PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9911551-B2
Application Number: US-201615017417-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Concealed apparatus for communicating with an electronic device

Abstract:
An electronic device has a concealed external electrical connector that may be activated by a pin of a mating connector. When the pin applies a force to an electrically conductive and flexible region of an exterior housing of an electronic device the electrically conductive region deflects inwards coupling to a contact within the electronic device. A bi-directional communications path is then established from the pin of the connector, through the conductive portion of the housing, to the contact and to circuitry within the housing of the electronic device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 an exterior housing having a deflectable region and an aperture formed through the deflectable region, 
 a conductive panel positioned within the aperture and secured to an electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing, wherein the deflectable region is configured to be deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state; and 
 a contact disposed within the electronic device and spaced apart from the conductive panel such that the contact is not in electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable region is in the relaxed state and makes electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable region is in the deflected state. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein an electrical connection is formed between a conductive pin of a mating connector and the contact when the deflectable region is in the deflected state. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2  wherein the conductive pin of the mating connector forces the deflectable region into the deflected state. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the conductive panel is metal and is insert molded within the exterior housing. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the conductive panel is metal and the electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing is a gasket. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 5  wherein the gasket is disposed between an inner peripheral edge of the conductive panel and an outer peripheral edge of the exterior housing. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the conductive panel comprises a metal and the electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing comprises an oxidized metal. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the contact is disposed on a printed circuit board within the electronic device. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein when in the relaxed state there is no electrical continuity between the conductive panel and the contact. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein one or more shims are used to set a gap between the conductive panel and the contact. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device comprising:
 an exterior housing having a deflectable region configured to be elastically deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state wherein an aperture is formed through the deflectable region and a conductive panel is positioned within the aperture; and 
 a contact disposed within the electronic device and positioned to make electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable region is in a deflected state such that an electrical circuit is formed between the contact and an outer surface of the exterior housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein a conductive pin of a mated electrical connector causes the deflectable region to transition to the deflected state such that an electrical circuit is formed between the conductive pin and the contact. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the conductive panel comprises a metal. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the conductive panel is disposed within a portion of the exterior housing that is electrically insulative. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 11  further comprising a sealant applied to an interface between the conductive panel and an electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein a gasket is disposed between an outer periphery of the conductive panel and an inner periphery of an electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 11  wherein the conductive panel forms an entirety of the deflectable region of the exterior housing. 
     
     
       18. An electronic device comprising:
 a housing including an exterior wall having a deflectable region that is deformable between a relaxed state and a deflected state, the deflectable region comprising an electrically insulative portion having an aperture formed therethrough and an electrically conductive panel disposed within the aperture and secured to the electrically insulative portion such that the electrically insulative portion and the electrically conductive panel combine to form a portion of the exterior wall; and 
 an electrically conductive contact disposed within the electronic device and spaced apart from the electrically conductive panel such that the contact is not in electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable region is in the relaxed state and is in electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable region is in the deflected state. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein an electrical connection is formed between a conductive pin of a mating connector and the contact when the deflectable region is in the deflected state.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/235,404, filed Sep. 30, 2015, titled “CONCEALED APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently there are a wide variety of electronic devices that have one or more external connectors or buttons for communicating with internal circuitry within the electronic device. These external connectors and buttons can be used for charging the device and/or for performing uni-directional or bi-directional communications with the device. However, some electronic devices may be too small to utilize external buttons or connectors without disrupting the aesthetics of the exterior. Other electronic devices may not be able us use external buttons or connectors because the devices are water resilient or waterproof and such components can be difficult to seal. Yet further electronic devices may not be able to use external buttons or connectors because the manufacturer of the electronic device may want the electrical connector or the buttons concealed so they are not accessible by the user and/or they may be concerned with corrosion if the electrical connector contacts have a continuous electrical bias. 
     However, some electronic devices may still need an external electronic connector or one or more external buttons for performing settings at the factory and/or for performing repair &amp; diagnostics on the device or for other uses. 
