Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090180243 | CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY - Methods and apparatus are provided for manufacturing a portable electronic device that does not cause yield loss or premature failure due a connector shell contacting the housing or its attached components during assembly. One example provides a connector shell that is split in at least two separate pieces or portions. A first piece of the connector shell is attached to a subassembly. A second piece of the connector shell is attached to or included as part of an endcap. During assembly, the subassembly and first connector shell piece is inserted into a housing from a first end. The endcap and the second piece of the connector shell can then be inserted into, or attached to, a second end of the housing. | 07-16-2009 |
20090185344 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A handheld computing device includes an electronic component assembly including at least one user interface component, and an enclosure formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube defines an internal lumen between open ends, and has a substantially uniform cross section along a longitudinal axis thereof. The extruded tube includes a front face, a back face, side portions connecting the front face and the back face, at least one access opening provided on the front face, and a pair of guide rails formed in the lumen along the side portions in parallel with the longitudinal axis, the guide rails slidably guiding and receiving the electronic component assembly. The guide rails support the electronic component assembly and provide a reference surface for positioning the electronic component assembly relative to the front face such that the user interface is placed right behind the access opening to provide user access therethrough. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190290 | Methods and Systems for Forming Housings From Multi-Layer Materials - Methods and apparatus for forming a housing, such as for an electronic device, from multi-layer materials are disclosed. The multi-layer materials include at least two layers. Typically, one or more of the layers are metal. However, different layers of the multi-layer materials can be different metals. In one embodiment, an inner layer of the multi-layer materials can be provided with or form internal features that can be for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer materials. In another embodiment, processing of an inner layer of the multi-layer materials can facilitate part formation with increased curvature and/or internal part clearance. In another embodiment, the multi-layer materials can include an intermediate layer that facilitates creation of internal features that can be for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer materials. In still another embodiment, the multi-layer materials can provide a protective layer that serves to protect an outer surface of the housing during manufacturing and/or assembly. | 07-30-2009 |
20090211789 | Method and Apparatus for Attaching a Flex Circuit to a Printed Circuit Board - Methods and systems for bonding a flex circuit to a printed circuit board (PCB) using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonding process are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, supports may be attached to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can in such a way that the EMI shielding can is arranged to support and/or spread forces involved in ACF bonding. The supports may be located proximate to the walls of the EMI shielding can, and positioned such that the supports effectively do not come into contact with components mounted on a PCB along with the EMI shielding can. | 08-27-2009 |
20090316351 | PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH MULTIPURPOSE HARD DRIVE CIRCUIT BOARD - A hard drive for a portable electronic device is provided that contains a multipurpose circuit board. The multipurpose circuit board may be mounted within a hard drive housing. System components and hard drive controller components may be mounted to the multipurpose circuit board. The multipurpose circuit board may be formed from a rigid flex structure or other structure that is able to accommodate translation of the multipurpose circuit board relative to the remainder of the portable electronic device in the event of an impact event. Components may be mounted to the multipurpose board in accordance with their heights. The portable electronic device may include components such as a battery, display, buttons, and other input-output devices that are connected to the multipurpose circuit board via flex circuit portions of a rigid flex or other electrical paths. | 12-24-2009 |
20100001978 | AMBIENT LIGHT INTERFERENCE REDUCTION FOR OPTICAL INPUT DEVICES - Methods and apparatus for preventing fluctuations in ambient light from affecting the optical input mechanism of a liquid crystal display device. In one embodiment, an independent light source is adapted to generate electromagnetic signals through the cover glass of the display device. When the user's finger is proximate to a certain region of the touch panel, the electromagnetic signals reflect off of the user's finger and back through the cover glass. One or more photosensors monitoring the presence of these reflected signals service the various regions on the touch panel where input may be detected. Thus, when the reflected signals are detected at a certain region, the user's finger may be assumed to be present. | 01-07-2010 |
20100061039 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSEMBLY - Apparatus and methods for assembling an electronic device and components thereof are provided. The electronic device may include a housing and a cover inserted into an opening in the housing. The electronic device may also include a first assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a first end, and a second assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a second end. The electronic device may also include end cap assemblies. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an input mechanism coupled to the housing and a plate coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, a connector of the electronic device may be mounted on a circuit board by inserting a fixture into the connector, mounting the connector to a portion of the circuit board, removing the fixture from the connector, and separating the portion of the circuit board from another portion of the circuit board. | 03-11-2010 |
20100061040 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel. | 03-11-2010 |
20100061055 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel. | 03-11-2010 |
20100061577 | Electromagnetic Interference Shields with Piezos - Methods and apparatus for improving the acoustical performance associated with a speaker, such as a piezoelectric speaker, are disclosed. According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate, a can mounted on the substrate, and a piezoelectric speaker arrangement. The piezoelectric speaker arrangement is at least partially mounted on the can. In one embodiment, the substrate is a printed circuit board (PCB) and the can is an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can. | 03-11-2010 |
