Curtis W Thompson

US Patent:

6490439, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/680548

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Croft - Salt Lake City UT
Curtis D. Thompson - Taylorsville UT
Jay B. McCleary - West Valley UT

Assignee:

3COM Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04B 138

US Classification:

455 90, 455566, 455 677, 455575, 343702, 343721

Abstract:

A transceiver device and method thereof for sending signals to and receiving signals from another device via a wireless connection and for providing information about the wireless connection to a user. An antenna coupled to the transceiver is visible to the user. The antenna is a lighted antenna that is adapted to provide a visual indication of a wireless signal to a user. The lighted antenna can be used to show that the transceiver is transmitting or receiving signals, that a data connection has been made, or that a Bluetooth piconet has been detected. The color and/or intensity of the lighted antenna can be varied to indicate, for example, the strength of the signal. With a lighted antenna, additional features and functionality can be incorporated into a transceiver device while maintaining the form factor of existing designs. The multi-functionality of a lighted antenna is particularly suited for smaller devices where space is at a premium.

US Patent:

6622031, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/684161

Inventors:

Jay B. McCleary - West Valley UT
Curtis D. Thompson - Taylorsville UT
Kenneth A. Croft - Salt Lake City UT

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04B 138

US Classification:

455575, 455556, 343702, 345173

Abstract:

An antenna configuration for storing and deploying an antenna used with a hand-held wireless device, and method thereof. The device housing has a molded opening for holding a stylus element used with the device. The antenna is also stored in the housing within the molded opening, and the base end of the antenna is pivotably attached to the housing. In the present embodiment, the pivotable antenna is held in place within the molded opening by the stylus element. When the stylus element is removed, the antenna automatically pivots to the position in which it protrudes from the device housing. Thus, the antenna can be stored where it is protected and out of the way. In addition, the current form factor (size, shape and appearance) of the hand-held device can be retained.

US Patent:

6665543, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/684746

Inventors:

Jay B. McCleary - West Valley UT
Kenneth A. Croft - Salt Lake City UT
Curtis D. Thompson - Taylorsville UT

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04Q 124

US Classification:

455550, 455 90, 455575, 343702

Abstract:

An antenna configuration for storing and deploying an antenna used with a hand-held wireless device, and method thereof. The device housing has a molded opening for holding a stylus element used with the device. The antenna is also stored in the housing within the molded opening. When the stylus is removed from the molded opening, the antenna can slide within the opening to a position in which it protrudes at one end from the housing. Thus, the antenna can be stored where it is protected and out of the way. In addition, the current form factor (size, shape and appearance) of the hand-held device can be retained.

US Patent:

60658800, May 23, 2000

Filed:

Mar 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/036851

Inventors:

Curtis Thompson - Salt Lake City UT

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 1300

US Classification:

385 88

Abstract:

An adapter having an L-shaped housing is configured for removable attachment to a conventional PDA. The adapter is electrically coupled with the PDA and includes a laser or other light source configured to selectively emanate a light beam that can be modified into a digital signal. The digital signal can be received by a photo detector on a computer for facilitating a download of data from the PDA to the computer. The light beam from the laser can also be used as a presentation pointer. The adapter further includes a photo detector which is selectively positioned relative to the laser so that the light beam from the laser can be reflected off a bar code and received by the photo detector. The reflected signal is then converted to a digital signal which is then forwarded to the PDA for storage or access of other corresponding information.