Abstract: Described are techniques for controlling the transfer of heat on various portions of a device or other structure. A structure may include a substrate having a first thermal conductivity. A material having a different thermal conductivity is distributed on the substrate. The position, quantity, and thickness of the material affects the manner in which heat is transferred away from at least one hot spot on the substrate.

Abstract: In some cases, a handheld electronic device may operate in a voice input mode or a scanner input mode. When operating in the voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. In some cases, the stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for speech processing). When operating in the scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., as barcode data) in the memory. In some cases, the stored item identifier data may be communicated to the one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for item identification processing).

Abstract: An electronic device housing is described that includes a substantially flat support plate comprising a composite material and an edge frame comprising a foam material. The edge frame is coupled to the support plate at a perimeter of the support plate and defines a cavity. One or more electronic components may be disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: Described are features to control distribution of thermal energy by structures such as portions of a case of a device. Various patterns of thermally conductive or insulating substances alter the thermal conductivity of a structure and provide selective directional distribution of thermal energy away from a hot spot caused by operation of a device component. The features result in a predetermined distribution of thermal energy across one or more structures, and may increase thermal uniformity.

Abstract: Solid structures for thermal management are provided. In one aspect, the solid structures can comprise a metal-ceramic composite member assembled to be in thermal contact with a heat source. The metal-ceramic composite member can be mechanically coupled to an assembly (e.g., an electronic assembly) containing the heat source, and can provide mechanical stability to such assembly. In another aspect, the solid structures can comprise an oxide member that covers a surface of the metal-ceramic composite member, forming a metal-ceramic-oxide interface at the surface. The thickness of the oxide member combined with the magnitude of its thermal conductivity relative to the thermal conductivity of the metal-ceramic composite member can permit heat transport substantially along a direction substantially parallel to the metal-ceramic-oxide interface, and can reduce heat transfer through such interface.

Abstract: A structure of a device, such as a surface coating, is composed of one or more materials that are arranged to change one or more characteristics in response to a stimulus, such as an electrical signal, a magnetic field, application of thermal energy, and so forth. The changed characteristics may include a tactile characteristic, a visual characteristic, or other type of characteristic that is perceivable by a user of the device. A state for the adjustable structure may be determined based on user preference data that is stored on the device or input by a user through a user interface. The state for the adjustable structure may also be automatically determined based on device motion, orientation, environment factors, and so forth.

Abstract: In some cases, a handheld electronic device may operate in a voice input mode or a scanner input mode. When operating in the voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. In some cases, the stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for speech processing). When operating in the scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., as barcode data) in the memory. In some cases, the stored item identifier data may be communicated to the one or more remote computing devices (e.g., for item identification processing).

Abstract: An electronic device housing is described that includes a substantially flat support plate comprising a composite material and an edge frame comprising a foam material. The edge frame is coupled to the support plate at a perimeter of the support plate and defines a cavity. One or more electronic components may be disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: An electronic device housing including a relatively thin and stiff support plate and including a relatively thick and low-density edge frame is described. The support plate may be composed of a composite material, such as carbon-fiber reinforced polymer or aluminum metal matrix composite, and the edge frame may be composed of a foam material, such as closed-cell aluminum foam.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning an image comprising a manually-operated scanning device with a photoelectric source and having a light tunnel extending from the photoelectric source to a side of the manually-operated scanning device. The scanning device with light tunnels offers high contrast edges and encourages proper alignment of the image being scanned. In one embodiment, the scanning device has a light tunnel extending from each vertical side corresponding to and illuminating the horizontal axis to be scanned. In another embodiment, the scanning device has, in addition to light tunnels illuminating the horizontal axis, light tunnels extending from the front or horizontal side of the scanning device to illuminate the vertical boundary that is scanned by the scanning device. The light tunnels in the invention provide the user with a highly visible reference of exactly where the manually-operated scanning device's scan window is located at a particular instance.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding distinct feed stock through a roller driven tray device to an information transfer device (i.e., scanning, facsimile, printing, copying) or a multipurpose information transfer device for processing feed stock, the roller driven tray device comprising a first tray and a second tray each tray capable of holding an item of feed stock for processing through the same port of an information transfer device from either tray without manual intervention. Also, an apparatus for maintaining alignment of feed stock in a roller driven tray device comprising a cam radially coupled to the first end of the roller shaft, a cam follower seated on the cam, a cam shaft with one end coupled to the cam follower and a second end slidably coupled to the tray housing, and a cantilever finger crank coupled to the cam shaft, and having a first position to not impede the path of the feed stock and a second position against the feed stock.

Abstract: Apparatus for utilizing a single paper path for printing, copying, scanning, and sending and receiving facsimiles by combining a gear box assembly and an adjustable scan head assembly with a conventional printer. The invention contemplates a first position for scanning, copying, and sending facsimiles of an image, and a second position for printing, reproducing a copied image, and receiving facsimiles. In the first position, the path of a single sheet of paper is impeded by the scan head mechanism. In the second position, a sheet of paper onto which an image has been transferred by dot matrix, ink, or laser printing, can move through the multipurpose information transfer device unimpeded. The invention contemplates a single stationary path to which information transfer functions are added and taken away, instead of multiple paths to accommodate stationary information transfer functions.