Abstract: An intraoral device is disclosed. The device includes a curved portion configured to extend along a user's teeth, and first and second back portions connected to the curved portion. In addition, the device includes a plurality of projections extending from each of the first and second back portions, where the projections are positioned such that, when in the user's mouth, the projections are between upper and lower teeth of the user.

Abstract: A device detects objects touching a first object icon representing a folder on a touch sensitive display and then moving in generally opposing directions, where the folder includes a plurality of constituent elements. In response to the detecting, additional object icons are rendered to display on the touch sensitive display, each additional object icon representing a respective constituent element, where the additional object icons are rendered in a pattern around the first object icon. The pattern of the additional object icons is animated.

Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product (14, 54, 64, 84, 94, 1800). In one embodiment, a device for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product comprises a design element (13, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 1804) having a substrate (1930) having a first image (1914) applied on a first side of the substrate; and a connector (11, 51, 61, 81, 91, 121, 131, 1802) in contact with the design element, wherein the connector has an opening and is configured to be removably connected to the consumer product, wherein at least a portion of the first image is directly visible to a user via the opening.

Abstract: A vertical fire pit with a cap to fully enclose a vertical tube having perforations, supported by a plate and base to hold one or more logs in a vertical position. The plate may be non-perforated to allow for collection of ash and leftover unburned log pieces at the bottom of the vertical tube or the plate may be perforated so that ash may fall into an ashtray allowing for easy collection and clean-up.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to securing portable devices and their accessories are provided. A housing for an accessory includes a passageway extending at least partially there through. A first feature extending outward from the passageway is removably securable to a portable device. A second feature extending outward from the passageway is removably securable to another entity. The accessory and the portable device are thus securable against theft.

Abstract: A device detects objects touching a first object icon representing a folder on a touch sensitive display and then moving in generally opposing directions, where the folder includes a plurality of constituent elements. In response to the detecting, additional object icons are rendered to display on the touch sensitive display, each additional object icon representing a respective constituent element, where the additional object icons are rendered in a pattern around the first object icon. The pattern of the additional object icons is animated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a removable cover panel for a display housing. According to one embodiment, the display housing includes an electronic display device for displaying images on a front side opposite a back side and a removable cover panel that substantially spans a surface area of the back side of the display device. In addition, a flexible ring is formed around the periphery of the display device while also being configured to hold the cover panel in a fixed position on the back side of said display device.

Abstract: An intraoral device is disclosed. The device includes a curved portion configured to extend along a user's teeth, and first and second back portions connected to the curved portion. In addition, the device includes a plurality of projections extending from each of the first and second back portions, where the projections are positioned such that, when in the user's mouth, the projections are between upper and lower teeth of the user.

Abstract: A method comprises detecting two fingers touching a first object icon on a touch sensitive display and then moving in generally opposing directions. The first object icon is associated with on or more constituent elements. In response to such detecting, the method causes additional object icons to appear on the display. Each additional object icon represents a constituent element of the first object icon.

Abstract: Various devices and methods are provided for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product (14, 54, 64, 84, 94, 1800). In one embodiment, a device for personalizing an appearance of a consumer product comprises a design element (13, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 103, 113, 123, 1804) having a substrate (1930) having a first image (1914) applied on a first side of the substrate; and a connector (11, 51, 61, 81, 91, 121, 131, 1802) in contact with the design element, wherein the connector has an opening and is configured to be removably connected to the consumer product, wherein at least a portion of the first image is directly visible to a user via the opening.

Abstract: Input/output (“I/O”) port systems and methods are provided. An I/O port system can include a housing having at least one exterior surface and a cover member. The cover member can obstruct at least a portion of an input/output port on the housing and not extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing when in a first cover position. The cover member can expose the I/O port and extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing, when translated away from the first cover position. The system can further include a support member operably connected to the cover member and the housing. When the cover member is disposed in the first cover position, the support member can be maintained in a first position proximate the housing. When the cover member is translated away from the first cover position, the support member can translate to a second support position extending from the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to securing portable devices and their accessories are provided. A housing for an accessory includes a passageway extending at least partially there through. A first feature extending outward from the passageway is removably securable to a portable device. A second feature extending outward from the passageway is removably securable to another entity. The accessory and the portable device are thus securable against theft.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to a hinge assembly. An example of the hinge assembly includes a pair of active hinges and a pair of passive hinges. The hinge assembly may be utilized in portable computing devices such as notebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Abstract: A system and method for document editing. A system includes an operator input device, a processor, gesture recognition program, and an edit mode program. The operator input device that senses gestures and multiple simultaneous touch points. The processor is coupled to the operator input device. The processor executes the gesture recognition program, which recognizes inputs from the input device. The gesture recognition program recognizes a predetermined edit mode gesture and, based only on the gesture, causes the processor to execute the edit mode program. The edit mode program provides a plurality of document editing functions for modifying a currently displayed document.

Abstract: Simulated anodized coating systems and methods are provided. The method can include preparing an exterior surface of a metallic electronic enclosure and applying a translucent powder coating to the prepared exterior surface of the metallic electronic enclosure. The method can also include curing the translucent powder coating to form a continuous, translucent, chromatic surface on the prepared exterior surface of the metallic electronic enclosure. The method can also include applying a transparent, matte, liquid coating over the cured translucent powder coating to provide a consistent matte, continuous, chromatic surface on the prepared exterior surface of the metallic electronic enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and apparatuses related to the deposition of coating particles. In general, mating particles my be electrically deposited on a conductive substrate. The coating particles may arranged or have their deposition altered based on a magnetic field.

Abstract: Covers for consumer products and various methods are described herein. In one embodiment, a cover for a consumer product comprises a film substrate configured to cover at least a portion of a surface of the consumer product, the surface including a display screen, the film substrate being at least partially light transmissive and comprising a window portion configured to allow at least a portion of the display screen to be at least partially viewable therethrough; and an image layer on another portion of the film substrate, the image layer configured to at least partially obscure an original appearance of the surface covered by the other portion of the film substrate. The film substrate and image layer cooperate to cover and protect the display screen and decorate the consumer product.

Abstract: An example of an electronic device is disclosed herein that includes a housing and a lid joined to the housing and movable between a closed position adjacent the housing to define an enclosed space and an open position. The electronic device additionally includes a vacuum latch assembly to exhaust air in the enclosed space to create a substantially fluid-tight environment within the enclosed space and to help retain the lid in the closed position. Additional features and components of the electronic device and vacuum latch assembly are disclosed herein, as are other examples thereof.

Abstract: Input/output (I/O) port systems and methods are provided. An I/O port system can include a housing having at least one exterior surface and a cover member. The cover member can obstruct at least a portion of an input/output port on the housing and not extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing when in a first cover position. The cover member can expose the I/O port and extend beyond the exterior surface of the housing, when translated away from the first cover position. The system can further include a support member operably connected to the cover member and the housing. When the cover member is disposed in the first cover position, the support member can be maintained in a first position proximate the housing. When the cover member is translated away from the first cover position, the support member can translate to a second support position extending from the housing.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to a hinge assembly. An example of the hinge assembly includes a pair of active hinges and a pair of passive hinges. The hinge assembly may be utilized in portable computing devices such as notebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs).