Computer mouse

A computer mouse includes a housing. The housing includes a non-metallic base and a shell attached to the non-metallic base. The shell is formed of an electrically conductive material. The computer mouse includes a user input device in the housing. The user input device is manually operable by a user to generate a control signal. The computer mouse includes an antenna within the housing. The antenna is configured to receive the control signal from the user input device. The antenna is configured to emit a wireless signal, based on the control signal, to control operations of a computing device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification relates to a computer mouse.

BACKGROUND

A computer mouse can be operated by a user to control operations of a computing device, e.g., a desktop computer or a laptop computer. The computer mouse can be a wireless computer mouse that emits wireless signals to control the operations of the computing device.

SUMMARY

As described in this disclosure, implementations of a computer mouse can have a housing that has lightweight electrically conductive (e.g., metallic) components that reduce an overall weight of the computer mouse. A base of the housing can be formed of an electrically non-conductive material to reduce the amount of interference by the housing on wireless signals emitted by the computer mouse, e.g., by an antenna of the computer mouse.

In one aspect, a computer mouse includes a housing. The housing includes a non-metallic base and a shell attached to the non-metallic base. The shell is formed of an electrically conductive material. The computer mouse includes a user input device in the housing. The user input device is manually operable by a user to generate a control signal. The computer mouse includes an antenna within the housing. The antenna is configured to receive the control signal from the user input device. The antenna is configured to emit a wireless signal, based on the control signal, to control operations of a computing device.

In another aspect, a computer mouse includes a housing. The housing includes a non-metallic base and a shell attached to the non-metallic base. The non-metallic base forms a bottom of the computer mouse. The shell is formed of an electrically conductive material. The computer mouse includes an optical sensor directed through an opening on the bottom of the computer mouse. The computer mouse includes an antenna within the housing. The antenna is configured to receive a sensor signal from the optical sensor in response to motion of the bottom of the computer mouse across a surface. The antenna is configured to emit a wireless signal, in response to the sensor signal, to control operations of a computing device.

In another aspect, a computer mouse includes a housing. The housing includes a non-metallic base and a shell attached to the non-metallic base. The shell is formed of an electrically conductive material. The computer mouse includes an antenna within the housing. The computer mouse includes a user input system to provide a control signal to cause the antenna to emit a wireless signal to control operations of a computing device.

In some implementations, the computer mouse can include a printed circuit board on which the user input system is positioned and on which the antenna is positioned. The printed circuit board can be mounted to the non-metallic base.

In some implementations, the computer mouse can include a printed circuit board on which the antenna is disposed. In some implementations, the printed circuit board can be mounted to the non-metallic base. In some implementations, the printed circuit board can be electrically grounded to the non-metallic base. In some implementations, the printed circuit board can be spaced part from the shell.

In some implementations, the computer mouse can include a printed circuit board on which the optical sensor is positioned and on which the antenna is positioned. The antenna can be positioned rearward relative to the optical sensor.

In some implementations, the electrically conductive material can include at least one of magnesium, titanium, carbon fiber, or aluminum.

In some implementations, the non-metallic base can be formed of a polymer.

In some implementations, the polymer can include polyetherimide.

In some implementations, the antenna can be a trace antenna.

In some implementations, the trace antenna can be a tuned inverted F trace antenna.

In some implementations, the computer mouse can further include an optical sensor configured to direct an optical signal through an opening on a bottom of the computer mouse. The wireless signal can be a first wireless signal, and the electrical signal can be a first electrical signal. The antenna can be configured to receive a sensor signal from the optical sensor in response to motion of the bottom of the computer mouse across a surface on which the bottom of the computer mouse is positioned. The antenna can be configured to emit a second wireless signal, in response to the sensor signal, to control operations of the computing device.

In some implementations, the optical sensor can be positioned in a central portion of the computer mouse.

In some implementations, the computer mouse can include a printed circuit board on which the optical sensor is positioned and on which the antenna is positioned. The antenna can be offset rearwardly from the optical sensor. In some implementations, the user input device can be connected to the printed circuit board at a location in front of the antenna. In some implementations, the bottom of the computer mouse can include a substantially planar surface positionable on the surface.

In some implementations, the antenna can be spaced apart from the shell. In some implementations, a minimum distance between the antenna and the shell can be at least 0.5 centimeters. In some implementations, a minimum distance between the antenna and the shell can be between 0.25 and 2 centimeters.

In some implementations, an overall weight of the computer mouse can be between 30 and 80 grams.

In some implementations, the non-metallic base can extend across an entire length and an entire width of a bottom of the computer mouse.

In some implementations, the non-metallic base can have a height between 0.5 and 5 millimeters.

In some implementations, the user input system can include one or more of an optical sensor, a button, a wheel, or a switch.

Advantages of implementations of the systems and methods described in this disclosure may include those described below and elsewhere in this disclosure. The computer mouse can be lightweight to allow the computer mouse to be more easily maneuvered by a user during use. Further, the computer mouse can also produce wireless signals that do not have diminished signal strength at typical operating distances (e.g., no more than 150 centimeters) between the computer mouse and a receiver of a computing device controlled by the computer mouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes implementations of devices for providing user inputs to computing devices. In particular, the present disclosure provides implementations of computer mice that are lightweight and thus easily maneuverable by users during use of the computer mice. A lightweight computer mouse can improve performance, allowing the user to more quickly move the computer mouse across a surface, e.g., a planar surface such a desk, a mousepad, or other planar surface, to thereby move a cursor on a display. The lightweight computer mouse can also reduce strain on a hand of the user. The lightweight computer mouse can be particularly advantageous during use for electronic gaming, where fast user response time over prolonged periods of play can improve performance in an electronic game.

FIGS.1-4are representative of certain implementations of a lightweight computer mouse. Referring toFIG.1, a computer mouse50includes a housing100and a control system150housed within the housing100. The control system150includes one or more electrical components of the computer mouse50, including at least parts of a user input system200and an antenna300. The housing100includes a lower housing110and an upper housing120attached to the lower housing110. The lower housing110is formed of a non-metallic material, and the upper housing120is formed of an electrically conductive material. The lower housing110and the upper housing120together can at least partially define an interior space of the housing100that can accommodate one or more electrical components of the computer mouse50, e.g., the control system150. The control system150is configured to generate wireless signals to control an operation of a computing device, e.g., a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or other computing device. For example, the user input system200of the control system150is operable by a user to provide a control signal to cause the antenna300to emit a wireless signal to control operations of a computing device. The user input system200can include one or more user input devices, e.g., one or more buttons, a mouse position input sensor, a scrolling device, a wheel, or other user input devices. The computer mouse50can further include a battery400, and the control system150can further include a printed circuit board500.

As discussed in this disclosure, the overall weight of the computer mouse50can be relatively light due to the use of lightweight components (e.g., lightweight housing components, metal housing components, etc.). To further reduce the weight, the housing100can have openings105, e.g., polygonal or circular openings, on one or more of the components of the housing100to reduce the amount of material of the housing100. Examples of configurations of these openings105are described in U.S. Ser. No. 16/216,987 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,983,609), entitled “Computer Mouse with Lightweight Housing,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some implementations, an overall weight of the computer mouse is between 30 and 80 grams (e.g., between 40 and 60 grams, between 35 and 70 grams, between 30 and 70 grams, between 60 and 60 grams, etc.). The overall weight of the computer mouse can be lightweight. In some implementations, the overall weight is no more than 80 grams, e.g., no more than 70 grams, no more than 60 grams, no more than 50 grams, no more than 40 grams, no more than 30 grams, etc. The use of electrically conductive material or metallic material for the housing100can reduce the overall weight of the material used for the housing100and thus reduce an overall weight of the computer mouse.

In exemplary implementations, the housing100includes one or more housing components. If the housing100includes two or more separate housing components, the two or more separate housing components can be interconnected with one another to form the housing100. Electrical and mechanical components of the computer mouse50can be mounted to or within the housing100.

The housing100can also at least partially define surfaces of user input devices and can provide surfaces that are slidable across a corresponding planar surface to allow a position of the computer mouse50to be changed in a manner detectable by the mouse position input sensor of the user input system200. For example, in the example illustrated inFIG.2D, the housing100provides surfaces130on a bottom portion52of the computer mouse50, e.g., on the lower housing110of the housing100. During operation of the computer mouse50by a user to control a computing device, the surfaces130, as shown in the example illustrated inFIG.3, can contact a surface700and be slid across the surface700to allow the computer mouse50to move along a plane defined by the surface700.

