CONCEALED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

• US 20150185055A1
• Filed: 12/27/2013
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: King, Nicholas V.
• Granted Patent: US 9,593,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0462 Apparatus with built-in sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/227 Sensors with electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

An electronic device with a rigid housing includes multiple apertures which each define a portion of a symbol used to identify the device. Conducting inserts may be positioned within the apertures to provide externally-accessible electrical connectors. The electrical connector may be used as a portion of a sensor or a charging circuit.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a first aperture defined in the housing; and

a first insert positioned within the first aperture; and

a first electrical element positioned beneath or within the first insert, the first electrical element operative to sense a health parameter of a person in contact with the first insert.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second aperture defined in the housing;

a second insert positioned within the first aperture; and

a second electrical element positioned beneath or within the first insert, the second electrical element operative to cooperate with the first electrical element to sense the health parameter.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein:

The first and second apertures are first and second portions of a symbol.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein:

the symbol comprises at least a portion of a word;

the first portion of the symbol comprises at least a portion of a first letter of the word; and

the second portion of the symbol comprises at least a portion of a second letter of the word.

5. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are formed on a back of the housing.

6. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein:

the first insert at least partially defines an electrically conductive path between an exterior of the device and the first electrical element; and

The second insert at least partially defines an electrically conductive path between the exterior of the device and the second electrical element.

7. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first insert and the second insert at least partially define an electrical path operative with a heart rate monitor.

8. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first insert and the second insert at least partially define an electrical path operative with a battery charging circuit.

9. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first insert has a larger surface area than the second insert

10. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first insert and the second insert are substantially the same shape.

11. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the first insert and the second insert are electrically insulated from the housing.

19. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the insert material is electrically nonconductive; and

an electrical path is defined by an edge of the aperture, the electrical path electrically connecting a sensor within the housing to an exterior of the housing.

12. An electronic device comprising:

a rigid housing comprising;

a first portion at least partially defining a first portion of a symbol; and

a second portion at least partially defining a second portion of the symbol; and

an insulator positioned between the first portion and the second portion;

wherein;

the first portion of the housing and second portion of the housing are electrically conductive.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the symbol comprises at least a portion of a product logo.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the symbol comprises at least a portion of a glyph.

15. The electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a biometric sensor in electrical contact with at least one of the first portion and second portion.

16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing at least partially define an electrical path for charging a battery within the housing.

17. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the housing comprises:

an aperture defined in the housing; and

an insert material positioned within the aperture;

wherein

at least one of the insert material and the housing is electrically conductive.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

the insert material is electrically conductive; and

the insert material defines an electrical path between a sensor contiguous with the insert material and an exterior of the insert material.

20. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing at least partially define an electrical path comprising a battery charging circuit.