Abstract: An electronic device has an electrically adjustable shutter. The shutter may be placed in a transparent state or a nontransparent state. The shutter may overlap a portion of a display, may overlap a liquid contact indictor or a structure with text in a device, or may overlap an optical component such as an optical proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, visible light-emitting diode or laser, infrared light-emitting diode or laser, visible light image sensor, or infrared light image sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may place the shutter in an opaque state to hide an overlapped component from view or may place the shutter in a transparent state to allow the overlapped component to transmit or receive light. The adjustable shutter may exhibit changes in its transmission spectrum in different modes of operation and may be used as a camera filter or neutral density filter.

Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes an operational component capable of generating heat and walls that define a cavity capable of carrying the operational component. The portable electronic device further includes a support plate that is welded to at least one of the walls. The support plate includes a thermally conductive layer that is thermally coupled to the operational component, where the thermally conductive layer includes a first material that is capable of conducting at least some of the heat away from the electronic component. The support plate further includes a first stiffness promoting layer that is welded to the thermally conductive layer, where the first stiffness promoting layer includes a second material having sufficient material hardness for welding the support plate to at least one of the walls such as to increase a stiffness of the support plate.

Abstract: An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.

Abstract: A composite housing of an electronic device can include a metal shell including a first material having a first set of material properties and a surface at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. The composite housing can also include an interior portion including a second material having a second set of material properties independent of the first set of material properties and at least partially defining a feature. The interior portion can be bonded to the shell and disposed interior to the surface of the shell.

Abstract: An electronic device having a display assembly is disclosed. Several layers may combine to form the display assembly. For example, the display assembly may include a touch sensitive layer (or touch detection layer), a display layer that present visual information, and a force sensitive layer (or force detection layer). The display layer may include a bend or curve that allows a portion of the display layer to bend around the force sensitive layer. Also, the connectors (that provide electrical and mechanical connections) may be positioned at different locations of the layers. For example, the display layer may include a connector on a first edge region, and the force sensitive layer may include a connector on a second edge region that is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the first edge region. By positioning the connectors on perpendicular edge regions, the display assembly may reduce its footprint.

Abstract: An electronic device has an electrically adjustable shutter. The shutter may be placed in a transparent state or a nontransparent state. The shutter may overlap a portion of a display, may overlap a liquid contact indictor or a structure with text in a device, or may overlap an optical component such as an optical proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, visible light-emitting diode or laser, infrared light-emitting diode or laser, visible light image sensor, or infrared light image sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may place the shutter in an opaque state to hide an overlapped component from view or may place the shutter in a transparent state to allow the overlapped component to transmit or receive light. The adjustable shutter may exhibit changes in its transmission spectrum in different modes of operation and may be used as a camera filter or neutral density filter.

Abstract: An element for an electronic device can include a metal exterior portion including a first material, an interior portion including a second, independently selected material, and an engagement feature formed on a surface defined by the exterior and interior portions. The engagement feature can mechanically engage a material molded to the surface. A method for forming an element for an electronic device can include joining a boss to a member, forming a feature in the member while orienting the member via the boss, and at least partially removing the boss to form the element. An electronic device can include a frame defining an interior volume of the device, a display component, a transparent cover positioned adjacent to the display component, and an encapsulating material at least partially surrounding the display component and joining the display component to the frame.

Abstract: An electronic device has an electrically adjustable shutter. The shutter may be placed in a transparent state or a nontransparent state. The shutter may overlap a portion of a display, may overlap a liquid contact indictor or a structure with text in a device, or may overlap an optical component such as an optical proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, visible light-emitting diode or laser, infrared light-emitting diode or laser, visible light image sensor, or infrared light image sensor. Control circuitry in the electronic device may place the shutter in an opaque state to hide an overlapped component from view or may place the shutter in a transparent state to allow the overlapped component to transmit or receive light. The adjustable shutter may exhibit changes in its transmission spectrum in different modes of operation and may be used as a camera filter or neutral density filter.

Abstract: An electronic device having a display assembly is disclosed. Several layers may combine to form the display assembly. For example, the display assembly may include a touch sensitive layer (or touch detection layer), a display layer that present visual information, and a force sensitive layer (or force detection layer). The display layer may include a bend or curve that allows a portion of the display layer to bend around the force sensitive layer. Also, the connectors (that provide electrical and mechanical connections) may be positioned at different locations of the layers. For example, the display layer may include a connector on a first edge region, and the force sensitive layer may include a connector on a second edge region that is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the first edge region. By positioning the connectors on perpendicular edge regions, the display assembly may reduce its footprint.

Abstract: This application relates to ring-shaped adhesives for use during the manufacturing of a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can have a small form factor, such as being a tablet computer or a mobile phone. A printable adhesive is dispensed on a release liner in a shape that conforms with a surface of the portable electronic device. The shape of the printable adhesive follows a path characterized by a continuous closed curve and encloses an area on the release liner without printable adhesive dispensed therein. The width of the printable adhesive along the continuous closed curve can vary to conform to features in one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device. The features can have dimensions of less than one millimeter. The printable adhesive can be can be applied to the release liner by a screen printing process or by dispensing the printable adhesive through a nozzle.

Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.

Abstract: This application relates to an enclosure for a portable electronic device. The enclosure includes a protruding trim structure having walls that define a cavity, where the protruding trim structure is capable of carrying an electronic component within the cavity. The enclosure further includes a support plate that is coupled to the enclosure and the protruding trim structure, and a brace structure that secures and supports the protruding trim structure such that when the protruding trim structure is exposed to an external load during a drop event, the protruding trim structure is capable of redirecting an amount of the load away from the protruding trim structure and the electronic component.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a camera and a cover glass arrangement disposed over the camera. The cover glass arrangement includes a thinner region or cover glass that is positioned over a light-receiving region of the camera. Additionally, the thinner region or cover glass can be disposed over the light-receiving region and at least parts of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera.

Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a camera and a cover glass arrangement disposed over the camera. The cover glass arrangement includes a thinner region or cover glass that is positioned over a light-receiving region of the camera. Additionally, the thinner region or cover glass can be disposed over the light-receiving region and at least parts of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera.