PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9092187-B2
Application Number: US-201313736676-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Ion implant indicia for cover glass or display component

Abstract:
An aluminum oxide ceramic is formed into a sapphire component for an electronic device. Indicia are embedded into at least one major surface of the component, for example by ion implantation, where ions are fixed into a subsurface pattern layer. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering an optical or chromatic property of the aluminum oxide material, so that the indicia are visible from an external surface of the component.

Claims:
I claim: 
     
       1. A sapphire component for an electronic device, the sapphire component comprising:
 a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic defining the sapphire component between opposing major surfaces; and 
 non-transitory indicia embedded into at least one selected major surface of the sapphire component, the indicia comprising ions fixed in a subsurface pattern defined within the sapphire component, beneath the selected major surface; 
 wherein the subsurface pattern defines the indicia by altering a chromatic property of the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic, such that the indicia are visible from the selected major surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the ions fixed in the subsurface pattern are selected from a group comprising boron, titanium and chromium. 
     
     
       3. The sapphire component of  claim 2 , wherein the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic comprises corundum and the selected ions comprise chromium, such that the subsurface pattern defines a ruby material within the corundum ceramic. 
     
     
       4. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic comprises chromium, such that the subsurface pattern defines the indicia in a ruby material. 
     
     
       5. A mobile device comprising the sapphire component of  claim 1  in combination with a display, wherein the sapphire component comprises a cover glass for the mobile device. 
     
     
       6. The mobile device of  claim 5 , wherein the indicia identify a manufacturer thereof. 
     
     
       7. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia comprises a serial number for the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum oxide ceramic is substantially transparent, absent the subsurface pattern defining the indicia. 
     
     
       9. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum oxide ceramic comprises a substantially single crystal plane orientation between the opposing major surfaces. 
     
     
       10. The sapphire component of  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum oxide ceramic comprises a sapphire control surface for the electronic device. 
     
     
       11. The sapphire component of  claim 10 , wherein the indicia comprises a control identifier for the sapphire control surface for the electronic device. 
     
     
       12. A device comprising:
 a digital display; 
 a sapphire cover glass component formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic; and 
 non-transitory indicia embedded in the sapphire cover glass component and visible from an exterior surface thereof, the indicia comprising ions implanted into a subsurface pattern layer defined beneath the external surface, within the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic; 
 wherein the ions define the indicia in the subsurface pattern layer by altering a chromatic property of the substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic. 
 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the ions implanted into the subsurface pattern layer are selected from a group comprising metals. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein different metal ions are implanted into the subsurface pattern layer, such that the indicia are defined with a plurality of different colors in the subsurface pattern layer. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the digital display comprises a touchscreen. 
     
