Housing Or Support Patents (Class 455/575.1)
  • Publication number: 20150111623
    Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product (14, 54, 64, 84, 94, 1800). In one embodiment, a device for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product comprises a design element (13, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 1804) having a substrate (1930) having a first image (1914) applied on a first side of the substrate; and a connector (11, 51, 61, 81, 91, 121, 131, 1802) in contact with the design element, wherein the connector has an opening and is configured to be removably connected to the consumer product, wherein at least a portion of the first image is directly visible to a user via the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SKIN-IT, INC.
    Inventors: Darrin G. Hegemier, Xin F. Mathers, Peter M. On, Yen F. Chang, Frank M. Tyneski, Terry Favish
  • Patent number: 9014766
    Abstract: A protective clamp frame having a power and unclamp duplex button for mobile communication devices is disclosed, comprising a main frame, an auxiliary frame and a connection control element, wherein the main frame and the auxiliary frame are both configured in a closed frame structure, and the main frame is formed with a central recessed accommodating part for receiving a mobile communication device, further overlapped with the auxiliary frame, such that the lateral sides of the mobile communication device can be peripherally wrapped; in addition, the connection control element can release the connection between the main frame and the auxiliary frame and operate to engage in touch with the power switch on the mobile communication device in order to provide a duplex structure having power activation and unclamp frame features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Taer Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Ming Hu, Yu-Chun Lu, Chih-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9013867
    Abstract: A handheld computing device may include a first screen having a first display, a second screen having a second display, and a hinge connected to the first and second screens. The hinge may include a plurality of axes to enable the first and second screens to rotate about distinct axes. The hinge may include a hub having an internal passage configured to electrically couple the first and second screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, Michael J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9014767
    Abstract: A lid member with a waterproof function opening and closing an opening portion formed in a housing is structured by a rubber-like elastic material seal portion provided with a projection portion which is integrally formed in one surface of a resin main body of the lid member and is stored within the opening portion, an annular projection portion which is integrally formed in an outer peripheral surface of the projection portion and comes into close contact with a peripheral surface of the opening portion, and a reinforcing portion which extends from the annular projection portion to the vicinity of a junction portion of the outer peripheral surface with the main body, and a thermoplastic elastomer retention portion which exists so as to come into close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the reinforcing portion, and is integrally formed in a side of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Mektron, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tanaka, Osamu Ito, Yuichi Kakihara
  • Patent number: 9014756
    Abstract: An intelligent terminal that allows for replacement of a wireless communication device by a user is disclosed, which comprises an intelligent terminal body and the wireless communication device having a SIM card. The wireless communication device is detachably inserted in a slot of the intelligent terminal body and connected to the intelligent terminal body via an interface, and the outer surface of the wireless communication device matches with the outer surface of the intelligent terminal body, such that the wireless network accessing function of the ultra-thin intelligent terminal is ensured even when no WiFi or 4G network resources are available. Meanwhile, this intelligent terminal can prevent the wireless network accessing device from being subjected to external impact and the consequent damage on the interface. Moreover, the detachable wireless communication device also makes it convenient for the user to choose different kinds of wireless network accessing devices freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xianming Zhuang, Ruyun Gan, Ronald Xuelong Hu, Shiqing Zhao, Dexiang Edward Luo, Jizhong Li, Paola Pinnavaia, Vittorio DiMauro
  • Patent number: 9013866
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for driving a display module to move relative to a host module includes a display module fixing component disposed in the display module, a host module fixing component movably disposed in the host module, and a pivoting component. An end of the pivoting component is pivotally connected to the display module fixing component and another end of the pivoting component is fixed to the host module fixing component. The pivoting component drives the host module fixing component to move as being pivoted by the display module fixing component. The driving mechanism further includes at least one protruding structure disposed on the host module fixing component and capable of moving relative to an inner side of the host module in line contact manner or point contact manner as the pivoting component drives the host module fixing component to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Lee-Hua Yu, Hua-Chung Tseng
  • Patent number: 9010535
    Abstract: A pillbox for a cellular phone having a port or socket is disclosed which includes a body portion for one or more pills, a closure portion for closing the body portion, and an attachment portion for insertion into the port or socket of the cellular phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Walgreen Co.
