Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090019718 | Apparatus and method for cleaning electronic jacks of debris - Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning jacks in portable electronic components. In one embodiment of the present invention, an adaptor plug is designed having a hollow shaft and the end of the plug is designed with holes that communication with the hollow shaft. The plug can be inserted into a jack, which can operate to open one or more switches within the jack, thereby freeing any debris that may have accumulated under the switches. Compressed air can then be applied down the hollow shaft and out the holes in the plug to displace the debris and clean the jack. In another embodiment, the end of the plug can be constructed such that it rotates about an axis to increase the likelihood that the jack will be cleansed. | 01-22-2009 |
20090305168 | Techniques for Marking Product Housings - Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface. | 12-10-2009 |
20110141336 | PHOTOCHROMATIC COATING FOR CONTROLLING LENS FLARE - A camera lens can be subject to lens flare due to light reaching a camera sensor from outside of the camera field of view. When an electronic device size is reduced such that a lens cannot be recessed relative to the device housing, the lens can capture stray light. To reduce the chance that stray light reaches the lens and sensor, the lens can be treated with a photochromatic treatment. Properties of the photochromatic treatment, as well as the distribution of the treatment can be selected to reduce lens flare caused by particular types of light. In some embodiments, a photochromatic treatment can instead or in addition be applied for a cosmetic purpose. For example, a photochromatic treatment can be applied to a device housing, icons or text displayed on the device enclosure, on a mask within a device display window, or any other electronic device enclosure component. | 06-16-2011 |
20110214977 | SNORKEL FOR VENTING A DOME SWITCH - To prevent debris from entering the volume between a dome and contacts of a dome switch, a dome can include a channel providing a remote path through which air can be vented. In particular, the channel can extend from the dome to a location within an electronic device that is known to be or expected to be contaminant free (e.g., a region of the device that does not include any interfaces communicating with the device environment). The channel can be defined from components of the dome switch including, for example, as a channel bound by spacer walls between a flex circuit and a film layer. The channel can include an opening for venting the dome switch. In some embodiments, the dome switch can include a protective film applied over the opening in the channel. The protective film can be selected to allow air to flow through, but to prevent contaminants or particles from reaching the channel opening. | 09-08-2011 |
20110241442 | CAPACITIVE DOME SWITCH - This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect. To protect the dome switch from damage due to contaminants, the terminal can be integrated within a volume of the circuit board such that it is not exposed to the environment of the dome switch. In one implementation, the terminal may not be exposed to air. | 10-06-2011 |
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 |
20120075082 | SYSTEM FOR LEARNING CONTROL CODES OF A REMOTE CONTROLLER - One embodiment of an electronic device configured for supplying control codes to a programmable device may include a first receiver configured to receive a first command signal from a remote control device, a processing device coupled to the first receiver, and a transmitter configured to transmit a second command signal to a programmable device. The transmitter may be coupled to the processing device. The electronic device may further include a storage device coupled to the processing device. The storage device may be configured to store one or more control codes associated with the first command signal. The processing device may be configured to determine if the one or more control codes associated with the first command signal are stored on the storage device, and to transmit the second command signal to the programmable device via the transmitter if the processing device determines that the one or more control codes are stored on the storage device. | 03-29-2012 |
20120078635 | VOICE CONTROL SYSTEM - One embodiment of a voice control system includes a first electronic device communicatively coupled to a server and configured to receive a speech recognition file from the server. The speech recognition file may include a speech recognition algorithm for converting one or more voice commands into text and a database including one or more entries comprising one or more voice commands and one or more executable commands associated with the one or more voice commands. | 03-29-2012 |
20130129986 | TECHNIQUES FOR MARKING PRODUCT HOUSINGS - Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. The markings provided on products can be textual and/or graphic. The techniques or processes can provide high resolution markings on surfaces that are flat or curved. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on the housings. For example, the housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on the outer housing surface. | 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 |
