Cabinet, Housing, Or Chassis Structure Patents (Class 455/347)
  • Patent number: 6427070
    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: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Q. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020090918
    Abstract: A phone connector assembly for cellular phones that lack locking connector capability, including a cup-shaped member for cradling the phone having a base at one end with terminal contact pins, and a flexible retainer at the other end which snap-locks into a recess in the top of the phone and holds the phone securely in the cup-shaped member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Michael B. Grimm
  • Publication number: 20020086655
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Danny F. Ammar, Gavin James Clark, Eugene Fischer, John F. Hubert
  • Patent number: 6415138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication device (1) comprising a housing (2), a touch sensitive display (3) coupled to the housing (3), the display (3) comprising preferably a plurality of activation areas (3b-3d) for activating the functions of the wireless communication device (1) by pressing the activation areas (3b-3d), and a cover part (4) coupled to the housing (2) and arranged to move in relation to the touch sensitive display (3). The cover part (4) comprises at least one activation means (5), wherein in the closed position of the cover part (4), the activation means (5) is arranged to transmit the pressing of the activation means (5) to the activation area (3b-3d) located at the activation means (5) In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the activation means (5) is formed advantageously to correspond in size to the touch sensitive display (3), advantageously to a completely transparent and flexible foil-like activation means (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Jukka Sirola, Tapani Jokinen
  • Patent number: 6405023
    Abstract: A battery for a portable phone is formed with a rectangular battery part and a curved flange part. The battery is held into place in the portable phone by bottom connections including nubs and a jagged portion with surfaces that constrain the battery to move in a plane. The battery is placed into the phone nub side first. Then, the battery is pivoted while the nubs are still engaged, to bring the contacts into position and then the battery is clipped into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Stange, Phil Rhoton, Tony Ornelas
  • Publication number: 20020065118
    Abstract: A radio set comprises an antenna which is a &lgr;/2 monopole antenna capacitively coupled to the radio circuit on a circuit substrate by way of a capacitor and powered by the circuit. A ground pattern is formed on the circuit substrate in a region of about &lgr;/2 at the side of the antenna as viewed in the axial direction of the antenna and another ground pattern is formed in the remaining region of about &lgr;/2 and electrically connected to the ground pattern by way of an inductor. The inductance of the inductor is so selected that the phase of the electric current flowing between the ground pattern and the ground pattern is advanced by 180° at the operating frequency of the wavelength &lgr;.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Norimichi Chiba, Takashi Amano
  • Patent number: 6397081
    Abstract: A holding mechanism for an integrated circuit card including a housing part having a recess for receiving the integrated circuit card, and a terminal unit provided in the recess, the terminal unit having contact elements facing towards the integrated circuit card when the card is inserted in the mechanism. The recess is formed with a guiding mechanism for maintaining the position of the integrated circuit card relative to the contact elements of the terminal unit. A pivotal lid is provided that is able to mount to the housing part for covering the recess when the lid is in a closed position. The holding mechanism includes a locking mechanism for engaging the lid in order maintain the lid in a releasable locked position upon this engagement, and furthermore, the lid is provided with a biasing mechanism that enables biasing of the integrated circuit card towards the contact elements of the terminal unit when the lid is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Henrik Franck, Allan Moeller Kristensen
  • Patent number: 6397047
    Abstract: A portable storage container for a radio unit is provided including a selectively opened case constructed from a rigid material. Also included is at least one holder insert situated within the case. Next provided is a radio unit mounted within the holder insert in the case. A speaker is mounted within the case and connected to the radio unit for emitting audio signals received therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventors: Ruben Villamar, Maria Villamar
  • Patent number: 6374088
    Abstract: Arrangement in connection with an at least partly transparent pivotable protective hatch or flip for a mobile telephone apparatus. The flip is arranged to physically cover at least part of a keypad on the apparatus for preventing inadvertent keypad commands. The flip includes devices at its rear side, i.e. the side that in a closed state thereof is located closest to the keypad, that permit a protected attachment or arrangement of personal customization, such as paintings, sticky or nonsticky labels or cards thereat. The customization will thereby also be visible from the outside of the flip when the flip is in its closed state, due to the at least partial transparency of the flip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventor: Per Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 6374091