     New electronic devices may require new features or new methods of implementing external electronic connectors and/or buttons that are concealed and that may consume little space, provide uninterrupted device aesthetics, be water resilient or water proof and/or be electrically neutral on the outside surface of the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present invention relate to concealed communication devices (external buttons and/or electrical connectors) for electronic devices that are disposed on an exterior housing of the electronic device. The concealed communication device may have a conductive panel forming a deflectable portion of the exterior housing of the electronic device. The deflectable portion of the housing may appear to be non-functional (i.e., it may aesthetically blend in with the rest of the exterior housing), however the deflectable portion may be configured to be deflected by a pin of a mating connector such that the conductive panel is forced to a deflected state forming a connection with a contact within the electronic device. Thus, when in the deflected state, an electrical connection is formed from the pin of the mating connector, through the deflected electrically conductive panel and to the contact within the electronic device. When the mating connector is removed, the conductive panel elastically moves away from the contact within the electronic device and is electrically isolated from circuitry within the electronic device. 
     In some embodiments the concealed communications apparatus comprises a conductive panel secured to an electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing of the electronic device. The conductive panel can be configured to be elastically deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state. 
     In some embodiments the conductive panel is metal and the electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing is a gasket. In various embodiments the gasket is disposed between an inner peripheral edge of the conductive panel and an outer peripheral edge of the exterior housing. In some embodiments the conductive panel comprises a metal and the electrically insulative portion of the exterior housing comprises an oxidized metal. 
     In some embodiments the contact is disposed on a printed circuit board within the electronic device. In various embodiments when in the relaxed state there is no electrical continuity between the conductive panel and the contact. In some embodiments one or more shims are used to set a gap between the conductive panel and the contact. 
     In some embodiments an electronic device comprises an exterior housing having a deflectable portion configured to be elastically deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state wherein a conductive panel forms at least a section of the deflectable portion. The electronic device may further comprise a contact disposed within the electronic device and positioned to make electrical contact with the conductive panel when the deflectable portion is in a deflected state such that an electrical circuit is formed between the contact and an outer surface of the exterior housing. 
     In various embodiments a conductive pin of a mated electrical connector causes the deflectable portion to transition to the deflected state such that an electrical circuit is formed between the conductive pin and the contact. In some embodiments the conductive panel comprises a metal. In various embodiments the conductive panel is disposed within an insulative exterior housing. 
     In some embodiments the electronic device further comprises a sealant applied to an interface between the conductive panel and the exterior housing. In various embodiments a gasket is disposed between an outer periphery of the conductive panel and an inner periphery of the exterior housing. In some embodiments the conductive panel forms the entirety of the deflectable portion of the exterior housing. 
     In various embodiments a method of forming an electrical connection with an electronic device is disclosed where the method comprises receiving a mating electrical connector by the electronic device, and in response a deflectable portion of an exterior housing of the electronic device transitions to a deflected position wherein a conductive panel that forms a portion of the exterior housing of the electronic device is in electrical contact with a contact disposed within the electronic device such that an electrical circuit is formed between a pin of the mating connector through the conductive panel to the contact. 
     In some embodiments when the mating electrical connector is de-mated, the deflectable portion of the exterior housing of the electronic device transitions to a relaxed state such that there is a gap formed between the conductive panel and the contact. In various embodiments the pin of the mating connector forces the deflectable portion of the exterior housing into the deflected position when the mating connector is mated to the electronic device. 
     In some embodiments an electronic device comprising an electrically conductive exterior housing having a deflectable portion configured to be elastically deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state is disclosed. A top contact is secured to an inside surface of the deflectable portion, isolated from the exterior housing by an insulator, and coupled to circuitry within the electronic device. A bottom contact is positioned within the electronic device and positioned such that when in the deflected state the top contact makes electrical contact with the bottom contact. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electronic device having a concealed communications device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2B  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 3A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 3A  in an alternative deflected position; 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 4A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 5A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 6A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 7A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 9A  in a deflected position; 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a concealed communications apparatus; 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-section of an electronic receptacle and plug connector in a demated position; 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-section of the electronic receptacle and plug connector illustrated in  FIG. 11A  in a mated position; 
         FIG. 11C  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the plug connector illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ; 
         FIG. 12A  is a cross-section of an embodiment of a momentary button type of concealed communications apparatus; and 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross-section of the concealed communications apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 12A  in a deflected position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of the present invention relate electronic devices with one or more external concealed communications apparatuses enabling a user to communicate with circuitry within the electronic device. By applying a force to a particular region of an exterior housing of the electronic device a deflectable portion of the exterior housing may deflect inward. The deflected portion of the housing may interact with circuitry within the electronic device, enabling a user to communicate with the electronic device in one or more ways. The deflectable portion of the housing may appear to be a non-functional portion of the housing. While the present invention can be useful for a wide variety of configurations, some embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for electronic devices that do not have room for electrical connectors or buttons, have aesthetic requirements and/or or have a need to be water resilient or waterproof, as discussed in more detail below. 