20100062656 | Low Profile Plug Receptacle - A low profile receptacle plug receptacle is disclosed. The low profile plug receptacle which may have a housing with a partially circular opening that is configured in one embodiment to receive a cylindrical plug. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may have a second opening which has a width smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical plug. A portion of the cylindrical plug may extend past the second opening when inserted into the housing. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may part of an electronic device. | 03-11-2010 |
20100077607 | Assembly Techniques for Electronic Devices Having Compact Housing - Improve techniques for assembling electronic devices within housings are disclosed. The improved techniques enable distinct electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure. After the separate electrical components have been inserted into the housing, the separate electrical components can be electrically connected. Advantageously, the improved techniques enable electrical components of an assembly to be separately inserted into a tightly constrained enclosure when a sub-assembly of such products prior to insertion is not practicable or feasible. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079309 | CONFIGURABLE BUTTONS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Configurable buttons for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. A configurable button may have a button member that moves relative to a device housing when it is desired to activate a switch. The button may have an associated touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect when a user's finger touches a particular portion of the button member. Contact with only this portion of the button member is generally inadvertent, so an actuator may be used to prevent or otherwise restrict motion of the button relative to a device housing. This prevents inadvertent activation of the button when a user is manipulating portions of an electronic device such as clip or lid, but does not intend to depress the button. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079403 | Clickable and Tactile Buttons for a Touch Surface - Methods and apparatus for provide physical buttons for use on a touch surface are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus includes a display arrangement and a first button attachment structure. The display arrangement includes a first surface which has a first touch-sensitive area. The first touch-sensitive area is capable of sensing touch. The first button attachment structure includes a first attachment area and a first button actuation area. The first attachment area is mounted on the first surface such that the first button actuation is aligned at least partially over the first touch-sensitive area. The first button actuation area is arranged to deform when a force is applied to the first button actuation area to engage the first touch-sensitive area. | 04-01-2010 |
20100114346 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A handheld computing device and handheld music player are disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless enclosure formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless enclosure, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use. The handheld music player includes an elongated extruded tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated extruded tube has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, and defines an internal lumen which is sized and dimensioned for slidable receipt of operational components of the handheld music player. The lumen includes rails for guiding the operational components to their desired position within the lumen. | 05-06-2010 |
20100117841 | WATER DETECTION ARRANGEMENT - An electronic device having an enclosure is disclosed. The electronic device includes a hole disposed at least partially through the enclosure. The electronic device also includes a detector configured to provide at least one visual indication after being immersed in water. The detector may include a moisture-indicating portion and a light-permitting moisture-proof membrane. The detector may be disposed inside at least one of the enclosure and the hole such that at least a portion of the detector is visible through the hole from outside of the enclosure without dismantling or opening the electronic device. The distance between the light-permitting moisture-proof membrane and an opening of the hole in the enclosure may be less than the distance between the moisture-indicating portion and the opening of the hole. | 05-13-2010 |
20100146766 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel. | 06-17-2010 |
20100182159 | Contactless Plug Detect Mechanism - This is directed to systems and methods for detecting the insertion of a plug in a device port without physically contacting the plug. For example, systems and methods are provided for detecting the insertion of an audio plug into an audio jack without using physical contacts placed in the periphery of the audio jack. In some embodiments, an electrically conductive element (e.g., a circuit board trace) can be provided on a surface of the port or within the port wall. When a metallic or conductive plug is inserted into the port, the plug can interact with the conductive element and cause a change in capacitance or induction detected by appropriate circuitry coupled to the conductive element. In some embodiments, an optical sensor can be used to detect a plug placed in a port. In some embodiments, the electronic device can detect distinguishable attributes associated with the contact between the electrical contact of plug and port contacts using an appropriate sensor (e.g., a microphone or an accelerometer). | 07-22-2010 |
20110059657 | LOW PROFILE PLUG RECEPTACLE - A low profile receptacle plug receptacle is disclosed. The low profile plug receptacle which may have a housing with a partially circular opening that is configured in one embodiment to receive a cylindrical plug. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may have a second opening which has a width smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical plug. A portion of the cylindrical plug may extend past the second opening when inserted into the housing. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may part of an electronic device. | 03-10-2011 |
20110076989 | MISSED COMMUNICATION HANDLING - Systems, methods and devices for missed call handling are provided. In particular there is provided a method for providing missed communication reminders. The method includes receiving an electronic communication and determining, by an electronic device, that the electronic communication was not acknowledged. In response to determining that the electronic communication was not acknowledged, a missed communication reminder is created and scheduled to be actuated automatically at a certain time. The missed communication reminder is stored in an electronic storage medium associated with the electronic device. Upon reaching the certain time, the missed communication reminder is actuated through an output apparatus in communication with the electronic device. | 03-31-2011 |
