Cabinet, Housing, Or Chassis Structure Patents (Class 455/347)
  • Patent number: 6631276
    Abstract: A base unit accommodates a radio terminal for making radio communications. This base unit has a recess for accommodating part of the radio terminal formed at least in two mutually orthogonal planes of the base unit body. An opening is formed at the inner side of the recess. Inside the base unit, a connector electrically connects and fixes the radio terminal. A rear part of the radio terminal is inserted through the opening. The base unit includes a lid for shielding the entire recess. The base unit body may include an external antenna connected to a cable having a terminal for connecting with an external antenna terminal provided in the radio terminal. This terminal may be disposed at a position corresponding to the external antenna terminal of the radio terminal of the lid. The base unit design is improved, invasion of foreign matter is prevented, and the radio reaching distance and directivity of the base unit are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yamaguchi, Hideyuki Furukawa, Osamu Nakashima, Naoki Koga
  • Publication number: 20030186674
    Abstract: A cable television diplexer and telephony module that can be employed in CATV data transmission systems to enhance performance levels and reduce manufacturing costs. The cable television diplexer and telephony module includes a printed circuit board substrate, and a diplexer having a low pass filter section and a high pass filter section, each of which has components mounted on the substrate. The respective low pass and high pass filter sections of the diplexer include one or more high Q value planar spiral inductors. Each spiral inductor includes a narrow track of metal disposed on the substrate and wound around a center to form a circular spiral curve having a plurality of turns. The spiral inductor may be fabricated on the substrate of the cable television diplexer and telephony module, or on a separate substrate, using a standard PCB fabrication process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: M/A-COM, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Allen Keeney, Deirdre Anne Wallace
  • Patent number: 6618581
    Abstract: A radio for use by juveniles, particularly young children and pre-teens has dedicated channel selectors which are pre-set by a responsible adult and locked-in. The radio comprises a housing, a tuner compartment mounted in the housing, a full channel selector positioned in the tuner compartment and accessible only by the adult, a set of dedicated channel selectors mounted on the housing and accessible by the juvenile and a receiving unit mounted in the housing. The tuner compartment is secured by an access cover. The adult initially accesses the full channel selector and, in conjunction with the dedicated channel selectors, programs the radio so that the child accessible dedicated channel selectors tune in only those radio frequencies which the adult desires. The access cover has means to secure it such that only the adult can gain access to the full channel selector for initial dedicated channel selection and intermittent fine tuning and/or channel substitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: David F. Turner
  • Patent number: 6614650
    Abstract: This invention provides a portable terminal apparatus increasing brightness at a light emitting portion of the portable terminal apparatus. Light emitted from a light source is made to be incident from an engaging portion of a conducted light emitting portion and is diffused at inside of the conducted light emitting portion. The diffused light is reflected by surfaces of a bottom face portion and side face portions and of a recessed portion, the reflected light is further diffused and emitted by a conducted light emitting member at a vicinity of a surface of the recessed portion and therefore, brightness of the conducted light emitting portion at the vicinity of the recessed portion can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taichi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20030153356
    Abstract: A mobile phone for multiple SIM cards, wherein, a telephonic apparatus is used to select by switching among a plurality of communication services provided by various providers in the art of system communication. The mobile phone is provided on the rear casing of the battery or between the main machine and the battery of the mobile phone with an electric circuit board having a plurality of SIM cards each is able to connect via a bus line with an extension card functioning as a communication interface of the mobile phone with the electric circuit board and parallelly connected with each of the SIM cards on the electric circuit board to thereby form an open loop. A manually moved switch is provided on the loop, so that when the switch is switched to the card loop of any system, the state of combination of the mobile phone is communicated with the card loop of this system. Therefore, an object of providing a plurality of SIM cards for a mobile phone can be attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Yuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20030153372
