PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11299421-B2
Application Number: US-201916540024-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device enclosure with a glass member having an internal encoded marking

Abstract:
An electronic device may include a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, a cover assembly coupled to the housing and comprising a chemically strengthened glass member, and an encoded marking formed within the chemically strengthened glass member between an upper surface and a lower surface of the chemically strengthened glass member. The encoded marking may include an array of marks, each mark of the array of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns and set apart from an adjacent mark by an unmarked area of the chemically strengthened glass member. Each mark may represent a bit of information in a binary number system. The encoded marking may be readable, by an optical magnification apparatus, through the upper surface.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display positioned at least partially within the housing; 
 a cover assembly coupled to the housing and comprising a chemically strengthened glass member; and 
 an encoded marking formed within the chemically strengthened glass member and comprising an array of marks, each mark of at least a subset of the array of marks:
 having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns; 
 set apart from an adjacent mark by an unmarked area of the chemically strengthened glass member; and 
 positioned entirely between an upper surface of the chemically strengthened glass member and a lower surface of the chemically strengthened glass member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cover assembly defines:
 a transparent region positioned over the display and configured to allow graphical outputs of the display to be viewed through the cover assembly; and 
 an opaque region at least partially surrounding the transparent region; and 
 
 the encoded marking is in the opaque region. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each mark represents a bit of information in a binary number system. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the chemically strengthened glass member defines:
 a first compressive stress region extending to a first depth into the chemically strengthened glass member from the upper surface; 
 a second compressive stress region extending to a second depth into the chemically strengthened glass member from the lower surface; and 
 a tensile stress region between the first and second compressive stress regions; and 
 
 the encoded marking is in the tensile stress region. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded marking is readable, by an optical magnification apparatus, through the upper surface. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded marking is readable, by an optical magnification apparatus, through a side surface of the chemically strengthened glass member, the side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded marking is formed before the chemically strengthened glass member is subjected to a chemical strengthening operation. 
     
     
       8. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display positioned at least partially within the housing; and 
 a chemically strengthened glass member at least partially covering the display and defining:
 a first surface defining an exterior surface of the device and configured to receive touch inputs from a user; 
 a second surface opposite the first surface; and 
 an encoded marking within the chemically strengthened glass member and comprising:
 a group of marks, at least a subset of the marks in the group of marks positioned a first distance below the first surface of the chemically strengthened glass member and a second distance above the second surface of the chemically strengthened glass member and having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns. 
 
 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the group of marks is a first group of marks; 
 the first group of marks is a first portion of an array representing encoded information; and 
 the encoded marking further comprises a second group of marks set apart from the first group of marks, each mark in the second group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns; and 
 the second group of marks is a second portion of the array representing the encoded information. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the encoded marking further comprises:
 a third group of marks set apart from the first and second group of marks, each mark in the third group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10; 
 a fourth group of marks set apart from the first, second, and third groups of marks, each mark in the fourth group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10; 
 the chemically strengthened glass member defines a shape with four corners; and 
 each of the first, second, third, and fourth groups of marks is positioned proximate a respective corner of the four corners. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the first group of marks and the second group of marks are not visible to an unaided eye. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein a distance between the first group of marks and the second group of marks is greater than a distance between any two marks in the first group of marks. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the marks of the first and second groups of marks have a different index of refraction than an unmarked region of the chemically strengthened glass member. 
     
     
       14. A method of marking a glass member for an electronic device, comprising:
 laser forming, along an interior of the glass member, an encoded marking comprising a group of discrete marks each having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns; and 
 after laser forming the encoded marking, chemically strengthening the glass member, comprising:
 placing the glass member in an ion exchange bath; and 
 while the glass member is in the ion exchange bath, heating the glass member as a result of contact between the glass member and the ion exchange bath. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the method further comprises encoding a unique identifier into a two-dimensional array; and 
 the discrete marks are arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the two-dimensional array. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 removing the glass member from the ion exchange bath; and 
 after removing the glass member from the ion exchange bath, optically analyzing the glass member to optically detect the encoded marking. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 optically analyzing the glass member comprises:
 placing the glass member in a fixture configured to position the encoded marking in a fixed position relative to an optical magnification apparatus; and 
 capturing an image of the encoded marking with the optical magnification apparatus; 
 
 decoding the encoded marking to extract the unique identifier from the encoded marking; and 
 the method further comprises associating data relating to the glass member with the unique identifier. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the glass member defines:
 an upper surface; and 
 a lower surface; 
 
 the encoded marking is positioned between a first area of the upper surface and a second area of the lower surface; and 
 the method further comprises after chemically strengthening the glass member, applying an opaque coating to at least the second area of the lower surface. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , wherein laser forming the encoded marking comprises:
 laser forming a first partial marking in a first region of the glass member; and 
 laser forming a second partial marking in a second region of the glass member, the second region set apart from the first region. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , wherein laser forming the encoded marking comprises:
 applying an index-matching material to a surface of the glass member; and 
 directing a laser beam through the index-matching material and through the surface to form the group of discrete marks.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/846,957, filed May 13, 2019 and titled “Electronic Device Enclosure with a Glass Member Having an Internal Encoded Marking,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to marking glass, and more particularly to laser-marking glass within the bulk of the glass prior to chemical strengthening the glass. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, and the like, may use glass members as transparent covers over their displays. A glass member may act as a protective cover to protect display components, and, in cases where the device includes a touch screen, the glass member may also define the input surface that a user touches to interact with the touch screen. Glass members for electronic devices may be treated or processed to increase their strength, toughness, crack resistance, or other properties. For example, glass members may be thermally tempered or chemically strengthened to improve their properties for use in electronic devices. Glass members may also be marked with words or images. Conventional marking techniques may include surface markings formed from ink or other type of material attached to an exterior surface of the glass member. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device may include a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, a cover assembly coupled to the housing and comprising a chemically strengthened glass member, and an encoded marking formed within the chemically strengthened glass member between an upper surface and a lower surface of the chemically strengthened glass member. The encoded marking may include an array of marks, each mark of the array of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns and set apart from an adjacent mark by an unmarked area of the chemically strengthened glass member. Each mark may represent a bit of information in a binary number system. The encoded marking may be readable, by an optical magnification apparatus, through the upper surface. 
