PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8953116-B2
Application Number: US-201213475567-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Media player with machined window undercut and transparent wall disposed therein

Abstract:
A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a transparent wall comprising flanges; and 
 a housing comprising:
 an exterior surface; 
 an interior surface; and 
 an opening extending through the exterior surface to the interior surface, 
 
 wherein:
 the opening defines a third surface between the exterior surface and the interior surface; and 
 the third surface varies in width around the opening and comprises thin portions; 
 each of the flanges is configured to mate with a respective portion of the interior surface adjacent to the thin portions; and 
 each of the flanges is mated with the respective portion of the interior surface with an adhesive, 
 
 wherein a vertical gap is formed between an outer side surface of the flanges and the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises four sides. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the four sides comprises at least one thin portion. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is circular. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is unitarily formed. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the thin portions is cut out from the interior surface of the housing a cutting tool inserted through the opening. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive that mates each of the flanges with the respective portion of the interior surface comprises an adhesive strip. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive that mates each of the flanges with the respective portion of the interior surface comprises an adhesive deposit. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display screen disposed adjacent to the transparent wall and viewable through the opening. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is configured to fill additional cavities formed between the flange and the interior surface of the housing. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device comprising:
 a transparent wall comprising flanges; and 
 a housing comprising:
 an exterior surface; 
 an interior surface; and 
 an opening extending through the exterior surface to the interior surface, 
 
 wherein:
 the opening defines a third surface between the exterior surface and the interior surface; 
 the third surface varies in width around the opening to accommodate the flanges; and 
 each of the flanges is coupled with a respective portion of the interior surface, 
 
 wherein a gap is formed between an outer side surface of the flanges and the housing and the housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the transparent wall comprises:
 four sides, each of the four sides comprising one of the flanges; and 
 four corners, wherein the four sides and the four corners collectively form a periphery of the transparent wall. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the flanges is coupled with the respective portion of the interior surface with an adhesive. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein: the housing is a unibody housing; and the variation in the width of the third surface around the opening is formed by a tool inserted through the opening. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a transparent wall comprising flanges; and 
 a housing comprising:
 an opening defined by a surface; and 
 notches formed in the surface to accept the flanges such that each of the flanges is coupled with a respective portion of the housing, 
 
 wherein a gap is formed between an outer side surface of the flanges and the housing and the housing. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the transparent wall comprises; straight portions; and corners connecting the straight portions, wherein each flange extends from a respective straight portion. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein each of the flanges is mated with a respective portion of an interior surface of the housing with an adhesive, and wherein the adhesive is configured to fill additional gaps formed between the flange and the interior surface of the housing. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the opening comprises: straight portions; and corners connecting the straight portions, wherein each notch is provided in a respective straight portion. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the gap is partially filled with adhesive. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the opening is in the shape of a parallelogram with rounded corners. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the transparent wall is flush with the exterior surface and a bottom surface of the transparent wall is flush with portions of the interior surface. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein a top surface of the transparent wall is flush with the exterior surface and a bottom surface of the transparent wall is flush with portions of the interior surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/840,998, filed Jul. 21, 2010, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/519,285, filed Sep. 11, 2006 and later abandoned, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention can relate to methods that improve construction of electronic devices. More specifically, this invention can relate to improving the efficiency of an electronic device stored in a closed-back housing. 
     As products compete to be thinner and thinner, it is important to be as space efficient as possible both to make room for other components as well as to improve and ease the assembly process as much as possible. 
     In conventional closed-back products, the window normally sits flat on the interior of the housing surface, so no space is saved. More specifically, the window flange simply sits on top of the housing&#39;s inner surface. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to increase the volume available for storing components in an electronic device without increasing the device size. 
     It would also be desirable to increase the volume available for components in a closed-back electronic device. 
     It would be yet further desirable to increase the volume available for storing electronic components in an electronic device while substantially maintaining the structural integrity of the device and attendant level of protection provided to the components. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A trend exists in the computer industry to reduce size, weight and thickness of electronic devices. Typically, any computer part that can be made smaller is made smaller to accommodate this trend. By way of example, the wall thickness of the computer housing has been made thinner over the years. In most instances, decreased wall thickness reduces the overall thickness and weight of the computer, both of which are desired to make a portable computer more portable. 