    Abstract: This invention relates to a folding portable information terminal including an upper unit having a display section on one surface, a lower unit having an operating section on one surface, and a movable joining member which openably and pivotally couples the upper and lower units to each other or openably couples the units to each other at one end of each of the units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Shimamura, Mika Fujii, Michio Nagai, Kazuo Ootuta, Kiyoshi Kohayakawa, Masatomo Mizuta
  • Publication number: 20030148740
    Abstract: An electronic device holder, having a base having an insert aperture therein, an insert positioned in the insert aperture, and a one-piece flexible member connected to the base for supporting an electronic device disposed in the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: William Yau, Wan Ho Lam, Kenneth Kwong Man Wai, Kenny Wai
  • Patent number: 6603959
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus for holding and making contact with a radio telephone comprises a shell having a slide into which the radio telephone is inserted wherein the slide is displaced linearly with respect to the inserted radio telephone, and wherein either the slide or the shell has at least one contact unit for data and power transmission and for electrical and optical coupling to at least one interface on the radio telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Andreas Peiker
  • Publication number: 20030139149
    Abstract: The present invention provides a kind of joint apparatus for personal digital assistant (PDA) and multimedia module. As the PDA interface equipment combined with the joint apparatus, the multimedia module will affect on the PDA interface equipment immediately and further more storage the information from the multimedia module to the PDA interface equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Grace Kao, Jason Wang
  • Publication number: 20030139169
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a combination thermal storage container and entertainment center. The container has a pair of hollow compartments with exterior sidewalls and interior sidewalls. The interior and exterior sidewalls are spaced apart to provide a thermal gap. First and second lid portions have hinges to connect the lids to the first and second compartment, respectively. First and second latching means are provided to secure the lids portions closed. A media playing means; such as a CD-player or cassette tape player, an antenna for receiving radio signals; a radio receiver means and tuning means and speaker are provided for playing audio output from the radio or media playing means. and a volume .adjusting means. The media player, radio receiver & tuning means and speakers are each affixed between one of said exterior sidewalls and a corresponding said interior sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory Arreazola
  • Patent number: 6597902
    Abstract: In a radio-frequency circuit module, the surfaces for mounting the MIC, MMIC, or the like are separated into a plurality of planes and the separated planes are connected either by a coupling window or via a through hole. An RF connector for antenna connection is placed on a different surface as those of the other RF connectors. Alternatively, a radiator section of an antenna can be placed and formed on one plane of the radio-frequency circuit module. The mounting of the MIC, MMIC, or the like is realized by wire bonding or by bumps. The RF connectors are connected in a pseudo-coaxial line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hazime Kawano
  • Patent number: 6597256
    Abstract: Multiple digital audio transformer circuits are included in a module for mounting in a chassis. These digital audio transformer circuits are comprised of a front mounted twisted pair digital audio cable connector and a rear mounted coaxial cable connector, with circuitry including baluns electrically linking the front and rear connectors to reduce the impedance of the signal and attenuate the amplitude of the signal voltage. In one embodiment, the module may also include removable attenuation pads accessible through the front face of the module to allow variation of the level of voltage attenuation. The preferred embodiment of the module bi-directional transforms 110 Ohm digital audio signals and 75 Ohm coaxial signals. If transformation of other levels of impedance are desired, modules may also allow for removal and replacement of the baluns. A digital audio transformer system including multi-circuit modules and rack mount equipment chassis is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: M'hamed Anis Khemakhem, Michael J. Follingstad, Eric L. Lovaasen, Jeffery Louis Peters
  • Publication number: 20030134613
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the customization of electronic equipment of which portable audio players, portable disc players, portable digital games and laptop computers are representative. The electronic equipment may be fitted with a substantially transparent faceplate that may cover removable inserts. These inserts may be customizable to provide unique decorative appearances to the electronic equipment upon which they may be fitted. Decorative designs may either be preprinted on the inserts or a user may produce a customized design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Antonio T. Latto, Isaac A. Simpson, Markus Diebel, Paul Bradley
  • Patent number: 6594479