    Abstract: A communication device (100) operates in first and second modes of operation including a dispatch mode of operation and a telephone mode of operation. The device (100) includes a main body (124) having a top surface (126) and a cover (102). The cover 102 selectively moves between at least a first position wherein at least a portion of the top surface (126) is covered to provide for selective operation in the dispatch mode and at least a second position wherein the top surface (126) is exposed to provide for selective operation is the telephone mode of operation. The cover (102) includes a see through section (108) covering at least a portion of the display section (114) when the cover (102) is in the first position in order to protect the display section (114) and simultaneously provide access thereto. The cover (102) also include through access keys (106) which provide access to the keypad (116) even when the cover (102) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Richards, Gary Dorfner
  • Publication number: 20020042258
    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: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph Domes
  • Publication number: 20020032011
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wide keypad and a wide keypad mounting structure in a portable terminal. In the wide keypad, a plurality of key tops are arranged in tight contact in a matrix of rows and columns. A key film has a plurality of upper protrusions in contact with the bottom surfaces of the key tops, a plurality of lower protrusions as contact points spaced from metal domes, and recesses between the upper protrusions. A key frame is inserted into the recesses of the key film and has at least one spacer extended upward for providing space in which the key tops move up and down between the upper casing frame and the key film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung-Sun Park
  • Patent number: 6356768
    Abstract: Conventional portable telephones have a problem that their space factor is bad and the size thereof is increased because a transmitter/receiver unit and a battery are disposed in parallel with each other in a case formed of a lower cover and an upper cover. In a portable telephone of the present invention, the frame member of a transmitter/receiver unit is attached to a mother substrate in the state that the frame member is partly interposed between the mother substrate and a battery. With this arrangement, the space between the mother substrate and the battery can be effectively used, whereby there can be provided a small portable telephone having a good space factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshio Saito, Nobuyuki Suzuki, Kiyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6353733
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a rotating member and a latching mechanism which employs a magnet means and a quantity of magneto-rheological fluid (“MR” fluid) or electro-rheological (“ER”) fluid therein to latch the rotatable member against the primary body of the portable communication device when a magnetic or electric field is positioned proximate to the MR or ER fluid. The rotating member can be a low-profile flip and/or antenna. The magnet means can be an electromagnetic field or at least one translatable permanent magnet. Additionally, a portable communication device with a translating antenna and an antenna receptacle and elbow also includes a quantity of magneto-rheological fluid therein. The device can also include an externally accessible latch release which controls the application of the magnetic field to the MR fluid (or electric filed to the ER fluid). Associated latching mechanisms employ rheological fluid and a magnetic or electric field source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Ericcson Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Murray, Scott L. Vance
  • Publication number: 20020022459
    Abstract: A rear case and a front case are unified to form a casing. An internal antenna is accommodated in a predetermined space in the rear case, and supported in a state that it is inserted between the rear case and a printed circuit board. An output end of an antenna metal element is connected with a feeding point of the internal antenna, and an input end thereof is connected with a feeding terminal of the printed circuit board via a contacting means. Accordingly, there is no necessity for soldering the antenna metal element to the feeding terminal of the printed circuit board, the number of structural elements can be reduced, and the fabricating process can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Takeshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6349222
