PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8965449-B2
Application Number: US-201113082118-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Devices and methods for providing access to internal component

Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for applying concealment of components of an electronic device. In one embodiment, an electronic device may include a component that is disposed behind a window configured to selectively become transparent or opaque, such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PLDC) window. The component includes an image capture device, a strobe flash, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the electronic device includes data processing circuitry configured to determine when an event requesting that the component be exposed occurs. Furthermore, the electronic device includes a window controller that may control the window to become transparent, to expose the component upon the occurrence of the event requesting that the component be exposed.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a window configured to selectively become transparent or opaque; 
 a component disposed behind the window, wherein the component comprises an image capture device, a strobe flash, a biometric sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel, or a combination thereof; 
 data processing circuitry configured to determine when an event associated with the use of the component occurs; and 
 a window controller configured to cause the window to become transparent during the occurrence of the event and become opaque after the event is complete. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the event comprises a camera application requesting that the camera, the strobe flash, or both be used or exposed. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the event comprises unlocking the electronic device by user authentication via the biometric sensor. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the event comprises an e-commerce transaction requesting user authentication via the biometric sensor. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the window comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal window. 
     
     
       6. A method comprising:
 detecting an event associated with the use of a biometric sensor, an image capture device, or a strobe flash, or a combination thereof, of an electronic device be used or exposed using data processing circuitry of the electronic device; and 
 upon detection of the event, controlling a window to become transparent to expose the biometric sensor, the image capture device, or the strobe flash, or the combination thereof using a window controller of the electronic device; and 
 after occurrence of the event, controlling the window to become opaque. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the event occurs when an image capture feature of the electronic device is expected to use the component and wherein the component comprises the image capture device. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the event occurs when a feature of the electronic device is expected to activate a light emitting diode associated with an image capture device and wherein the component comprises the light emitting diode. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , comprising generating the event using the data processing circuitry when an image capture feature of the electronic device prepares to capture an image using the component, wherein the component comprises an image capture device. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6 , comprising generating the event when an element of a graphical user interface of the electronic device is selected on the electronic device. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the window is controlled to expose the biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint reader. 
     
     
       12. An article of manufacture comprising:
 a non-transitory machine-readable media having instructions encoded thereon for execution by a processor, the instructions comprising: instructions to detect an event associated with the verification of a user identity in an electronic device; 
 instructions to cause a window of the electronic device to be transparent based at least in part on the event to expose a biometric sensor behind the window; 
 instructions to obtain user biometric data via the biometric sensor; 
 instructions to verify a user identity based at least in part on the user biometric data; and 
 instructions to cause the window to become opaque after obtaining the user biometric data. 
 
     
     
       13. The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions to detect the event associated with the verification of a user identity comprise instructions to detect a user desire to unlock the electronic device when the electronic device is locked. 
     
     
       14. The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions to detect the user desire to unlock the electronic device comprise instructions to detect a swipe touch gesture across a location of a display of the electronic device. 
     
     
       15. The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the event associated with the verification of a user identity comprises an event taking place during a financial transaction in which the user identity is requested. 
     
     
       16. The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions comprise: instructions to detect the end of the event associated with the verification of the user identity; and instructions to cause the window to be opaque when the end of the event is detected. 
     
     
       17. An electronic display comprising:
 a transparent-OLED display; 
 a window layer disposed behind the display, wherein the window layer is configured to selectively become transparent or opaque; and 
 a window controller configured to change the opacity of the window layer to expose a component disposed behind the window layer based on the use of the component. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic display of  claim 17 , wherein the window controller is configured to change the opacity of a plurality of portions of the window layer having a respective plurality of locations, shapes, or sizes, or combinations thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the industrial design of an electronic device and, more particularly, to techniques for hiding components of an electronic device behind a window, such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) window, while such components are not in use. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Electronic devices are becoming more and more sophisticated, capable of performing a multitude of tasks from image capture to identity verification through biometric sensors. Providing increased functionality often involves adding components to such electronic devices. However, adding more components can lead to a cluttered, unattractive electronic device. 