    Abstract: A millimeter wave transceiver package is provided. Housings for electronic, RF, and support components of the transceiver with an RF transparent cover are stacked vertically in a multilayer structure. The channelized RF housing affects a reduction of 5:1 by minimizing the components placed on the housing. The design and position of the regulator/controller allows the use of surface mount parts and simplified DC and RF interfaces further contributing to design efficiency and reduced costs. Additionally, costs are reduced through the appropriate selection and application of materials. The generic housing for the millimeter wave module assembly accommodates frequencies from 20 to 40 GHz without design change, thus improving the modular character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Danny F. Ammar, Gavin James Clark, Eugene Fischer, John F. Hubert
  • Publication number: 20030130010
    Abstract: Device mounting apparatuses suitable for coupling to a cable ladder of a cell-site, and to house a device or devices within the cell-site are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of first brackets capable of being coupled to the cable ladder, and a plurality of second brackets capable of being coupled to both the first brackets and to the device or devices. The first bracket is a substantially Z-shaped bracket, and the second bracket is a substantially U-shaped bracket. In another embodiment, a device mounting apparatus a plurality of vertical members and horizontal members coupled to at least two vertical members. The apparatus is configured to accept and secure a device within the space defined by the vertical members, the horizontal members, and the rails of the cable ladder. Methods for mounting a device inside a cell-site using the apparatuses of the present invention are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Superconductor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Monroe, David R. Chase
  • Patent number: 6584306
    Abstract: A point-to-point two-way radio system is disclosed. The two-way radio system is comprised of a first and second two-way handheld walkie-talkie radio, wherein the first and second two-way handheld walkie-talkies do not communicate one to the other through a base station. Each handheld walkie-talkie radio is comprised of a transmitter for transmitting a call announcement signal and a transmitter for transmitting a separate voice signal. The voice signal is different from the call announcement signal and is transmitted over a fixed frequency range. The handheld walkie-talkie also has a receiver for receiving the voice communication signal and call announcement signal and for announcing the call announcement signal and a switch for selectively choosing between an audible call announcement or a vibrational call announcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Mirabelli
  • Patent number: 6567651
    Abstract: A retractor belt clip device which includes a retractable lead for a personal hands free kit or other similar device such as speaker leads for personal CD or tape device is disclosed. The device includes a receptacle body and corresponding flanged lug fastener which is attached to the mobile phone or like apparatus. The receptacle is adapted to be attached to a belt or the like by means of a clip means positioned on the receptacle body, wherein the body has an opening located at its top side portion into which the flange of said lug fastener is received with the lug fastener extending through a slot on said receptacle body communicating with the opening such that the mobile phone or like apparatus is positioned outside and adjacent the receptacle body when the lug fastener is received within the receptacle body. The device further includes a compartment in which a microphone and speaker lead on a spool is located, the spool being able to rotate thus releasing or retracting the lead when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Amtel Technology Pty LTD
    Inventor: Kevin James Whitley
  • Publication number: 20030083039
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a front panel provided at a front surface of apparatus main body; and a holding mechanism that detachably holds the front panel against the apparatus main body. The holding mechanism has engaging member formed in one of the front panel and the apparatus main body and engaged member formed in the other of the front panel and the apparatus main body, and the engaging member and the engaged member are each provided with a connection terminal so that the engaged member is engaged with the engaging member to electrically connect the front panel and the apparatus main body together via the connection terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Shimizu, Takahiro Sasaki, Nobumitsu Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20030083038
    Abstract: A signal adapter comprising an explosion proof housing, a circuit member disposed on an inside of the explosion proof housing, a signal input connector electrically connected to the circuit member, a signal output connector electrically connected to the circuit member, and a seal disposed on the inside of the explosion proof housing and around the circuit member, creating an explosion proof seal between the signal input connector and the signal output connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: King L. Poon, James R. Harper
