Portable electronic device

Portable electronic devices are provided. A device may include cover glass with a light mask. The light mask may be microperforated to allow light to pass through the light mask. The microperforations may allow light to pass through the light mask. The devices may include sensors and light emitters that receive and transmit light through the microperforations. The devices may include a variable cantilever spring as part of a button assembly. The spring may be flattened against itself without exceeding its elastic limit. The devices may include display modules. The display module may include structures that block light from leaking out of the module. The structures may include opaque tapes, opaque enclosures for the display module, and other suitable structures.

BACKGROUND

This relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to portable electronic devices.

Electronic devices such as portable electronic devices are becoming increasingly popular. Examples of portable devices include handheld computers, cellular telephones, media players, and hybrid devices that include the functionality of multiple devices of this type. Popular portable electronic devices that are somewhat larger than traditional handheld electronic devices include laptop computers and tablet computers.

An electronic device may include one or more sensors. The sensors may be used to sense information about the environment around the electronic device such an ambient light level and the proximity of nearby objects. The electronic device may include one or more apertures that pass radiation between the sensors and the external environment. The apertures may not be aesthetically pleasing and may divert attention away from other aesthetically pleasing features of the electronic device. It would therefore be desirable to provide electronic devices that have improved sensor apertures.

An electronic device may include a housing and a display module mounted in the housing. The display module may emit light through a display opening in the housing. With conventional display modules, light may also escape into the housing from the sides and rear of the display module. The light that escapes into the housing can then escape through cracks or joints in the housing which is aesthetically undesirable. It would therefore be desirable to provide display modules for electronic devices that minimize light leakage.

Electronic devices may sometimes include a compression spring as part of a button mechanism. Conventional button springs can become deformed and non-functional if they are fully compressed. It would therefore be desirable to provide springs for button mechanisms in an electronic device that can be more fully compressed without deforming.

SUMMARY

Portable electronic devices are provided. The electronic devices may be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple devices. An example of a hybrid electronic device is a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality.

An electronic device may include a display and a transparent cover that covers the display. The transparent cover may be formed from cover glass and may extend beyond the borders of the display and, if desired, may cover a majority of one or more sides of the electronic device. For example, the cover glass may extend almost entirely across the front face of the electronic device. With one suitable arrangement, the electronic device may include a mask behind or in front of portions of the cover glass to obscure internal components in the electronic device from view. Generally, the mask need not extend across the display. However, if desired, the mask may overlap the edges of the display. The cover glass and mask may have portions defining holes. As an example, the holes may include a hole for a button mechanism (e.g., a menu button hole) and a hole for a speaker (e.g., a port for transmitting sound through the cover glass).

A mask for cover glass in an electronic device may include microperforations. The microperforations may allow light and other radiation to pass through the mask and cover glass. With this type of arrangement, the electronic device may include sensors underneath the cover glass that can transmit and receive radiation through the cover glass. The microperforated mask may allow radiation to pass through the mask while simultaneously obscuring the sensors from a user's view. In general, the electronic device may include any desired type of sensor such as a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, an orientation sensor, etc. With one suitable arrangement, the mask may be formed from a relatively thin layer of deposited material and, as an example, the microperforations may be formed using a laser to selectively etch away portions of the mask.

An electronic device may include a display with structures that reduce light leakage from the display. The display, which is sometimes referred to as a display module, may include a plurality of layers held together in a chassis. As an example, the display may include structures that reduce light leakage from the display such as one or more strips of opaque tape. Strips of opaque tape may be applied to the exterior surface of the display module (e.g., to the exterior surface of a chassis for the display) to reduce light leakage from the display (e.g., to reduce the amount of light that escapes into the interior of the electronic device). If desired, strips of opaque tape may be placed in the interior of the display module (e.g., applied to an interior surface of the chassis) to reduce light leakage from the display.

An electronic device may include one or more compression springs. The compression springs may be a part of a button mechanism in the electronic device, as an example. With one suitable arrangement, a compression spring may be formed with a curved cantilever shape so that the spring does not plastically deform even if the spring is completely compressed. With another suitable arrangement, a compression spring may be formed with a variable cantilever shape and may incorporate a self-strengthening tip portion that increases the uncompressed height of the spring following a complete compression of the spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to electronic devices and components in electronic devices. The electronic devices may be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers or small portable computers of the type that are sometimes referred to as ultraportables. Portable electronic devices may also be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable electronic devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices.

With one suitable arrangement, the portable electronic devices may be wireless electronic devices. The wireless electronic devices may be, for example, handheld wireless devices such as cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), global positioning system (GPS) devices, and handheld gaming devices. The wireless electronic devices may also be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple conventional devices. Examples of hybrid portable electronic devices include a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality, a gaming device that includes a wireless communications capability, a cellular telephone that includes game and email functions, and a portable device that receives email, supports mobile telephone calls, has media player functionality, and supports web browsing. These are merely illustrative examples.

An illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. User device10may be any suitable electronic device such as a portable or handheld electronic device. Device10ofFIG. 1may be, for example, a handheld electronic device that supports 2G and/or 3G cellular telephone and data functions, global positioning system capabilities or other satellite navigation capabilities, and local wireless communications capabilities (e.g., IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth®) and that supports handheld computing device functions such as internet browsing, email and calendar functions, games, media player functionality, etc.

Device10may have housing12and display16. Housing12, which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed from any suitable material including, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, or other suitable materials, or a combination of these and other materials.

Display16may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of display16may be formed from one or more plastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may be integrated into display16or may be provided using a separate touch pad device. With one suitable arrangement, display16may include structures that reduce light leakage from display16(e.g., structures that help to prevent light from escaping from display16to the interior of device10).

Display screen16(e.g., a touch-screen) is merely one example of an input-output device that may be used with electronic device10. If desired, electronic device10may have other input-output devices. For example, electronic device10may have user input control devices such as button19, and input-output components such as port20and one or more input-output jacks (e.g., for audio and/or video). Button19may be, for example, a menu button. Port20may contain a 30-pin data and power connector (as an example). Openings22and24may, if desired, form speaker and microphone ports. Speaker port22may be used when operating device10in speakerphone mode. Opening23may also form a speaker port. For example, speaker port23may serve as a telephone receiver that is placed adjacent to a user's ear during operation. In the example ofFIG. 1, display screen16is shown as being mounted on the front face of handheld electronic device10, but display screen16may, if desired, be mounted on the rear face of handheld electronic device10, on a side of device10, on a flip-up portion of device10that is attached to a main body portion of device10by a hinge (for example), or using any other suitable mounting arrangement.

If desired, a button mechanism in device10such as button19may include a compression spring. The spring may be, as one example, a variable cantilever spring that can be fully compressed without permanently deforming (e.g., without undergoing plastic deformation).

A user of electronic device10may supply input commands using user input interface devices such as button19and touch screen16. Suitable user input interface devices for electronic device10include buttons (e.g., alphanumeric keys, power on-off, power-on, power-off, and other specialized buttons, etc.), a touch pad, pointing stick, or other cursor control device, a microphone for supplying voice commands, or any other suitable interface for controlling device10. Buttons such as button19and other user input interface devices may be formed on any suitable portion of device10.

If desired, some or all of the input commands for device10may be received using accessories. This type of arrangement may help to reduce the size of the device10by reducing or even eliminating the number of control interfaces (e.g., buttons, sliders, etc.) located on the device10. With one suitable arrangement, the device10may connect with a headset through a connector such as connector20or an audio connector (e.g., a tip, ring, and sleeve female audio connector) and may receive control commands such as play, pause, stop, fast forward, skip forward, rewind, skip back, volume up, volume down, mute, and other control commands from the headset. In this arrangement, a headset may include speakers and a control unit that generates command signals that can be interpreted by the device10. If desired, device10can be controlled remotely (e.g., using an infrared remote control, a radio-frequency remote control such as a Bluetooth® remote control, etc.).

Device10may include cover54. As shown inFIG. 1, cover54may extend over a majority of the front surface of device10. Cover54may be formed from transparent glass or other suitable materials. Cover54may surround display16or may cover and surround display16, if desired. As one example, cover54may be opaque and may obscure the internal components (except for display16) mounted inside device10. If desired, cover54may be somewhat or completely transparent so that a user can view the internal components mounted inside device10. With one suitable arrangement, cover54may be formed from a transparent member such as glass coated on at least one side with an opaque material such as paint or ink. For example, cover54may be formed from a sheet of glass that covers the front surface of device10and from a layer of black paint on the underside of the sheet of glass. If desired, cover54(e.g., a sheet of glass) may extend over display16and the periphery of display16while the layer of black paint may extend over the periphery of display16but not over display16. In general, cover54may include glass and one or more layers of paint or other structure in any suitable shade and pattern or combination thereof. Cover54may sometimes be referred to as cover glass. With one suitable arrangement, display16may have an active image area (e.g., the outlined portion of display16inFIG. 1) and an inactive peripheral region (e.g., the regions on the front face of device10beyond the outline portion of display16inFIG. 1). As one example, cover54may include an opaque layer that covers the inactive peripheral region of display16. If desired, cover54and display16may be integrated together (e.g., cover54may be incorporated into display16).

Device10may contain sensors for monitoring the environment around device10. For example, device10may include sensors such as acoustic sensors, accelerometers, thermometers, altimeters and/or barometers, proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, etc. If desired, device10may include a proximity sensor that uses an emitter (e.g., an infrared LED or a radiation source that operates in another frequency) and a receiver or detector (e.g., an infrared receiver or a radiation detector that operates in another frequency) for detecting radiation. The proximity sensor may determine the distance to a nearby object by emitting radiation through the emitter and detecting radiation that has reflected off of the object, as an example. With one suitable arrangement, one or more sensors in device10may be located underneath cover54. For example, as shown inFIG. 1device10may include one or more sensors beneath cover54at the location of outline52. In general, sensors in device10may be located at any suitable location (e.g., in the inactive peripheral region of display16).