In the example illustrated inFIG.1, the housing100is formed by two components: the lower housing110and the upper housing120. The lower housing110forms the bottom portion52of the computer mouse50. For example, the lower housing110can include a base140, side plates160,170, and a support structure180. The side plates160,170are connected to side portions of the base140, and the support structure180extends from the side plate160to the side plate170.

The base140forms the bottom portion52of the computer mouse50. The base140can extend across an entire length L (FIG.2D) and an entire width W (FIG.2D) of the bottom portion52of the computer mouse50. A maximum height H (FIG.2C) of the base140has a height between 0.5 and 5 millimeters (e.g., no more than 4 millimeters, no more than 3 millimeters, no more than 2 millimeters, no more than 1 millimeter, etc.).

The base140can include the surfaces130. For example, the surfaces130can be provided on one or more pads affixed to the base140.

Referring toFIG.2D, the base140can further include an opening141for a mouse position input sensor of the computer mouse50(described in greater detail below). The opening141can be located in a central portion of the base140, e.g., approximately equidistant from a left side edge and a right edge of the base140and approximately equidistant from a rear edge and a front edge of the base140.

Referring back toFIG.1, the side plates160,170are attached to a top portion of the base140along lower edges of the side plates160,170. The side plate160is a left side plate, and the side plate170is a right side plate. The side plates160,170can provide surfaces for a user's fingers to grasp and rest on. In some implementations, as described in greater detail below, a portion of the user input system200can be mounted on one or both of the side plates160,170. For example, in the example shown inFIGS.1and2C, the side plate170includes an opening172to accommodate a portion of a user input device of the user input system200.

Referring back toFIG.1, the support structure180can include an interconnected combination of struts and plates extending between the side plate160and the side plate170and extending between the base140and the side plates160,170. The lower housing110can be connected to the upper housing120via the support structure180. For example, a shell122of the upper housing120and a button plate124of the upper housing120can both be attached to the support structure180and/or the side plates160,170.

Referring back toFIG.1, the shell122and the button plate124form the upper housing120. The shell122forms a rear portion of the upper housing120, and the button plate124covers a forward portion of the upper housing120. The button plate124is attachable to lower housing110in such a way that the button plate124is movable relative to the lower housing110, thus allowing the button plate124to be actuated to operate a portion of the user input system200. In particular, as described in greater detail below, at least parts of the button input device210, the button input device220, and the button input device230are located on the button plate124.

The housing100can be formed of a combination of a first set of materials that block electromagnetic fields (e.g., that have the tendency to form a Faraday cage or Faraday shield) and a second set of materials that permit passage of electromagnetic fields. For example, the first set of materials can be formed of one or more electrically conductive materials and the second set of materials can be formed of one or more electrically non-conductive materials. The electrically conductive material is lightweight. In some implementations, the electrically conductive material includes at least one of magnesium, titanium, carbon fiber, or aluminum. The electrically non-conductive material can be a non-metallic material, such as a polymer. For example, the polymer can include a polyetherimide, a thermoplastic, or other appropriate polymer material. The electrically non-conductive material can include other materials as well, including fiberglass, glass, ceramics, synthetic fibers (e.g., Kevlar), or another material that does not form surfaces that reflect radiofrequency waves.

It can be advantageous to maximize the amount of electrically conductive material, e.g., metallic material, to reduce an overall weight of the computer mouse50. The components of the housing100that are formed of the electrically conductive material and the components of the housing that are formed of the electrically non-conductive material vary in implementations.

