Abstract: An electronic device may include a haptic input device, such as a haptic trackpad, that provides tactile feedback when receiving input. The electronic device may determine that one or more system level events occurs and utilize the haptic input device to provide one or more haptic notifications via one or more surfaces other than the haptic input device, such as a portion of a housing of the electronic device. In some cases, the electronic device may be configurable between a first position where the haptic input device is exposed and a second configuration where the haptic input device is covered but the surface via which the haptic notification may be provided is still exposed.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. Electrical components such as a display and other circuitry may be mounted in the housing. The housing may have portions that move with respect to each other such as a lid that rotates relative to a base. A flexible printed circuit may have metal lines that couple components in one portion of the housing to components in another portion of the housing. As the housing portions move with respect to each other, the flexible printed circuit bends. Reliability may be enhanced for the flexible printed circuit by providing the metal layer that forms the metal lines with upper and lower coating layers. The coating layers may be formed from metal with a higher Young's modulus than a metal core in the metal layer. A slot may be formed along the length of the flexible printed circuit to help increase the minimum bend radius exhibited by the flexible printed circuit. Upper and lower metal shield layers may be provided above and below the metal traces.

Abstract: An electronic device may have input-output ports. The electronic device may have control circuitry and input-output devices. The input-output devices may include sensors, camera equipment, and other input devices that the control circuitry uses to monitor the location of the plug relative to the input-output port. The input-output devices may also include a display, light-emitting diode array, speaker, or other visual or audio output device. The control circuitry can use the output device to provide a user with plug alignment assistance information. The plug alignment assistance information can be provided visually, using audio, or using other output. Plug alignment assistance information can include information that helps the user align the plug with a port and may be based on information on the location of the plug relative to the input-output ports and based on information on which ports are available.

Abstract: Variable friction clutch structures are described. In particular embodiments, the variable friction clutch structures are used to provide smooth and consistent movement of hinge assemblies of portable computers. The variable friction clutch can be configured to transition between a high frictional resistance mode and a low frictional resistance mode. In some embodiments, the variable friction clutches include cam systems. In some embodiments, the variable friction clutches include threaded shaft systems. In some embodiments, the variable friction clutches include mechanical linkage systems. In some embodiments, two or more variable friction clutches are included within a single hinge assembly for a portable computer. A space-saving wire clutch that can be used alone or in combination with the variable friction clutches is disclosed.

Abstract: Magnetic latch mechanisms are provided. The latch mechanisms may be employed to releasably hold a portable computing device in a closed configuration. The latch mechanism may include first and second magnetic members that may be respectively coupled to the base and lid of the portable computing device. One of the magnetic members may be moveable. Accordingly, when the moveable magnetic member is moved, the position of the magnetic members relative to one another changes, which alters a magnetic interaction therebetween. For example, attractive portions of the magnetic members may be moved away from one another. Additionally, repulsive portions of the magnetic members may be moved into proximity. Thus, opening of the lid of the portable computing device may be facilitated.

Abstract: An input device is disclosed. The input device includes a movable touch-sensitive track pad capable of detecting an object in close proximity thereto so as to generate a tracking control signal. The input device also includes a movement indicator capable of detecting the movements of the movable track pad so as to generate one or more other control signals (e.g., button signals). The control signals can be used to perform actions in an electronic device operatively coupled to the input device.

Abstract: A haptic response element is contemplated. The haptic response element may generate a tactile feeling as an output and is associated with a computing device. The tactile feeling may be created by moving a part of the haptic response element. A gel may act to return the moving part of the haptic response element to a starting or zero point. Motion of the moving part may exert a shear force on the gel, rather than a compressive force.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents directed at a first angle toward one or more heat-generating components of the portable electronic device. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents directed at a second angle out of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Absorbers for a mass storage device are provided. The absorbers may be configured to protect the mass storage device from drop events and reduce the transmission of vibrations from and/or to the mass storage device. Additionally, the absorbers may occupy a smaller amount of space than traditional snubber mounting arrangements. The absorbers may include major surface absorbers formed from a first elastomeric material that engage major surfaces of the mass storage device. Corner absorbers formed from a second elastomeric material may engage the corners of the mass storage device and the side walls of a compartment in a case. The major surface absorbers and the corner absorbers may distribute and absorb load applied during a drop event. A related portable computing device and a related method are also provided.