     The cover assembly may define a transparent region positioned over the display and configured to allow graphical outputs of the display to be viewed through the cover assembly. The cover assembly may also define an opaque region at least partially surrounding the transparent region. The encoded marking may be formed in the opaque region. 
     The chemically strengthened glass member may define a first compressive stress region extending to a first depth into the chemically strengthened glass member from the upper surface, a second compressive stress region extending to a second depth into the chemically strengthened glass member from the lower surface, and a tensile stress region between the first and second compressive stress regions. The encoded marking may be formed in the tensile stress region. 
     The encoded marking may be readable, by an optical magnification apparatus, through a side surface of the chemically strengthened glass member, the side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface and defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. The encoded marking may be formed before the chemically strengthened glass member is subjected to a chemical strengthening operation. 
     An electronic device, comprising a housing, a display positioned at least partially within the housing, and a chemically strengthened glass member at least partially covering the display. The chemically strengthened glass member may define a first surface defining an exterior surface of the device and configured to receive touch inputs from a user, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an encoded marking within the chemically strengthened glass member between the first surface and the second surface. The encoded marking may include a first group of marks, each mark in the first group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns, and a second group of marks set apart from the first group of marks, each mark in the second group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns. The first group of marks and the second group of marks may be not visible to an unaided eye. A distance between the first group of marks and the second group of marks may be greater than a distance between any two marks in the first group of marks. The marks of the first and second groups of marks may have a different index of refraction than an unmarked region of the chemically strengthened glass member. 
     The first group of marks may be a first portion of an array representing encoded information, and the second group of marks may be a second portion of the array representing the encoded information. The encoded marking may further include a third group of marks set apart from the first and second group of marks, each mark in the third group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10, and a fourth group of marks set apart from the first, second, and third groups of marks, each mark in the fourth group of marks having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10. The chemically strengthened glass member may define a shape with four corners, and each of the first, second, third, and fourth groups of marks may be positioned proximate a respective corner of the four corners. 
     A method of marking a glass member for an electronic device may include laser forming, along an interior of a glass member, an encoded marking comprising an group of discrete marks each having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns, and, after laser forming the encoded marking, chemically strengthening the glass member. Chemically strengthening the glass member may include placing the glass member in an ion exchange bath and, while the glass member is in the ion exchange bath, heating the glass member as a result of contact between the glass member and the ion exchange bath. The method may further include encoding a unique identifier into a two-dimensional array. The discrete marks may be arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the two-dimensional array. 
     The method may further include removing the glass member from the ion exchange bath and, after removing the glass member from the ion exchange bath, optically analyzing the glass member to optically detect the encoded marking. Optically analyzing the glass member may include placing the glass member in a fixture configured to position the encoded marking in a fixed position relative to an optical magnification apparatus, and capturing an image of the encoded marking with the optical magnification apparatus. The method may further include decoding the encoded marking to extract the unique identifier from the encoded marking and associating the unique identifier with data relating to the glass member. 
     The glass member may define an upper surface and a lower surface. The encoded marking may be positioned between a first area of the upper surface and a second area of the lower surface, and the method may further include, after chemically strengthening the glass member, applying an opaque coating to at least the second area of the lower surface. 
     Laser forming the encoded marking may include laser forming a first partial marking in a first region of the glass member and laser forming a second partial marking in a second region of the glass member, the second region set apart from the first region. Laser forming the encoded marking may include applying an index-matching material to a surface of the glass member, and directing a laser beam through the index-matching material and through the surface to form the group of discrete marks. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an example electronic device. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts an alternative view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a detail view of a glass member with an example encoded marking. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a detail side view of a glass member with another example encoded marking. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of an example chemically-strengthened glass member with an encoded marking within the glass. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another example chemically-strengthened glass member with an encoded marking within the glass. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of an example glass member with an encoded marking separated into multiple segments. 
         FIG. 6A  depicts an example laser marking operation. 
         FIG. 6B  depicts another example laser marking operation. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example operation for marking and strengthening a glass member. 
         FIG. 8A  depicts an example optical analysis system. 
         FIG. 8B  depicts another example optical analysis system. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart of an example method of forming a strengthened glass member with an encoded marking. 
         FIG. 10  depicts example components of an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The embodiments herein are generally directed to glass members that are used as protective covers or other housing components for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, and the like. More particularly, the embodiments are directed to glass members that are laser marked with encoded markings formed with the glass members, such as along a middle or central plane between the upper and lower major surfaces. The encoded markings, which may be visible only with a magnifying apparatus, may encode data such as a serial number or other identifier that can be used to track the glass member or information about the glass member. Information about the glass member, including information about manufacturing steps, conditions, or operations to which the glass was subjected, lot numbers, manufacturing dates, actual processing parameters to which that particular glass member was subjected (e.g., an actual process temperature, time, composition, etc.), an identifier of a mother sheet from which the glass member was singulated, and the like, may be associated with the identifier that is represented by the encoded marking. Such information may be maintained in one or more databases, and additional information may be associated with the identifier as additional operations are performed on or with the glass member. In some cases, any of the foregoing types of information may be encoded directly by the encoded marking. 
     By positioning the encoded markings within the glass, rather than on a surface of the glass, the markings may remain undamaged or unchanged even through polishing, grinding, or other manufacturing operations that affect the surface of a glass member. The encoded markings may also be configured so that they are still visible (e.g., with a magnification apparatus) even after strengthening operations such as chemical strengthening. For example, encoded markings may be formed within glass members before the glass members are subjected to a chemical strengthening operation. Chemical strengthening operations result in heating of the glass, which may affect the presence or visibility of laser-formed markings within the glass. In particular, the heating of the glass during chemical strengthening may result in the markings disappearing, shrinking, or otherwise becoming less visually distinctive or identifiable. Accordingly, the particular techniques for forming the encoded markings, as well as the physical parameters of the encoded markings, may be selected so that the encoded markings survive through strengthening processes or other operations that result in heating of the glass. For example, the encoded markings may be formed of arrays of individual marks (e.g., dots or rounded shapes), where each mark has a dimension (e.g., a diameter, where the mark is round or circular) within a particular size range. One example range for the dimension of the marks is between about 3 microns and about 10 microns). The marks may be formed using lasers having particular wavelengths and other laser parameters that result in markings that do not shrink, disappear, or otherwise become undetectable as a result of strengthening operations. 