     For example, in some embodiments an electronic device may have a concealed external electrical connector that enables a mating connector to establish one or more electronic communication channels with circuitry within the electronic device. The term concealed may be used to indicate that the connector is imperceptible to the naked eye or that it is relatively imperceptible and/or it may be hidden by other components. A mating connector may have a conductive pin arranged to apply a force to a flexible region of the exterior housing of the electronic device. The flexible region may have an electrically conductive panel that may be deflected by the pin of the mating connector, forcing it to touch a contact within the electronic device. Thus, in the deflected state, the conductive pin of the mating connector makes electrical contact through the conductive panel to the contact within the electronic device such that bi-directional electrical signals may be passed between circuitry within electronic device and an external device. Some embodiments may have multiple conductive panels and multiple contacts such that more than one electrical communication circuit may be formed. 
     In another example the conductive panel may be joined to the external housing of the electronic device with a flexible gasket. The flexible gasket may deflect under the applied force from the pin of the mating connector and the conductive panel may be pushed against the electrical contact within the electronic device. In another example a portion of the external housing of the electronic device, the conductive panel and the gasket may all simultaneously deflect to enable the conductive panel to touch the contact within the electronic device. In yet further embodiments the conductive panel may be insulated from the exterior housing by an anodization layer. In some examples similar deflectable panels as described above may be used to form electrical contacts within an interior cavity a receptacle connector. In another embodiment, a flexible portion of an electrically conductive housing may be used to form an electrical connection within an electronic device, forming a “momentary” button, enabling unidirectional communication from a user to circuitry within the electronic device. 
     In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of electronic devices with a concealed communications apparatus, further context for the invention is provided in the following section by discussing one particular implementation of an electronic device according to embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are for example only and other embodiments may be employed in other electronic devices. For example, any device that receives or transmits audio, video or data signals may be used with the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their potentially small form factor. As used herein, an electronic media device includes any device with at least one electronic component that may be used to present human-perceivable media. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), wearable electronic devices (e.g., Apple&#39;s watch), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Some of these devices may be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output. 
       FIG. 1  is an example electronic device  100  with a concealed communications apparatus  105  enabling a user to communicate with circuitry within the electronic device. Electronic device  100  has an exterior housing  110  with exterior surface  115 . Electronic device  100  may also have a screen  120  as an input/output device and one or more visible buttons  125  for a user to communicate with the electronic device. Concealed communications apparatus  105  may have a deflectable portion  130  of exterior housing  110 . Deflectable portion  130  may be configured to be deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state under an applied force and may enable a user to communicate with circuitry within electronic device  100  in one or more ways, as described in more detail below. When the applied force is removed, exterior housing  110  elastically returns to the relaxed state, breaking the communication channel. 
     The following figures will first describe the external electrical connector embodiments followed by the momentary internal momentary button embodiments. Both embodiments will be described in the context of electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As discussed above, neither embodiment is limited to implementation in electronic device  100  and may be implemented in myriad devices. 
     External Electrical Connector Embodiments 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2A  a simplified cross-section (section A-A illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of concealed communications apparatus  105  that functions as an external electrical connector is illustrated. In some embodiments, concealed communications apparatus  105  may include a conductive panel  205  forming at least a portion of deflectable portion  130  of exterior housing  110  of electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). Conductive panel  205  may be secured to an electrically insulative portion  210  of exterior housing  110 . Deflectable portion  130  may be configured to be deformed between a relaxed state (illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) and a deformed state, discussed in more detail below. Also illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is a contact  215 , disposed within electronic device  100  and spaced apart from conductive panel  205  while deflectable portion  130  is in the relaxed state. A pin  220  of a mating connector is positioned above conductive panel  205  in a de-mated position. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2B , concealed communications apparatus  105  is illustrated in an elastically deflected state where pin  220  of the mating connector (not shown) applies a force to conductive panel  205 . In response to the applied force, deflectable portion  130  moves to the deflected state and conductive panel  205  is in electrical contact with contact  215 . Contact  215  may be connected to circuitry within electronic device  100  through a circuit board  225  or any other means. In some embodiments both conductive panel  205  and a portion of exterior housing  110  may be deflected while in various embodiments other deflecting configurations may be used, as discussed in more detail below. While in the deflected state, illustrated in  FIG. 2B , conductive pin  220  makes electrical contact through conductive panel  205  to contact  215  such that bi-directional electrical signals may be passed between circuitry within electronic device  100  and an external device. In some embodiments more than one conductive panel  205  and contact  215  may be used such that multiple parallel electrical paths may be established between the connector and circuitry within electronic device  100 . 
