Abstract: A read head is provided with a scissors sensor. The read head may include a bottom magnetic shield, and a first non-magnetic seed layer, a magnetic seed layer, a second non-magnetic seed layer, an antiferromagnetic layer, a coupling layer, a first free magnetic layer, a spacer layer, and a second free magnetic layer positioned above the bottom magnetic shield, in this order. A pair of magnetic side shield layers may be positioned on respective sides of the second free magnetic layer.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide audio jacks capable of providing a sufficient retention force to avoid some inadvertent extractions of an audio plug. Examples may also provide audio jacks that may be readily assembled. Other examples may provide other types of connectors. These audio jacks or other connectors may provide contact structures having one or more contacts, each having a contact support to increase contact retention force. Different materials may be used to form the contacts and the contact supports. In this way, contacts may be formed using a highly conductive material, while the contact supports may be formed of a material having good spring characteristics. While such a contact may not be able to provide an adequate retention force on its own, the use of a contact support may sufficiently increase the retention force to prevent accidental extractions of an audio plug or other connector.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are structures, devices, methods and systems for providing haptic output on an electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes an actuator configured to move in a first direction. The electronic device also includes a substrate coupled to the actuator. When the actuator moves in the first direction, the substrate or a portion of the substrate, by virtue of being coupled to the actuator, moves in a second direction. In some implementations, the movement of the substrate is perpendicular to the movement of the actuator.

Abstract: Power cables that include plug housings having an improved appearance as well as employ a halogen-free cable while providing adequate fire resistance. One example provides a power cable having cable plug with a substantially unitary body. Another example provides a power cable that is formed using halogen-free materials. To provide adequate fire protection, a strain relief formed using multiple materials is used.

Abstract: Connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat, or it may have other shapes. Another example may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. Another example may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact, where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact.

Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dome switch and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap. The embodiment may further include a domed structure having upper and lower portions. The domed structure may be configured to deform in response to an input force received at the upper portion by the key cap. The embodiment may further include a collar affixed to the lower portion and extending toward the key cap. The collar may resist deformation of the domed surface.

Abstract: Keyboards include mechanisms that prevent and/or alleviate contaminant ingress. In some embodiments, a keyboard assembly includes a substrate, a key cap, a movement mechanism moveably coupling the key cap to the substrate, and a guard structure coupled to the key cap operable to direct contaminants away from the movement mechanism. In other embodiments, a keyboard includes a base; a web that defines apertures; keys moveably coupled to the base within the apertures; and a gasket coupled to the keys, the gasket fixed between the web and the base, operable to block passage of contaminants into the apertures.

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: Connector inserts and receptacles that provide signal paths having desired impedance characteristics. One example may provide a connector system having a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Contacts in the connector insert may form signal paths with corresponding contacts in the connector receptacle. Additional traces in the connector insert and receptacle may be part of these signal paths. The signal paths may have a target or a desired impedance along their lengths such that the power paths electrically appear as transmission lines. Constraints on physical dimensions of the connector insert and connector receptacle contacts may result in variations in impedance along the signal paths. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide structures to reduce these variations, to compensate for these variations, or a combination thereof.

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: Connector inserts having a high signal integrity and low insertion loss by shielding signal contacts. One example may provide one or more ground contacts between a front opening and signal pins of a connector insert. These ground contacts may have sufficient lever arm to provide a good contact to a corresponding contact in a connector receptacle. To avoid excessive length in the connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may stack a portion of the ground contact above the signal contacts in the connector insert. To reduce excessive capacitance that would otherwise reduce signal impedance, one or more openings may be formed in the ground contacts. To prevent signal contacts from shorting to a shield through this opening, the opening may be covered by tape. The ground contacts may be positioned to avoid encountering power contacts in the receptacle when the insert is inserted into the receptacle.

Abstract: Connector receptacle assemblies that may be simple to manufacture, provide multiple receptacles, and provide a good ground contact path. One example may provide a connector receptacle assembly formed of a housing having a tongue that may include openings on one or more sides for contacts as well as openings on its sides for ground contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having at least two tongues, where each tongue may be aligned with a corresponding opening in a device enclosure. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a tongue with a center ground contact, where the center ground contact may be located between the top row and the bottom row of contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a titanium-copper center ground contact.

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: Connector receptacles that have good signal integrity, are reduced in size, are reliable and durable, and are easy to assemble. One example may provide a connector receptacle having several ground connections to improve signal integrity and quality.

Abstract: Connector inserts having latches, bayonets, or similar structures as retention features. The connector inserts may include these bayonets on one or more sides or other portions of the connector insert. The bayonets may be located inside of a connector insert while the connector insert is being inserted into a receptacle, thereby reducing wear and marring of the receptacle. The bayonets may extend out of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and may engage corresponding retention features in the connector receptacle, thereby reducing the chances of an inadvertent disconnection. When the bayonets are located inside the connector insert, the connector insert may be in a first state, while when the bayonets are extended, the connector insert may be in a second state. The connector insert may retain state in either the first or second state in the absence of a user applied force.

Abstract: A key mechanism is disclosed. The key mechanism comprises a keycap, a dome support structure positioned relative to the keycap and defining an opening, an actuation mechanism coupled to the keycap, and a collapsible dome positioned in the opening of the dome support structure. The actuation mechanism is configured to movably support the keycap relative to the dome support structure. The dome comprises an upstop member configured to limit upward travel of the collapsible dome.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive (MR) device and process for making the MR device are disclosed. The MR device has a pinned layer, a spacer layer proximate to the pinned layer, and a free layer proximate to the spacer layer. The free layer comprises a first magnetic layer proximate to the spacer layer, the first magnetic layer having a positive magnetostriction, a laminate magnetic insertion layer proximate to the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer proximate to the magnetic insertion layer, the second magnetic layer having a negative magnetostriction. The laminate magnetic insertion layer has a first magnetic sublayer and a first non-magnetic sublayer proximate to the first magnetic sublayer. With the disclosed laminate magnetic insertion layer, the free layer has a low overall magnetostriction and results in a MR device with a high MR ratio.

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: Connecting structures to mechanically connect to a connector receptacle tongue and a printed circuit board and to electrically connect contacts on the connector receptacle tongue to traces on the printed circuit board. One example may provide an interposer having a housing and a plurality of contacts to connect a vertical tongue to a horizontal printed circuit board. The contacts may have a side or tongue connecting portion extending beyond a side of the housing and a bottom or board contacting portion extending beyond a bottom of the housing. The contacts may form a ninety-degree bend. A shield may at least substantially surround a vertical side of the housing.