CN118244847A

CN118244847A - Electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN118244847A
Application number: CN202311758994.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K·J·亨德伦; C·A·利格滕伯格; A·P·米勒; N·A·朗德尔; D·C·马修; S·J·特里维特; R·A·霍普金森; M·E·勒克莱尔
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-20
Publication date: 2024-06-25

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices. A laptop computer is provided that may include a cover portion comprising: a housing structure; a glass cover positioned to couple to the housing structure and defining a recessed area; and a display positioned below the recessed area of the glass cover. The laptop computer may also include a base portion positionable in a closed configuration and an open configuration relative to the lid portion and defining a convex region along a top side of the base portion, the convex region configured to extend into the concave region of the glass lid when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration, the base portion including a keyboard positioned at the convex region.

Description

Electronic equipment

Technical Field

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to portable electronic devices such as laptop computers.

Background

Modern consumer electronic devices take on a variety of shapes and forms and have a variety of uses and functions. For example, laptop computers are a common type of computer that provides computing functionality in a lightweight, portable form factor. A laptop computer may include input devices such as a keyboard and a touch pad and may have a display that produces graphical output.

Disclosure of Invention

The laptop computer may include a cover portion comprising: a housing structure; a glass cover positioned to couple to the housing structure and define a recessed area; and a display positioned below the recessed area of the glass cover. The laptop computer may further include a base portion positionable in a closed configuration and an open configuration relative to the lid portion and defining a convex region along a top side of the base portion, the convex region configured to extend into the concave region of the glass lid when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration, the base portion including a keyboard positioned at the convex region.

The glass cover may be a unitary glass structure, the cover portion may be coupled to the base portion by a hinge, the keyboard may include a plurality of physical keys, and the base portion may further include a touch pad located at the protruding region.

The recessed area may define a display area of the cover portion, and the glass cover may further define a bezel area extending around a perimeter of the display area and a curved transition area extending from the bezel area to the display area. The curved transition region may be a first curved transition region, and the base portion may include a top member defining a convex region, a peripheral region extending around a perimeter of the convex region, and a second curved transition region extending from the peripheral region to the convex region.

The base portion may include a glass top member, and the glass top member may at least partially define the protruding region. The glass top member may define a touch pad at the raised area. The glass top member may also define a virtual keyboard at the raised area.

The portable computing device may include a cover portion comprising: a housing structure; an integral glass cover coupled to the housing structure and defining a bezel area and a recessed area at least partially surrounded by the bezel area; and a display positioned below the recessed area. The portable computing device may further include: a base portion flexibly coupled to the lid portion and including a keyboard protruding from a top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed area when the lid portion and the base portion are in a closed configuration; and a touch pad protruding from a top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed area when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration.

The cover portion may be coupled to the base portion via a hinge mechanism positioned along a bottom side of the cover portion and a rear side of the base portion, and the portable computing device may further include: a first circuit board assembly in the lid portion and positioned between the recessed area and the hinge mechanism; and a second circuit board assembly in the base portion and positioned between the keyboard and the hinge mechanism.

The first circuit board assembly may not overlap with an active area of the display. The second circuit board assembly may not overlap the keypad.

The base portion may include an integral glass top member, the keyboard may be a virtual keyboard, and the integral glass top member may define a surface of the virtual keyboard and a surface of the touch pad.

The bezel area may be opaque and the recessed area may be transparent. The portable computing device may also include an opacity mask positioned in the bezel area along an inner surface of the unitary glass cover.

The portable computing device may include a cover portion comprising: a housing; a display at least partially within the housing; and an integral glass cover positioned over the display and defining a bezel area extending at least partially around an active area of the display and a recessed display area recessed relative to the bezel area and positioned over the active area of the display. The cover portion may also include a circuit board assembly positioned below a portion of the bezel area and conductively coupled to the display. The portable computing device may also include a base portion flexibly coupled to the lid portion and including a keyboard protruding from a top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed display region when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration.

The cover portion may further include a touch sensing system configured to detect touch inputs applied to the recessed display region and at least a portion of the bezel region. The portable computing device may also include a camera positioned in the bezel area.

The circuit board assembly may be a first circuit board assembly and the base portion may include a second circuit board assembly conductively coupled to the first circuit board assembly. The base portion may be flexibly coupled to the lid portion via a hinge mechanism positioned along a bottom of the lid portion and a back of the base portion, and the second circuit board assembly may be positioned within the base portion and between the keyboard and the hinge mechanism. The keypad may be positioned in a keypad area of the base portion, the first circuit board assembly may be positioned entirely outside the recessed display area, and the second circuit board assembly may be positioned entirely outside the keypad area.

Drawings

The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIGS. 1A-1C depict an exemplary electronic device;

FIG. 2A depicts an exploded view of a portion of the electronic device of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 2B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the front cover of the electronic device of FIGS. 1A-1C;

fig. 3A-3C depict partial cross-sectional views of the apparatus of fig. 1A-1C;

fig. 4A-4C depict partial cross-sectional views of a front cover for use with an electronic device;

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded view of a lid portion of another exemplary electronic device;

Fig. 6A-6B depict partial cross-sectional views of another exemplary electronic device;

7A-7B depict portions of another exemplary electronic device;

fig. 7C depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of fig. 7A-7B;

FIG. 8A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another exemplary electronic device;

8B-8C depict partial cross-sectional views of another exemplary electronic device; and

Fig. 9 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary electronic device.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

A laptop computer as described herein comprises: a base portion including an input device such as a keyboard, a touch pad, etc.; and a lid portion flexibly coupled to the base portion (e.g., via a hinge mechanism). The cover portion includes a display, which may be a touch-sensitive display and/or a force-sensitive display, and may include a camera for capturing images (e.g., still images or video images) of a user, such as for video conferencing purposes. Both the base portion and the display or "cover" portion may include circuit board assemblies that couple to various electrical systems. For example, the cover portion may include a first circuit board assembly to which a display, front camera, touch sensor (if equipped), and other cover-mounted electrical systems may be coupled. Similarly, the base portion may include a second circuit board assembly to which a keyboard, a touch pad, a memory, a processor, input/output ports, and other electrical systems mounted on the base may be coupled. The overall arrangement of these (and other) components and systems within the base portion and the cover portion may affect the overall size and shape of the laptop computer.

Because laptop computers are typically portable computing devices, factors such as size, weight, and durability may affect the overall utility of the device. In many cases, it is advantageous that the laptop computer be very thin when in a closed configuration, making it easy to store and transport. However, if reducing the thickness of the laptop computer causes other dimensions to become larger, reducing the thickness of the laptop computer may not be preferable.

Described herein is a configuration for a laptop computer that results in a reduced thickness in the closed configuration without significantly increasing the other dimensions of the laptop computer. For example, the cover portion of a laptop computer may be provided with a front cover formed from a shaped glass sheet. In some cases, the shaped glass sheet defines a recessed area generally formed in the middle of the glass sheet and is generally surrounded by a non-recessed area of glass. The recessed area is positioned above the display and the non-recessed area of the glass defines a boundary around the display. The recessed area of the glass cover defines an area into which components on the base portion may extend when the laptop is closed. For example, when the laptop is closed, the keyboard and the touch pad (which may protrude from the upper surface of the base portion) may extend into the recessed area of the shaped glass cover such that the keyboard and the touch pad effectively nest with the shaped glass cover.

The nested arrangement of the base portion and the cover portion reduces the thickness of the laptop when closed while also providing convenient space in the cover portion for other non-display components. For example, a non-recessed region of glass surrounding a recessed region may define a larger volume in which components such as a circuit board assembly and/or a camera may be positioned. Furthermore, by positioning these components in non-recessed areas outside the display area, they do not need to be stacked behind the display, further reducing the overall thickness of the device.