    Abstract: A mobile telephone system and a method for answering a mobile telephone incoming call by a user's verbal command, to allow hands-free voice. The mobile telephone system includes a carkit and a mobile telephone. The mobile telephone has a programming key for pre-programming the user's voice greeting, a keypad for answering the call in telephone mode, a microphone for entering a user's verbal command for answering the call in carkit mode, a digital processor connected to the microphone for performing spectrum analysis and feature extractions of the user's verbal command in carkit mode, and a memory connected to the digital processor, having a database for storing the user's pre-programmed voice greeting digitized speech pattern. The pre-programmed voice greeting may be a factory-programmed voice greeting or the user's pre-programmed voice greeting, if previously initialized after pressing the programming key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventor: Sheikh A. Hafiz
  • Patent number: 6347232
    Abstract: A wireless telecommunication device (10) and collapsibly retractable writing surface (50) therefor wherein the wireless telecommunication device includes an outer casing (12) and a collapsibly retractable writing surface (24) which is suitable for receiving and retaining written information thereon. The retractable writing surface (24) has an open position wherein the surface is disposed for receiving and retaining written information thereon and a closed position wherein the surface is fully retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Mobile, LLC
    Inventor: Martha Vela de Casillas
  • Publication number: 20020008610
    Abstract: A wireless key fob includes a slidable shield which is movable from an open position exposing a plurality of actuation keys to a closed position protecting the actuation keys. The shield is movable on the top surface of the key fob and preferrably automatically releasably locks when moved to the open or closed position. The shield is preferrably always located within the top surface to avoid stripping of the shield from the key fob. The slidable shield avoids accidental activation of the keys and increases battery life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: DIGITAL SECURITY CONTROLS LTD.
    Inventor: John Peterson
  • Publication number: 20010051508
    Abstract: An optical magnifying device includes a frame which is connected to a cellular phone and a magnifying plate is connected to the frame. The frame is able to be slid or pivoted relative to the body of the cellular phone so that the magnifying plate is moved to the buttons or the screen of the cellular phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Hsu-Pang Wang
  • Patent number: 6330430
    Abstract: A flexible sheet has a plurality of fasteners which can be fastened together to form an open-cornered enclosure for a mobile terminal, such as a wireless phone. A mid-portion of the flexible sheet has a selectively adjustable length whereby the case can be made larger or smaller to accommodate a variety of differently-sized instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Henrik Jensfelt
  • Patent number: 6327485
    Abstract: A folding mobile phone with incorporated antenna is disclosed. A folding mobile phone comprises a first and second housings connected by a hinge mechanism each other. A first conductive film is incorporated with the first housing, and a second conductive film is incorporated with the second housing. When the mobile phone is in an open position a monopole antenna is constituted by the first and second conductive films, when the mobile phone is in a closed position the second conductive film acts as a ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Rupert James Waldron
  • Patent number: 6327152
    Abstract: A structure wherein a hand held computer module can be conveniently and interchangeably coupled to accessory devices. The hand held computer module is detachably connected to a first accessory module by a first interlocking structure. The computer module includes the first interlock mechanism and the first accessory module includes the second interlock mechanism. The first and second interlock mechanisms are mated together to form a physical connection between the computer module and the first accessory module. The first accessory module also includes a third interlock mechanism which is similar to the first interlock mechanism. A second accessory module has a fourth interlock mechanism which is similar to the second interlock mechanism. The first accessory module can be detachably connected to a second accessory module by means of a second interlocking structure which includes the third and fourth interlock mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Pingfu Saye
  • Patent number: 6321070
    Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a portable radiotelephone (100), with a speaker assembly is described. The portable radiotelephone (100) has a housing, which includes an upper housing (102) and a lower housing (108), configured to carry at least one of a receiver and a transmitter. A speaker (342) has a front side acoustically coupled to a first air space in front of an ear placement region (120) of the upper housing (102). The speaker (342) has a rear side acoustically coupled to a second air space. At least a first passage acoustically couples the first air space to a third air space that is substantially separated from the second air space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel A. Clark, Scott R. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20010038339