     Nevertheless, making the outer structure thinner to reduce computer weight and thickness has its drawbacks. As a general rule, thicker walls mean stronger walls. Thus, as the walls are thinned, the enclosure becomes more flexible. Consequently, the thinner outer structure can not offer enough support to protect the internal components of the computer. Even when the thinner outer structure is strong enough to protect the internal components, users who have come to expect rigid structures can be unsatisfied. 
     Moreover, recently, computer housing designs have been implemented in more complex shapes. These complex designs can create structural problems that result in even more flexible outer shells. The complex shapes can be contoured or curvilinear, which generally reduces the overall strength of the computer housing. The complex shapes also make it increasingly difficult to provide any internal support to offset these problems. 
     One embodiment of the invention may be directed to reducing the thickness in the housing in a region surrounding an opening through which a display screen may be viewed. Normally, this display screen is protected by a transparent wall. The transparent wall typically is adhered to the interior surface of the housing around the opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing around the opening is reduced in thickness so a flange of the wall can be placed in the housing. In this embodiment the transparent wall may be flush with the interior surface of the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the transparent wall may be flush with the exterior surface of the housing as well. 
     One purpose of the machined window undercut feature according to the invention is to maximize the space available for the electronics in the z-axis without sacrificing the strength of the housing. In fact the machined window undercut may, in certain embodiments, enhance the strength of the design. 
     Furthermore, the undercut feature can allow for a higher capacity (thicker) battery and taller components on the main logic board. The extra space can also make assembly of the electronics into the housing simpler and more efficient. Such space is especially important in selected models of the iPod™ device manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. This is because all the components can be installed through the top (or bottom) of the product in this closed-back device and more space in along the z-axis—i.e., the axis that runs vertically, toward the viewer, when the viewer looks into the screen of the device—maybe necessary. 
     The undercut window feature according to the invention can be created by machining a recess in the area where the window will mate with the inside of the housing. Because this product has a closed-back cosmetic housing, a special cutter may be needed to create this recess feature. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the housing for the device is extruded aluminum. The recess for the window can be cut just deep enough to allow the housing to maintain its minimum wall thickness—i.e., the wall thickness necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the device and to sufficiently protect the internal components—in that area. The window can then be adhered to the housing in this recess, thereby saving space along the z-axis. 
     Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention can facilitate manufacturing electronic devices having certain housing designs such as closed backs. While conventional close-back device may present manufacturing issues, the housing of the electronic device may help to alleviate these issues, as described above, by allowing more space in the z-axis. 
     A media player comprising a display screen is also provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall and using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player. The method can also include adhering the transparent wall to the housing the adhesive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a media player that may be designed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the screen portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is cross-sectional taken from line A-A of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded portion taken from line B-B of the cross-sectional shown in  FIG. 3  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a media player housing and special cutter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a side plan view taken from line C-C of a media player housing and special cutter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  an exploded portion similar to the exploded portion shown in  FIG. 4  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart describing a method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart describing another method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the screen portion of a media player in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken from line D-D of the screen portion in  FIG. 12  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of a media player  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The term “media player” generally refers to computing devices that are dedicated to processing media such as audio, video or other images, as for example, music players, game players, video players, video recorders, cameras, and the like. In some cases, the media players contain single functionality (e.g., a media player dedicated to playing music) and in other cases the media players contain multiple functionality (e.g., a media player that plays music, displays video, stores pictures and the like). In either case, these devices are generally portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. 
     In one embodiment, the media player can be a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket of the user. By being pocket sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a laptop or notebook computer). For example, in the case of a music player, a user can use the device while working out at the gym. In case of a camera, a user can use the device while mountain climbing. In the case of a game player, the user can use the device while traveling in a car. Furthermore, the device can be operated by the users&#39; hands; no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. In the illustrated embodiment, the media player  100  is a pocket sized hand held MP3 music player that allows a user to store a large collection of music. Although used primarily for storing and playing music, the MP3 music player shown herein can also include additional functionality such as storing a calendar and phone lists, storing and playing games, storing photos and the like. In fact, in some cases, it can act as a highly transportable storage device. 
     Electronic device  10  can also be any miniature consumer electronic device. Miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held devices. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, or combinations thereof. 
     By way of example, the MP3 music player can correspond to the iPod™ MP3 player manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif. One pocket-sized IPod™ has a width of about 2.4 inches, a height of about 4 inches and depths ranging from about 0.72 to about 0.84 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , media player  100   FIG. 1  also shows housing  102 , display screen  104 , scroll wheel  110 , concave-faced upper non-plastic portion of center button  112 , that can be used for user navigation through a user interface, holdswitch  114 , and earphone jack  116  of media player. Housing  102  can host center button  112 , and can in fact be configured to retain scroll wheel  110  in its position in the media player. Navigation can be implemented in the form of transmission of user instructions in response to user stimulus on scroll wheel  110 . 
     In addition, housing  102  can also define the shape or form of the media player. That is, the contour of housing  102  can embody the outward physical appearance of media player  100 . The integrated circuit chips and other circuitry contained within the housing can include a microprocessor (e.g., CPU), memory (e.g., ROM, RAM), a power supply (e.g., battery), a circuit board, a hard drive, other memory (e.g., flash) and/or various input/output (I/O) support circuitry. The electrical components can also include components for inputting or outputting music or sound such as a microphone, amplifier and a digital signal processor (DSP). The electrical components can also include components for capturing images such as image sensors (e.g., charge coupled device (CCD) or complimentary oxide semiconductor (CMOS)) or optics (e.g., lenses, splitters, filters). The electrical components can also include components for sending and receiving media (e.g., antenna, receiver, transmitter, transceiver, etc.). 
     In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the media player  100  includes display screen  104  and related circuitry. Display screen  104  is used to display a graphical user interface as well as other information to the user (e.g., text, objects, graphics). By way of example, display screen  104  can be a liquid crystal display (LCD). As shown, display screen  104  is visible to a user of media player  100  through an opening  105  in housing  102 , and through transparent wall  106  (alternatively referred to herein as “a window”) that is disposed in front of opening  105 . Although generally transparent, transparent wall  106  can form part of the housing  102  because it helps to define the shape or form of media player  100  and, in some embodiments of the invention, can form a substantially contiguous surface of the media player together with housing  102 . 
     As mentioned above, media player  100  also includes scroll wheel  110 . Scroll wheel  110  generally consists of touchable outer surface  111  for receiving a finger for manipulation on scroll wheel  110 . 
     The position of display screen  104  and scroll wheel  110  relative to housing  102  can be widely varied. For example, they can be placed at any external surface (e.g., top, side, front, or back) of housing  102  that is accessible to a user during manipulation of media player  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, scroll wheel  110  is located in a lower, front area of housing  102 . Furthermore, transparent wall  106  can be recessed below, level with, or extend above the surface of housing  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, transparent wall  106  is substantially flush with the external surface of housing  102 . 
     The shape of display screen  104  and transparent wall  106  can also be widely varied. For example, they can be circular, rectangular, triangular, and the like. In general, the outer perimeter of the shaped scroll wheel defines the working boundary of the scroll wheel. In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , display screen  104  is rectangular and scroll wheel  110  is circular. 
     In addition, media player  100  can also include one or more buttons  112  configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions, such as for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating media player  100 . Media player  100  can also include hold switch  114 . Media player can also include headphone jack  116  and a data port (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of display screen  204  of media player  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  shows screen  204  following assembly of the media player. The following figures showing internal views of the media player either during assembly of the media player according to the invention or following assembly of the media player according to the invention.  FIG. 2  also shows opening  205  as well as transparent wall  206 . 
     As noted above with respect to  FIG. 1 , display screen  204  is visible to a user of media player  100  through opening  205  in housing  102 , and through transparent wall  206  that is disposed in front of opening  205 . Although transparent, transparent wall  206  can be considered part of housing  102  because it helps to define the shape or form of media player  100 . In fact, as described above, display screen  204 , can be implemented flush with housing  102  which may provide advantages such to prevent the collection of dirt and/or dust in media player  100  and to prevent media player  100  from catching on to other surfaces. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional taken from line A-A of  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  shows undercut areas  302  and  304  in housing  305 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows transparent wall  306 .  FIG. 3  also shows flange  308  of transparent wall  306 . In an embodiment of the invention, undercut areas  302  and  304  are adapted to allow flange  308  to rest against undercut areas and to be adhered thereto. In conventional media players, transparent wall would rest on the housing without the undercut areas. This arrangement would take all the space of the thickness of the window away from the inner space in the housing. Thus, the space available for inner electronic components and other components along the z-axis of the media player was reduced. However, in a structure according to the invention as shown in  FIG. 4 , available volume along the z-axis is increased. 
