Google Inc.

Motorola Mobility LLC

Motorola Corporation

Joseph L Allore

Michael J Lombardi

Jason P Wojack

Gary R Weiss

Michael J Formenti

Mohammed Rajeek Abdul-Gaffoor

Paul Lynn Fordham

David Kyungtag Lim

Natalie J Stevens

Michael Neau

Oliver Maximilian Mueller

Adam R Cole

Mitchell Hodges

Eric J Haupt

Ssu-Chieh Yu

William Paul Alberth, Jr

Marc Rene Walliser

Sangsoo Wesley Park

Mark D Zaveson

Timothy J Sutherland

Richard Ng

Abu T Sayem

Istvan Janos Szini

Frank H Stone

Stuart Kyle

David G Fliszar

Dave H Karl

Minh H Duong

Sajid Dalvi

Nathan Connell

Ugur Olgun

Michael F Spence

Katherine E Cigliano

Krzysztof Szot

Joshua Boerman

Simon F Vollmer

Qian Wang

Ryan P Holcomb

Ding Ran Dai

Tyler Jon Ewing

Adam Joseph Brinkman

Bradley R Zimmermann

Lukasz Kozlarzewski

Richard R Chomko

Chi-Jer Wang

Kuan-Ku Kuo

Daniel B Cox

Anthony J Richter

Sagid Dalvi

Michael L Neau

John L Dabbeekeh

Riger J Jellicoe

An example folding device () includes a hinge assembly (), a first assembly (), and a second assembly (). The hinge assembly () defines a first axis () and a second axis (). The first assembly () includes a first arm (), formed from a first material and rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the first axis, a first main housing component (), and a first divider () disposed between the first arm () and the first main housing component (). The first main housing component () is formed from a second material that is different than the first material. The second assembly () includes a second arm (), formed from the first material and rotatably connected to the hinge assembly about the second axis, a second main housing component (), and a second divider () disposed between the second arm () and the second main housing component (). The second main housing component () is formed from a second material that is different than the first material. Folding device () may include housing components formed from different materials with different properties (e.g. strength, weight, thermal conductivity, galvanic isolation, etc.) to address one or more of the disadvantages (e.g. thickness, weight, thermal performance, wireless transmission performance, reliability, complexity, cost, etc.) while achieving a continuous color appearance.

Integration of a hinge on a foldable device

This document describes systems and techniques for narrow display borders using a display-to-frame interposer ('interposer'). In aspects, the interposer is bonded, on a first side, to a mechanical frame. On a second side, the interposer is bonded to a backside of a display panel module, including a folded portion, and supports a cover layer through the display panel module. In such a configuration, a display border, which extends from an edge of the cover layer to an active area of the display panel module and resides above the folded portion, can be reduced.

Narrow display borders using a display-to-frame interposer

A computing device may include camera modules and a camera enclosure configured to house the camera modules. The computing device may further include alignment wedges that each define a sloped surface configured to mechanically contact at least one of the camera enclosure or the camera modules. The alignment wedges may be configured to reposition the respective camera module of the plurality of camera modules with respect to the camera enclosure.

Camera alignment

The present disclosure describes one or more aspects of a space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly that may be used as part of a user equipment. The space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly includes a battery cell electrically coupled to a first module assembly that monitors a state of the battery cell, a first alignment bracket located at a first end of the battery cell, and a second alignment bracket located at a second end of the battery cell. The first module assembly overlaps a second module assembly that supports system-level functions of the user equipment.

Space-saving, serviceable modular battery assembly for a user equipment

This document describes systems and techniques directed at uniformly narrow display bezels in portable electronic devices. In aspects, a portable electronic device includes a housing that houses a display panel stack having a chamfered, polyhedral cover layer bonded to a top of a display module. The cover layer may include a large chamfer between a top face and a side face, defining a chamfered face extending a perimeter of the cover layer. The chamfered face may be angled any number of degrees in a range from one to eighty-nine degrees to a horizontal plane defined by the top face of the cover layer, such that the chamfered face possesses a front-facing portion. The chamfered face may be adhered to a parallel or subparallel interior face of the housing. In such a configuration, an opaque border added to a face opposite of the top face may be imperceptible to a user, resulting in uniformly narrow display bezels.

