Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090176413 | DATA PORT CONNECTOR AND HOUSING - Connector receptacles having a reduced height or z-dimension that are capable of accepting standard sized connector inserts. One example provides a connector having a reduction in the amount of height consumed by the deflection of a number of fingers. Specifically, the amount of deflection is reduced by eliminating one or more of these fingers on one or both sides of the connector receptacle. Instead of fingers, bumps may be used. These bumps fit into the connector insert cutouts or slots when the connector insert is fully inserted in the connector receptacle. Another example uses a rail, which may be referred to as speed rail. This speed rail can be formed along the seam of connector receptacle. The speed rail can run either a portion or the entire depth of the connector receptacle. | 07-09-2009 |
20100091442 | PORTABLE COMPUTER UNIFIED TOP CASE - A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case. | 04-15-2010 |
20100091452 | PORTABLE COMPUTER STRUCTURES - Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case. | 04-15-2010 |
20100092022 | PORTABLE COMPUTER SPEAKER GRILL STRUCTURES - Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include speaker grill structures. A speaker grill structure may be formed by creating an array of small holes (perforations) in a portable computer housing structure such as a planar housing wall. A speaker may be mounted adjacent to the array of holes. The planar housing wall may be formed in a block of milled aluminum and may have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The speaker holes may have with small diameters without overly attenuating sound from a speaker. | 04-15-2010 |
20100310916 | BATTERY - By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure. In another embodiment, the battery pack can take the form of a battery assembly formed of a single piece housing having a cantilever portion to provide additional stiffness. | 12-09-2010 |
20100310931 | BATTERY PACK AND CONNECTOR - By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure. | 12-09-2010 |
20110090627 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a clutch barrel. The clutch barrel encloses a connector assembly, the connector assembly providing support for a lid. The clutch barrel is configured such that a junction formed by the clutch barrel and a top layer of the lid is not visible to a user when the computer housing is on a horizontal surface. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090632 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 04-21-2011 |
20110091051 | PORTABLE COMPUTER ELECTRICAL GROUNDING AND AUDIO SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES - A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths. The universal grounding structure includes a plurality of separate ground components that are electrically intercoupled, each being substantially smaller than the overall portable computing device, and also includes an electromagnetic interference shield around the main logic board. | 04-21-2011 |
20110104945 | SUPER-THIN USB CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE HOUSINGS HAVING REDUCED-WEAR FINGER CONTACTS - Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides. | 05-05-2011 |
20120030930 | PORTABLE COMPUTER UNIFIED TOP CASE - A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case. | 02-09-2012 |
20120034808 | DATA PORT CONNECTOR AND HOUSING - Connector receptacles having a reduced height or z-dimension that are capable of accepting standard sized connector inserts. One example provides a connector having a reduction in the amount of height consumed by the deflection of a number of fingers. Specifically, the amount of deflection is reduced by eliminating one or more of these fingers on one or both sides of the connector receptacle. Instead of fingers, bumps may be used. These bumps fit into the connector insert cutouts or slots when the connector insert is fully inserted in the connector receptacle. Another example uses a rail, which may be referred to as speed rail. This speed rail can be formed along the seam of connector receptacle. The speed rail can run either a portion or the entire depth of the connector receptacle. | 02-09-2012 |
20120092821 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 04-19-2012 |
20120094517 | CONNECTOR HAVING SELF-WIPING CONTACTS - Connectors that may be incorporated and used in electronic devices in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector that may receive a memory card, such as a Secure Digital, SmartMedia, Compact Flash, or other type of memory card. One example may provide a connector that may connect to other electronic circuits and components in an electronic device in a reliable manner. Another may provide a connector that may reliably form a connection for electromagnetic interference protection during device assembly. Another may provide a connector that may be resistant to damage from debris or other particulate matter that may enter the connector. Another example may provide a connector that has a back that is reinforced to prevent damage caused by the insertion of a card with excessive force. Another may provide a connector having a raised portion arranged to fit in an opening in a printed circuit board. | 04-19-2012 |
20120099264 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion. | 04-26-2012 |
20120170213 | Portable Computer Structures - Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include connector structures. The portable computer may have a case. A portion of the connector structure may be formed by the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have a circuit board with grounding spring-loaded pins which electrically ground the circuit board to the case of the portable computer. The portable computer may have an optical disk drive that is form fitted to mount to the portable computer case. | 07-05-2012 |
20120194997 | COMPONENT ASSEMBLY - A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms, such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing with a cavity having a substantially flat bottom wall. A battery assembly and main logic board can be mounted directly to the substantially flat bottom wall with a plurality of additional components arranged around a peripheral edge of the battery assembly and main logic board. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194998 | HANDHELD PORTABLE DEVICE - A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing. | 08-02-2012 |
20120212903 | PORTABLE COMPUTER SPEAKER GRILL STRUCTURES - Portable computer structures are provided. The portable computer structures may include speaker grill structures. A speaker grill structure may be formed by creating an array of small holes (perforations) in a portable computer housing structure such as a planar housing wall. A speaker may be mounted adjacent to the array of holes. The planar housing wall may be formed in a block of milled aluminum and may have a thickness of less than 1 mm. The speaker holes may have with small diameters without overly attenuating sound from a speaker. | 08-23-2012 |
20120329321 | SIMPLIFIED CONNECTOR RECEPTACLES - Connector receptacles that may be used in a variety of applications, may have a desirable aesthetic appearance, may be durable and reliable, and may be manufactured in a simplified manner. One example may provide a receptacle that may be used in a number of different devices to avoid having to redesign a receptacle for different devices. Another example may maintain a desirable appearance by reducing the chance of marring or functional damage during insertions of an insert. | 12-27-2012 |
20130003280 | PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICE - A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion. | 01-03-2013 |
20130022382 | SECURING PLUGS FOR ATTACHING COMPUTER COMPONENTS - A keyboard assembly for a small form factor computer includes a number of keys and associated electrical contacts positioned between the top case portion of the computer and the feature plate. The attachment of the keyboard assembly during the manufacturing process can be accelerated by welding securing fasteners through small holes in the feature plate directly to the top case portion of the computer. | 01-24-2013 |
20130065437 | SIMPLIFIED CONNECTOR RECEPTACLES - Connector receptacles that may be used in a variety of applications, may have a desirable aesthetic appearance, may be durable and reliable, and may be manufactured in a simplified manner. One example may provide a receptacle that may be used in a number of different devices to avoid having to redesign a receptacle for different devices. Another example may maintain a desirable appearance by reducing the chance of marring or functional damage during insertions of an insert. | 03-14-2013 |
20130076573 | Embedded Antenna Structures - An electronic device may be provided with antenna structures that are embedded in a dielectric such as plastic. The plastic may be molded over the antenna structures using molding equipment. Antenna structures may be embedded in molded plastic structures such as plastic electronic device housing structures. The plastic electronic device housing structures may form housing structures such as housing wall structures. The antenna structures may be embedded within the housing wall structures in the vicinity of an exterior surface of the housing wall structures. Embedded antenna structures may also be mounted under other dielectric structures such portions of a display cover layer. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076574 | Customizable Antenna Structures - Antenna structures may be customized to compensate for manufacturing variations in electronic device antennas. The antenna structures may include an antenna resonating element and a ground. Customizations may be made to the antenna structures by performing customization operations such as adding material, removing material, deforming material, and making electrical adjustments. Customizations may be performed to a conductive antenna resonating element structure, to a ground structure, or to associated antenna structures such as parasitic antenna elements. During manufacturing operations, antenna structures may be characterized by making radio-frequency antenna performance measurements. Antenna performance can be compared to desired performance levels and compensating customizations for the antenna structures can be identified. Customized antenna structures can be installed in electronic devices during manufacturing to produce devices that meet desired specifications. | 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 |
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 |
20130108906 | NON-RECTANGULAR BATTERIES FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES | 05-02-2013 |
20130108907 | CURVED BATTERY CELLS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES | 05-02-2013 |
20130136967 | CURVED BATTERY CELLS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers, wherein the pouch is flexible. The layers may be wound to create a jelly roll prior to sealing the layers in the flexible pouch. A curve may also be formed in the battery cell by applying a pressure of at least 0.13 kilogram-force (kgf) per square millimeter to the layers using a set of curved plates applying a temperature of about 85° C. to the layers. | 05-30-2013 |
