Abstract: A foldable display has multiple layers, including at least a display layer that creates the display that users see when looking at the foldable display and a stiff support layer that provides the display layer with support despite the foldable nature of the display. An adhesive layer binds the display layer to the stiff support layer. The stiff support layer has a stiffness that is at least six times greater than the stiffness of the adhesive layer and at least six times greater than the stiffness of the display layer. Given the foldable nature of the display, there is typically a hinge system below part of the display. In situations in which pressure is applied to the foldable display (e.g., by a user's finger or stylus), the stiffness of the stiff support layer prevents the display from being damaged despite the presence of the hinge system.

Abstract: A foldable display has multiple layers, including at least a display layer that creates the display that users see when looking at the foldable display and a stiff support layer that provides the display layer with support despite the foldable nature of the display. An adhesive layer binds the display layer to the stiff support layer. The stiff support layer has a stiffness that is at least six times greater than the stiffness of the adhesive layer and at least six times greater than the stiffness of the display layer. Given the foldable nature of the display, there is typically a hinge system below part of the display. In situations in which pressure is applied to the foldable display (e.g., by a user's finger or stylus), the stiffness of the stiff support layer prevents the display from being damaged despite the presence of the hinge system.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a device housing with an opening there through, the housing having a front external surface and a back external surface. A camera housing is sized to fit within the opening in the device housing, the camera housing including two cameras and two respective lenses. In a centered position, the lenses protrude beyond the front and back surfaces of the mobile device. A retention mechanism applies a force to the camera housing to retain it substantially centered in the opening unless an outside force of damaging magnitude is encountered.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a device housing with an opening there through, the housing having a front external surface and a back external surface. A camera housing is sized to fit within the opening in the device housing, the camera housing including two cameras and two respective lenses. In a centered position, the lenses protrude beyond the front and back surfaces of the mobile device. A retention mechanism applies a force to the camera housing to retain it substantially centered in the opening unless an outside force of damaging magnitude is encountered.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first device housing and a second device housing. A hinge, which can be a multi-link hinge, couples the first device housing to the second device housing. The first device housing is pivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing. A flexible display is coupled to the first device housing and the second device housing and spans the hinge. The flexible display is to deform when the first device housing pivots about the hinge relative to the second device housing.

Abstract: The present application provides an electronic device having at least a three part housing foldable between multiple use positions. The three part housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and a third housing part, where each of the three housing parts has a front facing, a back facing, and two spaced apart sides respectively coupled between the front facing and back facing at opposite edges of the front and back facings. The second housing part is respectively movably coupled to a side of each the first housing part and the third housing part at a different one of the two spaced apart sides of the second housing part. The electronic device further includes a flexible display which extends along at least portions of the first housing part and the second housing part, and across the movably coupled sides, at which the first housing part is coupled to the second housing part.

Abstract: The present application provides an electronic device having at least a three part housing foldable between multiple use positions. The three part housing includes a first housing part, a second housing part, and a third housing part, where each of the three housing parts has a front facing, a back facing, and two spaced apart sides respectively coupled between the front facing and back facing at opposite edges of the front and back facings. The second housing part is respectively movably coupled to a side of each the first housing part and the third housing part at a different one of the two spaced apart sides of the second housing part. The electronic device further includes a flexible display which extends along at least portions of the first housing part and the second housing part, and across the movably coupled sides, at which the first housing part is coupled to the second housing part.

Abstract: A display stack-up for an electronic device has: multiple layers that include a display layer and a second layer; and an outer seal. Each layer has first and second base surfaces and a thickness therebetween defining a height of a lateral surface at a periphery of the layer. The multiple layers are stacked along an axis perpendicular to their base surfaces and parallel to their lateral surfaces, and the outer seal is positioned along the lateral surface of at least some of the multiple layers. The outer seal is composed of a flexible material and is arranged to bind the second layer and at least one other layer of the multiple layers. The outer seal also contains a non-adhesive liquid between the second layer and the at least one other layer to allow relative sliding between at least two layers of the multiple layers.

Abstract: A display stack-up for an electronic device has: multiple layers that include a display layer and a second layer; and an outer seal. Each layer has first and second base surfaces and a thickness therebetween defining a height of a lateral surface at a periphery of the layer. The multiple layers are stacked along an axis perpendicular to their base surfaces and parallel to their lateral surfaces, and the outer seal is positioned along the lateral surface of at least some of the multiple layers. The outer seal is composed of a flexible material and is arranged to bind the second layer and at least one other layer of the multiple layers. The outer seal also contains a non-adhesive liquid between the second layer and the at least one other layer to allow relative sliding between at least two layers of the multiple layers.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first device housing and a second device housing. A hinge, which can be a multi-link hinge, couples the first device housing to the second device housing. The first device housing is pivotable about the hinge relative to the second device housing. A flexible display is coupled to the first device housing and the second device housing and spans the hinge. The flexible display is to deform when the first device housing pivots about the hinge relative to the second device housing.

Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).

Abstract: A camera assembly for an electronic device. The camera assembly comprises an image sensor, a housing barrel, at least one lens and a seal member. The housing barrel is positioned above the image sensor and includes a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface which defines a barrel cavity. The image sensor is configured to receive light that extends through the barrel cavity. The at least one lens is positioned within the housing barrel. The upper lens cover is positioned over the distal end of the housing barrel. The upper lens cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The seal member is integrally formed with one of the housing barrel, at a distal end thereof, and the inner surface of the upper lens cover, wherein the seal member effectively provides a seal between the housing barrel and the upper lens cover.

Abstract: A camera assembly for an electronic device. The camera assembly comprises an image sensor, a housing barrel, at least one lens and a seal member. The housing barrel is positioned above the image sensor and includes a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface which defines a barrel cavity. The image sensor is configured to receive light that extends through the barrel cavity. The at least one lens is positioned within the housing barrel. The upper lens cover is positioned over the distal end of the housing barrel. The upper lens cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. The seal member is integrally formed with one of the housing barrel, at a distal end thereof, and the inner surface of the upper lens cover, wherein the seal member effectively provides a seal between the housing barrel and the upper lens cover.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, and a corresponding magnetic field producing unit, such as a magnet, can be both positioned near a hinge of a hinged device, such that the magnet, in one part of the device, rotates around the Hall effect sensor, in another part of the device. Three positions can, thereby be detected: (1) when the device is closed and the magnet is “above” the sensor, (2) when the device is partially open and the magnet is “to the side” of the sensor, and (3) when the device is fully open and the magnet is “below” the sensor. The hinged device can have the hinge offset slightly to enable the magnet to rotate around the sensor as described. Alternatively, the locations of the magnet and sensor can be reversed.

Abstract: Electrical connection systems (100) for electronic devices (102) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a male electrical connector (104) includes a male housing portion (138) and at least a first magnet (134a) carried by the male housing portion (138). The first magnet (134a) includes a curved contact surface (1200) configured to abut with a female electrical receptacle (106). At least a first resilient electrical contact (136a) is carried by the male housing portion (138) for making an electrical connection with the female electrical receptacle (106). The first magnet (134a) and the first resilient electrical contact (136a) are disposed in a parallel configuration along a transverse axis of the male housing portion (138).

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device is provided with a display and a unique edge to edge qwerty keypad. The specially arranged qwerty keypad has special side keys and intermediate keys which cooperate with the housing to provide a waterproof casing (case) and sealing system to seal and protect the keys, backlighting, flexes, domes and printed circuit board (PCB) from water.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device 100 is provided with a display 128 and a unique edge to edge qwerty keypad 134. The specially arranged qwerty keypad has special side keys 144 and intermediate keys 146 which cooperate with the housing 106 to provide a waterproof casing (case) 190 and sealing system 192 to seal and protect the keys, backlighting 160, flexes 162, domes 170 and printed circuit board (PCB) 184 from water.

Abstract: An electronic handset device includes a panel pivotally coupled to a base housing portion wherein the panel is pivotal between closed and opened configurations relative to the base housing portion. A movable housing portion is slidably coupled to the panel and is pivotal in unison with the panel. A user interface on the panel is concealed by the movable housing portion when the movable housing portion slides to a closed configuration relative to the panel, and the user interface is exposed when the movable housing portion slides to an opened configuration relative to the panel.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes first and second housing portions pivotal about corresponding pivot axes. A biasing member urges a first cam surface of the first housing portion into engagement with a second cam surface of the second housing portion. The biasing member also urges indexing members of the first and second housing portions into engagement to maintain synchronization of the housing portions during rotation, wherein the first and second housing portions are configured in a fixed angular orientation when the first cam surface is engaged with the second cam surface.

Abstract: A mobile phone or other electronic device is provided with an improved friction hinge with a radial range of motion greater than 180 degrees and with detents at both ends of travel. The friction hinge can include an asymmetrical cam in conjunction with a single tab on a follower. Advantageously, the electronic device with the improved friction hinge can allows a full 360 degree range of motion with any number of detents at any radial position.