     As noted above, the individual marks that form an encoded marking may be very small (e.g., less than 10 microns) so that they are not visible to the unaided eye. In this way, the encoded markings may be placed in locations that are not hidden or otherwise obscured from the user. For example, a conventional serial number that is readable by a person (e.g., without magnification) may be applied on an opaque layer on the inside of the glass member (e.g., facing the inside of the device) so that it is hidden from view under normal use of the device. However, this makes it impossible to read the serial number without removing the glass member from the device, which may be difficult and may potentially damage the glass or the device. By using the encoded markings described herein, the markings may be made so small that they are not detectable by the unaided eye, but are detectable by a magnification apparatus or other imaging device. Accordingly, the markings may be made so that they are detectable through the exterior surface of the glass member, thus allowing the encoded markings to be read without disassembling the device or otherwise removing the glass member. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an example electronic device  100  (also referred to herein simply as a “device”). The device  100  shown in  FIG. 1A  is a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), but this is merely one representative example of a device that may be used in conjunction with the ideas disclosed herein. Other example devices include, without limitation, music/media players, tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable electronic devices, watches (e.g., mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical), and the like. 
     The electronic device  100  includes a housing  102  that includes a first glass member  106  and a second glass member  108 . The first glass member  106 , which may be referred to as a cover member and may be a component of a cover assembly, may cover or otherwise overlie a display and/or a touch sensitive surface (e.g., a touchscreen) of the device  100 , and may define an exterior front surface of the device  100 . For example, in some cases the first glass member  106  defines part of the exterior front surface of the device  100 , and in some cases the first glass member  106  defines all (e.g., 100%) or substantially all (e.g., greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%) of the exterior front surface of the device  100 . Where the first glass member  106  is positioned over a display (e.g., a touch-sensitive display assembly  111 ), the region of the first glass member  106  that is covering the display (as represented by the broken line defining the area of the display assembly  111 ) may be transparent so that graphical outputs displayed by the display are visible through the first glass member  106 . This region may also be referred to as a “window region.” In some cases, the area around the display assembly  111  (e.g., outside the broken line defining the area of the display assembly) may include an opaque coating, such as an ink, that visually obscures internal components of the device, adhesive layers, and the like. The opaque coating may border one or more sides of, or completely surround, the transparent region of the first glass member  106 . This region may also be referred to as a “peripheral region” 
     The first glass member  106  may include an encoded marking  113  formed within the glass material itself, such as midway between the upper and lower surfaces of the first glass member  106 . The encoded marking  113  may be formed of individual marks that are not visible to the unaided eye, but are optically detectable by a magnifying apparatus. Because they are not visible without magnification, the encoded marking  113  may be positioned on the first glass member  106  so that they are detectable through the upper, exterior surface of the first glass member  106 , and they do not need to be occluded or hidden by masks, opaque layers, or the like. The encoded marking  113  may be formed in an opaque region of a cover assembly. For example, the encoded marking  113  may be formed above an opaque layer that surrounds or borders a display region defined by the display assembly  111 . In addition to or instead of forming an encoded marking in the opaque region, an encoded marking may be formed in the transparent “window region” of the first glass member  106 . 
     The encoded marking  113  is positioned so that it is detectable through the upper surface of the first glass member  106 , though encoded markings may be positioned elsewhere within the first glass member  106 . For example, an encoded marking  115  may be formed within the glass material but configured to be detected through a side surface of the first glass member  106 . In this case, as described herein, the configuration of the encoded marking  115  may be different from that used for the encoded marking  113 . While  FIG. 1A  shows two encoded markings  113  and  115 , this is merely for explanatory purposes, and more or fewer encoded markings may be used, and they may be positioned differently than what is shown in  FIG. 1A . Moreover, the encoded markings  113 ,  115  are shown formed only on the first glass member  106 , though in other implementations encoded markings may be formed in any glass material found on a device (e.g., the second glass member  108 , the housing member  110 , a camera lens cover, or any other glass material). 
     The first glass member  106  may also define one or more openings, such as opening  112 , to allow internal components such as microphones, cameras, speakers, sensors, and the like, to have access to the surrounding environment of the device  100 . The second glass member  108  may define an exterior back surface of the device  100 . The first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may define the entire front and back surfaces, respectively, of the electronic device. 
     The first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may be attached to a housing member  110 . The housing member  110  may define at least a portion of the side surfaces of the device  100 . In some implementations, the first and second glass members  106 ,  108 , and the housing member  110  cooperate to define a smooth, continuous exterior side surface or external sidewall of the device  100 . The exterior side surface or external sidewall may be contoured or have a curved profile. The housing member  110  may be formed from or include metal, glass, polymer, ceramic, composite, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. The first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may be attached to the housing member  110  via any suitable means, including adhesives, fasteners, glass frit bonds, welds, solder joints, or the like. 
     Either or both of the first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may be formed from or include a single layer or multiple layers. In the latter case, the multiple layers may be multiple glass layers, combinations of glass and other materials (e.g., plastics, polymers, ceramics, sapphire, etc.), coating layers, oleophobic coatings, paints, inks, or the like. In cases were the members are formed from multiple layers, encoded markings may be formed within the bulk of the material of any glass layer (e.g., between the upper and lower major surfaces of any given glass layer). 