    Inventors: Michael R. Wolf, Steven Gudenkauf
  • Patent number: 9008738
    Abstract: A cell phone protector case including a front cavity to retain a cell phone. It further includes a rear recessed cavity having a recessed rear wall surrounded by a circumferential rim including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first width-wise wall and a second width-wise wall, the recessed rear wall having a width-wise dimension and a lengthwise dimension and extends for a depth “below the tops of the respective lengthwise sidewalls and the width-wise walls. A key unique feature is the inclusion of a sheet of drawing, sketching or artwork paper having a front surface and a rear surface dimensioned to fit within the rear recessed cavity and retained by the rear sidewalls and rear width-wise walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Valor Communication, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary Hong Dong
  • Patent number: 9008725
    Abstract: A wireless or handheld device or phone is equipped with corner sensors which control functioning of the device. The corner sensors are configured based how a user holds the handheld device while utilizing the corner sensors. The corner sensors may also be configured based on a spatial orientation of the handheld device. The corner sensors may be configured based on which hand or hands control the corner sensors, the dexterity of the fingers controlling the sensors and/or the spatial orientation of the device. The corner sensors may include a touch sensor, a trackpad and/or a pressure sensor and may detect various single sensor inputs or simultaneous gestures. The device may sense when it is held in a hand and may disable the corner sensors when it is not held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: David M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9008736
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective frame for a mobile communication device having a power charging port. The protective frame has a retractable frame body, including a main frame body; a sliding element for reciprocatingly sliding along a direction with respect to the main frame body between a retracted protection position where the mobile communication device is fixedly framed by the retractable frame body and a stretched auxiliary power supply position; and a fastening element for fixing the sliding element with respect to the main frame body at the retracted protection position and the stretched auxiliary power supply position. The protective frame also includes an auxiliary battery adapted for being detachably installed in the retractable frame body and electrically connected to the power charging port of the mobile communication device, when the sliding element are fixed with respect to the main frame body at the stretched auxiliary power supply position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taer Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Ming Hu, Yu-Chun Lu, Chin-Sheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9001176
    Abstract: A lens assembly for a smartphone and a method of use is disclosed. In a first aspect, a lens assembly comprises a rotatable wheel; wherein the wheel includes at least two lenses. The lens assembly includes a skin portion coupled to the rotatable wheel, wherein the skin portion is adjustable to cover a smartphone. The at least two lenses of the wheel are positioned such that when one of the lens of the assembly is properly positioned it covers the lens of a camera on the smartphone. In a second aspect the method comprises providing a lens assembly over a camera lens of a smartphone chassis. The lens assembly includes a plurality of lenses that are rotatable. The method includes ensuring that the center of the smartphone lens is congruent with the center of the selected lens of the plurality of lens by referencing at least two surfaces of the smartphone chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AppBANC, LLC
    Inventor: Gilbert Springer
  • Patent number: 9001507
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal may include a window that at least partially covers the terminal body and is made of a light transmitting material, a non-transparent portion covering a portion of a surface of the window, a transparent portion provided within the non-transparent portion on the window to form a front image, and a front pattern plate mounted on a case of the mobile terminal to at least partially expose the pattern through the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Taesun Kim, Seulbitna Lee
  • Patent number: 9001996
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a light-transmissive cover plate are disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes an image display device that includes an image display surface; a casing that houses at least a portion of periphery of the image display device; a light-transmissive cover plate that includes a first surface facing the image display surface, at least a peripheral edge region of the first surface is bonded to the casing; and a joining member that bonds the peripheral edge region of the first surface to the casing. The joining member has a Young's modulus smaller than that of the light-transmissive cover plate. The light-transmissive cover plate includes a gradual reduction area, and in this gradual reduction area, thickness is gradually reduced towards an outermost edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge region of the first surface of the light-transmissive cover plate is included in the gradual reduction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Uto, Kuniaki Mitsuda
  • Patent number: 9001500