Fig. 1A-1B depict a computing device 100 (or simply "device 100"). Fig. 1A shows the device 100 in an open configuration, and fig. 1B shows the device in a closed configuration. The device 100 may be or may be similar to a portable computer (also referred to as a laptop or notebook computer or portable computing device) having a lid portion 102 and a base portion 104 that is flexibly or pivotally coupled to the lid portion 102 (e.g., such that the lid portion 102 is capable of rotating, pivoting, flexing, articulating, or otherwise moving relative to the base portion 104). The lid portion 102 and the base portion 104 may be coupled via a hinge mechanism 140. The hinge mechanism 140 may couple the lid portion 102 to the base portion 104 and allow the lid portion 102 to be positioned in an open configuration (fig. 1A) relative to the base portion and a closed configuration (fig. 1B) relative to the base portion. The hinge mechanism 140 may also provide a passageway through which an electrical connector may pass to conductively couple the components of the lid portion 102 to the components of the base portion 104.

The cover portion 102 includes a display 103 that provides a primary means of conveying visual information to a user, such as by displaying a graphical user interface. The cover portion 102 also includes a camera 105. The camera 105 may capture images (e.g., still images and/or video images), such as for video conferencing functions, general image capture/recording, and the like.

The base portion 104 is positionable in a closed configuration and an open configuration relative to the lid portion 102. The base portion 104 may include a top member 130 and a bottom member 302 (fig. 3B) coupled to the top member 130. The top member 130 may at least partially define a top surface of the base portion 104, and the bottom member 302 may define a bottom surface of the base portion 104. The top member 130 may be formed of or include the following: metals, polymers, glass, ceramics, glass-ceramics, crystallizable glass materials, or other suitable materials. The base member 302 may also be formed from or include the following: metals, polymers, glass, ceramics, glass-ceramics, crystallizable glass materials, or other suitable materials.

The base portion 104 may include a keyboard 114 and a touch pad 116. Keyboard 114 may be any type of keyboard capable of receiving typed input. For example, keyboard 114 may be a keyboard having mobile keys (e.g., a movable keycap supported by a key mechanism such as a scissor mechanism). As another example, the keyboard 114 may be a virtual keyboard, such as a keyboard displayed on a touch-sensitive input surface (e.g., a touch screen). In the case of a virtual keyboard, the keyboard may include a glass or other transparent cover member defining the keyboard input surface. Other types of keyboards may also be used.

The trackpad 116 can be configured to detect touch and/or force-based inputs applied to the base portion 104 in the trackpad 116. For example, the trackpad 116 may detect clicks, taps, gestures (e.g., swipe, pinch zoom), multi-touch inputs, and the like. While FIG. 1A illustrates one exemplary shape, size, and location of touch pad 116, other configurations are possible. For example, the touch pad 116 may be larger or smaller than the touch pad shown in FIG. 1A. In some cases, the touch pad 116 may include substantially the entire area of the upper surface of the base portion 104, except for the keyboard 114.

The keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116 may be separate components from the top member 130 of the base portion 104. For example, the top member 130 may define one or more apertures in which the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116 are positioned. In some cases, one or both of the keyboard 114 or the touch pad 116 may be defined by the top member itself. For example, where the top member 130 is formed of a non-conductive material (or can otherwise define a touch sensitive input surface), the surface of the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116 may be defined by the top member 130 itself. Where the top member 130 is transparent, the display may be positioned below the keyboard or touch pad area to display graphical output, such as touch pad borders and keyboard keys. In some cases, the top member 130 is formed of a glass structure, and a surface of one or both of the keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116 may be defined by the top member 130. For example, the top member 130 may define a glass top surface, and the touch-sensitive and/or force-sensitive areas of the glass top surface may define the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116.

The cover portion 102 may include a housing structure 120 and a front cover 122. The housing structure 120 may be formed of metal and may define a rear or top exterior side of the lid portion 102 and a peripheral side of the lid portion 102. Front cover 122 (which may be part of a front cover assembly as described herein) may define at least a portion of a front exterior surface of cover portion 102.

In some cases, the front cover 122 is formed of or includes a glass material, and thus may be referred to as a glass cover or glass front cover. The glass material may be a silica-based glass material, an aluminosilicate glass, a boroaluminosilicate glass, an alkali-containing aluminosilicate glass (e.g., a lithium aluminosilicate glass), or a chemically strengthened glass. Other exemplary materials for front cover 122 include, but are not limited to, sapphire, ceramic, glass-ceramic, crystallizable glass material, or plastic (e.g., polycarbonate). The glass-ceramic material may be a silica-based glass-ceramic material, such as an aluminosilicate glass-ceramic material or a boroaluminosilicate glass-ceramic material. The glass-ceramic material may be chemically strengthened by ion exchange. The front cover 122 may be formed as a single piece or unitary sheet. Front cover 122 may also be formed as a composite of multiple layers or segments having different materials, coatings, and other elements.

The bezel 122 may define a recessed area 110 and a bezel area 112 extending around the perimeter of the recessed area 110 (and thus around the display 103). In some cases, the bezel area does not extend along the entire perimeter of recessed area 110 (e.g., the bezel area defined by bezel 122 may extend only along the top and bottom sides of recessed area 110, or only along the left and right sides of recessed area 110). In some cases, recessed area 110 defines a display area of cover portion 102 (e.g., the area corresponding to an active area of display 103). The recessed area 110 may be recessed relative to the bezel area and may also be referred to as a recessed area.

As shown and described herein, the rim region 112 may define a region of greater interior volume in the lid portion 102 than the recessed region 110. In this way, the bezel area 112 may accommodate components that are thicker than the display 103. In addition, bezel area 112 and recessed area 110 are configured to generally conform to the thickness of the components they cover, thereby reducing wasted or unused space in device 100.

The recessed (or recessed) region 110 of the cover portion 102 may be configured to receive or "nest" with the protruding region of the base portion 104. For example, the base portion 104 includes a raised region 118 along the top side of the base portion 104, and the raised region is configured to extend into the recessed region 110 of the glass cover when the cover portion 102 and the base portion 104 are in the closed configuration. The protruding region 118 may include the keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116, and may extend or protrude from a peripheral region 128 of the base portion 104. In some cases, the top member 130 at least partially defines a raised region where the base portion 104 is raised, as described herein.

The keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116 may be positioned in (or define) the protruding region 118. For example, the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116 protrude from the peripheral region 128 (e.g., extend higher than the peripheral region 128). In examples where the keyboard 114 and/or the trackpad 116 are separate components from the top member 130 of the base portion 104, the keyboard 114 and/or the trackpad 116 are coupled to the base portion 104 such that they extend above the peripheral region 128 (e.g., the keyboard 114 and/or the trackpad 116 may protrude above a top surface of the top member 130). In examples where the surface of the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116 is defined by the top member 130 (e.g., where the top member 130 is glass), the top member 130 may define protrusions corresponding to the raised areas, and the keyboard 114 and/or the touch pad 116 may be defined in the raised areas by the surface of the top member 130. In some cases, the top member may define a single continuous surface along the raised area, and the keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116 may be defined by areas of the continuous surface.

As described herein, the device 100 may be configured to avoid or reduce overlap of internal components in order to achieve a low overall thickness (e.g., in a closed configuration). For example, the circuit board assemblies in the cover portion 102 and the base portion 104 may be arranged in a non-overlapping configuration with the display 103 and the keyboard 114, respectively (e.g., the circuit board assemblies of the cover portion 102 may be positioned entirely outside of the recessed or recessed display area, and the circuit board assemblies of the base portion 104 may be positioned entirely outside of the keyboard area).