  • Publication number: 20030073415
    Abstract: An interchangeable cover is endowed with one or more peripherals complementary electronics to add the one or more peripherals to a mobile device, to which the interchangeable cover is attached. In various embodiments, the peripherals may be a credit card reader, add on non-volatile storage, an ASIC, and so forth. In various embodiments, the complementary electronics are packaged in an ASIC with output pins similar to that of a SIM chip, which may include a properly equipped protocol processor for de-packaging and packaging data being inputted/outputted in accordance with selected protocols. In one embodiment, the cover is U-shaped. In a wireless mobile phone embodiment, the cover is attached to a rotabable sub-section of a pivotable section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: G. Eric Engstrom, Peter Zatloukal
  • Publication number: 20030073462
    Abstract: An interchangeable cover is endowed with one or more control keys and complementary electronics to add the control keys to an attached mobile device, which may e.g. be a wireless mobile phone. In one embodiment, the control keys are designed to be used with an alternate display orientation of the attached mobile device. In one embodiment, the control keys are control keys of a game pad. In one embodiment, the cover is U-shaped. In a wireless mobile phone embodiment, the cover is attached to a rotabable sub-section of a pivotable section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Zatloukal, G. Eric Engstrom
  • Publication number: 20030069001
    Abstract: A tradesworker's radio has a weather and impact resistant features to enable a tradesworker to use the radio under adverse working conditions, such as construction or other work sites. Louvered grills covering moisture resistant loudspeakers are angled downward to protect the speakers from direct splash in case the radio is left outdoors in a heavy downpour. A layer of felt-like material is interspersed between the louvered grills and the loudspeaker cones to offer improved moisture resistance. A non-telescoping antenna of the rubber covered spring type material folds neatly into recess when not in use. The controls include waterproof pushbuttons for on/off, volume adjustment, a weather channel, AM/FM selection and tuning. Elastomeric blocks are bonded to the interior of the housing and the blocks have bonded threaded studs, which are used to shock mount the radio circuit board to the inside of the housing. This circuit board is treated with a conformal coating to improve its moisture resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Domes
  • Publication number: 20030068986
    Abstract: An apparatus to mount a mobile device having a main body with a receiving recess to receive the mobile device, a first locker to support and secure a lower part of the mobile device, a second locker for elastically supporting and securing an upper part of the mobile device to lock up or release the upper part of the mobile device, a lock/release disposed to be movable between a locking position of locking up the mobile device and a releasing position to release the mobile device from the lock-up state, an ejector to lift the mobile device in a given distance when the lock/release is moved to the releasing position, and a mounting fixture including position adjusting units to adjust an angle and a height of the main body and fixing units to fix the position adjusting unit in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Kil Oh
  • Publication number: 20030064702
    Abstract: A housing device is described that protects hardware and software useful in connecting a personal computer (PC) to a network. The housing device is versatile so as to allow for a plurality of configuration and installation combinations. This versatility allows an installer to mount the housing device either horizontally or vertically. When mounted horizontally, the installer has yet another option to prop the housing device upright via use of an easel on the back or allow it to lie flat with the easel folded under a main body component. Serrated edges are provided on the easel so as to allow for tension to be placed on the wires or cables coupled to the housing device so that the wires or cables do not become disconnected from the housing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Van Egmond, Shawn S. Mceuen, Gary L. Bookhardt, Doug G. Bennett, Justin M. Huttula, Josh Gordon, Ryan Wilday
  • Patent number: 6539207
    Abstract: A grounded, shielded holder for a radio frequency communications card installed in a terminal used in a wireless network includes a built-in antenna for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals to and from the card. The antenna is formed from the material of the holder itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Javier del Castillo, Eduard M. Kogan
  • Patent number: 6535750
