Abstract: Various embodiments concern fingerprint sensors for mobile devices. By modifying one or more layers of a display assembly, a fingerprint sensor can be positioned directly beneath the display. For example, the air gap within the backlight structure could be replaced by an optically clear adhesive that allows waves emitted by a fingerprint sensor to properly propagate through the display assembly. In some embodiments, a fingerprint sensor is set within a recess in the display assembly. For example, a depression could be created in the protective substrate, and the fingerprint sensor could be set within the depression using an optically clear adhesive. The functionality of a fingerprint sensor could also be replicated by increasing the density of touch-sensing elements in certain areas of a display assembly that utilizes in-cell technology.

Abstract: Several embodiments include a mobile device. The mobile device can include a circuit board configured to interconnect one or more electronic components and a chassis shell adapted to form an outer perimeter of the mobile device and to enclose the circuit board. The chassis shell can have an integral unibody that includes a contact feature integral to the chassis shell. A sensor system can be in contact with the chassis shell on an opposite side of the contact feature. The contact feature enables the sensor system to detect touch events when a user interacts with the contact feature.

Abstract: Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smooths the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.

Abstract: The technology presented here reduces the number of ports associated with the mobile device by combining a plurality of ports into a single multipurpose port. In one embodiment, the multipurpose port includes multiple sensors that detect various properties associated with a light beam, and a light guide that transmits the light beam between the environment outside and the multiple sensors inside the mobile device. In another embodiment, a multipurpose camera includes one or more pixels, different from the rest of the multipurpose camera pixels, where the one or more pixels receive a unique control signal. The unique control signal, sent by a processor coupled to the multipurpose camera, includes an instruction to perform an action different from the rest of the pixels, e.g., to turn on when the rest of the pixels are off. The active pixels can detect coarse properties of the light while saving mobile device battery life.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a camera system. The camera system can receive a command to photograph an environment utilizing a camera. The camera system can identify a plurality of flash settings for a flash system of the camera. The camera system can drive the flash system in a sequence of flashes respectively corresponding to the plurality of flash settings. The camera system can then capture consecutive images utilizing the camera. The capturing of the consecutive images can be synchronized against the sequence of flashes such that a device can later combine the consecutive images to generate a composite image that represents a virtual photograph of the environment.

Abstract: The technology presented here reduces the number of audio ports associated with the mobile device by combining a plurality of audio ports into a single multipurpose audio apparatus. The multipurpose audio apparatus includes the functionality of multiple audio ports that have previously required separate audio ports, such as an external device audio port and an audio emitter audio port. When the external device is plugged in, the audio emitter powers off, and the sound is omitted through the external device. When the external device is not plugged in, the audio emitter emits the sound.

Abstract: A mobile device can include a unibody component (e.g. chassis shell) with at least a co-mold feature that isolates a contiguous portion of the unibody component from an outer portion of the unibody component. For example, the outer portion and the contiguous portion can be made of an electrically conductive material. The co-mold feature can be made of non-conductive material that electrically isolates the contiguous portion from the outer portion. The co-mold feature can be made by co-molding a resin material in a channel cut into a piece of metal and later exposing the cured resin material on two sides.

Abstract: A mobile device can include a unibody component (e.g. chassis shell) with at least a co-mold feature that isolates a contiguous portion of the unibody component from an outer portion of the unibody component. For example, the outer portion and the contiguous portion can be made of an electrically conductive material. The co-mold feature can be made of non-conductive material that electrically isolates the contiguous portion from the outer portion. The co-mold feature can be made by co-molding a resin material in a channel cut into a piece of metal and later exposing the cured resin material on two sides.