As described herein, the first circuit board 142 (fig. 1C) assembly of the lid portion 102 may be positioned in the circuit board region 132 of the lid portion 102 and the second circuit board assembly 144 (fig. 1C) may be positioned in the circuit board region 134 of the base portion 104. The circuit board area 132 may correspond to a portion of the bezel area 112 defined by the front cover 122 (e.g., a portion of the bezel area along the bottom side of the recessed area 110) and may be positioned between the display 103 and the hinge mechanism 140. Because the bezel area 112 is raised relative to the recessed area 110, the first circuit board assembly may be positioned in the cover portion 102 without increasing the thickness in the recessed area 110 or otherwise requiring space in the cover portion 102 for a stack that includes both the display and the first circuit board assembly. Similarly, the circuit board region 134 may correspond to a portion of the peripheral region 128 surrounding the protruding region 118 (e.g., a portion of the peripheral region along the top of the keyboard 114) and may be positioned between the protruding region 118 and the hinge mechanism 140. Because the circuit board area 134 is outside of the keyboard area, the second circuit board assembly may be positioned in the base portion 104 without requiring space in the base portion for a stack that includes both the keyboard 114 and the second circuit assembly.

Device 100 may also include ports, such as ports 136 and 138. The port 136 may be positioned along one side of the cover portion 102 and may be conductively coupled to a first circuit board assembly in the first circuit board region 132. The port 138 may be located along one side of the base portion 104 and may be conductively coupled to a second circuit board assembly in the second circuit board region 134. Ports 136, 138 may facilitate connection of power cables, charging cables, input/output cables or components, and the like.

FIG. 1C is a detailed view of region 1C-1C of FIG. 1A, showing additional details of the structure of front cover 122 and top member 130 according to one exemplary embodiment. As shown, front cover 122 defines a curved transition region 146 that extends from bezel region 112 to recessed region 110. As described herein, the top member 130 may be formed from a unitary glass sheet to form a unitary glass top member (or unitary glass cover). The unitary glass sheet may be molded (e.g., heat bent) to define the rim region 112, the recessed region 110, and the curved transition region 146 (e.g., a unitary glass cover). In this case, the glass sheet may define a substantially continuous outer surface that extends smoothly (e.g., without sharp edges or gaps) from the outer edge of the glass sheet along the border region 112, the curved transition region 146, and the recessed region 110.

In some cases, the top member 130 of the base portion 104 defines a curved transition region 148 that extends from the peripheral region 128 and at least partially defines or surrounds the raised region 118. As described herein, the top member 130 may be formed from a unitary sheet that may be formed (e.g., machined, molded, heat bent) to define the peripheral region 128, the bulge region 118, and the curved transition region 148. The top member 130 may be formed of glass, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, titanium), or a polymer, among others.

As described herein, the shape and location of the various features of the top member 130 and the front cover 122 may be complementary such that the convex region 118 of the base portion 104 and the concave region 110 of the front cover 122 nest with one another to provide a close-fitting arrangement of the cover portion 102 and the base portion 104.

Fig. 1C also illustrates the relative positioning of the first and second circuit board assemblies 142, 144 in the cover and base portions 102, 104, respectively. For example, the first circuit board assembly 142 is positioned below the portion of the shaped glass front cover 122 defining the bezel area (e.g., between the display 103 and the hinge mechanism 140, fig. 1A), while the display 103 (fig. 1A) is positioned below the portion of the shaped glass front cover 122 defining the recess or recessed area 110. Similarly, the second circuit board assembly 144 is positioned below the portion of the top member 130 defining the peripheral region 128 (e.g., between the keyboard 114 and the hinge mechanism 140, fig. 1A), while the keyboard 114 (fig. 1A) is positioned within the raised region 118 (and/or at least partially defines the raised region 118).

Fig. 2A is a partially exploded view of the lid portion 102, showing the front cover 122 separated from the housing structure 120. Fig. 2A shows an exemplary position of display 103 within housing structure 120 and below recessed area 110 of front cover 122. Fig. 2A also illustrates an exemplary position of the first circuit board assembly 142 along the bottom side of the display 103 below the bezel area 112. As shown in fig. 2A, the first circuit board assembly 142 and the display 103 are in a non-overlapping configuration, allowing the front cover 122 to generally conform to a minimum achievable thickness at each location. Thus, the concave configuration of the front cover 122 reduces the empty (and thus wasted) interior volume that may exist if the front cover 122 does not define a concave configuration (e.g., if it is merely a planar sheet). While fig. 2A shows the display 103 and the circuit board assembly 142 in the housing structure 120, it should be understood that these components may be coupled to the housing structure 120, the front cover 122, or both. In one example, the circuit board assembly 142 is coupled to the housing structure (e.g., via fasteners, adhesive, etc.), and the display 103 is coupled to the front cover 122 (e.g., via an optically clear adhesive adhering the display 103 to an inner surface of the front cover 122).

Fig. 2B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the front cover 122, as viewed along line 2B-2B in fig. 2A, showing an exemplary shape of the front cover 122. As shown in this example, the front cover 122 is a unitary sheet of material, such as a unitary glass sheet, that is molded or otherwise formed to define the recessed or recessed area 110, the bezel area 112, and the curved transition area 146. The molding process may result in the outer surface of front cover 122 (e.g., the bottom surface as oriented in fig. 2B) defining a smooth, continuous surface, wherein curved transition region 146 has a curved profile (e.g., no sharp or discontinuous edges or seams). Further, the thickness of bezel 122 may be substantially the same along bezel area 112, curved transition area 146, and recessed area 110.

Front cover 122 may be formed by molding glass using a hot bending operation (or any other suitable molding technique). For example, a glass sheet (e.g., a flat glass sheet) may be placed on a mold. The glass sheet may be preheated or heated once in contact with the mold (e.g., by placing the mold and sheet in a kiln or furnace). The high temperature softens the glass so that the glass conforms to the shape of the mold. Due to gravity, the glass may conform to the mold. The mold can contact either surface of the glass sheet (e.g., the inner or outer surface of front cover 122). In some cases, the two-part mold may contact both surfaces of the sheet. In such cases, a force may be applied to the glass sheet via the mold sections (e.g., due to the weight of the upper mold section pressing against the lower mold section, or due to a force applied to the mold sections via an actuator or press, etc.).

After being molded or otherwise formed to create the recessed configuration, front cover 122 may undergo further processing and/or finishing steps. For example, the front cover 122 may be strengthened, polished, singulated (e.g., from a master), machined, ground, colored, or coated, etc., by heating and/or chemical means.

The non-flat overall shape of the front cover 122 may also enhance the rigidity of the cover portion 102 as compared to a flat front cover. For example, the concave shape of the front cover 122 has a greater area moment of inertia than a flat front cover, and thus has a greater resistance to some degree of deflection and/or deformation (e.g., bending or twisting) than a flat front cover. Thus, the shaped front cover 122 advantageously reduces the overall thickness of the device while also providing a high degree of resistance to bending, twisting, or other deformation that may damage internal components or otherwise result in reduced device function and poor durability.

Fig. 3A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the device 100 as seen along line 3A-3A in fig. 1B. Fig. 3B shows how the convex configuration of base portion 104 nests with the concave configuration of cover portion 102. Specifically, the raised region 118 of the base portion 104 (which includes the keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116) defines a shape that is complementary to the recessed region 110 of the front cover of the cover portion 102 and extends into the recessed region 110. In some cases, the distance along the opposing surfaces between the cover portion 102 and the base portion 104 is substantially equal along the entire contour. Thus, for example, the distance between the bezel region 112 and the peripheral region 128 (when the device 100 is in the closed configuration) may be substantially the same as the distance between the concave region 110 and the convex region 118 (e.g., the upper surfaces of the keys of the keyboard 114 and/or the upper surface of the touch pad 116). The distance between the curved transition areas 146, 148 may also be substantially the same as the distance between the rim and peripheral areas and the convex and concave areas.