    Abstract: The mobile or portable telephone includes a circuit board (15); a battery compartment (5) for a battery (20) located on a first side of the circuit board (15) and a pivotable card receptacle (10) for a telephone card arranged on the first side of the circuit board (15) next to the battery compartment. The card receptacle (10) is pivotable between a first position (25) in which the telephone card cannot be inserted or removed from the card receptacle when the battery (20) is in the battery compartment (5) and a second position (30) in which the telephone card is insertable or removable from the card receptacle even when the battery (20) is in the battery compartment (5). A button (B) may be provided for activation of the pivoting of the card receptacle into the second position from the first position. The card receptacle (10) preferably locks in the first position (25) when put in the first position and may be unlocked from the first position (25) by operation of the button (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kay Hassend Van Gen
  • Patent number: 6531985
    Abstract: An integrated diversity antenna solution is presented that positions multiple antennas within the digital device case. The integrated diversity antenna solution works equally well with diversity radios, such as 802.11, and non-diversity radios, such as Bluetooth. The non-diversity radios are supported via a power splitter attached to the antennas that give the necessary directional coverage. The integrated antenna array solves the main problem associated with wireless communication on laptop computers, specifically, that laptops perturb the radiation pattern because of the influence that laptop components have on standard antennas and the presence of interfering objects, most notably the laptop user, in the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Jones, Dirk Ostermiller, Sy Prestwich, David Andrus
  • Patent number: 6529714
    Abstract: A radio communication equipment including a housing and a battery pack to be attached to said housing, said radio communication equipment having a male connector of a floating connector provided on said housing, and a female connector the floating connector provided on said battery pack to engage with said male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yutaka Nakamura, Noboru Koike
  • Publication number: 20030040296
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved audio equipment is employed. The audio equipment includes a housing, audio circuitry installed within the housing, and a first protective bar flexibly connected to the housing. The audio equipment may also include a handle attached to the first protective bar, a second protective bar flexibly connected to the housing, and/or a connector assembly flexibly connecting the first protective bar to the housing. The connector assembly may include a flexible gasket preferably disposed between the first protective bar and the housing. Also disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing an audio equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Roger Q. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030036362
    Abstract: An interchangeable cover for a mobile communications device is provided. The interchangeable cover includes a a resilient three-sided semi-rigid shell having a substantially U-shaped profile adapted to wrap around a substantial portion of a front, back and side of the mobile communications device upon assembly over the device, without requiring any fasteners. In one embodiment, the cover is configured to fit a mobile communications device having a trapezoidal profile, whereby front and back face portions clasp around the front and back of the phone. In accordance with various embodiments, the cover may include holes and slots through which phone buttons pass, dumb buttons, or built-in buttons that enable users to provide inputs to the phone. The three-sided shell provides additional surface area when compared to conventional single-sided faceplates. Accordingly, the cover appears as a more integral part of the phone. Furthermore, the extra surface area may be used for advertisement purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Joshua R. Buesseler, William K. Ford
  • Patent number: 6522023
    Abstract: Radio frequency-transmissive compositions having reduced dissipation factors, microelectronic devices, and in particular, wireless radio frequency communication devices which utilize such compositions, and methods of forming the same are described. In one implementation, a liquid resin is provided and a solid organic polymer filler material is provided within the resin to impart a degree of radio frequency. transmissivity which is greater than that of the resin alone, i.e. the composition has a reduced dissipation factor. An exemplary resin comprises epoxy and an exemplary filler material is a polytetrafluoroethylene powder. In another implementation, such composition is formed or applied over a substrate which includes an antenna formed thereon and cured to provide a solid coating. The substrate can also have integrated circuitry and a battery mounted thereon to provide a wireless communication device. In such a case, the composition can be formed over and cured atop the integrated circuitry and the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickie C. Lake
  • Patent number: 6504731