     It should be noted that if transparent wall  306  is implemented without a flange—i.e., as a flat piece of transparent material—then surface of media player will no longer be flush in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  but rather can dip in at transparent wall until the point at which the cutout portion allows transparent wall  306  to abut. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exploded portion taken from line B-B of the cross-sectional shown in  FIG. 3  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 4  shows transparent wall  402 . Wall  402  can incorporate a step so as to mate with undercut  406 .  FIG. 4  also shows adhesive  404  for adhering wall  402  to housing  408 . 
     Undercut  406  allows wall  402  to sit higher in housing  408 . This relationship makes more room for internal components. 
     This relationship also improves ease of assembly in closed-back devices such as iPod™ media players. This relationship improves ease of assembly because closed-back devices can typically only be assembled from the top, the bottom or the opening in the face of the housing. As described above, the closed-back of a device typically limits the access to the internal components once they have been inserted in the device. This can make assembly of the device more challenging. 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player according to the invention.  FIG. 5  shows housing  508 , transparent wall  502  and adhesive  504 . Alternative configurations of adhesive  504  are described in more detail in  FIG. 8  below. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of a media player housing and special cutter according to the invention.  FIG. 6  shows opening  605  in housing  602 , customize cutter  606  for cutting undercut  607  into the underside of housing  602 . Undercut  607  is shown in dotted line because it is not visible from a top plan view of the outside of housing  602 . 
     It should be noted that the dimension in the x and y axes of undercut  607  can be determined by the radius of cutter  606 . This is because, in one embodiment of a method according to the invention, cutter  606  can be lowered through opening  605  and then used to cut undercut  607  into the underside of the top surface of housing  602 . Furthermore, the sharpness of the corners of undercut  607  will also be determined by the radius of cutter  606 . Thus a mathematical relationship is obtained between the radius of the corners of undercut  607  and the radius of cutter  606  to produce relatively smooth corners as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The mathematical relationship may include the width of the undercut required to present a sufficient surface onto which the transparent wall flange can be adhered, the radius of the cutting head in order to allow the cutting ahead to reach the required width in the undercut while the shaft of the cutting tool does not interfere with the ledge of the opening, and the radius of the shaft. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side plan view taken from line C-C of  FIG. 6  of a media player housing  702  and customized cutter  706  according to the invention. Cutter  706  comprises cutter shaft  709  and cutter head  708 .  FIG. 7  also shows cut out portion  710  of an undercut according to the invention. Thus,  FIG. 7  shows one side of an undercut according to the invention. 
       FIG. 8  shows an exploded portion similar to  FIG. 5 . All the elements of  FIG. 8  are the same as in  FIG. 5  with the single difference being the shape and orientation of adhesive  804 . In  FIG. 8 , adhesive  804  fills the additional cavities between wall  802  and the undercut (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) in housing  808  as well as at least partially the vertical gap (illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  9 ) between housing  808  and wall  802 . This additional adhesive can provide additional structural reinforcement and enhance the strength of the bond between wall  802  and housing  808 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded portion similar to  FIG. 4 . All the elements of  FIG. 9  are the same as in  FIG. 4  with the single difference being the shape and orientation of adhesive  904 . In  FIG. 9 , adhesive  904  fills the additional cavities between wall  902  and undercut  906  as well as the additional vertical wall between housing  908  and wall  902 . As described above, this additional adhesive can provide additional structural reinforcement and enhance the strength of the bond between wall  902  and housing  908 . 
     In some embodiments of the invention, adhesive  904  can be disposed both above undercut  906  and below undercut  906 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Alternatively, adhesive  904  may be disposed in either one direction—i.e., above or below undercut  906  but not both above and below undercut  906 . Of course, the specific application of adhesive may be dictated based on manufacturing requirements. Other additional applications of adhesives may include applying adhesives as round dots or by other suitable application technique. 