Fig. 3B depicts a detailed view of regions 3B-3B in fig. 3A, thereby illustrating an exemplary configuration of recessed and raised regions proximal to the back side of device 100 (e.g., wherein lid portion 102 is flexibly coupled to base portion 104 via hinge mechanism 140 of fig. 1A) and an exemplary arrangement of internal components of device 100. Fig. 3B illustrates how the nested configuration of front cover 122 and base portion 104 accommodates various internal components while minimizing or reducing the overall thickness of device 100. In particular, fig. 3B shows how the first circuit board assembly 142 is positioned outside the outer perimeter of the display 103 (e.g., not overlapping the display 103) and how the second circuit board assembly 144 is positioned outside the outer perimeter of the keyboard 114 (e.g., not overlapping the keyboard 114). Because these components do not overlap, a minimum achievable thickness reduction of the device 100 is achieved because the device does not need to accommodate the increased thickness of the overlapping components.

Further, because the first circuit board assembly 142 does not overlap the display 103, the cover portion 102, and because the front cover is shaped to conform to the different thicknesses of the components mounted on the cover, the cover portion 102 can be made very thin in the display area. In some cases, there are no additional components between the display 103 and the inner surface of the housing structure 120 of the cover portion 102, such that in the display area, the gap between the front cover 122 and the inner surface of the housing structure 120 may be nearly as thin as the display 103 itself. In some cases, the display 103 is adhered to both the inner surface of the front cover 122 and the inner surface of the housing structure 120.

Fig. 3C depicts a detailed view of regions 3C-3C in fig. 3A, showing an exemplary configuration of recessed and protruding regions of the front side proximal side of device 100 (e.g., where the top of cover portion 102 is closed against touch pad 116), and an exemplary arrangement of internal components of device 100 in that region. Fig. 3C also illustrates how the nested configuration of front cover 122 and base portion 104 accommodates various internal components while minimizing or reducing the overall thickness of device 100. In particular, fig. 3C shows how camera 105 is positioned outside the outer perimeter of display 103 (e.g., not overlapping display 103) and within bezel area 112 where bezel 122 is not recessed. Additionally, the touch pad 116 may be within (and/or may at least partially define) a protruding region 118 of the base portion 104. In this way, the touch pad 116 may nest with the recessed area 110 of the bezel 122, and the bezel area 112 (which defines an increased thickness to provide space for the camera 105) nests with the peripheral area 128 of the base portion 104.

As shown in fig. 3A-3C, the male-female configuration of the front cover 122 and the base portion 104 generally conforms to the dimensions (e.g., thickness) of the components in the cover portion 102 and the base portion 104, respectively. For example, in cover portion 102, front cover 122 is recessed in an area above display 103 to take advantage of the relatively thin nature of display 103, while bezel area 112 of front cover 122 (e.g., which protrudes from recessed area 110) provides sufficient space for thicker circuit board assembly 142. In a complementary manner, the keyboard 114 (and the touch pad 116) is thicker than the circuit board assembly 144, and thus the base portion 104 defines a convex region that includes the keyboard 114 and the touch pad 116 and extends into the concave region of the front cover 122. The circuit board assembly 144 (which may be thinner than the keyboard and touchpad) is positioned in the peripheral region 128 recessed relative to the raised region 118. Thus, the apparatus may use the structure of the shaped front cover 122 and base portion 104 to take advantage of the positioning of the components (e.g., where the thicker components in the cover portion 102 are directly over the thinner components in the base portion 104, and vice versa) to reduce the overall thickness of the apparatus and eliminate or reduce space wastage.

In some cases, the device 100 may include a blocking member 304 to prevent or inhibit contact between the front cover 122 and the base portion 104 when the device 100 is in the closed configuration. The blocking member 304 may be or include a polymeric material (e.g., an elastomeric polymeric material) that extends completely or partially around the periphery of the front cover 122 and extends to protrude out of the front cover 122. The blocking member 304 may thus contact the base portion 104 when the device 100 is in the closed configuration, and may define an air gap between the front cover 122 and the base portion 104. In some cases, the blocking member 304 is positioned in a gap defined between the front cover 122 and the housing structure 120, and may be held in place using mechanical interlocking, adhesive, or any other suitable retention technique.

As described herein, the front cover 122 may be formed from a single piece of transparent glass (e.g., a unitary glass structure). In such cases, recessed region 110, as well as curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112, are transparent and non-conductive such that any of these regions may have display and/or touch sensing capabilities. Fig. 4A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of front cover 122 and display 103 (shown as a touch sensitive display). Display 103 may include a display element 400 (which may include multiple sublayers) for generating graphical output and a touch sensitive element 402 (which may include multiple sublayers) for detecting touch input applied to bezel 122. In one exemplary configuration, the display 103 is positioned behind the recessed area 110 and does not extend along the curved transition area 146 or the bezel area 112 (e.g., the recessed area 110 defines a graphical active area and a touch sensitive area of the display).

In some cases, one or both of the display element 400 or the touch sensitive element 402 may extend along at least a portion of the curved transition region 146 or along at least a portion of both the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates an extension 404 of the display element 400 extending along the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112, and an extension 406 of the touch sensitive element 402 extending along at least a portion of the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112. While fig. 4A shows both an extension of the display element 400 and an extension of the touch sensitive element 402, it should be understood that either or both of the display element 400 or the touch sensitive element 402 may be extended. For example, in some cases, only display element 400 extends along curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112 (and may be adhered to or otherwise contact the inner surface of bezel 122). As another example, in some cases, only touch sensitive element 402 extends along curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112. Furthermore, the extensions 404, 406 need not extend completely to the ends of the bezel area 112 nor extend the same distance from each other. For example, in some cases, the display element 400 extends along the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112, and the touch sensitive element 402 extends along the curved transition region 146 but does not extend into the bezel region 112. As another example, in some cases, the display element 400 extends along the curved transition region 146 but does not extend into the bezel region 112, and the touch sensitive element 402 extends along the curved transition region 146 and into the bezel region 112. In any of the above examples, a mask may be provided along portions of curved transition region 146 and border region 112 to define glyphs, icons, images, or graphic output regions, among others, in those regions.

Various combinations of extended displays and touch sensitive elements facilitate various input and output functions along the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112. For example, a device that includes touch sensing and display functionality along the bezel area 112 may display input elements (e.g., buttons, icons, sliders, text input boxes) in the bezel area 112 and detect touch-based inputs (e.g., taps, presses, gestures, etc.) to the input elements. As another example, a device that includes a display function (non-touch sensitive) along the curved transition region 146 may generate graphical output, such as status indicators, illumination boundaries and/or demarcations, etc., along the curved transition region.

In some cases, a mask (e.g., an opacity mask), surface texture, surface coating, or a combination of these (or other) treatments may be used to achieve a particular appearance and/or feel of curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112. Fig. 4B depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the bezel 122 and the display 103 (shown as a touch sensitive display), showing the mask 408 extending along the curved transition region 146 and the bezel region 112 on the inside of the bezel 122. Mask 408 may be an opaque mask that makes bezel 122 opaque in those areas. The mask 408 may define openings that define glyphs, icons, or status indicators, etc. These openings may also correspond to areas where display element 400 and/or touch sensitive element 402 extend in curved transition region 146 and/or bezel region 112. For example, the mask 408 may define an opening where the selectable element is displayed by the extension 404 of the display and input on the opening is detected by the extension 406 of the touch sensitive element. Mask 408 may include one or more layers of material. Such materials may include inks, paints, dyes, deposited coatings (e.g., produced via chemical vapor deposition, plasma vapor deposition, etc.), metals or metal layers, and the like. While fig. 4B shows the mask 408 extending along the entirety of the curved transition region 146 and the rim region 112, it should be understood that the mask 408 may extend along only portions of these regions (e.g., along only the rim region 112, along only the curved transition region 146 and a portion of the rim region 112, or other distribution).

