Apple Inc.

Martin J Auclair

Scott A Myers

Richard Hung Minh Dinh

Paul U Leutheuser

Edward S Huo

Kevin M Froese

Christopher J Durning

Benjamin J Pope

Lucy Elizabeth Browning

Jared Mitchell Kole

Yaocheng Zhang

Jun Sik Ham

Sawyer Isaac Cohen

Michael W Firka

Donald J Parr

Richard P Howarth

Shota Aoyagi

David A Pakula

Scott Wallace Miller

John J Baker

Nicholas D Smyth

Tyler B Cater

Ihtesham H Chowdhury

Jeremy D Bataillou

Clement Tissandier

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Tang Yew Tan

Ashutosh Yugesh Shukla

Scott P Porter

Marwan Rammah

Phillip R Sommer

Rasamy Phouthavong

Eric N Nyland

Hani Esmaeili

Eric W Bates

David A Hurrell

Timothy S Lui

Christopher R Xydis

Xiao Ying Zhao

Kurtis J Mundell

Salome Bavetta

Samuel M Hyatt

Stephen Brian Lynch

Stephen Paul Zadesky

Michael Benjamin Wittenberg

Matthew D Hill

Tyler S Bushnell

Ruchir M Dave

Dhaval N Shah

William C Lukens

Richard A Besen

Jason T Weaver

Logan M Ames

Jian Ouyang

Benjamin M Russo

Matthew D Walker

Ricky C Lee

Justin C Brunnett

Robert T Carson

Paul H Leutheuser

A camera may include an optical components holder to hold optical components (e.g., one or more lenses and a light folding element) of the camera. The optical components holder may be formed using an insert-molding processor including a metal frame. One portion of the metal frame may form an upper wall of a portion of the optical components holder that holds the light folding element. Another portion of the metal frame may be at least partially exposed from a side wall adjacent the upper wall of the portion of the optical components holder. In addition, the camera may include a protection structure to protect the optical components holder from colliding with another component of the camera or a mobile multipurpose device.

Insert molded optics holder

A device includes a display and a housing. The housing at least partially surrounds the display. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least a first portion of an exterior surface of the device and a first interlock feature having an interlock surface that is offset with respect to an end surface of the first housing segment. The first interlock feature has a first opening formed in the interlock surface. The housing further includes a second housing segment defining at least a second portion of the exterior surface of the device and a second interlock feature having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a non-conductive housing component defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the device and extending into the first opening and the second opening.

Housing and antenna architecture for mobile device

Various embodiments include a dynamic flex circuit that may be used in a camera with a moveable image sensor. The dynamic flex circuit may include one or more fixed end portions, a moveable end portion, and an intermediate portion. In some embodiments, the fixed end portion may be connected to another flex circuit of the camera. The moveable end portion may be coupled with the moveable image sensor. The intermediate portion may be configured to allow the moveable end portion to move with the moveable image sensor. Some embodiments include a reinforcement arrangement that reinforces one or more portions of the dynamic flex circuit.

Dynamic flex circuit for camera with moveable image sensor

A device includes a display and a housing. The housing surrounds the display and has four corners defining portions of an exterior surface of the device. The housing includes a first housing segment defining at least part of a first corner of the four corners and configured to operate as an antenna; a second housing segment defining at least part of a second corner of the four corners; and a third housing segment defining at least part of a third corner of the four corners. The third corner forms part of the housing diagonally opposite the second corner. The housing further includes a non-conductive housing component that structurally couples the first housing segment to another portion of the housing.

This disclosure describes features and methods of formation of a data port for a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a device housing having a wall defining a data port opening. An anchoring feature is formed along a portion of the wall defining the data port opening. A structural support member is positioned within the data port opening and reinforces the data port opening. A polymer material fills a gap between the structural support member and a portion of the wall defining the data port opening. The polymer material engages the anchoring feature to retain the structural support member within the data port opening.

Structural support member for a data port of a device housing

Display for an electronic device

The disclosure is directed to a multi-segment housing for an electronic device that includes multiple conductive segments that are structurally coupled by one or more non-conductive housing segments or splits. One or more of the conductive segments may be configured to operate as an antenna and the non-conductive housing segments may provide electrical insulation between the conductive segment and one or more adjacent housing segments. The non-conductive housing segment may be formed from a polymer having an array of fibers dispersed within the polymer. The fibers may be aligned along one or more fiber directions, which may be substantially perpendicular to an exterior surface of the housing.

Electronic device with segmented housing having molded splits

Electronic devices, such as mobile communication devices, may include several enhancements and modification not found on traditional electronic devices. Parts of the electronic device can be welded together to provide structural support and or functional connections between operating components of the electronic device. Within a band, a back plate can support multiple operable components of the electronic device. The band, the welds, and/or the back plate can provide electrical connections between components. Conductive pathways provided by the welds can be provided with adequate strength and durability to reduce and avoid breakage so that sensitive components, such as a compass module, can operate without alterations that would cause interference. The welds can be provided in a sequence that mitigates the effects of heating during the welding process.

Assembly for portable electronic device

Examples of portable electronic devices including a piezo actuated vibrator for providing tactile feedback to the user are described. Portable electronic devices according to the present disclosure may include tactile feedback devices, which may be driven by a piezoelectric actuator/vibrator that is operatively coupled to or embedded into the housing of a portable electronic device. In some examples, the housing of the electronic device itself can be made of piezoelectric ceramic material. The piezoelectric element may be coupled to the housing of the product to cause the housing to deflect and/or vibrate. In some examples, the housing of the portable electronic device, which may be a portable media player device, may be configured for placement directly or indirectly in contact with the user's skin such that vibrations of the housing may be felt directly (without audible feedback) by the user.

Portable electronic device using a tactile vibrator

An electronic device having one or more magnets disposed within it (e.g., such as in a speaker) is equipped with a magnetic shield that attenuates magnetic fields propagating outside of the electronic device. The magnetic shield may be placed within the device such that it redirects the magnetic fields to contain them better within the one or more magnets, resulting in improved magnetic efficiency. In further embodiments, the magnetic shield may also function as a structural part of the electronic device and/or an electronic component with in the electronic device.

Shield for acoustic device

An electronic device includes at least a housing having a force transmissive surface capable of receiving a force, a force sensor configured to sense the force received from the force transmissive surface in accordance with a force path and respond by outputting a signal that indicates a magnitude of the force at a first sensitivity level when the magnitude of the force is less than a threshold level, otherwise, the signal indicates the magnitude of the force in accordance with a second sensitivity level. The electronic device includes a processor in communication with the force sensor that uses the signal to alter an operation of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device is wearable.

Wearable ambient pressure gauge

Growing community of inventors

Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Martin J Auclair