Handheld Computer; E.g., Personal Digital Assistant (pda) Patents (Class 361/679.3)
  • Patent number: 8886264
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a portable electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a second housing, a touch panel, a display, a connection mechanism, an operation unit, and a control unit. The touch panel is arranged in a first surface of the first housing. The display is arranged in a second surface of the second housing. The connection mechanism connects the first housing and the second housing so as to switch between a closed state where the first housing covers the display and the touch panel is exposed to the outside and an opened state where the touch panel and the display are exposed to the outside while being adjacent to each other. The operation unit is arranged on the second surface at a position adjacent to the display. The control unit controls an operation of each unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Mori
  • Patent number: 8880129
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a terminal body, a window disposed at one surface of a terminal body, a first frame having a space for mounting one or more components, the first frame having a first cavity, a display configured to output visual information through the window, the display being located at the first cavity, a battery configured to supply power to the terminal body, the battery being located at the first cavity, and a separation sheet coupled to the first frame to separate a first region of the terminal body where the display is located from a second region of the terminal body where the battery is located. A periphery of the separation sheet contacts the bottom of the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunwoo Lee, Wonseok Joo
  • Patent number: 8879245
    Abstract: A protective case for protecting a portable electronic device is provided. The case includes first and second bodies which cover the periphery of the electronic device, and locking parts which separably couple the first and second bodies to each other. Each body includes a lateral extension part which extends in a lateral direction, and longitudinal extension parts which extend in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal extension parts include a longitudinal short side part which extends from an end of the lateral extension part, and a longitudinal long side part which extends from the other end of the lateral extension part. The locking parts are formed at junctions between the longitudinal long side part of the first body and the longitudinal short side part of the second body and between the longitudinal long side part of the second body and the longitudinal short side part of the first body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Spigen SPG Korea
    Inventor: Dae-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8873248
    Abstract: A decoration plate and an electronic apparatus having the same are provided. The decoration plate includes a cover plate, a conductive ring, an insulating layer, and a conductive element. The conductive ring is disposed on a surface of the cover plate. The insulating layer is disposed on the surface of the cover plate and covers the conductive ring, and the insulating layer has at least one opening. The conductive element is disposed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Dongguan Masstop Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd., Wintek Corporation
    Inventors: Fu-Min Hsu, Chih-Jung Teng, Kuo-Chang Su, Chin-Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140313699
    Abstract: An information handling system provides connectors along a housing periphery with a reduced vertical footprint by adjusting a display circuit portion relative to a display panel portion to provide vertical space for the connectors. For example, the circuit portion aligns with the display panel portion along one side of the display to provide space for connectors at that side of the display, and the circuit portion extends past the perimeter of the display panel portion at an opposing side of the display. In one embodiment, the circuit portion extending outside the perimeter of the display panel portion includes circuits for powering a backlight disposed in the circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivas Kamepalli, John T. Morrison
  • Patent number: 8867200
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a first housing, a first display and a transparent first panel. The first display in the first housing includes a first display portion. The first panel covers the first display portion and includes a first flat surface portion and a first curved surface portion along an outer edge of the first flat surface portion. The first display portion displays images in a location corresponding to the first flat surface portion and a location corresponding to the first curved surface portion respectively at different aspect ratios from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiromichi Suzuki, Takashi Minemura, Yuji Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8867198
    Abstract: Described is a protective case for a tablet computer providing a compartment for receiving and holding the tablet computer in a watertight environment. The protective case can further include a mounting adaptor attachable to a mounting apparatus for holding the protective case in a fixed or stationary position on a boat. The protective case allows the optimal use and protection of a tablet computer with its connections in many environments, including protecting the tablet computer from water damage on boats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: William Steele
  • Patent number: 8861198
    Abstract: A frame for a mobile device includes a metal region and a plastic region. The metal region has a plurality of sides, wherein at least one side of the plurality of sides comprises a plurality of voids. The plastic region comprises glass impregnated plastic and has a mechanical bond to the at least one side of the metal region, wherein the mechanical bond is achieved via protrusions of the plastic region that fill the plurality of voids in the at least one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan C. Asuncion