    Abstract: In an operating component placement system for electronic equipment, assembly units (5) having cables (8) whereby operating components (6a to 6e) are connected to connectors (7a to 7e) are used to mount the operating components (6a to 6e) to a front panel (4), with connectors (7a to 7e) connected to connectors (3a to 3e) on a panel board (3) for signal input for various functions, and the cable lengths for operating component groups (6a to 6c) and (6d and 6e) having the same form established so as to be longer than the maximum distance between the connectors (3a to 3c) and (3d and 3e) to which each operating component group is to be connected on the panel board 3 and hole groups (4a to 4c) and (4d and 4e) for mounting each of the operating component groups to the front panel. Operating components having the same form can be selectively laid out by changing the cable positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Vertex Standard USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6496685
    Abstract: A portable phone has an outer casing with opposite upper and lower walls, one of the walls having an opening for access to the interior of the casing, and a lid removably mounted in the opening for normally closing the opening. A main circuit board is mounted in the outer casing, with a plurality of phone components mounted on the circuit board. A predetermined region of the board aligned with the opening is left exposed or empty of components, and forms a recess for receiving a battery. The battery receiving recess has contact pads, and a battery is removably engaged in the recess with battery contacts engaging the contact pads in the recess, whereby the battery can be removed and replaced via the opening after opening the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Qualcomm, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul E. Peterzell, David J. Ross, Marland Chow
  • Patent number: 6496688
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an improved audio equipment is employed. The audio equipment includes a housing, audio circuitry installed within the housing, and a first protective bar flexibly connected to the housing. The audio equipment may also include a handle attached to the first protective bar, a second protective bar flexibly connected to the housing, and/or a connector assembly flexibly connecting the first protective bar to the housing. The connector assembly may include a flexible gasket preferably disposed between the first protective bar and the housing. Also disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing an audio equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Q. Smith
  • Patent number: 6490436
    Abstract: A portable telephone comprises: a battery pack detachable from a portable telephone body, the battery pack including: a recess in a head section thereof; a hook formed in a bottom section thereof; and a back protrusion on the back of said head section, the portable telephone body includes: a bottom recess engageable with said hook; a slide pawl engageable with said recess in the head section of the battery pack; and a slide protrusion which is integral with the slide pawl, and which, when the slide pawl is slid, is slid and brought into contact with the back protrusion, thereby to forcibly push the head of the battery pack out of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Kaiwa, Tetsuo Hirabayashi, Tetsuya Kubo, Jun Sato
  • Publication number: 20020173280
    Abstract: Located on the right and left sides of a housing (1) of an automobile radio for example is one detent spring (2) each projecting from the housing (1), which spring is retractable to enable insertion of the housing (1) into a mounting slot (3) and which, by rotating a catch, is retractable into the housing (1). By rotating the catches (5) in the other direction of rotation, the detent springs (2) are again released. Disposed eccentrically on the top side (14) of each catch (5) is a pin (8) for which a guide channel (9) is located in the mounting slot (3) so that the housing (1) may be inserted into the mounting slot (3) only with the detent springs (2) projecting from the housing (1). After complete insertion of the housing (1) into the mounting slot (3), the detent springs (2) snap in place against detent edges (4) of the mounting slot (3) to lock the housing (1) in place. To remove the housing (1) from the mounting slot (3), the detent springs (2) are retracted into the housing (1) by rotating the catch (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Werner Mayer
  • Patent number: 6483428
    Abstract: An entertainment device is provided. The entertainment device includes a main processing station which provides an output signal. The main processing station includes a control interface. A front panel is removably connected to the control interface. The front panel includes a memory for storing multimedia content. The front panel provides control parameters to the main processing station. The content of the memory is provided to the main audio processing station for output. In addition, the front panel processes and presents the stored multimedia content as a portable device. Both control parameters and multimedia (e.g. audio or video) information may be exchanged between the front panel and the main processing station. The front panel also includes a telecommunications device and an alarm transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Fish, Dennis Bushmitch, David Braun, Chieh-Chung Chang, Stephen Johnson, Mahfuz Rahman, Luyang Li
  • Patent number: 6484019
