Abstract:
This invention is directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. As the user actuates the switch, different labels may be visible to indicate to the user the current state of the switch. To allow the switch to be positioned adjacent to an edge of the device, the switch may include only a single label that moves with the switch. For example, the switch may include a label positioned adjacent to a nub that the user may operate. The label may be sized such that only the label is visible when the switch is in a first position. The electronic device may also include a second label that is fixed to a non-moving portion of the electronic device. When the user moves the switch, the switch may move away from and uncover the second label while hiding the label that is included in the switch.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is directed to an electronic device switch for use in a small form factor electronic device. 
         [0002]    Electronic devices may have several types of input mechanisms for a user to provide instructions or commands to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the input mechanism may include a switch that may be moved in different positions. The electronic device may provide labels associated with each of the switch positions. The labels may provide any suitable information to a user, including for example a value or instruction associated with each switch position. The labels may be sequentially displayed such that only the label associated with a particular switch position is displayed when the switch is in the corresponding position. 
         [0003]    If the switch is a linear switch, the switch may include labels extending from each side of the switch. As the user then moves the switch within a slot, the label on each side of the switch may be displayed within the slot (e.g., such that as the switch is placed against one end of the slot, the label adjacent to the slot may be visible to the user. 
         [0004]    To provide a visible label for each position of the switch, the switch may include a label portion extending from each side of the switch. The existence of a label on both sides of the switch, however, may limit how close the switch may be placed to an edge of the electronic device. In particular, because the label that is displayed when the switch is away from an edge of the electronic device must be hidden from view when the switch is adjacent to the same edge, the switch must be placed at a distance at least equal to the length of the label from the edge. If the switch is retained using an adhesive coupling a cap to the electronic device, the electronic device may further require additional distance between the switch and the edge of the device to allow for adhesive between the label and the edge. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    A switch assembly having a single label incorporated in the switch is provided. 
         [0006]    The switch may include a frame having at least one tab operative to engage an actuator of the electronic switch (e.g., an actuator of a switch coupled to a circuit board). The frame may include a nub extending from a top surface of the frame. The nub may extend out of the electronic device and be actuated by a user. In particular, a user may move the nub between a first position and a second position. The frame may include a label placed adjacent to the nub, and between the nub and the at least one tab. When the frame is in a first position, the label of the frame may be visible to a user of the electronic device, and when the frame is in a second position, a label fixed to the device and positioned underneath the frame may be visible. 
         [0007]    An electronic device may be provided. The exterior of the electronic device may be defined by a housing. An end cap may be positioned over an end of the housing to retain electronic device components within the housing. A first label may be fixed to a surface of the end cap such that the first label faces out of the housing. A movable switch may be placed on the end cap. The switch may include a nub and a second label placed adjacent to the nub. A cosmetic cap may be placed over the switch and over the end cap, such that the nub of the switch may extend through a slot in the cosmetic cap. The cosmetic cap may be coupled to the end cap, for example using an adhesive, such that the switch may slide in between the cosmetic cap and the end cap to selectively make visible the first and the second labels through the slot in the cosmetic cap. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is schematic view of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  when the switch is positioned such that label  134  is visible in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is schematic view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  when the switch is moved in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 3  when the switch is positioned such that label  136  is visible in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an illustrative switch for use with the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    An electronic device having a curved outer housing may be provided. The electronic device may include one or more input mechanisms by which a user may control the electronic device, including for example one or more switches. To reduce the size of the electronic device, or for cosmetic or industrial design reasons, it may be desirable to provide a switch that may be actuated by a user in a position as close to a curved edge of the housing as possible. If the switch includes two labels visible to the user when the switch is moved in different positions, the space needed by the labels may prevent the switch from being placed very close to the electronic device edge. 
         [0015]    To allow the switch to be placed closer to the electronic device edge, the label that would be positioned between the electronic device edge and the switch may be removed from the switch. To ensure that a user would still see the label when the switch moves away from the electronic device edge, however, the label may be positioned in a different vertical plane than the switch. In particular, the label may be positioned below the switch such that when the switch is moved towards the electronic device edge, the switch may hide the label from view, but when the switch moves away from the electronic device edge, the label may be visible. For example, the label may be coupled to an electronic device component, such as an end cap over which the switch may move. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is schematic view of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Electronic device  100  may include housing  110  defining at least one edge  112 . Edge  112  may include any suitable edge, including for example a straight or curved edge. The curvature or shape of edge  112  may be determined based on any suitable criteria, including for example aesthetic or industrial design considerations, components placed within electronic device  100 , the materials used for housing  110 , or any other suitable consideration. In some embodiments, housing  110  may form a tubular structure (e.g., flattened tube defined by edges  112  and  114 ) having one or more open ends. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, housing  110  may be constructed from frame  116  into which walls  118  may be inserted or coupled (e.g., using structural or mechanical components, an adhesive, tape, or a mechanical fastener). Frame  116  may define edges  112  and  114  and give structure to housing  110  (e.g., by being manufactured from a material having sufficient structural attributes, such as a plastic, metal, or composite material), and may be finished (e.g., polished). Walls  118  may be manufactured from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal or a composite material) and finished to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
         [0018]    The ends of housing  110  (and frame  116 ) may be closed by cosmetic cap  120  forming the top surface of housing  110 . Cosmetic cap  120  may extend up to the periphery of the top surface of housing  110  (e.g., up to the edge of frame  116 ), or may instead be placed within groove  117  of frame  116 . Cosmetic cap  120  may be manufactured from any suitable material (e.g., plastic, metal or a composite material) and finished to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Cosmetic cap  120  may be sized such that cosmetic cap  120  is flush with the edges of groove  117 , or flush with the edge of frame  116  to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish and to enhance the protection of components placed within housing  110  (e.g., to prevent debris from entering housing  110 ). Cosmetic cap  120  may be coupled to housing  110  or another component of electronic device  100  (e.g., a component placed underneath cosmetic cap  120 ) using any suitable approach, including for example an adhesive or tape. 