     In some embodiments conductive panel  205  may look similar to exterior housing  110  so it blends in and is relatively concealed. In various embodiments conductive panel  205  may be co-machined with exterior housing  110  such that the conductive panel and exterior housing have a uniform surface. In further embodiments conductive panel  205  may look similar to exterior housing  110  in color and/or texture. Conductive panel  205  can have a variety of shapes (e.g., from a top view) such as circular, oval, rectangular, etc. that can be based on design needs and/or exterior housing  110  shape for the particular electronic device the connector is incorporated into. 
     In some embodiments conductive panel  205  may be between 0.4 millimeters and 3 millimeters in diameter, while in various embodiments conductive panel may be between 0.6 millimeters and 1.0 millimeters in diameter and in some embodiments it may be approximately 0.8 millimeters in diameter. In other embodiments conductive panel  205  may be square, octagonal or any other shape. Conductive panel  205  may be made from any electrically conductive material including, but not limited to a metal, a metal alloy, an electrically conductive composite, an electrically conductive plastic and/or an electrically conductive fabric. In some embodiments conductive panel  205  may comprise aluminum or copper and may have one or more layers of plating. In some embodiments there may be multiple conductive panels  205  that are deflected at the same time such that a plurality of electrical connections to circuitry within electronic device  100  may be made simultaneously. 
     In various embodiments it may be desirable for electronic device  100  to be water resilient or water proof and conductive panel  205  may be integrated with exterior housing  110  in one or more ways to make interface  230  resilient to penetration by a liquid. In some embodiments, conductive panel  205  may be secured to exterior housing  110  with one or more mold locks  235  that create a seal between an outer periphery  240  of conductive panel  205  and inner periphery  245  of exterior housing  110 . In various embodiments mold locks  235  may be created with an insert molding process while in some embodiments a seal or other structure may be used. In various embodiments a sealant  237  (e.g., such as, but not limited to a silicone or an epoxy) may be applied to interface  230  between conductive panel  205  and exterior housing  110  to improve the resilience of the interface to moisture penetration. 
     In some embodiments, contact  215  may comprise one or more metals and may be a raised conductive pad on printed circuit board  225  while in other embodiments the contact may be any electrical conductor configured to communicate an isolated electrical signal to circuitry within electronic device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , one or more intermediate shims  250  may be disposed between printed circuit board  225  and exterior housing  110 . In further embodiments one or more lower shims  255  may be disposed under printed circuit board  225  and may be used to set a gap  260  between conductive panel  205  and contact  215  to ensure concealed communication device  105  has a consistent feel and operation for the user. In some embodiments various components of electronic device  100  may be measured before assembly and one or more intermediate shims  250  and/or lower shims  255  may be preselected for use during assembly. In some embodiments gap  260  may be set to a distance between 5 microns and 1000 microns while in various embodiments the gap may be set between 10 microns and 400 microns. In some embodiments gap  260  may be shimmed such that the gap is set at a predetermined distance within a tolerance of plus or minus 60 microns, while in various embodiments it may be shimmed to a tolerance of plus or minus 30 microns. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3A , another example of a cross-section of a concealed communications apparatus  300  is shown having a gasket  365  disposed between an outer peripheral edge  340  of conductive panel  305  and an inner peripheral edge  345  of exterior housing  310 . In some embodiments gasket  365  may be an elastomer or a plastic material that allows electrically conductive panel  305  to move vertically while exterior housing  310  remains stationary where deflection of the conductive panel is accommodated by the gasket, as shown in more detail below. In some embodiments gasket  365  is an elastomer while in various embodiments the gasket may be made from Hytrel, for example. In various embodiments gasket  365  may be configured to make concealed communications apparatus  300  impervious to water penetration. In some embodiments exterior housing  310  may be electrically conductive and gasket  365  may perform as an electrical insulator to the conductive external housing. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3B , conductive panel  305  is illustrated in a deflected position where it is touching contact  315  such that an electrical circuit is formed from pin  320 , through conductive panel  305  to the contact. Gasket  365  is shown in a deformed state, allowing conductive panel  305  to move while maintaining a seal to exterior housing  310 . In some embodiments gasket may be resilient and as soon as the applied force from pin  320  is removed, the gasket may return conductive panel  305  to a relaxed state. As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  305  and printed circuit board  325 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3C  the same embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is shown, however in this configuration both exterior housing  310  and gasket  365  are configured exhibit a combined deflection under applied force from pin  320 . The combined