     Current techniques for incorporating components into an electronic device may be limited by the relative sizes of the components and the electronic device. The larger the components and the smaller the electronic device, the less spatial area there may be to incorporate additional components. For example, a small electronic device where a large display covers most of the face of the electronic device may not allow for any additional components, such as a fingerprint reader, to be added to the electronic device. Furthermore, under the current techniques, adding new components may harm the aesthetic appeal of the device by cluttering the electronic device enclosure, even though these additional components may be seldom or never used by many users. An electronic device that incorporates multiple components may lose its aesthetic appeal when covered by visible components, particularly as compared to a seamless electronic device where very few, if any, components of the electronic device are visible. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for concealing components of an electronic device behind a window that can change between opaque and transparent configurations, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) window. Since such a window may be hidden behind a transparent display or color-matched to seamlessly integrate into an enclosure of the electronic device, the components may remain hidden from view while not in use. When desired, the electronic device may expose the concealed components by causing the electronic window to change opacity, allowing the components to suddenly appear as from out of nowhere. In accordance with one embodiment, an electronic device may include a window with a component of the electronic device disposed behind the window. Upon detecting an event associated with the component, a window controller may make transparent, or “open,” the window to expose the component. To provide one example, such an event may occur when a feature of the electronic device requests exposure of concealed components. For example, when an image capture application of the electronic device is not in use, an image capture device and/or associated strobe may remain hidden behind an electronic window in the enclosure of the electronic device. Upon detecting this request, the window controller may open the window, causing the image capture device and/or the associated strobe to suddenly appear from out of the enclosure. 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an electronic device capable of performing the techniques disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of a handheld device representing one embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic back view of the handheld device illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view representing layers of an electronic device enclosure capable of concealing a component behind a window in the enclosure as disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view representing layers of an electronic display capable of concealing a component behind a window and transparent display as disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a window selectively configured to be opaque, and thus capable of concealing a component as disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the window of  FIG. 6  selectively configured to be transparent, and thus capable of exposing a component as disclosed herein, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart describing an embodiment of a method for controlling the exposure of a component disposed behind a window in the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating image capture functionality from a forward facing image capture device, exposed from behind a window, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating image capture functionality from a rear facing image capture device, exposed from behind a window, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart describing an embodiment of a method for authenticating a user of an electronic device by using a biometric sensor component disposed behind a window in the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 12-14  are schematic diagrams representing processes for unlocking an electronic device by authenticating a user using a concealed biometric sensor of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram representing a process for authenticating a user of an electronic device, using a concealed biometric sensor, during an e-commerce transaction on the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic front view of a handheld device representing one embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , illustrating concealment of a display of the handheld device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     The present disclosure generally provides techniques for enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of an electronic device by concealing components of the electronic device behind a window (e.g., a PDLC window). To avoid cluttering the enclosure of an electronic device with various seldom-used components, many different electronic device components may be concealed behind one or more window(s) in the electronic device. Perhaps most noteworthy are components that have traditionally required external exposure to light or that emit light. For example, these “visually-dependent components” may include a fingerprint scanner, an image capture device, a strobe, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, or a solar panel. Each of these components depend on light input or output and thus have traditionally had at least a visual input or output portion of the component externally exposed when incorporated into an electronic device. Using the current techniques, these visually-dependent components may be configured to be exposed only when desired, and otherwise may remain hidden from view. These visually-dependent components may remain hidden while the window is “closed,” meaning to be controlled to be substantially opaque. These components may become exposed when the window is “opened,” meaning to be controlled to be substantially transparent. 