     In some cases, a non-glass member may be used instead of either or both of the first and second glass members  106 ,  108 . For example, either member may instead be a plastic member, ceramic member, sapphire member, metal member, or the like. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the back of the device  100 . As noted above, the second glass member  108  may define an exterior back surface of the device  100 . The second glass member  108  may also include an encoded marking  117 , which may be the same as or similar to the encoded markings  113 ,  115  (or any other encoded marking described herein), and may be formed using the same or similar techniques. 
     Either or both of the first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may be chemically strengthened to improve the strength, hardness, toughness, or other physical property of the glass members. For example, the first and second glass members  106 ,  108  may be formed from or include aluminosilicate glass substrates that have been subjected to chemical strengthening processes. Other substrate materials are also possible, including, without limitation, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, sapphire, ceramics, polymer materials, or the like. As noted above, the first and/or second glass members  106 ,  108  may be chemically strengthened after encoded markings are formed within the glass members. 
       FIG. 1C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the electronic device  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  along line A-A in  FIG. 1A . The housing member  110  and the first and second glass members  106 ,  108  at least partially define an interior volume for receiving electronic components. As depicted in  FIG. 1C , the device  100  includes a display  116  that is at least partially positioned within the interior volume of the housing  102 . In this example, the display  116  is positioned under and coupled to the first glass member  106 . The first glass member  106  may also be described as being positioned over the display  116 . The display  116  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active layer organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display, organic electroluminescent (EL) display, electrophoretic ink display, or the like. In some cases, a touch sensor or touch sensitive layer is positioned under the first glass member  106  and may be configured to detect a touch or multiple touches along an exterior surface of the first glass member  106 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1C , a component  118  is positioned at least partially within the interior volume. In this example, the component  118  is coupled to the second glass member  108 , though in other examples it may be secured to the housing  102  in a different manner. For example, the electronic device  100  may include one or more of a display, an input device, a sensor, memory, a processor, control circuitry, a battery, a circuit board, a frame or other supporting structure, an antenna, or the like. Additional or different components may also be positioned within housing  102 . The electronic device  100  may include various systems and/or components that can receive information from or about a user or the user&#39;s surroundings (e.g., touchscreens, microphones, biometric sensors, GPS systems). It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information (such as information from or about a user or the user&#39;s environment and that is stored on or accessible by a device) should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
       FIG. 2A  is a detail view of the area B-B in  FIG. 1A , showing details of the encoded marking  113 . The encoded marking  113  is shown larger than actual scale for illustrative purposes. For example, the encoded marking  113  may include a group of discrete marks  200 . The marks  200  may be separated by an unmarked area such that each discrete mark  200  may represent an individual bit or other discrete unit of information. For example, each mark  200 , based on its presence and its location, may encode a bit or unit of information or data. As one particular example, each available mark location in an encoded marking may correspond to a particular position of a binary number, and the presence of a mark in that particular mark location corresponds to a value of “1,” and the absence of a mark in that particular mark location corresponds to a value of “0.” Thus, the presence, absence, and location of individual marks in an array of marks may be used to represent some portion of the encoded information represented by the array. 
     Each discrete mark  200  may be similar or substantially identical in size and shape, and may have a dimension (e.g., a diameter, where the mark is circular or substantially circular) of between about 1 micron and about 15 microns, between about 4 microns and about 10 microns, between about 5 microns and about 7 microns, or any other suitable dimension. In some cases, the dimension corresponds to a maximum lateral dimension of the mark, such as if the mark is non-circular, where the lateral dimension is in the plane defined by the upper, exterior, surface of the first glass member  106 . While the encoded markings are depicted as rounded spots, the encoded markings may additionally or instead include marks having other shapes, such as lines, irregular patterns, squared shapes, triangles, curves, patterns, or the like. 
     The encoded marking  113  shown in  FIG. 2A  includes a 4×4 array of discrete marks  200 . As used herein, an array may refer to an arrangement of marks that represents encoded information. 
     Not all of the locations in the 4×4 array include a visible mark  200 . Further, while an example arrangement of marks is shown, this arrangement is merely for illustration purposes. For example, any given encoded marking may include a unique combination of marks and empty array positions in order to encode information into the encoded marking. Further, while  FIG. 2A  shows a 4×4 array, marks  200  may be used to form other types of encoded marks, including, for example, arrays of any other size (e.g., 10×10, 20×20, 40×40, 100×100), or any other encoding scheme such as one-dimensional barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes, DotCodes, or the like. As noted above and described herein, the marks  200  may be formed within the first glass member  106  between an upper surface and a lower surface of the glass member. 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of a portion of the first glass member  106 , corresponding to an area where the encoded marking  115  is positioned. Whereas  FIG. 2A  represents a view through the upper surface of the first glass member  106  (e.g., through the front face or surface of the device  100 ),  FIG. 2B  represents a view through a side surface of the first glass member  106  (e.g., a side surface that extends from the upper surface to the lower surface and defines an exterior surface of the first glass member  106 ). In this case, the encoded marking  115  may be a linear arrangement of discrete marks  208 , where the presence or absence of a mark  208  in a location, and/or the relative positions of the marks  208  to one another represent or indicate encoded information. In some cases, the linear arrangement may correspond to a binary (base-2) number system, and the presence of a mark in a position may indicate a binary state of “1,” while the absence of a mark may indicate a binary state of “0.” This is merely one example encoding scheme, however, and any other encoding scheme may be used. Further, such binary encoding schemes may be used in other types of encoded markings, such as the 4×4 array shown in  FIG. 2A , or any other two- or three-dimensional arrays, patterns, or other markings. 