       FIG. 10  shows a method according to the invention. Step  1010  shows forming a housing for storing components of a media player. Step  1020  shows forming an opening in one of the faces of the housing or, alternatively, molding a media player having an opening from a suitable material such as carbon fiber. Step  1030  shows the optional step of maintaining the face that opposes the face in which the opening was formed as a closed face. Step  1040  shows providing a cutting tool through the opening that was formed in step  1020 . Step  1050  shows using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of the housing that surrounds the opening. It should be noted that if the media player was molded, the undercut could be provided as part of the molding process. 
       FIG. 11  shows another portion of a method according to the invention. Step  1110  shows forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player.  FIG. 1120  shows adhering an adhesive to either at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall or to a cutout portion of the housing of the media player. This step is drawn in dotted line to emphasize that the adhesive could be applied to either the wall or the housing. 
     Step  1130  shows placing the transparent wall through one end in the housing. Step  1140  shows adhering the transparent wall to one the housing the adhesive. 
       FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  shows display screen  1204  as it can be seen through transparent wall  1206 . Furthermore, opening  1205  is where screen  1204  can be viewed. However, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , overcut  1207  is implemented on the top side of housing  1202  instead of the underside. 
     With respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the corners of overcut  1207  can be made to have a substantially smaller radius than the corners of undercut  607  shown in  FIG. 6 . This can be due to the fact that a cutting tool used to implement overcut  1207  does not require a large radius because it does not have to cut deep within the opening while preserving the edge of the opening as does cutter  606  shown in  FIG. 6 . Rather, a cutter having a substantially smaller radius can be used because the cutter can be directed to exactly the portion being cut instead of having to reach under the ledge of the opening, as shown and described in more detail in  FIG. 6 . Thus, a cutter used to implement overcut  1207  can include a radius, or even a diameter, that is smaller than the width of overcut  1207 , while cutter  606  may comprise a radius that may be even double the size or more than the width of undercut  607 . 
     It should also be noted that if transparent wall  1206  is implemented without a flange (not shown)—i.e., as a flat piece of transparent material—then surface of media player can present a surface that is flush with housing  1202 . Nevertheless, the thickness of wall  1206  will be less and, as such, may not provide the level of protection to a display screen that a thicker transparent wall, implementable by using a flanged, or stepped, transparent wall, may provide. 
       FIG. 13  also shows the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13  shows this embodiment from line D-D of  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 13  shows wall  1306  and overcut  1307 . In  FIG. 13 , wall  1306  may be adhered to the housing without having to put wall  1306  into housing. Rather, wall  1306  can be adhered directly onto overcut  1307  with an adhesive similar to any of the embodiments described above with respect to the adhesive being adhered to the undercut as shown, for example, in  FIG. 5  and/or  FIG. 8 . 
     The methods according to the invention can preferably implemented by a combination of hardware and software, but can also be implemented in hardware or software. The method can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, hard drive, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the undercut portion of the housing or the overcut portion of the housing may be implemented wherever another element such as the audio jack  116 , the holdswitch  114  (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 1 ) or any other suitable element of the media player is mounted on the housing of the media player. In each of these implementations, methods or structures according to the invention may be used to reduce the internal volume within the media player required to mount the element. 
     In an additional embodiment of the invention, as shown in  FIG. 14 , portion  1402 , or other portions, of the cutout can be left at the original thickness. In order to mate transparent wall  1404  with housing  1406 , transparent wall  1404  and adhesive  1405  may be designed accordingly. As shown in  FIG. 14 , adhesive  1405  may be applied in multiple strips or deposits. The number of strips or deposits of adhesive can depend on the shape and arrangement of the multiple cutouts in housing  1406 . 
     It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein-above are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention. 
     Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120518
Publication Date: 20150210
Grant Date: 20150210
Priority Date: 20060911
Inventors: WEBER DOUGLAS JOSEPH
MOOLSINTONG PINIDA JAN
ZADESKY STEPHEN P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0239", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1062", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1064", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1059", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1082", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1082", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1062", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1064", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1059", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1066", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T156/1066", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 39169724