         [0019]    The user of electronic device  100  may provide inputs using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may include switch  130  including nub  132  extending through slot  122  in cosmetic cap  120 . Nub  132  may extend beyond the periphery of cosmetic cap  120  such that a user may easily touch and move switch  130 . Switch  130  may include one or more labels to indicate to the user the state of the electronic device. For example, switch  130  may include label  134  that is visible through slot  122  when nub  132  is in a first position (e.g., adjacent to end  122   a ). Label  134  may be any suitable color, and include any suitable text or lettering. In some embodiments, label  134  may include an aperture through which light may be visible (e.g., an LED). In some embodiments, cosmetic cover  120  may instead or in addition include colored portions or lettering to identify the electronic device state based on the position of the switch. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  when the switch is positioned such that label  134  is visible in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , electronic device  100  may include components  102  and  104  placed within housing  110 . Components  102  and  104  may be secured by end cap  140  coupled to frame  116  by fastener  142 . End cap  140  may be constructed from any suitable material, including for example a metal (e.g., zinc), plastic, composite material, or any other material with sufficient strength or toughness to retain components  102  and  104  within housing  110 . In some embodiments, end cap  140  may include one or more features (e.g., slots, nubs, hooks) operative to engage and retain components  102  and  104 . 
         [0021]    Label  134  may be fixed to the upper surface of end cap  140 . For example, label  134  may include a painted surface of end cap  140 . As another example, label  134  may be coupled to end cap  140  using an adhesive, tape, a film placed over the label, as part of a manufacturing process (e.g., co-molding or welding), or using any other suitable approach. Label  134  may be positioned such that it is visible through slot  122  of cosmetic cap  120 . In particular, label  134  may be sized and positioned such that only label  134  is visible (e.g., and not end cap  140 ) when switch  130  moves within slot  122  (e.g., and when nub  132  is placed adjacent to end  122   a ). 
         [0022]    Switch  130  may be movably placed on end cap  140 . For example, switch  130  may be placed on end cap  140  such that switch  130  may slide in the direction of arrows  150 . The range of switch  130  may be restricted by the size of slot  122  and the contacts between nub  132  and the ends of slot  122  (e.g., ends  122   a  and  122   b ). In some embodiments, switch  130  or end cap  140  may include one or more features for maintaining the alignment of switch  130  and ensuring that switch  130  may slide freely. For example, switch  130  may include one or more tabs extending over an edge or into a slot of end cap  140 . As another example, switch  130  may include a slot into which a tab or post of end cap  140  may extend. 
         [0023]    Switch  130  may be retained within electronic device  100  while allowing switch  130  to move using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, switch  130  may be retained by coupling cosmetic cap  120  to end cap  140 . For example, cosmetic cap  120  may include groove  124  operative to receive switch  130  such that switch  130  may move within groove  124 . As another example, end cap  140  may instead or in addition include a groove for receiving switch  130 . Cosmetic cap  120  may be coupled to end cap  140  by coupling portions of cosmetic cap  120  located adjacent to groove  124  to end cap  140 . In some embodiments, the portions of cosmetic cap  120  located adjacent to groove  124  may surround groove  124  and switch  130  such that switch  130  is confined to the area defined by groove  124 . Cosmetic cap  120  may be coupled to end cap  140  using any suitable approach, including for example an adhesive (e.g., adhesive layer  144 ), tape, mechanical fastener, press fit, or any other suitable approach. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is schematic view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  when the switch is moved in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , nub  132  may be moved within slot  122  such that label  134  is hidden from view and label  136  is instead visible. Label  136  may be any suitable color, and include any suitable text or lettering. In some embodiments, label  136  may include an aperture through which light may be visible (e.g., an LED). In some embodiments, cosmetic cover  120  may instead or in addition include colored portions or lettering to identify the electronic device state based on the position of the switch. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 3  when the switch is positioned such that label  136  is visible in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Switch  130  may move within slot  122  such that nub  132  is placed adjacent to end  122   b  of slot  122 . Unlike label  134 , label  136  may incorporated in switch  130 . Thus, when switch  130  moves, label  136  may move with the switch. When switch  130  is placed adjacent to end  122   a  of slot  122 , label  134  located underneath switch  130  may be visible beyond the periphery of nub  132  while label  136  is hidden from view by groove  124  of cosmetic cap  120 . When switch  130  is placed adjacent to end  122   b  of slot  122 , nub  132  and label  136  may located over label  134  such that only nub  132  and label  136  may be visible through slot  122 . By placing label  134  directly on end cap  140  rather than coupling it to switch  130 , switch  130  may require less room underneath cosmetic cap  140 , in particular when nub  132  is placed adjacent to end  122   b.  