20130171490 | FLEXIBLE BATTERY PACK - Flexible battery packs for use in electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible battery pack may include a plurality of cells, such as galvanic or photovoltaic cells. The battery pack also may include a plurality of laminate layers coupled to the cells that include a top laminate layer and a bottom laminate layer. An adhesive may be used to couple the top and bottom laminate layers together such that each of the plurality of cells is isolated from each other. This arrangement may allow the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the electronic device. This arrangement also may allow one or more of the cells to be selectively removed from the plurality, which may be desirable from a manufacturing perspective. | 07-04-2013 |
20130171859 | THIN CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE HOUSINGS - Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted, or are very thin or have a low profile. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another example provides a super-thin connector receptacle by removing fingers and portions of a shell along one or more sides. | 07-04-2013 |
20130279088 | Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays Having Fastened Bent Edges - An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges. | 10-24-2013 |
20130342970 | LOW-FORCE DUST SEAL - An electronic device may have polarizer layers, color filter layers, thin-film-transistor layers, and other display layers. A display layer may be separated from structures such as a display cover layer formed from clear glass or plastic and a touch sensor layer mounted on an inner surface of the display cover layer by an air gap. Cavities within an electronic device housing may serve as a source of dust and other contaminants. The air gap may be sealed against dust intrusion from a cavity within an electronic device using a dust sealing structure. The dust sealing structure may have a rectangular ring shape that runs around a rectangular peripheral portion of a display layer. The dust sealing structure may be formed from a tape-based structure, an elastomeric structure, a compressible foam structure, or a cured liquid structure. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343589 | PORTABLE COMPUTER ELECTRICAL GROUNDING AND AUDIO SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES - A portable computing device having a substantially non-conducting outer housing and alternative electrical grounding and audio system architectures is disclosed. The device can be a laptop computer having a main logic board, a keyboard assembly, an audio source positioned below the keyboard assembly, and an equalizer electrically coupled to the audio source, with each of these components being electrically coupled to a universal grounding structure. The audio source emits sound waves that are propagated through the keyboard assembly and between gaps between keyboard keys and the outer housing. Settings for the equalizer can be selected to account for sound absorption and amplification characteristics of the sound waves along these sound transmission paths. The universal grounding structure includes a plurality of separate ground components that are electrically intercoupled, each being substantially smaller than the overall portable computing device, and also includes an electromagnetic interference shield around the main logic board. | 12-26-2013 |
20140069714 | CONNECTOR BRACKET - Brackets may be mated with or coupled to an opening of an electronic device enclosure or housing for receiving plug connectors to reinforce the receptacle connector and/or device housing and potentially reduce damage/breakage. For example, a bracket can have a front face with a curvature. A back face of the bracket can include a first opening that communicates with a cavity. The cavity can be defined at least in part by upper and lower opposing inner surfaces, the lower inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to a portion of the bracket front face. The bracket can also include a hollow protrusion extending from the bracket front face in a front direction. The hollow protrusion can include an opening that communicates with the opening of the back face and extends through the hollow protrusion. Methods for manufacturing the connector bracket are also provided. | 03-13-2014 |
20140075743 | HANDHELD PORTABLE DEVICE - A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing. | 03-20-2014 |
20140092034 | Electronic Devices With Flexible Circuit Light Shields - Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight structures that generate light and display layers that generate images using the generated light. An electronic device may include an opaque flexible printed circuit that is wrapped around one or more edges of the backlight structures. The opaque flexible printed circuit may prevent light from the backlight structures from reaching other electronic components or escaping from the device. The opaque flexible printed circuit may include signal lines that communicate signals between a printed circuit board and the display. The opaque flexible printed circuit may be a layer of the printed circuit board that extends from an edge of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may include an additional flexible extended printed circuit layer that wraps around a surface of the printed circuit board and forms a portion of a conductive shield over that surface. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092342 | Electronic Devices With Displays Having Optical Films - Electronic devices may include displays having backlight structures that include optical films. The optical films may help guide light from the backlight structures to display layers that generate display images using the light. The optical films may be attached together at one or more locations. The optical films may be attached to a structural member of the backlight structures. The structural member may be formed along each edge of the optical films and prevent the optical films from sliding within the display. Each optical film may be designed to expand to a common lateral size when the display is operated at a display operating temperature. The optical films may each include an elongated opening such as a slot through which a pin can be placed to partially constrain the movement of the optical films while allowing the optical films to expand or contract under changing thermal conditions in the display. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092560 | FORCE AND HEAT SPREADING PCB FOR LCD PROTECTION AND INTERCONNECTION - The described embodiment relates generally to the manufacture of display assemblies. More particularly the use of alternative back plates for a display assembly is discussed. By using a printed circuit board (PCB) in lieu of a metal backer heat can be evenly spread across the backer by applying a layer of copper configured to normalize a spread of heat across the printed circuit board. The configuration of the copper layer can be configured based on a tested or simulated heat map that accounts for proximate heat producing elements. The PCB can also advantageously act as an interconnection layer between other electrical components disposed within the electronic device. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092583 | Electronic Device with Display Backlight Alignment Structures - Electronic devices may include displays having backlight structures and display layers. The display layers may include alignment features. The backlight structure may include alignment features. The alignment features on the backlight structures may include transparent portions of the backlight structures. The alignment features on the display layers may include alignment marks that are visible through the transparent portions of the backlight structures. The transparent portions of the backlight structures may include openings that extend from a first surface of the backlight structures to an opposing second surface of the backlight structures. The openings may be filled by transparent members formed from plastic or glass. The transparent members may include additional alignment marks. The transparent members may include lensing portions that magnify the alignment marks on the display layers when viewed through the lensing portions. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092630 | Backlight Structures and Assemblies for Electronic Device Displays - Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight components such as a light guide plate that distributes light from a light source across the display. The light source may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on a printed circuit substrate. A portion of the light guide plate may be attached to the printed circuit substrate using adhesive. The adhesive may be a supported adhesive that includes a lining of reflective material. A reflective coating such as a layer of white coverlay may be formed on the surface of the printed circuit substrate and may be configured to reflect light into the light guide plate. The reflective coating may serve as a solder mask. The printed circuit substrate may be attached to a metal display chassis using adhesive. A shim may be used to raise the height of the light source relative to the printed circuit substrate. | 04-03-2014 |
20140111927 | TRIMLESS GLASS ENCLOSURE INTERFACE - An enclosure for a portable computing device can include a cover glass affixed to an enclosure without trim pieces disposed between the cover glass and the disclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure can include an edge profile that can define a relatively large contact pad about the enclosure. The contact pad can distribute impact forces over a relatively large area and thereby protect the cover glass integrity. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111953 | Electronic Devices With Components Mounted to Touch Sensor Substrates - Touch panel structures may be provided with flexible substrates. A touch sensor array may be formed from transparent capacitive touch sensor electrodes. Electrical components such as ambient light sensors, proximity sensors, magnetic sensors, camera sensors, buttons, and integrated circuits may be mounted on the same flexible substrate as the transparent capacitive touch sensor electrodes. A flexible substrate for a touch panel structure may be formed from multiple substrate portions that are coupled using solder connections or conductive adhesive connections. A touch panel may have a flexible tail that is coupled to a printed circuit board in an electronic device housing. The flexible tail may bend when installing the touch panel in the housing. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113184 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL NON-RECTANGULAR BATTERY CELL STRUCTURES - The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes a set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a pouch enclosing the layers. Finally, the battery cell has a three-dimensional non-rectangular shape to facilitate efficient use of space within a portable electronic device powered by the battery cell. | 04-24-2014 |