  • Patent number: 8848361
    Abstract: The present solution provides an adjustable docking apparatus configurable to accommodate a variety of mobile electronic devices. The adjustable docking apparatus is removably coupled to a base electronic device. The apparatus further includes an electrical connector movably and removably connected to the adjustable docking apparatus and electrically coupleable to the base electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: SDI Technologies
    Inventors: Eric Holzer, Mary Beth Poandl, Thomas Choi, Andrew Skurdal
  • Patent number: 8830668
    Abstract: Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Otto Whit, 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: 20140247545
    Abstract: A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having a first member and a second member. The first member has a first coil arranged to convey electromagnetic energy with respect to a second, external coil. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to directly or indirectly convey electrical power received at the first coil to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis R. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140240911
    Abstract: A device housing assembly has a display module including a front pane and a rear pane, the rear pane having a section longer than the front pane in at least one direction. The housing assembly further has a transparent lens and plastic housing, the transparent lens having a front and rear surface; and an adhesive between the front transparent pane and the rear surface of the transparent lens. The housing includes a support structure molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens positioned proximally to the longer section of the rear pane and adjacent to the front pane of glass, the structure providing mechanical support for the rear pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Adam R. Cole, Joseph L. Allore, Michael J. Lombardi, Natalie J. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20140233170
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Michael Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard H. Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman, Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steven P. Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Publication number: 20140233167
    Abstract: An apparatus and a system for housing a device are described. The apparatus includes 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 includes a perimeter portion. 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 and may be configured for engaging a third clasping mechanism, such as a locking comb or wedge feature. 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TreeFrog Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Rayner
  • Publication number: 20140233168
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Michael Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard H. Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman, Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. lve, Steven P. Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Publication number: 20140233169
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Michael Hobson, Erik L. Wang, Kenneth A. Jenks, Robert J. Hill, Robert W. Schlub, Richard H. Dinh, Tang Yew Tan, Adam D. Mittleman, Bartley K. Andre, Daniel J. Coster, Daniele De Iuliis, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Steven P. Jobs, Duncan Robert Kerr, Shin Nishibori, Matthew Dean Rohrbach, Douglas B. Satzger, Calvin Q. Seid, Christopher J. Stringer, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zorkendorfer
  • Patent number: 8811012
    Abstract: A slim portable device is provided in which a main body includes a main Printed Circuit Board (PCB), an information Input/Output (I/O) device disposed on the main PCB in parallel relation with the main PCB, an antenna disposed along a partial frontal periphery of the information I/O device, and at least one battery disposed substantially co-planar with the main PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Nam Moon, Sang-In Baek
  • Patent number: 8811032
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a housing, a flexible display associated with the housing, and an input portion linked to the flexible display. The input portion is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. The flexible display has a first viewing area when the input portion is in the first position and a second viewing area when the input portion is in the second position. The second viewing area is smaller than the first viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Norman Miner Ladouceur, Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 8804332
    Abstract: A handheld computer having a housing with a midframe construction is described. The housing includes a front shell and a back shell coupled to a midframe. The handheld computer also includes two accessory slots for a stylus or other devices on the left and right sides of the housing. The handheld computer also includes an infrared port which is an integral portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Francis James Canova, Jr., Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Traci Angela Neist, Dennis Joseph Boyle, Robert Gregory Twiss, Amy Aimei Han, Elisha Avraham Tal, Madeleine Francavilla
  • Patent number: 8805458
    Abstract: A battery protection mechanism is provided within an electronic device. A door has a latch which fits into a latch retention-release mechanism in the base of the device. A spring under tension within a retention-release mechanism presses against the latch when the device is in a closed configuration. A foot attached to a button in the base of the device urges the door out of position upon depression or activation of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Clement Strittmatter, Paul Daniel Everest, Devin Bertrum Pauley, Thomas Kevin Swindle, Duc Hongle Ngo
  • Publication number: 20140221098
