Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Improved techniques are disclosed for interacting with embedded objects. The embedded objects may comprise digital media content, such as or images (e.g., photos), audio items (e.g., audio files, including music or songs), or videos (e.g., movies). By generating thumbnails of embedded objects in a mail application, they can be interspersed with text and kept in context.

Abstract: Improved techniques for interacting with media content so as to provide a unified experience of media content across different devices are disclosed. A media content may be displayed on first display of the first device. A status of the media content may be communicated from the first device to a second device. The media content may be displayed on a second display of the second device, in accordance with the status of the media content from the first device.

Abstract: Improved techniques for interacting with one or more handheld carriers hosting media content are disclosed. The handheld carrier hosting media content may be sensed, and at least a portion of the media content may be integrated into operation of a media activity provided by a computing device, upon recognizing the media activity and the media content. The media activity provided by the computing device may involve creating or editing an electronic document. The integration of the media content into operation of the media activity may involve insertion or importation of the media content into the electronic document.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A media player for playing files of different formats on demand using a plurality of renderer components appropriate for the different formats for a network-connected computer system or electronic device having a visual display includes a media player shell having a viewable stage area displayed on the visual display for playing media and for displaying any controls for controlling playing of media. The shell determines file formats of files to be played by the media player and downloads renderer components capable of playing the file formats. Each renderer component is downloaded by the shell on demand and displayed on the stage area, where it is used to play the file. When more than one file is to be played by the player, the shell determines this fact first downloads a document chooser to be displayed in the stage area for selecting files for playing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving and processing a subscription request by e-mail to an information stream. The systems and methods involve a network-based information storage and distribution system for receiving, storing, and distributing an information stream to a subscriber of the information stream over a network. The system receives an e-mail subscription request from a subscriber seeking to subscribe to an information stream, where the e-mail subscription request includes stream-identifying information identifying the information stream to which the subscriber wishes to subscribe; and an e-mail address for the subscriber, which may simply be determined by way of examining the return e-mail address of the e-mail sender from the e-mail. The e-mail is used to determine which information stream is to be subscribed to from the stream-identifying information, and the subscriber's e-mail address is used to provide access to the information stream to the subscriber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to an information stream in a format customized for a receiving device involve a network-based information storage and distribution system for receiving, storing, and distributing an information stream to a user of the information stream over a network. When a user attempts to access the media files, such as by browsing a site containing the media files or clicking on a link to the media files, a determination is made as to the type of device attempting to access the files. If the device is unknown to the system, a trial-and-error method is used to update a database of devices and what file formats, resolutions, codecs, etc., they support. Then, the selected media files are displayed or made available for download or transmission to the user's device in a format compatible with the particular device, and future access attempts by that type of device are facilitated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to an information stream in a format customized for a receiving device involve a network-based information storage and distribution system for receiving, storing, and distributing an information stream to a user of the information stream over a network. The system receives media files and converts the media files into multiple formats. When a user attempts to access the media files, such as by browsing a site containing the media files or clicking on a link to the media files, a determination is made as to the type of device attempting to access the files. A database of devices and what file formats, resolutions, codecs, etc., they support is consulted to select a file format suitable for that device. Then, the selected media files are displayed or made available for download or transmission to the user's device in a format compatible with the particular device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: an energy converter for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and a controller connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions ate determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for storage and distribution of electronic publications by content creators and online publishers with referral-based commissions utilizes a repository of products and an associated delivery system. An invitor registers with the system and provides referral addresses to the system, which sends an electronic invitation to use the system to the addresses. The recipients can use the system to purchase electronic publication products and/or to sell their own electronic publication products. Commissions are provided to the invitor based on purchases by the recipients of the invitations and/or based on sales of products on the system by recipients of the invitations.

Abstract: 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.