20140133174 | Displays and Display Chassis Structures - Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight components that provide backlight illumination for the display. Backlight components may include a light guide plate that distributes light from a light source across the display. A plastic display chassis may be used to support display layers and backlight components. A light blocking material such as a layer of metal or opaque coating material may be formed on a surface of the plastic display chassis and may be used to reduce light leakage from the backlight components to the exterior of the electronic device. A metal barrier structure may be formed on a surface of the support structure and may be used to ground a conductive display layer to a conductive support structure such as a metal display chassis or a metal housing member. The plastic display chassis may be insert molded around a light barrier structure. | 05-15-2014 |
20140133179 | Electronic Device with Display Chassis Structures - Electronic devices may include displays. A display may include backlight components that provide backlight illumination for the display. Backlight components may include a light guide plate that distributes light from a light source across the display. Display chassis structures may be used to support display layers and backlight components. A metal chassis may include a portion that partially surrounds the light source. Openings or perforations in the metal chassis may allow the portion that surrounds the light source to flex about a flex axis. A portion of a display layer may be mounted to a plastic chassis. The plastic chassis may be insert molded over a light source, may form part of a package for a light source, may be adhered to a light source, or may wrap around the light source. An encapsulant may be formed over the light source to protect the light source from vibrations and contaminants. | 05-15-2014 |
20140168877 | PORTABLE COMPUTER UNIFIED TOP CASE - A top case assembly for a portable computer is disclosed. The assembly may include an integral unified (e.g., homogenous) top case formed from a single part. The integral top case provides an enclosure, frame and cosmetic exterior of the portable computer. The integral top case also serves as the primary structure of the portable computer. The assembly may include a variety of subassemblies such as keyboards, touchpads, circuit boards, and drives that are carried by the underside of the integral top case. The integral top case may be formed from aluminum slab that has been machined to form walls, openings, attachment areas and cosmetic areas of the top case. | 06-19-2014 |
20140193024 | COMBINED SPEAKER AND AUDIO JACK - A speaker and audio jack module for a portable electronic device. The module includes an audio jack housing having a tube dimensioned to receive an audio plug. An acoustic port is formed through a side of the tube so as to acoustically connect a speaker housing having a speaker contained therein to the audio jack housing. The audio jack housing is capable of receiving an audio input when the audio plug is inserted therein and outputting an audio output from the speaker when the audio plug is removed. | 07-10-2014 |
20140218856 | Electronic Devices With Flexible Displays Having Fastened Bent Edges - An electronic device may be provided with a display having a flexible substrate with fastened bent edges. The flexible substrate may have an active region that includes an array of light-emitting elements such as organic light-emitting diodes. The flexible substrate may also have inactive regions that lie outside of the active region. The bent edges may include portions of the inactive regions and portions of the active region. The bent edges may be wrapped to conform to the shape of an internal support structure. The bent edges may be fastened to the support structure with fastening members that attach a housing member or an internal clamp to the support structure. The bent edges may be secured between the housing member or the internal clamp and the support structure. The fastening members may be engaged in openings in the support structure and may pass through or alongside the bent edges. | 08-07-2014 |
20140302692 | BOARD-TO-BOARD CONNECTORS - Board-to-board connectors that may provide a durable and reliable connection, save board space, may be easy to manufacture, and may be simple to use during device assembly. One example may include a receptacle including a number of contacts forming electrical connections with traces or planes in or on a printed circuit board. A boss may be included as part of the receptacle and the boss may be connected to the printed circuit board. An insert may be mated to the receptacle. Contacts in the insert may form electrical connections with traces or planes in a second or flexible circuit board. A cowling may be placed over the flexible circuit board to act as a stiffener. A fastener, such as a screw, may be placed through openings in the cowling, second or flexible circuit board, and insert, and into the boss. | 10-09-2014 |
20140362514 | COMPUTER HOUSING - A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer. | 12-11-2014 |
20150049285 | Non-Planar Display Backlight Structures - An electronic device may be provided with a display. The display may include display layers characterized by an active area and backlight structures that provide backlight to the active area. To accommodate components such as a button, an edge portion of a light guide plate in the backlight structures that does not overlap the active area is bent out of the plane of the light guide plate. The bent edge portion of the light guide plate may be formed by molding clear plastic in a die or by bending a flexible sheet of clear polymer. Flared structures may be formed on the flexible sheet of clear polymer to help guide light from light-emitting diodes into the flexible sheet of clear polymer. The flared structures may be formed by applying resin coating layers to the flexible sheet of clear polymer. | 02-19-2015 |