Electrically Connected Through Hinge Means Patents (Class 361/679.28)
  • Patent number: 11925002
    Abstract: A casing structure with functionality of effective thermal management is disclosed, which consists of a casing member, a low thermal conductivity medium, a second heat spreader, and a first heat spreader. When a user operates the electronic device, heat generated from CPU and/or GPU is transferred to the second heat spreader via the first heat spreader, and then is two-dimensionally spread in the second heat spreader. Consequently, the heat is dissipated away from the casing member to air due to the outstanding thermal radiation ability of the casing member. The low thermal conductivity medium is adopted for controlling a heat transfer of heat transferring paths from the heat source and ends to the casing member. By applying the casing structure in an electronic device by a form of a top casing and/or a back casing, an outer surface temperature of the casing member can be well controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: AMLI MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Jia Huang, Chun-Kai Lin, Chih-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 11886257
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge structure configured to connect the first housing and the second housing, and a foldable display module. The hinge structure includes a rotating shaft, a first idle gear, a second idle gear, a first gear, a second gear, a first pressing member configured to move the first gear toward the second gear, and a first interconnecting structure formed between the first gear and the second gear to enable the first gear to engage with the second gear, the first interconnecting structure being formed between the first gear and the second gear such that, as first pressing member moves the first gear toward the second gear, the first gear and the second gear receive with rotational forces in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongkeun Kim, Hyungsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11768520
    Abstract: A window includes: a substrate including a folding area, a non-folding area, an upper surface, and a lower surface, wherein the folding area is configured to fold about a folding axis; and a plurality of groove patterns arranged in the folding area along a first direction crossing the folding axis, wherein each of the plurality of groove patterns includes: a bottom surface recessed from the upper surface of the substrate and substantially parallel to the upper surface of the substrate; and a side surface, wherein each side surface of the plurality of groove patterns connects each bottom surface of the plurality of groove patterns to the upper surface of the substrate, and wherein the side surface includes at least one curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunghoon Kim, Yuri Kim, Kang-Woo Lee, Seongjin Hwang
  • Patent number: 11720151
    Abstract: The description relates to hinged devices, such as hinged computing devices. One example can include a first portion and a second portion that are rotatably secured to a hinge assembly that define a first hinge axis that the first portion rotates around and a second hinge axis that the second portion rotates around. The hinge assembly can also include a first timing gear associated with the first portion and a second timing gear associated with the second portion. The first timing gear can rotate around a first timing axis that is parallel to and offset from the first hinge axis. The second timing gear can rotate around a second timing axis that is parallel to and offset from the second hinge axis. The first and second timing gears can directly intermesh with one another to synchronize rotation around the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLc
    Inventors: Daniel C. Park, Denys V. Yaremenko
  • Patent number: 11703907
    Abstract: An example apparatus Includes a first hinge, a first housing having a hinge region and a support panel, where the support panel is to extend from the hinge region. The apparatus also Includes a first display device rotatably coupled to the support panel via the first hinge, a second housing having a set of external electrical contact to provide power to a removable input device, a second hinge to rotatably couple the first housing to the second housing, and a second display device fixedly coupled to the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Hyunmin Moon
  • Patent number: 11681329
    Abstract: An electronic device assembly is provided, including an electronic device body and a detachable lens module. The electronic device body has a housing and a first joining unit, wherein the first joining unit is disposed on the housing. The detachable lens module is detachably assembled onto the housing and has a second joining unit, wherein the first joining unit is joined to the second joining unit to electrically connect the detachable lens module to the electronic device body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu-Shih Wang, Yi-Ta Huang, Chih-Chun Liu, Cheng-Nan Ling, Wen-Chieh Tai, Chi-Hung Lai, Wu-Chen Lee, Pin-Chueh Lin, Chih-Wei Liao, Ting-Wen Pai, Wen-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 11474566
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device, including a first housing, a second housing, and a snap release module. The first housing is provided with a fastening slot. The second housing is provided with an accommodation slot. The snap release module is accommodated in the accommodation slot, and includes a slide member, an elastic component, a hook, and a stop member. The slide member reciprocates in a first axial direction. When the first housing is assembled to the second housing in the second axial direction, the slide member is located at the snap position for the hook to be buckled in the fastening slot, and the first housing presses the stop member so that the stop member abuts against the slide member. When the slide member slides from the snap position to the release position, the stop member stops the slide member and the hook is detached from the fastening slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Fu Chang, Hsiao-Fan Chen, I-Tien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11388828