Uniformly narrow display bezels in portable electronic devices

Lighting control

A modular electrical control system includes a switch module, having at least an 'on' state and an 'off' state, configured to draw power from an AC power source and to control power delivery to at least one external load, the switch module including a detector that determines whether a neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and a removable user interface module configured to connect to the switch module and receive power from the switch module, wherein the switch module delivers a first amount of power to the user interface module when the detector determines that the neutral wire is connected to the switch module, and delivers a second amount of power to the user interface module lower than the first amount of power when the detector determines that the neutral wire is not connected to the switch module.

Modular electrical control system

A modular lighting control system is disclosed for lighting control, modular home electronic devices and home networking of modular electronic devices. The system includes a switch module having one or more magnets, a wireless power transmission coil, an infrared light transmitter and an infrared light receiver and a user interface module having one or more wireless power reception coils, one or more magnets, an infrared light emitter and an infrared light detector. The user interface module can be removably attached to and powered by one or more of the switch modules and communicate with one or more of the switch modules without any mechanical attachment or electrical connection on either the switch module or the user interface module.

Modular lighting control system

In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular portable device includes a first module acting as a traditional high-function phone or 'smartphone' and a second module that adds enhanced functionality to the first module. When the modules are separated, they may operate independently of each other. In an embodiment, when the first module and the second module are docked together and a voice call is placed with the first module, the earpiece speaker, microphone, and cellular connection of the first module are utilized. During the voice call, a Bluetooth connection between the first module and the second module may be established in anticipation of an undocking event to eliminate a delay in audio transfer from the first module to the second module.

Voice call management in a modular smartphone

An enhanced portable communication device includes a one-piece metal back plate, configured to reduce device thickness by eliminating the plastic-to-metal joints normally needed to isolate the device antennas and provide rigidity. The one-piece metal back plate includes four integral antennas in an embodiment, forming an antenna pair at each end of the device. An opening and gap used to form each antenna pair may be filled with a nonconductive material such as plastic. In an embodiment, an I/O port is exposed through the nonconductive material in the gap.

Single-piece metal housing with integral antennas

A method of making a device housing involves providing a transparent lens with a front surface and a rear surface, and a stepped flange along at least a portion of the lens perimeter. The method includes injecting plastic onto the transparent lens perimeter, including the stepped flange, the plastic forming a plastic feature that has a front surface that is tangent to the front surface of the transparent lens, a rear surface that is tangent to the rear surface of the transparent lens, and that extends outward from the sides of the transparent lens away from a device width center line. The plastic feature is molded to the rear surface of the transparent lens at at least one of two ends of the device housing, and the plastic encapsulates a stepped middle surface of the transparent lens flange. A device housing that is made by this method is also included.

Electronic device having a display and method for manufacture

An enhanced portable communication device includes a one-piece metal back plate with integral antennas. The one-piece metal back plate includes four integral antennas in an embodiment, forming an antenna pair at each end of the device. A printed circuit board (PCB) of the device is configured to drive one or more of the antennas capacitivly or, in an embodiment, via a direct feed.

Antenna link in ultra-thin device with single-piece metal housing

A system and method of circuit board and device construction provide an RF testing connection for thin devices that lack space between their printed circuit board (PCB) and their housing for a test connection. In particular, in designs wherein the device PCB lies against the rear housing of the device, the use of a dedicated test connector on the back of the main PCB is problematic, but a circuit configuration is provided such that a removable test connection can be used without affecting the operation of the device or the configuration of the PCB itself.

Dual RF test connection in portable device

In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, a modular device system includes a base device configured to accept multiple modules at once. The system further includes thin modules designed to stack upon one another on the base device to provide extended functionality. In an embodiment, an alignment mechanism is provided to allow multiple modules to be easily stacked such that their stacking also provides convenient electrical interconnection between the modules and the base device.

Module slices in modular portable electronic device

Growing community of inventors

Mundelien, IL, United States of America

Joseph L Allore