Abstract: Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.

Abstract: Flexible printed circuit structures may be provided that have regions with different electrical and mechanical properties. A flexible printed circuit substrate may be formed from a sheet of polymer having different regions with different thicknesses. The flexible printed circuit substrate may be bent in a thin region of the substrate. Additional flexible printed circuit substrate portions may be coupled to the flexible printed circuit substrate. The additional portions may have different substrate thicknesses. A groove or other recess may be formed in a flexible printed circuit substrate to promote bending. Openings may also be formed in the substrate to promote bending.

Abstract: A microphone assembly for an electronic device is described. The microphone assembly can include a microphone, a microphone boot and a printed circuit board. The microphone boot can be a composite microphone boot that is formed from multiple materials. A hardness of the each of the materials used in the microphone boot can be selected to improve sealing integrity and reduce shock transmission. In one embodiment, the composite microphone boot can be formed using a double-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a component for a portable electronic device. The component includes a structural frame within the portable electronic device and an amorphous diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating deposited on the surfaces and the edges of the structural frame, wherein the amorphous DLC coating increases a thermal conductivity of the structural frame.

Abstract: A modular material antenna assembly is provided that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically secured to the antenna block. The antenna flex may also be electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame.

Abstract: A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for characteristics of glass components through use of one or more coatings are disclosed. The coatings are typically thin coatings, such as thin film coatings. The coatings can serve to increase strength of the glass components and/or provide durable user interfacing surfaces. Accordingly, glass articles that have received coatings are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong so as to resist damage from impact events. The coated glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., electronic devices).

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for shock mounting glass for an electronic device are disclosed. The glass for the electronic device can provide an outer surface for at least a portion of a housing for the electronic device. In one embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a compliant interface between the glass and the electronic device housing. In another embodiment, the shock mounting can provide a mechanically actuated retractable. For example, an outer glass member for an electronic device housing can be referred to as cover glass, which is often provided at a front surface of the electronic device housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a display. The display may have a central active area and a peripheral inactive area. A cover layer such as a layer of cover glass may be used to cover the display. The inner surface of the cover layer in the inactive area may be coated with an opaque masking layer such as black ink. Light for an ambient light sensor or other component may pass through an opening in the black ink. A layer of ink or other structures may be mounted within the opening to serve as a filter structure. A light diffusing structure such as a clear member with a textured surface may be used to diffuse light that is passing through the opening in the black ink and the filter to the light sensor. Integral filter-diffuser structures and structures with concave surfaces for focusing incoming light onto the light sensor may be used.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative body, a plurality of pins carried by the body and a ferromagnetic element that rides on one of the plurality of the pins. The ferromagnetic element provides a low pass filter capability for signals transmitted over the one pin.

Abstract: Systems and methods for approximating angular velocity using a plurality of accelerometers are disclosed. In particular, in one embodiment, a method of approximating angular velocity including receiving linear acceleration information from a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a relative acceleration for at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a distance value for the at least one pair of the plurality of accelerometers and approximating the angular velocity by multiplying the distance value by the relative acceleration to obtain.

Abstract: An integrated audible sound output system incorporated in a personal media device is described. The integrated audible sound output system includes a first audio output port, the first audio output port acoustically coupled with the audible sound generator unit by way of a first air path and a second audio output port. In the described embodiments, the second audio output port is acoustically coupled with the audible sound generator unit by way of a second air path. The first and the second air paths cooperate to pass the audible sound generated by the audible sound generator unit to the external environment by way of the first audio port and the second audio port.

Abstract: A microphone assembly for an electronic device is described. The microphone assembly can include a microphone, a microphone boot and a printed circuit board. The microphone boot can be a composite microphone boot that is formed from multiple materials. A hardness of the each of the materials used in the microphone boot can be selected to improve sealing integrity and reduce shock transmission. In one embodiment, the composite microphone boot can be formed using a double-shot injection molding process.

Abstract: A thin portable electronic device with a display is described. The components of the electronic device can be arranged in stacked layers within an external housing where each of the stacked layers is located at a different height relative to the thickness of the device. One of the stacked layers can be internal metal frame. The internal metal frame can be configured to act as a heat spreader for heat generating components located in layers adjacent to the internal frame. Further, the internal metal frame can be configured to add to the overall structural stiffness of the device. In addition, the internal metal frame can be configured to provide attachment points for device components, such as the display, so that the device components can be coupled to the external housing via the internal metal frame.

Abstract: Methods for forming PCBs that can be used in a portable computing device are described. The PCBs can be installed in the portable computing device in a bent configuration. In a particular embodiment, a contiguously formed PCB can be shaped with two large regions connected a thin connector portion. The thin connector portion can connect components one each of the two large regions and can be used in lieu of a flex connector. In one embodiment, the PCB can be formed from multiple layers including trace and substrate layers. The trace and substrate layer can be adjusted to affect the stiffness of the PCB in various regions, such as to allow the PCB to hold a bent configuration after a bending moment is applied.