20110128237 | Thinned-Portion Substrates - Thinned-portion substrates and processing of thinned-portion substrates is provided. A portion of a substrate, such as a mother glass used in touch screen manufacturing, can be thinned by forming a cavity in a surface of the substrate. Surface structures, such as touch sensing circuitry and/or display circuitry, can then be formed on the thinned portion of the substrate. For example, touch screen components can be formed as surface structures including touch sensing circuitry and display circuitry on one or more thinned substrate portions through processes including depositing, masking, etching, doping, etc. The thinned substrate portion, including the surface structures formed thereon, can then be detached from the surrounding thicker part of the substrate. In this way, for example, the surrounding thicker part of the substrate can provide structural integrity during various other manufacturing processes, while allowing surface structures to be formed directly on a thinner substrate. | 06-02-2011 |
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 |
20110216481 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BONDING METALS AND COMPOSITES - Apparatus, systems and methods for forming a structure that includes a metal and a composite material are disclosed. According to one aspect, a layer stack includes a metal layer with a first surface, the first surface including at least one protruding feature. The layer stack also includes a non-metal layer molded to the first surface of the metal layer, wherein the non-metal layer is molded over and/or around the at least one protruding feature. | 09-08-2011 |
20110217854 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY INCLUDING HOOPS AND HOOKS - Apparatus, systems and methods for forming a connector assembly that includes hoops and hooks designed to engage each other are disclosed. According to one aspect, a connector assembly includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a plurality of hooks arranged in a hook area. The hooks include at least one hook that is arranged to form an electrical contact. The second substrate includes a plurality of hoops arranged in a hoop area. The hoops include at least one hoop that is arranged to form the electrical contact. The hook interfaces with the hoop to form the electrical contact. | 09-08-2011 |
20110242747 | INTEGRATED BUTTON ASSEMBLY - An integrated switch assembly is described, the integrated switch assembly including at least an actuator and a flexible membrane mechanically coupled to the actuator, the flexible membrane formed of a resilient, electrically conductive material. In the described embodiment, the flexible membrane is held at a first electrical potential. The integrated switch assembly also includes at least an electrical contact at a second electrical potential connected to an electrical circuit. The integrated switch assembly is engaged when the actuator applies a mechanical force to the flexible membrane causing the flexible membrane to deflect to a point of contact with the electrical contact causing the electrical potential of the electrical contact to change from the second potential to the first potential. The electrical circuit detects the change in potential of the electrical contact as a signal. | 10-06-2011 |
20110259636 | STIFFENING PLATE FOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY - This invention is directed to a support plate for reinforcing a portion of a circuit board. The support plate may be coupled to a portion of the circuit board that is subject to forces (e.g., portions of the circuit board having switches) to prevent flexing of the board. The support plate may be coupled to the circuit board. This invention is also directed to a switch constructed from a button, a label plate, and a backer plate. The label plate and the backer plate may include apertures operative to receive a protrusion extending from the button, where the protrusion is welded to the backer plate. Labels may be printed or attached to the bottom surface of the label plate to protect the labels. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be welded to the backer plate. The protrusion may be operative to engage an electrical switch of an electronic device in which the switch is placed. | 10-27-2011 |
20110269348 | HIGHLY PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICES - An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. | 11-03-2011 |
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 |
20110287669 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A TRIMLESS ELECTRONIC DEVICE PORT - This invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a port in an electronic device housing that is electrically isolated from a conductive portion of a connector inserted in the port without the use of a nonconductive trim in the port. In some embodiments, the connector may include a non-conductive flange or ring operative to contact the housing and the portions of the housing within the port. In some embodiments, a thin layer of non-conductive material may be applied to the portions of the housing within the port to prevent conductive portions of the connector from coming into contact with the housing (e.g., and grounding the conductive portion. This invention may be of particular interest when the conductive portion that may come into contact with the housing is not used to ground the connector. | 11-24-2011 |
20110305875 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSEMBLY - Apparatus and methods for assembling an electronic device and components thereof are provided. The electronic device may include a housing and a cover inserted into an opening in the housing. The electronic device may also include a first assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a first end, and a second assembly that may be inserted into the housing through a second end. The electronic device may also include end cap assemblies. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include an input mechanism coupled to the housing and a plate coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, a connector of the electronic device may be mounted on a circuit board by inserting a fixture into the connector, mounting the connector to a portion of the circuit board, removing the fixture from the connector, and separating the portion of the circuit board from another portion of the circuit board. | 12-15-2011 |