Fig. 4B also shows a surface texture 410 formed on the outside of bezel 122 along curved transition area 146 and bezel area 112. The surface texture 410 may be used to provide visual and/or tactile features. For example, the surface texture 410 may create a frosted or translucent appearance to the front cover 122, which may be used alone or in conjunction with the mask 408, to enclose internal components and/or structures behind the front cover 122. In examples where the touch sensitive element extends along curved transition region 146 and/or bezel region 112, surface texture 410 may provide a particular tactile sensation when the touch sensitive region is touched. In some cases, the surface texture 410 may reduce friction or friction feel between the touch sensitive area and the user's finger. The surface texture 410 may also define discrete input areas, for example, by defining non-textured areas (e.g., similar to holes in the surface texture) in which graphical elements may be presented (e.g., from a display or from static graphics) or by defining discrete textured areas (e.g., similar to textured buttons) defining user touch-sensitive input areas. Although surface texture 410 is shown on the outer surface of front cover 122, surface texture may alternatively or additionally be defined along the inner surface of front cover 122. The surface texture 410 may be produced via any suitable texturing technique, including, but not limited to, chemical etching, machining, sand blasting, fusion-based techniques (e.g., fusing glass frit or frit to the front cover 122), or molding.

The surface texture and mask may be used together or independently. For example, the bezel 122 may include only the mask 408, only the surface texture 410, or both the mask 408 and the surface texture 410. Further, the mask and surface texture may be defined along an outer surface of the front cover 122, an inner surface of the front cover 122, or both. In some cases, a mask and surface texture are used in combination to define a user input area, a graphic or graphic output area, or the like. For example, the surface texture 410 may define a non-textured region in the bezel region 112 that coincides with the opening in the mask 408. The extension of the display may display graphical output (e.g., corresponding to selectable user input elements) in the region, and the extension of the touch sensitive element may detect user input applied in the region. As another example, the surface texture 410 may define a series of discrete non-textured regions, and the mask 408 may define glyphs (e.g., status icons of the device) that may be illuminated by light sources (e.g., extensions of the display, individual light sources, etc.) within the cover portion 102.

In some cases, front cover 122 may define an opaque or translucent region within the block of material of front cover 122. Fig. 4C depicts a partial cross-sectional view of bezel 122 and display 103 (shown as a touch sensitive display), showing an example in which bezel 122 has opaque regions 412 extending along curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112. Opaque region 412 may be translucent or opaque and may be formed by fusing an opaque glass material to the transparent glass defining recessed region 110 (and the display region). The opaque glass material may be fused before, after, or during the molding process that creates the overall convex configuration of front cover 122. In some cases, the non-transparent regions 412 may be formed by fusing different types of materials to the glass material defining the recessed regions 110. For example, recessed area 110 may be defined by a glass material and non-transparent area 412 may be defined by a non-glass material (e.g., ceramic, zirconia, sapphire, etc.). Whether glass or a different material, the material defining opaque region 412 may be coupled to the glass material of recessed region 110 via diffusion bonding.

In some cases, some or all of front cover 122 may be formed from materials other than glass (e.g., glass-ceramic, polymer, etc.). In examples where bezel 122 is formed from a polymeric material, recessed region 110 may be formed from a transparent polymer and opaque region 412 (e.g., corresponding to curved transition region 146 and bezel region 112) may be formed from an opaque polymer.

The foregoing figures illustrate an exemplary front cover in which recessed area 110 is surrounded on four sides by bezel area 112. In some examples, the shaped glass front cover defines a bezel area (e.g., a convex or non-concave border area) along less than all sides of the concave area. Fig. 5 below illustrates an exemplary bezel 504 having bezel areas along the upper and lower sides of the recessed display area.

Fig. 5 depicts a partially exploded view of the lid portion 500, showing the front lid 504 removed from the housing structure 502. The housing structure 502 may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the housing structure 120. The cover portion 500 may also include a display 512 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the display 103), a circuit board assembly 514 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the circuit board assembly 142), and a camera 516 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the camera 105).

Front cover 504 defines recessed area 506, upper rim area 508, and lower rim area 510. Similar to front cover 122, recessed area 506 of front cover 504 may be positioned over display 512 and may define a display area of cover portion 500. The recessed area 506 may be recessed in a manner that reduces or minimizes empty space in the display area of the cover portion 500. Furthermore, recessed area 506 may be configured to receive therein a raised area of the base portion in the same or similar manner as described with reference to bezel 122.

The bezel areas 508, 510 may extend into the male and female areas 506 and may conform to the dimensions of components (such as the circuit board assembly 514 and the camera 516) or otherwise house the components in the same or similar manner as described with reference to the bezel 122. Along each side of the recessed area, the front cover may be provided with raised rim areas in a variety of different arrangements. For example, the front cover may define only the upper rim area, or only the lower rim area. In still other embodiments, the bezel may define a bezel area along one or both lateral sides of the recessed area. In still other examples, the bezel may define three bezel areas, including two lateral sides and an upper or lower bezel area.

Front cover 504 may be formed of the same materials and using the same techniques described with reference to front cover 122 and may also define a curved transition region between recessed region 506 and bezel regions 508, 510.

As described above, the base portion may define a protruding region that includes or is at least partially defined by a keyboard and a touchpad that extend above (e.g., protrude from) a peripheral region of the base portion. In some cases, the curved transition region extends around all or a portion of the convex region and at least partially circumscribes the convex region and/or the convex region. In some cases, the curved transition region is omitted. Fig. 6A-6B illustrate an exemplary device 600 (e.g., a laptop computer) in which the base portion does not define a curved transition region.

Fig. 6A shows a detailed view of the device 600, similar to the detailed view of fig. 3B, proximal to the back side of the device 600, and fig. 6B shows a detailed view of the device 600, similar to the detailed view of fig. 3C, proximal to the front side of the device 600. The lid portion 602 may correspond to the lid portion 102, and the description of the components of the lid portion 102 applies equally to the lid portion 602. The base portion 604 may correspond to the base portion 104 except that the top member 606 does not define a curved transition region around the convex region. Instead, the protruding region is defined by the keyboard 608 and the touch pad 610, which extends to protrude from the upper surface of the top member 606 (e.g., the surface of the peripheral region of the top member 606). The keypad 608 and touchpad 610 may extend into the recessed area of the front cover of the cover portion 602 in the same or similar manner as described with reference to the device 100.

As described herein, the concave shape of the front cover defines a bezel area that defines a larger volume in the portion of the cover outside of the concave display area. In this way, the increased thickness of components in the cover portion, such as the camera and circuit board assembly, can be accommodated without having to increase the thickness of the cover over the display. In some cases, the bezel area of the front cover may include additional shapes and/or contours that further tailor the volume and thickness of the cover portion for the various components. For example, fig. 7A-7C illustrate an exemplary cover portion 700 in which camera protrusions 712 are defined in a bezel area to accommodate a camera within the cover portion without increasing the overall thickness of the cover portion.