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism is for sliding a cover relative to a body of an electronic device to close and open the electronic device. The sliding mechanism includes a driving assembly capable of sliding between a first position and a second position different from the first position, and an abutting assembly engaging with the driving assembly and capable of sliding between a closed position and an open position. When the driving assembly is driven to slide from the first position to the second position, the abutting assembly is driven to rotate from the closed position to the open position to open the electronic device. When the driving assembly slides back to the first position, the abutting assembly is driven to rotate from the open position to the closed position to close the electronic device. An electronic device using the sliding mechanism is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: Fu Tai Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhou Chen
  • Patent number: 9002418
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification by holding the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart cover to identify the user. The user may allow others to use the smart cover by decoupling the smart cover from the user's mobile communications device and coupling it to the other's mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Spencer Neil White
  • Patent number: 9002413
    Abstract: A battery cell phone combination for use in a cell phone or other electronic device having a case or housing is provided. The battery cell phone combination has a primary battery and a secondary battery each being shaped so as to be able to be received in the case. When the primary battery is drained the user can enable the secondary battery in a rapid manner and for a fee or for free. The primary and secondary batteries are isolated from each other such that there is no current seepage between the two. The cell phone is continuously powered when switching from the primary battery to the secondary battery such that calls are not dropped during the switching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Terrence Michael Furtney
  • Patent number: 9002419
    Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes a housing having a first face and first and second side faces rising from the first face, a display unit having a first side and a second side, a touch panel disposed so as to be stacked on the display unit and being capable of detecting a distance to an indicator using an electric field, first and second conductive members respectively disposed at end parts of the display unit along the first side and the second side, and third and fourth conductive members disposed along a bottom face of the display unit and electrically connected to the first and second conductive members respectively. The display unit and the third and fourth conductive members are accommodated in a concave part configured by the first side face, the first face and the second side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America
    Inventor: Mitsuru Satou
  • Patent number: 9002416
    Abstract: A wireless communication device responsive to orientation and movement comprising a housing, a cellular transceiver capable of communicating with a cellular communication network, a WLAN transceiver capable of communicating with a remote device via an ad hoc network, a sensor and a processor. The sensor detects a substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The sensor also detects a movement of the wireless communication device subsequent to detecting the substantially vertical orientation of the wireless communication device. The processor performs a function of the wireless communication device in coordination with the remove device via the WLAN transceiver. The processor performs this function in response to detecting the substantially vertical orientation and the movement of the wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Roger W. Ady, William S. Hede
  • Patent number: 9002417
    Abstract: An electronic device that can suppress galvanic corrosion from occurring on a metal constituent member and a metal screw member is provided. The electronic device according to the present invention includes a first constituent member in which a first screw hole is provided, a second constituent member through which a second screw hole is provided at a position facing the first screw hole, and a screw member that penetrates through the second screw hole to the first screw hole. A first seal member that surrounds edges of the first screw hole and the second screw hole is arranged on the first constituent member and the second constituent member, a second seal member that covers the screw member and an edge thereof is arranged on the second constituent member, and a third constituent member that covers the second seal member is fitted on the second constituent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Okamoto, Nobuyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9001503
    Abstract: A cover panel made of sapphire is provided on a surface of an electronic apparatus. The cover panel includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. An operation button is positioned in a hole provided in the cover panel. A case supports the second surface of the cover panel. The case supports and covers an edge of the hole of the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kouta Hibino, Hiroyoshi Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 9002421
    Abstract: An antenna assembly for a portable device is provided. The antenna assembly includes a battery cover including a metal material, a short-range wireless communication module electrically connected to the battery cover, and a main antenna electrically connected to the short-range communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi Jeong Choi
