Electronic device including a front bezel operable to secure the device together

In some aspects, a portable electronic device is provided having a slidable upper housing movable relative to a lower housing between an open position and a closed position, and a front bezel. The front bezel holds the components of the portable electronic device together and covers up at least some of the fasteners used to attach components of the portable electronic device.

FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to portable electronic devices, and in particular to portable electronic devices having a slidable upper housing and lower housing movable between an open position and a closed position, and including a front bezel for holding the components of the portable electronic device together.

INTRODUCTION

Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread use and may provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic text messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Portable electronic devices can include several types of devices including mobile stations such as simple cellular phones, smart phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), tablets and laptop computers.

Devices such as PDAs or smart phones are generally intended for handheld use and ease of portability. Smaller devices are generally desirable for portability. Touch-sensitive devices constructed of a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), with a touch-sensitive overlay may be useful on handheld devices as such handheld devices are small and are therefore limited in space available for user input and output devices. Further, the screen content on the touch-sensitive devices can be modified depending on the functions and operations being performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an electronic device that includes a housing, a touch-sensitive display exposed by a front of the housing, and functional components comprising memory and a processor coupled to the memory and the touch-sensitive display.

FIG. 1shows a simplified block diagram of components including internal components of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment.

The portable electronic device100includes multiple components such as a processor102that controls the operations of the portable electronic device100. Communication functions, including data communications, voice communications, or both may be performed through a communication subsystem104. Data received by the portable electronic device100may be decompressed and decrypted by a decoder106. The communication subsystem104may receive messages from and send messages to a wireless network150.

The wireless network150may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data-centric wireless networks, voice-centric wireless networks, and dual-mode networks that support both voice and data communications over the same base stations.

The portable electronic device100may be a battery-powered device and as shown includes a battery interface142for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries144.

The processor102also interacts with additional subsystems such as a Random Access Memory (RAM)108, a flash memory110, a display112with a touch-sensitive overlay114connected to an electronic controller116that together comprise a touch-sensitive display118, an actuator assembly120, one or more optional force sensors122, an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem124, a data port126, a speaker128, a microphone130, short-range communications132and other device subsystems134.

User-interaction with the graphical user interface may be performed through the touch-sensitive overlay114. The processor102may interact with the touch-sensitive overlay114via the electronic controller116. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on a portable electronic device, may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display118via the processor102.

The processor102may also interact with an accelerometer136as shown inFIG. 1. The accelerometer136may include a cantilever beam with a proof mass and suitable deflection sensing circuitry. The accelerometer136may be utilized for detecting direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces.

To identify a subscriber for network access according to the present embodiment, the portable electronic device100may use a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card138inserted into a SIM/RUIM interface140for communication with a network such as the wireless network150. Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed into the flash memory110or performed using other techniques.

The portable electronic device100also includes an operating system146and software components148that may be executed by the processor102and which may be stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory110. Additional applications may be loaded onto the portable electronic device100through the wireless network150, the auxiliary I/O subsystem124, the data port126, the short-range communications subsystem132, or other suitable device subsystems134.

In use, a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download may be processed by the communication subsystem104and input to the processor102. The processor102may then process the received signal for output to the display112or alternatively to the auxiliary I/O subsystem124. A subscriber may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, for example, which may be transmitted over the wireless network150through the communication subsystem104.

For voice communications, the overall operation of the portable electronic device100may be similar. The speaker128outputs audible information converted from electrical signals, and the microphone130converts audible information into electrical signals for processing.

Turning now toFIGS. 2 to 10, illustrated generally therein is a portable electronic device200according to one embodiment.

The portable electronic device200generally includes an upper housing202(or sliding portion) and a lower housing204(or base portion). The upper housing202and lower housing204are coupled together and are slidable between a closed position (as shown inFIG. 2) and an open position (e.g. as shown inFIG. 6).

As shown, the upper housing202generally includes a display206, which could be an LCD display and which may have touch screen capabilities.

As shown, one or both of the upper housing202and lower housing204may include one or more input apparatus, such as navigation keys or buttons, a physical or virtual keyboard, a trackpad, trackball, multimedia keys, etc.

For example, the upper housing202as shown includes an auxiliary input device212. As shown, the auxiliary input device may be an optical navigation module (e.g. a trackpad) that responds to user interaction, and which may be used for navigating around the display screen206, to select objects on the display screen, or for other purposes. In some other embodiments, the auxiliary input device212may be a mechanical device that responds to user interaction (e.g. a trackball).

The display206and the auxiliary input device212are generally disposed on a front of the upper housing202and exposed for user accessibility when the portable electronic device200is in either of the open or closed positions.

The upper housing202may also include other input devices, such as a dedicated phone application button, a dedicated “disconnect call” button, a home screen button, etc. In various embodiments, these input devices may include optical sensors, mechanical buttons, or both.

Turning now to the lower housing204, the lower housing204may include various buttons and other controls, such as buttons208and210, and which could be used for navigation, to control volume or for other purposes.