20120068833 | CLOSED LOOP UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - An electronic device configured for closed loop remote control functionality and related methods are disclosed herein. In particular, in one embodiment, an electronic device configured for closed loop remote control functionality is provided. The device includes a processor and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit instructions to a remotely controlled device. Additionally, the device includes an input device configured to allow a user to provide input to the electronic device related to remote control and one or more sensors configured to obtain information related to a state of the remotely controlled device. The processor is configured to use the information obtained by the one or more sensors to determine the state of the remote controlled devices upon receiving the input from a user to transmit instructions. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068857 | CONFIGURABLE REMOTE CONTROL - An electronic device self-configurable for remote control functionality and related methods are disclosed herein. In particular, in one embodiment, a method for configuring a multifunctional electronic device to operate as a remote control is provided that includes capturing an image of an electronic device and comparing the image with data stored in a database. The manufacturer of the electronic device is determined based on one or more identifying characteristics in the captured image and information related to remote control of the electronic device is retrieved. The method also includes populating a screen of the multifunctional electronic device for remote control of the electronic device. | 03-22-2012 |
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 |
20120075814 | SUPPORT TABS FOR PROTECTING A CIRCUIT BOARD FROM APPLIED FORCES - The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic 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 |
20120118628 | Insert Molding Around Glass Members for Portable Electronic Devices - An electronic device having an enclosure formed from at least one glass cover and a peripheral structure formed adjacent the periphery of the glass cover is disclosed. The peripheral structure can be secured adjacent to the glass cover with an adhesive. The peripheral structure can be molded adjacent the glass cover so that a gapless interface is formed between the peripheral structure and the periphery of the glass cover. In one embodiment, the peripheral structure includes at least an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure. | 05-17-2012 |
20120133521 | FAULT DETECTION AND MONITORING IN BATTERIES - The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack that includes a fault-monitoring mechanism for detecting faults in the battery pack and indicating the faults to a user. The battery pack also includes a battery cell and enclosure material that encloses the battery cell. The fault may correspond to penetration of the battery pack, a puncture in the enclosure material, a short circuit within the battery cell, and/or a change in pressure within the battery pack. To detect the fault, the fault-monitoring mechanism may utilize a conductive mechanism, a color-changing mechanism, and/or a sensor mechanism in the battery pack. | 05-31-2012 |
20120148081 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE SHIELDS WITH PIEZOS - Methods and apparatus for improving the acoustical performance associated with a speaker, such as a piezoelectric speaker, are disclosed. According to one aspect, an apparatus includes a substrate, a can mounted on the substrate, and a piezoelectric speaker arrangement. The piezoelectric speaker arrangement is at least partially mounted on the can. In one embodiment, the substrate is a printed circuit board (PCB) and the can is an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can. | 06-14-2012 |
20120170236 | ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS COUPLED TO CIRCUIT BOARDS - The present invention can facilitate the coupling between electrical components and a circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into a housing of an electronic device. An electrical component can be integrated with a flexible circuit of another electrical component. The flexible circuit can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into the housing. Alternatively, electrical contacts can be disposed on a body of the electrical component and a complementary set of electrical contacts can be disposed on the circuit board. When the circuit board is disposed within a receptacle of the electrical component, the electrical contacts on the electrical component are coupled directly to the electrical contacts on the circuit board. | 07-05-2012 |
20120242588 | ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH CONCAVE DISPLAYS - Electronic devices may be provided with concave displays that reduce the risk of damage in the event of a drop while maximizing the internal volume of the device. Concave displays may be formed from one or more flexible layers including a flexible display layer. The flexible display layer may be mounted to a rigid support structure or a rigid cover layer. Flexible display layers that conform to the curved shape of a rigid cover structure provide additional internal volume in which internal components of the device may be positioned. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242592 | ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH FLEXIBLE DISPLAYS - Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays and internal components. An internal component may be positioned under the flexible display. The internal component may be an output device such as a speaker that transmits sound through the flexible display or an actuator that deforms the display in a way that is sensed by a user. The internal component may also be a microphone or pressure sensor that receives sound or pressure information through the flexible display. Structural components may be used to permanently or temporarily deform the flexible display to provide tactile feedback to a user of the device. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243151 | Electronic Devices With Convex Displays - Electronic devices may be provided with convex displays. A convex display may be used to maximize the internal volume of a device. Convex displays may be formed from one or more flexible layers. A flexible display layer may be mounted to a rigid support structure or a rigid cover layer. Flexible display layers that conform to the curved shape of a rigid structure may provide additional internal volume in which internal components of the device may be positioned. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243719 | Display-Based Speaker Structures for Electronic Devices - Electronic devices that contain flexible displays and one or more display-based speaker structures may be provided. The speaker structures may be positioned under the flexible display. Portions of the flexible display may be used as speaker membranes for the speaker structures. The speaker structures may be driven by transducers that convert electrical audio signal input into sound. Piezoelectric transducers or transducers formed from coils and magnets may be used to drive the speaker structures. Speaker membranes may be formed from active display areas of the flexible display. Some, all, or substantially all of the flexible display may be used as a speaker membrane for one or more display-based speaker structures. An optional cover layer may be provided with speaker openings so that sound may pass from the display-based speaker structures to the exterior of the device. | 09-27-2012 |