     
       16. The smartphone of  claim 15 , wherein the indicia identify a make, model or manufacturer thereof. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the ions fixed in the subsurface pattern are selected from a group consisting of boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron and copper.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This subject matter of this disclosure relates generally to cover glass and display components for electronic devices, including portable and stationary electronics applications. In particular, the disclosure relates to indicia and other markings on such cover glass or display components, suitable for use on smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, media players, displays, and other digital devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Digital devices typically include a variety of different display and cover glass components, including front and back cover glasses with indicia such as serial numbers, trademarks, control feature labels, and other identifying markings. These indicia raise a number of different design considerations, including clarity, visibility, intelligibility, durability, and stability over periods of extended use, and across a wide range of environmental conditions and operational demands. 
     These considerations can be particularly relevant in personal electronics and mobile device applications, where shock, impact, scratching, abrasion and other effects pose a variety of different design and engineering challenges. New technologies are required to address these concerns, without suffering from the drawbacks of existing pigment and deposition-based indicia designs. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure relates to indicia for cover glass and display components, with application to digital electronic devices. In various examples and embodiments, an aluminum oxide ceramic is formed into a sapphire component for an electronic device. The sapphire component may have first and second major surfaces, with indicia embedded into one or both. 
     The indicia may be embedded by ion implantation, where ions are fixed in a subsurface pattern layer located between the first and second major surfaces of the sapphire component. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering an optical or chromatic property of the aluminum oxide material. 
     The sapphire component may be assembled into the electronic device with the indicia visible from an exterior surface. The sapphire component may define a cover glass for the device, and the indicia may define a serial number. 
     The ions fixed into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from a group consisting of boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper, and the subsurface pattern layer may define the indicia by changing a color of the aluminum oxide ceramic. The aluminum oxide ceramic may be substantially transparent, absent the subsurface pattern layer defining the indicia. 
     The sapphire component may be formed with a substantially single crystal plane orientation between the first and second major surfaces. The sapphire component may also form a control surface for the electronic device, and the indicia may include an identifier for the control surface. 
     In additional examples and embodiments, a sapphire component for an electronic device includes a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic material, which defines the sapphire component between opposing major surfaces. Indicia may be embedded into a selected surface of the sapphire component, for example by fixing ions into a subsurface pattern layer defined within the sapphire component, beneath the selected surface. The subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia by altering a chromatic property of the ceramic, so that the indicia are visible within the subsurface layer. 
     The ions fixed into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from boron, titanium and chromium. For example, the ceramic may comprise corundum and the selected ions may comprise chromium, so that the subsurface pattern layer defines a ruby material within the corundum ceramic. Alternatively, the aluminum oxide ceramic may comprise chromium, so that the subsurface pattern layer defines the indicia in a ruby material. 
     A mobile device may be assembled with the sapphire component as a cover glass, for example in combination with a display, and the indicia may identify the device manufacturer. Alternatively, a device may be assembled with a digital display and sapphire cover glass component formed of a substantially single crystal aluminum oxide ceramic. 
     Indicia may be embedded into the sapphire cover glass, visible from the exterior surface, for example by implanting ions into a subsurface pattern layer in which the ions alter a chromatic property of the ceramic. The ions implanted into the subsurface pattern layer may be selected from a group of metals, and different metal ions can be implanted to define the indicia with a plurality of different colors in the pattern layer. 
     A smartphone can also be assembled from the device. For example, the digital display may include a touchscreen for operation of the smartphone, and the indicia may identify the smartphone make, model or manufacturer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic device configured for personal communications, showing the front cover glass and display. 
         FIG. 2A  is a rear perspective view of the device, showing the back cover glass. 
         FIG. 2B  is an alternate view of the electronic device, with the back cover glass in a different configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the electronic device, in a media player or tablet computer embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating internal and external features of the device. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the device. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic illustration of a cover glass for the device, with ion implanted indicia. 
         FIG. 6  is block diagram illustrating a method for forming ion implanted indicia in a cover glass, display or control component for an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of electronic device  10 , in a communications embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  includes front cover or cover glass  12 A with display window  14  and housing assembly  16 , as configured for a mobile phone or smartphone application. Alternatively, device  10  may be configured as a media player, digital assistant, tablet computer, personal computer, computer display, or other electronic device, in either portable or stationary form.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are rear perspective views of device  10 , showing alternate configurations for back glass  12 B and housing  16 . 
