Abstract: This document describes a light-sealing gasket with crossbar force distribution. The gasket can be used in an electronic device with a sensor package that is capable of transmitting and receiving signals and is positioned behind a display of the device. The gasket provides a shield between the receive signals and the transmit signals, prevents signal crosstalk, and protects the delicate panel layer of the display. Use of this gasket in an electronic device allows manufacturers to add more features to the device and enrich the user experience.

Abstract: This document describes a multi-function module for mmWave communication and user input using mechanical switches in an electronic device. The multi-function module may be located behind a non-conductive button (e.g., volume button, power button) of the electronic device. Further, the multi-function module includes an elongated antenna substrate with mechanical switches mounted thereon and distributed along a longitudinal length of the antenna substrate. At least one of the mechanical switches is implemented as a radiating element for a mmWave patch antenna. The multi-function module also includes one or more integrated circuit components mounted to the antenna substrate and configured to use the at least one mechanical switch as the radiating element for the mmWave patch antenna to provide the mmWave communication. In this way, the multi-function module enables the mechanical switches to coexist with the mmWave patch antennas.

Abstract: This document describes a light-sealing gasket with crossbar force distribution. The gasket can be used in an electronic device with a sensor package that is capable of transmitting and receiving signals and is positioned behind a display of the device. The gasket provides a shield between the receive signals and the transmit signals, prevents signal crosstalk, and protects the delicate panel layer of the display. Use of this gasket in an electronic device allows manufacturers to add more features to the device and enrich the user experience.

Abstract: This document describes a multi-function module for mmWave communication and user input using mechanical switches in an electronic device. The multi-function module may be located behind a non-conductive button (e.g., volume button, power button) of the electronic device. Further, the multi-function module includes an elongated antenna substrate with mechanical switches mounted thereon and distributed along a longitudinal length of the antenna substrate. At least one of the mechanical switches is implemented as a radiating element for a mmWave patch antenna. The multi-function module also includes one or more integrated circuit components mounted to the antenna substrate and configured to use the at least one mechanical switch as the radiating element for the mmWave patch antenna to provide the mmWave communication. In this way, the multi-function module enables the mechanical switches to coexist with the mmWave patch antennas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor.

Abstract: A first electronic device includes an inner inductive coil positioned at least partially around a shield core and a second electronic device includes an outer inductive coil positioned around an aperture. The first electronic device is operable to receive power from and/or transmit power to the second electronic device when a portion of the first electronic device is inserted into the aperture of the second electronic device, positioning the inner inductive coil within the aperture and within the outer inductive coil. When power is being transmitted between the first and second electronic devices, the shield core concentrates magnetic flux around the inner inductive coil and/or the outer inductive coil. In some implementations, an outer shield may be positioned at least partially around the outer inductive coil and may also concentrate magnetic flux around the inner inductive coil and/or the outer inductive coil.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a touch screen display. The touch screen display may have an array of display pixels that are used to display images for a user. Touch input to the touch screen display may be provided by a user's finger or other external object. A touch sensor in the display may have vertical and horizontal position sensors that are based on distinct touch sensor technologies. The position sensors may be based on strain gauge sensors or other force sensors, capacitive sensors having multiple elongated transparent capacitive electrodes that span the display, acoustic sensors, light-based sensors, and other types of sensors. An opaque masking layer in an inactive area of the display may hide some of the position sensor structures from view such as vertical position sensor structures. The horizontal position sensor structures may have minimal inactive regions along their edges.

Abstract: A method of forming a part includes uni-directionally injecting a mold with material to form a molded part, removing the molded part from the mold, and forming at least one cavity in the molded part, the at least one cavity being defined by a machining process separate from a molding process.

Abstract: An inductive charging system and method is disclosed. A ferrofluid layer is disposed between the charging coil and the receiving coil. The ferrofluid layer directs and focuses the magnetic flux field flowing between the charging coil and the receiving coil.

