Abstract: Presented here is a handheld writing implement form factor for a mobile device. The shape of the device can correspond to the shape of a whiteboard marker. Due to the small size, the device does not have a physical keyboard or an onscreen keyboard and instead relies on environmental cues, gestural input, voice input, and touch input to interpret user instructions. For example, when the device determines from environmental cues that it is resting on a tabletop, a touch input consisting of a single press from the user is interpreted as an instruction to scroll the display. In other embodiments, the device can be used as a handheld writing implement, such as a computer stylus, or to control the device by handwriting in the air. Other uses of the device are disclosed such as making a payment, communicating with other appliances enabled for electronic communication, recording images with a gesture, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed here are systems and methods which enable high-bandwidth communication between a mobile device and an accessory. The high-bandwidth communication uses electromagnetic waves in the extremely high frequency range between 30 GHz and 300 GHz inclusive, also known as millimeter waves. The millimeter waves travel through at least the chassis of the accessory and the chassis of the mobile device without significant scattering and attenuation. The properties of the materials through which the millimeter waves travel determine the attenuation of the millimeter waves. Disclosed here are various materials, and their thicknesses, which form a transmission stack through which the millimeter waves can travel unimpeded. In effect, the transmission stack acts as a dielectric member which facilitates the transmission of the millimeter waves, while attenuating transmission of waves outside of the extremely high frequency range.

Abstract: Presented here is a handheld writing implement form factor for a mobile device. The shape of the device can correspond to the shape of a whiteboard marker. Due to the small size, the device does not have a physical keyboard or an onscreen keyboard and instead relies on environmental cues, gestural input, voice input, and touch input to interpret user instructions. For example, when the device determines from environmental cues that it is resting on a tabletop, a touch input consisting of a single press from the user is interpreted as an instruction to scroll the display. In other embodiments, the device can be used as a handheld writing implement, such as a computer stylus, or to control the device by handwriting in the air. Other uses of the device are disclosed such as making a payment, communicating with other appliances enabled for electronic communication, recording images with a gesture, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light sensor, such as a camera, records an image through the surface with the residue to produce a stained image. A processor associated with the camera identifies object outlines within the image using a machine learning model, and smooth the colors within the object outlines. In another embodiment, the light sensor is placed beneath a dual-mode region of a display containing the residue. The dual-mode region can be opaque and function as part of the display, or can be transparent and allow environment light to reach the light sensor. Initially, the processor determines the position of the residue by causing the dual-mode region to display a predetermined pattern, while the light sensor records the predetermined pattern. Using the determined position of the residue, the processor corrects the pixels within the residue in the recorded image, by interpolating the values of the pixels outside of the residue.

Abstract: A handheld device can include an image capture subsystem and a depth sensing subsystem. The image capture subsystem includes an image capture light source operable to emit visible light and an image capture camera operable to capture an image of a scene illuminated by the visible light emitted by the visible light source. The depth sensing subsystem includes a depth light source operable to emit infrared light and a depth camera operable to capture reflected infrared light, including at least some of the infrared light emitted from the depth light source, after reflecting off objects in the scene. The image capture light source, the depth light source, and the depth camera are housed in a single integrated structure including a single transparent panel through which the visible and infrared light are emitted onto the scene, and through which the depth camera receives the reflected infrared light from the scene.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device including a plurality of electronic components and a channel forming a cavity extending continuously across the handheld electronic device to enable an airflow through the handheld electronic device to an external environment. The handheld electronic device includes an inlet of the channel cavity configured to accept air from the external environment and an outlet of the channel cavity configured to expel heated air to the external environment when the handheld electronic device is oriented such that the airflow moves by natural convection from the inlet toward the outlet.

Abstract: A mobile docking station (MDS) includes a surface through which the MDS can electrically and communicatively couple to a handheld mobile device (HMD) while remaining physically unattached from the MDS. The MDS power circuitry configured to electrically couple the MDS and the HMD while a surface of the HMD physically contacts the surface of the MDS, wherein the electrical coupling enables transferring of power between the MDS and the HMD. The MDS also includes communications circuitry configured to communicatively couple the MDS and the HMD while the surface of the HMD physically contacts the surface of the MDS, wherein the communicative coupling enables unidirectional or bidirectional communications between the MDS and HMD.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method performed by a handheld mobile device (HMD). The method can include enabling the HMD to capture one or more views spanning 360-degrees including a view facing a user of the HMD, receiving an input by the HMD to view an image of a view of the views spanning 360-degrees, and responsive to another input, toggling from any image of any view of the views spanning 360-degrees to an image of the view facing the user of the HMD.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures, methods and systems for wireless devices that are configured to allow the transmission of light through an enhanced antenna break for a wide variety of purposes. In an illustrative embodiment, an antenna break is configured to allow the passage of both wireless communication signals and light, such as to notify the user of one or more conditions. The light transmission can be integrated with other functions of the wireless device, such as to provide a flash for operation of a camera, to provide a light source for scanning or 3D sensing, to provide light in conjunction to acoustic or vibration output, or to sense light for other integrated functions.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a mobile device with a light sensor overlaid under a display (e.g., a touchscreen). The mobile device can identify a command to capture an image. The mobile device can adjust at least a target portion of an opaqueness adjustable region of the display directly over the light sensor. The opaqueness adjustable region is capable of transforming from substantially opaque to substantially transparent. The mobile device can capture the image utilizing at least the light sensor while the target portion of the opaqueness adjustable region is substantially transparent.

