Abstract: A wearable accessory device is disclosed. The wearable accessory device includes a flexible display coupled to a bi-stable spring. Coupling the display to the bi-stable spring allows the accessory device to be easily worn in a number of convenient locations.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with conductive structures and antennas mounted near a gap between the conductive structures. A conductive member may be used to at least partially fill the gap in order to prevent emission from the antenna from entering the gap and interfering with the operation of the antenna. The conductive gap-filling member may include a conductive outer layer and a non-conductive inner layer. The inner layer may have opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or may be a continuous tubular insulating layer. The outer layer may be a layer of conductive fabric having opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or to opposing edge portions of the inner layer. An edge portion of the outer layer may be attached to a conductive structure. An insulating material may be formed between another edge portion of the outer layer and a second conductive structure.

Abstract: Printed circuit substrates may be formed from rigid printed circuit material or flexible sheets of polymer. Printed circuit substrates may have conductive traces. Integrated circuits, touch sensor electrode structure, sensors, and other components may be mounted to the conductive traces. Connectors such as board-to-board connectors may be used to couple printed circuit substrates together. To hold the connectors together and to provide electromagnetic shielding, printed circuits and connectors may be surrounded by printed circuit connector securing structures. The printed circuit connector securing structures may have one or more strips of conductive fabric tape wrapped around the connectors. Metal stiffening members may be attached to opposing ends of the strip of conductive tape to facilitate removal of the tape for rework or repair. An additional strip of tape may be used to help secure the wrapped conductive tape. The additional strip may have a tab to facilitate removal.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a heat transfer structure that is positioned between a first component that generates heat and a second component that dissipates heat. The heat transfer structure transfers heat from the first component to the second component. The heat transfer structure can include a heat transfer member including a thermal conductive layer attached to at least one flexible layer and at least one deformable region created by a shape of the heat transfer member.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector retainer employs a shell having a cavity. A pair of mated electrical connectors are received within the cavity and at least a portion of an upper wall of the shell is deflected towards a lower wall of the shell. The shell is configured to retain the upper wall in the deflected position, maintaining the pair of connectors in the mated position.

Abstract: A flat-panel display (such as a liquid crystal display) includes one or more features that reduce temperature changes in an array of light valves disposed on a substrate. In particular, heat generated in a light source and/or electronics is conducted away from the light values. For example, a light-source holder, which contains the light source, may include holes that increase the thermal resistance between the light source and the substrate. Alternatively, the light-source holder may include a material having a thermal conductivity that is higher than that of stainless steel. In addition, the flat-panel display may include materials and/or a geometry that increases the thermal resistance along a direction in a plane of the substrate. By reducing temperature changes in the flat-panel display, these features can reduce or eliminate color changes and other visual artifacts that can degrade the quality of displayed images.

Abstract: Structures and methods for providing a liquid adhesive between substrates of a composite structure are described. Methods include providing a liquid adhesive having a thread disposed therein between two substrates of a composite structure. In some embodiments, the thread has a fixed diameter which acts to provide a consistent gap between the two substrates. In some embodiments, the thread is configured to be activated during the assembly process to facilitate curing of the liquid adhesive. In some embodiments the thread is configured to be activated after the composite structure is formed to facilitate separation of the two substrates and disassembly of the composite structure. The thread can be made of a conductive or non-conductive material. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing a voltage through the thread to heat the thread. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing ultraviolet light through the thread.

Abstract: A process is provided for characterizing a tactile response of a first mechanical actuator (e.g., button) based on a back off distance. The first mechanical actuator may include a plunger, a dome-shaped flexible membrane, and an electrical contact, all aligned with each other so that a contact signal is generated when the flexible membrane touches the contact. The plunger can be moved a first distance towards the contact until the contact signal is generated at a contact point. Then the plunger can be backed off a second distance from the contact point. This second distance may be called the “back off distance”. The particular feel of the first mechanical actuator can then be correlated to a particular back off distance. This process can be repeated a number of times to classify a number of different “feels” for the first mechanical actuator based on a number of different back off distances.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a liquid crystal display with backlight structures. The backlight structures may produce backlight that passes through the display layers in the display. The display layers may include a layer of liquid crystal material interposed between a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. The backlight structures may include a light guide plate. A plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on a flexible printed circuit may be coupled to an edge of the light guide plate. The flexible printed circuit may be curled into a spring element to bias the light-emitting diodes against the edge of the light guide plate. A plurality of gaps may be formed in the flexible printed circuit and may be used to separate and mechanically decouple adjacent light-emitting diodes. Individual light-emitting diodes may independently register to the light guide plate to maximize optical efficiency in the display.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector retainer employs a shell having a cavity. A pair of mated electrical connectors are received within the cavity and at least a portion of an upper wall of the shell is deflected towards a lower wall of the shell. The shell is configured to retain the upper wall in the deflected position, maintaining the pair of connectors in the mated position.