    Abstract: A chassis member is used for an electronic device, including a face plate, and a frame to be fixed to one face of the face plate and provided along at least one side of a peripheral edge of the one face. The frame is formed by laminating a plurality of layers of a prepreg containing reinforced fiber impregnated with resin. The frame has a frame body to be fixed to the one face, and a shaft supporting portion formed integrally with the frame body and formed with an insertion hole for press-fitting a shaft-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Fumitake Mizoguchi, Seita Horikoshi, Kazuya Umejima, Takayuki Morino
  • Patent number: 11360519
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, at least one hinge, and at least one electronic assembly. The hinge is connected between the first body and the second body, and the first body and the second body are adapted to rotate relatively through the hinge. The electronic assembly is connected to the second body. A first gap exists between the electronic assembly and the hinge in an axial direction of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Chung Peng, Jih-Houng Lee, Ko-Fan Chen, Hsin-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 11304300
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, it is possible to provide an electronic device including: a housing; a first printed circuit board disposed in the housing; a second printed circuit board disposed in the housing and spaced apart from the first printed circuit board; a first flexible printed circuit board electrically connecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board; and a second flexible printed circuit board electrically connecting the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board, in which the second flexible printed circuit board may be longer than the first flexible printed circuit board. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Woo, Jungchul An, Seungki Choi
  • Patent number: 10915149
    Abstract: A device includes a housing. The housing can define a duct having a central axis. A first loading surface can extend into the duct toward the central axis, while a second loading surface can extend into the duct toward the central axis. A first driver and a second driver can be situated within the duct along the central axis. The first driver can abut the second driver. A first spring biases the first driver away from the first loading surface, thereby causing the first driver to apply a first loading force to the second driver. A second spring applies a second loading force to the second driver, along a common direction with the first loading force, to bias the second driver away from the second loading surface, with the first spring and second spring operating in parallel on the second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Roger Harmon, Alberto Cavallaro, Wayne Morrison, Jee-Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 10786065
    Abstract: A casing for a cosmetic product includes at least one base and a cover which are movably mounted with respect to each other between at least one closed position and an open position of the casing in which means for supporting at least one cosmetic product are accessible. The cover is configured to receive at least display means. The base includes at least one housing with the support means. The casing includes a device for processing data of the contactless type that is at least capable of reading one or more items of data contained in at least one data support integral with the means for supporting when the support means are mounted in the at least one housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ALBEA SERVICES
    Inventors: Franck Seguin, Melodie Bazinval, Emir Ezzina, Etienne Briere
  • Patent number: 10579107
    Abstract: Reversible connector orientation detection circuitry, reversibly connectible devices having multiple device portions, and methods for determining a connection orientation of multiple device portions of a hardware device are provided herein. A hardware device can include a first device portion and a second device portion. A first resistor can be in a first side of the first device portion. A second resistor can be in a first side of the second device portion, and a third resistor can be in a second side of the second device portion. Connection of the first device portion to the second device portion in different orientations creates, through the resistors, different voltages that can be compared by a digital logic device to indicate orientation. The compared voltages are within either a low voltage range below a digital logic low threshold or a high voltage range above a digital logic high threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: James Hao-An Chen Lin, Jyhlin Chang, Manish Shah
  • Patent number: 10444794
    Abstract: A dock can comprise a keyboard; and a frame supporting the keyboard. The frame can include a cover, at least one spring, a support, and a protrusion. The cover can define at least one hole. The at least one spring can secure the cover to the support. The support can be attached to the frame and to the spring. The support can include a ferromagnetic material. The at least one protrusion can extend from the support into the at least one hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Valentin de la Fuente
