Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.

Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.

Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.

Abstract: An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device is disclosed and may be designed to provide a protective cover and dissipate heat from the device. Regarding the latter, the accessory device may include a thermally conductive layer disposed in the accessory device. The thermally conductive layer may extend from a first end of the accessory device proximate to a heat-generating component in the electronic device, to a second end away from the heat-generating component. The thermally conductive layer is designed to navigate heat away from the heat-generating component to the second end where the heat escapes the accessory device. The second end may include one or more openings to facilitate heat transfer from the accessory device. In other embodiments, the accessory device includes a phase change material that absorbs heat and changes to a liquid, then passes the heat to another location in the accessory device.

Abstract: An electronic device is configured to detect the presence or absence of a case that is positioned over at least one surface of the electronic device. When a case is present, the electronic device is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the case and adjust one or more operations of the electronic device based on at least one characteristic of the case.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to support electronic devices with only an interface connector. The docking station is further equipped with mechanisms that protect the electronic device from damage if it's deflected too far while mated to the docking station.

Abstract: An electronic device is configured to detect the presence or absence of a case that is positioned over at least one surface of the electronic device. When a case is present, the electronic device is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the case and adjust one or more operations of the electronic device based on at least one characteristic of the case.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a wearable device including first and second band straps attached to a device body. A buckle mechanism is configured to attach the first band strap to the second band strap and includes a spring bar attached to an end of the first band strap and a buckle loop engaged to the spring bar. A tang is configured to engage a hole formed in the second band strap to secure the first band strap to the second band strap. The tang defines an aperture that receives the spring bar and is configured to pivot about an offset axis that is offset with respect to an axis of the bar. As the tang is rotated, a restoring force biases the tang toward the buckle loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming button assemblies for electronic devices are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the button assemblies include one or more sound improvement features to improve the sound that the button assemblies make when pressed by users of the electronic devices. According to some embodiments, the button assemblies include shims that provide proper alignment of the various components of the button assemblies and to accommodate any tolerance stack up of the various components of the button assemblies. The shims can include alignment features to prevent the shims from shifting within the button assemblies. According to some embodiments, thicknesses of the shims are customized to accommodate varying tolerance stack ups of the components of the button assemblies. In some embodiments, the button assemblies include a combination of sound improvement features and shims.

Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.

Abstract: A connector providing both an electrical and mechanical connection and an electronic device utilizing the connector. The connector includes a rigid body, a head connected to the rigid body, and a flexible conductor coupled to the body. The rigid body and the flexible conductor define an electrically conductive path to the head. An electronic device includes a housing defining at least one sidewall, an interior component, and a connector passing through at least one sidewall and mechanically contacting the interior component. The connector defines an electrically conductive path from the interior component to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding plastic parts is described. In one embodiment, at least two materials are simultaneously injected into a mold. The resulting molded part can include at least two different regions. Each region can have distinct physical properties. Positions of the regions within the molded part can be at least partially controlled by controlling flow fronts of the at least two materials within the mold.

Abstract: An accessory device suitable for use with an electronic device is disclosed. The accessory device may be designed to provide a protective cover and dissipate heat from the device. Regarding the latter, the accessory device may include a thermally conductive layer disposed in the accessory device. The thermally conductive layer may extend from a first end of the accessory device proximate to a heat-generating component in the electronic device, to a second end away from the heat-generating component. The thermally conductive layer is designed to navigate heat away from the heat-generating component to the second end where the heat escapes the accessory device. The second end may include one or more openings to facilitate heat transfer from the accessory device. In other embodiments, the accessory device includes a phase change material that absorbs heat and changes to a liquid, then passes the heat to another location in the accessory device.

Abstract: An electronic device is configured to detect the presence or absence of a case that is positioned over at least one surface of the electronic device. When a case is present, the electronic device is configured to determine one or more characteristics of the case and adjust one or more operations of the electronic device based on at least one characteristic of the case.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices and to three dimensional modules for increasing useable space on a circuit board associated therewith. In some embodiments, the modules can have a cuboid geometry, and can include a number of surfaces having embedded circuit traces configured to interconnect electronic components arranged on various surfaces of the module. One of the surfaces of module can include at least one communication interface configured to interconnect the circuit traces on the module to associated circuit paths on a circuit board to which the module is coupled. In some embodiments the module can be operative as a standoff between the circuit board and another component of the electronic device.

Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to support electronic devices with only an interface connector. The docking station is further equipped with mechanisms that protect the electronic device from damage if it's deflected too far while mated to the docking station.

Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to support electronic devices with only an interface connector. The docking station is further equipped with mechanisms that protect the electronic device from damage if it's deflected too far while mated to the docking station.

Abstract: An electronic device with seamless protective cover glass is disclosed. In the described embodiments, the cover glass is coupled to the housing such that the cover glass or portions of the cover glass move with respect to the housing. This movement can be used as an interface for receiving user inputs that can be used to provide control signals to the electronic device.