deflection of both gasket  365  and exterior housing  310  may be used in any of the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4A , concealed communications apparatus  400  employing a gasket  465  disposed between an outer peripheral edge  440  of conductive panel  405  and an inner peripheral edge  445  of exterior housing  410 . In some embodiments gasket  465  may be an elastomer or plastic material that allows electrically conductive panel  405  to move and exterior housing  410  to remain in place where the deflection of the conductive panel is accommodated by the gasket as shown below. Gasket  465  is in the shape of a “plus sign” having a first horizontal member  475  disposed within a recess  480  in inner peripheral edge  445  of exterior housing  410  and a second horizontal member  485  disposed within a recess  490  within outer peripheral edge  440  of conductive panel  405 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4B  concealed communications apparatus  400  is illustrated in a deflected position with pin  420  of a connector applying a force to conductive panel  405 . Gasket  465  is shown in a deformed state, allowing conductive panel  405  to move while maintaining a seal to exterior housing  410 . In some embodiments gasket  465  may be resilient and as soon as the applied force from pin  420  is removed, the gasket may return conductive panel  405  to a relaxed state. As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  405  and printed circuit board  425 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5A  a concealed communications apparatus  500  employing a gasket  565  disposed between an outer peripheral edge  540  of conductive panel  505  and an inner peripheral edge  545  of exterior housing  510 . Gasket  565  is in the shape of a jogged line. Jog  570  can limit travel of conductive plate so it remains co-planar with exterior housing  510  aiding its concealment. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5B  concealed communications apparatus  500  is illustrated in a deflected position with pin  520  of a connector applying a force to conductive panel  505 . Gasket  565  is shown in a deformed state, allowing conductive panel  505  to move while maintaining a seal to exterior housing  510 . In some embodiments gasket  565  may be resilient and as soon as the applied force from pin  520  is removed, the gasket may return conductive panel  505  to a relaxed state. As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  505  and printed circuit board  525 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6A  a concealed communications apparatus  600  is shown that is similar to concealed communications apparatus  500  illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , however the gasket does not extend to the top portion of the interface between conductive plate  605  and exterior housing  610 . Instead, there is only a small gap between conductive plate  605  and exterior housing  610  to conceal the conductive plate within the exterior housing. More specifically, this configuration allows a very small gap between outer peripheral edge  640  of conductive panel  605  and an inner peripheral edge  645  of exterior housing  610  near outer surface  670  of the exterior housing. The small gap enables a smaller disruption in outer surface  670  of exterior housing  610  so conductive panel  605  may be concealed. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7A  a concealed communications apparatus  700  is shown where conductive plate  705  is electrically insulated from exterior housing  710  by an anodized surface  770 , as discussed in more detail below. Exterior housing  710  may comprise aluminum and may have an anodized surface  770  formed on at least inner perimeter  740 . Anodized surface  770  may be formed with an electrolytic passivation process used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of exterior housing  710 . Anodized surface  770  may be electrically insulative and may electrically isolate conductive panel  705  from exterior housing  710 . In some embodiments, exterior housing  710  and conductive panel  705  may be made from the same material and may have a similar appearance so the conductive panel may be concealed. In some embodiments, to hold conductive plate  705  in place against external housing, one or more elastomeric springs  775  may be used between conductive panel  705  and printed circuit board  725  while in other embodiments any other type of resilient mechanism, such as for example, a spring may be used. In an alternative configuration, conductive plate  705  may have an anodized surface in addition to, or instead of exterior housing  710  having an anodized surface. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7B  a concealed communications apparatus  700  is illustrated in a deflected position with pin  720  of a connector applying a force to conductive panel  705 . Elastomeric springs  775  are shown in a deformed state, allowing conductive panel  705  to move to the deflected position. In some embodiments elastomeric springs  775  may be resilient and as soon as the applied force from pin  720  is removed, the elastomeric springs may return conductive panel  705  to a relaxed state. As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  705  and printed circuit board  725 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8A  concealed communications apparatus  800  is shown where a conductive panel  805  is secured to external housing  810  with an adhesive  875  and the conductive panel deflects to make a connection with contact  815 . In some embodiments contact  815  may be placed on a spacer  870 . More specifically, conductive plate  815  is made from an electrically conductive material that is flexible enough to resiliently deflect under an applied force from pin  820  of a mating