Abstract: This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell.

Abstract: This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell.

Abstract: A method for providing customized content to an electronic device. The method may include activating the electronic device through a packaging that substantially surrounds the electronic device, without substantially damaging or removing the packaging. Once the device is activating, connecting the electronic device to a content and providing the content to the electronic device without substantially damaging or removing the packaging.

Abstract: A method for operating a portable electronic device includes receiving an identifier associated with an accessory connected to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device then determines a set of actions to be performed for that accessory based on the received identifier. The portable electronic device then performs the determined actions.

Abstract: This is directed to several handheld device components to be placed in a handheld device, as well as methods or systems for mounting or retaining components within the device. In particular, this is directed to a rigid shield used in an SMT process and securing connected flex connectors by adhering the flexes together. This is also directed to using foam in combination with a hard material to create an acoustic seal, or several layers of foam to create an acoustic and mechanical seal. This is also directed to selectively folding a sheet of material placed around a battery cell.

Abstract: Techniques for attachment of sapphire substrates with other materials and the resulting structures are provided. One embodiment may take the form of an attachment method including creating an aperture within a sapphire substrate and filling the aperture with an attachment material. The method also includes mechanically coupling a member to the sapphire substrate using the attachment material.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving reconfigurable rotating masses are disclosed. One embodiment may take the form of a system having a motor and coupled weights attached to the motor. Operation of the motor rotates the coupled weights and the weights are dynamically reconfigurable to change the location of the center of mass relative to an axis of rotation.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for providing a network status to facilitate communications. In particular, in some embodiments, a method of operating an electronic communication device is provided that includes retrieving a network status of another communication device. The network status comprises a signal strength. An available communication mode is determined based on the network status and a recommended communication mode is provided to a user based at least in part upon the retrieved network status.

Abstract: An electronic device having a housing and a receptacle connector. The receptacle connector includes an opening at an exterior surface of the housing. A plurality of contacts are arranged in a two dimensional array positioned within the opening of the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector is configured to concurrently mate with multiple plug connectors where each mated plug connector electrically connects to different and mutually exclusive subsets of contacts in the plurality of contacts. Switching circuitry is coupled to the plurality of contacts and configured to detect when one or more plug connectors are mated with the receptacle connector and electrically connect circuitry within the electronic device to contacts in the one or more plug connectors via subsets of contacts from the plurality of contacts.

Abstract: An electronic device having a housing and a receptacle connector. The receptacle connector includes an opening at an exterior surface of the housing. A plurality of contacts are arranged in a two dimensional array positioned within the opening of the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector is configured to concurrently mate with multiple plug connectors where each mated plug connector electrically connects to different and mutually exclusive subsets of contacts in the plurality of contacts. Switching circuitry is coupled to the plurality of contacts and configured to detect when one or more plug connectors are mated with the receptacle connector and electrically connect circuitry within the electronic device to contacts in the one or more plug connectors via subsets of contacts from the plurality of contacts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that allow an electronic device to autonomously adapt one or more user alerts to the current operating environment of the electronic device. For example, some embodiments may include a method comprising providing a plurality of alert devices in an electronic device, determining an operating environment of the electronic device using a sensor of the electronic device, and actuating at least one of the plurality of alert devices that corresponds to the determined operating environment.

Abstract: An electronic device including a processor, at least one sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to determine an orientation of the device and drop event based on input from the at least one sensor. The electronic device further includes a motor in communication with the processor and a mass operably connected to the motor. The processor is configured to drive the motor when a drop event is determined and the mass is configured to rotate with respect to the motor to alter the orientation of the device.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.

Abstract: Flexible battery packs for use in electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible battery pack may include a plurality of cells, such as galvanic or photovoltaic cells. The battery pack also may include a plurality of laminate layers coupled to the cells that include a top laminate layer and a bottom laminate layer. An adhesive may be used to couple the top and bottom laminate layers together such that each of the plurality of cells is isolated from each other. This arrangement may allow the battery to be shaped to fit a form factor of the electronic device. This arrangement also may allow one or more of the cells to be selectively removed from the plurality, which may be desirable from a manufacturing perspective.

Abstract: A cooling system for a mobile computing device configured to drive two devices, a fan and an alert device. The fan cools components of the mobile computing device by exchanging air between an inner cavity of the mobile computing device and an outer environment surrounding the mobile computing device. The alert device produces an alert, e.g., a vibration, for the mobile computing device. The cooling system includes a motor operably connected to a first device (either the fan or the alert device) and operably connected via a clutch to a second device (either the fan or the alert device). The clutch allows the second device to be selectively activated depending on a speed or rotational direction of a drive shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing sides and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. The plurality of contacts includes a first set of external contacts formed at the first major side and a second set of external contacts formed at the second major side. The first plurality of contacts are symmetrically spaced with the second plurality of contacts and the connector tab is shaped to have 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two insertion orientations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for fabricating an electronic device with an integrated railing system that detachably couples mounting hardware to the electronic device. By selectively detaching the mounting hardware, the electronic device may be made more compact and portable. In some embodiments, the railing system is fabricated substantially contemporaneous to fabricating the electronic device, such as by extrusion of the railing and the electronic device together. This fabrication approach may reduce the overall cost and complexity of manufacturing the railing system.