| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090011803 | Method and Systems for Qualifying Glass Windows Using a Thermal Shock - Methods and apparatus for testing the actual glass parts that are to be used in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, method for qualifying a glass part includes obtaining the glass part, and applying at least one thermal shock to the glass part. Once the thermal shock is applied, it is determined if the glass part qualifies for use in a device, e.g., a portable electronic device. If it is determined that the glass part qualifies for use in the device, the glass part is identified as qualifying for use in the device. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090017242 | Methods and systems for forming a dual layer housing - Methods and apparatus for applying internal features or complex mechanical structures to a surface of a metal part are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for creating an assembly that includes a substrate and a molded piece involves obtaining the substrate, and forming at least one binding feature on a surface of the substrate. The method also includes molding on a surface of the binding feature and the surface of the substrate. Molding on the surface of the binding feature and the surface of the substrate mechanically binds the molded piece to the substrate. | 01-15-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090260871 | Perforated Substrates for Forming Housings - A housing for an electronic device as well as methods for forming the housing are disclosed. The housing can be formed from a substrate having perforations to assist in adhering components internal to the housing. The substrate is typically a multi-layer substrate having at least two layers. In one embodiment, an inner layer of the multi-layer substrate can be provided with perforations. The perforations can them be used to adhere internal features to the multi-layer substrate. The internal features can be used for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer substrate, thereby securing the parts or components to the multi-layer substrate and thus the housing. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090314619 | DOME SWITCH WITH INTEGRAL ACTUATOR - A dome switch structure that includes an actuator integrally formed with a dome is disclosed. Advantageously, the actuator can be formed so as to be positioned over and properly aligned with the dome. In one embodiment, the dome switch structure is used by an electronic device to provide user input. When the actuator is pressed by a user, the actuator depresses the dome and induces a switching action. In one embodiment, the dome switch structures can be manufactured (i.e., machined) as a unitary structure. Consequently, since actuators and domes can be formed together, the dome switch structures yield not only consistent accurate alignment but also simplified assembly of dome switches. Given the accurate alignment of an actuator to a corresponding dome, dome switches formed from the dome switch structures can have consistent and reliable tactile feel to users, which thereby provides reliable usage by users. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100008030 | MICROPERFORATED AND BACKLIT DISPLAYS HAVING ALTERNATIVE DISPLAY CAPABILITIES - A visual display having microperforations, backlighting and contrasting surface finishes is disclosed. The visual display includes an opaque base object having a front surface and a plurality of microperforations therethrough from the front surface to a back surface. Each microperforation has a diameter of about 100 microns or less, and numerous microperforations are arranged into an overall pattern, such as a logo, text or advertisement. A light source placed proximate to the back surface passes light through the microperforations to be visible at the front surface, such that the overall pattern can be visibly perceived when the light source is turned on. A contrasting surface finish formed on the front surface includes at least two visibly distinguishable shades, with one shade covering at least a portion of the front surface defined by the overall pattern, such that the overall pattern can be seen when the light source is turned off. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100008040 | COLD-DRAWN HOUSING FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A primary outer housing component for an electronic device formed via a cold-drawing process is disclosed. The electronic device can include internal operational components located within an outer housing, as well as a processor and one or more user interfaces in communication therewith. A primary outer housing component substantially surrounds and protects the internal operational components and processor, and comprises a single, continuous and seamless structural wall having a cross-sectional profile that includes an outer circumference and an inner circumference, as well as openings at a top end and bottom end thereof. Top and bottom end closures fit within and close off the top and bottom end openings in the primary outer housing component, which is formed using a cold-drawing material process that includes the use of a die to form the shape of the outer circumference and a mandrel to form the shape of said inner circumference. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100079970 | ULTRASONIC BONDING OF DISCRETE PLASTIC PARTS TO METAL - Electronic devices and other apparatuses that include plastic parts ultrasonically bonded to metal parts are disclosed. A first component or part includes a metallic surface region having a surface roughness with one or more surface irregularities. A second component or part formed from a plastic material that can include an energy director is attached to the metallic surface region via an ultrasonic bond, such that a portion of the plastic material is melted or otherwise formed into the surface irregularities to attach the two components or parts together. The parts can be housings, internal components or other items. The surface irregularities can be formed as a result of a chemical etching process, a machining process, or a combination thereof, and can result in the creation of undercuts or cavities in the metallic surface region. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100103612 | THERMAL SPRAY COATING FOR SEAMLESS AND RADIO-TRANSPARENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE HOUSING - Electronic devices and other apparatuses adapted to receive electromagnetic wave communications are disclosed. An outer housing encloses various device components, including at least an internal antenna located fully therewithin and adapted to receive/send communications from/to an outside source via RF or other electromagnetic waves. A ceramic coating can be a thermal spray coating that covers at least a portion of the outer surface proximate to the internal antenna, and can be “RF transparent”—adapted to allow communications to/from the internal antenna via electromagnetic waves. The outer housing can be plastic, metal or a combination thereof. For metal or other non-RF transparent housings, an RF-transparent insert can be fitted into a window in the housing to permit communications to the internal antenna. The ceramic coating covers some or all of the metal, plastic and/or insert that comprise the outer housing and surface for a final aesthetic finish to the device. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100271767 | MICROPERFORATED AND BACKLIT DISPLAYS HAVING ALTERNATIVE DISPLAY CAPABILITIES - A visual display having microperforations, backlighting and contrasting surface finishes is disclosed. The visual display includes an opaque base object having a front surface and a plurality of microperforations therethrough from the front surface to a back surface. Each microperforation has a diameter of about 100 microns or less, and numerous microperforations are arranged into an overall pattern, such as a logo, text or advertisement. A light source placed proximate to the back surface passes light through the microperforations to be visible at the front surface, such that the overall pattern can be visibly perceived when the light source is turned on. A contrasting surface finish formed on the front surface includes at least two visibly distinguishable shades, with one shade covering at least a portion of the front surface defined by the overall pattern, such that the overall pattern can be seen when the light source is turned off. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100273538 | NITRIDING STAINLESS STEEL FOR CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS - A cost effective system, method and apparatus adapted to provide a nitride layer on stainless steel used for the manufacture of consumer electronic products. In addition to providing a durable, hard surface that is both scratch and impact resistant, the nitride layer allows for the natural surface color and texture of the underlying stainless steel to remain visible to the user. It is this natural surface color and texture of the stainless steel that adds to the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the consumer electronic product thereby enhancing the user's overall experience. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110051337 | Techniques for Marking a Substrate Using a Physical Vapor Deposition Material - Techniques, processes and structures are disclosed for providing markings on products, such as electronic devices. For example, the markings can be formed using physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes to deposit a layer of material. The markings or labels may be textual and/or graphic. The markings are deposited on a compliant layer that is disposed on a surface to be marked. The compliant layer is arranged to isolate the surface to be marked from the layer of material deposited using the PVD process. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110067447 | Enhanced Strengthening of Glass - Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass member for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by using multi-bath chemical processing. The multi-bath chemical processing allows greater levels of strengthening to be achieved for glass member. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing of an electronic device. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110085316 | CONFORMING EMI SHIELDING - This is directed to an EMI shield constructed from a conformal coating. A circuit board can include electronic components for which EMI shielding is required. To provide such shielding in a space-efficient manner, a first non-conductive conformal coating can be placed over the circuit board and the electronic components. A second conductive conformal coating can then be placed over the first such that at least portions of the second coating around the periphery of the electronic components are electrically coupled to the circuit board. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110162894 | STYLUS FOR TOUCH SENSING DEVICES - A stylus for entering data on a touch-screen computing device. The stylus includes a conductive tip that creates capacitive coupling between the stylus and the touch-screen of the computing device. The conductive tip may also be heated and include a passive or active heating element. Additionally, a dock for the stylus may be provided for the computing device to recharge the battery of the stylus and also provide storage for the stylus when not in use. | 07-07-2011 |