connector and to return to a relaxed state when the force from the pin is removed. In various embodiments adhesive  875  may be, for example, a pressure sensitive adhesive, a gasket or any other type of material that may be used to bond conductive plate  805  to exterior housing  810 . Adhesive  875  may be used to make concealed communications apparatus  800  resistant to liquid ingression. In some embodiments, concealed communications apparatus  800  may also be similar to previous embodiments such as  FIG. 3C  where exterior housing  810  and/or a gasket may deflect together with conductive plate  805 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 8B  concealed communications apparatus  800  is illustrated in a deflected position with pin  820  of a connector applying a force to conductive panel  805 . Conductive panel  805  may be deformed in an elastic manner such that as soon as the applied force from pin  820  is removed, the conductive panel may return to the relaxed state illustrated in  FIG. 8A . As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  805  and contact  815 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9A  a concealed communications apparatus  900  is shown where a conductive plate  905  is molded into external housing  910  and the conductive plate deflects to make a connection with contact  915 . More specifically, conductive plate  905  may be insert molded or press-fit into external housing  910  such that it is secured to the external housing. In further embodiments conductive plate  905  may be secured to external housing  910  in such a way as to resist water ingression into electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ), as discussed above. In some embodiments, concealed communications apparatus  900  may also be similar to previous embodiments such as  FIG. 3C  where exterior housing  910  and/or a gasket may deflect together with conductive plate  905 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9B  concealed communications apparatus  900  is illustrated in a deflected position with pin  920  of a connector applying a force to conductive panel  905 . Conductive panel  905  may be deformed in an elastic manner such that as soon as the applied force from pin  920  is removed, the conductive panel may return to the relaxed state illustrated in  FIG. 9A . As discussed above, one or more shims may set a gap between conductive panel  905  and contact  915 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 10  a concealed communications apparatus  1000  is shown where a conductive plate  1005  is formed from a portion of external housing  1010  of an electronic device. In this embodiment external housing and/or conductive plate  1005  deflects to make a connection with a contact (not shown in  FIG. 10 ) within the electronic device, similar to the embodiments illustrated above. In some embodiments exterior housing  1010  may comprise an electrically conductive material and a high density of perforations may be made through exterior housing  1010  in an annular area  1070  surrounding conductive plate  1005 . The high density of perforations may make annular area flexible. Further, the high density of perforations may increase the lateral electrical resistance to exterior housing  1010 . The electrical resistance may be enough such that when in a deflected position an electrical signal may be passed through conductive plate to the contact within the electronic device. In some embodiments this configuration may be useful to pass RF signals that need a controlled impedance to ground. In one embodiment exterior housing  1010  may be made from aluminum and the perforation density in annular area  1070  may be extremely high such that an anodization process converts the remaining aluminum in the perforated annular area  1070  to an insulative oxide such that conductive plate  1005  is electrically isolated from exterior housing  1010 . 
     Myriad other uses for the devices discussed above are within the scope of this disclosure, such as, but not limited to, using one or more of the devices for a receptacle connector, a water pressure sensor, a thermal sensor and in some embodiments a receptacle connector as described in more detail below. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 11A  a communications apparatus  1100  that is employed in an electrical connector is illustrated. More specifically,  FIG. 11A  shows a cross-section of a receptacle connector  1101  and a plug connector  1102  in a demated position. In some embodiments, interior shell  1110  of receptacle connector  1101  may be substantially continuous and may have a plurality of conductive plates  1105  embedded within the interior shell. Since interior shell  1110  is substantially continuous it may form a barrier to liquid ingression within an electronic device into which it is installed. In some embodiments, receptacle connector  1101  may have an interior shell  1110  including a conductive panel  1105  and an electrically insulative portion  1135  wherein the conductive panel forms at least a portion of a deflectable portion of the interior shell and wherein the deflectable portion is configured to be deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state. In the relaxed “demated” state shown in  FIG. 11A , conductive plates  1105  may be held away from internal contacts  1115  such that the conductive plates are electrically isolated from circuitry within the electronic device until plug connector  1102  is inserted into cavity  1130 . Conductive plate  1105  may be made out of an electrically conductive material and may be electrically isolated with one or more insulators  1135  from other conductive plates. In some embodiments, conductive plate  1105  may be integrally formed with interior shell  1110  while in other embodiments the conductive plates may be separate components. 
