Electronic device with multi-purpose component circumscribing an electronic component thereof

Systems and methods (1400) for packaging an electronic component (108, 110) in an electronic device (100). The methods involve: circumscribing the electronic component with a multi-purpose component (120, 122) at least partially formed of a transparent material and a compressible material. A water tight seal is created by the multi-purpose component between the electronic component and a housing (102) of the electronic device. The multi-purpose component provides an indicator for indicating a location of the electronic component on the electronic device to a user thereof in dark or semi-dark environments. The indicator is provided by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. The multi-purpose component also communicates status information of the electronic device to the user by emitting light therefrom. Various types of status information can be communicated to the user by emitting different colored light from the multi-purpose component, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Statement of the Technical Field

The invention concerns electronic devices. More particularly, the invention concerns electronic devices comprising a multi-purpose component circumscribing an electronic component thereof (e.g., an input device, output device or electrical connector).

Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices having interfaces for facilitating user-software interactions are well known in the art. Such electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, MP3 players, personal computers, Personal Digital Assistants (“PDAs”), game pads, digital cameras, Global Positioning System (“GPS”) devices, biometric fingerprint sensor devices, and keyboards. The interfaces may include display screens, keypads, trackballs, joysticks, pointing sticks, buttons, scroll wheels, and Optical Finger Navigation (“OFN”) devices.

An OFN device generally uses a light source to illuminate a navigation surface so that motion can be detected. In this regard, an OFN device typically comprises a Light Guide Film (“LGF”), a light source, and a sensor. The light source directs light into the LGF. The light source may be a Light Emitting Diode (“LED”) or a laser. The LGF includes a finger interface surface to facilitate finger contact with the LGF. A finger's physical contact with the finger interface surface causes light to be reflected off of the finger in a direction towards and/or away from the sensor. The sensor generates images from the light directed thereto. Changes in the images generated by the sensor are interpreted as movement by the finger in contact with the LGF. In response to the detection of finger movement, signals are generated by the sensor including information specifying the finger's movement. Such information includes movement vectors (e.g., relative displacement values along an X axis and a Y axis). The signals are then communicated from the OFN to a microcontroller of an electronic device. At the microcontroller, operations are performed to cause corresponding movements of a navigation indicator to be seen on a display screen or to cause other computer functionality to be controlled in accordance with the finger movement. The navigation indicator often includes a cursor, a highlighter, or an arrow. The other computer functionality may include volume control, audio/video playback control, browser control, and game action control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention concern systems and methods for packaging an electronic component in an electronic device. The methods involve circumscribing the electronic component with a multi-purpose component at least partially formed of a transparent material and a compressible material. A water tight seal is created by the multi-purpose component between the electronic component and a housing of the electronic device. After the water tight seal is formed, the multi-purpose component and electronic component are retained in the housing such that only one side of the electronic component is accessible by a user of the electronic device. The retention can be achieved by: disposing a cap below the multi-purpose component and electronic device; and coupling a cap to the housing. Subsequently, the multi-purpose component provides an indicator for indicating a location of the electronic component on the electronic device to a user thereof in dark or semi-dark environments. The indicator is provided by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. The multi-purpose component also communicates status information of the electronic device to the user by emitting light therefrom. Various types of status information can be communicated to the user by emitting different colored light from the multi-purpose component, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with respect toFIGS. 1-13. Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to electronic devices comprising multi-purpose components circumscribing one or more input devices, output devices and/or electrical connectors thereof. Such electronic devices can include, but are not limited to, radios, mobile telephones, cellular telephones, MP3 players, personal computers, PDAs, game pads, video cameras, recording devices, digital cameras, GPS devices, sensor devices, keyboards and other electronic devices. The input devices can include, but are not limited to, display screens, buttons, OFN devices, trackballs, joysticks, pointing sticks, scroll wheels, microphones, keypads, cameras and biometric sensors. The output devices can include, but are not limited to, display screens and speakers. The electrical connectors can include, but are not limited to, antenna connectors, power plugs, Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) connectors, BNC connectors and multi-pin connectors. Each of the listed input devices, output devices and electrical connectors is well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein.

Notably, the multi-purpose components are discussed herein in relation to OFN devices. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this regard. The multi-purpose components can be used in conjunction with any type of known or to be known input device, output device and electrical connector. All that is necessary is that the multi-purpose component be designed to circumscribe a respective input device, output device or electrical connector. In this regard, it should be understood that the multi-purpose component is configured to: (a) provide a water tight seal between a housing of an electronic device and an input device, output device or electrical connector; (b) provide an indication to a user as to a location of the input device, output device or electrical connector in dark or semi-dark environments; and (c) communicate various status information to a user of the electronic device via an emission of light. Such multi-purpose components are less costly, time consuming and complex to manufacture as compared to electronic devices comprising a corresponding plurality of single purpose components. Also, such multi-purpose components take up less space in an electronic device than would the corresponding plurality of single purpose components. Furthermore, such multi-purpose components weigh less than the collective weight of the corresponding plurality of single purpose components.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is provided a schematic illustration of a cut away portion of an exemplary electronic device100that is useful for understanding the present invention. Although the electronic device100is shown to be a radio, the invention is not limited in this regard. For example, the electronic device100can be a radio, a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, an MP3 player, a personal computer, a PDA, a game pad, a video camera, a recording device, a camera, a GPS device, a biometric fingerprint sensor device, a keyboard or any other electronic device.

As shown inFIG. 1, the electronic device100generally comprises a housing102configured to house circuits (not shown), a battery (not shown), and other electronic components (not shown). Housing102can be formed from any conductive or non-conductive material. Such conductive materials include, but are not limited to, metal materials and composite materials. Such non-conductive materials include, but are not limited to, rubbers and plastics. In some embodiments, the housing material is selected to withstand high temperatures and/or harsh environmental conditions such that the internal components of the electronic device100are protected from damage due to external factors.

The housing102has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. Two of the apertures104,106are sized and shaped so that OFN devices108,110are accessible to a user of the electronic device100. OFN devices are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. Still, it should be understood that the OFN devices108,110facilitate user input to navigate content displayed on a display screen112of the electronic device100. For example, the OFN devices108,110may facilitate control of a navigation indicator (not shown) displayed on the display screen112. The navigation indicator can include, but is not limited to, a cursor, a highlighter, or an arrow. Additionally or alternatively, the OFN devices108,110facilitate user input to control other computer functionalities. For example, the OFN devices108,110may facilitate control of command selection, radio parameter selection, talkgroup selection, and/or a volume level of sound.

The OFN devices108,110may include any known or to be known OFN devices that can be immersed in water. For example, the OFN devices108,110can include OFN devices available from AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES® of San José, Calif. An exemplary “AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES®” OFN device is described in detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0141048 to Brosnan et al. (“Brosnan”). The discussion of OFN devices in Brosnan is sufficient for understanding the particularities and operations of the OFN devices108,110ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, the OFN devices108,110are designed with push activation.

Each OFN device108,110is surrounded by a respective multi-purpose component120,122. Each multi-purpose component120,122is configured to: (a) provide a water tight seal between the housing102of the electronic device100and a respective OFN device108,110; (b) provide an indication to a user as to a location of the respective OFN device108,110in dark or semi-dark environments; and (c) communicate various status information to a user of the electronic device. The status information can be communicated to a user via an emission of different color lights. For example, the emission of green light from a multi-purpose component120,122indicates that receive operations of the electronic device100are currently enabled even though a display screen112is turned “off” to save battery life. The emission of red light from a multi-purpose component120,122indicates that a communication is currently being received by the electronic device100. The emission of blue light from a multi-purpose component120,122indicates that BLUETOOTH® operations of the electronic device100are currently enabled. The emission of a flashing light of any color from a multi-purpose component120,122indicates that an emergency incident is or may be occurring. The emission of yellow light from a multi-purpose component120,122indicates that a message is being received by the electronic device100in a Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) mode. LTE mode is well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particularities of the above presented example.

The multi-purpose components120,122are illuminated via a light source (not shown). The light source is configured to provide light of various colors. The light source can include, but is not limited to, a tri-colored LED. The light source can be configured to turn “on” in pre-defined “low-light” conditions of an external environment, and turn “off” in pre-defined “high-light” conditions of the external environment. The “low-light” and “high-light” conditions of the external environment can be detected using a light sensor (not shown) and at least one threshold value. For example, a “low-light” condition can be detected when a sensed amount of light falls below a pre-defined threshold value. Likewise, a “high-light” condition can be detected when a sensed amount of light exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. Light sensors are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein.

The multi-purpose components120,122can be manufactured in various ways. For example, the multi-purpose components120,122can be manufactured in accordance with a 2-shot molding process, an overmolding process, and/or an injection molding process. Each of the listed molding processes are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Any known or to be known 2-shot molding, overmolding or injection molding process can be used to form the multi-purpose components120,122without limitation.