     Disposing components of an electronic device behind a window may provide an aesthetic benefit to the electronic device by allowing the components to remain unseen and hidden behind the window until access to the component is desired, creating a more seamless electronic device. Furthermore, the current techniques provide for exposure of components behind a transparent display of the electronic device, providing aesthetic value by allowing exposure to the component from areas that a user would traditionally not expect, such as behind an electronic device display. Moreover, by increasing the potential areas where a component may be disposed, it may be possible to add additional components to an electronic device that otherwise would not fit. 
     With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices for performing the presently disclosed techniques is provided below. In particular,  FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in an electronic device suitable for use with the present techniques.  FIGS. 2 and 3  represent one example of a suitable electronic device, which may be, as illustrated, a handheld electronic device having component concealment capabilities. 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  10  for performing the presently disclosed techniques may include, among other things, one or more processors  12 , memory  14 , non-volatile storage  16 , a display  18 , image capture device(s)  20 , a window controller  22 , one or more window(s)  24 , an I/O interface  26 , a network interface  28 , input structures  30 , a strobe  32 , and a biometric sensor  34  (e.g., a fingerprint reader). As will be discussed further below, the window controller  22  may be configured to open a window  24  disposed above certain of these components, such as image capture device(s)  20 , a strobe  32 , and/or a biometric sensor  34 . The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. Further,  FIG. 1  is only one example of a particular implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in the electronic device  10 . 
     Before continuing, it should be understood that the system block diagram of the electronic device  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is intended to be a high-level control diagram depicting various components that may be included in such an electronic device  10 . That is, the illustrated connection lines between each individual component shown in  FIG. 1  may not necessarily represent paths or directions through which data flows or is transmitted between various components of the electronic device  10 . Indeed, as discussed below, the depicted processor(s)  12  may, in some embodiments, include multiple processors, such as a main processor (e.g., CPU), and dedicated image and/or video processors. 
     The processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be operably coupled with the memory  14  and the non-volatile storage  16  to perform various algorithms for carrying out the presently disclosed techniques. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in any suitable manufacture that includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at least collectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory  14  and the non-volatile storage  16 . In example, non-volatile storage  16  may include ROM, CD-ROM, or RAM. Also, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on such memory  14  or non-volatile storage  16  may also include instructions that may be executed by the processor(s)  12  to enable the electronic device  10  to provide various functionalities, including those described herein. 
     The display  18  may be a touch-screen display that may enable users to interact with a graphical user interface of the electronic device  10 . The display  18  may be any suitable type of display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display, or a transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, for example. The I/O interface  26  may enable the electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices, as may the network interface  28 . The network interface  28  may include, for example, an interface for a personal area network (PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local area network (LAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3G or 4G cellular network. 
     The image capture device(s)  20  may include a digital camera configured to acquire still and/or moving images (e.g., video). The image capture device(s)  20  may include a lens and one or more image sensors configured to capture and convert light into electrical signals. By way of example, the image sensor may include a CMOS image sensor (e.g., a CMOS active-pixel sensor (APS)) or a CCD (charge-coupled device) sensor. Generally, the image sensor in the image capture device(s)  20  may include an integrated circuit having an array of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a photodetector for sensing light from an image scene. The functionality of the image capture device(s)  20  may be enhanced by the use of a strobe  32 . The strobe  32  may include a light emitting diode (LED) light source configured to illuminate the subject of the image capture device(s)  20 . 
     The biometric sensor  34 , such as a fingerprint reader, may be configured to take an optical scan of a subject and compare the scanned image to a stored image. The stored image data may be retrieved from the memory  14  and/or non-volatile storage  16 . Based on the scan by the biometric sensor  34 , the electronic device  10  may verify the identity of the user. Identity verification may provide a more secure electronic purchase method as well as a more secure unlocking method for the electronic device  10 . 