       FIG. 11B  illustrates communications apparatus  1100  with plug connector  1102  inserted into cavity  1130 . Mating connector  1102  has a plurality of electrical contacts  1103  that align with plurality of conductive plates  1105 . When plug connector  1102  is inserted into cavity  1130 , electrical contacts  1103  apply a force against the one or more conductive plates  1105  that deform and make contact with one or more contacts  1115  within the electronic device. Thus, a low impedance electrical path is formed from each electrical contact  1103 , through conductive plates  1105  to plurality of contacts  1115  so that mating connector  1102  may communicate with circuitry within the electronic device. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 11C  an isometric view of an embodiment of plug connector  1102  is illustrated. Plug connector  1102  may have a plurality of electrical contacts  1103  separated by an insulative material  1140 . Other configurations of plug connector  1102  are within the scope of this disclosure, for example in other embodiments the plug connector may have electrical contacts  1103  on one, two, three and/or four sides of the connector. 
     It is further recognized, and within the scope of this disclosure, that receptacle connector embodiments may employ any of the communications apparati discussed above. For example, conductive plates  1105  may be embedded within interior shell  1110  with insert molding or other techniques as discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . In other embodiments conductive plates  1105  may be secured to the interior shell  1110  with a gasket as discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-6B . Further embodiments of receptacle connector may employ an anodized coating as discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Yet further embodiments of receptacle connector may employ deflecting conductive plates  1105  as discussed and illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-9B . Some embodiments of receptacle connector may use other configurations for conductive plates  1105 . 
     Internal Electrical Connector “Momentary Button” Embodiments 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 12A and 12B  a second embodiment of concealed communications apparatus  1200  illustrated in  FIG. 1  may function as an internal momentary electrical connector within electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ). As compared with the embodiments discussed above, in these embodiments there is no electrical signal passed between an external device and internal circuitry within the electronic device. The only electrical communication that occurs is entirely within the electronic device. More specifically, an internal electrical connection may be temporarily formed within the electronic device by applying a force to a deflectable portion  1230  of exterior housing  1210  of electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ), as discussed in more detail below. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12A , a simplified cross-section (section A-A illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) of an internal electrical connector embodiment is illustrated. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may include an electrically conductive exterior housing  1210  having a deflectable portion  1230  that is configured to be elastically deformed between a relaxed state and a deflected state. A top contact  1270  may be secured to an inside surface  1275  of deflectable portion  1230  and may be isolated from exterior housing  1210  by an insulator  1265 . In some embodiments insulator  1265  may have a conductive portion that communicates with circuitry within electronic device  100 . More specifically, in some embodiments, for example, insulator  1265  may be a printed circuit board or a flexible conductor mounted on a flexible insulator. Top contact  1270  may be coupled to circuitry within electronic device  100 . A bottom contact  1215  may be positioned within electronic device  100  and positioned such that when deflectable portion  1230  is in a deflected state (discussed in more detail below), top contact  1275  makes electrical contact with bottom contact  1215 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12B , concealed communications apparatus  1200  is illustrated in a deflected state where pin  1220  of a connector has forced deflectable portion  1230  to deflect such that a connection is formed between top contact  1270  and bottom contact  1215 . In some embodiments exterior housing  1210  may be made from a resilient material that will return to the relaxed state illustrated in  FIG. 12  as soon as the applied force from pin  1220  is removed. As discussed above, one or more shims  1250  may be used to set a gap between exterior housing  1210  and printed circuit board  1225 . Further, in some embodiments exterior housing  1210  may be electrically insulative. 
     For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components of electronic device  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) are not shown in the figures. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. The specific details of particular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the invention. 
     Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as “bottom” or “top” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as a “bottom” surface may then be oriented “above” other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160205
Publication Date: 20180306
Grant Date: 20180306
Priority Date: 20150930
Inventors: BUSHNELL TYLER S.
NAZZARO DAVID I.
KALLMAN BENJAMIN J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01H13/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01H13/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/703", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/703", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1671", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 58409974