Notably, in embodiments of the present invention, the multi-purpose components120,122are coupled to the housing102of the electronic device100without the use of an adhesive. Consequently, the present invention provides water tight seals as a result of (a) a chemical and/or mechanical bond between the housing102and the multi-purpose components120,122, and/or (b) a chemical and/or mechanical bond between the multi-purpose components120,122and the OFN devices108,110. The non-adhesive bonding feature of the present invention will become more evident as the discussion progresses.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary OFN device200that is useful for understanding the present invention. The OFN devices108,110ofFIG. 1can be the same as or substantially similar to the OFN device200. As shown inFIG. 2, the OFN device200comprises a flexible circuit board202coupled to an OFN component204. The OFN component204generally uses a light source (not shown) to illuminate a navigation surface206so that finger motion can be detected. OFN components are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is provided a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a multi-purpose component300. The multi-purpose components120,122ofFIG. 1can be the same as or substantially similar to the multi-purpose component300. As shown inFIG. 3, the multi-purpose component300comprises a Seal and Light Pipe (“SLP”) component302and mechanical retention features304. The mechanical retention features304facilitate the mechanical coupling of the multi-purpose component300to the housing of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The manner in which the multi-purpose component300is coupled to a housing of an electronic device will be described in detail below in relation toFIG. 6.

The SLP component302is formed of a transparent, compressible material (e.g., silicone) such that it can operate in accordance with its intended purposes. For example, the SLP component302is configured to have gasket or o-ring sealing features which can provide a water tight seal between a housing of the electronic device and an input device, output device or electrical connector under relatively high fluid pressures. The gasket or o-ring sealing features of the SLP component302are facilitated by a circular cross-sectional profile of its main body402, as shown inFIG. 4. Also, the SLP component302is configured to emit light for indicating to a user the location of the input device, output device or electrical connector in dark or semi-dark environments. The SLP component302is further configured to emit light of different colors for communicating various information to a user of the electronic device.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is provided a schematic illustration of an exemplary cap500. The cap500is configured to facilitate the retention of an OFN device (e.g., OFN devices108,110, or200ofFIGS. 1-2) and a multi-purpose component (e.g., multi-purpose component120,122, or300ofFIGS. 1 and 3) within an aperture (e.g., aperture104or106ofFIG. 1) formed in a housing (e.g., housing102ofFIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The retention can be achieved by coupling the cap500to sidewalls of the aperture of a housing in which the OFN device and multi-purpose component are disposed. In some embodiments, the coupling is achieved via an untrasonic weld. Notably, the cap500is formed of a clear material such that light emitted from a light source can pass therethrough. The clear material can include, but is not limited to, a plastic. The cap500is formed of a rigid material such that an OFN device can be supported thereby when it is depressed by a user thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 6, there is provided a perspective cross-sectional view of an exemplary immersible OFN assembly600coupled to a portion602of a housing (e.g., housing102ofFIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The OFN assembly600comprises the OFN device200, the multi-purpose component300, and the cap500. As noted above, the OFN device200may be designed with push activation. In this scenario, the OFN device200moves in a downward direction (i.e., in and towards the electronic device) as a result of a user depression thereof and moves in an upward direction (i.e., out and away from the electronic device) when a user stops depressing the OFN device200. The multi-purpose component300is designed such that it does not interfere with the up/down movement of the OFN device200. In this regard, the multi-purpose component300is at least partially formed of an elastomeric material.

As shown inFIG. 6, the multi-purpose component300circumscribes the OFN device200. The circumscription of the multi-purpose component300about the OFN device200facilitates the provision of a watertight seal between the OFN device200and the housing portion602of the electronic device. The watertight seal is formed by the main body402, which is an elastomer with a disc-shaped cross-section. The main body402is seated in a space608formed between a sidewall606of the OFN device200and a sidewall604of the housing portion602. The main body402is compressed during assembly between the sidewalls604,606, thereby creating the watertight seal at the interface thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, the percentage of compression falls within the range of ten percent to thirty percent.

Notably, the OFN device200and multi-purpose component300are retained within an aperture610of the housing portion602. The retention is achieved by coupling the cap500to the housing portion602such that the mechanical retention features304of the multi-purpose component300are secured therebetween. The cap500can be coupled to the housing portion602via any suitable coupling means, such as an ultrasonic weld.