     Rather than clutter the electronic device  10 , certain components such as the image capture device(s)  20 , strobe  32 , and biometric sensor  34  may be disposed behind one or more window(s)  24 , hidden from view when not in use. The window(s)  24  may be tailored to any shape or size suitable for concealing the underlying components. The window(s)  24 , when closed, are opaque. When opened, the window(s)  24  become transparent, exposing these components disposed behind the window  24 . For example, as shown by a handheld device  36  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which represents one embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , a window  24 A may conceal the image capture device  20 A, a window  24 B may conceal a biometric sensor  34 , a window  24 C may conceal an image capture device  20 B, and a window  24 D may conceal a strobe  32 . These windows  24 A,  24 B,  24 C, and  24 D may be opened only around the components over which they are disposed. That is, although the windows  24 A,  24 B,  24 C, and  24 D are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  to be rectangular in shape, these windows  24 A,  24 B,  24 C, and  24 D may be designed to open in a shape corresponding to the components that they conceal. 
     The handheld device  36  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  may represent, for example, a cellular phone, a portable phone, a media player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, or any combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device  36  may be a model of an iPad®, iPod®, iPhone®, or Macbook® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.  FIG. 2  depicts the front of handheld device  36 , while  FIG. 3  depicts the back of handheld device  36 . 
     The handheld device  36  may include an enclosure  38  to protect interior components from physical damage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure  38  may include windows  24 A and  24 B configured to conceal components such as an image capture device  20  and biometric sensor  34 , respectively. By concealing the image capture device  20  and the biometric sensor  34  behind the enclosure  38 , these components may remain unseen when not in use. For example, when the image capture device  20  and the biometric sensor  34  are not in use, they may be concealed by selectively causing the windows  24 A and  24 B to be opaque, or “closed.” Since the windows  24 A and  24 B may be color-matched so as to be indistinguishable from the enclosure  38 , the enclosure  38  may appear seamless when the windows  24 A and  24 B are closed. When a concealed component is to be in use, such as image capture device  20  and/or biometric sensor  34 , they may be exposed from beneath the enclosure  38  by selectively causing the windows  24 A and/or  24 B to become transparent, or “open.” Components such as the image capture device  20  and the biometric sensor  34  may be exposed for as long as desired. 
     In some embodiments, components of the handheld device  36 , such as the image capture device  20  and the biometric sensor  34 , may be selectively exposed when certain component-using features of the handheld device  36  are activated. By way of example, an image capture feature of the handheld device  36 , which may employ the image capture device  20 , may become activated when a user elects to run a camera application selectable via a graphical user interface (GUI)  40 . In general, the GUI  40  may include one or more icons  42  for providing access to features of the handheld device  36  (e.g., applications, features of an operating system of the handheld device  36 , features of firmware of the handheld device  36 , and so forth). At times during the use of such features, the features may utilize components of the handheld device  36  that may be hidden behind a window  24  (e.g., the image capture device  20  hidden behind the window  24 A or the biometric sensor  34  hidden behind the window  24 B). Thus, in some embodiments, when the handheld device  36  detects that a feature (e.g., a camera application) that is expected to use a hidden component (e.g., the image capture device  20 ) has been selected via the GUI  40 , the window controller  22  of  FIG. 1  may open the associated window  24  (e.g., the window  24 A). When the handheld device  36  detects that the utilization of the component (e.g., the image capture device  20 ) is no longer desired by the feature of the handheld device  36  (e.g., the camera application is closed), the window controller  22  may close the window  24 , hiding the component. 