With one suitable arrangement, the portions of cover54above sensors in device10may be transparent or semi-transparent to radiation (i.e., visible and/or infrared light). As one example, cover54may be formed from transparent glass that has an opaque coating that does not extend over the sensors in device10and that has an infrared coating that does extend over the sensors. The infrared coating may have an appearance similar to the opaque coating in the visible spectrum (blocking visible light) but may be transparent to infrared radiation. With another suitable arrangement, the opaque coating over cover54may extend over some or all of the sensors in device10and may include a plurality of microperforations. For example, cover54may include a black mask (e.g., a black paint) with a plurality of microperforations. The microperforations in the black mask may be located between sensors in device10and the external environment such that radiation can pass between the sensors and the external environment. With one suitable arrangement, the opaque coating on cover54may be formed from a thin layer of metal deposited onto the glass of cover54using a physical vapor deposition process. The microperforations may be formed by etching away selected portions of the deposited metal layer using a laser, using photolithographic patterning techniques, etc.

A schematic diagram of an embodiment of an illustrative portable electronic device such as a handheld electronic device is shown inFIG. 2. Portable device10may be a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone with media player capabilities, a handheld computer, a remote control, a game player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an ultraportable computer, a hybrid device that includes the functionality of some or all of these devices, or any other suitable portable electronic device.

As shown inFIG. 2, device10may include storage34. Storage34may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc.

Processing circuitry36may be used to control the operation of device10. Processing circuitry36may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. With one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry36and storage34are used to run software on device10, such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, navigation functions, map functions, operating system functions, power management functions, etc.

Input-output devices38may be used to allow data to be supplied to device10and to allow data to be provided from device10to external devices. Display screen16, button19, microphone port24, speaker port22, and dock connector port20are examples of input-output devices38. In general, input-output devices38may include any suitable components for receiving input and/or providing output from device10. For example, input-output devices38can include user input-output devices40such as buttons, touch screens, cameras, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, etc. A user can control the operation of device10by supplying commands through user input devices40.

Input-output device38may include sensors41such as proximity sensors, ambient light sensors, orientation sensors, proximity sensors, and any other suitable sensors.

Display and audio devices42may include liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens or other screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data. Display and audio devices42may also include audio equipment such as speakers and other devices for creating sound. Display and audio devices42may contain audio-video interface equipment such as jacks and other connectors for external headphones and monitors.

Wireless communications devices44may include communications circuitry such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, antennas, and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals. Wireless signals can also be sent using light (e.g., using infrared communications).

Device10can communicate with external devices such as accessories46, computing equipment48, and wireless network49, as shown by paths50and51. Paths50may include wired and wireless paths. Path51may be a wireless path. Accessories46may include headphones (e.g., a wireless cellular headset or audio headphones) and audio-video equipment (e.g., wireless speakers, a game controller, or other equipment that receives and plays audio and video content), a peripheral such as a wireless printer or camera, etc.

Computing equipment48may be any suitable computer. With one suitable arrangement, computing equipment48is a computer that has an associated wireless access point (router) or an internal or external wireless card that establishes a wireless connection with device10. The computer may be a server (e.g., an internet server), a local area network computer with or without internet access, a user's own personal computer, a peer device (e.g., another portable electronic device10), or any other suitable computing equipment.

Wireless network49may include any suitable network equipment, such as cellular telephone base stations, cellular towers, wireless data networks, computers associated with wireless networks, etc.

A conventional arrangement for mounting a sensor beneath cover glass in a cellular telephone is shown inFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3, cellular telephone200includes cover glass202. Cover glass202includes black paint204that serves as an opaque backing to cover glass202. Infrared light sensor206is located underneath the cover glass202. Black paint204does not extend between sensor206and cover glass202. Instead, infrared ink208is placed between sensor206and cover glass202to allow infrared radiation to pass between sensor206and the external environment. Typically, infrared ink208has an appearance that is similar to black paint204in the visible spectrum. Because convention infrared ink208has a nearly black appearance, it is difficult to maintain a uniform aesthetic appearance for conventional devices such as device200when the backing is not black in appearance.

In contrast, device10ofFIG. 1may incorporate a cover54that includes a backing that is not necessarily black in appearance. In general, the backing to cover54may be any suitable color and may include combinations of colors and/or patterns. With one suitable arrangement, the backing to cover54may have a silver color and may be metallic in appearance. In this example, the backing to cover54may be formed from using a physical vapor deposition process to deposit metallic material onto cover54(e.g., to deposit a thin metal layer onto cover glass54). The backing to cover54may or may not be opaque. Opaque backings may be used to obscure internal components in device10from a user's view and transparent or semi-transparent backings may be used to showcase some or all of the internal components in device10, if desired. In addition, because the backing to cover54may not rely upon infrared ink to obscure internal components such as sensors, the sensors in device10may be able to effectively transmit and receive radiation in the visible light spectrum.