Fig. 7A is a detailed view of an exemplary cover portion 700, which may generally correspond to the areas of the cover portion shown in areas 7A-7A in fig. 1A (although the exact configuration of the components may be different). Fig. 7B is a detailed view of an exemplary base portion 714, which may generally correspond to the regions of the base portion shown in regions 7B-7B in fig. 1A (although the exact configuration of the components may be different). Fig. 7C is a partial cross-sectional view of a device (e.g., a laptop computer) having a lid portion 700 and a base portion 714, which generally corresponds to the view along line 7C-7C in fig. 1B (although the exact configuration of the components may differ).

Referring to fig. 7A, cover portion 700 may correspond to or may be an embodiment of cover portion 102. Cover portion 700 may include a front cover 702 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of front cover 122) and a housing structure 704 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of housing structure 120).

The bezel 702 defines a recessed region 706, a bezel region 708, and a curved transition region 710 (which may generally correspond to the bezel regions, recessed regions, and curved transition regions of other front covers described herein). In the bezel area 708, the front cover 702 also defines a protrusion 712. As shown in fig. 7C, the protrusion 712 may be configured to house a camera 724 (fig. 7C) in a volume defined between the protrusion 712 and the housing structure 704. The front cover 702 may be formed using the same type of operation used to form the generally concave shape of the front cover 702 to define the protrusions 712. For example, the protrusions 712 may be formed using a molding process (e.g., hot bending) to form a continuous glass (or other material) structure defining recessed areas, border areas, protrusions, and any curved and/or continuous transition regions between these areas.

As described herein, the recessed region 706 of the front cover 702 may nest with the protruding region of the base portion of the device when the device is closed. This nesting arrangement allows thicker areas of the base portion (e.g., areas where the keyboard and touch pad are located) to nest into thinner areas of the cover portion (e.g., areas where the display is located), thereby reducing the thickness of the device and eliminating or reducing wasted or unused volume in the device housing. Similar nesting configurations may also be provided for the protrusions 712. For example, fig. 7B shows a base portion 714 defining a groove feature 718 into which the protrusion 712 may nest.

Referring to fig. 7B, the base portion 714 may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the base portion 104. The base portion 714 may include a top member 720 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the top member 130). The base portion 714 may also include a touch pad 716 (which may correspond to or may be an embodiment of the touch pad 116) along the top side of the top member 720 and positioned in or at least partially defining the protruding region of the base portion 714.

The top member 720 of the base portion 714 (which may also define one or more side surfaces of the base portion) may include a groove feature 718 defined along a front edge of the base portion 714. As shown in fig. 7C, the groove feature 718 may define a gap 722 (fig. 7C) between the base portion 714 and the lid portion 700 when the device is in the closed configuration. Gap 722 may provide a handle-like area to assist the user in opening the device. For example, gap 722 may expose an edge of the lid portion so that a user's finger may more easily engage the edge to open the device.

The groove feature 718 may also accommodate the protrusion 712 when the device is in the closed configuration. For example, as shown in fig. 7C, when the device is in a closed configuration, the protrusion 712 extends into the recess feature 718 in a manner similar to a nested arrangement between the recessed display region 706 and a protruding region (e.g., including the touch pad 716) of the base portion 714. The protrusion 712 may only partially occupy the notch feature 718 such that when the device is closed, the gap 722 remains exposed to allow a user to easily engage the lid to open the device.

As described above, the front cover 702 may be formed of glass or another transparent material, and thus may define a protective transparent window or cover over the camera 724. A mask along the interior of the bezel 702 in the bezel area may define a transparent window area of the camera 724. In some cases, a separate cover member (e.g., formed of glass, sapphire, glass-ceramic, etc.) may be disposed in one aperture formed through the front cover 702 in the bezel area to define a transparent window area for the camera 724. The cover member may have a different thickness than the bezel area of the bezel 702 (e.g., it may be thinner to accommodate a larger camera), and it may be formed of a different material (e.g., a sapphire cover member positioned in a hole in the glass bezel).

Fig. 8A depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary device 800 (generally corresponding to the same view of the device as shown in fig. 3B and 6A), showing an example in which a circuit board assembly of a lid portion and a base portion are arranged in a manner similar to device 100, but in which the lid portion and the base portion do not define a nested arrangement. For example, the device 800 includes a cover portion 802 and a base portion 804. The cover portion includes a front cover 806, which may define a substantially planar front exterior surface, and may cover the display 801 and the first circuit board assembly 808. The first circuit board assembly may be positioned in a lower bezel region 803 of the cover portion 802 (e.g., along the bottom side of the display 801). The base portion 804 includes a second circuit board assembly 809 positioned in the peripheral region 805 between the keyboard 807 and the back of the device 800 (e.g., wherein the cover portion 802 connects to the base portion 804 via a hinge mechanism). As shown and similar to the device 100, the first and second circuit board assemblies 808 and 809 do not overlap the display 801 and the keyboard 807, respectively. Thus, the cover portion 802 can be made thinner because it is not required to accommodate the combined thickness of stacked or overlapping display and circuit board assemblies. Similarly, the base portion 804 can be made thinner because it is not required to accommodate the combined thickness of stacked or overlapping keyboard and circuit board assemblies.

Fig. 8B-8C depict partial cross-sectional views of another exemplary device 810 (corresponding generally to the same views of the device shown in fig. 3B and 6A) that may achieve a low overall thickness. In this example, device 810 includes a lid portion 812 pivotally coupled to a base portion 814 (e.g., via a hinge mechanism). The lid portion may include a front lid 817 positioned in front of the display 818 and a bezel member 819 along one side of the front lid 817 (e.g., at and/or defining a lower bezel region 811).

The lid portion also includes a circuit board assembly 820 that can provide processing functionality for components mounted on the lid (e.g., display 818, camera, etc.) as well as components mounted on the base (e.g., keyboard 816, touch pad). The circuit board assembly 820 may also include memory components and processing elements, and may be the main (and optionally sole) circuit board assembly in a device.

Because the circuit board assembly 820 combines the functions of the first and second circuit board assemblies of other devices described herein, the circuit board assembly 820 may have a relatively larger volume (and/or thickness) than other circuit board assemblies described herein. To accommodate the larger size of the circuit board assembly 820, the bezel area 811 of the cover portion 802 may be thicker than the display area 815. In some cases, bezel region 811 defines the full or maximum thickness of the device. The difference in thickness between the bezel region 811 and the display region 815 results in a stepped configuration of the cover portion 812 nested with the base portion 814. For example, when the device 810 is in the closed configuration (fig. 8C), the base portion 814 is positioned in a recess defined by the thinner display area 815, and the bezel area 811 overlaps a side of the base portion 814.

By positioning the circuit board assembly 820 in the bezel area 811, the circuit board assembly 820 does not need to overlap other components of the device (such as the keyboard 816 or the display 818), thus reducing the minimum achievable thickness of the device. In addition, because the cover portions have areas of different thickness, and because the base portion 814 nests with a thinner area of the cover, the device 800 can accommodate a larger circuit board assembly 820 without a corresponding increase in overall thickness.

Fig. 8B-8C depict lid portion 812 in which frame member 819 is a different structure than front lid 817. In other examples, a single bezel may define both the display area 815 and the bezel area 811. For example, the bezel may be a single piece of shaped glass (e.g., formed via a molding process as described herein) defining a bezel region 811 and a display region 815 that is recessed relative to the bezel region 811.

Fig. 9 depicts an exemplary schematic of an electronic device 900. The electronic device 900 may be an embodiment of or otherwise represent the device 100, 600, 800, 810 (or other device described herein). The device 900 comprises one or more processing units 901 configured to access a memory 902 having instructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs may be configured to perform one or more of the operations or functions described with respect to the electronic device described herein. For example, the instructions may be configured to control or coordinate the operation of the one or more displays 908, the one or more touch sensors 903, the one or more force sensors 905, the one or more communication channels 904, the one or more audio input systems 909, the one or more audio output systems 910, the one or more positioning systems 911, the one or more sensors 912, and/or the one or more haptic feedback devices 906. Where the device 900 is a notebook computer, the components and/or systems described with reference to fig. 9 may be included in a base portion of the device (e.g., base portion 104), a lid portion of the device (e.g., lid portion 102), or distributed between the base portion and the lid portion.