     The technique of exposing concealed components is not limited to dynamically changing window  24  opacity upon the launch of applications within the electronic device  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the back of the handheld device  36  may have two windows  24 C and  24 D disposed above an image capture device  20  and a strobe  32 , respectively. Other embodiments may include more or fewer windows  24  and corresponding concealed components. Initially, the windows  24 C and  24 D may conceal the image capture device  20  and the strobe  32 . In one embodiment, the window  24 C disposed above the image capture device  20  may be opened by the window controller  22  upon selection of the icon  42  of  FIG. 2  linking to the camera application. The window  24 D disposed above the LED strobe  32  may remain closed until the camera application determines that increased illumination is desired. Upon such a determination, the camera application may provide some indication to the window controller  22  that the window  24 D disposed above the LED strobe  32  should be opened. The window controller  22  may “open” the window  24 D disposed above the LED strobe  32  by making the window  24 D transparent, exposing the LED strobe  32  for use. Upon determining that the strobe  32  is no longer desired for use, the camera application may provide some indication to the window controller  22  that the window  24 D should be closed. The window controller  22  then may cause the window  24 D disposed above the LED strobe  32  to “close,” becoming opaque and hiding the LED strobe  32 . Upon completion of the use of the image capture device  20 , the window controller  22  may also close the window  24 C disposed above the image capture device  20 , causing the image capture device  20  to disappear into the enclosure  38 . 
     In some embodiments, even the display  18  of an electronic device  10  may be concealed. For example,  FIGS. 16A  and B illustrate a handheld device  36  having a window  24  disposed above a display  18 . As shown in  FIG. 16A , when the display  18  is not in use, the window  24  may remain closed, hiding the display  18  and giving the appearance of a single seamless enclosure without a display  18 . When the display  18  is activated, the window  24  may be opened, exposing the display  18 , as shown in  FIG. 16B . By way of example, the display  18  may be activated when a user selects certain of the input structures  30  of the handheld device  36 . 
     Window(s)  24  may conceal components in the enclosure  38  and/or, when the display  18  is transparent (e.g., a transparent OLED display), under the display  18  of the electronic device  10 . For example,  FIG. 4  depicts an enclosure system  50  in which window(s)  24  may hide certain components of an electronic device  10 , while  FIG. 5  depicts an electronic display system  80  in which window(s)  24  may hide certain components of an electronic device  10 . The enclosure system  50  may represent one embodiment of the enclosure  38  of the handheld device  36  depicted in  FIG. 2 , but may be used as an enclosure for any suitable embodiment of the electronic device  10 . 
     In both the enclosure system  50  and the electronic display system  80 , a transparent protective cover layer  52  is disposed above all other layers of the enclosure  38  to provide protection to the underlying layers. The transparent protective cover layer  52  may be made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic and may protect lower layers of the enclosure system  50  from wear. Several printing layers  54  beneath the transparent protective cover layer  52 , including an ambient light layer  56 , an infrared layer  58 , and a color layer  60 , may be printed beneath transparent protective cover layer  52 . The ambient light layer  56  may provide an indication of the current level of visible light in the immediate environment outside the device. The infrared layer  58 , which may be capable of detecting infrared radiation, may be disposed beneath the ambient light layer  56 . A color layer  60  may be disposed beneath the infrared layer. The color layer  60  provides the color to the enclosure. For example, a black enclosure system  50  would have a black color layer  60 . Each of the printing layers  54  may have display cutouts  62  above a display  18  to allow the display to be seen through the protective cover layer  52 . A capacitive touch layer  66 , protected beneath the transparent protective cover layer  52 , may detect touch inputs from a user. 
     In the enclosure system  50 , a component  68  of the electronic device  10  may be concealed in the enclosure. This component  68  may represent any suitable component of the electronic device  10 , such as the image capture device  20 , the strobe  32 , and/or the biometric sensor  34 , to name a few. The printing layers  54  each have window cutouts  64  disposed above or below a window  24 . The window cutouts  64  may allow exposure, through the printing layers  54 , of the window  24  and/or a component  68  disposed underneath the window  24 . The window  24  may be color-matched to the color layer  60 , such that when the window  24  is selectively controlled to be opaque, the window  24  may appear indistinguishable from the printing layers  54 . The window  24  may be disposed above the component  68 , hiding the component  68  from view when the window  24  is opaque. The display  18  may be disposed below or alongside one or more of the transparent protective cover layer  52 , the printing layers  54 , and the touch layer  66 , or integrated into one or more of these layers. While  FIG. 4  illustrates that the window  24  is not disposed directly above the display  18 , it should be noted that in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 16 ), the window  24  may be disposed above the display  18  and may selectively conceal the display  18 . When open, the window  24  will allow the component  68  to be exposed through the touch layer  66 , the printing layers  54 , and the transparent protective cover layer  52 . 