20120281346 | ASSEMBLY OF A HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Several mechanical features of an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, the device may include a bezel coupled to a housing. One or more snaps of the bezel may be operative to engage a cantilever spring of the housing. In some embodiments, the device may include a window that is formed by coupling an outer layer to an inner layer that is larger than the outer layer. In some embodiments, the device may include a chassis for supporting the window. In some embodiments, the device may include a grounding clip for simultaneously grounding the bezel, the housing and a circuit board. In some embodiments, the device may include a switch that includes a button molded into a base using a double shot process. In some embodiments, the device may include a switch supporting bracket that includes a slot operative to receive a pin of the bezel. | 11-08-2012 |
20120281380 | HOUSING FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH REDUCED BORDER REGION - An electronic device having a housing structure that is configured to receive at least one glass cover is disclosed. The glass cover serves to cover a display assembly provided within the electronic device. The glass cover can be secured to the housing structure so as to facilitate providing a narrow border between an active display area and an outer edge of the housing structure. The enclosure for the electronic device can be thin yet be sufficiently strong to be suitable for use in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices. | 11-08-2012 |
20120286943 | VIBRATION IN PORTABLE DEVICES - One embodiment may take the form of a method of reducing noise from vibration of a device on a hard surface. The method includes activating a haptic device to indicate an alert and sensing an audible level during activation of the haptic device. Additionally, the method includes determining if the audible level exceeds a threshold and initiating mitigation routines to reduce the audible level to a level below the threshold if the threshold is exceeded. | 11-15-2012 |
20120297615 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A handheld computing device and handheld music player are disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless enclosure formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless enclosure, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use. The handheld music player includes an elongated extruded tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated extruded tube has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, and defines an internal lumen which is sized and dimensioned for slidable receipt of operational components of the handheld music player. The lumen includes rails for guiding the operational components to their desired position within the lumen. | 11-29-2012 |
20130021280 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A minimum Z height handheld electronic device and methods of assembly is described. The electronic device includes a single seamless housing having a front opening and a cover disposed within the front opening and attached to the seamless housing without a bezel. | 01-24-2013 |
20130042955 | METHOD FOR ATTACHING A FLEX CIRCUIT TO A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD - Methods and systems for bonding a flex circuit to a printed circuit board (PCB) using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonding process are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, supports may be attached to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding can in such a way that the EMI shielding can is arranged to support and/or spread forces involved in ACF bonding. The supports may be located proximate to the walls of the EMI shielding can, and positioned such that the supports effectively do not come into contact with components mounted on a PCB along with the EMI shielding can. | 02-21-2013 |
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 |
20130076649 | Electronic Devices With Sidewall Displays - Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays that are bent to form displays on multiple surfaces of the devices. Bent flexible displays may be bent to form front side displays and edge displays. Edge displays may be separated from front side displays or from other edge displays using patterned housing members, printed or painted masks, or by selectively activating and inactivating display pixels associated with the flexible display. Edge displays may alternately function as virtual buttons, virtual switches, or informational displays that are supplemental to front side displays. Virtual buttons may include transparent button members, lenses, haptic feedback components, audio feedback components, or other components for providing feedback to a user when virtual buttons are activated. | 03-28-2013 |
20130081756 | Methods for Forming Electronic Devices with Bent Display Edges - An electronic device may have a display with a bent portion such as one or more bent edge portions. The display may be formed from a flexible display layer such as an organic light-emitting-diode layer. The organic light-emitting-diode layer may include a substrate layer such as a sheet of polymer. The flexible display may be attached to a support structure such as a flexible support layer using adhesive. To facilitate bending, the display may be heated. Bending and heating equipment may simultaneously heat the display layer and the flexible support layer to form a bent edge portion for the display. The bending and heating equipment may include heated structures for pressing the display layer into a desired shape. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082908 | INTEGRATED THERMAL SPREADING - Techniques are provided for removing thermal gradients from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In one embodiment, an OLED display device includes a thermally conductive layer placed between electronic components housed within the device and the OLED display. Heat given off by the electronic components is transferred from warm to cold regions of the thermally conductive layer to create a more uniform ambient temperature across the back of the OLED display. Some embodiments indicate a position of the thermally conductive layer within layers of an OLED display stack (e.g., between a glass substrate and polyimide layer). Some embodiments include a specific range of thermal conductivities and/or thicknesses desired for the thermally conductive layer. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082984 | DISPLAY AND MULTI-LAYER PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WITH SHARED FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE - An electronic device may be provided with a display and a multi-layer printed circuit. Integrated circuits and other components may be mounted to the multi-layer printed circuit. The display and multi-layer printed circuit may share a common layer formed from a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may have portions that are integrated into the display and portions that are integrated into the multi-layer printed circuit board. The flexible substrate may contain patterned conductive traces that are used to route signals from components in the multi-layer printed circuit to display circuitry such as a display driver integrated circuit. An array of thin-film transistors may be used to control the emission of light from the display and may be formed on portions of the flexible substrate that are integrated into the display. The display may be a flexible display that includes an array of organic light-emitting diodes. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083080 | OPTICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MIMIC ZERO-BORDER DISPLAY - A system and methods to extending the overall display area for a device. At or near the borders of a device, pixel pitch between adjacent pixels may be increased such that overall pixel placement may be provided closer to a border of a display of a device. In one embodiment, pixel drive circuitry may be located in the spacing between adjacent pixels. Additionally, various optical systems and techniques may be utilized to provide an appearance of a lack of a border around the display such as decreasing the size of border pixels, overdriving the border pixels, or utilizing a light pipe on a surface above the border pixels. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083491 | Electronic Devices With Cover Layers Mounted to Displays - An electronic device may be provided with a display cover layer mounted to the device using an adhesive bond with a display. The display may be a flexible display. The flexible display may include Organic Light Emitting Diode display technology. The display may be mounted to a rigid support structure. The rigid support structure may be mounted to a device housing member. Mounting the display cover layer to the display may eliminate the need to mount the display cover layer to the device housing and may allow active display pixels to be visible under the display cover layer closer to the device housing than in conventional devices. Providing the electronic device with active display pixels closer to the device housing may reduce the need for an inactive border around the display and may improve the aesthetic appeal of the electronic device. | 04-04-2013 |
20130083496 | Flexible Electronic Devices - Flexible electronic devices may be provided. A flexible electronic device may include a flexible display, a flexible housing and one or more flexible internal components configured to allow the flexible electronic device to be deformed. Flexible displays may include flexible display layers, flexible touch-sensitive layers, and flexible display cover layers. The flexible housing may be a multi-stable flexible housing having one or more stable positions. The flexible housing may include a configurable support structure that, when engaged, provides a rigid support structure for the flexible housing. The flexible internal components may include flexible batteries, flexible printed circuits or other flexible components. A flexible battery may include flexible and rigid portions or may include a lubricious separator layer that provides flexibility for the flexible battery. A flexible printed circuit may include flexible and rigid portions or openings that allow some rigid portions to flex with respect to other rigid portions. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088671 | Displays with Minimized Border Regions - An electronic device may be provided with a display having a thin-film transistor layer. One or more holes in the thin-film transistor layer may be used to form pathways from display circuitry to other circuitry underneath the display. One or more conductive bridges may pass through holes in the thin-film transistor layer and may have one end that couples to the display circuitry and a second end that couples to a printed circuit underneath the display. These conductive bridges may be formed from wire bonding. Wire bond connections may be encapsulated with potting material to improve the reliability of the wire bond and increase the resiliency of the display. Display signal lines may be routed through holes in a thin-film transistor layer to run along a backside of the display thereby reducing the need for space in the border region for display circuitry. | 04-11-2013 |
20130094126 | Electronic Devices Having Displays with Openings - An electronic device may have a display. The display may have an active region in which display pixels are used to display images. The display may have one or more openings and may be mounted in a housing associated with the electronic device. An electronic component may be mounted in alignment with the openings in the display. The electronic component may include a camera, a light sensor, a light-based proximity sensor, status indicator lights, a light-based touch sensor array, a secondary display that has display pixels that may be viewed through the openings, antenna structures, a speaker, a microphone, or other acoustic, electromagnetic, or light-based component. One or more openings in the display may form a window through which a user of the device may view an external object. Display pixels in the window region may be used in forming a heads-up display. | 04-18-2013 |
20130107434 | Attachment features for housings | 05-02-2013 |
20130120957 | RF SHIELDING FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - An RF shield formed of RF opaque material that permits access to components on a printed circuit board is described. The RF shield can include a first portion attached to the PCB and a removable top portion attached to the first portion at an interface. The top portion is removed from the first portion to expose the components on the PCB. In one aspect of the described embodiment, the top portion is peeled away from the first portion. The components are enclosed within the RF shield after the removal of the top portion by attaching and sealing another top portion to the first portion at the interface by, for example, laser attaching the first portion and the other top portion at the interface. | 05-16-2013 |
20130135244 | EMBEDDED FORCE MEASUREMENT - Disclosed embodiments relate to a force detection system that detects force exerted on a flexible display based upon changes in resistance and/or capacitance. In one embodiment, a method includes measuring a baseline comprising a baseline resistance or a baseline capacitance or both of a force measurement layer disposed within or overlaid on the display panel. The method further includes detecting a change in the baseline resistance or the baseline capacitance or both and calculating a change location where the change in the baseline resistance or the baseline capacitance or both occurred. The method also includes calculating a magnitude of the change in the baseline resistance or the baseline capacitance or both. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135328 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO INTERNAL COMPONENT - Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for applying concealment of components of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a component that is disposed behind a display (e.g., a transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display) that is configured to selectively become transparent at certain transparency regions. Additionally, the electronic device includes data processing circuitry configured to determine when an event requesting that the component be exposed occurs. The data processing circuitry may control portions of the display to become transparent, to expose the component upon the occurrence of the event requesting that the component be exposed. | 05-30-2013 |