As noted above, the cap500and multi-purpose component300are formed of a transparent or clear material such that light emitted by the light source612passes therethrough. The light source612is shown to be an LED. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this regard. The light source612can include other types of known or to be known light emitting devices. The light source612is configured to emit light of a plurality of different colors. The different colored light can be used to convey various information to a user of the electronic device, as described above. Also, the emission of any color of light from the multi-purpose component300provides an indication to the user of the location of the OFN device200in dark or semi-dark environments.

Referring now toFIG. 7, there is provided a perspective cross-sectional view of another exemplary immersible OFN assembly700coupled to a portion702of a housing (e.g., housing102ofFIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The OFN assembly700comprises the OFN device200, a multi-purpose component704, and a cap706. In this embodiment, the multi-purpose component704is chemically and mechanically bonded to a sidewall surface722of a housing portion702of the electronic device. The chemical and mechanical bond can be provided during a 2-shot molding process. 2-shot molding processes are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. Any known or to be known 2-shot molding process can be used without limitation to form a multi-purpose component that is chemically and mechanically bonded to a housing of an electronic device. A perspective view of the multi-purpose component704bonded to the housing portion702is provided inFIG. 8. The chemical and mechanical bonds ensure that there is no path between the multi-purpose component704and the housing portion702for water or other fluids to travel, even when the electronic device is subjected to relatively high fluid pressure.

As noted above, the OFN device200may be designed with push activation. In this scenario, the OFN device200moves in a downward direction (i.e., towards the electronic device) as a result of a user depression thereof and moves in an upward direction (i.e., out from the electronic device) when a user stops depressing the OFN device200. The multi-purpose component704is designed such that it does not interfere with the up/down movement of the OFN device200. In this regard, the multi-purpose component704is formed of an elastomeric material (e.g., rubber or silicone).

As shown inFIG. 7, the multi-purpose component704circumscribes the OFN device200. The circumscription of the multi-purpose component704about the OFN device200facilitates the provision of a watertight seal between the OFN device200and the multi-purpose component704. The watertight seal is formed by the protrusion708of the main body710of the multi-purpose component704. The protrusion708is an elastomer with a half disc-shaped cross-section. The protrusion708is seated in a space712existing between a sidewall606of the OFN device200and a sidewall716of the multi-purpose component704. The protrusion708is compressed during assembly between the sidewalls606,716, thereby creating the watertight seal at the interface thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, the percentage of compression falls within the range of ten percent to thirty percent.

Notably, the OFN device200is retained within an aperture718of the multi-purpose component704. The retention is achieved by coupling the cap706to the housing portion702. In embodiments of the present invention, the cap706is coupled to the housing portion702via an ultrasonic weld. A perspective view of the cap706is provided inFIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 9, the cap706comprises a sidewall902having a gap904sized and shaped to allow a flexible circuit board202of the OFN device200to pass therethrough. Notably, as shown inFIG. 8, the housing portion702also comprises a gap802sized and shaped to allow the flexible circuit board202of the OFN device200to pass through a sidewall804thereof.

The cap706and multi-purpose component704are formed of a transparent or clear material such that light emitted by the light source720passes therethrough. The light source720is shown to be an LED. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited in this regard. The light source720can include other types of known or to be known light emitting devices. The light source720is configured to emit light of a plurality of different colors. The different colored light can be used to convey various information to a user of the electronic device, as described above. Also, the emission of any color of light from the multi-purpose component704provides an indication to the user of the location of the OFN device200in dark or semi-dark environments.

Referring now toFIG. 10, there is provided a perspective cross-sectional view of another exemplary immersible OFN assembly1000coupled to a portion702of a housing (e.g., housing102ofFIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The OFN assembly1000comprises the OFN device200, a multi-purpose component1004, and cap706. In this embodiment, the multi-purpose component1004is chemically and mechanically bonded to (a) a sidewall722of the housing portion702of the electronic device and (b) a sidewall606of the OFN device200. The chemical and mechanical bonds ensure that there are no paths between the multi-purpose component1004, the housing portion702and the OFN device200for water or other fluids to travel, even when the electronic device is subjected to relatively high fluid pressure. The chemical and mechanical bonds also ensure that the OFN device200is retained in aperture718. The retention of the OFN300may also be facilitated by cap706.