20130258575 | 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. | 10-03-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140084165 | SELECTABLE LENS BUTTON FOR A HAZARD DETECTOR AND METHOD THEREFOR - According to one embodiment, a hazard detector includes a front casing coupled with a back plate to define a housing having an interior region. The hazard detector also includes a passive infrared sensor device that is disposed within the interior region and that is positioned to face a room within which the hazard detector is positioned so as to detect objects within the room. The hazard detector additionally includes a Fresnel lensing component that is disposed on an exterior of the front casing and that is positioned in front of the passive infrared sensor device to direct infrared radiation onto the passive infrared sensor device. The Fresnel lensing component is configured to be inwardly pushable by a user to cause contact with a switch positioned therebehind so that input is provided to the hazard detector by the user. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085092 | COVER PLATE FOR A HAZARD DETECTOR HAVING IMPROVED AIR FLOW AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS - According to one embodiment, a hazard detector may include a housing having a back plate and a front casing coupled therewith to define an interior space within which various components are contained. The components may include an alarm device and a hazard sensor that is configured to detect a potentially hazardous condition to trigger the alarm device. A cover plate may be coupled with the housing and may face an occupant of a room in which the hazard detector is positioned. The cover plate may include a relatively large population of relatively small openings that are positioned, configured, and dimensioned so that internal components are substantially hidden from view of the occupant while air is allowed to substantially freely flow through the cover plate. A collective area of the openings may be at least 30% of the total area of the cover plate. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085093 | DETECTOR UNIT AND SENSING CHAMBER THEREFOR - According to one embodiment, a hazard detector may include a back plate and a front casing coupled to the back plate to define a housing having an interior region and an opening through which air flows into the interior region. A circuit board may be coupled to the back plate and have a plurality of components mounted thereon. A smoke chamber may be mid-mounted on the circuit board, mid-mounting being characterized in the smoke chamber extending through a hole formed in the circuit board such that a top surface of the smoke chamber is positioned above a top surface of the circuit board and a bottom surface of the smoke chamber is positioned below a bottom surface of the circuit board, whereby an interior region of the smoke chamber is accessible to smoke from both the top and bottom surfaces of the circuit board. | 03-27-2014 |
20140207721 | DYNAMIC DISTRIBUTED-SENSOR THERMOSTAT NETWORK FOR FORECASTING EXTERNAL EVENTS - Systems and methods for forecasting events can be provided. A measurement database can store sensor measurements, each having been provided by a non-portable electronic device with a primary purpose unrelated to collecting measurements from a type of sensor that collected the measurement. A measurement set identifier can select a set of measurements. The electronic devices associated with the set of measurements can be in close geographical proximity relative to their geographical proximity to other devices. An inter-device correlator can access the set and collectively analyze the measurements. An event detector can determine whether an event occurred. An event forecaster can forecast a future event property. An alert engine can identify one or more entities to be alerted of the future event property, generate at least one alert identifying the future event property, and transmit the at least one alert to the identified one or more entities. | 07-24-2014 |
20150070181 | DETECTOR UNIT WITH MULTIPLE INTEGRATED SENSING SYSTEMS AND VISUALLY PLEASING HOUSING - According to one embodiment, a multi-sensing hazard detector for detecting potential dangers may include a back plate and a front casing that is coupled with the back plate to define a housing. A circuit board and a plurality of components may be positioned within the housing. The circuit board may be communicatively coupled with the components. The components may include, among other components, an alarm device, an occupancy sensor, and a smoke chamber. The alarm device may be activatable upon the detection of a potential hazard to warn an occupant of a potential danger, the occupancy sensor may be configured to detect the presence and/or movement of objects external to the hazard detector, and the smoke chamber may be configured to detect the presence of smoke to cause a triggering of the alarm device. The housing may comprise a volume of less than 1024 cubic centimeters. | 03-12-2015 |