    Abstract: Input device configurations are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion, protective case, and one or more controls. The connection portion is configured to provide a removable physical connection to a computing device. The protective case is coupled to the connection portion and configured to support rotational movement of the protective case in relation to the computing device when the connection portion is physically connected to the computing device. The one or more controls are disposed on the protective case such that at least one control is accessible to a user when the protective case is positioned behind the computing device and the computing device and the input device are grasped by one or more hands of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Catherine N. Boulanger
  • Patent number: 8797753
    Abstract: Provided is a video and audio reproduction apparatus including a display unit; a speaker unit; a main board; and a power supply unit, and the main board includes a printed circuit board; a first connector area which is formed on a front side of the printed circuit board; a second connector area which is formed on the front side of the printed circuit board; and a main chip which is surface-mounted on a back side of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-soo Kim, Jong-hee Han, Il-ki Min
  • Patent number: 8797727
    Abstract: Laptops are described herein. The laptops include a display body and a keyboard body. The laptops further include a hinged cover. The hinged cover can be in a closed position for preventing access and/or protecting electronic components. Further, methods of protecting electronic components of a laptop are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Britt C. Ashcraft, Eric Chen, Sana Syecia Ali
  • Patent number: 8797721
    Abstract: Improved housings for electronic devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic device housing can have one or more outer members (e.g., exposed major surfaces), such as front or back surfaces, that are formed of glass. The one or more glass surfaces can be part of outer member assemblies that can be secured to other portions of the electronic device housing. In other embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods for robustly attaching a cover portion of an electronic device to a bottom portion, e.g., a housing portion, of the electronic device are described. The electronic device can be portable and in some cases handheld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Pakula, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Scott Myers
  • Patent number: 8797730
    Abstract: A sliding module includes a first section, a second section, a pivot plate, a hinge module and an assist lever. Two sides of the pivot plate are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the hinge module. The hinge module is positioned on the second section. Two ends of the assist lever are respectively rotatably connected to the first section and the second section. The first section brings the pivot plate to rotate relative to the hinge module, and elevates the assist lever, the pivot plate and the assist lever bring the first section to move and rotate relative to the second section in a tilted orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Publication number: 20140211388
    Abstract: A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel and one or more electrical contacts includes a protective shell having first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case member to at least partially cover the electronic device. An aperture defined by the protective shell is aligned with the interactive control panel when the electronic device is at least partially enclosed by the protective shell. A securing mechanism secures the first member with the second member. An electrical connection attached to the protective shell is configured to connect an electrical source to at least one of the electrical contacts of the electronic device to provide an electrical connection to the electrical source when the electronic device is received by the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Otter Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine
  • Patent number: 8792232
    Abstract: A chemically resistant protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel includes a protective shell having a first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case. An aperture defined by the protective shell aligns with the interactive control panel. A chemically resistant protective membrane for an electronic device includes a sheet of engineered thermoplastic having dimensions corresponding to features of a surface of the electronic device, and has a combination of sufficient thinness and a dielectric constant that together permit capacitive inputs on a front side of the protective membrane to be transmitted to the capacitance sensing interactive control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventor: Curtis R. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8787016
    Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain multiple housing portions. The housing portions may be coupled together using hinges. The hinges may include hinges based on a three-bar linkage, hinges based on a four-bar linkage, hinges with slotted members, hinges formed from flexible support structures, and hinges based on flexible housing structures. Flexible displays may be mounted to the housing portions overlapping the hinges. When the housing portions in a device are rotated relative to each other, the flexible display may bend. The hinge may be configured to allow the flexible display to be placed in a front-to-front configuration in which an active side of the display faces itself or a back-to-back configuration. Engagement structures may be used to help the housing grip external objects and to hold the housing portions together. The hinges may be provided with rotational detents to help hold the flexible display in desired positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Andrew J. M. Janis, Teodor Dabov
  • Publication number: 20140198441