The chemical and mechanical bonds can be provided during a secondary overmold process. Secondary overmold processes are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail herein. Any known or to be known secondary overmold process can be used without limitation to form a multi-purpose component that is chemically and mechanically bonded to an OFN device and a housing of an electronic device. Care should be taken in the secondary overmold process such that the OFN device200is not damaged as a result of heat applied thereto. In this regard, the molding temperature is selected to have a value (e.g., one hundred twenty degrees) for ensuring that the OFN device200is not damaged during said secondary overmold process.

As noted above, the OFN device200may be designed with push activation. In this scenario, the OFN device200moves in a downward direction (i.e., towards the electronic device) as a result of a user depression thereof and moves in an upward direction (i.e., out from the electronic device) when a user stops depressing the OFN device200. The multi-purpose component1004is designed such that it does not interfere with the up/down movement of the OFN device200. In this regard, the multi-purpose component1004is formed of a compressible material (e.g., a low durometer rubber or silicone).

Notably, the OFN device200is supported by rigid cap706such that the chemical and mechanical bond between the OFN device200and the multi-purpose component1004is not broken when pressing forces are applied to the OFN device200by a user thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, the cap706is coupled to the housing portion702via an ultrasonic weld.

Similar to the multi-purpose components described above in relation toFIGS. 1-8, the multi-purpose component1004is formed of a transparent or clear material such that light emitted by the light source720passes therethrough. Different colored light can be emitted from the light source720for conveying various information to a user of the electronic device via the multi-purpose component1004, as described above. Also, the emission of any color of light from the multi-purpose component1004provides an indication to the user of the location of the OFN device200in dark or semi-dark external environments.

Referring now toFIG. 11, there is provided a perspective view of yet another exemplary immersible OFN assembly1100. A perspective cross-sectional view of the OFN assembly1100is provided inFIG. 12. InFIGS. 11-12, a housing portion and a cap are not shown for purposes of clarity. Still, it should be understood that the multi-purpose component1102and the OFN device200are retained in an aperture formed in the housing (e.g., housing102ofFIG. 1) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1) in the same manner or substantially similar manner to that described above in relation toFIGS. 6, 7 and/or 10.

As shown inFIGS. 11-12, the multi-purpose component1102comprises a collapsible sealing portion1106, a light-pipe portion1104and a gasket portion1202. The light-pipe portion1104and gasket portion1202circumscribe the OFN device200. The collapsible sealing portion1106circumscribes the light-pipe portion1104. The collapsible sealing portion1106and gasket portion1202are chemically and mechanically bonded to the light-pipe portion1104during a molding process. The chemical and mechanical bonds between the gasket1202and light-pipe1104ensure that there is no path therebetween for water or other fluids to travel, even when the electronic device is subjected to relatively high fluid pressure. Similarly, the chemical and mechanical bonds between the collapsible sealing member1106and light-pipe1104ensure that there is no path therebetween for water or other fluids to travel, even when the electronic device is subjected to relatively high fluid pressure.

The molding process can include, but is not limited to, a 2-shot molding process. 2-shot molding processes are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described herein. Any known or to be known 2-shot molding process can be used to form the multi-purpose component1202without limitation. However, it should be understood that the light pipe portion1104is formed in a first shot of the molding process using a transparent material (e.g., silicone). Thereafter, in a second shot of the molding process, the gasket portion1202and the collapsible sealing portion1106are formed using a compressible material (e.g., silicone). In some embodiments, the gasket portion1202and collapsible sealing portion1106are not formed of a transparent material, thereby ensuring that a substantially amount of light emitted from light source (not shown) passes through the light-pipe portion1104.

As noted above, the OFN device200may be designed with push activation. In this scenario, the OFN device200moves in a downward direction (i.e., towards the electronic device) as a result of a user depression thereof and moves in an upward direction (i.e., out from the electronic device) when a user stops depressing the OFN device200. The gasket1202is designed such that it does not interfere with the up/down movement of the OFN device200. In this regard, the gasket1202is formed of an elastomeric material (e.g., a low durometer rubber or silicone) which circumscribes the OFN device200. The circumscription of the gasket1202about the OFN device200facilitates the provision of a watertight seal between the OFN device200and the light-pipe1104. The watertight seal is formed by the gasket1202, which is an elastomer with a disc-shaped cross-section. The gasket1202is seated in a space1204formed between a sidewall606of the OFN device200and a sidewall1206of the light-pipe1104. The gasket1202is compressed during assembly between the sidewalls606,1206, thereby creating the watertight seal at the interface thereof. In embodiments of the present invention, the percentage of compression falls within the range of ten percent to thirty percent.

