Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a backlight integrated membrane for a keyboard. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a keyboard having a key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the key cap and a membrane may be positioned below the feature plate. The membrane may include a transparent substrate optically coupled to a light emitting element. The membrane may also include electrical traces for a key switch disposed on the transparent substrate. The embodiment may further include a domed structure positioned on the membrane and configured to actuate the key switch when depressed.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a charging component for an electronic device that includes an interface surface comprising a portion of an external surface of a housing of the electronic device; a plurality of contacts positioned at the interface surface and exposed for making contact with contacts of a connector; one or more sensors for detecting a separation event; an inductor coil positioned proximate to the interface surface, wherein a central axis of the inductor coil is perpendicular to at least a portion of the interface surface; and a processor coupled to the inductor coil and the one or more sensors, wherein the processor is configured to change an operation of the inductor coil based at least in part on a measurement from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.

Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a charging component for an electronic device that includes an interface surface comprising a portion of an external surface of a housing of the electronic device; a plurality of contacts positioned at the interface surface and exposed for making contact with contacts of a connector; one or more sensors for detecting a separation event; an inductor coil positioned proximate to the interface surface, wherein a central axis of the inductor coil is perpendicular to at least a portion of the interface surface; and a processor coupled to the inductor coil and the one or more sensors, wherein the processor is configured to change an operation of the inductor coil based at least in part on a measurement from the one or more sensors

Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a low profile key for a keyboard having an overmolded support structure. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap having an illuminable symbol. A support structure having a pair of overmolded wings may pivotally couple to the key cap. A switch housing may surround the support structure and connect each of the first and second wings. A tactile dome may be at least partially positioned within the switch housing and configured to bias the key cap upward. A sensing membrane may be positioned along an underside surface of the tactile dome and configured to trigger a switch event in response to a collapsing of the tactile dome caused by a depression of the key cap. A feature plate may be positioned below the sensing membrane. A light guide panel may define at least one light extraction feature that may be configured to propagate light toward the key cap and cause illumination of the illuminable symbol.

Abstract: A device may include a display portion that includes a display housing and a display at least partially within the display housing. The device may also include a base portion pivotally coupled to the display portion and including a bottom case, a top case coupled to the bottom case and defining an array of raised key regions, and a sensing system below the top case and configured to detect an input applied to a raised key region of the array of raised key regions.

Abstract: Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.

Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.

Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The portable computing device can include a case snap system configured to movably attach two portions of a base of the computing device together. The portable computing device can include a lid portion with a support structure having a shaped profile configured to support a display. The portable computing device can include locating features disposed within the base portion configured to locate internal components.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.

Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a sensor, the sensor having a free layer, a ferromagnetic spin sink layer spaced from the free layer, the spin sink layer being operative to reduce a spin-induced damping in the free layer during operation of the sensor, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer positioned between the free layer and the spin sink layer, the spacer layer having a long spin-diffusion length.

Abstract: Connectors that may provide illumination at an opening in order to facilitate the mating to a corresponding connector by a user. The illumination may be generated on a tongue of a connector insert or in a connector receptacle. For connector receptacles, illumination may be guided to illuminate an opening of the connector receptacle, it may be guided out of a front edge of a tongue in the connector receptacle, or it may be guided in other directions. For connector inserts, illumination may be out of a front edge or sides of a tongue in the connector insert, or it may be guided in other directions. The illumination may be colored or patterned to convey information to a user. Other examples may include a connector system having a connector insert with a light guide to provide illumination from a connector receptacle to an opening in the connector insert where it may be viewed by a user.

Abstract: Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.

Abstract: An electronic device including a universal serial bus type-C connector. The connector includes a first plurality of contacts and a second plurality of contacts. Each of the first plurality of contacts and each of the second plurality of contacts include a first layer formed of a first material and a second layer formed of a second material, the second layer over the first layer. The second layer is present in a first area of each of the first plurality of contacts and the second layer is absent from the first area of each of the second plurality of contacts.