As shown inFIG. 4, device10may include an opaque backing56that extends substantially over an entire surface of cover54. Backing layer56may include microperforations (e.g., relatively small holes) in region58in order to allow radiation (e.g., visible light and infrared light) to pass through the backing56. With one suitable arrangement, cover54may be formed from transparent glass and backing56may be an opaque material such as paint, a metallic layer, ink, etc.

In general, microperforations may refer to relatively small holes that are substantially invisible while still transmitting a certain degree of light. The microperforations may be essentially invisible to a user but may allow enough light to pass through. As one example, when microperforations are formed in an opaque material, the microperforations may be invisible (e.g., the opaque material may have a relatively seamless appearance) unless a light source illuminates the microperforations (e.g., passes light through the microperforations) from the opposite side of the material. If desired, the microperforations may be filled with a transparent material such as a clear epoxy material. As one example, the microperforations may be formed with a tapered shape (e.g., the width of the microperforations may increase from a minimum width at the outer surface of backing56(e.g., the surface closest to the exterior environment) to a maximum width at the inner surface of backing56(e.g., the surface closest to the interior of device10). Alternatively, the microperforations may have a relatively straight shape (e.g., a uniform diameter through backing56). With one suitable arrangement, each of the microperforations in device10may have a diameter of approximately 30 micrometers and the pitch (center-to-center spacing) of the microperforations may be approximately 200 micrometers. If desired, the pitch of the microperforations may be less than 200 micrometers, greater than 200 micrometers, less than 500 micrometers, less than 1 millimeter, etc. As one example, the pitch of the microperforations may be in the range of 100 micrometers to 300 micrometers.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate two ways in which the microperforations in region58of backing56may be formed. As one example, microperforations in region58of backing56may be formed by selectively removing portions of backing56using a laser cutting process. As shown in theFIG. 4example, lasers may cut microperforations in region58of backing56by directing laser light along direction60towards backing56. Alternatively, as shown in theFIG. 5example, lasers may cut microperforations in region58of backing56by directing laser light along direction64through glass cover54towards backing56. The microperforations may have, for example, a diameter in the range of 0.05 to 1.0 mm. If desired, the microperforations may have a diameter that is less than 0.05 mm.

As shown inFIG. 5, sensors such as sensor62may be mounted beneath cover glass54in device10(e.g., after the microperforations have been formed). In particular, sensor62may be mounted under cover glass54(e.g., a glass substrate) and region58of backing56(e.g., a microperforated region of backing56). With this type of arrangement, radiation required for the operation of sensor62may pass through cover54and region58of backing56. Sensor62may include one or more emitters and/or detectors that sense attributes of the environment around device10. Sensors62may, for example, be an infrared light sensor or visible light sensor for making ambient light measurements.

If desired, cover54may extend substantially across the entire front face of device10(e.g., the face shown inFIG. 1which includes button19, display16, and port23). This type of arrangement may create a smooth surface and may also enhance the aesthetic appearance of device10. Backing56may also extend substantially over the front face of device10. As shown in the example ofFIG. 6, cover54may have holes in regions70and72and backing56may have holes in regions68,70, and72. The holes in cover54and backing56may allow display16to emit light through cover54, button19to be accessed by a user, and sound and radiation (light) to pass through cover54to port23.

As shown inFIG. 6, device10may include sensors74(e.g., sensors62). Sensors74may include an emitter and detector pair configured as a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor, as an example. Sensors74may be mounted underneath cover54and backing56. As described in connection withFIGS. 4 and 5, the backing56to cover54may have a plurality of small holes (microperforations) above each of the sensors74to allow radiation to pass between the sensors and the external environment.

With one suitable arrangement, microperforations in backing56of cover54may be optimized to maximize the performance of the sensors74. With another suitable arrangement, the microperforations in backing56may be optimized to maximize the aesthetic appearance of device10(e.g., to minimize the visibility of the microperforations of a user of device10). The microperforations in backing56may be designed to achieve a desired balance between sensor performance and aesthetic appearance. In general, sensor performance may be increased by increasing the number of microperforations, increasing the size of the microperforations, decreasing the distance between each microperforation, etc. In contrast, aesthetic appearance (e.g., the invisibility of the microperforations and underlying sensors) may generally be increased by decreasing the number of microperforations, decreasing the size of the microperforations, increasing the distance between each microperforation, etc.

If desired, one or more of the sensors74may include a camera. As an example, sensor75may be a camera. If desired, whole portions of backing56(rather than microperforations) may be removed above sensor75. With one arrangement, the portion of backing56inside outline66may be removed. This type of arrangement may improve the performance of camera75by increasing the amount of light that reaches the camera75.