Abstract: Pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive may contain microspheres that burst and release indicator when subjected to pressure and thereby produce a detectable indication of how much pressure has been applied when forming an adhesive joint between opposing structures. Electronic device structures can be assembled using the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive. A camera or other sensor may monitor joint formation. The camera can gather infrared image data, visible light image data, or ultraviolet light image data. Sensor data such as magnetic or ultrasonic sensor data can also be collected on an adhesive joint. Joint inspection can be performed on test structures and production structures and corresponding adjustments made to the joint formation process. Positioners and other equipment that compresses the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive can be adjusted in real time or calibrated using information about the condition of the pressure indicator pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: The described embodiment relates generally to the field of inductive heating. More specifically an inductive heater designed for use in assembling electronics is disclosed. A number of methods for shaping a radio-frequency (RF) receiver structure are disclosed for the purpose of completing an inductive bonding process without causing harm to adjacent electrical components.

Abstract: Printed circuit substrates may be formed from rigid printed circuit material or flexible sheets of polymer. Printed circuit substrates may have conductive traces. Integrated circuits, touch sensor electrode structure, sensors, and other components may be mounted to the conductive traces. Connectors such as board-to-board connectors may be used to couple printed circuit substrates together. To hold the connectors together and to provide electromagnetic shielding, printed circuits and connectors may be surrounded by printed circuit connector securing structures. The printed circuit connector securing structures may have one or more strips of conductive fabric tape wrapped around the connectors. Metal stiffening members may be attached to opposing ends of the strip of conductive tape to facilitate removal of the tape for rework or repair. An additional strip of tape may be used to help secure the wrapped conductive tape. The additional strip of tapc may have a tab to facilitate removal.

Abstract: Methods and tools for positioning cables using magnets during assembly of a consumer electronic product are described. Methods described are well suited in the manufacture of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets and the like. Methods involve attaching magnetic components to cables and to one or more surfaces within the enclosure of the electronic devices. During assembly, the magnetic components on the cables magnetically couple with corresponding magnetic components on the surfaces within the enclosure. In this way, the cables can be secured in certain positions and out of the way during the assembly of the electronic device. In some instances, the cables can remain magnetically secured after assembly and during the operation of the electronic device. In other instances, the magnetic components are decoupled after assembly thereby releasing the cables from their secured positions during operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with conductive structures and antennas mounted near a gap between the conductive structures. A conductive member may be used to at least partially fill the gap in order to prevent emission from the antenna from entering the gap and interfering with the operation of the antenna. The conductive gap-filling member may include a conductive outer layer and a non-conductive inner layer. The inner layer may have opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or may be a continuous tubular insulating layer. The outer layer may be a layer of conductive fabric having opposing edge portions that are attached to each other or to opposing edge portions of the inner layer. An edge portion of the outer layer may be attached to a conductive structure. An insulating material may be formed between another edge portion of the outer layer and a second conductive structure.

Abstract: Laminated rolls of sealed graphite pouches and methods for making the same are provided. The laminated roll can include a first substrate having a length and a plurality of sealed pouches disposed on the substrate at predetermined intervals along its length. Each sealed pouch can include a graphite sheet having first and second sides, the first side affixed to the substrate, and a second substrate affixed to at least the second side of the graphite sheet and to a portion of the substrate to fully seal the graphite sheet within an enclosed space. In one embodiment, the roll of sealed graphite sheet pouches can be fixed to a roll of another substrate in a roll-to-roll fashion and the combined rolls can be cut into discrete portions for use in a particular application. For example, the roll of the other substrate can be a roll of enhanced spectral reflector (ESR).

Abstract: A flat-panel display (such as a liquid crystal display) includes one or more features that reduce temperature changes in an array of light valves disposed on a substrate. In particular, heat generated in a light source and/or electronics is conducted away from the light values. For example, a light-source holder, which contains the light source, may include holes that increase the thermal resistance between the light source and the substrate. Alternatively, the light-source holder may include a material having a thermal conductivity that is higher than that of stainless steel. In addition, the flat-panel display may include materials and/or a geometry that increases the thermal resistance along a direction in a plane of the substrate. By reducing temperature changes in the flat-panel display, these features can reduce or eliminate color changes and other visual artifacts that can degrade the quality of displayed images.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a display. The display may be an organic light-emitting diode display. The organic light-emitting diode display may have a substrate layer, a layer of organic light-emitting diode structures, and a layer of sealant. Vias may be formed in the substrate layer. The vias may be formed before completion of the display or after completion of the display. The vias may be filled with metal using electroplating or other metal deposition techniques. The vias may be connected to contacts on the rear surface of the display. The vias may be located in active regions of the display or inactive regions of the display. The display may include a top surface emission portion and a bottom surface emission portion.

Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.