The lower housing204could also include one or more application buttons211that can be used to automatically launch a particular application on the portable electronic device (e.g. a camera application, a phone application, etc.). In some embodiments, the button211may be configurable by a user (e.g. the user may be able to select the particular application launched by the button211).

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, the lower housing204could also include one or more input or output ports, (e.g. I/O ports), such as a microUSB port214. In some examples, the port214may be used for data communication with the portable electronic device200, for charging of a battery (not shown) on the device200or for both.

As shown, the lower housing204may also include a battery cover216for covering the battery (not shown). In some embodiments, the battery cover216may be removable. In other embodiments, the battery cover216may be permanently fixed to the device.

In some embodiments, the lower housing204may also include an audio jack217. The audio jack217may be used to couple the portable electronic device200to a speaker, a microphone, or both, for example for use in voice communication.

Turning now toFIGS. 6 to 9, as shown when the portable electronic device200is in the open position, a keypad220is exposed on a lower portion218of the lower housing204. The keypad220generally includes a plurality of alphanumeric keys222, which may be positioned in a plurality of rows and columns. In some embodiments, the keys222may represent the alphabet and may be arranged with a standard keyboard layout (e.g. QWERTY, QWERTZ, DVORAK, etc.)

As shown inFIGS. 2 to 5, when the portable electronic device200is in the closed position, the keypad220is covered by the upper housing202. This may be beneficial as it may protect the keypad220when not in use, and may also inhibit undesired keys from being pressed when the user is carrying the portable electronic device200(e.g. in a user's pocket). However, in some cases (e.g. when the display206is a touchscreen) the user may be able to perform functions on the portable electronic device200while the device200is closed by interacting with the display screen206(e.g. using buttons208,210,211, the auxiliary input device212, the display screen206itself, etc.).

When the portable electronic device200is in the open position (as shown inFIGS. 6 to 9), the keypad220is exposed for user accessibility.

In some embodiments, the display206may be a touch-sensitive display. The touch-sensitive display may be a capacitive touch-sensitive display, for example, and a user's touch on the touch-sensitive display may be determined by determining an X and Y location of the touch, with the X location determined by a signal generated as a result of capacitive coupling with a touch sensor layer and the Y location determined by the signal generated as a result of capacitive coupling with another touch sensor layer. Each of the touch-sensor layers provides a signal to a controller that represents the respective X and Y touch location values. Thus a feature such as a virtual button or other feature displayed on the touch-sensitive display may be selected by a mapping of the touch location to a feature on the touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, the portable electronic device200is generally taller than it is wide. In such embodiments, as the portable electronic device200moves between the open position and the closed position, the upper housing202and lower housing204move along a longitudinal axis of the portable electronic device200.

Reference is now made toFIG. 12, which illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower housing204of the portable electronic device200with the battery cover216and a rear cover226(seeFIG. 13) removed. The lower housing204of the portable electronic device200(with the battery cover216and the rear cover226removed) will be referred to herein as the main portion of the lower housing204or simply the lower housing204.

As can be seen inFIG. 12, the main portion of the lower housing204includes an antenna228(which may be part of the communications subsystem104), which may be used for sending and receiving voice communications, or data communications, or both. As shown, the antenna228is provided in the lower portion218of the lower housing204. In some embodiments the antenna228may be tucked behind and abut an inner surface of the lower housing204.

The main portion of the lower housing204may also include a printed circuit board (PCB)230. The PCB230may include various electronic components as will be understood by a person skilled in the art, including for example a processor (which could be processor102), a memory (which could be RAM108or flash memory110), and the SIM/RUIM interface140, which may be used for receiving a SIM/RUIM card and for communication with the wireless network150.

Reference is now made toFIG. 13, which illustrates a front perspective view of the rear cover226. The rear cover226includes three cut-outs232,234, and236(generally being defined as open regions in the material of the cover226and which may be formed as openings when the cover226is manufactured).

The first cut-out232works in conjunction with the lower housing204to form a battery opening238(shown inFIG. 15) for receiving a battery (e.g. battery144), although the battery is not shown in the Figures.

The second cut-out234allows for exposure of the SIM/RUIM interface140when the rear cover226is mounted to the lower housing204.

The third cut-out236allows for exposure of the antenna228when the rear cover226is mounted to the lower housing204.

Generally, these cut-outs232,234, and236allow for easy access to the battery opening238, the SIM/RUIM interface140, and the antenna228when the battery cover216of the device200is removed.

Reference is now made toFIG. 14, which is an exploded rear perspective view of the main portion of the lower housing204and a rear perspective view of the rear cover226.FIG. 14is used to demonstrate how the rear cover226may be attached to the lower housing204.

In particular, as shown inFIG. 14, the rear cover226may have four small apertures240,242,244and246(although a greater or lesser number of apertures may in some cases be used). Each of these apertures240,242,244and246is sized and configured to receive a fastener248,250,252and254. In some embodiments, the fasteners248,250,252and254are screws (as shown), however, it will be evident to those of skill in the art that other known fasteners may also be used.