The base140can be formed of a material different from the rest of the housing100, or from the shell122of the housing100. The base140of the lower housing110can be formed of the electrically non-conductive material so that, as described in greater detail below, the antenna300does not become electrically coupled to the housing100. In some implementations, of the components of the housing100, only the base140of the lower housing110is formed of the electrically non-conductive material, while other components of the housing100are formed of the electrically conductive material. In such implementations, the upper housing120, including the shell122and the button plate124, the side plates160,170, and the support structure180are each formed of the electrically conductive material. In further implementations, the upper housing120is formed of the electrically conductive material, and the lower housing110is formed of the electrically conductive material. Other combinations of materials are possible. For example, in some implementations, only the shell122of the upper housing120is formed of the electrically conductive material, while other components of the housing100are formed of the electrically non-conductive material. In some implementations, the housing100is 30% by weight to 60% by weight (e.g., 35% to 55%, 40% to 50%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, etc., by weight) formed of the electrically conductive material. A wall thickness of the portions of the housing100formed by the electrically conductive material can be less than a wall thickness of the portions of the housing100formed by the electrically non-conductive material. The wall thickness of the portions of the housing100formed by the electrically conductive material can be between 0.3 and 3 millimeters (e.g., between 0.5 and 2 millimeters, between 0.5 and 1.5 millimeters, about 0.5 millimeters, about 1 millimeter, about 1.5 millimeter, no more than 2 millimeters, no more than 1 millimeter, etc.), while the wall thickness of the portions of the housing100formed by the electrically non-conductive material can be between 0.5 and 5 millimeters (e.g., between 0.7 and 5 millimeters, between 0.7 and 4 millimeters, between 0.7 and 3 millimeters, about 1 millimeter, or about 2 millimeters, about 3 millimeters, etc.).

The electrically conductive material and the electrically non-conductive material can differ in other mechanical properties. The electrically conductive material can have a lager strength-to-weight ratio than the electrically non-conductive material, thereby allowing less material to be used to form the structural housing components. For example, the electrically conductive material can have a tensile strength between 200 and 1000 MPa, while the electrically non-conductive material can have a tensile strength between 30 and 200 MPa.

The user input system, in implementations, can include one or more of an optical sensor, a button, a wheel, or a switch. Referring to the example depicted inFIGS.1and2A-2C, the user input system200includes multiple user input devices, including button input devices210,220,230,240,250, a wheel input device260, and a mouse position input sensor270(FIGS.3-4). The multiple user input devices can be operated by a user of the computer mouse50to control a cursor presented on a display of a computing device. An upward-facing portion of the computer mouse50can include four distinct user-operable input devices, i.e., the button input devices210,220,230and the wheel input device260, a side-facing portion can include two distinct user-operable input devices, i.e., the side input devices240,250, and a downward-facing portion can include one user-operable input device, i.e., the mouse position input sensor270.

Referring toFIG.2B, user-operable surfaces212,222of the button input devices210,220are located on the button plate124. The user-operable surfaces212,222serve as buttons that can be pressed by the user. When the user-operable surfaces212,222of the button input devices210are pressed by the user, the button input devices210,220are actuated in response to the switches214,224on the printed circuit board500being actuated. For example, the button input devices210,220can each include a contact member (e.g., contact members213,223shown inFIG.1) that forms part of the button plate124. The contact members213,223contact and depress the switches214,224when the user-operable surfaces212,222, respectively, are pressed by the user. The button input device210can be a left button input device, and the button input device220can be a right button input device. When actuated, the button input device210causes the control system150to produce a control signal used to perform a “left click” operation on the computing device. And when the button input device220is actuated, the button input device210causes the control system150to produce a control signal used to perform a “right click” operation on the computing device.

In some implementations, a button input device can include a portion that is located on button plate124but that does not include a portion (e.g., a user-operable surface) that is part of the button plate124. Referring toFIGS.1and2B, the button input device230includes a user-operable surface232that is distinct from the button plate124. The button input device230includes the user-operable surface232, a contact member234, and a switch236on the printed circuit board500. At least a portion of the button input device230is exposed through an opening126on the button plate124that is positioned between the left user-operable surface212and the right user-operable surface222on the button plate124. When the user-operable surface232is pressed by the user, the contact member234contacts and actuates the switch236, thereby causing the control system150to produce a control signal for controlling a cursor on a display of a computing device. The control signal can be used to set a dots-per-inch of the cursor on the display of the computing device, i.e., an amount of pixels moved by the cursor in response to an inch of movement of the computer mouse50along the surface across which the computer mouse50is moved.