  • Publication number: 20150094124
    Abstract: The present disclose relates to a mobile telephone, including a main body, a light source and an optical element. The main body defines a cavity. The light source is received in the cavity. The optical element is removably mounted on the main body and located at a pathway of the light source. Light emitted from the light source is converged by the optical element to outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHANG-WEI KUO
  • Patent number: 8994516
    Abstract: A control device may include a control unit to control transmission of a predetermined control command to a controlled device, when an operation surface is put face down is detected from a detection result of at least one sensor indicating the operation surface is put face down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Ito, Yoshinori Ohashi, Eiju Yamada, Tsuyoshi Honma
  • Patent number: 8996067
    Abstract: A system and method of displaying a menu screen in a mobile communication terminal is provided, and includes the steps of dividing a display screen into a predetermined number of areas to display a plurality of menu items in response to a user's menu screen display request, grouping the menu items based on the number of divided screen areas, and displaying the grouped menu items in the divided screen areas, respectively. Accordingly, a user can easily select various menu items of the mobile communication terminal. In addition, when the user wants to see a desired menu item, the user can easily recognize which direction a cursor should be moved, and since menu items can be exchanged group-for-group, the number of user key inputs can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gwang-Woo Choe, Jong-Sang Won, Ho-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8996061
    Abstract: A device for bridging communications between radios on a tactical network and telephones on a public cellular network. A dock region of the device housing receives and engages a given telephone that operates on the second network. A processing core of the device has (a) a core engine for receiving and transmitting first radio frequency (RF) signals on the first network, (b) digital signal processing stages for (i) translating first information modulated on the first RF signals into a format compatible with telephones on the second network, and producing corresponding translated first information, and (ii) translating second information demodulated by the given telephone from second RF signals on the second network into a format compatible with radios on the first network, and modulating the translated second information on the first RF signals transmitted by the core engine. An adapter provides an interface between the processing core and the given telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Brittain, Louis R. Brothers, Sriram Chandrasekar, Keith F. Conner
  • Patent number: 8993899
    Abstract: Various systems of an electronic deice and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield and electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shayan Malek, Benjamin J. Pope, Daniel W. Jarvis, Tang Yew Tan, Richard H. Dinh, Robert J. Steinfeld, Ramachandran Chundru
  • Patent number: 8996081
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integration device for integrating a cellular telephone in a vehicle, whereby the integration device comprises a receiving compartment, a coupler antenna for the cellular telephone network attached to the receiving compartment and electronics which can be connected to an external antenna. Here, the integration device comprises multiple coupler antennae connected to the electronics, whereby a communications connection is made via the cellular telephone network such that the electronics of the integration device for the active cellular telephone inserted in the receiving compartment, regardless of the type of the cellular telephone inserted and regardless of the position of the cellular telephone inserted in the receiving compartment, selects and uses for the communication that coupler antenna with the highest reception quality in the communication with the cellular telephone located in the receiving compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Peiker Acustic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Lachnitt, Ulrich Bürg
  • Patent number: 8996075
    Abstract: A case is provided for accommodating a portable electronic device and at least one accessory of the portable electronic device. The case provides a holder configured for holding a portable electronic device, the holder having a front panel and a back panel; a retraction system for allowing at least part of a cable portion an accessory to be retracted. Further provided is an ultra thin winding mechanism contained in a enclosure within the case where the audio output is connected via contacts on the back of the spool and contacts on the lining of the case, a button located on the case which engages audio by being adjacent to and in contact with the portable electronic device's audio button, a second button which operates to simultaneously disengage audio and retract the cable, and a microphone installed within the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Jaleel Bunton
  • Patent number: 8989826