The light-pipe1104is formed of a transparent or clear material such that light emitted by a light source (not shown) disposed under a transparent cap (not shown)612passes therethrough. The light source612may be configured to emit light of a plurality of different colors. The different colored light can be used to convey various information to a user of the electronic device, as described above. Also, the emission of any color of light from the light-pipe1104provides an indication to the user of the location of the OFN device200in dark or semi-dark environments.

Referring now toFIG. 13, there is provided a perspective cross-sectional view of the OFN assembly1100disposed within a housing of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). As shown inFIG. 13, a gap1304is provided between the housing1302of the electronic device and the light pipe1104. The gap1304allows water or other fluids to enter into an internal space1306such that fluid pressure is applied to a collapsible member1308of the collapsible sealing member1102. In response to the fluid pressure, the collapsible member1308applies a sealing force on housing1302. The amount of sealing force applied to the housing1302is varied based on the amount of fluid pressure applied to the collapsible member1308. In this regard, it should be understood that the higher the fluid pressure the higher the sealing force.

In sum, there are various embodiments for the multi-purpose component of the present invention. Each embodiment is configured to accomplish at least three intended purposes. These intended purposes are: (a) provide a water tight seal between a housing of an electronic device and an input device, output device or electrical connector; (b) provide an indication to a user as to a location of the input device, output device or electrical connector in dark or semi-dark environments; and (c) communicate various information to a user of the electronic device via the emission of light.

Referring now toFIG. 14, there is provided a flow diagram of an exemplary method1400for packaging an electronic component (e.g., OFN device108,110, or200ofFIGS. 1-2) in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device100ofFIG. 1). The method1400begins with step1402and continues with step1404. Step1404involves circumscribing the electronic component with a multi-purpose component (e.g., multi-purpose component120,122,300,704,1004or1102ofFIG. 1, 3, 7, 10 or 11). The multi-purpose component is at least partially formed of a transparent molded material (e.g., rubber or silicone) and a compressible molded material (e.g., rubber or silicone).

As discussed above, the multi-purpose component can be formed via a molding process. During the molding process, a chemical bond and/or a mechanical bond between the multi-purpose component and the electronic component can be created. Consequently, the circumscription of step1404can be accomplished via a molding process. Alternatively the circumscription of step1404can be accomplished by inserting the electronic device into an aperture formed through the multi-purpose component. In this scenario, a gasket seal can be formed between the multi-purpose component and the electronic component.

In a next step1406, a water tight seal is created by the multi-purpose component between the electronic component and a housing (e.g., housing102,602,702or1302ofFIG. 1, 6, 7, 10 or 13) of the electronic device. Notably, the water tight seal can be formed in step1404instead of in a subsequent step1406as shown inFIG. 14. The water tight seal can be made via a molding process. During the molding process, a chemical bond and/or a mechanical bond is created between the multi-purpose component and a housing (e.g., housing102,602,702or1302ofFIG. 1, 6, 7, 10 or 13) of the electronic device. Alternatively, the water tight seal can be made by inserting the multi-purpose component and electronic component assembly into an aperture formed through the housing of the electronic device. In this scenario, a gasket seal is created between the multi-purpose component and the housing of the electronic device.

Thereafter, in step1408, the electronic component and multi-purpose component are retained in an aperture formed in the housing such that only one side of the electronic component is accessible to the user of the electronic device. The retention of step1408is achieved by coupling a cap (e.g., cap500or706ofFIG. 5 or 9) to the housing. The cap can be coupled to the housing via an ultrasonic weld.

After retaining the electronic component and multi-purpose component in the housing, step1410is performed where an indicator is provided by the multi-purpose component. The indicator indicates a location of the electronic component on the electronic device to the user thereof in dark or semi-dark environments. The indicator is provided by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. The light can be provided by a light source (e.g., light source612or720ofFIG. 6 or 7) disposed adjacent to the multi-purpose component within the electronic device. The light can be turned “on” in response to the detection of a “low light” condition by a sensor, as described above. Also, in step1412, status information is communicated to the user by emitting light from the multi-purpose component. Notably, different status information can be communicated to the user via an emission of different colored light, as described above.

Upon completing step1412, an optional step1414is performed. In optional step1414, an amount of sealing force applied to the housing is varied based on an amount of fluid pressure applied to a collapsible member of the multi-purpose component. Subsequent to completing step1412or optional step1414, step1416is performed where the method1400ends or other processing is performed.