  • Patent number: 10411750
    Abstract: A smart device assembly and a protection case for a smart device are provided. The protection case includes a rear case and a cover plate. A membrane switch is placed in the cover plate, and an outer surface of the cover plate includes a key window arranged corresponding to a key portion in the membrane switch. An extension wire of a lower circuit layer of the membrane switch is extended out from the cover plate. A spring pogo pin connector is arranged on the extension wire of the lower circuit layer of the membrane switch. A slot is formed in the smart device. A pogo pin base connected to a GPIO pin of a processor of the smart device is disposed inside a body of the smart device. A contact point of the pogo pin base is exposed in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HuiZhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jizhong Li, Chenyang Li, Chunxiong Wu
  • Patent number: 10353435
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a keyboard portion that includes a plurality of keys; a display portion that includes a first display interconnect for operating the electronic device in a first configuration, and a second display interconnect for operating the electronic device in a second configuration; and a docking portion that includes a keyboard interconnect configured to be mated with at least one of the first display interconnect and the second display interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Shanjun Deng, Hong W. Wong, Xiaoguo Liang, Jiancheng Johnson Tao, Wah Yiu Kwong
  • Patent number: 10067532
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first machine body and a second machine body adapted to be detachably assembled to the first machine body. The first machine body includes a first casing, a first hinge fixed to a side of the first casing, a second hinge pivoted to the first hinge along an axis, and a first connecting member disposed at the side and linked to the second hinge. The first and the second hinges are covered by the first casing. The second machine body includes a second casing and a second connecting member. When the first machine body is assembled to the second machine body, the first connecting member is fixed to the second connecting member, the second hinge is fixed jointly so that the first hinge is rotatable related to the second hinge. Accordingly, the first casing is rotatable related to the second casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jyh-Chyang Tzou, Tsai-Wen Mao, Yao-Tsung Yeh, Huai-Te Tseng, Chia-Chi Sun, Ming-Chung Peng, Yung-Hsiang Chen, Chien-I Lin, Hsin-Hui Huang, Chien-Chia Huang, Tsung-Han Yang
  • Patent number: 10050398
    Abstract: A dock connector support structure is to mate with a corresponding structure of a mating connector. A magnet magnetically attaches the dock connector support structure to the corresponding structure of the mating connector. A signal contact and a further contact are supported by the dock connector support structure. The signal contact is to communicatively connect with a contact of the mating connector. The further contact is selected from among a high-power contact to supply power in excess of five watts, and a wireless element contact to connect to a wireless communication element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ivan Dejesus Chousal, Ben Wynne, Samiel H Chau
  • Patent number: 10037051
    Abstract: A computer has a tablet (4) and a base (6) detachably connected by hinge (14). Receptacles (20) and plugs (22) form electrical and mechanical connections when the tablet (4) and base (6) are coupled. The base (6) is connected via the hinge (14) to a pivoting rail (12) that has plugs (18) and a first contact (26) on a longitudinal side (17) directed toward the tablet (4). The tablet (4) has receptacles (20) and a second contact (28) on a longitudinal side (23) directed toward the pivoting rail (6). The hinge (46) has toothing system pairs (30), a setting device (32) assigned to a toothing system pair (30) and friction hinge elements (38, 40). Each toothing system pair (30) has two toothing system elements (34, 36) arranged symmetrically to a transverse axis (33) and engaging one another. Each friction hinge (32) is assigned at least one toothing system pair (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Joerg Tragatschnig
  • Patent number: 9793630
    Abstract: An Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver is provided. The improvement comprises a MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector replacing a SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector. Furthermore, a method for replacing the SAMTEC ST4-10-2.50L-D-P-TR user connector of the Iridium 9603/9603N SBD Transceiver with the MOLEX 501591-2011 user connector is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: METOCEAN TELEMATICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Chedrawy, Vincent Wilson, Danny Garon, Paul Brooks
  • Patent number: 9684344
    Abstract: An exterior case includes a first member to which a hinge bracket is attached, a fastener portion being a portion of the first member surrounding a hole in the first member, and being thickened in a thickness direction of the first member, a second member that is fixed to the first member and surrounds the fastener portion of the first member, and at least one fastener screw screwed into the hole to fasten the first member and the second member together and to fasten the hinge bracket to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasufumi Yamamoto, Masuo Ohnishi, Takashi Abe, Sonomasa Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9477260