Referring toFIGS.1,2B,2C, the side input devices240,250are positioned on the left side plate160. The side input devices240,250include user-operable surfaces242,252, contact members244,254and corresponding switches246,256(FIGS.1,3). The user-operable surfaces242,252are leftward facing to allow a thumb of a right hand of a user to press on the user-operable surfaces242,252. When the user-operable surfaces242,252are pressed inwardly by a user, the contact members244,254(FIG.2C) contact and actuate the switches246,256, thereby causing the control system150to produce control signals to control an operation of a computing device.

The wheel input device260extends through an opening182(FIGS.1,2B) on the support structure180and is positioned between the user-operable surfaces212,222on the button plate124. The wheel input device260includes a wheel262that is rotatable about an axle264. In response to the rotation of the wheel262, the wheel input device260causes the control system150to produce a control signal used to perform a vertical scrolling operation on the computing device. In some implementations, the wheel input device260can be pushed toward the base140of the lower housing110to actuate a switch266, thereby causing the control system150to produce a control signal to perform a “middle click” operation on the computing device.

The mouse position input sensor270detects relative movement between the computer mouse50and the surface on which the computer mouse50is supported. The mouse position input sensor270, in the example depicted inFIGS.3-4, is positioned in a central portion of the computer mouse50. The mouse position input sensor270can be an optical sensor configured to direct an optical signal through the opening141on a bottom of the computer mouse50. In other implementations, the mouse position input sensor270can be another type of system, such as a roller ball system. The mouse position input sensor270causes the control system150to produce a control signal based on the movement of the computer mouse50.

Referring toFIGS.1and3, the antenna300is used to transmit a wireless signal to a computing device controlled by the computer mouse50. In some implementations, the antenna300is a trace antenna, e.g., an inverted F trace antenna.

The antenna300is positioned away from electrically conductive material of the housing100to avoid electrically coupling the antenna300with the housing100. For example, in implementations in which the upper housing120as a whole is formed of the electrically conductive material, the antenna300is spaced apart from the upper housing120. In implementations in which only some of the upper housing120is formed of the electrically conductive material (e.g., only the shell122of the upper housing120), the antenna300can be spaced apart from the shell122.

A minimum distance between the antenna300and the electrically conductive material of the housing100can vary in implementations. The minimum distance can correspond to a minimum distance between the upper housing120and the antenna300, a minimum distance between the shell122and the antenna300, or a minimum distance between the button plate124and the antenna300. In implementations, the minimum distance is, for example, at least 0.5 centimeters (e.g., at least 0.4 centimeters, at least 0.3 centimeters, at least 0.2 centimeters, at least 0.1 centimeters, between 0.25 and 2 centimeters, between 0.25 and 1.5 centimeters, between 0.25 and 1.25 centimeters, between 0.5 and 1 centimeters, between 0.3 and 0.8 centimeters, between 0.2 and 0.7 centimeters, between 0.1 and 0.6 centimeters, etc.).

The battery400serves as an energy source for the electrical components of the computer mouse50. The battery400can be a rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the battery can be a single-use battery that is replaceable. The battery400can be positioned on a rearward portion of the computer mouse50to keep the weight of the battery400toward the rear of the computer mouse50. The battery400can be charged by plugging a cable410(FIGS.2A-2E) connected to a power source into a charging port420(FIG.2G).

As described in this disclosure, the computer mouse50can include the printed circuit board500. As shown inFIG.3, the printed circuit board500can extend through an interior of the computer mouse50from a rearward portion of the computer mouse50to a forward portion of the computer mouse50. One or more of the electrical components of the computer mouse50are located on (e.g., mounted on) the printed circuit board500. The printed circuit board500is electrically grounded to a portion of the housing100formed of the non-metallic material (described herein). Further, the printed circuit board500is spaced apart from portions of the housing100formed of the metallic material (described herein). For example, the printed circuit board500is mounted to the lower housing110, e.g., the base140or a top portion of the base140, and the base140is formed of the non-metallic material. Further, the printed circuit board500is spaced apart from the upper housing120, e.g., the shell122, the button plates124, or both the shell122and the button plates124.

Relative locations of the one or more electrical components can vary in implementations. The relative locations of the one or more electrical components can affect weight distribution and can also be selected so as to reduce interference with signals transmitted and/or received by electrical components of the computer mouse50(e.g., by the antenna300).

