3com Corporation

Brigham Young University

Leco Corporation

3 Com Corporation

3com Cororation

Jeffrey L Jones

Sy Prestwich

Brent Delbert Madsen

David C Andrus

David D Oliphant

Steven Lo Forte

Kurt Stewart

Thomas A Johnson

Ryan A Kunz

Edgar D Lee

David Moore

Carlos A Rios

Dirk Ostermiller

Douglas Alan Sward

Robert Yarbrough

John Marshall

Nhan T Nguyen

Milton L Lee

Alan L Rockwood

Rick D Giles

Larry J Davis

Kenneth S Morley

Gary H Stout

Randall W Waite

Darrin J Gibbs

Samuel E Tolley

John Wheeler

Stephen A Lammert

Robert Merrill

Tom Johnson

John M Wheeler

Steven LoForte

Sy Prestwitch

A scaled down version of a toroidal radio frequency (RF) ion trap mass analyzer operating with RF trapping voltages on the order of 1 kVyet despite the reduced dimensions, retains roughly the same ion trapping volume as conventional 3D quadrupole ion traps, wherein the curved geometry enables construction of a compact mass analyzer and easy interface with conventional electron multipliers.

Miniature toroidal radio frequency ion trap mass analyzer

The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects. The antenna modules have orientations perpendicular to each other such that the polar nulls representative of their radiation patterns remain spatially orthogonal.

Extendable planar diversity antenna

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.

Integrated laptop antenna using two or more antennas

A communication card includes a retractable connector that is smoothly extendable and retractable. A torsion spring is positioned within a slot that receives the retractable connector and the torsion spring assists the extension of the retractable platform and counter forces that may otherwise cause the platform to bind as it extends and retracts. A flexible circuit is attached to the torsion spring and it allows electrical communication between the retractable connectors and the communication card. The flexible circuit is preferably attached to the retractable connector and the communication card by zero insertion force connectors. Because the flexible circuit is bonded to the torsion spring, the movement of the circuit is constrained and that helps protect the circuit from damage.

Retractable connector for use with electronic devices

An antenna system for a communication card provides wireless or radio frequency (RF) communication with other networks or communication systems. The antenna system includes an antenna attached to a retractable platform that is selectably movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When wireless communication is desired, the retractable platform is located in the extended position and the antenna is substantially disposed outside of the body of the communications card. When wireless communication is not desired, the retractable platform and antenna are stored inside the body of the communications card in the retracted position. Desirably wireless communication is automatically available when the retractable platform is in the extended position, and wireless communication is automatically unavailable when the retractable platform is in the retracted position.

Antenna for wireless communication system

The present invention relates to a removable and/or retractable extension for an electronic apparatus which is connected to the apparatus with a physically independent electrical connector which enables the extension to be retracted, extended, removed and replaced without connection or disconnection of wires, cables, plugs, jacks, flex connectors and similar devices which physically restrain the extension. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include longitudinally extensible conductors or leaf-spring conductors to provide a physically independent electrical connection between the retractable and/or removable extension and its host electronic apparatus. The extensions of some embodiments of the present invention include antennas, physical/electrical media connectors and similar electrical and electronic devices.

Physically independent connector for retractable and removeable extensions in thin-profile electronic devices

A hinged or rotatable antenna working in conjunction with a ground plane element which discloses a coaxial cable connection that maintains electrical contact between the ground plane element and the coaxial cable shielding through the use of a compression retainer block or plate. Some embodiments of the present invention also disclose channel geometry for establishing and maintaining an electrical connection between cable shielding and a ground plate element.

Method and apparatus for connection to a rotatable antenna

The present invention relates to an antenna which is configured to plug into a retractable connector on an electronic apparatus. Some embodiments of the present invention may be configured to plug into common RJ-11 or RJ-45 jacks allowing devices equipped with these jack to utilize external antennas to increase range and functionality. Further, some embodiments of the present invention comprise at least a partial ground plane located in the antenna plug which connects to a jack. The present invention also comprises connectors such as RJ jacks which comprise ground plane elements which may be used to improve antenna range and efficiency.

Removable antenna for connection to miniature modular jacks

The present invention relates to an antenna which is physically combined with a physical/electrical media connector. Some embodiments of the present invention may be configured with connectors which can accommodate RJ-11 or RJ-45 plugs allowing devices equipped with these connectors to utilize cable connections as well as wireless connections via the combined antenna. Some embodiments of the present invention comprise antennas which hinge or otherwise deploy from the combined connector/antenna unit and some embodiments include automatic activation of wireless circuitry when the antenna is deployed. Certain embodiments also comprise units with particular antenna and ground plane configurations.

Combination miniature cable connector and antenna

The present invention provides a retractable connector with a guide structure for use with electronic devices. The guide structure minimizes the lateral movement of the retractable connector and helps ensure that the retractable connector moves smoothly between the extended and retracted positions. The retractable connector and guide structure are preferably used in conjunction with multiple receptacles so that the connector can be connected to more than one communication system or network simultaneously. Advantageously, the guide structure allows the retractable connector to have a larger size while permitting smooth and controlled movement of the connector. The large size retractable connector can also include one or more antennas used for wireless communication.

Retractable connector with an alignment mechanism for use with electronic devices

Antenna

An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the conductive connection clip is operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion of the conductive connection clip contacts the conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing to allow signals to be transmitted from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

Antenna for a portable information device

The present invention is embodied in a method and apparatus for utilizing inherently insulative material, such as the glass and epoxy resins used in construction of printed circuit boards, for construction of components in a time of flight mass spectrometer. By using printed circuit board materials, the present invention can take advantage of fabrication techniques for providing circuit traces on surfaces, from one side to another as a via, or embedded within the printed circuit material so as to be covered except where necessary to be exposed to make contact with other electrical devices. Embedded circuit traces also enable capacitive coupling to AC energy while maintaining electrical and physical isolation. Consequently, the present invention enables both invasive and non-invasive access to pressure and vacuum chambers.

Printed circuit boards as insulated components for a time of flight mass spectrometer

Growing community of inventors

Orem, UT, United States of America

Jeffrey L Jones