Abstract: A mobile communications device contains at least two microphones. One microphone is located away from the handset receiver and serves to pick up voice of a near end user of the device for transmission to the other party during a call. Another microphone is located near the handset receiver and serves to pick up acoustic output of the handset receiver (a far end signal). A signal processor measures the frequency response of the receiver. The signal processor performs spectral analysis of the receiver frequency response to determine whether or not the device is being held at the ear of the user. On that basis, the device automatically changes its operating mode, e.g., turns on or off a touch sensitive display screen during the call. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A portable electronic device that provides compact configurations for audio elements are disclosed. The audio elements can be drivers (e.g., speakers) or receivers (e.g., microphones). In one embodiment, an audio element can be mounted on or coupled to an intermediate structure (e.g., a flexible electrical substrate) having an opening therein to allow audio sound to pass there through. In another embodiment, an audio chamber can be formed to assist in directing audio sound between an opening an outer housing and a flexible electronic substrate to which the audio element is mounted or coupled thereto. In still another embodiment, a barrier, such as a mesh barrier, can be provided in an opening of an outer housing so that undesired foreign substances can be blocked from further entry into the opening in the outer housing.

Abstract: Various processes for creating mirrored features are discussed herein as well as devices that include the mirrored features. One embodiment includes a button having a transparent layer and an opaque layer coupled to the transparent layer. A portion of the transparent layer extends through the opaque layer so that the portion of the transparent layer is flush with a back surface of the opaque layer and generally has a shape of a desired feature. The button also includes a reflective object positioned so that it may be seen through the transparent layer.

Abstract: Electronic devices having integrated thermal and EMI shields for providing thermal dissipation and EMI shielding of one or more circuitry components, and methods for making the same, are provided. The integrated shield combines both thermal and EMI shielding properties into a single layer material that saves space within the electronic device. The integrated shield can be constructed from a silicon material having one or more EMI shielding additives incorporated therein.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.

Abstract: This is directed to systems and methods for shielding a circuitry region of an electronic device from interference (e.g., EMI) with a removable shield assembly.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fit in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone.

Abstract: Various systems of an electronic device and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. In some embodiments, a routing assembly is provided that may not only route a cable along a circuit board, but that may also shield an electronic component or secure an electronic component to the circuit board. In some other embodiments, there is provided a mechanism for electrically coupling two components of an electronic device that may also be visually appealing in the context of other portions of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a sheet of graphite material on an electromagnetic interference shield for enhanced heat transfer. An electronic device component may be enclosed by an EMI shield, which may retain heat generated by the component. To help dissipate heat, a sheet of material selected for its heat transfer properties may be disposed over the EMI shield. A portion of the sheet may be folded over an edge of the EMI shield such that the sheet may cover a top surface of the sheet as well as tabs extending perpendicular to the top surface of the EMI shield. To facilitate the adhesion of the sheet to a smaller surface area of tabs, the sheet may include features forming a discontinuity in regions of the sheet aligned with the edge of the shield to facilitate folding the sheet. The discontinuity can include, for example, one or more holes or windows.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing. A camera window assembly may be mounted in a hole within the housing. The housing may be formed from a structure such as a planar glass member. The hole in which the camera window assembly is formed may be circular. A mating circular trim member in the camera window assembly may be mounted in the hole. A flange structure on the trim member may help retain the trim member within the housing. A shelf portion of the trim member may receive a ring of adhesive. The camera window assembly may have a clear disk-shaped lens with planar opposing front and rear surfaces that is mounted on the shelf portion using the adhesive. An elastomeric ring may be compressed between sidewall portions of the trim member and the lens to help retain the lens within the camera window assembly.

Abstract: A proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fit in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone.

Abstract: A compact proximity sensor for use in a portable computing device is described. In particular various embodiments of a proximity sensor which fits in an extremely small portion of a cellular phone, and accurately determine the presence of a user's head in close proximity to a surface of the cellular phone. In particular, a high yield assembly process for installing the compact proximity sensor is described.

Abstract: A portable handheld test fixture has an acoustic port, e.g. a speaker port, a microphone, and/or an earpiece/receiver port. Once the media device has been installed onto the test fixture, the port becomes acoustically coupled to a respective acoustic aperture of the media device that is associated with a speaker, a microphone, or an earpiece/receiver as the case may be. A sound test tool, e.g. a reference sound source and/or a sound pressure level, SPL, meter, has an input or output sound port that can be removably coupled to the acoustic port of the test fixture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor, including for example a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, or any other suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen (e.g., to provide content displays).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for media devices including a housing, a frame disposed adjacent to the housing, and a microphone assembly that is integrated with the frame for receiving sound.

Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. In other embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods for robustly attaching a cover portion of an electronic device to a bottom portion, e.g., a housing portion, of the electronic device are described. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.

Abstract: Threaded structures such as threaded standoff structures may be provided with features that control the flow of solder. A base structure for a standoff may be formed from a material such as metal. During attachment of the standoff to a substrate such as a printed circuit board, the base structure may be exposed to molten solder. A solderphilic coating may be provided on the outer surface of the standoff to encourage wicking of solder up and over lower portions of the standoff and beneath the standoff, thereby helping to secure the standoff to the substrate. The center of the base structure may be provided with threads to receive screws. To prevent solder from covering the threads, the surface of the threads may be provided with a solderphobic surface.

Abstract: A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.