The rear cover226may be placed over the rear portion of the lower housing204and the fasteners (i.e. screws)248,250,252and254received in corresponding apertures256,258,260and262in the lower housing204(see alsoFIG. 12) to attach the rear cover226to the lower housing204.

Reference is now made toFIG. 15, which is a rear perspective view of the lower housing204with the rear cover226attached, and the battery cover216removed. As can be seen inFIG. 15, when the rear cover226is attached to the lower housing204via the fasteners (i.e. screws)248,250,252and254, the cut-outs232,234, and236in the rear cover226leave the battery opening238, the SIM/RUIM interface140, and the antenna228exposed. This tends to allow easy access to the battery opening238, the SIM/RUIM interface140and the antenna228when the battery cover216is removed.

It also can been seen inFIG. 15, that when the rear cover226is attached to the lower housing204, at least a portion of each of the fasteners248,250,252and254is exposed. Once the battery cover216is attached to the lower housing (not shown), the two lower fasteners252and254are covered. However, the two top fasteners248and250are still exposed even after the battery cover216is installed or attached to the lower housing204. This is generally undesirable, as it can interfere with the aesthetic appearance of the device200. Furthermore, it may allow the fasteners248,250to be easily tampered with, which is also undesirable.

To address this issue, in some embodiments, the portable electronic device200includes a front bezel264(seeFIGS. 16 to 18) that secures the rear cover226to the lower housing204and also covers the two top fasteners248and250. In some existing portable electronic devices, the issue of exposed fasteners is resolved by (i) installing the two top fasteners (i.e. fasteners248and250) on the front face of the portable electronic device and then covering the fasteners with a cosmetic piece; or, (ii) using an additional cosmetic piece to cover the fasteners on the rear face.

However, the first solution (i.e. installing the two top fasteners on the front face of the portable electronic device) may not be feasible when the portable electronic device has a slidable upper housing (i.e. upper housing202) movable relative to a lower housing (i.e., lower housing204) between an open position and a closed position. Specifically, when the rear cover (i.e. rear cover226) is assembled or attached to the lower housing (i.e. lower housing204), the upper housing (i.e. upper housing202) may already be in position making it difficult to install top fasteners on the front face of the lower housing.

The second solution, using an additional cosmetic piece to cover the fasteners, may also be less than ideal. Specifically, this solution adds an additional component that increases the complexity and cost of the portable electronic device. Furthermore, the addition of a cosmetic piece to cover the top fasteners may disrupt a seamless design intent that industrial design desires. For example, an additional cosmetic piece may add visible seams to the design that may not be desired.

Reference is now made toFIG. 16, which is a front perspective view of the portable electronic device200in the open position, with the front bezel264partially positioned on the portable electronic device200.FIG. 16is used to demonstrate how the front bezel264is attached to the lower housing204.

As shown, the front bezel264includes a front portion266, a rear portion268and two side portions270and272that together generally form a closed loop or “ring” shaped member. When the front bezel264is positioned on the portable electronic device200, the front portion266covers a lower portion274of the front face of the lower housing204, the two side portions270and272lie along (and cover) the sides of the lower housing204, and the rear portion268covers an upper portion276(SeeFIGS. 14 and 15) of the lower housing204/rear cover226. The upper portion276of the rear cover226includes the two top fasteners248and250. In this manner the front bezel264performs two benefits: (i) it acts as a clamp by holding the lower housing204and the rear cover226in position (generally securing them together); and (ii) it performs a cosmetic function by covering the two upper fasteners248and250.

In one embodiment, the front bezel264is made of a non-conductive vacuum metallization (NCVM) material. As is known to persons of skill in the art, the NCVM process deposits a thin nonconductive metal on a resin surface, such as plastic. One of the benefits of NCVM material is that the thin nonconductive metal does not interfere with radio frequency transmissions. Accordingly, a NCVM material allows the front bezel264to look like metal without having the adverse affects an actual metal might have. Specifically, when made of NCVM material, the front bezel264does not affect the radio frequency (RF) transmissions of the antenna228in the same manner that a metal bezel would. This may be particularly important due to the proximity of the front bezel264to the antenna228.

Reference is now made toFIG. 17, which is a front perspective view of the portable electronic device200in the open position, with the front bezel264fully positioned on the portable electronic device200.

Reference is now made toFIG. 18, which is a rear view of the portable electronic device200in the closed position, with the front bezel264fully positioned on the portable electronic device200and the battery cover216removed. It can be seen inFIG. 18, that when the front bezel264is fully positioned on the portable electronic device200, the rear portion268of the front bezel264completely covers the upper portion276of the rear cover226including the two top fasteners248and250.

Once the front bezel264is fully positioned on the portable electronic device200, the front bezel264may be attached to the lower housing204via one or more bezel fasteners278and280(i.e. screws). AlthoughFIG. 18shoes the front bezel264being attached to the lower housing204using two screws, it will be evident to a person of skill in the art that other types and numbers of fasteners may be used.

The two fasteners278and280may be inserted into two small apertures282and284in the rear cover226, pass through two small apertures286and288in the lower housing204and be received in two small apertures (not shown) in the front bezel264.

While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.