Abstract: A hinge assembly defining a first axis and a second axis; a first assembly rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the first axis; a second assembly rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the second axis, wherein, when the folding device is fully opened about the hinge assembly, an inner surface of the first assembly is coplanar with an inner surface of the second assembly; a flexible continuous display spanning an inner surface of the first assembly and an inner surface of the second assembly; and a camera having an aperture located in a bezel of the second assembly that borders the flexible continuous display.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques for narrow display borders using a display-to-frame interposer (“interposer”). In aspects, the interposer is bonded, on a first side, to a mechanical frame. On a second side, the interposer is bonded to a backside of a display panel module, including a folded portion, and supports a cover layer through the display panel module. In such a configuration, a display border, which extends from an edge of the cover layer to an active area of the display panel module and resides above the folded portion, can be reduced.

Abstract: A modular electrical control system includes a switch module, having at least an “on” state and an “off” state, configured to draw power from an AC power source and to control power delivery to at least one external load, the switch module including a detector that determines whether a neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module and receive power from the switch module, wherein the switch module delivers a first amount of power to the user interface module when the detector determines that the neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and delivers a second amount of power to the user interface module lower than the first amount of power when the detector determines that the neutral wire is not connected to the switch module.

Abstract: An electrical control system includes a switch module configured to control power delivery to at least one external load, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module, receive power from the switch module and display an interface in accordance with a status of the external load, the user interface including a printed circuit board (PCB) having a touch controller that detects signals from a plurality of touch sensors integrated on a first side of the PCB, and a light-emitting diode (LED) controller that controls a plurality of LED's, a light guide, attached to the first side of the PCB, that partially obstructs light emitted from the plurality of LED's, a tactile switch electrically connected to the first side of the PCB between the transparent cover and the PCB, and a cover attached to the tactile switch over the first side of the PCB.

Abstract: A modular electrical control system includes a switch module, having at least an “on” state and an “off” state, configured to draw power from an AC power source and to control power delivery to at least one external load, the switch module including a detector that determines whether a neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module and receive power from the switch module, wherein the switch module delivers a first amount of power to the user interface module when the detector determines that the neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and delivers a second amount of power to the user interface module lower than the first amount of power when the detector determines that the neutral wire is not connected to the switch module.

Abstract: A more efficient component shielding system is provided for a portable electronic device. The system includes a metal shield covering multiple electronic components on the device PCB, including two or more electronic components requiring shielding. The metal shield includes a top portion and one or more descending side walls encompassing the periphery of the metal shield except at one or more edges where the metal shield contacts the housing. In addition, one or more internal walls attached to the shield top portion form internal walls separating the two or more electronic components requiring shielding from one another. In an embodiment, a plurality of spring clips soldered to the PCB are used to hold the side walls and internal walls to the PCB.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular device system includes a base device configured to accept multiple modules at once. The system further includes thin modules designed to stack upon one another on the base device to provide extended functionality. In an embodiment, an alignment mechanism is provided to allow multiple modules to be easily stacked such that their stacking also provides convenient electrical interconnection between the modules and the base device.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular device system includes a base device configured to accept multiple modules at once. The system further includes thin modules designed to stack upon one another on the base device to provide extended functionality. In an embodiment, an alignment mechanism is provided to allow multiple modules to be easily stacked such that their stacking also provides convenient electrical interconnection between the modules and the base device.

Abstract: A modular portable device system includes two devices configured to be attached to each other to form a more powerful combined device. The combined device is still generally sized to fit a user's pocket, purse, briefcase, backpack etc. The first device is a stand-alone capable high function device configured to mate with and connect to an add-on device to gain specific supplemental functionality. The base device includes a circular camera protrusion sized to fit in a corresponding camera opening in the add-on device, as well as one or more alignment sockets. In this way, when the camera protrusion is located in the camera opening and the one or more alignment sockets are mated to a corresponding one or alignment pins on the add-on device, the two devices are electrically connected and physically aligned.

Abstract: A high-efficiency mounting system is provided for attaching the lens and display of a portable electronic device. The described mounting system uses a three-layer adhesive system to provide a product having minimal borders outside of the display area while also providing the ability to remove the display assembly without damaging it, allowing reworkability of one of the most expensive parts of the device.

Abstract: A more efficient component shielding system is provided for a portable electronic device. The system includes a metal shield covering multiple electronic components on the device PCB, including two or more electronic components requiring shielding. The metal shield includes a top portion and one or more descending side walls encompassing the periphery of the metal shield except at one or more edges where the metal shield contacts the housing. In addition, one or more internal walls attached to the shield top portion form internal walls separating the two or more electronic components requiring shielding from one another. In an embodiment, a plurality of spring clips soldered to the PCB are used to hold the side walls and internal walls to the PCB.

Abstract: A method in a portable electronic device (100) having a user interface illumination (110) is disclosed. The method comprises sensing (202) an ambient light level in a neighborhood of the portable electronic device with a sensor (104) of the portable electronic device. Based on the ambient light level sensed, then controlling (204) a visual characteristic of the user interface illumination, wherein the user interface illumination is operated at a brightness between a maximum brightness and a minimum brightness for at least one ambient light level detected.

Abstract: Folding wireless communication devices incorporate a two-part housing, which includes a first part that is rotatably coupled to a second part. The overall depth of the device is reduced by adjusting the mechanical layout and component placement relative to one another, wherein previously stacked components have been reordered. More specifically, the hinge, the battery, and the communication and control circuitry have been organized so as to be in the same horizontal plane, and so as to not overlap in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (1200) comprises a resilient wire (404) supported proximate its first end (412) and second end (414) by a support structure (406). The latch mechanism (1200) also includes one or more hook shaped catches (218) that have cammed outer surfaces (302) and wire engaging openings (304). To engage the latch mechanism (1200) the resilient wire (404) is urged against the cammed outer surfaces (302) bending the resilient wire (404) and allowing the resilient wire to rebound into the wire engaging openings (304). To disengage the latch mechanism the resilient wire (404) is deflected, e.g., by pushing a moveable manual actuator (408) that is engaged with the wire, in order to release the resilient wire (404) from the wire engaging openings (304) of the catches (218).