Abstract: Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.

Abstract: This application relates to improving kinematics in a computing device such as a laptop computer. A magnetic latch mechanism includes a magnetic array and an attractor plate. The magnetic array is secured in a top portion of the laptop computer and the attractor plate is secured in a base portion of the laptop computer. An attractive force of the magnetic latch mechanism is calibrated by selectively demagnetizing a portion of one or more magnetic elements in the magnetic array to reduce the attractive force proximate a target force. The calibration technique can include exciting a demagnetizing element, such as a pair of conductive coils, with a short, high frequency demagnetization pulse to create a demagnetized zone within the magnetic array that is completely demagnetized, irrespective of unit to unit variations of magnetic properties in the initially magnetized magnetic array. This technique ensures an accurate kinematic user experience.

Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a housing including (i) a lower case, and (ii) an upper case pivotally coupled to the lower case with a hinge assembly. The housing includes a processor capable of providing instructions, an operational component in communication with the processor, where the processor is capable of executing a function, and a magnetic detection system included within the hinge assembly. The magnetic detection system includes a magnetic element capable of generating a magnetic field, and a magnetic sensor capable of determining an angle between the lower case and the upper case based on the magnetic field, where when the processor determines that the angle between the lower case and the upper case satisfies a predetermined threshold angle, the processor provides the instructions to the operational component to execute the function.

Abstract: A portable computing device that includes a base portion that carries an audio module and a display housing that carries a display is disclosed. The display housing is coupled with, and rotatable with respect to, the base portion. The display housing includes a magnet, and the base portion includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an external magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field sensor provides a signal that deactivates the display. In order to reduce layout changes in the portable computing device, the magnetic field sensor is positioned in an audio housing that carries the audio module. However, the magnetic field sensor is designed and oriented to detect the magnetic field from the magnet in the display housing and effectively ignore magnets associated with the audio module. In order to reduce the amount of electrical connections, the magnetic field sensor is electrically coupled to the audio module.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having adjustable input mechanisms. The input mechanisms of the input device may be dynamically adjusted based on one or more input characteristics associated with a user. Accordingly, the input device may be customized to fit a user's input preferences.

Abstract: Connectors that have a low profile, can form strong and reliable connections despite connection alignment errors, and can be readily manufactured. One example can provide a connector receptacle having a magnetic array arranged to provide a strong attachment that allows the use of a low profile connector receptacle and connector insert. The magnetic array can include magnets and magnetic elements, where the magnetic elements can be magnetically conductive pole-pieces. Each pole piece can have magnets at two of its sides. Another example can provide contacts for a connector insert that can have more than one contacting surface to connect to a contact of a connector receptacle.

Abstract: A portable computing device that includes a base portion that carries an audio module and a display housing that carries a display is disclosed. The display housing is coupled with, and rotatable with respect to, the base portion. The display housing includes a magnet, and the base portion includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an external magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field sensor provides a signal that deactivates the display. In order to reduce layout changes in the portable computing device, the magnetic field sensor is positioned in an audio housing that carries the audio module. However, the magnetic field sensor is designed and oriented to detect the magnetic field from the magnet in the display housing and effectively ignore magnets associated with the audio module. In order to reduce the amount of electrical connections, the magnetic field sensor is electrically coupled to the audio module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device having adjustable input mechanisms. The input mechanisms of the input device may be dynamically adjusted based on one or more input characteristics associated with a user. Accordingly, the input device may be customized to fit a user's input preferences.

Abstract: A system may include a finger device that is worn on a user's finger. The finger device may serve as a controller for a head-mounted device or other devices in the system. The finger device may have a foldable housing with hinge structures that allow portions of the housing to fold with respect to each other. Magnets or other bistability structures may be used to provide the folding housing with folding bistability. This allows the housing to be placed in a stable unfolded state that releases the finger or a stable folded state in which the housing snaps over the finger and holds the finger device in place. A base may be used to store the finger device for charging. The base may have deployment structures that help place the finger device on the user's finger for use.

Abstract: A portable computing device that includes a base portion that carries an audio module and a display housing that carries a display is disclosed. The display housing is coupled with, and rotatable with respect to, the base portion. The display housing includes a magnet, and the base portion includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an external magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field sensor provides a signal that deactivates the display. In order to reduce layout changes in the portable computing device, the magnetic field sensor is positioned in an audio housing that carries the audio module. However, the magnetic field sensor is designed and oriented to detect the magnetic field from the magnet in the display housing and effectively ignore magnets associated with the audio module. In order to reduce the amount of electrical connections, the magnetic field sensor is electrically coupled to the audio module.

Abstract: Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.

Abstract: Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.

Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.

Abstract: A component for an electronic device can include a metal alloy formed by a metal injection molding process. The metal alloy can have a composition of about 32 wt % to about 38 wt % cobalt and about 62 wt % to about 68 wt % iron.

Abstract: A portable computing device that includes a base portion that carries an audio module and a display housing that carries a display is disclosed. The display housing is coupled with, and rotatable with respect to, the base portion. The display housing includes a magnet, and the base portion includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an external magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field sensor provides a signal that deactivates the display. In order to reduce layout changes in the portable computing device, the magnetic field sensor is positioned in an audio housing that carries the audio module. However, the magnetic field sensor is designed and oriented to detect the magnetic field from the magnet in the display housing and effectively ignore magnets associated with the audio module. In order to reduce the amount of electrical connections, the magnetic field sensor is electrically coupled to the audio module.

Abstract: A portable computing device that includes a base portion that carries an audio module and a display housing that carries a display is disclosed. The display housing is coupled with, and rotatable with respect to, the base portion. The display housing includes a magnet, and the base portion includes a magnetic field sensor that detects an external magnetic field of the magnet. The magnetic field sensor provides a signal that deactivates the display. In order to reduce layout changes in the portable computing device, the magnetic field sensor is positioned in an audio housing that carries the audio module. However, the magnetic field sensor is designed and oriented to detect the magnetic field from the magnet in the display housing and effectively ignore magnets associated with the audio module. In order to reduce the amount of electrical connections, the magnetic field sensor is electrically coupled to the audio module.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.