     While  FIGS. 2A and 2B  show encoded markings being viewed through an upper surface ( FIG. 2A ) and a side surface ( FIG. 2B ) of the first glass member  106 , either marking may be viewed through other surfaces as well. For example, the encoded marking  115  may be viewed through the upper surface, and the encoded marking  113  may be viewed through one or more side surfaces. More particularly, a magnifying device or apparatus may be configured to view and decode either of the encoded markings through either an upper surface or a side surface. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the first glass member  106 , viewed along line C-C in  FIG. 2A , showing the relative position of the marks  200  within the bulk of the first glass member  106 . In particular, the marks  200  of the encoded marking  113  are positioned between an upper surface  300  of the first glass member  106  (e.g., the surface defining the front surface of the device  100 ) and a lower surface  302  of the first glass member  106  (e.g., a surface that is opposite the upper surface  300  and, optionally, parallel to the upper surface  300 ). The marks  200  may be positioned on or along a central plane  308  of the first glass member  106 , where the central plane  308  is parallel to and equidistant from each of the upper and lower surfaces  300 ,  302  (where the upper and lower surfaces  300 ,  302  are also parallel to one another). Positioning the marks  200  along the central plane  308  (or a neutral plane), or any other location within the glass and away from the exterior surfaces, may help protect the marks  200  from damage, fading, or other deleterious effects due to polishing, handling, strengthening, tempering, or other operations to which the glass member may be subjected. Further, by forming the marks  200  along a central plane (or neutral plane) of the first glass member  106 , any localized damage associated with the marks  200  may not significantly impact the bending strength of the glass, as the central plane may experience minimal tensile or compressive stresses due to bending of the first glass member  106  (though the marked region may experience some degree of tensile or compressive stress that is a result of a chemical strengthening process). 
     As described above, the first glass member  106  may be chemically strengthened in order to improve its strength, break resistance, toughness, or other physical properties. Chemical strengthening may be performed by placing the first glass member  106  in an ion exchange bath, which may be a bath of molten salt or some other heated solution or material. This process may result in the glass member being heated as a result of the contact between the glass member and the ion exchange bath. Under certain circumstances, heating of the glass may cause marks to change, fade, disappear, or otherwise become damaged or less visible. Accordingly, the marks  200  may be formed in a manner that allows them to remain visible and/or distinct even after chemical strengthening and any heating that may result. For example, the marks  200  may have a particular size (or fall within a particular size range) so that they are small enough to be not visible to the unaided eye, large enough to be optically detectable with a magnification apparatus, and large enough to not be healed or damaged during heating. For example, the marks  200  may have a first dimension  310  (e.g., a lateral dimension) of between about 1 micron and about 20 microns, between about 4 microns and about 10 microns, between about 5 microns and about 7 microns, or any other suitable dimension. A second dimension  312  (e.g., a depth dimension) of the marks  200  may be any suitable dimension. In some cases, the depth dimension is larger than the lateral dimension, such as about 1.5 times larger, about 2.0 times larger, about 3.0 times larger, or any other suitable size or dimension. 
     The chemical strengthening operation may result in the first glass member  106  having a first compressive stress regions  304  extending a first depth into the first glass member  106  from the upper surface  300 , and a second compressive stress region  306  extending a second depth into the first glass member  106  from the lower surface  302 . The compressive stress regions  304 ,  306  may correspond to areas of increased compressive stress due to the presence of ions in the glass material. Between the compressive stress regions  304 ,  306  may be a tensile stress region that balances out the compressive stress regions. In some cases, the marks  200  may be entirely within the tensile stress region. 
     The marks  200  may be defined by a physical change in the glass material that results in a visible marking. The physical change may include structural and/or chemical changes in the glass material. In some cases, the marks  200  may have a different index of refraction than an unmarked portion of the glass. The difference in index of refraction may be due, for example, to small voids within the glass, changes in the microstructure of the glass, discontinuities or boundaries between portions of the glass material, and/or combinations of these phenomena. Due to the difference in refractive index between the marks  200  and the surrounding glass material, the marks  200  may be optically detectable under certain conditions (e.g., under certain magnification and lighting conditions). In some cases, the marks  200  may be transparent but optically distinguishable due to the difference in index of refraction. In other cases, the light transmissivity of the material itself is changed or reduced to form the marks  200 . 
     In some cases an optional layer  314  may be applied to a surface of the first glass member  106 . The layer  314  may be an opaque or other light-blocking layer that masks or occludes components within the device that are not intended to be viewed or seen by a user of the device, such as adhesive layers, internal device components, empty space, or the like. The layer  314  may define an opaque frame or border along at least one side of a display, and optionally fully surrounding an outer perimeter of the display. The layer  314  may be on the lower surface  302  of the first glass member  106 , and it may be or may include one or more layers of ink, paint, dye, film, foil, polymer, adhesive, resin, or any other suitable material. 
     The marks  200  may be positioned in the first glass member  106  in a location that corresponds to (e.g., is above) the layer  314 , and thus away from a display region where images are viewed through the first glass member  106 . In this way, the marks  200  will not distort or otherwise interfere with the visibility or viewing of graphical objects displayed by the display. Alternatively, the marks  200  may be positioned within the display region but are small enough that they do not significantly affect the visual appearance of graphical output produced by the display. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of an example glass member  400  that includes two encoded markings at different depths within the glass member  400 . The glass member  400  may be an embodiment of the first glass member  106 . As such, details of the first glass member  106  may be equally applicable to the glass member  400  and for brevity will not be repeated here. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the glass member  400  may include a first encoded marking  402  and a second encoded marking  404 . The first and second encoded markings  402 ,  404  may be the same as or similar to other encoded markings described herein. The first and second encoded markings  402 ,  404  may be positioned within a tensile stress region of the glass member  400  and at or near a central plane  414 , between upper and lower compressive stress regions  410 ,  412 . The first and second encoded markings  402 ,  404  may encode the same information, or they may encode different information. 
     The first encoded marking  402  may be positioned at a first depth below an upper surface  406  of the glass member  400 , and the second encoded marking  404  may be positioned at a second depth below the upper surface  406 . In some cases, the first encoded marking  402  is configured to be viewed through the upper surface  406  and the second encoded marking  404  is configured to be viewed through a lower surface  408 . A magnifying apparatus may be configured to focus on only one of the encoded markings  402 ,  404  (e.g., by targeting its focus distance to the depth of the target marking) so that the other encoded marking is not visible or otherwise does not interfere with viewing or imaging the target encoded marking. 
