Abstract: Disclosed is a cavity-stacked printed circuit board (PCB) assembly that includes a first PCB formed of glass-reinforced epoxy material and has a first and a second side. The first side includes an open cavity with a cavity floor and at least one side wall that extends between the floor and the first side. The open cavity defines a cavity perimeter, which includes a base defined around the perimeter. The second PCB has a top side opposite a bottom side. The top side has an electrical component around which an interposer region is defined. Solder is disposed between the interposer region of the second PCB and the base of the first PCB to couple the first PCB to the second PCB with the electrical component received in the cavity to form the cavity-stacked PCB assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more aspects of a space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly that may be used as part of a user equipment. The space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly includes a battery cell electrically coupled to a first module assembly that monitors a state of the battery cell, a first alignment bracket located at a first end of the battery cell, and a second alignment bracket located at a second end of the battery cell. The first module assembly overlaps a second module assembly that supports system-level functions of the user equipment.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques directed at uniformly narrow display bezels in portable electronic devices. In aspects, a portable electronic device includes a housing that houses a display panel stack having a chamfered, polyhedral cover layer bonded to a top of a display module. The cover layer may include a large chamfer between a top face and a side face, defining a chamfered face extending a perimeter of the cover layer. The chamfered face may be angled any number of degrees in a range from one to eighty-nine degrees to a horizontal plane defined by the top face of the cover layer, such that the chamfered face possesses a front-facing portion. The chamfered face may be adhered to a parallel or subparallel interior face of the housing. In such a configuration, an opaque border added to a face opposite of the top face may be imperceptible to a user, resulting in uniformly narrow display bezels.

Abstract: This document describes systems and techniques directed at uniformly narrow display bezels in portable electronic devices. In aspects, a portable electronic device includes a housing that houses a display panel stack having a chamfered, polyhedral cover layer bonded to a top of a display module. The cover layer may include a large chamfer between a top face and a side face, defining a chamfered face extending a perimeter of the cover layer. The chamfered face may be angled any number of degrees in a range from one to eighty-nine degrees to a horizontal plane defined by the top face of the cover layer, such that the chamfered face possesses a front-facing portion. The chamfered face may be adhered to a parallel or subparallel interior face of the housing. In such a configuration, an opaque border added to a face opposite of the top face may be imperceptible to a user, resulting in uniformly narrow display bezels.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes one or more aspects of a space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly that may be used as part of a user equipment. The space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly includes a battery cell electrically coupled to a first module assembly that monitors a state of the battery cell, a first alignment bracket located at a first end of the battery cell, and a second alignment bracket located at a second end of the battery cell. The first module assembly overlaps a second module assembly that supports system-level functions of the user equipment.

Abstract: A modular lighting control system is disclosed for lighting control, modular home electronic devices and home networking of modular electronic devices. The system includes a switch module having one or more magnets, a wireless power transmission coil, an infrared light transmitter and an infrared light receiver and a user interface module having one or more wireless power reception coils, one or more magnets, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector. The user interface module can be removably attached to and powered by one or more of the switch modules and communicate with one or more of the switch modules without any mechanical attachment or electrical connection on either the switch module or the user interface module.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular portable device includes a first module acting as a traditional high-function phone or “smartphone” and a second module that adds enhanced functionality to the first module. When the modules are separated, they may operate independently of each other. In an embodiment, when the first module and the second module are docked together and a voice call is placed with the first module, the earpiece speaker, microphone, and cellular connection of the first module are utilized. During the voice call, a Bluetooth connection between the first module and the second module may be established in anticipation of an undocking event to eliminate a delay in audio transfer from the first module to the second module.

Abstract: An enhanced portable communication device includes a one-piece metal back plate, configured to reduce device thickness by eliminating the plastic-to-metal joints normally needed to isolate the device antennas and provide rigidity. The one-piece metal back plate includes four integral antennas in an embodiment, forming an antenna pair at each end of the device. An opening and gap used to form each antenna pair may be filled with a nonconductive material such as plastic. In an embodiment, an I/O port is exposed through the nonconductive material in the gap.

Abstract: A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.

Abstract: A modular lighting control system is disclosed for lighting control, modular home electronic devices and home networking of modular electronic devices. The system includes a switch module having one or more magnets, a wireless power transmission coil, an infrared light transmitter and an infrared light receiver and a user interface module having one or more wireless power reception coils, one or more magnets, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector. The user interface module can be removably attached to and powered by one or more of the switch modules and communicate with one or more of the switch modules without any mechanical attachment or electrical connection on either the switch module or the user interface module.

Abstract: An enhanced portable communication device includes a one-piece metal back plate with integral antennas. The one-piece metal back plate includes four integral antennas in an embodiment, forming an antenna pair at each end of the device. A printed circuit board (PCB) of the device is configured to drive one or more of the antennas capacitivly or, in an embodiment, via a direct feed.

Abstract: A system and method of circuit board and device construction provide an RF testing connection for thin devices that lack space between their printed circuit board (PCB) and their housing for a test connection. In particular, in designs wherein the device PCB lies against the rear housing of the device, the use of a dedicated test connector on the back of the main PCB is problematic, but a circuit configuration is provided such that a removable test connection can be used without affecting the operation of the device or the configuration of the PCB itself.

Abstract: A system and method of remote imaging allows a camera module in a modular portable electronic device environment to be removed from a base module without halting an image capture session being displayed on a display of the base module. In an embodiment, image data may be captured by both the camera module and the base module. A hardwired connection connects the devices when the camera module is docked on the base module, while a wireless connection maintains the connection between the devices when the camera module is undocked from the base module during an image capture session.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a housing member (103) and a display layer (512). The display includes two substrate layers (404,405) sealed together at a seam (408) disposed along a periphery (602) of each substrate layer. A compression gasket (604) is disposed between the housing member and the display, the compression gasket being disposed against the display interior to the seam. A second compression gasket (995) can be disposed interior to the compression gasket to provide a dampening function.

Abstract: A transparent lens and differing plastic material housing is provided that includes a transparent lens including a front surface, a rear surface, and a perimeter edge, the perimeter edge including a flange, a plastic housing affixed to the perimeter edge flange having a different material than the transparent lens, a portion that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens; and a portion that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens.

Abstract: A display protection system for use in a portable electronic device includes first and second lenses overlaying the device display. The first lens includes an aperture over a lens sensor mounted in the device, whereas the second lens includes an opaque region in that same area. In this way, the lens sensor may detect the presence or absence of the secondary lens and adjust touch sensor behavior accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure carrying of user cards and other items are integrated with the user's portable communication device. In an embodiment, the system includes an integrated alarm function to alert the user of unauthorized access to a storage compartment. In a further embodiment, the carrying system includes a cover having electrical contacts configured for mating to the user's portable device system.

Abstract: A system and method of networking in a portable device in a modular device environment detects connection of a second device to the portable device, and configures the second device to form a parallel network connection with the portable device. In an embodiment, the second device is configured to form a direct WiFi connection to the portable device when the devices are separated.

Abstract: A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.

Abstract: A device interconnection system uses an indexed carrier to locate an array of contacts on an array of solder pads on a printed circuit board. In an embodiment, the PCB is indexed to a device housing in the same manner that it is indexed to the carrier, allowing the array of contacts to match and protrude through an array of holes in the housing. In a further embodiment, the housing is substantially metallic, and the array of holes in the housing are located in an insulating plate formed in the housing.