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for a mobile computing device. A mobile computing device may comprise, for example, an enclosure arranged to support a display and one or more processor circuits, the enclosure having an enlarged portion at one side of the enclosure arranged to allow a user to clutch the enclosure with one hand at the one side, the enlarged portion having a thickness that is larger than a thickness of another portion of the enclosure, and the enlarged portion defining a cavity arranged to support one or more energy storage modules. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Sameer Sharma, Gadi Amit, Chadwick Harber, Yoshikazu Hoshino, Daniel Clifton, Kenneth Jasinski
  • Patent number: 8780537
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a frame having a frame member with a frame connector. The frame defines a component cavity. The electronic device also includes a user interface coupled to the frame that is visible external of the frame, with the user interlace displaying data to an operator. A user input is coupled to the frame member and includes a terminal electrically coupled to the frame connector. A circuit board is received in the component cavity and is operably coupled to the user interface. The circuit board is electrically connected to the frame connector at a separable interface. The user input can pick up a signal from anywhere on the electronic device based on an action of touching, handling or placing and process that signal to cause a predetermined effect. The signal from the user input is transferred to the user interface via the frame connector and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Tyco Electronics Corporation, Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sokola, Bruce Foster Bishop, Hiroshi Shirai, Kazukiyo Osada
  • Publication number: 20140192467
    Abstract: An aluminum oxide ceramic is formed into a sapphire component for an electronic device. Indicia are embedded into at least one major surface of the component, for example by ion implantation, where ions are fixed into a subsurface pattern layer. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering an optical or chromatic property of the aluminum oxide material, so that the indicia are visible from an external surface of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kelvin Kwong
  • Patent number: 8773606
    Abstract: A display module including an electronic component and a panel module is provided. The electronic component is installed inside the display module. The panel module includes a first side and a second side, and the first side includes a glass module having an electro-conductive material and a display region, wherein the glass module includes an electronic component projection area and the electronic component projection area does not contain the electro-conductive material to prevent affecting the performance of the electronic component. The electronic component projection area is an area where the electronic component is projected on the panel module along a normal direction of the display region. According to a design requirement of the product, the electronic component may be fixed to a frame combined with the panel module or located in the glass module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Nan Ling, Po-An Lin, Yung-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 8767388
    Abstract: A support assembly that supports a device main body to be able to rotate includes a base member supported on an installation surface, a support unit having a predetermined curvature, coupled with the device main body on one side thereof, and reciprocating according to tilting of the device main body between an upright position and a tablet position, a guide rail coupled with the base member on a first side thereof and supported by the support unit on a second side thereof, to guide the reciprocation of the support unit, and an elastic unit connected to the support unit and providing an elastic force to maintain a tilting position of the device main body. A computer device may include the support assembly. The support assembly may support a computer device main body having a display when the computer device main body tilts between the upright position and the tablet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin-hyuk Ahn, Young-sun Park
  • Patent number: 8767394
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a processor and a display that is operably coupled to the processor. The display includes four sides, where each of the four sides is substantially equal in length, a center of mass for the apparatus is located between a geometric center of the apparatus and an edge of one of the four sides and the edge of one of the four sides includes a grip area that is located on a same side as the center of mass for the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: William Hamburgen, Lawrence Lam, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera
  • Patent number: 8767396
    Abstract: A main device includes fixing portions that fix a holding device to one principal surface thereof and project from the one principal surface. An extension device includes a placement portion on which the main device is placed and a wall portion on which the placement portion is provided in a standing manner. The wall portion that faces the one principal surface, to which the holding device is fixed, in a parallel relation, has such a shape as to not interfere with the fixing portions that fix the holding device of the main device, when the main device is placed on the placement portion. The main device can be mounted on the extension device with the holding device mounted thereon, and time and effort to remove the holding device can be saved when the main device is mounted on the extension device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Shindo, Jun Sato, Yoshihiro Kawada, Toshiya Senoh, Ryo Yonezawa, Masashi Toyota
  • Patent number: 8767385
