Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.

Abstract: Inductive coil assemblies for wireless power transfer can be provided for an electronic device having a slot to receive an accessory and an accessory having an attachment region that is insertable into the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the device can extend along a sidewall of the slot. The inductive coil assembly of the accessory can extend along one side surface of the attachment region of the accessory. The opposite sidewall of the slot and side surface of the attachment region of the accessory can provide mechanical retention features.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining an internal volume, a front opening, and a rear opening. The electronic device can include a display component disposed at the front opening and a rear cover disposed at the rear opening. A logic board can be disposed in the internal volume. The device can also include a thin film thermopile including a cold junction bonded to the logic board and a hot junction bonded to the rear cover.

Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a band for securing the watch to the user. The watch body can detect an identification of the band or combination of band portions, which can serve as an input to initiate actions performed by the watch body. For example, a type, model, color, size, or other characteristic of a band can be determined and used to select a corresponding action performed by the watch body. Identification of the band can be performed by components of the watch body that also serve other purposes. The watch body can respond to the identification of a particular band by performing particular functions, such as changing an aspect of a user interface or altering settings of the watch body.

Abstract: A modular light assembly is designed for integration with wearable devices. For example, the modular light assembly can connect with a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, including both a device housing and a band of the wearable device. Additionally, the modular light assembly can receive communication from the wearable device through various means, including inductive energy transfer. As a result, the modular light assembly can receive communication from the wearable device to activate (turn on) or deactivate (turn off) one or more light sources of the modular light assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the modular light assembly device may include a button coupled to a switch that can activate or deactivate the light source(s).

Abstract: A first device such as a wristwatch may include a front face at which a display is disposed and a rear face at which a rear housing wall is mounted. Antenna structures may overlap the rear housing wall and may be operable to transmit and receive relatively high frequency signals through the rear housing wall to a communication with a second device such as a wireless power transmitting device for the wristwatch. The second device may also include antenna structures that overlap a top surface housing. Respective sets of magnetic structures may be provided in the first and second devices to align the two devices and to form a reliable wireless communication link between the two devices. The first and second devices may include respective antenna arrays that include pairs of antenna elements that are selectively used to form a reliable wireless communication link.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.

Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as watches, can provide a seal member to form a fluid barrier between an inner chamber therein and outer chambers, as well as an external environment. Components within the sealed inner chamber can be protected from elements from the external environment (e.g., water ingress, etc.). The components outside of the inner chamber can include sensor modules and the like. Such components can be operatively connected to components within the inner chamber, for example, by a flex circuit that extends across the seal member. The component can interact with a watchband when coupled to a watch housing of the watch.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a metallic or non-metallic housing having a window therethrough, a wireless power transfer coil disposed inside the housing adjacent the window, and a non-metallic cover disposed within the window that protects the wireless power transfer coil, the non-metallic cover incorporating at least one ferromagnetic region that improves magnetic coupling of the wireless power transfer coil to a corresponding wireless power transfer coil of another device by providing a high magnetic permeability flux path. The non-metallic cover and the at least one ferromagnetic region have surface finishes selected to visually match or coordinate with the housing.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.

Abstract: A modular sensing assembly may be used to detect user inputs at an electronic device. Example user inputs include touch inputs, fingerprint inputs, translational inputs, audio inputs, biometric inputs, and the like. Inputs received using the modular sensing assembly may be used to control a graphical output of a display of the electronic device. A modular sensing assembly may be configured, for example, as a power button, a key of a keyboard, a control button (e.g., volume control), a home button, a watch crown, and so on.

Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.

Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.

Abstract: A modular sensing assembly may be used to detect user inputs at an electronic device. Example user inputs include touch inputs, fingerprint inputs, translational inputs, audio inputs, biometric inputs, and the like. Inputs received using the modular sensing assembly may be used to control a graphical output of a display of the electronic device. A modular sensing assembly may be configured, for example, as a power button, a key of a keyboard, a control button (e.g., volume control), a home button, a watch crown, and so on.

Abstract: Improving the accuracy of ultrasonic touch sensing and fingerprint imaging using acoustic impedance matching is disclosed. Acoustic impedance mismatches between an ultrasonic transducer array and a sensing plate can be reduced to maximize energy transfer and minimize parasitic reflections. A reduction in acoustic impedance mismatches can be accomplished using (i) a composite epoxy having a higher acoustic impedance than epoxy alone, (ii) one or more matching layers having an acoustic impedance that is approximately the geometric mean of the acoustic impedance of the sensing plate and the acoustic impedance of the transducer array, (iii) pores or perforations in the sensing plate, or (iv) geometric structures formed in the sensing plate. In addition, parasitic reflections can be suppressed using an absorbent layer.

Abstract: Wearable electronic devices, such as watches, can provide a seal member to form a fluid barrier between an inner chamber therein and outer chambers, as well as an external environment. Components within the sealed inner chamber can be protected from elements from the external environment (e.g., water ingress, etc.). The components outside of the inner chamber can include sensor modules and the like. Such components can be operatively connected to components within the inner chamber, for example, by a flex circuit that extends across the seal member. The component can interact with a watchband when coupled to a watch housing of the watch.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device may include a display and a housing. The housing may include a chassis defining a first portion of a rear exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, a first portion of a side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device, and an internal wall. The housing may also include a glass shell defining a front wall positioned over the display and defining a front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device and a side wall extending from the front wall and overlapping the internal wall, the side wall defining a second portion of the side exterior surface of the wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device may also include a touch sensing system within the housing and configured to detect a touch input applied to the front exterior surface of the wearable electronic device.

Abstract: A modular sensing assembly may be used to detect user inputs at an electronic device. Example user inputs include touch inputs, fingerprint inputs, translational inputs, audio inputs, biometric inputs, and the like. Inputs received using the modular sensing assembly may be used to control a graphical output of a display of the electronic device. A modular sensing assembly may be configured, for example, as a power button, a key of a keyboard, a control button (e.g., volume control), a home button, a watch crown, and so on.

Abstract: A first device such as a wristwatch may include a front face at which a display is disposed and a rear face at which a rear housing wall is mounted. Antenna structures may overlap the rear housing wall and may be operable to transmit and receive relatively high frequency signals through the rear housing wall to a communication with a second device such as a wireless power transmitting device for the wristwatch. The second device may also include antenna structures that overlap a top surface housing. Respective sets of magnetic structures may be provided in the first and second devices to align the two devices and to form a reliable wireless communication link between the two devices. The first and second devices may include respective antenna arrays that include pairs of antenna elements that are selectively used to form a reliable wireless communication link.