The processing unit 901 of fig. 9 may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing unit 901 may include one or more of the following: a microprocessor, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), or a combination of such devices. As described herein, the term "processor" is intended to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or one or more other suitably configured computing elements.

Memory 902 may store electronic data that may be used by device 900. For example, the memory may store electronic data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, images, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, programs, instructions, timing and control signals or data for various modules, data structures, or databases, and the like. The memory 902 may be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory may be implemented as random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, removable memory, other types of storage elements, or a combination of such devices.

The touch sensor 903 may detect various types of touch-based inputs and generate signals or data that can be accessed using processor instructions. Touch sensor 903 may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomenon to detect physical input. For example, the touch sensor 903 may be a capacitive touch sensor, a resistive touch sensor, an acoustic wave sensor, or the like. Touch sensor 903 can include any suitable component for detecting touch-based input and generating signals or data that can be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.), processors, circuitry, firmware, and the like. Touch sensor 903 may be integrated with or otherwise configured to detect touch input applied to any portion of device 900. For example, touch sensor 903 may be configured to detect touch input applied to any portion of device 900 including (and may be integrated with) a display, such as display 103. The touch sensor 903 may also be configured to detect touch input applied to a touch pad, such as touch pad 116. Touch sensor 903 may operate in conjunction with force sensor 905 to generate signals or data in response to touch input. Touch sensors or force sensors positioned above a display surface or otherwise integrated with a display may be referred to herein as touch sensitive displays, force sensitive displays, or touch screens.

The force sensor 905 may detect various types of force-based inputs and generate signals or data that can be accessed using processor instructions. The force sensor 905 may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomenon to detect physical input. For example, the force sensor 905 may be a strain-based sensor, a piezoelectric-based sensor, a piezoresistive-based sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or the like. The force sensor 905 may include any suitable component for detecting force-based input and generating signals or data that can be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacer layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.), processors, circuitry, firmware, etc. Force sensors 905 may be used with various input mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, the force sensor 905 may be used to detect presses or other force inputs that meet a force threshold (which may represent more powerful inputs than typical inputs of standard "touch" inputs). Similar to touch sensor 903, force sensor 905 may be integrated with or otherwise configured to detect a force input applied to any portion of device 900. For example, the force sensor 905 may be configured to detect a force input applied to any portion of the device 900 including (and may be integrated with) a display, such as the display 103. The force sensor 905 may also detect force inputs applied to a touch pad, such as touch pad 116. The force sensors 905 may operate in conjunction with the touch sensors 903 to generate signals or data in response to touch-based and/or force-based inputs.

Device 900 can also include one or more haptic devices 906. Haptic device 906 may include one or more of a variety of haptic technologies, such as, but not necessarily limited to, a rotary haptic device, a linear actuator, a piezoelectric device, a vibratory element, and the like. In general, haptic device 906 can be configured to provide intermittent and differential feedback to a user of the device. More specifically, the haptic device 906 may be adapted to produce a clicking or flicking sensation and/or a vibratory sensation. Such tactile outputs may be provided in response to detection of touch and/or force input, and may be imparted to a user by an external surface of device 900 (e.g., via glass or other surface that acts as a touch-sensitive display and/or a force-sensitive display or surface). Haptic device 906 may provide haptic output in response to key inputs applied to a virtual (e.g., touch screen based) keyboard and/or inputs applied to a touch pad. A touch screen based keyboard may be disposed on an upper surface of a base portion (e.g., base portion 104) of the device.

The one or more communication channels 904 may include one or more wireless interfaces adapted to provide communication between the processing unit 901 and external devices. The one or more communication channels 904 may include an antenna (e.g., an antenna that includes or uses a housing component as a radiating member), communication circuitry, firmware, software, or any other component or system that facilitates wireless communication with other devices. In general, one or more communication channels 904 may be configured to transmit and receive data and/or signals interpretable by instructions executing on processing unit 901. In some cases, the external device is part of an external communication network configured to exchange data with the wireless device. Generally, the wireless interface may communicate via, but is not limited to, radio frequency, optical, acoustical and/or magnetic signals and may be configured to operate over a wireless interface or protocol. Exemplary wireless interfaces include radio frequency cellular interfaces (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G, GSM, CDMA, etc.), fiber optic interfaces, acoustic interfaces, bluetooth interfaces, infrared interfaces, USB interfaces, wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communication interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The one or more communication channels 904 may also include an Ultra Wideband (UWB) interface, which may include any suitable communication circuitry, instructions, and number and location of suitable UWB antennas.

As shown in fig. 9, device 900 may include a battery 907 for storing power and providing power to other components of device 900. Battery 907 may be a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to device 900. The battery 907 may be coupled to a charging system (e.g., a wired and/or wireless charging system) and/or other circuitry to control the power provided to the battery 907 and to control the power provided from the battery 907 to the device 900.

The device 900 may also include one or more display 908 configured to display graphical output. The display 908 may use any suitable display technology, including Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), active matrix organic light emitting diode displays (AMOLEDs), and the like. The display 908 may display a graphical user interface, an image, an icon, or any other suitable graphical output. Display 908 may correspond to display 103 or other displays described herein.

The device 900 may also provide audio input functionality via one or more audio input systems 909. The audio input system 909 may include a microphone, transducer, or other device that captures sound for voice calls, video calls, audio recordings, video recordings, voice commands, or the like.

The device 900 may also provide audio output functionality via one or more audio output systems (e.g., speakers) 910. The audio output system 910 may produce sound from voice calls, video calls, streaming or local audio content, streaming or local video content, and the like.

The device 900 may also include a positioning system 911. The positioning system 911 may be configured to determine the location of the device 900. For example, the positioning system 911 may include magnetometers, gyroscopes, accelerometers, optical sensors, cameras (e.g., front-facing cameras 105, 516, 724), global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, or inertial positioning systems, among others. The positioning system 911 may be used to determine spatial parameters of the device 900, such as the location of the device 900 (e.g., geographic coordinates of the device), measurements or estimates of the physical movement of the device 900, the orientation of the device 900, and so forth.

The device 900 may also include one or more additional sensors 912 to receive input (e.g., from a user or another computer, device, system, network, etc.) or to detect any suitable attribute or parameter of the device, the environment surrounding the device, people or things interacting with (or near) the device, etc. For example, the device may include a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor (e.g., fingerprint sensor, spectrometer, blood oxygen sensor, blood glucose sensor, etc.), an eye tracking sensor, a retinal scanner, a humidity sensor, buttons, switches, eyelid closure sensors, etc.

The device 900 may also include one or more input devices 913. The input device 913 is a device configured to receive user input. The input device 913 may include, for example, a keyboard (touch screen-based or mechanical), a touchpad or other pointing device, buttons, touch activated buttons or keypads, and the like. In some implementations, the input device 913 may provide dedicated or primary functions including, for example, a power button, a volume button, a home button, a scroll wheel, and a camera button. In general, touch sensors (e.g., touch screens) or force sensors may also be classified as input devices. However, for purposes of this illustrative example, the touch sensor and force sensor are shown as distinct components within device 900.

Insofar as the various functions, operations, and structures described with reference to fig. 9 are disclosed as being part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device 900, it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all such described functions, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of apparatus 900 may have some or all of the various capabilities, devices, physical features, modes, and operating parameters described herein, or none of them. Moreover, the systems included in device 900 are not exclusive and device 900 may include alternative or additional systems, components, modules, programs, instructions, etc. that may be necessary or useful for performing the functions described herein.