    Abstract: A protective cover for an electronic device that has an interactive control panel includes a protective shell having a first member and a second member. The second member is configured to join with the first case. An aperture defined by the protective shell aligns with the interactive control panel. A protective membrane for an electronic device includes a sheet of engineered thermoplastic having dimensions corresponding to features of a surface of the electronic device, and has a combination of sufficient thinness and a dielectric constant that together permit capacitive inputs on a front side of the protective membrane to be transmitted to the capacitance sensing interactive control panel. The protective cover and/or the protective membrane include a metalized coating or metallic additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Douglas A. Kempel
  • Patent number: 8766926
    Abstract: A method includes displaying a set of buttons in a first layout on a touch-sensitive display when a first orientation of the portable electronic device is detected and in a second layout on the touch-sensitive display when a second orientation of the portable electronic device is detected. An alternate mode of operation of a portable electronic device is detected. While in the alternate mode, the set of buttons is displayed in a third layout, wherein the set of buttons is displayed in a set of respective locations with respect to the touch-sensitive display for the first orientation and the second orientation. At least some information is displayed based on a detected orientation of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey William Wirtanen
  • Publication number: 20140177151
    Abstract: A mobile terminal 10 includes a fixing member 20 which fixes a plate shaped member 18 to a case 13 of a casing 12. The fixing member 20 is formed substantially in the shape of a frame including a first member 21 to a fifth member 25 extending along a first side surface 35 to a fourth side surface 38 of the case 13. The first member 21 to the fifth member 25 have sectional forms which are engaged with edge parts 18B of the plate shaped member 18 and engaged with stepped surfaces 46 of the case 13. The fixing member 20 is formed to be deformable so that a dimension L1 of a space between the fourth member 24 and the fifth member 25 may be increased or decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasutoki Manda, Kazunori Kouno, Toshiaki Saitoh, Tomoya Imazu
  • Patent number: 8760406
    Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device is provided with a display and a unique edge to edge qwerty keypad. The specially arranged qwerty keypad has special side keys and intermediate keys which cooperate with the housing to provide a waterproof casing (case) and sealing system to seal and protect the keys, backlighting, flexes, domes and printed circuit board (PCB) from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Andrew B. Herrmann, David G. Fliszar, Michael J. Formenti, Roger W. Harmon, Thomas A. Petrella
  • Patent number: 8760866
    Abstract: A cold worked stainless steel bezel for a portable electronic device. The bezel is secured flush to a housing to form part of the case of the portable electronic device. A brace that includes a slot for receiving a wall extending from the bezel is fixed to the housing. When the bezel engages the housing, the wall of the bezel is inserted in the slot of the brace and releasably held by a spring that engages both the brace and the wall. The bezel can be released by disengaging the spring. The bezel is hard and resistant to impacts. Cold worked steel also facilitates manufacturing within design constraints and tolerances, and requires very little machining after manufacturing to comply with those constraints. The portable electronic device may include a personal media device, a mobile telephone, or any other suitable device or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Zadesky, Philip Michael Hobson, Tang Yew Tan
  • Patent number: 8759675
    Abstract: Disclosed is a casing for an electronic wireless handheld device defined by a front panel, a rear panel, and a plurality of side panels connecting the front and rear panels wherein, the device is to be received within the casing such that the front and rear exterior surfaces of the device abut the interior surfaces of the front and rear panels respectively. The casing comprises at least one receptacle wherein, each of the at least one receptacle is adapted to receive therewithin at least one accessory of the device and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventors: Lakshman Rajeswaran, Thomas F Pepe, Jeremy Groh, Nathan Trunfio
  • Patent number: 8743538
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a protective hinge cover for a mobile computing device. According to one embodiment, the protective hinge cover includes an inner cavity area for receiving the mobile device along with a rotatable attachment member formed therein. In addition, a plurality of coupling features are utilized to facilitate attachment of the hinge cover with the mobile computing device. Moreover, the rotatable attachment member and housing frame are configured to provide a movable and stable structure for the mobile computing and also allow for adjustment by an operating user so as to provide multiple viewing angles via a hinge mechanism associated with the rotatable attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Britt C Ashcraft, Ki Bok Song, Eric Chen
  • Patent number: 8737053
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a case, a movable portion that has a recording medium accommodating portion for accommodating a recording medium and a portable terminal accommodating portion for accommodating a portable terminal, and that is able to be moved to an outside of the case and to be moved to an inside of the case, the portable terminal accommodating portion having a connector to be connected to the portable terminal, and an accessing portion that accesses the recording medium accommodated in the recording medium accommodating portion, and that accesses the portable terminal which is connected to the connector through the connector in a state that the portable terminal is accommodated in the portable terminal accommodating portion. When the movable portion is moved to the inside of the case so as to be housed in the case, the connector is located in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8737044
