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 |
20090049773 | LAMINATED DISPLAY WINDOW AND DEVICE INCORPORATING SAME - A laminated window assembly for a device, such as a handheld electronic device (e.g., a media player or mobile telephone), includes a window layer that preferably is glass, and a larger, substantially transparent lip-forming layer to which it is laminated, preferably by a substantially clear adhesive. Additional adhesive preferably is placed at at least portions of the edge of the window layer adjacent the lip-forming layer, especially at the corners, to resist delamination. Holes preferably are formed in the lip—e.g., at the corners—to resist the lip-forming layer peeling apart from the window layer forming layer. The holes preferably make up at most about 33% of the periphery of the window layer. | 02-26-2009 |
20090078553 | COSMETIC DOME SWITCH - The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. The switching assembly may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses an electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current may flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure. | 03-26-2009 |
20090083847 | EMBEDDED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 03-26-2009 |
20090083850 | EMBEDDED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 03-26-2009 |
20090167508 | TACTILE FEEDBACK IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. As still another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular user input, or to detecting a user's finger on a particular portion of the electronic device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167509 | TACTILE FEEDBACK IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. As still another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular user input, or to detecting a user's finger on a particular portion of the electronic device. | 07-02-2009 |
20090175020 | METAL RETAINING FEATURES FOR HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASING - This invention is directed to mechanical and electromagnetic shielding features of an electronic device case. An electronic device case is formed of two housings, each housing having integrated snaps, channels, or other retaining features used to secure the housings together. The housings additionally include integrated retaining features used to secure electronic components within the device case. The housings and retaining features are formed of amorphous metals or other materials with high elasticities. Because the retaining features necessary to assemble the case and secure the electronic components to the case form integral parts of the housings, no external retaining features are required to assemble the electronic device in the case. | 07-09-2009 |
20110038120 | HEAT DISSIPATION IN COMPUTING DEVICE - A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat. | 02-17-2011 |
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 |
20110195271 | Cast Metal Parts With Cosmetic Surfaces And Methods Of Making Same - A cast metal part has a veneer made of cosmetic metal applied thereto so that the cast metal part has a cosmetic surface. A method for producing a cast metal part with a cosmetic surface comprises applying a veneer of cosmetic metal to a surface of the cast metal part. The cast metal part can be a die cast part, such as die cast aluminum or zinc. The veneer can be thin gauge highly cosmetic aluminum. The veneer of cosmetic metal can be applied to the surface of the cast metal part by placing the veneer into a casting mold used for forming the cast metal part, and casting molten metal onto the veneer in the casting mold. The veneer of cosmetic metal can also be applied to the surface of the cast metal part by solid-state welding, e.g., diffusion bonding, the veneer and the cast metal part together. | 08-11-2011 |
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 |
20120057297 | HEAT DISSIPATION IN COMPUTING DEVICE - A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat. | 03-08-2012 |
20120241186 | METAL RETAINING FEATURES FOR HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE CASING - This invention is directed to mechanical and electromagnetic shielding features of an electronic device case. An electronic device case is formed of two housings, each housing having integrated snaps, channels, or other retaining features used to secure the housings together. The housings additionally include integrated retaining features used to secure electronic components within the device case. The housings and retaining features are formed of amorphous metals or other materials with high elasticities. Because the retaining features necessary to assemble the case and secure the electronic components to the case form integral parts of the housings, no external retaining features are required to assemble the electronic device in the case. | 09-27-2012 |
20120249312 | TACTILE FEEDBACK IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. | 10-04-2012 |
20130167874 | 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 cleaned. | 07-04-2013 |
20140112555 | Embedded Authentication Systems in an Electronic Device - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 04-24-2014 |
20140115694 | Embedded Authentication Systems in an Electronic Device - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 04-24-2014 |
20140115695 | Embedded Authentication Systems in an Electronic Device - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 04-24-2014 |
20140115696 | Embedded Authentication Systems in an Electronic Device - This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile). | 04-24-2014 |
20140304809 | EMBEDDED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor may authenticate a user for a respective function. While a respective function of the device is in a locked state, the device displays a graphical element on the display, the graphical element indicating a first direction of finger movement that enables unlocking of the respective function. While displaying the graphical element, the device detects an input that includes movement of a finger in the first direction over the fingerprint sensor and determines whether the input meets unlock criteria based at least in part on fingerprint information of the finger detected by the fingerprint sensor during the input. In accordance with a determination that the input meets the unlock criteria, the device unlocks the respective function; and in accordance with a determination that the input does not meet the unlock criteria, the device maintains the respective function in the locked state. | 10-09-2014 |
20140380465 | EMBEDDED AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS IN AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor may authenticate a user for a respective function. While access to one or more resources of the device is restricted, the device displays an irregular arrangement of shapes on the touch-sensitive display. The device receives input based on the displayed irregular arrangement of the shapes. In accordance with a determination that the input meets input pattern criteria, the device provides access to the one or more restricted resources. In accordance with a determination that the input does not meet the input pattern criteria, the devices forgoes providing access to the one or more restricted resources of the device. | 12-25-2014 |