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: Presented here are manufacturing techniques to create an irregularly shaped electronic display, including a hollow within which a sensor, such as a camera, can be placed. The manufacturing techniques enable the creation of the hollow anytime during the manufacturing process. The resulting electronic display occupies the full side of the mobile device, with the sensors placed within and surrounded by the display.

Abstract: The technology disclosed here maximizes the size of the display area associated with the mobile device by various camera placement. In one embodiment, the camera is placed inside the mobile device, and can pop outside the mobile device when the camera is activated. When the camera is inactive the camera retracts inside the mobile device, and becomes unnoticeable to the user. In another embodiment, the camera is integrated into the mobile device display as a camera icon. The integrated camera serves two purposes: to record pictures, and to act as a camera icon, that when selected activates the camera. By removing the camera from the front side of the mobile device, or by integrating the camera into the display screen of the mobile device, the size of the mobile device display screen can be increased.

Abstract: The technology disclosed here integrates a light sensor with a dual-mode display, thus increasing the size of the dual-mode display. The light sensor can be a camera, an ambient sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. The light sensor is placed beneath the dual-mode display and can detect incoming light while the dual-mode display is displaying a display image. The dual-mode display and the light sensor can operate at the same time. For example, a camera placed beneath the dual-mode display can record an image of the environment, while at the same time the dual-mode display is showing the display image. Further, multiple light sensors can be placed at various locations beneath the dual-mode display.

Abstract: Techniques are described for mounting a display and/or display cover to a housing of a display device, such as a mobile phone. In an embodiment, the housing and display cover include chamfered edges at complementary angles to allow for an “edge-to-edge” display. The display cover and housing are affixed to each other at the chamfered edges using curable liquid adhesive.

Abstract: A handheld device can include an image capture subsystem and a depth sensing subsystem. The image capture subsystem includes an image capture light source operable to emit visible light and an image capture camera operable to capture an image of a scene illuminated by the visible light emitted by the visible light source. The depth sensing subsystem includes a depth light source operable to emit infrared light and a depth camera operable to capture reflected infrared light, including at least some of the infrared light emitted from the depth light source, after reflecting off objects in the scene. The image capture light source, the depth light source, and the depth camera are housed in a single integrated structure including a single transparent panel through which the visible and infrared light are emitted onto the scene, and through which the depth camera receives the reflected infrared light from the scene.

Abstract: The technology disclosed here maximizes the size of the display area associated with the mobile device by various camera placement. In one embodiment, the camera is placed inside the mobile device, and can pop outside the mobile device when the camera is activated. When the camera is inactive the camera retracts inside the mobile device, and becomes unnoticeable to the user. In another embodiment, the camera is integrated into the mobile device display as a camera icon. The integrated camera serves two purposes: to record pictures, and to act as a camera icon, that when selected activates the camera. By removing the camera from the front side of the mobile device, or by integrating the camera into the display screen of the mobile device, the size of the mobile device display screen can be increased.

Abstract: Introduced here are methods and systems to create a relief on an electronic display. In one embodiment, the relief is created by micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) placed above a cover layer of the electronic display. Each MEMS when activated can protrude or depress, thus creating the relief on the electronic display. In another embodiment, the relief is created by a plurality of resistors placed beneath the cover layer. The cover layer is made out of an elastically deformable material that, when heated, expands, thus creating a protrusion on the electronic display. Each resistor when activated heats a section of the cover layer, causing the cover layer to protrude.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a wireless accessory bus for a user device that enables accessories to be easily and securely attached to the user device. More specifically, the wireless accessory bus enables data to be wirelessly transmitted between the accessory and the user device when the accessory and the user device are located within close proximity to one another (e.g., when the accessory is securely attached to the wireless accessory bus). Power could also be wirelessly transferred from the user device to the accessory (or vice versa). In some embodiments, the user device includes fastening component(s) (e.g., magnets) that allow the user device and the accessory to be magnetically secured to one another. The accessory typically enables the user device to readily utilize a new functionality or an improvement to an existing functionality.

Abstract: Disclosed here are methods and systems to vary geometry of an optical lens, so that a single lens can assume various geometries, and change from a portrait lens, to a standard lens, to a wide-angle lens, to a fisheye lens, etc. The lens is made out of piecewise linear elements of polygonal shape, that can move in relation to forcing members laid out on a plane. The forcing members can exert a force on the corresponding piecewise linear elements to cause them to move in relation to the forcing members. The force can be electrical, magnetic, mechanical, etc. As a result, the optical lens can assume various shapes such as concave, convex, and planar.