Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110075328 | ROTARY SLIDE SWITCHES - Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing the space required by a switch assembly input component of an electronic device. The input component may include a track and a button capable of linear movement within the track. The input component may also include a disk having a slot and a plurality of labels. A pin may be coupled to the button and may extend into the slot for translating the linear movement of the button into rotational movement of the disk. The rotational movement of the disk may alter the portion the labels that are exposed to a user under an open portion of the track. The input component may also include a switch coupled to a portion of the pin extending through the slot of the disk. A switch arm may move along a switch path of the switch in response to the linear movement of the button. | 03-31-2011 |
20110188677 | USING AN AUDIO CABLE AS AN INDUCTIVE CHARGING COIL - The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for inductively charging an electronic device. This technique involves winding an audio cable for the electronic device around a charging mechanism multiple times so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil. Next, a magnetic field is created through the charging mechanism to induce a current in the inductive receiving coil. Finally, the induced current in the inductive receiving coil is used to charge a rechargeable battery for the electronic device. | 08-04-2011 |
20110279961 | SHOCK MOUNTING COVER GLASS IN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS DEVICES - Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing. | 11-17-2011 |
20120044123 | MODULAR MATERIAL ANTENNA ASSEMBLY - A modular material antenna assembly is provided that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically secured to the antenna block. The antenna flex may also be electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044635 | INTERNAL FRAME OPTIMIZED FOR STIFFNESS AND HEAT TRANSFER - A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044636 | COMPACT FOLDED CONFIGURATION FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PACKAGING - A memory unit for a computing device is described. The memory device can include a number of memory chips, such as flash nand chips, linked together via a flexible circuit connector. During installation of the memory device, portions of the flexible circuit connector can be bent or folded in different locations to allow an orientation of the memory chips to be changed relative to one another. In one embodiment, a memory device with a number of chips can be provided in a flat configuration and then can be folded to allow the chips to be installed in a stacked configuration. In another embodiment, the flexible circuit connector can be grounded to other conductive components to allow the flexible circuit connector to be used as part of a faraday cage surrounding the memory chips. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044637 | FORMED PCB - Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046780 | COMPOSITE MICROPHONE BOOT TO OPTIMIZE SEALING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES - A microphone assembly for an electronic device is described. The microphone assembly can include a microphone, a microphone boot and a printed circuit board. The microphone boot can be a composite microphone boot that is formed from multiple materials. A hardness of the each of the materials used in the microphone boot can be selected to improve sealing integrity and reduce shock transmission. In one embodiment, the composite microphone boot can be formed using a double-shot injection molding process. | 02-23-2012 |
20120077353 | INTEGRATED NOISE REDUCTION CONNECTOR - An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078570 | MULTIPLE ACCELEROMETER SYSTEM - Systems and methods for approximating angular velocity using a plurality of accelerometers are disclosed. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of approximating angular velocity including receiving linear acceleration information from a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a relative acceleration for at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a distance value for the at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers and approximating the angular velocity by multiplying the distance value by the relative acceleration to obtain. | 03-29-2012 |
20120170284 | DIFFUSER AND FILTER STRUCTURES FOR LIGHT SENSORS - An electronic device may have a display. The display may have a central active area and a peripheral inactive area. A cover layer such as a layer of cover glass may be used to cover the display. The inner surface of the cover layer in the inactive area may be coated with an opaque masking layer such as black ink. Light for an ambient light sensor or other component may pass through an opening in the black ink. A layer of ink or other structures may be mounted within the opening to serve as a filter structure. A light diffusing structure such as a clear member with a textured surface may be used to diffuse light that is passing through the opening in the black ink and the filter to the light sensor. Integral filter-diffuser structures and structures with concave surfaces for focusing incoming light onto the light sensor may be used. | 07-05-2012 |
20120190239 | INTEGRATED NOISE REDUCTION CONNECTOR - An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin. | 07-26-2012 |
20120327567 | ENHANCED GLASS IMPACT DURABILITY THROUGH APPLICATION OF THIN FILMS - Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices). | 12-27-2012 |
20120327568 | Thin Film Coatings for Glass Members - Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices). | 12-27-2012 |
20130063885 | SHOCK MOUNTING COVER GLASS IN CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing. | 03-14-2013 |
20130109248 | SPLIT JACK ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
20130128462 | AMORPHOUS DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON COATINGS FOR INCREASING THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF STRUCTURAL FRAMES IN PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - The disclosed embodiments provide a component for a portable electronic device. The component includes a structural frame within the portable electronic device and an amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating deposited on the surfaces and the edges of the structural frame, wherein the amorphous DLC coating increases a thermal conductivity of the structural frame. | 05-23-2013 |