A close-up of the microperforations in backing56(e.g., a light mask associated with cover54) is shown inFIG. 7. As the example ofFIG. 7shows, backing56may include a plurality of relatively small perforations76(holes) in which the backing material (e.g., paint, metallic layer, etc.) has been removed. Each of the perforations76may be evenly spaced from other perforations76(e.g., the perforations76may be formed in a pattern or an array). As an example, the perforations76may have a diameter of approximately 75 microns. If desired, each of the perforations76may have a diameter that is more than 75 microns or a diameter that is less than 75 microns. In general, the perforations76may be formed in any suitable shape and may be arranged in any suitable manner (e.g., in an array, in a pattern, randomly, etc.). The perforations76may allow radiation to pass between sensors and the environment. The perforations76may be arranged in an array. With one suitable arrangement, the microperforations76may be formed by using a laser to remove the backing material at the location of each microperforation76(e.g., by starting with a complete backing layer and creating microperforations). Alternatively, microperforations76may be formed as the backing material is formed on cover54. For example, backing56may be printed onto cover54(e.g., using screen printing techniques) and the microperforations76may be formed during the printing process (e.g., microperforations76may be formed by printing backing56onto cover54using a pattern that does not print backing material onto the microperforations76).

As described in connection withFIG. 1, device10may include a display such as display16that is configured to minimize light leakage. An example of a display such as display16that includes structures to reduce light leakage is shown inFIG. 8.

As shown inFIG. 8, display16may include one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes82(e.g., a back light for display16). Light emitting diodes82may be arranged along a top edge of display16and the light from diodes82may be distributed throughout display16using a light guide. Each of the light emitting diodes82may be formed from a light emitting diode that produces white light. In general, display16may include any suitable light source such as a white light emitting diode (LED), a combination of red, blue, and green light emitting diodes, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), an incandescent light bulb, an electroluminescent panel (ELP), a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL), other suitable light sources, or a combination of these and other light sources.

Display16may include a connection interface84. Connection interface84(e.g., a connector) may convey signals between display16and circuitry in device10such as processing circuitry36and video processing circuitry in device10. Connection interface84may be based on any suitable type of interface. If desired, connection interface84may be formed from a flex circuit.

The back face of display16(e.g., the face of display16opposite the face that displays images for a user) may be substantially covered by a reflector78. If desired, reflector78may be replaced with a planar backing structure rather than a reflecting structure. Reflector78may also be referred to as a planar backing structure. Reflector78may cover a light guide layer86in display16, as one example. Layer86may be located substantially underneath reflector78inFIG. 8and is therefore not shown separately inFIG. 8. Generally, reflector78helps to direct light towards the front face of display16and thereby increase the efficiency of display16by redirecting light that would otherwise escape through the back face of display16. At the interface of reflector78and chassis94(e.g., a plastic support structure) or another portion of display16, light may escape from display16(e.g., light may exit display16not through the desired display face or front face). This can lead to an unsightly condition in which light that has escaped from the rear face or sides of display16can enter the interior of device10and illuminate cracks or gaps in housing12of device10.

Light leakage can be reduced by providing display16with opaque member80. Opaque tape80may be, as an example, a double-sided tape (e.g., a tape with adhesive on two sides). Opaque tape80may help to reduce or eliminate light leakage from display16by limiting the amount of light that can escape from the gap between reflector panel78, the underlying layers of display16such as light guide86, and chassis94, as an example. Tape80may cover the gap between panel78and chassis94. With one suitable arrangement, tape80may be formed from a black tape. If desired, tape80may be formed from a tape which is white on the side placed against panel78and chassis94and that is black on the opposite side. As an example, tape80may be added to the interior of display16(e.g., tape80applied to an interior surface of chassis94and panel78). With this type of arrangement, the light leakage from display16may be reduced without negatively affecting the white balance of display16.

While tape80only extends across two of the edges of reflector78in theFIG. 8example, in general tape80may be formed on any suitable portions of reflector78. If desired, tape80may extend around the entire perimeter of reflector78.

Display16may be formed from a plurality of layers held together in a chassis. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, display16may include a glass panel layer88, a brightness enhancement film (BEF)90, a diffuser film92, light guide86, and reflector78. These layers may be sandwiched together and supported by chassis94(e.g., a plastic support structure). With one suitable arrangement, chassis94may be formed from a black material or may be formed from a material that is white on the inward facing sides of chassis94and that is black on the outward facing sides of chassis94(e.g., the exterior surface of chassis94). This type of arrangement may help to reduce light leakage from display16.

Light guide86may be coupled to light source82(shown inFIG. 8) of display16. Light guide86may serve to evenly distribute the light from light source82across display16.

As discussed in connection withFIG. 8, reflector78may redirect any light that is heading away from the desired direction for display16. For example, it is desirable for light to be emitted by display16along direction96. Reflector78may therefore redirect light that is headed in the direction97so that the redirected light is heading in the direction96.

Diffuser film92may even out the light distributed by light guide86. As an example, the light distributed by light guide86may be somewhat more intense (e.g., brighter) near light source82and somewhat less intense away from light source82. Diffuser film92may help to counter the uneven intensity of light distributed by light guide86by diffusing light away from the higher intensity regions (near light source82) towards the lower intensity regions (at the far end of display16opposite light source82).

Brightness enhancement film90may enhance the brightness of display16. With one suitable arrangement, film90may have a prismatic structure (or other suitable structure) and may refract light along direction96, if the light hits the prismatic structure at a particular angle, and may reflect the rest of the light (e.g., via an total internal reflection) back towards reflector78(e.g., along direction97). If desired, film90may be a multi-layer optical film. With another suitable arrangement, film90may be used to increase the brightness of display16by managing the polarization of light that enters glass panel88. Because glass panel88may include one or more polarizers, managing the polarization of light using film90can increase the efficiency and brightness of display16. With this type of arrangement, film90may selectively pass a light in a particular polarization to panel88(e.g., a polarization that may be aligned with a polarizer in panel88) while reflecting other polarizations back towards reflector86(e.g., along direction97). Because the light received by glass panel88is already in the correct polarization (in this example) less light may be absorbed by a polarizer in panel88and the overall amount of light emitted by display16along direction96may be increased.

Glass panel88may include an LCD panel. A cross-sectional view of glass panel88is shown inFIG. 10. As an example, glass panel88may include bottom polarizer98, array glass100, thin film transistor and liquid crystal layer102, color filter glass104, and top polarizer106.

With one suitable arrangement, light from light sources82may enter glass panel88along direction108and pass through polarizer98. Polarizer98may ensure that the light entering glass panel88shares a common polarization.

After the light has passed through polarizer98and been polarized, the polarized light may pass through array glass100. Array glass100may be a substrate layer on which thin-film-transistors may be formed. The polarized light may then pass through thin film transistor and liquid crystal layer102. Layer102may include an array of liquid crystals each of which is controlled by a respective thin film transistor. As the polarized light passes through layer102, the liquid crystals in layer102may be used to selectively alter the polarization of the light. The amount by which a given liquid crystal changes the polarization of light passing through it will typically depend on control signals received from the thin film transistor associated with the liquid crystal.

Color filter glass104may selectively filter the light received from layer102into an appropriate color. For example, each pixel in display16may be formed from three sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel may be formed from a single liquid crystal and may be used to produce one of the three primary colors red, blue, or green. Color filter glass104may then be used to filter the light coming from each sub-pixel into the appropriate primary color (e.g., filter glass104may be an array designed to turn the light from each red sub pixel into red light, the light from each blue sub pixel into blue light, and the light from each green sub pixel into green light).

Polarizer106may then filter the light before it leaves glass panel layer88. With one arrangement, polarizer106may be configured to pass light with a polarization that is ninety degrees from the polarization of light from polarizer98. With this arrangement, the amount to which liquid crystals in layer102change the polarization of light passing through layer102will determine the brightness of each individual pixel in display16.

FIG. 11illustrates how display16may be mounted to a mounting structure in device10. As shown inFIG. 11, display16may be mounted to a mounting structure110in device10using tape80. Tape80may be a double-side tape that also helps to prevent light leakage from display16. With another suitable arrangement, display16may be mounted to mounting structure110using adhesive. Mounting structure110may be a portion of housing12or, if desired, may be a structure in device10sometimes referred to as a midplane (e.g., an internal metal structure in device10that can be used as a mounting point for various internal components such as display16, storage devices, processing circuitry, etc.).

A conventional display module210is shown inFIG. 12. Display module210includes reflector212, glass layer214, chassis216, and clear tape218. Clear tape218serves to hold reflector212and layer214together and also holds reflector212and layer214to chassis216. However, as shown inFIG. 12, light can escape from glass layer214and enter clear tape218as indicated by the arrow220. Once light has entered clear tape218, the light can leak from display module210.

In contrast, opaque tape80can help to reduce or eliminate leak leakage from display16ofFIG. 1by limiting the amount of light that can escape from display16. A close up view of the rear of display16is shown inFIG. 13which illustrates how opaque tape80helps to prevent light from escaping from display16. As shown inFIG. 13, opaque tape80may overlap a gap81between reflector layer78and light guide86. Tape80may also hold reflector layer78and light guide86to chassis94, if desired. Because tape80is formed from an opaque material such as an opaque polymer, tape80will help to prevent light leakage from any gaps (e.g., gaps81) between reflector78and light guide86in display16.

If desired, tape80may be formed from a transparent material. With this type of arrangement, an opaque material may be applied to the exterior of tape80to reduce light leakage. For example, a black paint may be applied to the exterior of a clear version of tape80to effectively make tape80opaque.

