Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices).

Abstract: A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed.

Abstract: A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to reducing the effect of shocks on electronic device components. The electronic device component may be surrounded by a boundary element operative to deform in response to impacts. By deforming, the boundary element may be operative to absorb energy received by the shock or impact without passing the energy on to the electronic device component. To maximize the effectiveness of the boundary element over a range of different impacts (e.g., strong, instantaneous impacts and weak impacts over time), a viscoelastic material may be used. The characteristic properties of the viscoelastic material may be selected based on expected impacts to the electronic device component.

Abstract: An array of domes is constructed from a single sheet of conductive material. For example, several domes can be stamped at a preset distribution within a sheet of metal. The domes can be placed at any suitable position along the surface of the material, including for example at positions defined by the locations of contact pads on a circuit board. The conductive material can be electrically coupled to the circuit board at any suitable location, including for example along an edge of the piece of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material can extend around the side walls of the circuit board, for example bent around the periphery of the circuit board. The sheet of material can be electrically coupled to the bottom of the circuit board, for example by soldering. This approach may provide a water resistant dome switch, whereby water can be prevented from leaking between the dome and the circuit board.

Abstract: 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 characteristics in accordance with a predetermined stress profile. The predetermined stress profile can be formed through multiple stages of chemical strengthening. The stages can, for example, have a first ion exchange stage where larger ions are exchanged into the glass member, and a second ion exchange stage where some of the larger ions are exchanged out from the glass member. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving chemical strengthening of glass are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mechanical stress can be induced on a glass article while undergoing chemical strengthening. In another embodiment, vibrations, such as ultrasonic vibrations, can be induced during chemical strengthening of a glass article. The use of mechanical stress and/or vibrations during chemically strengthening of a glass article can enhance the effectiveness of the chemical strengthening process. Accordingly, glass articles that have undergone chemical strengthening processing are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The strengthened glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for reducing surface roughness on surface of a glass member using a non-contact polishing process are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for processing a glass member suitable for use in a handheld electronic device includes obtaining the glass member and chemically strengthening the glass member. The glass member has at least one surface, and chemically strengthening the glass member increases roughness associated with the at least one surface. The method also includes applying a first non-contact polishing process to the glass member after chemically strengthening the glass member. Applying the first non-contact polishing process reduces the roughness associated with the at least one surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving chemical strengthening behavior in glass members are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for processing a glass part formed using a fusion process or a float process includes annealing the glass part and then chemically strengthening the glass part. Annealing the glass part includes at least heating the glass part at a first temperature, maintaining the first temperature, and cooling the glass part to a second temperature using a controlled cooling process. Chemically strengthening the glass part includes facilitating an ion exchange between ions included in the glass part and ions included in a chemical strengthening bath.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This is directed to a cable for use with an electric device in which the conductive medium used to conduct electrical signals is a flex instead of distinct wires. The flex can include any suitable number of conductive traces connecting connectors integrated in or coupled to the ends of the flex. Using a flex can allow a user to roll the cable more easily, and reduce tangling of the cable. In addition, the flex may be more resistant to bending in particular desired directions.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass cover for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by forming its edges with a predetermined geometry and/or by chemically strengthening the edges. Advantageously, the glass member can be not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for improving strength of a thin glass cover for an electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the glass member can have improved strength by chemical strengthening in a series of stages. The stages can, for example, have a first ion exchange stage where larger ions are exchanged into the glass cover, and a second ion exchange stage where some of the larger ions are exchanged out from the glass cover. Optionally, in one embodiment, the glass cover can improve its strength by forming its edges with a predetermined geometry. Advantageously, the glass cover can be not only thin but also adequately strong to limit susceptibility to damage. In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing for an electronic device. The glass cover can be provided over or integrated with a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display.

Abstract: An array of domes is constructed from a single sheet of constructed material. For example, several domes can be stamped at a preset distribution within a sheet of metal. The domes can be placed at any suitable position along the surface of the material, including for example at positions defined by the locations of contact pads on a circuit board. The conductive material can be electrically coupled to the circuit board at any suitable location, including for example along an edge of the piece of material. In some embodiments, the sheet of material can extend around the side walls of the circuit board, for example bent around the periphery of the circuit board. The sheet of material can be electrically coupled to the bottom of the circuit board, for example by soldering. This approach may provide a water resistant dome switch, whereby water can be prevented from leaking between the dome and the circuit board.

Abstract: A removable component for use with an earphone is disclosed. As an example, the removable component can be an ear tip. According to one aspect, an improved ear tip can be provided for use with a headphone. The ear tip is suitable for in-ear operation and can have a cosmetic deformable outer member. The deformable outer member can enable the ear tip to readily conform to a user's ear. The ear tip can also include an inner member to structurally support the outer member and to facilitate attachment to a headphone. Methods for forming such ear tips are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using an insert molding process to form a tactilely seamless overall part from component parts that are made from different materials are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a housing includes a first part formed from a first material and a second part formed from a second material that is of a different type than the first material. The first part includes a first external surface and a first bonding surface, and the second part includes a second external surface and a second bonding surface. The second bonding surface can be integrally bonded to the first bonding surface so that the first external surface and the second external surface form a gap-free overall surface.

Abstract: This invention is directed to reducing the effect of shocks on electronic device components. The electronic device component may be surrounded by a boundary element operative to deform in response to impacts. By deforming, the boundary element may be operative to absorb energy received by the shock or impact without passing the energy on to the electronic device component. To maximize the effectiveness of the boundary element over a range of different impacts (e.g., strong, instantaneous impacts and weak impacts over time), a viscoelastic material may be used. The characteristic properties of the viscoelastic material may be selected based on expected impacts to the electronic device component.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems which provide buttons oriented at angles relative to each other as a part of a multiple function switch are disclosed. In one embodiment, the multiple function switch is part of an inline controller that is suitable for use to control features or functions of a portable electronic device.

Abstract: A monitoring system that can be placed proximate to the head or ear of a user is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the monitoring system can be used with headphones, earbuds or headsets. The monitoring system can, for example, be used to monitor user activity, such as during exercise or sporting activities. The positioning of the monitoring system can also facilitate sensing of other user characteristics (e.g., biometric data), such as temperature, perspiration and heart rate. The monitoring system can also be used to control a an electronic device. In one embodiment, the monitoring system facilitates user control of the electronic device using head gestures.