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a bezel configured to mechanically couple to a housing for housing components of an information handling system may include one or more mechanical features for mechanically coupling the bezel to the housing, an information handling resource mechanically coupled to a mechanical structure of the bezel, and a bezel connector having a plurality of pins communicatively coupled to the information handling resource. The bezel connector may be configured to communicatively couple the information handling resource to a second information handling resource of the information handling system housed within the housing when the bezel is mechanically coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Corey Dean Hartman, Salvador D. Jimenez, III, Syed S. Ahmed
  • Patent number: 9395762
    Abstract: Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a hinge assembly to secure a top portion of the electronic device to an accessory. The hinge assembly is to allow a rotation of the top portion in relation to the accessory. The hinge assembly may include a plurality of discs to receive a plurality of segments of the accessory as the hinge assembly engages to secure the top portion of the electronic device to the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sameer Sharma, Douglas Satzger, Gadi Amit, Yoshikazu Hoshino, Chadwick Harber, Daniel Clifton, Phil Houdek, Stanislav Moiseyenko, Nathan Jauvtis
  • Patent number: 9335792
    Abstract: A docking device according to an embodiment, on which an electronic apparatus is mounted in a demountable manner, includes a hook member, a hook interlocking member interlocking with the hook member and a latching member. By the operation to a demount-operating part, the hook member slidingly moves from a locking position where the hook member engages with an engaging hole of the electronic apparatus, to an unlocking position where the hook member does not engage with the engaging hole. When the electronic apparatus is not mounted on the docking device, the latching member is pressed up to a first level where it does not latch the hook interlocking member, and protrudes from a mounting surface on which the electronic apparatus is mounted. When the electronic apparatus is mounted, the latching member is pressed down to a second level where it can latch the hook interlocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takuo Matsumoto, Tetsuo Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9250853
    Abstract: An adhesive display system includes at least one adhesive display panel including a flexible display unit and an adhesive layer, at least one connector connected to the at least one adhesive display panel to apply a data driving signal thereto, and an external device configured to apply data to the at least one connector. The at least one adhesive display panel is connected to each other using the at least one connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suyeon Yun, Young-Seok Ji
  • Patent number: 9223356
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first body and a second body. The first body has a lock portion. The second body includes a main body, a lock component, an actuator and a retainer. The main body is configured to be detachably assembled to the first body. The lock component is movably disposed in the main body. The actuator is disposed in the main body. The retainer is connected to the actuator, in which when the main body is detachably assembled to the first body and the lock component is located at a first position, the lock component locks the lock portion to prevent the main body being separated from the first body, and the actuator is configured to drive the retainer pushing the lock component so as to prevent the lock component departing from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Po-Feng Chuang, Yu-Hsuan Ku, Shih-Huei Liu, Ming-Wang Lin
  • Patent number: 9148965
    Abstract: A display module and an electronic device are provided. The display module includes a housing, a pivot rod, and a flexible circuit board. The housing has a connection portion, wherein the connection portion has a connecting hole. The pivot rod is partially disposed in the connecting hole. The flexible circuit board includes a first transmission section, a second transmission section, and a connecting section that connects the previous two sections. The connecting section is disposed in a traverse direction with respect to the extending directions of the first transmission section and the second transmission section and wraps around the pivot rod with the traverse direction as an axial direction, wherein the connecting section is at least partially disposed in the connecting hole such that the first transmission section is in the housing and the second transmission section is outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keng-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 9136230
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an integrated circuit (IC) device. For example, the IC device can include a substrate configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board (PCB), an IC die attached to the substrate, and a waveguide launcher formed on the substrate. The waveguide launcher is electrically coupled to the IC die through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sergei Demin, Shaul Klein, Igal Yehuda Kushnir
  • Patent number: 9128671
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a docking device and an assembly comprising the docking device and a tablet computer. The docking device comprises a pair of frame members defining receiving space for receiving the tablet computer, each frame member includes a connection portion and a supporting portion; and a virtual input device pivotably mounted within an opening between the connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Lee
  • Patent number: 9042087