     Like the enclosure system  50  of  FIG. 4 , in the electronic display system  80  of  FIG. 5 , a window  24  may conceal any suitable component  68  of the electronic device. In particular, in the electronic display system  80  of  FIG. 5 , the window  24  may be located behind a transparent display  18  (e.g., a transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) display) and may selectively allow the component  68  to appear from behind the display  18  as needed. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the display  18  may be disposed below or alongside the transparent protective cover layer  52 , the printing layers  54 , and the touch layer  66 . The window  24  may be disposed underneath the display  18 , and, when opaque or closed, may act as a uniform, non-reflecting backing layer for the transparent display  18 . At least some portion of the window  24  may be disposed above the component  68  (e.g., image capture device(s)  20  or biometric sensor  34 ), concealing the component  68  when the window is closed. When at least the portion of the window above the component  68  is opened, the window  24  will expose the component  68  through the transparent display  18  and the transparent protective cover layer  52 . 
     As previously discussed, one embodiment of window  24  may include a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) window.  FIGS. 6 and 7  are schematic cross-sectional views of such a PDLC window  24  controlled by a window controller  22  to be closed ( FIG. 6 ) or opened ( FIG. 7 ). The PDLC window  24  may include a PDLC layer  90 , which may be controlled to be opened (transparent) or closed (opaque) by the window controller  22  on demand. A transparent material  92  may reside between the PDLC window layer  90  and a transparent enclosure  94  of the PDLC window  24 . When the window controller  22  supplies a control signal, an electrode  96  may cause the PDLC window  24  to open or close. In some embodiments, the PDLC window  24  may become transparent or opaque by changing the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules via changes in an electric field caused by the electrode  96 . The component  68  (e.g., image capture device(s)  20 ) to be concealed may be disposed behind the transparent enclosure  94 . A transparent substrate  98  outside of the PDLC layer  90  may protect the PDLC layer  90 . While the PDLC layer  90  is opaque, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the window  24  may be understood to be closed to conceal the component  68 . 
     When desired, the window controller  22  may cause the PDLC window  24  to open, as represented by  FIG. 7 . As shown, the window controller  22  may cause the PDLC layer  90  to become transparent, by sending a control signal to the electrode  96 . When the PDLC layer  90  is transparent, the component  68  may be seen through the transparent enclosure  94 , the transparent material  92 , and the transparent substrate  98 . Additionally, external light may reach the component  68  through the transparent substrate  98 , the transparent material  92 , and the transparent enclosure  94 . 
     As noted above, the window(s)  24  may conceal a variety of components of the electronic device  10 , such as the image capture device  20 , the strobe  32 , and/or a biometric sensor  34  such as a fingerprint reader, to name a few. To more clearly explain the component concealment process, a general description of such a process  110  will now be provided as depicted in  FIG. 8 . The process  110  is intended to provide an initial high level overview of the concealment process, with more specific details of the process, including examples, being described further below. 
     The process  110  begins at block  112 , when a component  68  (e.g., image capture device(s)  20 ) is concealed beneath a window  24 . Next, at decision block  114 , the electronic device  10  may detect whether an event associated with the component  68  has occurred. If no such event has occurred, the component  68  may remain concealed behind the window  24 , and the process may flow to block  112 . On the other hand, if such an event has occurred, the process may flow to block  116 , and the window controller  22  may open the window  24  to expose the component  68 . At decision block  120 , the electronic device  10  may detect whether the event associated with the component  68  has completed. If not, the component  68  may remain exposed. Once the electronic device  10  detects that the event is complete, in block  122 , the window controller  22  may close the window  24 , thus concealing the component  68 . 