    Abstract: A combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus for use with a computer having a CPU contained in a housing comprising a keyboard housing, the keyboard housing is separate from the computer CPU housing and a plurality of alphanumeric keys are mounted in said keyboard housing, a selectively tunable radio unit located in the keyboard housing having circuitry isolated and independent of the keyboard circuitry and at least one speaker mounted within said keyboard housing for audibly reproducing the radio frequency waves received by said radio receiver whereby the radio unit may be played for the listening pleasure of the user without impacting, using or otherwise impacting the resources of the computer to which the combined computer keyboard and radio apparatus is interfaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Mannix V. Aklian
  • Patent number: 6480397
    Abstract: A cover structure (1) for a portable electronic device includes a metallic shell (10) and a plastic mounting frame (9) secured to the shell. The shell has a skirting panel (101) and a bottom panel (100) which cooperatively define a space (102) for receiving the mounting frame. The frame includes a U-shaped part (11) and an arcuate part (12) which are respectively dimensioned to closely fit onto corresponding end portions of the shell. Each of the U-shaped and arcuate parts includes at least one threaded post (112, 121) adapted for engaging with a corresponding fastening member (3), in order to fasten a printed circuit board (2) of the portable electronic device to the cover structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Yuan Hsu, Yonk Yang
  • Publication number: 20020164968
    Abstract: A probing scheme for diversity antenna branch selection makes use of a physical waveform frame structure that includes a diversity selection portion. The diversity selection portion may be located anywhere in the physical waveform frame structure and includes one or more antenna branch probing portions. Several antenna branch switching time intervals are interleaved with the antenna branch probing portions. Several repeated Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are used to form the antenna branch probing portions and the switching time intervals. Diversity reception in radio frequency (RF) communications is performed by receiving a frame having the diversity selection portion with a system having L antenna branches and n RF receivers, and then taking measurements from n of the L antenna branches during one of the antenna branch probing portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Magis Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20020160742
    Abstract: A transmitting and amplifying unit for a wireless communication device. The transmitting and amplifying unit includes a C-shaped frame having an upper plate having a first cutout, a lower plate having a second cutout aligned with the first cutout, and a side plate connecting the upper plate and the lower plate; a main amplifier unit fixed to the lower plate and having a concentrated heating portion; and a subamplifier unit fixed to the upper plate. The transmitting and amplifying unit further includes a radiating fin unit mounted on the concentrated heating portion of the main amplifier unit and extending upward through the first cutout of the lower plate and the second cutout of the upper plate. The radiating fin unit has an upper end fixed to the subamplifier unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Yuuji Hasegawa, Kazuo Hirafuji, Toshimitsu Kobayashi, Manabu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6473138
    Abstract: A television receiver monitor intended to be built into a wall and used in connection with an audio/video entertainment center can be adapted to provide various visual aspects corresponding to the control capabilities of the user. When only a bezel surrounding the screen is visible, all controls are made through a control center unit of the audio/video entertainment center, so that the user must have a high degree of knowledge about the overall system, whereas when the bezel and a control panel are visible, the user need not extensively involve himself with the audio/video entertainment center except to control the audio portion of the program. When confronted with an unsophisticated or underage user, a speaker grill is provided in addition to the bezel and control panel, so that no interaction with the audio/video entertainment center is required by the user in order to enjoy a video and audio program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of America
    Inventors: Knut T. Fenner, Richard Gioscia
  • Publication number: 20020142735
    Abstract: In an information terminal, a coaxial cable connected a radio-circuit-board, which is often placed at a front section of a case, to an external antenna terminal or an antenna placed at a rear section of the case. The terminal having a simple structure prevents a clock signal from leaking to the coaxial cable from a CPU, so that an S/N ratio in receiving can be improved. A cable-groove recessed from a bottom to inside is provided. The coaxial cable between the radio circuit board and the external antenna terminal or the antenna runs through the cable groove, which is covered with a lid. Thus, a clock signal of the CPU can be shielded by the conductive case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Kenji Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20020137477