    Abstract: The Emergency notification system includes a housing (11) that supports a lamp (15), a television (18), a radio (25), and a plug receptacle (29) for powering auxiliary appliances. Remote control sensors (17, 20, 24 and 30) actuate switches for energizing the elements of the invention, in response to remote control transmitters, such as hand-held transmitter (30) or a community transmitter actuated by emergency communication personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Roy L. McKenzie, Anthony Haynes
  • Patent number: 6314280
    Abstract: An automatic identification of the features associated with an audio system for a vehicle based on the selection of the associated bezel (14). The audio system includes a printed circuit board (34) having at least one finger pad (30) thereon in communication with a microprocessor (16). The microprocessor (16) includes programming sequences for various possible features for the audio system. The bezel (14) may have no, one or multiple programming tabs (36) in alignment with corresponding finger pads depending upon the model of bezel chosen. Contact of the finger pads due to the programming tabs will indicate to the microprocessor which programming sequence needs to be initiated to activate the appropriate features corresponding to that particular bezel installed on the audio assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Roger Hamel, Jorge Morales
  • Publication number: 20010036819
    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: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Anthony Mirabelli
  • Patent number: 6311077
    Abstract: A combined cosmetics compact and cellular radiotelephone device having a casing which includes the working components of a radiotelephone and a mirror. One of the working components of the radiotelephone is a display. The display operates in a first mode as the mirror. The display can include an apparatus for projecting information associated with the operation of the radiotelephone on the mirror when the display is operated in a second mode. The casing can include a first housing member and second housing member. The housing members and the working components of the radiotelephone form a cellular flip-radiotelephone. At least one receptacle for storing cosmetics can be provided in the casing. The battery of the device can be used for selectively operative for heating the receptacle. A cosmetics applicator can also be provided in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: M3 Advisory Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Bien
  • Publication number: 20010031630
    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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Rickie C. Lake
  • Patent number: 6304458
    Abstract: A light guide/shield assembly for use with a circuit board includes an upstanding, electrically conductive shield wall adapted to be mounted on and electrically grounded to the circuit board. The shield wall defines an opening. A light guide member including a light transmissive guide body and an electrically conductive shield layer is mounted on the shield wall such that the shield layer overlies the opening. The light guide/shield assembly thereby defines an RF shielded chamber. The light guide/shield assembly may further include an LCD panel mounted on the light guide member. An RF shielded PCB assembly includes a circuit board including an electrical ground and the light guide/shield assembly mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc
    Inventor: Samuel V. Mendolia
  • Patent number: 6298249
    Abstract: Radio interface apparatus in combination with a lapel mounted microphone and speaker and a radio and with or without a head-protective helmet, radio interface apparatus in combination with a lapel-mounted radio and with or without a head-protective helmet, and radio interface apparatus for being mounted to the nape device of a head-protective helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Locarno, Michael J. Barthold, Kerry W. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20010024945
    Abstract: A portable telephone to which additional function units, such as a flip unit and a slide unit, that provide additional functions for the main body of a portable telephone, are easily mounted on the case of a basic unit that includes only the essential units required for speech. One or more of an LCD bezel 40, a flip cover 50, a keypad bezel 60, grips 70, a keypad slide cover 80 and a slide cover 90, which are additional function units, are mounted on a basic unit 20. Therefore, this arrangement can cope with a request from a user who desires to alter a portable telephone he or she purchased to obtain a model he or she favors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Inomata, Yasunobu Ikeda, Ryuichi Toyota, Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6295441
    Abstract: An input device for an electronic device such as a mobile phone includes an analog input device for scanning through an input space of records and a digital input device for selecting a current record presented on a display. The analog input device is a flip pivotably arranged by an attachment device on a housing of the electronic device. The attachment device is provided with a rotational sensor device connected to a processing device incorporated in the housing. An angle between the flip and the housing corresponds to a sensor value, translated and interpreted by the processing device, to show a particular record on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Ulf Björkengren
  • Publication number: 20010023179
    Abstract: An input device is disclosed wherein first and second rotary electric parts are operated by first and second operating members respectively. The input device can exhibit a larger number of functions than in the prior art and is suitable for use in a portable electronic device for which various functions are required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kisaburo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6292573
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a speaker enclosure having a speaker and a plurality of telescoping nested shells moveable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The shells have a top and bottom surface and interlocking sidewalls such that when the enclosure is deployed into an expanded configuration the shells form a rigid enclosure with a substantially sealed acoustic space therein. The space tunes an acoustic compliance for the speaker so as to improve broadband frequency response whether the communication device is using a privacy or speakerphone mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Matthew White, Thomas Stoll
  • Publication number: 20010019947
    Abstract: A casing for electronic equipment including first and second structural elements and a structure for mechanically connecting the first and second structural elements by elastic engagement. The structure for mechanical connection including an elastically deformable leg integral with the first structural element, a transverse projection borne by the leg, and a shoulder formed on the second structural element. The shoulder constitutes a stop configured to collaborate with the projection and hold the leg in place. The structure for mechanical connection by elastic engagement includes a structure for immobilizing the projection facing the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC TELECOM EUROPE
    Inventors: Stephane Michel, Yann Naslain, Pascal Roussy, Jean-Marc Le Foulgoc, Mickael Rouxel
  • Patent number: 6278873
    Abstract: A device includes: a communication device case 2 having therein a display panel 13 supported by a support frame 12 and a circuit board 15 stacked with a battery 22 and electrically connected to the battery 22; and an antenna 6 housed in the communication device case 2, the antenna having a first conductor portion 23 formed in a ring, a second conductor portion 24 opposed to the first conductor portion 23 at a predetermined interval, and a third conductor portion 25 for electrically connecting the first conductor portion 23 and the second conductor portion 24. And a communication module assembly 3 is formed by disposing a communication device module in the antenna 6, the communication device module including the circuit board and the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Itakura, Tatsuo Nitta, Tadashi Yasuoka, Y{overscore (u)}iti Hasumi, Nobuhiro Satoh
  • Patent number: 6275390
    Abstract: An EMI shield is used for shielding electronic components on a printed circuit board of a mobile phone. The shield comprises a cover and a pair of grounding strips, all being made by conductive material. The pair of grounding strips is soldered on the printed circuit board. A plurality of latches is formed on each grounding strip. The cover, which is substantially in the shape of an inverted U, comprises a shielding plate and a pair of rims depending downward from opposite sides of the shielding plate. A plurality of openings defined in the rims engages with respective latches of the grounding strips to secure the cover to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Tsan Wu, Nan-Tsung Huang, Fu-Keng Yang
  • Patent number: 6272331
    Abstract: A two-way radio system is claimed. The two-way radio system comprises a plurality of handheld radios. Each handheld radio has a housing and a receiving means and a transmitting means. The handheld radios function over a fixed frequency range. Each radio also includes a method of announcing an incoming call sent from a first handheld radio to a second handheld radio. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a communication within the fixed frequency range from the first handheld radio. The transmission is received by the second handheld radio, and announced by producing a vibrational movement in the housing of the second handheld radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Cobra Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Mirabelli
  • Patent number: 6256481
    Abstract: A device for electrically connecting a microphone mounted on a flip cover to an audio circuit of a telephone body. The flip cover is detachable from the telephone body when an excessive force is applied thereto. A hinge apparatus includes two hinge modules each including a hinge housing, a hinge shaft having a protrusion at an end and a shaft at another end, being assembled into the hinge housing; conductive means fixedly pressed into a through hole formed along an axis of the hinge shaft; a cam hinge having opposing protrusions and opposing indents formed alternately at one side, engaging with the hinge shaft, and a through hole formed along the axis of the hinge shaft; a hinge cover mounted so as to cover an end of the hinge housing, the hinge cover having a through hole formed along the axis of the hinge shaft, through which an electric wire passes; and a coil spring intervening between the cam hinge and the hinge cover to provide an elastic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-Ro Jeong, Young-Jin Yi, Sung-Soo Go, Seong-Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 6236366