As described above, one aspect of the present technology is to collect and use data available from a variety of sources to improve the utility and functionality of devices such as mobile phones. The present disclosure contemplates that in some examples, such collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or may be used to contact or locate a particular person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, tweet IDs, home addresses, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology may be used to benefit users. For example, the personal information data may be used to locate devices, deliver targeted content of greater interest to the user, and the like. In addition, the present disclosure contemplates other uses for personal information data that are beneficial to the user. For example, health and fitness data may be used to provide insight into the overall health of a user, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue health goals.

The present disclosure contemplates that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing, or otherwise using such personal information data will adhere to established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should exercise and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be readily accessible to the user and should be updated as the collection and/or use of the data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legal and reasonable use by entities and not shared or sold outside of these legal uses. In addition, such collection/sharing should be performed after informed consent is received from the user. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to defend and secure access to such personal information data and to ensure that others who have access to personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third party evaluations to prove compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to collect and/or access specific types of personal information data and to suit applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the united states, the collection or acquisition of certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state law, such as the health insurance flow and liability act (HIPAA); while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be processed accordingly. Thus, different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.

In spite of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which a user selectively prevents use or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and/or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, with respect to advertisement delivery services, the techniques of this disclosure may be configured to allow a user to choose to "opt-in" or "opt-out" to participate in the collection of personal information data during or at any time after registration with the service. In addition to providing the "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure also contemplates providing notifications related to accessing or using personal information. For example, the user may be notified that his personal information data will be accessed when the application is downloaded, and then be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

Further, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use. Once the data is no longer needed, risk can be minimized by limiting the data collection and deleting the data. In addition, and when applicable, included in certain health-related applications, the data de-identification may be used to protect the privacy of the user. De-identification may be facilitated by removing a particular identifier (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or characteristics of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than an address level), controlling the manner in which data is stored (e.g., aggregating data among users), and/or other methods, where appropriate.

Thus, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments may be implemented without accessing such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology do not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, the content may be selected and delivered to the user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or absolute minimum amount of personal information such as content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery service, or publicly available information.

For purposes of explanation, the foregoing descriptions use specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings. Moreover, as used herein to refer to the position of a component, the terms above, below, left or right (or other similar relative positional terms) do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative to an external reference, but rather to the relative position of the component in the referenced figures. Similarly, unless an absolute horizontal or vertical orientation is indicated, horizontal and vertical orientations are to be understood as relative to the orientation of the component in the referenced drawings.

Features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc. shown or described with respect to any given figure (or otherwise described herein) may be used with features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc. described with respect to other figures. For example, any given drawing of this disclosure should not be construed as limited to only those features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc., shown in that particular drawing. Similarly, features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc., which are shown only in the different figures, may be used together or implemented. Furthermore, the features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc. shown or described together may be implemented alone and/or in combination with other features, structures, configurations, components, techniques, etc. of other figures or portions of this specification. Moreover, for ease of illustration and explanation, the drawings of the present application may show certain components and/or subassemblies that are isolated from other components and/or subassemblies of an electronic device, but it should be understood that in some cases, the separately shown components and subassemblies may be considered as different portions of a single electronic device (e.g., a single embodiment including multiple illustrated components and/or subassemblies).

Claims

1. A laptop computer, comprising;

A cover portion, the cover portion comprising:

A housing structure;

a glass cover positioned to couple to the housing structure and define a recessed area; and

A display positioned below the recessed area of the glass cover; and

A base portion positionable in a closed configuration and an open configuration relative to the lid portion and defining a raised region along a top side of the base portion, the raised region configured to extend into the recessed region of the glass cover when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration, the base portion including a keyboard positioned at the raised region.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein:

the glass cover is of an integrated glass structure;

the lid portion is coupled to the base portion by a hinge;

The keyboard includes a plurality of physical keys; and

The base portion further includes a touch pad positioned at the protruding region.

3. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein:

the recessed area defines a display area of the lid portion; and

The glass cover further defines:

A bezel region extending around a perimeter of the display region; and

And a curved transition region extending from the bezel region to the display region.

4. A laptop computer as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

The curved transition region is a first curved transition region; and

The base portion includes a top member defining:

the protruding region;

a peripheral region extending around a periphery of the raised region; and

A second curved transition region extending from the peripheral region to the convex region.

5. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein:

The base portion includes a glass top member; and

The glass top member at least partially defines the raised region.

6. The laptop computer of claim 5, wherein at the raised area, the glass top member defines a touch pad.

7. The laptop computer of claim 6, wherein at the raised area, the glass top member further defines a virtual keyboard.

8. A portable computing device, comprising:

A cover portion, the cover portion comprising:

A housing structure;

a unitary glass cover coupled to the housing structure and defining:

A border region; and

A recessed region at least partially surrounded by the bezel region; and

A display positioned below the recessed area; and

A base portion flexibly coupled to the lid portion and comprising:

a keyboard protruding from a top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed area when the lid portion and the base portion are in a closed configuration; and

A touch pad protruding from the top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed area when the lid portion and the base portion are in the closed configuration.

9. The portable computing device of claim 8, wherein:

the lid portion is coupled to the base portion via a hinge mechanism positioned along a bottom side of the lid portion and a rear side of the base portion; and

The portable computing device further includes:

a first circuit board assembly in the lid portion and positioned between the recessed area and the hinge mechanism; and

A second circuit board assembly in the base portion and positioned between the keyboard and the hinge mechanism.

10. The portable computing device of claim 8, wherein the first circuit board assembly does not overlap an active area of the display.

11. The portable computing device of claim 10, wherein the second circuit board assembly does not overlap the keyboard.

12. The portable computing device of claim 8, wherein:

The base portion includes a one-piece glass top member;

the keyboard is a virtual keyboard; and

The unitary glass top member defines a surface of the virtual keyboard and a surface of the touch pad.

13. The portable computing device of claim 8, wherein:

the bezel area is opaque; and

The recessed area is transparent.

14. The portable computing device of claim 12, further comprising an opacity mask positioned in the bezel area along an inner surface of the unitary glass cover.

15. A portable computing device, comprising:

A cover portion, the cover portion comprising:

A housing;

A display at least partially within the housing;

An integral glass cover positioned over the display and defining:

a bezel region extending at least partially around an active area of the display; and

A recessed display region recessed relative to the bezel region and positioned above the active area of the display; and

A circuit board assembly positioned below a portion of the bezel area and conductively coupled to the display; and

A base portion flexibly coupled to the lid portion and including a keyboard protruding from a top surface of the base portion and configured to extend into the recessed display region when the lid portion and the base portion are in a closed configuration.

16. The portable computing device of claim 15, wherein the lid portion further comprises a touch sensing system configured to detect touch input applied to the recessed display region and at least a portion of the bezel region.

17. The portable computing device of claim 15, further comprising a camera positioned in the bezel area.

18. The portable computing device of claim 15, wherein:

the circuit board assembly is a first circuit board assembly; and

The base portion includes a second circuit board assembly conductively coupled to the first circuit board assembly.

19. The portable computing device of claim 18, wherein:

The base portion is flexibly coupled to the lid portion via a hinge mechanism positioned along a bottom of the lid portion and a rear of the base portion; and

The second circuit board assembly is positioned within the base portion and between the keyboard and the hinge mechanism.

20. The portable computing device of claim 19, wherein:

the keyboard is positioned in a keyboard region of the base portion;

the first circuit board assembly is positioned entirely outside the recessed display area; and

The second circuit board assembly is positioned entirely outside the keyboard region.