    Abstract: A moving module and an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a first body, a second body, and the moving module disposed between the first and second bodies. The moving module includes a rail, a moving element, and an elastic element. The moving element is in contact with the rail. The elastic element is connected between the moving element and the first body. When the moving element moves from a first end of the rail to a curved portion of the rail, a force exerted on the elastic element by the moving element is gradually increased. When the moving element passes the curved portion, an elastic restoration force of the elastic element drives the moving element to move toward a second end of the rail. When the moving element reaches the first end or the second end, the first body and the second body interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Kuang Liu, Yu-Min Chen, Cheng-Te Chen
  • Patent number: 8737052
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal of the present invention comprises: a front case having a keypad-accommodating portion; a rear case attachably/detachably coupled to a rear surface of the front case such that a component-accommodating space, in which a main PCB is arranged, is interposed between the front case and the rear case; and a keypad which has a plurality of key buttons, and which is made of a flexible material, and which is accommodated in the keypad-accommodating portion of the front case. The keypad has an edge on which a water-resistant blade extends toward the keypad-accommodating portion. The keypad-accommodating portion has a bottom surface on which a blade insertion rain is formed to enable a portion of the water-resistant blade to be inserted into the rail. The mobile terminal of the present invention has a simple structure to enable easy manufacture and assembly, and in particular prevents water or moisture from entering a keypad area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Bluebird Soft Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Chul Cho, Jang Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8738104
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating an overall assembly formed from a transparent member and a metal member are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes positioning a transparent member in a mold configured for insertion molding, and providing a liquid metal into the mold. The method also includes hardening the liquid metal in the mold. Hardening the liquid metal includes binding the metal to the transparent member to create the integral assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle H. Yeates
  • Publication number: 20140139988
    Abstract: A portable electronic device 100 includes a horizontally long casing, both ends of which are gripped by a user's both hands, respectively. The device further includes a LCD fit into the front face of the casing 10. Outwardly projecting bulges are respectively formed at both sides of the rear face of the casing where fingers of the user gripping the casing 10 placed. Since the fingers and palms are naturally flexed to fit to the dome-like bulges 42L, 42R, the portable electronic device 100 fits comfortably in the user's hands. The operability is hard to be degraded even if the device is vibrated strongly during a game play with the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Ogasawara, Masayasu Ito, Hajime Ishihara, Nobutoshi Hamada, Shuuichi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8730658
    Abstract: One end portion of a connecting member 31 is connected to a first housing 1 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is connected to a second housing 2 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The first and the second housings 1, 2 are arranged such that when the second housing 2 is rotated up to a predetermined intermediate position, opposite end portions of the first housing 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second rotation axes L1, L2 are protruded from the second housing 2 in the said direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Sugatsune Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Oshima, Shinichirou Koshikawa, Ryou Niimi, Hisashi Fukai
  • Publication number: 20140133076
    Abstract: A display device including a device body, a continuous flexible display and a support frame is disclosed. A support frame is movable with respect to the device body between a closed configuration for fixing the flexible display in a storage position and an open configuration for fixing the flexible display in an open position. In the open configuration at least one surface support part of the support frame and the surface support part of a lower body side of the device body are positioned in one plane, enabling a supporting of the surface support part of the support frame and of the device body on a surface. In the closed configuration, the device body is partially covered by a portion of the support frame, and the flexible display is sandwiched between the device body and the portion of the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Creator Technology B. V.
    Inventors: Volker Barnart VERSCHOOR, Johannes Cornelis Adriaan HAMERS, Hendrik VISSER, Michael Johannes Anna Maria WALTERS
  • Patent number: 8724317
    Abstract: A housing has a front surface and a back surface. A keyboard and a corresponding bottom surface move between a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration. A tray slides in and out of the housing along one or more slots that are formed internal to the housing. This tray can include an internal surface having a first side that contacts the keyboard and an opposing second side that contacts the aforementioned bottom surface when the latter components are non-deployed. When moving to the deployed configuration the keyboard and bottom surface first move substantially parallel to the housing and then move substantially perpendicular to the housing. Projections on these components can interact with corresponding tracks formed in the housing to direct at the least this perpendicular movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Philip Riddiford