    Abstract: A semiconductor module having a built-in antenna element for use in a system of a band of millimeter-waves or quasi-millimeter-waves comprises a substrate, an antenna element, a semiconductor integrated circuit, and a hermetically sealing portion. The antenna element is mounted on one side of the substrate. The semiconductor integrated circuit is also formed on the same side of the substrate as of the antenna element. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes at least either of a transmitter signal processing circuit composed mainly of an amplifier circuit and a frequency converter circuit for processing a signal which is exploited in the system of the band of millimeter-waves or quasi-millimeter-waves and transmitted to the antenna element, and a receiver signal processing circuit composed mainly of an amplifier circuit and a frequency converter circuit for processing a signal which is received by the antenna element and exploited in the system of the band of millimeter-waves or quasi-millimeter-waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamamoto, Yasutake Hirachi
  • Patent number: 6229994
    Abstract: A fitting device is formed by a mat of elastic material having a keyboard and a housing for a display panel. The mat further includes an extension part beyond the housing, formed by a locking frame which can be folded onto the housing and has fasteners in a bent-away position. A handset is provided with the fitting device and includes positioners for positioning the fitting device relative to the handset housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Franck Pavet
  • Patent number: 6223023
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a transmitter-receiver unit for a portable telephone, comprising a transmission circuit block, a reception circuit block, an antenna terminal member with an antenna connected thereto for transmitting a transmission signal outputted from the transmission circuit block and for receiving a reception signal to be inputted to the reception circuit block, an antenna duplexer connected to the antenna terminal member, a printed wiring board having connectors and wiring patterns, the connectors having terminals connected to the transmission circuit block and the reception circuit block and also connected to the wiring patterns, and a frame for holding the printed wiring board, wherein the antenna terminal member is disposed at a corner position of one side of the printed wiring board, and the connectors are formed so that they each can be disposed at any of opposed positions on both sides of the printed wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Kikuchi, Yoshio Saito, Satoshi Urabe
  • Patent number: 6212414
    Abstract: A wrist-carried radiotelephone, operable without removing from a user's wrist, includes a housing including a display and a battery, and a wristband having a plurality of rigid and flexing portions. The flexing portions mechanically connect the rigid portions. The wristband is electrically and mechanically coupled to the housing. The radiotelephone circuitry is distributed within the rigid portions of the wristband and is interconnected through the flexing portions of the wristband. The circuitry is coupled to the display and the battery through the wristband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Eric L. Krenz, Michael W. Schellinger
  • Patent number: 6193538
    Abstract: An audio rack for a vehicle has a rack case, a receiving connector, an operating panel, a linking mechanism, a controller, and a flexible flat cable. The rack case has an opening for the insertion of one of a plurality of types of electrical equipment. The receiving connector is mounted in a fixed manner to within the rack case. By the action of inserting a piece of electrical equipment into the rack case, an electrical connection is made between the electrical equipment and the receiving connector. The operating panel has a shape that is suitable for covering the opening of the rack case, and has switches that correspond to the various types of electrical equipment. The linking mechanism permits movement of the operating panel between a first and a second position. When at the first position, the operating panel covers the opening, and when at the second position, the operating panel is removed from the front of the opening, so as to permit access thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeyuki Amari, Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 6192253