    Abstract: A cellular phone case accessory device is disclosed. The case is attached to a cell phone and includes an upper section and a lower section sized to correspond with a cellular phone and to receive the phone in one of the sections. The upper section and lower section are attached by a hinge that enables pivotal movement of the upper and lower sections with respect to each other. Situated within the space defined between the upper and lower sections is a pocket or storage compartment where credit cards, cash, ID and other items may be stored safely. A mirror is also disposed between the upper and lower sections and usable when the upper and lower sections are pivotally disposed in an open position. Another embodiment includes a cell phone holding compartment comprised of two portions removably attached to one another for inserting and retaining a cell phone therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Linda Connolly
  • Patent number: 8989737
    Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a communication session with a terminal (i.e., terminating SIP client). The system includes a network node (e.g., SIP proxy) located in a network across which an originating client is capable of communicating. The network node is capable of sending a trigger to the terminal independent of the network. The network node is also capable of receiving a registration message, in response to the trigger, from the terminal across the network. In this regard, the network node is capable of receiving the registration message to thereby identify the terminal across the network such that a communication session is capable of being established with the terminal based upon the identity of the terminal across the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Petteri Pöyhönen
  • Patent number: 8989792
    Abstract: A user device obtains motion data from an inertial sensor included in the user device. The user device receives a command to transmit information at a specified transmit power level. The user device determines, based on the motion data, whether the presence of a human body part is detected. When the presence of a human body part is detected, the user device reduces a current transmit power level below the specified transmit power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Depew
  • Patent number: 8989822
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is provided that includes a housing, a display screen, and a keypad. The housing includes a front face having a portion that has a contour. The contour may be is inwardly directed and be defined by at least a first gradient direction. The display screen is provided with the front face, apart from the portion that has the contour. The keypad includes a plurality of keycaps that extend outward from the front face. The keypad may be provided only on an occupied region of the portion of the front face that has the contour. A maximum angle formed by the occupied region of the front face relative to a horizontal reference that is coplanar with the display screen is greater than 20 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Lee, Troy Hulick, Mark Babella
  • Patent number: 8989372
    Abstract: A case for a mobile terminal is provided to which a stylus pen may be stably coupled. The case may include a mobile terminal receiving portion in which a mobile terminal is received, and a stylus pen receiving portion in which a stylus pen is received. The stylus pen may be coupled to a groove provided in the stylus pen receiving portion, at a portion of the case adjacent to the mobile terminal receiving portion at a back side of the mobile terminal, to store the stylus pen together with the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myungsoo Choi, Jisun Yang, Minsoo Kim, Kyungtae Yang
  • Patent number: 8988480
    Abstract: A mobile multi-function device that includes a speaker, two or more microphones, and a beamformer processor is described. The beamformer processor uses the microphones to perform beamforming operations. One of the microphones shares a receiver acoustic opening with the speaker while the other microphone uses a separate acoustic opening. The receiver acoustic opening may be an earpiece opening that is held to the ear of a user while conducting a phone call with the device and provides acoustic input and output paths for the microphone and the speaker, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ruchir M. Dave, Jae H. Lee, Guy C. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8989823
    Abstract: A box-shaped metal structure is formed by press-working or the like, and a resin shell is integrally molded to the periphery of the metal structure by extrusion molding a resin. A flexible circuit board for key switches is disposed on a switch-receiving surface of the metal structure. The resin shell and the box-shaped metal structure are not bonded together, but the resin fills the connecting holes in the metal structure, whereby the shell and the metal structure are kept together after molding. A casing for a portable device having a structure suitable for obtaining reduced thickness and size reduction is thereby obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ogatsu
  • Patent number: 8989824
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housings that can have smoother profiles and with switch assembly input components with knobs that can move along tracks in directions at least partially offset from the directions of anticipated resistive forces. The housings can include switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along linear tracks and switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along curved tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Andrew Lewis Johnston
  • Patent number: 8989825
