Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Tianyu Zhao

Thomas Joseph Longo

Anteneh Detamo

Lincoln Matthew Ghioni

Bo Dan

Eugene Lee

Aseem Singla

Le Chang

Federico Zannier

Zhicong Yao

Colin Roman Donahue

Guang Lei Wang

Computing devices and methods for producing vibrations in computing devices are disclosed. In one example, a computing device comprises a chassis that includes a trackpad comprising a printed circuit board. A haptic actuator assembly comprises at least one conductive coil formed on or affixed to the printed circuit board, and at least one magnet rigidly affixed to the chassis. The magnet is spaced from and not mechanically coupled to the at least one conductive coil. A memory stores instructions executable by a processor to receive a haptic event requests, determine that the trackpad is not in use, and at least on condition of receiving the haptic event request and determining that the trackpad is not in use, cause a driver signal to be sent to the conductive coil(s) to cause the at least one magnet to produce user-perceptible vibrations in the chassis beyond the trackpad.

Computing device with haptic trackpad

Variations in the manufacturing, tolerances, and environmental conditions, for example, of haptic trackpads can cause mechanical properties to vary click-by-click and unit-by-unit. Also, as time goes, mechanical wear or material degradation within each trackpad may change its mechanical properties. All of which may cause the haptic response received by the user to vary across similarly designed trackpads, and also change over time on the same trackpad. This may be interpreted by the user as an indication of low product quality. The following describes in detail haptic trackpads including accelerometers that enable active control and/or calibration. This allows for a more uniform user experience across a manufacturing run of trackpads and/or throughout the projected life of individual trackpads.

Active control and calibration of haptic trackpad

Supplementing the movement stroke of a trackpad with a haptic response is one way to restore some or all of a reduced trackpad feel and overall performance caused by a reduction in the movement stroke. However, incorporating haptic responses in a clickable trackpad may interfere with accurate force measurement using physical movement of the trackpad as a proxy. The following describes haptic trackpads with anisotropic compliant spacers. The disclosed haptic trackpads permit selective haptic responses to a user, while also permitting accurate force measurement using displacement of a sensing surface caused by the user's finger(s) as a proxy.

Haptic trackpad with anisotropic compliant spacer

A device cooling system disclosed herein includes a ventilated shield can coupled to a printed circuit board assembly. The ventilated shield can includes a first side surface with input holes and a second side surface with output holes. The ventilated shield can is positioned related to a predefined airflow path such that the input holes and the output holes facilitate airflow along the predefined airflow path through the ventilated shield can in a direction substantially parallel to the PCBA while the shield can encases and shields at least one electrical component from RF radiation at a target shield frequency.

Ventilated shield can

The description relates to devices, such as computing devices that can include structural assemblies. One example can include a structural component defining a periphery of the structural assembly and an internal region of the structural assembly. The example can also include a sacrificial component positioned in the internal region and secured to the structural component by a breakaway connector that defines a first void and an opposing second void that is at least partially offset from the first void.

Device structural assemblies

An electronic connector assembly includes a first PCB including a first electrical circuit, and a connector member disposed on a first side of the first PCB and electrically connected to the first electrical circuit. The connector member has a connector body sized to fit within an opening defined by walls of an EMI shield frame. The electronic connector assembly further includes a permanent magnet disposed on a second side of the first PCB. The permanent magnet has a magnet body sized to cover the opening in the EMI shield frame of a receptacle assembly and to provide a magnetic attraction force between the permanent magnet and the EMI shield frame to press the first PCB against an opposing portion of the walls of the EMI shield frame and cause a grounded portion of the first side of the first PCB to make an electrical connection with the EMI shield frame.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Tianyu Zhao