion (110) and a display portion (130) that is rotatably connected to the body portion. A switch (160,161, 162, 163,164) is operable to reverse the modes of the inner (141) and outer (142) bistable clear-reflective layers in response to rotation of the display portion (130) with respect to the body portion (110).

Abstract: A hinge assembly (2100) includes a hinge body (2102) made of two hinge body halves (900). Each hinge body half is identical so that only one part need be manufactured, and two of them used to form the hinge body. Each hinge body half has a first leg (902) that is longer than a second leg (904). The first leg has a retaining lip (912) at the end which forms a retaining feature. Each leg of the hinge body defines an axis of rotation for the body elements (104, 106). A portion (1508) of a flexible circuit board (1506) is captured between the hinge body halves so as to electrically interconnect circuitry placed in each body element. A detent mechanism is provided to hold the body element in preselected positions with respect to each other, and includes a spring (2106), a cam (2108) and a cap (2110) having cam follower features (2118). The cam is held in place with respect to the body element housing, while the cap is fixed in position with respect to the hinge body.

Abstract: A piezoelectric active-mode incrementor switch system (100) includes two ratchet wheels (118, 124) that are rotationally mounted on a drive shaft (112) having a knob (102). The ratchet wheels (118, 128) form a slipping clutch with their respective drive wheels (116, 128) which are rigidly mounted to the drive shaft and mechanically loaded with spring (120). The ratchet wheels (118, 124) are mounted inversely to each other on the drive shaft (112) and make contact with their respective cantilever beams (114, 136) which each have a piezoelectric film. In operation, the switch (100) functions by mechanically stimulating the piezoelectric beams. When the knob (102) is rotated in one direction, only one of the beams (114, 136) is displaced causing a generation of an electrical charge that acts as a signal. The other beam (114 or 136) is prevented from moving and therefore its beam does not produce a signal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric switch (10) is made by laminating one piezoelectric film (16) on the top and a second piezoelectric film (18) on the bottom sides of a stiff central core (14). The central core has one or more actuation areas or poppels (12) formed therein. Each piezoelectric film has an electrically conductive portion (15, 17) formed directly over the actuating area. When the actuating area on the laminate is depressed (11), the piezoelectric films each generate an electric signal that is sent through the electrically conductive portions, thus creating a switching signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell (20) can be constructed to be generally formed in the shape of a solid cylinder. The fuel cell has a porous central core (22) of reticulated vitreous aluminum that is formed in the shape of a solid cylinder. The porous central core serves to distribute oxidant throughout the fuel cell. A cathode (23) is situated coaxially around the porous central core, and has a catalytic layer (24) on the outer side. A solid polymer electrolyte (25) is situated coaxially around the cathode and in intimate contact with the catalytic layer. An anode (27) is situated coaxially around the electrolyte, and a second layer of catalytic material (26) is situated between the electrolyte and the anode. A fuel chamber (28) is situated coaxially around and in intimate contact with the anode and arranged to distribute fuel throughout the fuel cell.

Abstract: A frequency domain switch (100) utilizes an array of cantilevered beams (108) laminated with a piezoelectric material (126). Each of the beams has a unique geometry, and produces a sinusoidal electrical signal in the piezoelectric film that is assignable only to one of the cantilevered beams. When a free end of one of the cantilevered beams is deflected, it produces a signal that is analyzed by suitable circuitry (410-440) to read the position of the switch.

Abstract: An optical switch assembly for a two-way radio has electrical and mechanical subassemblies. The electrical portion consists an IR emitter (12) and a pair of IR receivers (14,16) strategically positioned upon a printed circuit board (10). The mechanical portion consists of a rotatable interposer mechanism (20) interconnected to a knob (35) on the radio via a shaft (28). The interposer has inner (22) and outer (24) concentric cylindrical walls. The outer wall controls the light transmitted between the emitter and one of the receivers (16), ultimately controlling the On-Off state of the radio. The inner wall has an integrated gray-scale graphic which controls the transmission of light between the emitter and the other IR receiver (14), ultimately controlling the audio output of the radio.

Abstract: A control switch for a radio is formed using an electro-mechanical assembly (400) which includes an array of cantilevered beams (402) laminated with piezoelectric film. A movable surface (404) includes protrusions (406) positioned to deflect the cantilevered beams and generate pulsed signals in a coded manner. Electronic circuitry (410) stores the pulsed signals and associates the signals with a position of the switch.

Abstract: A housing assembly (100) for an electronic device includes a first housing portion (102), a second housing portion (104), and a slidable element (106). The first and the second housing portions (102, 104) are configured to mate to form a housing (412). The slidable element (106) is slidably disposed in the housing (412), and is configured to fasten the first and the second housing portions (102, 104) when in a first position and unfasten the first and the second housing portions (102, 104) when in a second position. The housing (412) defines an opening (198) to access a positioning tab (123) of the ridable element (106).

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) includes a first escutcheon (108) and a second escutcheon (110), both of which are removable by a user to alter or customize the cosmetic appearance of the portable communication device according to the user's preference. The first escutcheon (108) includes tabs (156, 158) on an inner surface (122). The tabs engage slots (160, 162) on a housing (112). The tabs and slots are aligned to brace the first escutcheon (108) against impact or other forces. The second escutcheon (110) includes an outer perimeter (204) which nestingly engages an inner perimeter (202) of a recessed portion (200) of the keypad cover. A boss (216) on the second escutcheon (110) engages an aperture (218) defined by the keypad cover (106) to retain the second escutcheon (110) on the keypad cover (106).

Abstract: A base station (102) automatically remotes to a speakerphone mode of operation and connects an incoming call while an external electronic device (104) is simultaneously controlled.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (106) having an optically erasable portion (114) is joined to a substrate (102) such that the optically erasable portion faces the substrate. The substrate (102) includes an aperture (104) that exposes the optically erasable portion (114) of the integrated circuit providing erasing capability to the integrated circuit (106). A plug (110) impermeable to light may be inserted into the aperture (104) to provide a sealed window to the optically erasable portion (114) of the integrated circuit (106).

Abstract: An integrated circuit (106) having an optically erasable portion (114) is joined to a substrate (102) such that the optically erasable portion faces the substrate. The substrate (102) includes an aperture (104) that exposes the optically erasable portion (114) of the integrated circuit providing erasing capability to the integrated circuit (106). A plug (110) impermeable to light may be inserted into the aperture (104) to provide a sealed window to the optically erasable portion (114) of the integrated circuit (106).

Abstract: An integral electric switch, for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprises a main housing and a flap portion, rotatably attached thereto. The main housing contains the electronic apparatus. The flap portion has a hinge cam for rotatably attaching the flap portion to the main housing, so that the flap portion is movable from a defined open position to a closed position with respect to the main body. The main housing comprises a plurality of spring fingers making sliding contact with the hinge cam as the flap portion is rotated from the open position to the closed position thus providing a switching function and electrical connection from the housing to devices contained within the flap.

Abstract: A control and antenna mount assembly (100) includes an antenna mount portion (130) having a top portion (132) for mating to an antenna (142). Assembly (100) also includes an insert member (122), control knob (110) having selector contact (118) and a retainer ring (120) all connected to antenna mount (130), together forming a rotary switch, concentric to antenna mount (130).