20150096876 | TACTILE FEEDBACK BUTTON FOR A HAZARD DETECTOR AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOF - According to one embodiment, a casing of a hazard detector includes a body portion and a button portion. The button portion is coupled with the body portion via a plurality of arms. The arms allow the button portion to be axially movable relative to the body portion and also couple the button portion with the body portion so that tabs that extend radially outward from the button portion are positioned under and contact an inwardly facing surface of the body portion. The arms bias the button portion axially outward relative to the body portion so as maintain contact between the tabs and the inwardly facing surface. In this configuration, when the button portion is pressed at a position off-axis from a central axis of the button portion, the button portion pivots about one or more contact points between one or more tabs and the inwardly facing surface. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097686 | Smart Home Hazard Detector With Integrated Conditional Lighting - Various embodiments of hazard detectors are presented. A hazard sensor may be present that detects the presence of a hazardous condition. A light sensor may be present that detects an ambient brightness level. A motion sensor may be present that detects motion of a user. A light may be present that is capable of outputting light. A processing system may receive an indication of the ambient brightness level in the ambient environment of the hazard detector from the light sensor. The processing system may determine that the ambient brightness level is less than a threshold brightness. The processing system may receive information indicative of the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector. The processing system may cause the light to illuminate based on the ambient brightness level being below the threshold brightness and the user moving in the ambient environment of the hazard detector. | 04-09-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
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 |
20130299331 | CAPACITIVE DOME SWITCH - This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect. To protect the dome switch from damage due to contaminants, the terminal can be integrated within a volume of the circuit board such that it is not exposed to the environment of the dome switch. In one implementation, the terminal may not be exposed to air. | 11-14-2013 |
20140105440 | ACOUSTIC SYSTEMS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A portable electronic device may have acoustic ports such as microphone and speaker ports. Acoustic devices such as microphones and speakers may be associated with the acoustic ports. An acoustic port may have an opening between an interior and exterior of the portable electronic device. The opening may be covered by a metal mesh. An acoustic fabric may be interposed between the metal mesh and the opening. The opening may be formed from a hole in a glass member having outer and inner chamfers. A microphone boot may be provided that forms front and rear radial seals with a housing of the device and a microphone unit respectively. The microphone boot may also form multiple face seals with the microphone unit. A speaker for the speaker port may be enclosed in a sealed speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may have a pressure-equalizing vent slit covered with an acoustic mesh. | 04-17-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120183350 | Apparatus for Shaping Pavement - An apparatus for shaping pavement, the apparatus comprising a pavement-shaping member for receiving a flow of shapeless pavement material and generating a flow of shaped pavement material and a paving machine mount, mechanically coupled to the pavement-shaping member, for coupling the pavement-shaping member to a paving machine, the pavement-shaping member comprising a detachable forming shoe for producing the shaped pavement material. | 07-19-2012 |
20120189387 | Longitudinal Pavement Joint and Apparatus for Making - A longitudinal pavement joint for joining pavement lanes, the longitudinal pavement joint comprising: one or more joining surfaces having respective slope angles between about 0 and about 45 degrees; and optionally, one or more wall surfaces having respective slope angles between about 45 and about 90 degrees, the joining surfaces and the wall surfaces being disposed adjacent one another, and one or more of the joining surfaces comprising a respective joining surface feature. | 07-26-2012 |
20140301782 | ROADWAY PAVING SYSTEM - An embodiment comprises a first plate coupled to a second plate via a first joint having a first axis of rotation; and a resilient member, coupled to the first plate, including a downward bias directed along a vertical line of force orthogonal to the first axis of rotation; wherein (a) the second plate is configured to at least one of (a)(i) couple to a pavement shoe, and (a)(ii) include a lower surface that comprises a pavement shoe, (b) the resilient member, the first and second plates, and the first joint are configured to simultaneously: (b)(i) rotate the second plate about the first axis of rotation from a non-horizontal position to a horizontal position, and (b)(ii) move the first joint vertically along the line of force; and (c) the first joint is to move vertically and rotate independently of both a screed and an end gate. Other embodiments are described herein. | 10-09-2014 |