     A complete encoded marking may be formed at a single location on a device, as described with respect to the encoded marking  113 . In other cases, an encoded marking may be segmented into multiple groups of marks (each corresponding to a partial encoded marking) that are set apart from one another. This may decrease the visibility of the marks to observers, and may afford an additional level of informational security, as it may be harder to find and decode the encoded marking when it is segmented and distributed among multiple partial markings. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of an example device  500  with a glass member  502 . The device  500  may be an embodiment of the device  100  and the glass member  502  may be an embodiment of the first glass member  106 , and details of those components may apply equally or by analogy to the device  500  and glass member  502 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , an encoded marking may be segmented into multiple groups  506  of marks. As shown there are four groups  506  of marks (e.g., groups  506 - 1 ,  506 - 2 ,  506 - 3 , and  506 - 4 ), though any other number of groups may be used (e.g., two groups, three groups, five groups, etc.). Each mark in the groups  506  of marks may be the same as or similar to the marks  200  or any other marks described herein. 
     The groups  506  may be separated from one another by a distance that is greater than a distance between individual marks in a single group  506 . That is, if the marks in a single group of marks are set apart from adjacent marks by a distance between about 1 and about 100 microns, the groups  506  may be set apart from one another by greater than 100 microns. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the glass member  502  defines a shape with four corners  508  (e.g., a rectangle, though other shapes are also possible), and each of the groups  506  of marks is positioned proximate a respective one of the corners  508 . Each group  506  is shown positioned in an opaque region  504  of the glass member  502 , where the opaque region  504  may be defined by an ink layer (or other opaque treatment or material) on the glass member  502 . 
     The groups  506  of marks may be undecipherable individually. For example, an encoding scheme may specify a 4×4 array of potential mark locations to encode information. Desired information may be encoded into the 4×4 array format, and then the resulting 4×4 array may be segmented into four 2×2 sub-arrays (e.g., the groups of marks  506 ) and distributed among different locations on a glass member. In order to decode the information from the groups  506  of marks, a magnifying imaging device may capture images of each group, form a composite 4×4 array from the groups, and decode the 4×4 array. In this way, a single array that encodes some information may be segmented into sub-arrays, where the sub-arrays are not independently decodable or otherwise do not convey all of the information in the array. In other cases, each group of marks corresponds to a self-contained encoding format that can be decoded independently of the other groups. In such cases, the encoded information represented by the groups may be combined after decoding to retrieve desired information. For example, one group may represent the first two digits of a serial number, another group may represent the next two digits of the serial number, and so forth. 
     As described above, marks for encoded markings may be formed by directing a laser into a glass member prior to chemical strengthening the glass member. In order to form the mark within the glass material, it may be necessary for a laser beam to pass through one of the surfaces of the glass member and focus at a target location within a glass member.  FIG. 6A  illustrates an example glass member  600  during a marking operation. In particular, a laser source  602  is directing a laser beam  604  through an upper surface  601  of the glass member  600 . The laser beam  604  is focusing at a target location  608  (which may be along a central plane  606  (or neutral plane) of the glass member  600 ). In this example, the upper surface  601  of the glass member  600  is sufficiently smooth so that the laser beam  604  is able to pass through the surface  601  and focus at the target location  608 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates another example glass member  610  during a marking operation. In this example, the glass member  610  has a surface  611  that has a roughness or texture or other surface irregularity that would prevent a laser beam from effectively passing through the surface  611  and focusing at a target location. Such surface irregularities may be present in cases where, for example, it is desirable for a glass member to be marked prior to a polishing operation. Accordingly, where such surface irregularities exist, an index-matching material  613  may be applied to the surface  611  prior to directing a laser beam  614  (from a laser source  612 ) into the glass member  610 . The index-matching material may have a same or similar index of refraction as the glass of the glass member  610 , thereby preventing the laser light from reflecting, refracting, scattering, or otherwise being interfered with at the interface between the irregular surface  611  and the index-matching material  613 . Accordingly, the laser beam  614  can focus at the target location  618  to form the mark at the desired location. The index matching material may be a liquid such as an oil, mineral spirits, or any other suitable liquid that has the same or a substantially similar index of refraction as the glass material of the glass member. 
     After the glass member  610  is marked with the laser beam  614 , the index matching material may be removed. In some cases, further processing may take place, such as a polishing operation to remove or reduce the surface irregularity of the surface  611 , a chemical strengthening operation, or the like. By applying the marking before operations like polishing and chemical strengthening, information about those operations may be more easily associated with the glass member via the information in the encoded marking. For example, and as described in more detail herein, before or after a polishing operation, a glass member may be visually inspected to detect and decode an encoded marking to identify a unique identifier of that glass member. Information about the polishing operation may then be associated with the unique identifier (e.g., in a database or other computer system). The information may include information such as the duration of the polishing operation, an initial roughness value, a final roughness value, a type of polishing compound, and so forth. Subsequent operations may proceed similarly, with the encoded marking being decoded before and/or after processing operations so that additional information about the processing operations may be associated with the unique identifier. Such information may be valuable, for example, for process optimization, quality control audits, and the like. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example processing workflow for marking, singulating, and strengthening glass covers according to the instant disclosure. At operation  701 , a mother sheet  700  may be formed or otherwise obtained. The mother sheet  700  may be sized to produce multiple glass members  702  (e.g., which may be embodiments of the first glass member  106 ,  FIG. 1A ). While  FIG. 7  shows broken lines indicating the borders of the glass members  702 , these are for illustrative purposes and the mother sheet  700  need not include any markings or other features corresponding to the borders. 
     At operation  703 , the mother sheet  700  may be laser marked with encoded markings  704 . The encoded markings  704  may be formed within the glass sheet, as described herein (e.g., at or near a central plane between the upper and lower surfaces of the mother sheet  700 ). The information encoded in the encoded markings  704  may be unique, such that no two glass members will have the same encoded marking. The encoded markings  704  may be formed using techniques described herein (e.g., with a laser, and optionally using an index-matching material), and may have the properties and/or features of any encoded markings described herein. 
