System for directly sensing the orientation of a track ball

A track ball device includes a ball having a pattern of first conductive features and a socket into which the ball rotatably sits, the socket having a pattern of second conductive features. Also disclosed is a sensing array system for determining relative motion including a first substrate having a plurality of interstitially arranged electrodes provided thereon. A second substrate has a plurality of transfer electrodes provided thereon. The first and second substrates are movable relative to each other, and the plurality of interstitially arranged electrodes selectively operate as driving electrodes for providing a plurality of signals to the sensing array and as collecting electrodes for collecting signals capacitively transferred from the driving electrodes by the transfer electrodes. The sensing array is useful in a battery operated track ball device, a mouse or other device that must be able to determine relative motion over two degrees of freedom.Published versio

System for directly sensing the orientation of a track ball

A track ball device includes a ball having a pattern of first conductive features and a socket into which the ball rotatably sits, the socket having a pattern of second conductive features. Also disclosed is a sensing array system for determining relative motion including a first substrate having a plurality of interstitially arranged electrodes provided thereon. A second substrate has a plurality of transfer electrodes provided thereon. The first and second substrates are movable relative to each other, and the plurality of interstitially arranged electrodes selectively operate as driving electrodes for providing a plurality of signals to the sensing array and as collecting electrodes for collecting signals capacitively transferred from the driving electrodes by the transfer electrodes. The sensing array is useful in a battery operated track ball device, a mouse or other device that must be able to determine relative motion over two degrees of freedom.Published versio

Sound port for a wrist telephone

A radiotelephone device includes a case including a transceiver. A multilayer strap is attached to the case for fastening the device to a user's wrist. The multilayer strap has a top layer and a bottom layer. A microphone is electrically connected to the transceiver. A speaker is located at an end of the top layer of the strap and electrically connected to the transceiver. The speaker is located in a housing having a first surface substantially parallel to the top layer of the strap, and at least one other surface integrally connected to the first surface which is positioned at an angle with respect to the first surface. At least one sound port is located within the at least one other surface of the housing.Published versio

On hook/off hook mechanism for wrist telephone

A radiotelephone wrist device includes a case having a transceiver and a strap attached to the case for fastening the device to a user's wrist. The strap has a top layer and a bottom layer in which the top layer is releasable from the bottom layer of the strap. A microphone is located on the strap and electrically connected to the transceiver. A speaker is located at an end of the top layer of the strap and electrically connected to the transceiver. A cradle for receiving the speaker is formed in the case. A sensor located beneath the cradle detects when the speaker is removed from the cradle.Published versio

Diversity antenna for a wrist telephone

A radiotelephone wrist device includes a case having a transceiver and a strap attached to the case for fastening the device to a user's wrist. The strap has a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer is attached to the bottom layer by a pivot mechanism which facilitates rotating at least a portion of the top layer with respect to the bottom layer. A microphone is located on the strap and electrically connected to the transceiver. A speaker is located at an end of the top layer of the strap and electrically connected to the transceiver. A first antenna is located in the bottom layer of the strap. A second antenna is located in the rotatable portion of the top layer of the strap.Published versio