In the example shown inFIGS.4-5, the electrical components of the control system150are positioned on the printed circuit board500. The button input devices210,220,230(e.g., the electrical components of the button input devices210,220,230, such as the switches214,224,236) are each positioned on the forward portion of the computer mouse50and on the forward portion of the printed circuit board500. The switches214,224are positioned on the left and right sides of the wheel input device260, which is also positioned on the forward portion of the printed circuit board500. The mouse position input sensor270is positioned rearward of the button input device230. The side input devices240,250(e.g., the electrical components of the side input devices240,250, such as the switches246,256) are positioned on a left portion of the computer mouse50and on a left portion of the printed circuit board500. Implementations in which the side input devices240,250are positioned on the left portion of the printed circuit board500can correspond to implementations of computers mice to be used by a right hand of a user. In implementations in which the computer mouse is to be used by a left hand of a user, the side input devices240,250can be positioned on a right portion of the computer mouse50and on a right portion of the printed circuit board500. Each of the button input devices210,220,230, the side input devices240,250, the wheel input device260, and the mouse position input sensor270is positioned in front of the antenna300.

In use, implementations of the computer mouse50described in this disclosure can be used to permit user control of a cursor on a display connected to the computing device. The control system150is operated to control the antenna300for transmitting wireless signals to a computing device to permit the user to control the cursor. For example, when actuated, button input devices of the user input system200can generate sensor or control signals, e.g., electrical sensor or control signals, that are transmitted to the antenna300. The antenna300, in response to the sensor or control signals, generates wireless signals received by the computing device. In some implementations, the computing device receives the wireless signals through a receiving device connected to the computing device, e.g., a dongle releasably connected to a port of the computing device. In some implementations, the computer mouse50can be paired to the computing device through a short-range wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth. In response to receiving the wireless signals, the computing device controls a cursor on a display connected to the computing device.

The computer mouse50is configured such that a strength of a wireless signal, e.g., a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), transmitted by the antenna300and received at a receiver of the computing device can be sufficiently high to allow the cursor to be sufficiently responsive to control by the user. In particular, over a distance between the receiver and the antenna300, the RSSI can be above a threshold amount to allow for optimal performance. The computer mouse50can be positioned at a distance from a receiver of the computing device controlled by the computer mouse50. For example, the distance can be between 0 and 210 centimeters (e.g., between 0 and 90 centimeters, between 0 and 60 centimeters, between 0 and 30 centimeters, no more than 30 centimeters, no more than 60 centimeters, no more than 90 centimeters, no more than 120 centimeters, no more than 150 centimeters, no more than 180 centimeters, no more than 210 centimeters from the receiver of the computer device, etc.). At a distance between 0 and 210 centimeters, the control system150and the antenna300are configured such that RSSI can be at least −70 decibel-milliwatts (dBm), e.g., at least −75 dBm, at least −80 dBm, or at least −85 dBm.

FIG.6illustrates measured RSSI at a receiver for signals generated by computer mice having different configurations. Four different computer mouse configurations were tested. Each of the configurations, i.e., Configurations 1-4, had a printed circuit board configured in accordance with examples of the printed circuit board500described in this disclosure and thus were configured to generate wireless signals in accordance with examples of the antenna300described in this disclosure. Configurations 1-4 differ from one another in what the printed circuit boards are housed within. Configuration 1 did not have a housing enclosing the printed circuit board.

Configurations 2-3 had housings similar to the housing100described in this disclosure but different in that each of the components of the housings of Configuration 2 and Configuration 3 is formed of a magnesium material. In this regard, the housing of Configuration 2 and the housing of Configuration 3 were formed of a metallic material. In Configurations 2-3, the printed circuit boards were mounted onto bases of the housings. The base in each of these configurations was formed of the magnesium material. The antenna in Configuration 2 was a trace antenna (similar to the antenna300described in this disclosure), while the antenna in Configuration 3 was a wire antenna that extends from the printed circuit board to an exterior of the housing in Configuration 3.

