Abstract:
A cast metal part has a veneer made of cosmetic metal applied thereto so that the cast metal part has a cosmetic surface. A method for producing a cast metal part with a cosmetic surface comprises applying a veneer of cosmetic metal to a surface of the cast metal part. The cast metal part can be a die cast part, such as die cast aluminum or zinc. The veneer can be thin gauge highly cosmetic aluminum. The veneer of cosmetic metal can be applied to the surface of the cast metal part by placing the veneer into a casting mold used for forming the cast metal part, and casting molten metal onto the veneer in the casting mold. The veneer of cosmetic metal can also be applied to the surface of the cast metal part by solid-state welding, e.g., diffusion bonding, the veneer and the cast metal part together.
Abstract:
This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).
Abstract:
A laminated window assembly for a device, such as a handheld electronic device (e.g., a media player or mobile telephone), includes a window layer that preferably is glass, and a larger, substantially transparent lip-forming layer to which it is laminated, preferably by a substantially clear adhesive. Additional adhesive preferably is placed at at least portions of the edge of the window layer adjacent the lip-forming layer, especially at the corners, to resist delamination. Holes preferably are formed in the lip -- e.g., at the corners-- to resist the lip-forming layer peeling apart from the window layer forming layer. The holes preferably make up at most about 33% of the periphery of the window layer.
Abstract:
An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to identifying the current network of the device, the status of a particular electronic device component, or any other electronic device status. As another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular type of communication, or in response to receiving a communication from a particular contact. As still another example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular user input, or to detecting a user's finger on a particular portion of the electronic device.
Abstract:
A user interface for seamlessly authenticating a user of an electronic device, the user interface comprising: an object (610) displayed on a touch-sensitive display (600) of the electronic device configured to be manipulated by a user touching and dragging the object (610); a track (612), along which the object can be dragged, wherein a sensor (620) placed underneath the track (612) is configured to authenticate the user as the user drags the object along the track (612).
Abstract:
A user interface for seamlessly authenticating a user of an electronic device, the user interface comprising: an object (610) displayed on a touch-sensitive display (600) of the electronic device configured to be manipulated by a user touching and dragging the object (610); a track (612), along which the object can be dragged, wherein a sensor (620) placed underneath the track (612) is configured to authenticate the user as the user drags the object along the track (612).
Abstract:
A user interface for seamlessly authenticating a user of an electronic device, the user interface comprising: an object (610) displayed on a touch-sensitive display (600) of the electronic device configured to be manipulated by a user touching and dragging the object (610); a track (612), along which the object can be dragged, wherein a sensor (620) placed underneath the track (612) is configured to authenticate the user as the user drags the object along the track (612).
Abstract:
A Universal Serial Bus socket-equipped arrangement (USB-SEA) configured for mating with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug having a plug metal housing and an aperture disposed in the plug metal housing. The arrangement includes a plug-receiving cavity configured to receive the USB plug. The arrangement further includes a spring-loaded mechanism disposed within the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is biased toward an interior region of the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is also configured to slide along the connector metal housing of the USB plug when the USB plug is inserted into the plug-receiving cavity and to movably mate with the aperture disposed in the plug metal housing when the USB plug is in a terminal mating position with the USB socket assembly. The spring-loaded mechanism represents one of a spring-loaded ball and a spring-loaded pin.
Abstract:
An electronic device for providing tactile feedback is provided. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback using any suitable approach, including for example vibration, heat, electrical, visual, or any other type of feedback. The electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to detecting any particular status of the electronic device, receiving any particular input, or detecting any suitable communication received by the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may provide tactile feedback in response to receiving a particular user input, or to detecting a user's finger on a particular portion of the electronic device.
Abstract:
A Universal Serial Bus socket-equipped arrangement (USB-SEA) configured for mating with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug having a plug metal housing and an aperture disposed in the plug metal housing. The arrangement includes a plug-receiving cavity configured to receive the USB plug. The arrangement further includes a spring-loaded mechanism disposed within the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is biased toward an interior region of the plug-receiving cavity. The spring-loaded mechanism is also configured to slide along the connector metal housing of the USB plug when the USB plug is inserted into the plug-receiving cavity and to movably mate with the aperture disposed in the plug metal housing when the USB plug is in a terminal mating position with the USB socket assembly. The spring-loaded mechanism represents one of a spring-loaded ball and a spring-loaded pin.