An Apple patent (number 2012176277) for electronic devices having multi-purpose cowling structures and a compass mounted on a flex circuit has appeared at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. It's designed to offer more power, longer battery life and less weight in portable devices.

Per the patent, multi-purpose cowling structures are provided to minimize spacing impact within an electronic device, while maximizing functional utility. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic interference shield may provide one or more anchors for enabling a logic board cowling to apply sufficient downward force to one or more board connectors to prevent inadvertent disconnects.

In another embodiment, a cowling can electrically connect the ground plane of a logic board to the ground plane of a housing member and provide a pre-load force to a conductor connection existing on logic board. A compass mounted on a flexible printed circuit board is also provided. Mounting the compass on a flexible printed circuit board enables the compass to be mounted remote from ferrous object that may affect the compass's performance.

Here's Apple's background and summary of the invention: "Portable electronic devices are ubiquitous in today's society and users of these devices expect each new generation to include more features, more power, longer battery life, and less weight. These expectations can place severe design constraints on packaging and board layout. In addition, the compressed packaging of components can result in electrical or magnetic interference that can affect the device's performance. Accordingly, structures are needed to alleviate the above-mentioned constraints and interference issues.

"Multi-purpose cowling structures are provided to minimize spacing impact within an electronic device, while maximizing functional utility. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic interference shield may provide one or more anchors for enabling a logic board cowling to apply sufficient downward force to one or more board connectors to prevent inadvertent disconnects. In another embodiment, a cowling can electrically connect the ground plane of a logic board to the ground plane of a housing member and provide a pre-load force to a conductor connection existing on logic board. A compass mounted on a flexible printed circuit board is also provided. Mounting the compass on a flexible printed circuit board enables the compass to be mounted remote from one or more ferrous objects that may affect the compass's performance."

The inventors are Shayan Malek, Jared Kole and Nikko Lubinski.

Also appearing at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office are:

° Patent number 20120176504 for systems and methods for revising the time associated with a digital photograph. A digital photograph and data representing an initial time the photograph was taken may not correspond with identified temporal information. In response, a revised time may be generated based on the temporal information and associated with the digital photograph.

° Patent number 20120175232 for slide switch assemblies with structural enhancements are provided for use in electronic devices.

° Patent number 201201752506 for a sheet and block for enhancing proximity sensor performance.

° Patent number 20120176760 for systems and methods for grounding a movable component.

° Patent number 20120177358 for systems and methods for coupling a cover to an enclosure (think the iPad Smart Cover).

° Patent number 20120178283 for an apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell.

° Patent number 20120179898 for a system and method for enforcing software security through CPU statistics gathered using hardware.

° Patent number 20120179919 for securing implementation of a cryptographic process having fixed or dynamic keys.

° Patent number 20120179920 for securing cryptographic process keys using internal structures.

° Patent number 20120178493 for a method and apparatus for controlling transmit power in a mobile wireless device connected simultaneously to two or more cells in a wireless network.

° Patent number 20120178439 for managing radio resources between a mobile device and a wireless network.

° Patent number 20120178438 for a method to control measurement messaging at a mobile wireless device.

° Patent number 20120178279 for structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted.

° Patent number 20120177953 for a battery cell that includes a jelly roll enclosed in a pouch, wherein the jelly roll includes layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating.