Abstract: A ceiling mount for a security camera includes a back end located in a ceiling space when the ceiling mount is mounted, a front end located below the ceiling when the ceiling mount is mounted, and a spring-loaded clamp to clamp the ceiling mount to the ceiling. The spring-loaded clamp includes a spring connected to a force application member. The clamp can be locked in a loaded state before the mounting process begins. When in the loaded state the spring in the clamp is sufficiently deflected to allow the ceiling to pass between the front end and the force application member. During mounting, once the back end has been pushed into the ceiling space the clamp can be released from the loaded state, which allows the spring to push the force application member against the ceiling and secure the ceiling mount to the ceiling.

Abstract: A ceiling mount for a security camera includes a back end located in a ceiling space when the ceiling mount is mounted, a front end located below the ceiling when the ceiling mount is mounted, and a spring-loaded clamp to clamp the ceiling mount to the ceiling. The spring-loaded clamp includes a spring connected to a force application member. The clamp can be locked in a loaded state before the mounting process begins. When in the loaded state the spring in the clamp is sufficiently deflected to allow the ceiling to pass between the front end and the force application member. During mounting, once the back end has been pushed into the ceiling space the clamp can be released from the loaded state, which allows the spring to push the force application member against the ceiling and secure the ceiling mount to the ceiling.

Abstract: A battery drawer for a cordless telephone or other apparatus that operates from both regular AC power and battery power and that has a stand-by battery recharging system and associated battery charging circuit. The battery drawer is slidably mounted in a body and is configured to receive and hold at least one rechargeable battery. A combination ejector and electrical circuit maker is associated with the battery drawer. The combination ejector and electrical circuit maker establishes an electric circuit between the battery charging circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery when the battery drawer is in a closed state, operates to eject the battery drawer from the body, and electrically opens the electric circuit between the battery charging circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery when the battery drawer is in an open state. Increased safety is afforded to users by disconnecting the battery drawer from the charging circuit when the battery is replaced in the drawer.

Abstract: A method uses a rack and gear system for retracting an antenna when a wireless device is opened. Particularly, sliding a cover to open the device moves first and second sliding racks attached on opposite sides of the sliding cover. The racks drive a first gear and a second gear, respectively. The first gear drives an antenna rack. An antenna is attached to the antenna rack, such that driving an antenna rack extends or retracts the cover.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection shield device, which may be used in bases or cradles for mobile electronic apparatus, among other uses. A grounded electrostatic discharge shield is movable between two positions, one which precludes contact with data/dc power contacts of a data/dc power connection and another, in which the contacts are exposed for normal operation in connection with the parent electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus with tactile feedback is provided, which includes a housing, a spherical ball contained partially within the housing, a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the spherical ball, and a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the housing. When the spherical ball is at rest, an attractive magnetic force between some or all of the first magnetic elements and some or all of the second magnetic elements resists motion of the ball. When a sufficient rotational force is applied to the ball, the ball rotates about one or both axes until the applied force no longer exceeds the magnetic force, at which point the magnetic force causes the ball to stop at a new position, providing the user with tactile feedback to indicate that the ball position has changed.

Abstract: A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus with tactile feedback is provided, which includes a housing, a spherical ball contained partially within the housing, a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the spherical ball, and a plurality of magnetic elements fixed within the housing. When the spherical ball is at rest, an attractive magnetic force between some or all of the first magnetic elements and some or all of the second magnetic elements resists motion of the ball. When a sufficient rotational force is applied to the ball, the ball rotates about one or both axes until the applied force no longer exceeds the magnetic force, at which point the magnetic force causes the ball to stop at a new position, providing the user with tactile feedback to indicate that the ball position has changed.

Abstract: A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus with tactile feeling is provided, which includes a housing; a spherical ball contained partially within the housing and having a plurality of recesses distributed about its outer surface; two pairs of spring biased sensor mechanisms each including a probe, a spring, and a transducer; and a means for processing the signals received from the sensor mechanisms. Each of the four probes is positioned so that it rests within one of the recesses on the spherical ball when the ball is stationary. As the ball is rotated, the probes are pushed up and out of the recesses by the ball, causing the corresponding springs to alternately compress and decompress, before the probes come to rest in adjacent recesses. Each transducer generates an electrical signal corresponding to the rate of compression and decompression in the corresponding spring.

Abstract: A two-axis ball-based cursor control apparatus is provided, which includes a housing; a spherical ball contained partially within the housing; two rotors in contact with the spherical ball and two corresponding axles; two screw devices associated with each rotor-axle pair, each screw device having a continuous helical thread; a plurality of light sensors, each associated with a screw device; and a means for processing the signal from the light sensors. When the spherical ball is rotated by the user, its motion about each axis of rotation is translated to one of the screw devices by means of the corresponding rotor-axle pair. The rotation of the screw devices causes the helical thread on each to momentarily interrupt the light beam generated by each sensor at least once during each revolution of the screw device, thereby generating a signal which is translated into two-dimensional motion of a cursor on an electronic display screen.