If desired, device10ofFIG. 1may include a compression spring that can be fully compressed without deforming. The compression spring may be part of a resilient button mechanism, as one example. In general, device10may include one or more compression springs. The compression springs may sometimes be referred to as variable cantilever compression springs.FIG. 14illustrates one potential variable cantilever compression spring114that could be a part of device10. Spring114may be formed from a single piece of metal with an elongated flat section116, first curved portion118, second curved portion124, and contact member126, as an example. Portions124and116may sometimes be referred to as curved structure124and elongated planar structure116. Curved structure124may be coupled to elongated planar structure116at one of the ends of curved structure124. First curved portion118may include two bends120and122. With another suitable arrangement, curved section124may be directly connected to section116(e.g., curved section118may be removed). Portion124may have a relatively constant upward curvature over the majority of its length. If desired, spring114may be configured so that bends120and122in section118undergo substantially no elastic or plastic deformation when spring114is compressed.

With one suitable arrangement, spring114may be referred to as a variable cantilever spring because of its dynamic response to increasing compression. For example, the length of the cantilever of spring114(e.g., curved portion124) may dynamically decrease as spring114is compressed. The length of the cantilever of spring114may be the distance between the contact region126and the closest point of contact between curved member124and structure116. In this configuration, when spring114is relatively uncompressed, the length of the cantilever will essentially be the full length of member124and, when spring1214is partially compressed, the length of the cantilever will be reduced relative to the full length of member124, thereby stiffening spring114as the spring is compressed. The length of the cantilever may be reduce by an amount proportional to the amount spring114is compressed. In contrast, the length of the cantilever of a conventional cantilevered spring is constant and does not change as the conventional spring is compressed.

Spring114may be relatively resistant to fatigue. As an example, the curved portion118of spring114typically experiences relatively high stress levels during the manufacture of spring114(e.g., because curved portion118may include the sharpest bends in spring114) and experiences relatively low stress levels during normal use (e.g., compression and release of spring114). In contrast, curved portion124typically experiences relatively low stress levels during manufacturing and experiences relatively high stress levels during normal use. This type of arrangement may increase the resistance of spring114to metal fatigue relative to conventional spring designs in which the sharpest bends are prone to breakage.

With one suitable arrangement, the elongated section116of spring114may be used as a first contact or attachment point to connect or attach spring114to a desired structure in device10. Contact member126may be used a second contact or attachment point to connect or attach spring114to a desired structure in device10. As spring114is compressed, contact member126may be depressed towards section116of spring114. The point of contact between sections116and124of spring114may continually shift (e.g., progressively curve away from section118) as spring114is compressed. For example, when spring114is in its natural state (e.g., no force is pressing member126towards section116), the point of contact between sections116and124may be in region122of curved portion124. As spring114is compressed, the point of contact between sections116and124may shift from section118towards member126. The point of contact may shift continuously as spring114is compressed or may shift incrementally as spring114is compressed (e.g., curved section124may be formed from a plurality of straight sections with bends between them while maintaining the overall shape of the section124shown inFIG. 14). When spring114is completely compressed (e.g., member126is pressed directly against section116), section124may lie relatively flat against116. The arrangement ofFIG. 14helps to ensure that spring114does not undergo plastic deformation even when spring114is completely compressed.

A side view of spring114is shown inFIG. 15. As shown inFIG. 15, spring114may have an uncompressed height of approximately 1.85 mm as indicated by arrows130(e.g., spring114may have an uncompressed height in the range of 1.50 mm to 2.00 mm). Contact member126may have a thickness of approximately 0.19 mm as indicated by arrows128(e.g., a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm). As one example, curve124may have a bend radius of approximately 2.75 mm when spring114is uncompressed (e.g., a bend radius in the range of 2.0 mm to 3.5 mm). Curved portion118may have a thickness of approximately 0.32 mm as indicated by arrows134(e.g., a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm). The second bend122of curved portion118may contact section116or, if desired, may be separated from section116by a gap of approximately 0.20 mm as indicated by arrows132(e.g., a gap in the range of 0.01 mm or less to 0.5 mm). Section124may have an uncompressed length (from curved portion120to contact member126) of approximately 3.48 mm as indicated by arrows158(e.g., a length in the range of 2.5 mm to 5.0 mm).

A bottom view of the variable cantilever spring114is shown inFIG. 16. AsFIG. 16illustrates, section116of spring114may include a contact patch140and a floating patch142. The floating patch142of spring114may extend approximately 1.5 mm as indicated by arrows136from curved portion118towards contact patch140. With one suitable arrangement, floating patch142may not be mounted to any other structure (e.g., patch142may freely flex as spring114is compressed). With this type of arrangement, spring114may be mounted in device10by securing contact patch140of spring114to a suitable mounting structure. As one example, patch140may be soldered to a mounting structure in device10. In general, any suitable portion of spring114such as patch140or patch142(if desired) may be mounted to a structure in device10using any suitable means such as an adhesive, a tape, a mechanical fastener, by soldering, by another suitable means, or by a combination of these and other means.