20130141870 | INTERNAL FRAME OPTIMIZED FOR STIFFNESS AND HEAT TRANSFER - A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame. | 06-06-2013 |
20130249740 | Flexible Printed Circuit Structures - Flexible printed circuit structures may be provided that have regions with different electrical and mechanical properties. A flexible printed circuit substrate may be formed from a sheet of polymer having different regions with different thicknesses. The flexible printed circuit substrate may be bent in a thin region of the substrate. Additional flexible printed circuit substrate portions may be coupled to the flexible printed circuit substrate. The additional portions may have different substrate thicknesses. A groove or other recess may be formed in a flexible printed circuit substrate to promote bending. Openings may also be formed in the substrate to promote bending. | 09-26-2013 |
20140063716 | DEVICE HOUSINGS WITH HIDDEN FASTENERS - A housing for a personal electronic device includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a pivoting member pivotally attached to the second housing portion. The first housing portion defines a first plane and has a first support member arranged thereon at a first angle to the first plane. The first support member includes at least one through hole for engaging a fastener. The second housing portion defines a second plane and has a second support member arranged thereon at a second angle to the second plane. The second support member includes at least one retaining hole configured to align with the at least one through hole and retain the fastener. The pivoting member is configured to pivot between at least two positions to obscure the fastener. | 03-06-2014 |
20140069782 | ANTI-ROTATIONAL BUTTONS - Systems and methods for providing input component assemblies with anti-rotational buttons in electronic devices are provided. The input component assembly includes a switch, a button positioned over the switch, where the button is operative to close at least one circuit of the switch when the button is depressed towards the switch, and at least one pin positioned underneath the button, where the at least one pin is operative to engage with a surface to assist in preventing rotation of the button, when the button is depressed towards the switch. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071081 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ROUTING CABLES IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Systems and methods for routing cables in an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a touch sensor having a number of traces, a display component, and a mechanical button, each of which may be coupled to a circuit board via a single flexible circuit cable. This may save valuable space within the electronic device. | 03-13-2014 |
20140145150 | Electronic Devices With Display-Integrated Light Sensors - An electronic device is provided with a display and a display-integrated light sensor. The display includes a transparent cover layer, light-generating layers, and a touch-sensitive layer. The display-integrated light sensor is interposed between the transparent cover layer and a display layer such as the touch-sensitive layer or a thin-film transistor layer of the light-generating layers. The light-generating layers include a layer of organic light-emitting material. The display-integrated light sensor can be implemented as an ambient light sensor or a proximity sensor. The display-integrated light sensor may be a packaged light sensor that is integrated into the display layers of the display or may be formed from light-sensor components formed directly on a display circuitry layer such as the touch-sensitive layer or the thin-film transistor layer. | 05-29-2014 |
20140170905 | Split Jack Assemblies and Methods For Making The Same - Split jack assemblies are constructed with a tubeless pin block. Elimination (or split) of the tube, or more particularly, a tube that is an integrally formed part of the pin block form the pin block allows for the use of a tubeless pin block design that results in a jack assembly having smaller overall dimensions than a conventional jack assembly constructed to accommodate a plug of the same dimensions. The tubeless pin block can be used in conjunction with a tube sleeve or with a curved surface of a housing for an electronic device, or both to provide a plug receptacle of the split jack assembly. | 06-19-2014 |
20140183342 | Electronic Devices With Light Sensors And Displays - An electronic device is provided with a display and a light sensor that receives light that passes through the display. The display includes features that increase the amount of light that passes through the display. The features may be translucency enhancement features that allow light to pass directly through the display onto a light sensor mounted behind the display or may include a light-guiding layer that guides light through the display onto a light sensor mounted along an edge of the display. The translucency enhancement features may be formed in a reflector layer or an electrode layer for the display. The translucency enhancement features may include microperforations in a reflector layer of the display, a light-filtering reflector layer of the display, or a reflector layer of the display that passes a portion of the light and reflects an additional portion of the light. | 07-03-2014 |
20140369518 | USING AN AUDIO CABLE AS AN INDUCTIVE CHARGING COIL - The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for inductively charging an electronic device. This technique involves winding an audio cable for the electronic device around a charging mechanism multiple times so that one or more conductors in the audio cable form an inductive receiving coil. Next, a magnetic field is created through the charging mechanism to induce a current in the inductive receiving coil. Finally, the induced current in the inductive receiving coil is used to charge a rechargeable battery for the electronic device. | 12-18-2014 |