Abstract: An electronic device with seamless protective cover glass is disclosed. In the described embodiments, the cover glass is coupled to the housing such that the cover glass or portions of the cover glass move with respect to the housing. This movement can be used as an interface for receiving user inputs that can be used to provide control signals to the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide reversible or dual orientation USB plug connectors for mating with standard USB receptacle connectors, e.g., a standard Type A USB receptacle connector. Accordingly, the present invention may be compatible with any current or future electronic device that includes a standard USB receptacle connector. USB plug connectors according to the present invention can have a 180 degree symmetrical, double orientation design, which enables the plug connector to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the potential for USB connector damage and user frustration during the incorrect insertion of a USB plug connector into a corresponding USB receptacle connector of an electronic device.

Abstract: A first electronic device includes an inner inductive coil positioned at least partially around a shield core and a second electronic device includes an outer inductive coil positioned around an aperture. The first electronic device is operable to receive power from and/or transmit power to the second electronic device when a portion of the first electronic device is inserted into the aperture of the second electronic device, positioning the inner inductive coil within the aperture and within the outer inductive coil. When power is being transmitted between the first and second electronic devices, the shield core concentrates magnetic flux around the inner inductive coil and/or the outer inductive coil. In some implementations, an outer shield may be positioned at least partially around the outer inductive coil and may also concentrate magnetic flux around the inner inductive coil and/or the outer inductive coil.

Abstract: Electrical components are mounted on a printed circuit in an electronic device housing. Shielding can structures may include a sheet metal shield can layer with a conductive gasket. The printed circuit may have an opening. A screw passes through the opening in the printed circuit and openings in the conductive gasket and sheet metal shield can layer to secure the shielding can structures to the housing. When secured, a lip in the gasket lies between the printed circuit substrate and the housing. The gasket may be formed from conductive elastomeric material. A shield can lid and a flexible printed circuit may be embedded within conductive elastomeric material that provides a thermal conduction path to dissipate heat from electrical components under the lid. Shield can members that are located on opposing sides of a bend in a flexible printed circuit substrate may be coupled by a conductive elastomeric bridging structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically aligning a power-transmitting inductor with a power-receiving inductor. One embodiment includes multiple permanent magnets coupled to and arranged on a surface of a movable assembly accommodating a power-transmitting inductor. The permanent magnets encourage the movable assembly to freely move and/or rotate via magnetic attraction to correspondingly arranged magnets within an accessory containing a power-receiving inductor.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. A retainer is positioned at an entrance end of the tab and is overmolded on a portion of a carrier. The carrier has a first portion positioned within the tab, a second portion extending through the retainer and a third portion extending out of the retainer at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tab. The carrier has a plurality of conductors formed thereon and extending from the first portion to the third portion.

Abstract: A connector or other structure may be provided with dielectric material and conductive traces. The dielectric material may include plastic structures such as molded plastic members. Elastomeric material may allow part of a connector to flex when the connector is mated with a corresponding connector. Printed circuits may be used to mount electrical components. Conductive traces may be formed on plastic structures such as molded plastic structures, on elastomeric members, on printed circuits, and on other structures. The conductive structures may form signal interconnects, ground plane structures, contacts, and other signal paths. The conductive traces may be formed from metal and other conductive materials such as graphene. Graphene may be deposited using inkjet printing techniques or other techniques. During inkjet printing, graphene may be patterned to form signal lines, connector contacts, ground planes, and other structures.

Abstract: An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. A retainer is positioned at an entrance end of the tab and is overmolded on a portion of a carrier. The carrier has a first portion positioned within the tab, a second portion extending through the retainer and a third portion extending out of the retainer at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tab. The carrier has a plurality of conductors formed thereon and extending from the first portion to the third portion.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a touch screen display. The touch screen display may have an array of display pixels that are used to display images for a user. Touch input to the touch screen display may be provided by a user's finger or other external object. A touch sensor in the display may have vertical and horizontal position sensors that are based on distinct touch sensor technologies. The position sensors may be based on strain gauge sensors or other force sensors, capacitive sensors having multiple elongated transparent capacitive electrodes that span the display, acoustic sensors, light-based sensors, and other types of sensors. An opaque masking layer in an inactive area of the display may hide some of the position sensor structures from view such as vertical position sensor structures. The horizontal position sensor structures may have minimal inactive regions along their edges.

Abstract: An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.