Abstract: A haptic button assembly may be used for detecting inputs and providing haptic outputs at an electronic device. The haptic outputs may be provided in response to detected inputs or in response to other conditions at the electronic device. The haptic button assembly may define an input surface along an exterior of the electronic device. Inputs may be provided to the input surface of the haptic button assembly. An input may include a touch input on or along the input surface and/or a force input directed substantially perpendicularly to the input surface. The haptic button assembly may provide a haptic output by moving an input member of the haptic button assembly laterally (e.g., substantially parallel to the input surface).

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure and a keyboard positioned within the enclosure. The keyboard includes a substrate and a key mechanism. The key mechanism includes a keycap support mechanism, a keycap supported by the keycap support mechanism and movable relative to the substrate, a ferromagnetic component attached to the keycap support mechanism, and a selectively magnetizable magnet. The selectively magnetizable magnet system may include a magnetizable material and a coil configured to selectively magnetize and demagnetize the magnetizable material. The key mechanism may include a collapsible dome biasing the keycap toward the extended position.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to be flexed about a bend axis. A display may span the bend axis. To facilitate bending about the bend axis without damage when the display is cold, a portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis may be selectively heated. The portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis may be self-heated by illuminating pixels in the portion of the display that overlap the bend axis or may be heated using a heating element or other heating structure that provides heat to the portion of the display overlapping the bend axis. Control circuitry may engage a latching mechanism that prevents opening and closing of the electronic device when the temperature of the portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electronic devices having piezoelectric haptic actuators to generate haptic output. The haptic actuators can be configured as a beam with a bendable material layer and a piezoelectric material layer the cause the beam to bend. The bending force can be increased by coupling a magnet to the beam and positioning a ferritic plate near the magnet. Alternatively, a ferritic plate can be attached to the beam, with the magnet positioned apart from, but near, the plate. The haptic actuator can have a two-sided piezoelectric configuration, having a piezoelectric layer on each side of the bendable material layer. A two-sided piezoelectric configuration can have a second magnet and ferritic plate pair on a side of the beam opposite the first. The haptic actuator may use electromagnets.

Abstract: Haptic interfaces are described. One haptic interface includes a piezoelectric body and first and second electrodes coupled to the piezoelectric body. The haptic interface also includes a control circuit. The control circuit includes a haptic actuator, a haptic sensor circuit, and an overcurrent protection circuit. The haptic actuator circuit is coupled to the first electrode and configured to charge the piezoelectric body. The charging causes the piezoelectric body to provide a haptic output. The haptic sensor circuit is coupled to the second electrode and configured to sense an electrical change at the second electrode. The electrical change is related to a haptic input received by the piezoelectric body. The overcurrent protection circuit is coupled to the second electrode and configured to limit a current flow into the haptic sensor circuit while the haptic actuator circuit is charging the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes one or more bumpers that are operable to transition between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the bumpers may be proud of one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device that the bumpers are not proud of in the stowed position. The bumpers may protect the surfaces from impact when proud of those surfaces if the portable electronic device contacts a surface, such as when the portable electronic device is dropped. The bumpers may form portions of side corners or other portions of the portable electronic device in the stowed position. In transitioning from the stowed position to the deployed position, the bumpers may rotate and/or translate.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a hinge that allows the device to be flexed about a bend axis. A display may span the bend axis. To facilitate bending about the bend axis without damage when the display is cold, a portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis may be selectively heated. The portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis may be self-heated by illuminating pixels in the portion of the display that overlap the bend axis or may be heated using a heating element or other heating structure that provides heat to the portion of the display overlapping the bend axis. Control circuitry may engage a latching mechanism that prevents opening and closing of the electronic device when the temperature of the portion of the display that overlaps the bend axis is below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Haptic interfaces are described. One haptic interface includes a piezoelectric body and first and second electrodes coupled to the piezoelectric body. The haptic interface also includes a control circuit. The control circuit includes a haptic actuator, a haptic sensor circuit, and an overcurrent protection circuit. The haptic actuator circuit is coupled to the first electrode and configured to charge the piezoelectric body. The charging causes the piezoelectric body to provide a haptic output. The haptic sensor circuit is coupled to the second electrode and configured to sense an electrical change at the second electrode. The electrical change is related to a haptic input received by the piezoelectric body. The overcurrent protection circuit is coupled to the second electrode and configured to limit a current flow into the haptic sensor circuit while the haptic actuator circuit is charging the piezoelectric body.