    Abstract: A docking station and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a portable computer and a docking station. The docking station includes a body, a base and a connecter, and the portable computer is detachably connected to the docking station. The base is movably connected to the body. The connecter disposed on the base is movable with the base relative to the body. The body is electrically connected to the portable computer via the connecter, and thus the portable computer can move relative to the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chih Hung, Kuan-Ting Chen, Hsuan-Wu Wei, Ming-Chin Yang
  • Publication number: 20150138714
    Abstract: A system can include a display unit that includes extremely high frequency (EHF) radio frequency band communication circuitry; a base unit that includes extremely high frequency (EHF) radio frequency band communication circuitry; a mechanism that releasably couples the display unit and the base unit to define a coupled state; a hinge that orients the display unit with respect to the base unit in the coupled state; and a polymer ribbon waveguide that interconnects the communication circuitry of the display unit and the communication circuitry of the base unit in the coupled state. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Charles Davis
  • Patent number: 9025318
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a stylus having a retractable connector for use with a computing device. According to one embodiment, the stylus includes an outer housing and a connector configured to attach to a port on the computing device so as to maintain the stylus in a fixed position adjacent to the computing device. Furthermore, the connector is capable of extending from the housing of the stylus into a first position and also retracting into the stylus housing into a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Britt C Ashcraft, Eric Chen, Michael Delpier, Dustin L Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9012785
    Abstract: A flexible multilayer substrate includes a multilayer body including a plurality of laminated resin layers. The multilayer body includes an innermost surface, which is a surface on an inner side when the substrate is bent, and an outermost surface, which is a surface on an outer side when the substrate is bent. Each of the plurality of resin layers includes a skin layer on one surface. Lamination of the multilayer body includes a skin layer joint plane at one location at a central portion in the thickness direction, and the skin layer and other surface come in contact with each other at another location along the central portion in the thickness direction. A skin layer joint plane is arranged on a side closer to the innermost surface than a central plane in the thickness direction of the multilayer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihito Otsubo
  • Patent number: 9013867
    Abstract: A handheld computing device may include a first screen having a first display, a second screen having a second display, and a hinge connected to the first and second screens. The hinge may include a plurality of axes to enable the first and second screens to rotate about distinct axes. The hinge may include a hub having an internal passage configured to electrically couple the first and second screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, Michael J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9007760
    Abstract: A hinge assembly having a hollow clutch is arranged to pivotally couple a portable computer base portion to a portable computer lid portion. The hinge assembly includes at least a hollow cylindrical portion that includes an annular outer region and a central bore region, the central bore region suitably arranged to provide support for electrical conductors between the base and lid portions. The hinge assembly also includes a plurality of fastening components that couple the hollow clutch to the base portion and the lid portion of the portable computer, with at least one of the fastening regions being integrally formed with the hollow cylindrical portion such that space, size and part count are minimized. The integrally formed fastening region(s) can be flat with holes dispersed therethrough for screws, bolts or the like. The central bore can also support a heat transfer element and can also serve as a lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brett William Degner, John M. Brock, Bradley Joseph Hamel
  • Patent number: 9007759
    Abstract: A display module holding frame and method of manufacturing same include the steps of: first, providing a support frame which includes an installation frame to hold a display module, two installation portions to hold two hinge structures, an installation space formed within the installation frame, a coupling space formed between the two installation portions and a wiring passage communicating with the installation space and the coupling space; next, threading a signal wire through the wiring passage; finally, forming a rubber protective layer on the surface of the support frame via an injection process. The rubber protective layer has a holding portion to fix the signal wire in the wiring passage. The display module holding frame thus formed provides a structure to securely hold the signal wire without moving freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sinher Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ting-Hung Su, Wen Yan Lin, Yung-Chang Chiang
  • Patent number: 9007755