     At operation  705 , the glass members  702  are singulated from the mother sheet with a cutting operation such as laser cutting, scoring and breaking, or any other suitable operation. At operation  707 , one of the marked glass members  702  is subjected to a strengthening operation. For example, as shown, the marked glass member  702  is placed in an ion exchange bath  708 . The ion exchange bath  708  may include molten salt having a temperature above an ambient temperature. For example, the molten salt bath may have a temperature above 300° C., above 400° C., or otherwise be heated to a temperature that is above ambient temperature and may have a significant impact on a physical or chemical property of the glass. Thus, when the marked glass member  702  is placed in the molten salt bath, it is heated as a result of the contact between the bath and the glass. As noted above, the marking  704  may be configured so that it does not fade or become damaged as a result of the heating from the ion exchange bath. Other strengthening techniques may be used in addition to or instead of the ion exchange bath, such as thermal tempering, additional ion exchange operations, application of ion exchange pastes or liquids (e.g., without submersion into a bath), or the like. Where strengthening is achieved with ion exchange baths, the bath may include any suitable material and may be configured to exchange or implant any suitable type of ion or other material into the glass (e.g., potassium ions, sodium ions, etc.). 
     At operation  709 , the glass member  702  is removed from the ion exchange bath, resulting in a chemically strengthened glass member  706  with an optically detectable encoded marking  704 . In some cases, the strengthened glass member  706  (and optionally the singulated but un-strengthened glass member  702 ) may be optically analyzed to detect the encoded marking and ensure that it is detectable and decodable (e.g., that it has not been damaged or become unreadable). If an encoded marking is determined to be unreadable, undecodable, or otherwise does not pass a quality standard, the glass member may be rejected (e.g., discarded and/or not incorporated into a device). 
     While  FIG. 7  illustrates one example sequence of processing operations, this is merely one example sequence. In various embodiments, more, fewer, or different operations may be used. For example, one or more polishing operations may be performed on the mother sheet  700  prior to or after a laser marking operation, more or different chemical strengthening operations may be performed, and the like. As another example, chemical strengthening may be performed on a mother sheet  700  after laser marking but before singulation of individual glass members. Other variations are also contemplated. 
       FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate example techniques for optically analyzing an encoded glass member. Optical analysis of an encoded glass member may be used to validate the presence and readability of the encoded marking after laser marking, strengthening, and/or polishing operations. Optical analysis may also be performed on complete devices that include marked glass members. For example, if a device is returned to the manufacturer for repair, the manufacturer may optically analyze the encoded marking to determine information about the glass member or the overall device. In some cases, the information represented by the encoded marking acts as a unique identifier of an entire device, and information about many aspects of the device may have been associated with the unique identifier. 
       FIG. 8A  shows an example optical analysis system  800 . The optical analysis system  800  includes an optical magnification apparatus  806  that is configured to magnify, focus on, and capture images of encoded markings. The optical magnification apparatus  806  may be capable of magnification levels of 100×, 200×, 400×, 500×, 1000×, or any other suitable magnification levels. The optical magnification apparatus  806  may include lenses, image sensors, light sources, and any other suitable components. The optical analysis system  800  may also include one or more light sources configured to direct light into the glass member to aid the optical analysis system in focusing on and capturing images of encoded markings. 
     The optical analysis system  800  also includes a fixture  808  for securing a glass member  802  with an encoded marking  804 . More particularly, the fixture  808  may cause the glass member  802  to be held fixed in a location where the encoded marking  804  is aligned with the imaging path of the optical magnification apparatus  806 . In this way, simply placing the glass member  802  in the fixture  808  may result in the encoded marking being correctly aligned for optical analysis and imaging of the encoded marking  804 . Once the glass member  802  is placed in the fixture  808 , the optical magnification apparatus  806  may locate, focus on, and optionally capture an image of the encoded marking  804 . The optical magnification apparatus  806  may decode the encoded marking  804  and provide the decoded information to an operator and/or to another system for further analysis and/or to retrieve information associated with the encoded marking  804 . 
       FIG. 8A  shows an optical analysis system  800  that is configured to optically detect encoded markings through an upper surface of the glass member. Optical analysis systems may have different configurations for viewing and/or analyzing encoded markings that are intended to be viewed through different surfaces. For example,  FIG. 8B  shows an example optical analysis system  810  that is configured to view markings through a side surface of a glass member. Like the optical analysis system  800 , the optical analysis system  810  includes a fixture  818  that positions a glass member  812  (with an encoded marking  814 ) so that an optical magnification apparatus  816  is aligned with and can readily locate, focus on, and optionally capture an image of the encoded marking  814  through a side surface of the glass member  812 . 
     While  FIGS. 8A-8B  illustrate bare glass members in the fixtures, in some cases the optical analysis systems are configured to receive and align other objects that include the glass members. For example, the fixtures may be configured to receive complete devices (e.g., tablet computers, mobile phones, wearable devices such as watches), portions of devices (e.g., the upper or “display” portion of a notebook computer), mother sheets, glass members held in processing fixtures or holders, and so forth. The fixtures may be configured to align the devices so that the encoded marking is properly positioned for optical analysis, as described above. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart of an example method  900  for forming a glass member with an encoded marking. At operation  902 , glass is exposed to a laser to form a laser-formed encoded marking within the glass member. As described above, laser forming the encoded marking may include directing a laser beam through at least one surface of the glass member and focusing the beam to form the encoded marking at a location between an upper and a lower surface of the glass member. The encoded marking may include a group of discrete marks each having a dimension between about 3 microns and about 10 microns. The discrete marks may be arranged in a pattern that corresponds to a two-dimensional array, where the two-dimensional array is defined or generated by encoding a unique identifier into the two-dimensional array. 
     The operation of laser forming the encoded marking may also include applying an index-matching material to a surface of the glass member, and directing the laser beam through the index-matching material and through the upper surface of the glass member to form the encoded marking. The encoded marking produced via the laser marking operation may be configured to survive heating, strengthening, polishing, grinding, and/or other operations. 
     At operation  902 , after laser forming the encoded marking, the glass member is chemically strengthened. Chemically strengthening may include placing the glass member in an ion exchange bath, and while the glass member is in the ion exchange bath, heating the glass member as a result of contact between the glass member and the ion exchange bath. In some cases, the glass member may be heated above a particular temperature, such as above 300° C. 