Abstract: A watch band can provide both a physical connection and an electrical connection with a watch body of a watch. The watch band is fixed relative to the watch body and an electrical connection is either performed either simultaneously or shortly thereafter. The electrical connection enables data and power transfer between the watch body and the watch band. The electrical connection can also be performed by a secondary user interaction. Secondary user inactions can involve the user sliding, pulling, pushing, or rotating a portion of the watch band or watch body.

Abstract: A watch band can provide both a physical connection and an electrical connection with a watch body of a watch. The watch band is fixed relative to the watch body and an electrical connection is either performed either simultaneously or shortly thereafter. The electrical connection enables data and power transfer between the watch body and the watch band. The electrical connection may also be performed by a secondary user interaction. Secondary user inactions may involve the user sliding, pulling, pushing, or rotating a portion of the watch band or watch body.

Abstract: A haptic actuator features magnets coupled to an enclosure and a movable mass with a conduction loop coupled to the enclosure via one or more movement elastic members. One or more conduction elastic members may be used to transmit signals to the conduction loop to cause the movable mass to move bilinearly relative to the enclosure and the magnets. The magnets may consist of a Halbach array to direct magnetic flux toward the conduction loop and away from other device components. Ferrofluid may be included between one or more of the magnets and the conduction loop to act as a damper in the system to improve haptic feedback. Closed loop control, such as back EMF, capacitive sensing, and magnetic sensing, may be included to improve system response.

Abstract: A low-profile blood pressure measurement system and methods of use are disclosed. The system includes an expandable member or structure that has a multi-compartment structure and/or is mounted on a rigid surface or structure. The system is incorporated into a portable multi-function device, or is configured to communicate with a portable multi-function device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes one or more bumpers that are operable to transition between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the bumpers may be proud of one or more surfaces of the portable electronic device that the bumpers are not proud of in the stowed position. The bumpers may protect the surfaces from impact when proud of those surfaces if the portable electronic device contacts a surface, such as when the portable electronic device is dropped. The bumpers may form portions of side corners or other portions of the portable electronic device in the stowed position. In transitioning from the stowed position to the deployed position, the bumpers may rotate and/or translate.

Abstract: A system and method for burnishing the edges and corners of hard disk drive sliders uses a combination of flexible tape fixturing and mechanical protrusions located beneath the tape to systematically orient selected slider corners and edges to be exposed to an abrasive in a flexible manner. This solution carefully exposes the sliders even when there is very little clearance between the sliders. A variety of different rounding geometries are achieved by customizing the protrusions underneath the flexible tape. Multiple slider corners and/or edges are exposed to the abrasive at one time for bulk processing. The sliders are oriented in such a way that sensitive structures located on the air bearing surfaces of the sliders are not harmed during burnishing.

Abstract: A system and method for burnishing the edges and corners of hard disk drive sliders uses a combination of flexible tape fixturing and mechanical protrusions located beneath the tape to systematically orient selected slider corners and edges to be exposed to an abrasive in a flexible manner. This solution carefully exposes the sliders even when there is very little clearance between the sliders. A variety of different rounding geometries are achieved by customizing the protrusions underneath the flexible tape. Multiple slider corners and/or edges are exposed to the abrasive at one time for bulk processing. The sliders are oriented in such a way that sensitive structures located on the air bearing surfaces of the sliders are not harmed during burnishing.

Abstract: A number wheel assembly (10) for a counter mechanism has a plurality of number wheels (13-18), each number wheel (13-18) having a sleeve (48) around its circumference with a plurality of positions representing successive increments in a count, a substrate (26-31) opposite one surface of the number wheel (13-18), the substrate (26-31) carrying an electrode (42) that is spaced from the number wheel (13-18) to form an air gap for a variable capacitor, and wherein the number wheel (13-18) carries at least one dielectric element (46) that is rotated with the number wheel (13-18) to vary the capacitance of the variable capacitor according to the position of the number wheel (13-18). Circuitry for detecting the capacitance and the position of the number wheels (13-18) is provided on a circuit board (39) that is electrically connected to the number wheels (13-18).