A top view of spring114is shown inFIG. 17. As shown inFIG. 17, contact portion126of spring114may include a contact area that is approximately 1.00 mm in length as indicated by arrows148. With one suitable arrangement, contact portion126of spring114may extend across the shaded region ofFIG. 17. With one suitable arrangement, spring114may have a width in the range of approximately 0.7 to 0.9 mm as illustrated by arrows146and may have a length of approximately 4.65 mm as illustrated by arrows144.

Spring114may be formed from any suitable elastic material such as a spring metal. For example, spring114may be formed from steel, bronze, titanium, copper, other suitable elastic materials, or a combination of these and other suitable materials. With one suitable arrangement, spring114may be formed from a beryllium copper alloy with a thickness of approximately 0.08 mm and with a Vickers Pyramid Number (HV) in the range of approximately 300-340. If desired, spring114may be plated (e.g., to reduce contact resistance). As an example, some or the entire surface of spring114may be plated with gold (or other suitable material). With one suitable arrangement, contact portion126(e.g., the shaded region inFIG. 17) may be plated with gold with a plating thickness in the range of approximately 0.3 micrometers to 0.45 micrometers. Spring114may also include nickel plating between the gold plating and spring114. For example, spring114may include a nickel plating sometimes referred to as a barrier layer with a thickness in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 micrometers. If desired, the nickel plating or barrier layer may extend over the entire surface of spring114. In general, spring114may include any suitable combination of platings and barrier layers formed from any suitable materials. With one suitable arrangement, spring114may have a contact resistance (e.g., a resistance between an external member and spring114through contact region126) of approximately 0.005 ohms with a contact force of approximately 0.3 newtons (N).

If desired, spring114may include a structure which increases the uncompressed height of the spring following a nearly complete or complete compression of spring114. For example, as shown inFIG. 18, the tip of spring114(e.g., the portion of spring114near contact patch126) may be curved back towards the base of spring114(e.g., section116of spring114) as illustrated by solid line153ofFIG. 18. If spring114is compressed sufficiently (e.g., spring114is compressed to the position indicated by the dotted line150), the tip of spring114may be bent away from the base of spring114(e.g., the tip of spring114may undergo plastic deformation). After the tip of spring114is bent away from the base of spring114, the tip may rest in the position of dotted line152when the spring is uncompressed. This type of arrangement may be useful in increasing the uncompressed height of the spring following a relatively large compression. The resiliency of spring114may therefore be increased as a complete compression of spring114increases the distance that the spring114can be compressed.

If desired, spring114may be used to stiffen a mounting structure. Section140of spring114may be used to stiffen a mounting structure such as mounting structure156. Mounting structure156may include any suitable structure such as a printed circuit board and a flex circuit. With this type of arrangement, a component154may be mounted to mounting structure156opposite spring114. By utilizing spring114as a stiffener of mounting structure156, component154may be mounted to a more flexible mounting structure156than would otherwise be practical (e.g., without having to add an addition stiffening structure, thereby reducing the number of components required). Component154may include any suitable component such as a flex circuit connector, processing circuitry, storage, input-output circuitry, etc.

Device10may include one or more springs114as part of a button mechanism. As one example, device10may include two springs114that convey signals from a button such as button19between a pair of flex circuits as shown inFIG. 19. While the example ofFIG. 19shows the two springs114arranged at different distances from button19, springs114may be arranged side-by-side (i.e., at similar distances from button19), if desired.

The physical button19on the exterior surface of device10may be coupled to a switch mechanism160and a circuit board162, as an example. Circuit162may be any suitable type of circuit such as a flex circuit or a printed circuit board. Switch mechanism160may be based on a dome switch mechanism or any other suitable button mechanism. With a dome switch mechanism, the dome of mechanism160will collapse when button19is pressed by a user. When the dome of mechanism160collapses it completes a circuit between two conductive lines. With one suitable arrangement, each of the two springs114inFIG. 19may be coupled to a respective one of the two conductive lines through flex circuit162. Each of the two springs114may also be coupled to a respective conductive line that is coupled to circuitry172through circuit166and contact patch168. With this type of arrangement, when button19is pressed by a user and the dome switch mechanism160completes the circuit between the two conductive lines, a conductive loop may be formed that begins at circuitry172, that passes through the two springs114and button mechanism160, and ends at circuitry172.

Contact patch140may be coupled to flex circuit162. If desired, the contact patch126of each spring114may bear against contact region168of flex circuit166. With one suitable arrangement, as one of the springs114is compressed, the contact patch126of the spring may slide along contact region168of circuit166. Contact region168may be plated with a suitable material. As an example, contact region168of flex circuit166may be plated with gold.

Circuit166may be any suitable type of circuit such as a flex circuit or a printed circuit board and may be mounted on structure170, as an example. Structure170may be a speaker enclosure or other suitable structure.