20130194199 | ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE DISPLAY HAVING PHOTODIODES - Systems, methods, and devices are provided in which photodetectors disposed throughout a display are used to control the display brightness. The photodetectors are to be used for ambient light sensing, proximity sensing, or to compensate for aging OLEDs. In some embodiments, photodiodes are fabricated with OLEDs during the TFT fabrication process. In some embodiments, the photodetectors may be disposed throughout the display in zones containing OLEDs. The photodetectors are used to control the display brightness and color for the OLEDs in areas around each photodetector based on ambient light, aging, and/or nearby objects. A controller makes driving strength adjustments to the OLEDs in each zone independent of other zones. Photodetectors disposed throughout the display may improve proximity sensing and provide additional functionality to the device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130215638 | Methods For Assembling Electronic Devices Using Embedded Light Guide Structures - Electronic devices may include assemblies of structures such as electronic device assemblies connected using light-cured liquid adhesive such as ultraviolet-light-cured adhesive. Light guide structures may be mounted in the assemblies. During manufacture of an electronic device, ultraviolet light may be injected into a light guide structure to cure the light-cured liquid adhesive. A light guide structure may include portions that prevent escape of ultraviolet light and portions that allow ultraviolet light to escape into the light-cured liquid adhesive. Light guide structures may include masked portions, rigid support members, and one or more openings. Openings in a light guide structure may allow the light-cured liquid adhesive to be injected into an assembly through the openings. An adhesive applicator may be used to apply the adhesive to portions of the assembly. An external light source may be used to inject light that cures the adhesive into the light guide structures. | 08-22-2013 |
20130271302 | CONFIGURABLE BUTTONS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Configurable buttons for electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are provided. A configurable button may have a button member that moves relative to a device housing when it is desired to activate a switch. The button may have an associated touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect when a user's finger touches a particular portion of the button member. Contact with only this portion of the button member is generally inadvertent, so an actuator may be used to prevent or otherwise restrict motion of the button relative to a device housing. This prevents inadvertent activation of the button when a user is manipulating portions of an electronic device such as clip or lid, but does not intend to depress the button. | 10-17-2013 |
20130321361 | DISPLAY HAVING INTEGRATED THERMAL SENSORS - Thermal sensors are disposed with OLEDs across a display of an electronic device to measure temperatures across the display surface. Thermal sensors may be used to create a temperature map across the display surface due to both the ambient environment and the internal environment of the electronic device. The thermal sensors may be disposed in the OLED layer, on a separate layer, or both. Thermal sensors may be disposed in a substantially 1:1 ratio with OLEDs or with zones of OLEDs. Both the temperature history and usage history for OLEDs may be recorded and processed to determine the age of each OLED. Controllers may adjust the driving strength of OLEDs or adjust the operation of components within the electronic device to compensate for aging or temperature based on the temperature map and age determination. Controllers may move static images from one part of the display to another less-aged part. | 12-05-2013 |
20140028902 | Electronic Device With Input-Output Component Mounting Structures - An electronic device may have a housing such as a metal housing. Openings may be formed in the housing to accommodate a button, to form a camera window, to form a microphone port, and to form a camera flash window. An input-output component mounting member may be used to mount input-output components to the housing of the electronic device. The input-output component mounting member may have a recess that mates with a corresponding protrusion on the housing. Screws may attach the input-output component mounting member to the housing. The protrusion and recess in the input-output component mounting member may ensure that the input-output component mounting member is accurately aligned with respect to the housing. Input-output components such as a microphone, button switch, camera, and camera flash may be mounted to the electronic device with the input-output component mounting member. | 01-30-2014 |
20140048310 | Printed Circuit Solder Connections - Printed circuits may be electrically and mechanically connected to each other using connections such as solder connections. A first printed circuit such as a rigid printed circuit board may have solder pads and other metal traces. A second printed circuit such as a flexible printed circuit may have openings. Solder connections may be formed in the openings to attach metal traces in the flexible printed circuit to the solder pads on the rigid printed circuit board. A ring of adhesive may surround the solder connections. The flexible printed circuit may be attached to the rigid printed circuit board using the ring of adhesive. An insulating tape may cover the solder connections. A conductive shielding layer with a conductive layer and a layer of conductive adhesive may overlap the solder joints. The conductive adhesive may connect the shielding layer to the metal traces on the rigid printed circuit board. | 02-20-2014 |
20140069786 | 3-DIMENSIONAL SEAL FOR A BUTTON - Button assemblies including water tight seals and methods for making the same are provided. The button assembly can include a button made from a rigid material having a cosmetic portion and a post. The post may extend from a bottom surface of the button and activate a switch of the electronic device when the button is actuated. Additionally, the button assembly can include a sealing member made from a compliant material having a post receiving hole. The sealing member may be secured to the button and an interior surface of a housing of the electronic device. The post receiving hole may fit around and engage the post. In some embodiments, the button may include a cavity and the sealing member may include a protruding member. In these embodiments, the cavity can receive the protruding member to provide for better registration of the sealing member to the button during assembly. | 03-13-2014 |