     An embodiment of the process  110  depicted in  FIG. 8  is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 9 , the handheld device  36  is shown to contain an image capture device  20  disposed behind a closed window  24 . Upon selection of an image capture application by selecting the graphical user interface icon  42 , the camera application is launched. The launching of the camera application may represent an event associated with the image capture device  20 . Upon detection of the such an event  130 , the window controller  22  of  FIG. 1  may open the window  24  as illustrated by numeral  132 . Thus, the image capture device  20  may be exposed, allowing images to be captured by the exposed image capture device  20 .  FIG. 10  represents a similar embodiment illustrating that the windows  24 C and  24 D may alternatively or additionally be opened  132  on the back of the handheld device  36 , exposing, for instance, an additional image capture device  20  and/or an LED strobe  32  when the camera application is launched. 
     The component concealment process may, in some embodiments, be utilized when authenticating a user of the electronic device  10 .  FIG. 11  depicts such a process  140  involving the concealment and exposure of a biometric sensor  34 . In block  142 , a biometric sensor  34  (e.g., a fingerprint reader or an image capture device  20 ), may be hidden behind a window  24 . The electronic device  10 , in decision block  144 , may detect a request for authenticating a user identity. Examples of events where authenticating a user may be desirable may include unlocking the electronic device  10  or making an electronic purchase. Upon detection of such a request, a window controller  22  may open a window  24  over the concealed biometric sensor  34 , as shown in block  146 . Thus, the previously hidden biometric sensor  34  may be exposed for use. At block  150 , the electronic device  10  may obtain biometric information through the biometric sensor  34 . In decision block  152 , the electronic device  10  may attempt to verify the identity of the user based at least partly on the biometric information obtained by the biometric sensor  34  using any suitable technique. If an identity cannot be verified, the biometric sensor  34  may continue to be exposed, and may try to obtain biometric data again. Once the electronic device  10  has verified the user identity, the electronic device  10  may indicate that the identity has been verified, as indicated in block  154 . Next, in block  156 , the window controller  22  may close the window  24 , concealing the biometric sensor  34  behind the window  24  once more. 
     An embodiment of the process  140  described in  FIG. 11  is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . As illustrated, a biometric sensor  34 , here a fingerprint reader, is initially concealed behind a closed window  24 B in handheld device  36 . Upon activation of the handheld device  36  in a locked state, a lock screen  160  may be displayed requesting a user to slide a finger across the display  18  to unlock the handheld device  36 . When the electronic device  10  detects a user desire to unlock the electronic device  10  (e.g., a slide gesture across the screen), the electronic device  10  may request  162  user authentication to access the handheld device  36 . Upon such a request  162 , the electronic device  10  may display an instruction screen  164  requesting that a user provide biometric data (e.g., a fingerprint) to the biometric sensor  34  (e.g., the fingerprint reader). The biometric sensor  34  may be exposed by opening  166  the window  24 B through a signal provided by the window controller  22 . Upon the verification of the user&#39;s identity by the electronic device  10 , home screen  168  is displayed on display  18 , and the window  24 B is closed  170 , thus concealing the biometric sensor  34 . 
     Various forms of user input may cause exposure of a component  68  (e.g. image capture device(s)  20 ) of  FIGS. 4 and 5  behind a window  24 .  FIG. 13  is an alternative embodiment to the process  140  described in  FIG. 11  where a finger swipe across an area of the display  18  exposes a biometric sensor  34  beneath the area of the swipe. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13-15 , when the display  18  is a transparent display such as a transparent OLED display, certain components of the electronic device  10  may be concealed behind the display  18 . Disposing components behind the display  18  may further increase the aesthetic appeal of the electronic device  10  by allowing components of the electronic device  10  to be placed in locations that a user might not typically expect. For example, as shown in  FIG. 13 , which represents one embodiment of the current techniques, a biometric sensor  34  (e.g., a fingerprint reader) may be located beneath the transparent display  18 . In the presently disclosed embodiment, upon detecting a desire to use the biometric sensor  34  of  FIG. 13 , the window  24  above the biometric sensor  34  may open, thus providing access to the biometric sensor  34  beneath the display  18 . 
