Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for retaining magnetic properties of magnetic elements while undergoing manufacturing processes are presented. In one embodiment, a manufacturing fixture includes a temperature controlled region suitable for retaining a magnetic element. The manufacturing fixture also includes a cooling mechanism configured to maintain the magnetic element at an acceptable temperature range during a thermally active manufacturing process. The temperature controlled or stabilized region can include a structure configured to receive the magnetic element and a sensor, or sensors. In one embodiment, the sensor can be configured to measure an ambient temperature of the temperature stabilized region. In another embodiment, the sensor can be a magnetic sensor configured to determine a magnetic property of the magnetic element.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. The switching assembly may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses an electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current may flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure.

Abstract: A housing for an electronic device as well as methods for forming the housing are disclosed. The housing can be formed from a substrate having perforations to assist in adhering components internal to the housing. The substrate is typically a multi-layer substrate having at least two layers. In one embodiment, an inner layer of the multi-layer substrate can be provided with perforations. The perforations can them be used to adhere internal features to the multi-layer substrate. The internal features can be used for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer substrate, thereby securing the parts or components to the multi-layer substrate and thus the housing.

Abstract: A device for steaming and/or foaming milk primarily for, but not limited to, coffee beverages. The device attaches via machined threads to a standard coffee machine steam wand, but nonstandard sizes can be accommodated via a thread adapter. The device consists of two machined stainless pieces each with crescent shaped apertures that, when rotated relative to each other, allow for the increase or decrease in effective hole size to adjust the volume and pressure of steam being expunged. This adjustability allows for the user to decrease the aperture when foaming a small amount of milk (e.g. for a macchiato), or to increase the aperture for foaming more milk (e.g. for a latte).

Abstract: Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housing components that have improved aesthetics. One or more holes may be formed through an extruded portion of the housing.

Abstract: A device for precise dispensation of whole coffee beans. The device may consist of a coffee bean hopper attached to an incremental dispensation device such as a toothed gear rotated by a stepper motor, whereby the rotation of the gear precisely dispenses whole coffee beans into a receptacle mounted upon a load cell or other weighing device. As the beans are dispensed into the receptacle, a PCB or other electronic component controls a feedback loop from the weighing device to the motor such that the dispensed amount is within +/?one coffee bean in weight. The desired weight may be input via buttons attached to the PCB with a readout that allows 0.1 g accuracy, or roughly the weight of one coffee bean.

Abstract: The present invention can relate to multiple-connector assemblies for use in, for example, electronic devices. Each of the connectors are constrained to another connector by aligning one or more complementary sets of reference features. A locating bracket may be used to couple multiple connectors together. Alternatively, the connectors may be coupled to each other directly. The electronic device also may include a retainer coupled to the connectors (either directly or indirectly through the locating bracket). The retainer and a surface of one of the connectors may form a single plane to which an end cap of the housing may be coupled, thereby accurately locating the end cap with respect to the connectors. The present invention also can relate to methods of manufacturing such an electronic device.

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: The present invention can relate to multiple-connector assemblies for use in, for example, electronic devices. Each of the connectors are constrained to another connector by aligning one or more complementary sets of reference features. A locating bracket may be used to couple multiple connectors together. Alternatively, the connectors may be coupled to each other directly. The electronic device also may include a retainer coupled to the connectors (either directly or indirectly through the locating bracket). The retainer and a surface of one of the connectors may form a single plane to which an end cap of the housing may be coupled, thereby accurately locating the end cap with respect to the connectors. The present invention also can relate to methods of manufacturing such an electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention can facilitate the coupling between electrical components and a circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into a housing of an electronic device. An electrical component can be integrated with a flexible circuit of another electrical component. The flexible circuit can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into the housing. Alternatively, electrical contacts can be disposed on a body of the electrical component and a complementary set of electrical contacts can be disposed on the circuit board. When the circuit board is disposed within a receptacle of the electrical component, the electrical contacts on the electrical component are coupled directly to the electrical contacts on the circuit board.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for retaining magnetic properties of magnetic elements while undergoing manufacturing processes are presented. In one embodiment, a manufacturing fixture includes a temperature controlled region suitable for retaining a magnetic element. The manufacturing fixture also includes a cooling mechanism configured to maintain the magnetic element at an acceptable temperature range during a thermally active manufacturing process. The temperature controlled or stabilized region can include a structure configured to receive the magnetic element and a sensor, or sensors. In one embodiment, the sensor can be configured to measure an ambient temperature of the temperature stabilized region. In another embodiment, the sensor can be a magnetic sensor configured to determine a magnetic property of the magnetic element.

Abstract: The present invention can relate to multiple-connector assemblies for use in, for example, electronic devices. Each of the connectors are constrained to another connector by aligning one or more complementary sets of reference features. A locating bracket may be used to couple multiple connectors together. Alternatively, the connectors may be coupled to each other directly. The electronic device also may include a retainer coupled to the connectors (either directly or indirectly through the locating bracket). The retainer and a surface of one of the connectors may form a single plane to which an end cap of the housing may be coupled, thereby accurately locating the end cap with respect to the connectors. The present invention also can relate to methods of manufacturing such an electronic device.

Abstract: A housing for an electronic device as well as methods for forming the housing are disclosed. The housing can be formed from a substrate having perforations to assist in adhering components internal to the housing. The substrate is typically a multi-layer substrate having at least two layers. In one embodiment, an inner layer of the multi-layer substrate can be provided with perforations. The perforations can them be used to adhere internal features to the multi-layer substrate. The internal features can be used for attaching parts or components to the multi-layer substrate, thereby securing the parts or components to the multi-layer substrate and thus the housing.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housing components that have improved aesthetics. One or more holes may be formed through an extruded portion of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention can relate to an electronic device having one or more support tabs that protect a circuit board disposed inside the device from externally applied compressive forces. In particular, when a force is applied to a housing of the device, the support tabs can buttress the housing of the device, either directly or through other intervening components disposed within the device, to reduce the likelihood that the housing or intervening components will contact and damage the circuit board. The present invention also can relate to methods for manufacturing such an electronic device.

Abstract: Various components of an electronic device housing and methods for their assembly are disclosed. The housing can be formed by assembling and connecting two or more different sections together. The sections of the housing may be coupled together using one or more coupling members. The coupling members may be formed using a two-shot molding process in which the first shot forms a structural portion of the coupling members, and the second shot forms cosmetic portions of the coupling members.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housing components that have improved aesthetics. One or more holes may be formed through an extruded portion of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention can facilitate the coupling between electrical components and a circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into a housing of an electronic device. An electrical component can be integrated with a flexible circuit of another electrical component. The flexible circuit can be electrically and mechanically coupled to the circuit board after the circuit board is inserted into the housing. Alternatively, electrical contacts can be disposed on a body of the electrical component and a complementary set of electrical contacts can be disposed on the circuit board. When the circuit board is disposed within a receptacle of the electrical component, the electrical contacts on the electrical component are coupled directly to the electrical contacts on the circuit board.

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.