    Abstract: Disclosed are a flat panel type image display device of a clear borderless design without a case defining an external appearance of an image display device, and a method for manufacturing the same. The flat panel type image display device includes an image display panel to display an image, a panel guide including a panel fixing portion, to which the image display panel is attached, and a guide frame formed in a dual coupling structure, the panel fixing portion being configured to move together with the guide frame in at least one direction of x, y, and z-axis directions, and a bottom case formed to cover an opened back surface of the panel guide comprising a back surface of the image display panel, the bottom case being fixed to an inner side surface of the panel guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Il Kim, Byung In Park
  • Patent number: 8995115
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Patent number: 8988862
    Abstract: A performance display device comprising a base receptacle and a display unit; wherein the display unit comprises a display screen and a processor, and is operable by a mode switch; the mode switch is operated by relative pivotal motion between the display unit and the base receptacle; characterized in that the display unit and the base receptacle are complementarily shaped to cooperatively form a hinge axis about which the mode changing pivotal motion takes place. A performance display device having a hinge axis formed by the complementarily shaped display unit and base receptacle provides a simple, robust, and reliable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dayton Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Paul Anthony Yuen
  • Patent number: 8982542
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a mobile electronic device includes a first leaf comprising first and second fixed pivot axes and a second leaf comprising third and fourth fixed pivot axes, the four pivot axes being substantially parallel to one another. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf at the first pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the fourth pivot axis. A second linkage is pivotally coupled to the first leaf such at the second pivot axis and pivotally coupled to the second leaf at the third pivot axis. The first and second leaves are pivotable at least about 180° relative to one another. A cam mechanism can be included to bias the pivotal motion of the leaves. An FPC or other electrical connector linking the leaves can pass through a passage in at least one of the linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventor: David Bohn
  • Patent number: 8973753
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for housing a device include a housing that is configured such that a device may be fitted within the housing and thereby be protected, such as from shocks and/or liquid. The housing may include top and bottom members that may be removably coupled together so as to form the housing. Each top and bottom member optionally includes front and back surfaces surrounded by a perimeter. The perimeter is defined by proximal and distal ends as well as opposing sides. The top and bottom members may include respective clasping mechanisms that extend along the perimeter of the top and bottom members. The clasping mechanisms are configured for coupling the top and bottom members with one another thereby sealing the housing, for instance, in a shock-proof and/or water tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: TreeFrog Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Rayner
  • Publication number: 20150049275
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing with a lid that rotates relative to a base. A display in the lid may have a thin-film transistor layer. Display driver circuitry may be mounted to the thin-film transistor layer. A display timing controller integrated circuit may be mounted in the base. A rigid flex printed circuit may have a rigid portion in the base to which the display timing controller integrated circuit is mounted and may have a rigid portion in the lid. A flexible printed circuit portion of the rigid flex printed circuit may be used to couple the rigid printed circuit portion in the lid to the thin-film transistor layer. A flexible printed circuit portion of the rigid flex printed circuit that extends between the lid and the base may be formed from a double-shield-layer single-signal-line-layer flexible printed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan W. Posner, Dinesh C. Mathew, Eric L. Benson, Jason N. Gomez, Jun Qi, Robert Y. Cao, Victor H. Yin, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Wey-Jiun Lin
  • Patent number: 8955196
    Abstract: A pivoting mechanism includes a first driving component, a second driving component and a pivot shaft. The first driving component includes a first pivoting portion and a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is disposed on the first pivoting portion. The second driving component includes a second pivoting portion, a second connecting portion, a positioning portion, a rotary unit and a rotary shaft. The second connecting portion is disposed on the second pivoting portion. The positioning portion is disposed on the second connecting portion. The positioning portion includes a slot structure, and the rotary unit is disposed inside the slot structure. The rotary shaft passes through the rotary unit, and two ends of the rotary shaft respectively pivot to inner walls of the slot structure. The pivot shaft is disposed between the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Shun-De Bai
  • Patent number: 8947870
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding and rotating apparatus for connecting two components of a device, such as a portable electronic media player, and a device having the same. The apparatus provides has a base member, a sliding member, and a rotating member. The sliding member is coupled to the base member so as to permit sliding thereon in a first linear direction and between first and second positions, and the rotating member rotationally coupled to the sliding member. The rotating member and base member are configured such that when the sliding member is forced into the second position the rotating member is rotated in a first angular direction. The apparatus also may contain a sliding mechanism that biases the apparatus in either the first or second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: CBY Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: YouQing Li, Jun Huang
  • Patent number: 8947864
    Abstract: Fabric outer layer techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes, an input portion having one or more keys configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs, a connection portion that is configured to be removable attachable to the computing device and including at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals, a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly and communicatively connect the connection portion to the input portion, and first and second outer fabric layers that are configured to act as an outer surface of the one or more keys of the input portion and the flexible hinge and are physically secured to the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Otto Whitt, III, Eric Joseph Wahl, David C. Vandervoort, Todd David Pleake, Rob Huala, Summer L. Schneider, Robyn Rebecca Reed McLaughlin, Matthew David Mickelson, Joel Lawrence Pelley, Timothy C. Shaw, Ralf Groene, Hua Wang, Christopher Harry Stoumbos, Karsten Aagaard
  • Publication number: 20150016041
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a first attachment part; a second attachment part separated from the first attachment part; a flexible printed circuit board including a first connection part fixed to the first attachment part, a second connection part fixed to the second attachment part, a coupling part to couple the first connection part and the second connection part and provided with a slit extending in a first direction connecting the first connection part and the second connection part, and a bending part provided in the coupling part; and a bonding sheet provided on one side of the second connection part for bonding the second connection part and the first attachment part away from the coupling part in a second direction along a direction in which the second connection part extends, and to bond the second connection part and the first connection part inside the slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Kiyomi Muro
  • Patent number: 8934229
    Abstract: An electronics device includes a plurality of panels. A first panel includes device electronics positioned within a housing that functions as a protective cover. A second panel includes a touchscreen display on a display side and a housing on a backside. The second panel is coupled to the first panel using a first hinge mechanism, such as a reversible hinge. A third panel includes a touchscreen display configurable as an adaptive interface. The third panel is coupled to the second panel using a second hinge mechanism. The first panel, the second panel, and the third panel are coupled together as a “z-fold”, and are movable into a plurality of different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Brad Thorson
  • Patent number: 8934231
    Abstract: A hinge fixing structure includes a bezel whereon an opening is formed, and a cover whereon a slot is formed. The hinge fixing structure includes a hinge whereon a hole is formed, and a protrusion bolt. The protrusion bolt includes a fixing portion installed inside the slot on the cover in a tight fit manner, and a protruding portion connected to a side of the fixing portion and passing through the hole of the hinge. The hinge fixing structure further includes a screwing component for passing through the opening on the bezel and being screwed inside the protrusion blot at an end, so as to fix relative position of the bezel, the hinge and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Shing Liu, Jen-Hao Liu, Jen-Feng Lin, Jhih-Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 8933908
    Abstract: A mobile terminal device includes a face panel provided on an exterior of a housing, a sensor module that detects that the face panel is touched, where the sensor module is provided on a more inward side of the housing than the face panel, a light-emitting unit provided with a light-emitting member that emits light when the sensor module detects that the face panel is touched, where the light-emitting unit is provided on a more inward side of the housing than the sensor module, and a connection unit that makes an electrical connection between the sensor module and the light-emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sakashita, Tatsuhito Araki, Manabu Hongo, Hiroaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8902607
    Abstract: A testing apparatus and method of extending the life of a testing apparatus may comprise a chassis including a case having a testing module receptacle receiving a plurality of testing modules comprising at least one processor module and a plurality of test modules, each having the same physical footprint, including respective racking mechanisms and inter-module interface connectors; and a backplane with connectors connecting with a respective inter-module connector, and bus-work interconnecting the respective modules through the inter-module interface connectors and the backplane connectors. The backplane may comprise a battery and display connector. The chassis may comprise a display mounting receptacle configured to receive a display unit having a display connector configured to interface with the backplane display connector. A battery receptacle may receive a battery unit, such as a rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: VeEX Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ker Chin Chang, Cyrille Morelle