Abstract: A method of assessing noise involves evacuating air from a vacuum chamber to a pressure less than about 1 Torr and stimulating a device positioned in the chamber by shaking it or by operating a component of the device. Measuring vibrations in a low pressure environment decreases or eliminates propagation of sound waves, thereby enabling isolation and identification of vibrations caused by mechanical noise. These measurements may be useful for more precise acoustic characterization of audio devices containing multiple components.

Abstract: Assemblies and techniques are provided for a light guide having a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of light sources optically coupled to the light guide, a grating structure adapted to direct light from a light source of the plurality of light sources to exit the light guide, and a coating on an edge surface of the plurality of edge surfaces, where the coating is adapted to reflect light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: An example method includes detecting a signal that represents a strain of a frame of a wearable computing device and causing the wearable computing device to perform a function based on the detected signal. The method may also include generating a representation of the detected signal, comparing the representation of the signal to a threshold value, and causing the wearable computing device to perform a function based on the comparison to the threshold value. An example wearable computing device and an example non-transitory computer readable medium related to the example method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In some examples, a portable electronic device may monitor onboard sensor information to detect and characterize a fall event. For example, the device may receive acceleration information from one or more accelerometers for determining that the device is falling, and may receive information from one or more gyroscopes for determining an orientation of the device. Based at least in part on the sensor information, the device may determine the fall duration, an estimated fall height, device orientation before during and after the fall, and/or a coefficient of restitution resulting from the device impacting a surface. The device may store the fall information on the device. Further, in some examples, the device may send the fall information to a remote computing device, which may aggregate the fall information from a plurality of the devices, such as for improving or optimizing the design of the devices.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an optical system and a method for its manufacture. One embodiment of the optical system may include an optical material upon which a multilayer stack may be deposited. The multilayer stack may include a first layer composed on a first surface of the optical material, a second layer composed on the first layer, and a third layer composed on the second layer. Among other possibilities, the first layer may include Al2O3, the second layer may include Al, and the third layer may include SiO2. The multilayer stack may be a reflective coating on a surface of the optical material with optical power. Thus, the reflective coating may serve as a reflective image former within the optical system. The optical system may be configured as a head-mountable device.

Abstract: Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.

Abstract: Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an optical system and a method for its manufacture. One embodiment of the optical system may include an optical material upon which a multilayer stack may be deposited. The multilayer stack may include a first layer composed on a first surface of the optical material, a second layer composed on the first layer, and a third layer composed on the second layer. Among other possibilities, the first layer may include Al2O3, the second layer may include Al, and the third layer may include SiO2. The multilayer stack may be a reflective coating on a surface of the optical material with optical power. Thus, the reflective coating may serve as a reflective image former within the optical system. The optical system may be configured as a head-mountable device.

Abstract: Portable multimedia devices, and techniques for their manufacture, are provided that feature functional parts embedded with a resin matrix that obviates the need for traditional structural components such as midframes and/or outer casings. The resin matrix may be provided through the use of a flowable liquid resin that is flowed around the functional components within a mold cavity. The liquid resin may then be cured into the resin matrix.

Abstract: An example method includes detecting a signal that represents a strain of a frame of a wearable computing device and causing the wearable computing device to perform a function based on the detected signal. The method may also include generating a representation of the detected signal, comparing the representation of the signal to a threshold value, and causing the wearable computing device to perform a function based on the comparison to the threshold value. An example wearable computing device and an example non-transitory computer readable medium related to the example method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A combinatorial test device is configurable to contemporaneously test one or more sensors of output devices free from user intervention. A device under test such as a user device is placed in a test fixture of the combinatorial test device. Under the control and monitoring of a test controller testing takes place. The testing may be performed for quality assurance after assembly or repair, or to determine the reliability of the device such as by testing the device until a particular life cycle value is reached or a component in the device fails.

Abstract: Assemblies and techniques are provided for light guides integrated into display devices having front light sources. In one aspect, a light guide can include one or more reflective coatings that are applied or otherwise integrated onto one or more internal surfaces of the light guide. Application of at least one reflective coating can modify the luminance and/or chromaticity of the light guide. The one or more coatings can comprise one or more applied layers of paint, such as a layer of a glossy colored paint and/or a layer of a chrome paints.