Abstract: Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments related to a component for use in a portable electronic device. The component includes a wall of the portable electronic device, containing an intake zone that includes a set of intake vents directed at a first angle toward one or more heat-generating components of the portable electronic device. The wall also includes an exhaust zone containing a set of exhaust vents directed at a second angle out of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for internal components for portable computing devices relating to keyboard components and keyboard backlighting. In one embodiment, a keyboard module can include a rectangular light guide panel and a driver board including discrete light sources mounted on the driver board where the driver board is disposed along one edge of the light guide panel and light emitted for the discrete light sources is captured by the light guide panel and distributed to predetermined locations.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing with a lid that rotates relative to a base. A display in the lid may have a thin-film transistor layer. Display driver circuitry may be mounted to the thin-film transistor layer. A display timing controller integrated circuit may be mounted in the base. A rigid flex printed circuit may have a rigid portion in the base to which the display timing controller integrated circuit is mounted and may have a rigid portion in the lid. A flexible printed circuit portion of the rigid flex printed circuit may be used to couple the rigid printed circuit portion in the lid to the thin-film transistor layer. A flexible printed circuit portion of the rigid flex printed circuit that extends between the lid and the base may be formed from a double-shield-layer single-signal-line-layer flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: Magnetic elements and attractors may be employed to secure a top case and a bottom case of a housing of a personal computing device. The magnetic elements may include a magnet that produces a magnetic field and a shunt. The shunt may direct the magnetic field through an opening to a pocket in which the magnet is received. Accordingly, flux leakage may be reduced and the bottom case may be secured to the top case. Magnetic elements and attractors may also be employed to secure a lid portion of the portable computing device to the housing thereof. These magnetic elements and attractors may be centered with respect to proximal and distal edges thereof.

Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments of systems and methods for providing internal components for portable computing devices having a thin profile. More particularly, the present application describes internal components configured to fit within a relatively thin outer enclosure.

Abstract: Electronic device frames may be formed from fiber composites. Carbon fiber material may be formed into frame members using pultrusion tools. Notches may be machined into the frame members. The machined frame members may be assembled to form a rectangular frame assembly using lap joints. Fiber tape may be wound around the periphery of the frame assembly. Following curing, additional parts such as a metal blank may be bonded to the frame assembly and machined.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display includes a liquid crystal display module an array of display pixels. A backlight unit is used to provide backlight illumination to the display module. A shutter module having local dimming elements is used to locally control the amount of light that is transmitted through the display. The local dimming elements can be formed from liquid crystal display structures, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal display structures, photovoltaic material, electrowetting display structures, and/or other suitable light controlling elements. Each local dimming element controls the amount of light that is transmitted through an overlapping region of the array of display pixels. The local dimming elements may be arranged in a uniform array having rows and columns or may be shaped and sized differently and located in specific regions of the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adhering internal components in a portable computing device are described. In some embodiments, an internal component adhesive removal system can include a conforming wrapper. In one embodiment, the conforming wrapper can wrap around a portion of an outer surface of the internal component. The conforming wrapper can secure and at least partially enclose the internal component such that the internal component is sufficiently constrained to protect the internal component from damage during movement of the portable computing device during normal use. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises one or more shock absorbing features. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises a feature configured to tear to facilitate removal of the internal component from the portable computing device.

Abstract: A portable computing device can include one or more speakers integrated with internal components. In one embodiment, the speakers can be configured to produce audio output signals and direct at least a portion of the audio signals through vents disposed on a base portion of the portable computing device. In one embodiment, the vents can also direct cooling air into the base portion. In one embodiment, the speakers can also be configured to direct a portion of the audio signal through a speaker grille disposed on the base portion. One embodiment of a speaker enclosure can include a resonant cavity for a first audio transducer formed by the speaker enclosure in cooperation with the base portion of the portable computing device and a second audio transducer configured to direct an audio signal beneath a keyboard.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adhering internal components in a portable computing device are described. In some embodiments, an internal component adhesive removal system can include a conforming wrapper. In one embodiment, the conforming wrapper can wrap around a portion of an outer surface of the internal component. The conforming wrapper can secure and at least partially enclose the internal component such that the internal component is sufficiently constrained to protect the internal component from damage during movement of the portable computing device during normal use. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises one or more shock absorbing features. In some embodiments, the wrapper comprises a feature configured to tear to facilitate removal of the internal component from the portable computing device.