     Initially, as depicted in  FIG. 13 , the electronic device  10  (here, a handheld device  36 ) may display a lock screen  160 . As the electronic device  10  detects a slide gesture across the display  18 , the electronic device  10  may request  162  user authentication to access the handheld device  36 . As the slide gesture occurs, the window controller  22  of  FIG. 1  may open a window  24  disposed beneath the transparent display  18 , exposing a biometric sensor  34  (e.g., a fingerprint reader). Thus, at the same time the user&#39;s finger slides across the screen of the display  18 , the biometric sensor  34  may appear from beneath the display  18  to obtain fingerprint information from the user. Concurrently, the electronic device  10  may display an instruction screen  164  explaining that identity verification is taking place. For example, the instruction screen  164  may indicate that a fingerprint is being scanned as depicted in  FIG. 13 . The electronic device  10  may then attempt to verify the user identity based at least partly on the obtained fingerprint information. Once identity verification is complete, the window  24  may be closed  170 , concealing the biometric sensor  34 , and the electronic device  10  may be unlocked. 
     An alternative embodiment of the process  140  described in  FIG. 11  appears in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  illustrates an image capture device  20  concealed behind a transparent display  18  to obtain user authentication. Initially, the electronic device  10  (here, the handheld device  36 ) may display a lock screen  160 . A window  24  disposed beneath a transparent display  18  initially may be closed. An image capture device  20  may be disposed behind the window  24 , concealing the image capture device  20 . Upon detecting a slide gesture across the display  18 , the electronic device  10  may make a request  162  for user authentication, and the electronic device  10  may display an instruction screen  164  prompting the user to look towards the image capture device  20 . As the instruction screen  164  is displayed, the window  24  may open to expose the image capture device  20  from beneath the display  18 . The image capture device  20  may then obtain biometric image information (e.g., based on the user&#39;s face or eye) and the electronic device  10  may verify the user&#39;s identity. Upon identity verification, the electronic device  10  may close  170  the window  24  and display the home screen  168 . 
     User authentication is not limited to unlocking an electronic device  10 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the process  140  described in  FIG. 11  in an e-commerce context. To complete a shopping transaction online, many e-commerce websites may require identity verification before the order can be completed. When such a transaction occurs using an electronic device  10  (here, the handheld device  36 ), the electronic device  10  may provide an authentication screen  180  explaining that user authentication is required to complete the transaction. Upon acknowledgement  182  of authentication screen  180 , the electronic device  10  may open  186  a window  24 E to expose a biometric sensor  34 , here shown as an image capture device  20 . Additionally, the electronic device  10  may display an authentication screen  184  providing instructions for the user so that authentication information may be obtained. For example, as previously discussed, the image capture device  20  may obtain biometric identity information based on the user&#39;s face or eye and the electronic device  10  verifies the identity. Upon verification of the user identity, the electronic device  10  may provide an indication that the identity has been verified. The purchase may be completed, and a completed transaction screen  188  may be displayed. Additionally, the window controller  22  may close  190  the window  24 E, thus re-concealing the image capture device  20 . 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110407
Publication Date: 20150224
Grant Date: 20150224
Priority Date: 20110407
Inventors: ALVAREZ RIVERA FELIX JOSE
DINH RICHARD HUNG MINH
MYERS SCOTT A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0861", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2221/2101", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y04S40/20", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0861", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2221/2101", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2221/2101", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0861", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L63/0861", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/32", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2221/2101", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04804", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04W12/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1684", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/83", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 46085128