Abstract: An electronic device including a display panel is provided. In some embodiments, the display panel includes an active display region and an electrical component. The electrical component is distinct from a touch sensor device that is adapted to receive touch input across the active display region of the display panel. An electrical conductor connects the electrical component to another component of the electronic device via the display panel, such as via a bent portion of the display panel.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a display assembly including an electronic display configured to generate an optical image viewable from in front of the electronic device; a proximity sensor coupled to at least a portion of the display assembly, the proximity sensor including a sensing element configured to be responsive to presence of an object in front of the electronic device, the sensing element supported by a support structure having an upper surface facing a frontal direction of the electronic device; and a conductor that electrically connects the sensing element of the proximity sensor and the portion of the display assembly, the conductor including a conductive path extending along the support structure to the upper surface of the support structure.

Abstract: An electronic device including a transverse circuit board to route electrical traces is provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes: a housing; a first printed circuit board (PCB) that is fixed relative to the device housing; an integrated circuit that is connected to the first PCB; a second PCB that is situated in a transverse position relative to the first PCB, a plurality of electrical traces; and a securing component that secures the second PCB in the transverse position relative to the first PCB. Each respective electrical trace from the plurality of electrical traces includes: (i) a first portion that extends across the first PCB, between the integrated circuit and the second PCB, (ii) a second portion that extends across the second PCB, between the first PCB and either the first PCB or a third PCB, and (iii) a third portion that extends across either the first PCB or the third PCB, between the second PCB and a location other than the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device including a transverse circuit board to route electrical traces is provided. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes: a housing; a first printed circuit board (PCB) that is fixed relative to the device housing; an integrated circuit that is connected to the first PCB; a second PCB that is situated in a transverse position relative to the first PCB, a plurality of electrical traces; and a securing component that secures the second PCB in the transverse position relative to the first PCB. Each respective electrical trace from the plurality of electrical traces includes: (i) a first portion that extends across the first PCB, between the integrated circuit and the second PCB, (ii) a second portion that extends across the second PCB, between the first PCB and either the first PCB or a third PCB, and (iii) a third portion that extends across either the first PCB or the third PCB, between the second PCB and a location other than the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes: a display assembly including an electronic display configured to generate an optical image viewable from in front of the electronic device; a proximity sensor coupled to at least a portion of the display assembly, the proximity sensor including a sensing element configured to be responsive to presence of an object in front of the electronic device, the sensing element supported by a support structure having an upper surface facing a frontal direction of the electronic device; and a conductor that electrically connects the sensing element of the proximity sensor and the portion of the display assembly, the conductor including a conductive path extending along the support structure to the upper surface of the support structure.

Abstract: An electronic device including a display panel is provided. In some embodiments, the display panel includes an active display region and an electrical component. The electrical component is distinct from a touch sensor device that is adapted to receive touch input across the active display region of the display panel. An electrical conductor connects the electrical component to another component of the electronic device via the display panel, such as via a bent portion of the display panel.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for securing structures. One fastener includes a threaded body and a head. The head includes a rounded axial protrusion having a first radial diameter, and a noncircular radial portion for securing the fastener. The noncircular radial portion has a second radial diameter greater than the first radial diameter. The noncircular radial portion is positioned between the threaded body and the rounded axial protrusion.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) and methods (600, 700, 800) for sensing proximity of an object (22) to an electronic device (10) are disclosed. The apparatus (20) may comprise an infrared source (30) configured to emit electromagnetic energy in the infrared frequency range (IR energy 24) for reflection by an object (22) in proximity to the electronic device (10). The apparatus (20) may also comprise an image sensor (32) configured to: capture digital images in the visible light spectrum; detect the reflected IR energy (26); and generate a signal useful in controlling a function of the electronic device (10), such as the activation of a touch-sensitive display (14), based on the reflected IR energy (26) detected.

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: This invention is a wireless communication device (100) including a first housing (220) with a housing support (250) and a second housing (120) positioned about the housing support, or a portion thereof, so that the second housing may rotate around the housing support. Also, the second housing (120) includes a circular portion (122) positioned about the housing support (250) and an extending portion (124) extending from the circular portion. When the device (100) is in a closed position (110), the circular and extending portions (122 & 124) of the second housing (120) are adjacent to the first housing (220). When the device (100) is in an opened position (210), the circular portion (122) is adjacent to the first housing (220) and the extending portion (124) is away from the first housing. In addition, the second housing (120) may have multiple position relative to the first housing (220) in which each position activates a particular function of the device (100).

Abstract: A battery connection apparatus (116) has a housing (1706) with two ends (1708 and 1709) and a surface (1712) extending between the ends (1708, 1709). The housing (1706) is thin such that the surface (1712) is substantially larger in area than the ends (1708, 1709). A battery (1702) is disposed in the housing (1706). The apparatus (116) has mating projections (1722, 1800) extending from each end (1708 and 1709). The apparatus (116) also has contacts (1730-1733) located at the surface (1712) rather than at an end (1708 and 1709). The contacts (1730-1733) are electrically connected to the battery (1702). This apparatus (116) stands alone as a low profile battery pack, or may further include structure resident on an electronic device (100) to connect the battery (1702) to electronic circuitry (1700) of the electronic device (100) to realize a reduction in form factor thickness.

Abstract: A one-piece housing for a rectangular battery cell with circuitry disposed on its side is described. The top side of the housing is a protective ledge, covering only the circuitry disposed on the side of the battery cell, where the ledge lies in or below the imaginary plane formed by the top surface of the cell. The housing protects the battery circuitry, is easier to manufacture than a two-part housing, is lighter than a two-part housing, and has a lower profile.