Abstract: Techniques for fabricating a laminated ceramic housing that can be used for a handheld computing device that includes an enclosure having structural walls formed from a multi-layered ceramic material that can be radio-transparent. The multi-layered ceramic housing can be formed of a plurality of ceramic materials such as zirconia and alumina in any combination. The multi-layer ceramic substrate includes an inner layer and surface layers that sandwich the inner layer. The multi-layer ceramic substrate has an increased transverse strength due to the surface layers having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is less than that of the inner layer.

Abstract: A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for increasing the strength of glass are disclosed. The use of multi-bath chemical processing for a glass article can facilitate controlled chemical strengthening. Through multi-bath (or multi-step) chemical processing, differing levels of strengthening can be achieved for different portion of glass articles. The multi-bath chemical processing can be achieved through the use of successive chemical baths. Accordingly, glass articles that have undergone multi-bath chemical processing are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage. The strengthened glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). In one embodiment, the glass member can pertain to a glass cover for a housing of an electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed therein generally pertain to selectively strengthening glass. More particularly, techniques are described for selectively strengthening cover glass, which tends to be thin, for electronic devices, namely, portable electronic devices.

Abstract: A hand-controlled, curb forming machine that is transformable between different widths and geometries, and between different wheel configurations, to accommodate different concrete curbing. A downwardly projecting, rotating head that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the slab shapes raw concrete into appropriately styled and contoured curbs. A machine frame slidably receives an adjustable, wheeled subframe. A roller on the opposite frame side rides on an opposite curb form. A pivoted handle is reversible. The electric motor is adjustably secured to the frame by a mounting plate movable within follower slots in the frame. A removable adaptor plate disposed on an opposite frame end supports the machine when not in use, but can be removed for normal curb work exposing a form riding roller. When the machine is deployed with monolithic curbs without rebar, the adaptor plate can mount to the subframe to raise the machine by lowering the wheels.

Abstract: A system and methods for precision marking are disclosed. A spring-loaded mechanical marking tool comprising an optical retro-reflector is operable to interface with a metrology system to expedite determination of a desired feature location. The tool simplifies user operation of metrology targeting devices, and reduces or eliminates process non-conformance, potential surface damage and miss-location.

Abstract: A hand-controlled, curb forming machine that is transformable between different widths and geometries, and between different wheel configurations, to accommodate different concrete curbing. A downwardly projecting, rotating head that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the slab shapes raw concrete into appropriately styled and contoured curbs. A machine frame slidably receives an adjustable, wheeled subframe. A roller on the opposite frame side rides on an opposite curb form. A pivoted handle is reversible. The electric motor is adjustably secured to the frame by a mounting plate movable within follower slots in the frame. A removable adaptor plate disposed on an opposite frame end supports the machine when not in use, but can be removed for normal curb work exposing a form riding roller. When the machine is deployed with monolithic curbs without rebar, the adaptor plate can mount to the subframe to raise the machine by lowering the wheels.

Abstract: Forming a 3D topology by forming a monolayer of nano-particles on a stainless steel surface, masking the stainless steel surface forming at least one unmasked regions, the unmasked region having an average density of nano-particles less than a critical average density, and introducing a plurality of exogenous atoms into the stainless steel surface only in the unmasked regions, the exogenous atoms causing the associated metal lattice to expand and harden and have an increase corrosion resistance, thereby selectively forming a 3D topology on the stainless steel surface.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: A media player according to the invention is provided. The media player may include a scroll wheel and a housing including a retention ledge. The retention ledge may maintain the position of the scroll wheel with respect to the housing. A flexible printed circuit may also be included in the media player. The flexible printed circuit may include a first face and a second face. The first face may contact the scroll wheel. The second face may include tactile dome switches. Compressible shims may also form a portion of the media player and may be adjacent the second face. The compressible shims may control the distance between the scroll wheel and the retention ledge.

Abstract: A media player according to the invention is provided. The media player may include a scroll wheel and a housing including a retention ledge. The retention ledge may maintain the position of the scroll wheel with respect to the housing. A flexible printed circuit may also be included in the media player. The flexible printed circuit may include a first face and a second face. The first face may contact the scroll wheel. The second face may include tactile dome switches. Compressible shims may also form a portion of the media player and may be adjacent the second face. The compressible shims may control the distance between the scroll wheel and the retention ledge.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall. The method can include as well using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: The present invention can include a mechanical actuator having an interface region and an actuation region that is thicker than the interface region. The interface region can provide an interface for a user to move the actuator. The actuation region can incorporate a feature that mates with an electronic component within an electronic device. When a user moves the interface region, that motion can be translated by the actuation region to actuate the electronic component. The present invention also includes methods of manufacturing the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention can include a mechanical actuator having an interface region and an actuation region that is thicker than the interface region. The interface region can provide an interface for a user to move the actuator. The actuation region can incorporate a feature that mates with an electronic component within an electronic device. When a user moves the interface region, that motion can be translated by the actuation region to actuate the electronic component. The present invention also includes methods of manufacturing the actuator.

Abstract: A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall. The method can include as well using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: The present invention can include a mechanical actuator having an interface region and an actuation region that is thicker than the interface region. The interface region can provide an interface for a user to move the actuator. The actuation region can incorporate a feature that mates with an electronic component within an electronic device. When a user moves the interface region, that motion can be translated by the actuation region to actuate the electronic component. The present invention also includes methods of manufacturing the actuator.

Abstract: A media player according to the invention is provided. The media player may include a scroll wheel and a housing including a retention ledge. The retention ledge may maintain the position of the scroll wheel with respect to the housing. A flexible printed circuit may also be included in the media player. The flexible printed circuit may include a first face and a second face. The first face may contact the scroll wheel. The second face may include tactile dome switches. Compressible shims may also form a portion of the media player and may be adjacent the second face. The compressible shims may control the distance between the scroll wheel and the retention ledge.