20140106178 | Method and Apparatus for Bonding Metals and Composites - Apparatus, systems and methods for forming a structure that includes a metal and a composite material are disclosed. According to one aspect, a layer stack includes a metal layer with a first surface, the first surface including at least one protruding feature. The layer stack also includes a non-metal layer molded to the first surface of the metal layer, wherein the non-metal layer is molded over and/or around the at least one protruding feature. | 04-17-2014 |
20140211417 | HANDHELD COMPUTING DEVICE - A handheld computing device and handheld music player are disclosed. The handheld computing device includes a seamless enclosure formed from an extruded tube. The extruded tube includes open ends and internal rails which serve as a guide for slidably assembling an operational assembly through the open ends of the extruded tube, a reference surface for positioning the operational assembly relative to an access opening in the seamless enclosure, and a support structure for supporting the operational assembly during use. The handheld music player includes an elongated extruded tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated extruded tube has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end, and defines an internal lumen which is sized and dimensioned for slidable receipt of operational components of the handheld music player. The lumen includes rails for guiding the operational components to their desired position within the lumen. | 07-31-2014 |
20140235095 | REVERSIBLE USB CONNECTOR WITH COMPLIANT MEMBER TO SPREAD STRESS AND INCREASE CONTACT NORMAL FORCE - Embodiments can provide reversible or dual orientation USB plug connectors for mating with standard USB receptacle connectors, e.g., a standard Type A USB receptacle connector. Accordingly, the present invention may be compatible with any current or future electronic device that includes a standard USB receptacle connector. USB plug connectors according to the present invention can have a 180 degree symmetrical, double orientation design, which enables the plug connector to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the potential for USB connector damage and user frustration during the incorrect insertion of a USB plug connector into a corresponding USB receptacle connector of an electronic device. Reversible USB plug connectors according to the present invention may include a compliant member or structural support for distributing stress and increasing contact normal force at the tongue of the reversible USB plug connector. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240289 | Electronic Devices With Sidewall Displays - Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays that are bent to form displays on multiple surfaces of the devices. Bent flexible displays may be bent to form front side displays and edge displays. Edge displays may be separated from front side displays or from other edge displays using patterned housing members, printed or painted masks, or by selectively activating and inactivating display pixels associated with the flexible display. Edge displays may alternately function as virtual buttons, virtual switches, or informational displays that are supplemental to front side displays. Virtual buttons may include transparent button members, lenses, haptic feedback components, audio feedback components, or other components for providing feedback to a user when virtual buttons are activated. | 08-28-2014 |
20140306911 | MOVABLE TOUCH PAD WITH ADDED FUNCTIONALITY - An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a first control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device. | 10-16-2014 |
20140357316 | Electronic Device With Mapping Circuitry - An electronic device may be provided with electronic components such as mapping circuitry for measuring distances, areas, volumes or other properties of objects in the surrounding environment of the device. The mapping circuitry may include a laser sensor and device position detection circuitry. The device may include processing circuitry configured to gather laser sample data and device position data using the laser sensor and the device position detection circuitry. The laser sample data and the device position data may be gathered while pointing a laser beam generated with a laser in the laser sensor at one or more sample points on a surface such as a surface of a wall. By tracking the device position and orientation using the device position detection circuitry, the objects may be mapped while gathering laser sample data from any position with respect to the object. | 12-04-2014 |
20140362020 | Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays - Electronic devices may be provided that contain flexible displays and internal components. An internal component may be positioned under the flexible display. The internal component may be an output device such as a speaker that transmits sound through the flexible display or an actuator that deforms the display in a way that is sensed by a user. The internal component may also be a microphone or pressure sensor that receives sound or pressure information through the flexible display. Structural components may be used to permanently or temporarily deform the flexible display to provide tactile feedback to a user of the device. | 12-11-2014 |
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 |
20150049059 | ACTUATING USER INTERFACE FOR MEDIA PLAYER - An actuating user interface for a media player or other electronic device is disclosed. According to one aspect, the user interface is a display device that can both display visual information and serve as a mechanical actuator to generate input signals is disclosed. By way of example, the display device, which displays visual information such as text, characters and graphics, may also act like a push or clickable button(s), a sliding toggle button or switch, a rotating dial or knob, a motion controlling device such as a joystick or navigation pad, and/or the like. According to another aspect, the user interface is an input device that includes a movable touch pad control signal capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device. | 02-19-2015 |
20150062050 | ACTUATING USER INTERFACE - An actuating user interface for a media player or other electronic device is disclosed. According to one aspect, the user interface is a display device that can both display visual information and serve as a mechanical actuator to generate input signals is disclosed. By way of example, the display device, which displays visual information such as text, characters and graphics, may also act like a push or clickable button(s), a sliding toggle button or switch, a rotating dial or knob, a motion controlling device such as a joystick or navigation pad, and/or the like. According to another aspect, the user interface is an input device that includes a movable touch pad control signal capable of detecting the movements of the movable touch pad so as to generate one or more distinct second control signals. The control signals being used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device. | 03-05-2015 |