Configuration 4 had a housing configured in accordance with the housing100described in this disclosure. In particular, the housing of Configuration 4 had a plastic base (e.g., similar to some implementations of the base140). In particular, the plastic base was formed of a polyetherimide material. Other components of the housing of Configuration 4 were formed of a magnesium material. Furthermore, the printed circuit board was mounted to the plastic base and was spaced apart from the electrically conductive components of the housing, e.g., the upper housing and the side plates of the housing.

The RSSI was measured at multiple different distances between the receiver and the antenna on the printed circuit board for each of the Configurations. The measurement distances were 30 centimeters, 60 centimeters, 90 centimeters, 120 centimeters, 150 centimeters, 180 centimeters, and 210 centimeters. As a preliminary matter, Configuration 1 (no housing) had an RSSI no less than a baseline RSSI of −70 dBm over each of the measurement distances. In particular, a minimum RSSI for Configuration 1 occurred at a distance of 180 centimeters, and the minimum RSSI corresponded to the baseline RSSI of −70 dBm.

Configuration 4 (which had a housing with a magnesium upper housing and a plastic base) consistently performed above the baseline RSSI for each of the measurement distances, while Configuration 2 (which had a housing having a magnesium upper housing and a magnesium lower housing and an internal antenna) and Configuration 3 (which had a housing having a magnesium upper housing and a magnesium lower housing and an external antenna) did not perform consistently above the baseline RSSI for each of the measurement distances. The RSSI for Configuration 4 was higher than the baseline RSSI of −70 dBm at each of the measurement distances. In contrast, the RSSI for Configuration 2 was lower than the baseline RSSI at each of the measurement distances. Furthermore, the RSSI for Configuration was higher than the RSSI for Configuration 2 at all the measurement distances, e.g., by at least 12 dBm at each of the measurement distances. Configuration 3 provided an RSSI above the baseline at the 30-centimeter and 120-centimeter measurement distances, but lower than the baseline at the 60-centimeter, 90-centimeter, 150-centimeter, 180-centimeter, and 210-centimeter measurement distances.

A number of implementations have been described. While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what is being claimed, which is defined by the claims themselves, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. It will be understood that various modifications may be made.

The subject matter and the actions and operations described in this specification can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The subject matter and the actions and operations described in this specification can be implemented as or in one or more computer programs, e.g., one or more modules of computer program instructions, encoded on a computer program carrier, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The carrier can be a tangible non-transitory computer storage medium. Alternatively or in addition, the carrier can be an artificially-generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus. The computer storage medium can be or be part of a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a random or serial access memory device, or a combination of one or more of them. A computer storage medium is not a propagated signal.

The term “data processing apparatus” encompasses all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. Data processing apparatus can include special-purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array), an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), or a GPU (graphics processing unit). The apparatus can also include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for computer programs, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages; and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program, e.g., as an app, or as a module, component, engine, subroutine, or other unit suitable for executing in a computing environment, which environment may include one or more computers interconnected by a data communication network in one or more locations.

A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A computer program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data, e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document, in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files, e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more computers executing one or more computer programs to perform operations by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by special-purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA, an ASIC, or a GPU, or by a combination of special-purpose logic circuitry and one or more programmed computers.

Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program can be based on general or special-purpose microprocessors or both, or any other kind of central processing unit. Generally, a central processing unit will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a central processing unit for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. The central processing unit and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special-purpose logic circuitry.

Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to, one or more mass storage devices, and be configured to receive data from or transfer data to the mass storage devices. The mass storage devices can be, for example, magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, or solid state drives. However, a computer need not have such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in another device, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio or video player, a game console, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or a portable storage device, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, to name just a few.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on one or more computers having, or configured to communicate with, a display device, e.g., a LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or a virtual-reality (VR) or augmented-reality (AR) display, for displaying information to the user, and an input device by which the user can provide input to the computer, e.g., a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, and examples of the computer mouse50described in this disclosure. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback and responses provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual, auditory, speech or tactile; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input, including touch motion or gestures, or kinetic motion or gestures or orientation motion or gestures. In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's device in response to requests received from the web browser, or by interacting with an app running on a user device, e.g., a smartphone or electronic tablet. Also, a computer can interact with a user by sending text messages or other forms of message to a personal device, e.g., a smartphone that is running a messaging application, and receiving responsive messages from the user in return.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially be claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claim may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.