    Abstract: A multifunction cover with touch screen display, icons, and a keyboard is described. A multifunction touch screen enabled mobile device may be configured to be connected to the separate cover, which may be attached to the device and detached from the device. The mobile device may be enabled with a cellular voice and data communication, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity, and Internet Protocol connectivity. The mobile device may be enabled to play videos, capture photos, and stream multimedia content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: IP Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Raman K. Rao, Sanjay K. Rao, Sunil K. Rao
  • Publication number: 20150080064
    Abstract: The present invention comprises: a first cradle installed at a satellite terminal and formed so as to have at least one coupling block; and a second cradle in which a smartphone terminal is seated and which is formed so as to have a block-coupling portion on one side thereof, wherein said block-coupling portion is to be coupled to the block of the first cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jong In Park
  • Patent number: 8983502
    Abstract: A user equipment (26) for wireless communication with a mobile base station (18). The user equipment is configured to: obtain a current location (P4) of the user equipment; receive a set of quality measures indicative of wireless data transfer rates in an area (A) comprising the current location (P4); present on a graphical interface (218) of the user equipment i) a new location (P5) comprised in the area (A), or ii) a direction (D5) to the new location (P5) comprised in the area (A). The new location (P5) is, in comparison with the current location (P4), associated with a relatively higher quality measure indicative of a wireless data transfer rate. A network node for obtaining and providing the set of quality measures is also disclosed, as well as related methods and computer readable mediums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: David Lindegren, Andreas Ekeroth, Jorgen Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 8982542
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a mobile electronic device includes a first leaf comprising first and second fixed pivot axes and a second leaf comprising third and fourth fixed pivot axes, the four pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf at the first pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the fourth pivot axis. A second linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf such at the second pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the third pivot axis. The first and second leaves are pivotable at least about 180° relative to one another. A cam mechanism can be included to bias the pivotal motion of the leaves. An FPC or other electrical connector linking the leaves can pass through a passage in at least one of the linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: David Bohn
  • Patent number: 8983535
    Abstract: Medical device that scans medical parameters and communicates via a cell phone. The cell phone can communicate the parameters to a remote location and/or or can analyze them. The medical device can be powered by the cell phone or can be wireless. A relatively large area for a pad that forms the surface area that determines the medical information can thus be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ubiquity Broadcasting Corporation
    Inventors: Connie Jordan, Christopher Carmichael
  • Patent number: 8983554
    Abstract: In accordance with a non-limiting aspect, a mobile wireless communications device includes a housing, at least one circuit board carried by the housing, radio frequency (RF) circuitry, and a processor. An antenna is operative with the RF circuitry. A charging circuit charges a battery carried by and powers the device and includes at least one charging contact carried by the housing and configured for engaging an external charging cradle when connected thereto. It includes an internal connector extending to at least one circuit board and connecting to the charging circuitry. An RF filter includes a ferrite material surrounding at least a portion of the internal connector to minimize RE coupling from the at least one charging contact to the antenna and reduce transmitter harmonics emission and receiver de-sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: George Mankaruse, Lizhong Zhu, Michael Corrigan
  • Patent number: 8983399
    Abstract: Provided is an in-millimeter-wave dielectric transmission device. The in-millimeter-wave dielectric transmission device includes a semiconductor chip provided on one interposer substrate and capable of in-millimeter-wave dielectric transmission, an antenna structure connected to the semiconductor chip, two semiconductor packages including a molded resin configured to cover the semiconductor chip and the antenna structure, and a dielectric transmission path provided between the two semiconductor packages to transmit a millimeter wave signal. The semiconductor packages are mounted such that the antenna structures thereof are arranged with the dielectric transmission path interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kawamura, Yasuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8983528
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a device and method for disconnecting a download channel of a hand-held terminal. The device comprises: a connection/disconnection unit (308), which comprises a fuse module (308-2) and a fusing module (308-4), arranged between a download connection point (302) and a microprocessor (306); when no downloading is needed by the hand-held terminal, the fusing module (308-4) is provided with a level signal through the download connection point, and switch characteristics of a triode or an MOSFET in the fusing module (308-4) are utilized, to control the connection/disconnection of the download channel between the download connection point (302) and the microprocessor (306), thus avoiding generation of new download channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Chunyu Li