    Abstract: An improved wrist-carried radiotelephone includes a first housing including a microphone, a display and a radio transceiver. A second housing includes a latch, a user interface, a speaker, and a removable battery. A flexible wristband has a first portion including an antenna extending downwardly and a latch clip at one end thereof operable to be received in the latch of the second housing. A second portion of the wristband includes electrical connections to connect the circuits of the first and second housing. The wristband includes support members to maintain the wrist-carrier radiotelephone in a predetermined configuration when the first portion of the wristband is unlatched from the second housing such that the speaker and microphone of the radiotelephone are at an optimum orientation in relation to a user's ear and mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Charlier, Neil Mehta, Aaron L. Dietrich, Paul R. Steuer
  • Patent number: 6177881
    Abstract: A vibrator assembly (100) for a radio (200) having a transducer (110) includes a front housing (102) having first and second recessed cavities (104, 106) within which a vibrator (108) and transducer (110) are seated. A unitary molded pad (122) is configured to cover the vibrator (108) and a portion of the transducer (110). When a bezel (128) is attached to the front housing (102) of the radio, the unitary molded pad (122) is compressed against the vibrator (108) to provide increased rigidity of the vibrator within the first recessed cavity (104). The unitary molded pad (122) transfers vibrations emanating from vibrator (108) to the radio surface while providing a seal about the transducer (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio C. Castaneda, Troy Frandsen, Benjamin J. Hafen, Amber E. Okoye
  • Patent number: 6141540
    Abstract: A communication device (100) operates in first and second modes of operation including a dispatch mode of operation and a telephone mode of operation. The device (100) includes a main body (124) having a top surface (126) and a cover (102). The cover 102 selectively moves between at least a first position wherein at least a portion of the top surface (126) is covered to provide for selective operation in the dispatch mode and at least a second position wherein the top surface (126) is exposed to provide for selective operation is the telephone mode of operation. The cover (102) includes a see through section (108) covering at least a portion of the display section (114) when the cover (102) is in the first position in order to protect the display section (114) and simultaneously provide access thereto. The cover (102) also include through access keys (106) which provide access to the keypad (116) even when the cover (102) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Richards, Gary Dorfner
  • Patent number: 6137686
    Abstract: A structure wherein a hand held computer module can be conveniently and interchangeably coupled to accessory devices. The hand held computer module is detachably connected to a first accessory module by a first interlocking structure. The computer module includes the first interlock mechanism and the first accessory module includes the second interlock mechanism. The first and second interlock mechanisms are mated together to form a physical connection between the computer module and the first accessory module. The first accessory module also includes a third interlock mechanism which is similar to the first interlock mechanism. A second accessory module has a fourth interlock mechanism which is similar to the second interlock mechanism. The first accessory module can be detachably connected to a second accessory module by means of a second interlocking structure which includes the third and fourth interlock mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Pingfu Saye
  • Patent number: 6138041
    Abstract: A cordless apparatus for permitting the hands-free use of a cellular telephone while driving a vehicle. The device comprises a main body including a speaker, a microphone, a supporting member and a securing means for securing the telephone to the main body. The main body comprises a head and a base, wherein the telephone cradle is substantially centrally located within the main body, between the head and the base. The telephone cradle has a top receiving end and a bottom receiving end, comprising a charging unit located substantially adjacent to the bottom receiving end of the telephone cradle. The speaker is positioned on the head of the main body substantially adjacent to the top end of the telephone cradle, and the microphone is located on the base of the main body, substantially adjacent to the receiving end of the telephone cradle. The supporting member comprises a first end affixed to the main body and a second end comprising a cigarette lighter adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: CCM Cellular Connection of Miami, Inc.
    Inventor: Karim Ben Yahia
  • Patent number: 6122179
    Abstract: A mounting tree for power transfer devices such as those used in hybrid fiber/coaxial systems. The mounting tree is installed inside an outdoor cabinet housing the power transfer devices. The mounting tree is located in a corner of the cabinet that is partially exposed to the outside environment. An intermediate mounting bracket is used to attach the mounting tree to the cabinet. The intermediate mounting bracket is permanently installed near the aforementioned corner such that the power transfer devices may be installed on the mounting tree before the tree is attached to the intermediate mounting bracket inside the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Edward C. Eardley, Alfred W. King, Eric M. Lington, Peter A. Michaels, Jr., Gerrit M. Moesbergen