This may in turn allow switch  130  to be placed closer to edge  112  of housing  110 . In particular, groove  124  may not need to extend past end  122   b  of slot  122  because no label may need to move past end  122   b  when nub  132  is placed adjacent to end  122   b.  The portions of adhesive layer  144  between switch  130  and edge  112  may then extend from edge  112  to end  122   b  (e.g., and not to a groove extending past end  122   b ), allowing switch  130  to be placed closer to edge  112  by at least the length of label  134 . In some embodiments, the distance between nub  132  when it is adjacent to end  122   b  and the end of cosmetic cap  120  (e.g., frame  116 ) may be less than the length of label  134  or  136 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an illustrative switch for use with the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . Switch  500  may include frame  510 . Frame  510  may be manufactured from any suitable material, including for example metal, plastic or a composite material, and using any suitable manufacturing process. For example, frame  510  may be formed by stamping (e.g., a stamped stainless steel part), forming, forging, molding, machining, or any other suitable process. Frame  510  may form a substantially elongated rectangular element having one or more features for engaging a switching element or remaining aligned within the electronic device housing. For example, frame  510  may include slot or channel  512 . Channel  512  may form an elongated slot substantially following the elongated portion of frame  500 . Channel  512  may be operative to receive a post from a component within the electronic device (e.g., a post extending from the surface of end cap  140 ,  FIGS. 1-4 ) such that the placement of the post within channel  512  may guide the travel of frame  510  as a user moves switch  500 . For example, the combination of a pin within channel  512  and nub  530  extending through a slot in a cosmetic cap (e.g., slot  122  of cosmetic cap  120 ,  FIGS. 1-4 ) may guide both ends of frame  510  as switch  500  moves within the electronic device. The length of channel  512 , the size of the pin of the electronic device component, the length of the cosmetic cap slot, and the size of nub  530  may be selected to provide boundaries to the travel of switch  500  (e.g., nub  530  or the pin of the electronic device component may abut the channel or slot ends to prevent excess travel of switch  500 ). 
         [0027]    Frame  510  may include one or more tabs, such as tabs  514  and  516 , extending from the periphery of frame  510 . In some embodiments, tabs  514  and  516  may extend into a different plane than tab  510 . For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 5 , tabs  514  and  516  include curved portions causing tabs  514  and  516  to extend away from top surface  511  of frame  510  (e.g., at a 45 degree angle). Tabs  514  and  516  may be operative to engage an electronic switching component coupled to a circuit board within the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may include a switching component coupled to a circuit board (e.g., using soldering or surface mount technology) such that the switching component may be actuated in response to changing the position of an actuator extending from the switching component. In some embodiments, tabs  514  and  516  may be operative to enclose the actuator (e.g., the actuator may be placed between tabs  514  and  516 ). 
         [0028]    Frame  510  may include nub  530  extending from the surface of frame  510 . Nub  530  may include a protrusion operative to extend from the surface of an electronic device housing that a user may actuate. Nub  532  may be manufactured using any suitable approach, including for example as part of frame  510  (e.g., using a stamping process) or separately from frame  510  (e.g., using a machining process, such as a lathe) and coupled to frame  510  (e.g., using welding). Nub  532  may be finished to enhance the cosmetic or aesthetic appeal of switch  500 . For example, nub  532  may be polished, or given a texture or other finish (e.g., to enhance the user&#39;s tactile experience). 
         [0029]    Frame  510  may include label plate  534  on which label  536  may be provided. Label plate  534  may be manufactured as part of frame  510  (e.g., stamped with frame  510 ), or manufactured independently and coupled to frame  510  (e.g., using welding, soldering, or an adhesive). Label plate  534  be of any suitable shape or size. For example, label plate  534  may be sized to be at least the size of a slot in a cosmetic cap of the housing (e.g., such that the entirety of label plate  534  is visible through the slot). Label  536  may be coupled to label plate  534  to provide a visual indication to the user of the state of switch  500 . Label  536  may include any attribute of label  134  or  136  ( FIG. 1 ), and may be any suitable color and include any suitable text or lettering. In some embodiments, label plate  534  and label  536  may include an aperture through which light may be visible (e.g., an LED). Label  536  may be coupled to label plate  534  using any suitable approach. For example, label  536  may include a painted surface of end cap  140 . As another example, label  536  may be coupled to label plate  534  using an adhesive, tape, a film placed over the label, as part of a manufacturing process (e.g., co-molding or welding), or using any other suitable approach. 
         [0030]    The above described embodiments of the invention are presented for the purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.