    Abstract: The present invention provides an input system for a portable terminal which is suitable for easing input operations on multiple applications installed on a portable terminal, without specializing the applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Munenori Sawada
  • Publication number: 20020127977
    Abstract: This invention provides a portable terminal apparatus increasing brightness at a light emitting portion of the portable terminal apparatus. Light emitted from a light source is made to be incident from an engaging portion of a conducted light emitting portion and is diffused at inside of the conducted light emitting portion. The diffused light is reflected by surfaces of a bottom face portion and side face portions and of a recessed portion, the reflected light is further diffused and emitted by a conducted light emitting member at a vicinity of a surface of the recessed portion and therefore, brightness of the conducted light emitting portion at the vicinity of the recessed portion can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Taichi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20020123375
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved mobile phone with prevention of numbed hands of the user under even a cold environment. The mobile phone includes a heating circuit. In the heating circuit, a battery 14 has connections with leading and trailing ends of a line 20 to be heated. The heated line 20 has connections with a thermostat 22 and an outside-operable switch 23. The heating circuit is disposed within the area where is between the bottom and the leading edge of the back casing 1b of the housing in the mobile phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Shu Shimazaki, Ken Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 6445595
    Abstract: In an operating component placement system for electronic equipment, assembly units (5) having cables (8) whereby operating components (6a to 6e) are connected to connectors (7a to 7e) are used to mount the operating components (6a to 6e) to a front panel (4), with connectors (7a to 7e) connected to connectors (3a to 3e) on a panel board (3) for signal input for various functions, and the cable lengths for operating component groups (6a to 6c) and (6d and 6e) having the same form established so as to be longer than the maximum distance between the connectors (3a to 3c) and (3d and 3e) to which each operating component group is to be connected on the panel board 3 and hole groups (4a to 4c) and (4d and 4e) for mounting each of the operating component groups to the front panel. Operating components having the same form can be selectively laid out by changing the cable positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Westwood Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6442377
    Abstract: A radio telephone, preferably intended for cellular telecommunication, has an apparatus housing (20) and at least one antenna (21), which is mounted to or in connection with the apparatus housing for performing the wireless communication of the radio telephone by transmitting and receiving radiofrequent electromagnetic waves in a given wavelength range. A current-reducing means (30, 31) is mounted to the apparatus housing (20) between the antenna (21) and a side (23) of the radio telephone, which during normal use faces a human user (1). The means has conductive as well as dielectric properties and is arranged to reduce or eliminate electric currents present in and/or on the apparatus housing (20) between the antenna (21) and said side (23) of the radio telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Dag Johan Fredrik MÃ¥rtensson, Hans Kenneth HÃ¥kansson, Zhinong Ying
  • Patent number: 6434407
    Abstract: A wireless speakerphone is designed to prevent damage to a user's ear when the phone is placed against the user's ear during speakerphone operation. The phone includes a second speaker, or second speaker, embedded behind its rear surface. The rear surface is shaped so that, when resting against a rigid surface such as a desktop or tabletop, the rear surface and the rigid surface together form a waveguide that directs sound waves from the second speaker into the surrounding room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation, Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Cook
  • Patent number: 6427066
    Abstract: An apparatus for communications by a home station among remote stations in at least one communication medium. The apparatus comprises (a) local signal receiving circuitry for receiving an originating signal containing local intelligence; and (b) local signal processing circuitry for conveying the local intelligence via a communication medium to a target remote station; (c) remote signal receiving circuitry for receiving a transmitted signal containing remote intelligence; and (d) remote signal processing circuitry coupled with the remote signal receiving circuitry for processing the transmitted signal for conveying the remote intelligence to a user. The local signal receiving circuitry, the local signal processing circuitry, the remote signal receiving circuitry and the remote signal processing circuitry are implemented in a unitary structure borne upon a single silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Grube