     At operation  904 , after removing the glass member from the ion exchange bath, the glass member may be optically analyzed to optically detect the encoded marking. Optically analyzing the glass member may include placing the glass member in a fixture (e.g., the fixtures  808 ,  818 ,  FIGS. 8A-8B ) configured to position the encoded marking in a fixed position relative to an optical magnification apparatus (e.g., the optical magnification apparatuses  806 ,  816 ), and capturing an image of the encoded marking with the optical magnification apparatus. 
     As noted above, the encoded marking may be decoded by an optical analysis system (with or without a persistent image file being saved) to extract information from the encoded marking, and the information extracted from the encoded marking may be associated with data relating to the glass member. For example, information about processes to which the glass member has been subjected may be associated with the information from the encoded marking. 
     After chemical strengthening the glass member, an opaque coating may be applied to at least a portion of a lower surface of the glass member, thereby defining an opaque region of the glass member that may, for example, frame or border a display. In other cases, the opaque coating may be applied to the entire glass member, such as where the glass member does not cover a display or otherwise need to allow underlying displays or components to be viewed therethrough. 
       FIG. 10  depicts an example schematic diagram of an electronic device  1000 . By way of example, the device  1000  of  FIG. 10  may correspond to the electronic device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  (or any other electronic device described herein). To the extent that multiple functionalities, operations, and structures are disclosed as being part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device  1000 , it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all such described functionalities, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the device  1000  may have some, none, or all of the various capabilities, apparatuses, physical features, modes, and operating parameters discussed herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , a device  1000  includes a processing unit  1002  operatively connected to computer memory  1004  and/or computer-readable media  1006 . The processing unit  1002  may be operatively connected to the memory  1004  and computer-readable media  1006  components via an electronic bus or bridge. The processing unit  1002  may include one or more computer processors or microcontrollers that are configured to perform operations in response to computer-readable instructions. The processing unit  1002  may include the central processing unit (CPU) of the device. Additionally or alternatively, the processing unit  1002  may include other processors within the device including application specific integrated chips (ASIC) and other microcontroller devices. 
     The memory  1004  may include a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, including, for example, read access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory  1004  is configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements. Computer-readable media  1006  also includes a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media including, for example, a hard-drive storage device, a solid-state storage device, a portable magnetic storage device, or other similar device. The computer-readable media  1006  may also be configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements. 
     In this example, the processing unit  1002  is operable to read computer-readable instructions stored on the memory  1004  and/or computer-readable media  1006 . The computer-readable instructions may adapt the processing unit  1002  to perform operations or functions of the device  1000 . The computer-readable instructions may be provided as a computer-program product, software application, or the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the device  1000  also includes a display  1008 . The display  1008  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, light emitting diode (LED) display, or the like. If the display  1008  is an LCD, the display  1008  may also include a backlight component that can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness. If the display  1008  is an OLED or LED type display, the brightness of the display  1008  may be controlled by modifying the electrical signals that are provided to display elements. The display  1008  may be activated during an optical analysis operation to help illuminate an encoded marking or otherwise aid in the optical detection and optional imaging of an encoded marking. The display  1008  may correspond to any of the displays shown or described herein. 
     The device  1000  may also include a battery  1009  that is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the device  1000 . The battery  1009  may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery  1009  may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the device  1000 . The battery  1009  may store received power so that the device  1000  may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days. 
     In some embodiments, the device  1000  includes one or more input devices  1010 . An input device  1010  is a device that is configured to receive user input. The one or more input devices  1010  may include, for example, a crown input system, a push button, a touch-activated button, a keyboard, a key pad, or the like (including any combination of these or other components). In some embodiments, the input device  1010  may provide a dedicated or primary function, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, home buttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. 
     The device  1000  may also include a touch sensor  1020  that is configured to determine a location of a touch on a touch-sensitive surface of the device  1000  (e.g., an input surface defined by the portion of a glass member that covers a display). The touch sensor  1020  may use or include capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors, piezoelectric sensors, strain gauges, or the like. In some cases the touch sensor  1020  associated with a touch-sensitive surface of the device  1000  may include a capacitive array of electrodes or nodes that operate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance or self-capacitance scheme. The touch sensor  1020  may be integrated with one or more layers of a display stack (e.g., the display assembly  111 ) to provide the touch-sensing functionality of a touchscreen. 
     The device  1000  may also include a force sensor  1022  that is configured to receive and/or detect force inputs applied to a user input surface of the device  1000  (e.g., the display  109 ). The force sensor  1022  may use or include capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors, piezoelectric sensors, strain gauges, or the like. In some cases, the force sensor  1022  may include or be coupled to capacitive sensing elements that facilitate the detection of changes in relative positions of the components of the force sensor (e.g., deflections caused by a force input). The force sensor  1022  may be integrated with one or more layers of a display stack (e.g., the display assembly  111 ) to provide force-sensing functionality of a touchscreen. 
     The device  1000  may also include a communication port  1028  that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals or electrical communication from an external or separate device. The communication port  1028  may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable, adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, the communication port  1028  may be used to couple the device  1000  to an accessory, including a dock or case, a stylus or other input device, smart cover, smart stand, keyboard, or other device configured to send and/or receive electrical signals. 
     Devices such as those described herein (e.g., wearable electronic devices, electronic watches, smartphones, tablets, etc.) may gather and use data from and/or about a user. It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information (such as information from or about a user or the user&#39;s environment and that is stored on or accessible by a device) should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Also, when used herein to refer to positions of components, the terms above and below, or their synonyms, do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative to an external reference, but instead refer to the relative position of components with reference to the figures.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190813
Publication Date: 20220412
Grant Date: 20220412
Priority Date: 20190513
Inventors: LI, MICHAEL M.
MEMERING, DALE N.
Van Dyke, Matthew N.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C23/0025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C21/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C23/0025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C21/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C23/0025", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C21/002", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 73228444