  • Patent number: 8983559
    Abstract: An improved mobile phone case structure capable of standing, clamping and coiling, including a case. The case is to cover the back side of a mobile phone. And the surface of the case is configured with a rectangular opening. Inside the rectangular opening, a frame is embedded. One side of the frame is pivoted with the rectangular opening, while the other side of the frame is pivoted with a coiling plate. When unfolded, the frame forms a support for the case to stand. The coiling plate has an arc design. When unfolded, the frame can be clamped comfortably by two fingers, and can provide a function to neatly coil and fix the earphone. When not used, the coiling plate can be in flat contact with the back side of the mobile phone. The unique combination of frame and coiling plate designed by the present invention integrates multiple functions and is therefore a valuable innovation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Shi-Xun Chiu
  • Patent number: 8982548
    Abstract: An apparatus opening and closing mechanism includes: a slide mechanism by which a first casing and a second casing are slidably connected to each other and which effects transition of position state of the first casing and the second casing between a closed state and an open state; and a hinge mechanism by which the first casing and the second casing are rotatably connected to each other. The slide mechanism includes: a first holder fixed to the first casing; a second holder which is fixed to the second casing and by which the first slider is supported so as to be movable in the sliding direction; and an elastic member which has one end fixed to the first holder and the other end fixed to the second holder and which extends and contracts according to movement of the first casing and the second casing at the time of sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Totsuka, Akira Hanatsuka, Shingo Harada
  • Publication number: 20150072743
    Abstract: Interactive electronic device packaging assemblies, methods, and systems change the operational state of a packaged electronic device, for example activating a mobile phone, in response to opening of the retail package. In one embodiment, the retail package includes a hall-effect sensor mounted on one portion, a magnet mounted on another portion, and an audio playback circuit that plays prerecorded audio when the portions are separated during opening. In another embodiment, the audio playback circuit can be coupled to an audio output of the electronic device, enabling the package to function as an external loudspeaker. And in yet another embodiment, the package includes a pull-out drawer for storing accessories, such as a manual, earphones, AC adapter, USB cable, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventor: Frank V. Savino
  • Publication number: 20150072742
    Abstract: An electronic device for detecting presence and motion includes a housing, a first infrared (“IR”) sensor, and a second IR sensor. The housing includes a first corner having a first plurality of openings formed thereon, and a second corner having a second plurality of openings formed thereon. The first IR sensor is disposed proximate to the first corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the first plurality of openings. The second IR sensor is disposed proximate to the second corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the second plurality of openings. The openings of the first plurality of openings are oriented toward the first IR sensor in different directions. The openings of the second plurality of openings are oriented toward the second IR sensor in different directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Mohsen Alameh, Patrick J. Cauwels, Jun Jiang, Kenneth A. Paitl
  • Patent number: 8977316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable security device (SIM) for authenticating a user (USR) of a communication device (MP1, MP2) to a server (SRV), the portable security device (SIM) comprising means for configuring said communication device (MP1, MP2). The portable security device (SIM) further comprises means for filtering the configuration of a first communication device (MP1), creating a backup of the filtered configuration of the communication device (MP1), detecting that the user (USR) changed a first communication device (MP1) for a second communication device (MP2), filtering the backup of the filtered configuration, and restoring the filtered backup of the filtered configuration of the first communication device (MP1) on the second communication device (MP2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Gemalto SA
    Inventor: Jose Luis Gayosso Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8976523
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes: a body having a slot at one side thereof; a socket mounted to the body, and to which an external device is connected through the slot; a slide door coupled to the body so as to expose or cover the socket; and a guide portion formed in the body, and configured to guide motion of the sliding door, wherein the slide door comprises: a base having a plate shape; a manipulation portion protruding from a front surface of the base, and exposed to the outside through the slot; and a rail portion formed to be slidable along the guide portion, and coupled to a rear surface of the base so as to be covered by the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Insu Song, Minchul Shin, Youngmin Lee, Younghwan Moon