     In the particular example of  FIG. 1 , front cover glass  12 A and rear cover glass  12 B are coupled to top and bottom housing components  16 A and  16 B of housing assembly  16  via a bezel or frame assembly  18 . One or both of front and rear cover glass components  12 A and  12 B may also incorporate an aluminum oxide, sapphire crystal, or sapphire glass material, with indicia  19  formed by ion implantation, as described below. 
     Display window  14  is typically configured for viewing a touch screen or other display component through cover glass  12 A, with viewable area defined between border regions  15 . Depending on configuration, display window  14  may also accommodate one or more interactive control features, for example a touch screen with a combination of internal or external components for capacitive or resistive coupling across the front surface of cover glass  12 A. 
     Cover glasses  12 A and  12 B may also accommodate additional control and accessory features, including, but not limited to, a home button or other control device  20 , and one or more audio (e.g., speaker or microphone) features  22 , sensors or cameras  24 A and  24 B, and lighting or indicator features  26  (e.g., a flash unit or light emitting diode). Depending on design, additional glass or sapphire based components may also be provided for control and accessory features  20 ,  22 ,  24 A/B and  26 , for example a separate cover glass element  12 C for camera  24 B in back cover glass  12 B. 
     Housing  16  and frame  18  are typically formed of metal, composites, and durable polymer materials, including metals and metal alloys such as aluminum and stainless steel, durable plastics, and carbon-based or fiber/matrix composites. Housing  16  and frame  18  may either be provided in substantially unitary form, or as discrete components, for example with one or more top, bottom, side and back housing sections  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, and  16 D in combination with a unitary or multi-part bezel or frame assembly  18 . 
     Housing  16  and frame  18  can also be configured to accommodate additional accessory features, including, but not limited to, speaker or microphone apertures  28 , connector apertures  30  for power, audio, and data communications, mechanical fasteners  32 , and access ports  34 , e.g., for a subscriber identity module or SIM card, a flash memory device, or other internal component of electronic device  10 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a rear perspective view of electronic device  10 , with indicia  19  formed in one or more discrete inlay or inset components  12 D. Housing  16  is also provided in a multi-part configuration, with bottom housing  16 A, top housing  16 B, and side housing sections  16 C. 
     Depending on configuration, side housings  16 C may be coupled across middle plate  16 D to form the back surface of device  10 , between back glass insets  12 D, as shown in  FIG. 2A . Housing components  16 A,  16 B, and  16 C may be provided in either beveled or unbeveled form, and a separate cover glass element  12 C may be provided for back camera or sensor  24 B, as described above. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of electronic device  10 , showing back glass  12 B in a unitary configuration, with two-part housing assembly  16 A (bottom) and  16 B (top). As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , unitary and multi-piece back glass components  12 B and  12 D may be variously configured to accommodate a range of different indicia  19 , control features  20 , and accessories including audio features  22 , camera or sensor  24 B, and a flash unit or lighting/indicator feature  26 . Device  10  may also accommodate additional control features, for example volume buttons  20 A and  20 B, ringer/mute switch  20 C, and hold button  20 D, as provided in any combination of cover glass components  12 A- 12 D and housing components  16 A- 16 D. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of electronic device  10  in an alternate embodiment, for example a media player, tablet computer, pad computer, or other computing device, or a computer monitor or display. As shown in  FIG. 3 , front glass  12 A is configured to accommodate display window  14 , indicia  19 , and accessory features including a hold button or other control device  20 . Housing assembly  16  may have a substantially unitary configuration, for example as formed together with the back cover of device  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the various horizontal and vertical orientations of device  10  are arbitrary, and designations of the various front, back, top, bottom, and side components may be interchanged without loss of generality. Housing assembly  16  may be coupled to front glass  12 A with a substantially internal frame  18  or bezel member  18 A, or via in internal groove in unitary housing  16 , for example via an adhesive coupling. One or both of housing  16  and frame or bezel  18 A may be also formed of a plastic or other durable polymer material, rather than metal, or using metal, plastic polymer, composite materials, or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating various internal and external components of electronic device  10 , including microprocessor/controller  42 , display  43 , an accelerometer or other motion sensor  44 , and additional accessories and control features  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26 . Device  10  encompasses a range of different portable and stationary electronic applications, as described in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, and  3 , above, as well as hybrid devices including smartphones with media player capabilities, game players, remote global positioning and telecommunications devices, and laptop, desktop, notebook, handheld and ultraportable computer devices and displays. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , controller  42  is electronically coupled to display  43 , an accelerometer or other motion sensor  44 , control devices  20 , and accessory features  22 ,  24 , and  26 . Various hard-wired and wireless communication connections  46  may be provided to support one or more external accessories  47 , host devices  48 , and/or networks  49 . 
     Controller  42  includes microprocessor (μp) and memory components configured to execute a combination of operating system and application firmware and software, in order to control device  10  and provide various functionality including, but not limited to, voice communications, voice control, media playback and development, internet browsing, email, messaging, gaming, security, transactions, navigation, and personal assistant functions. Controller  42  may also include a communications interface or other input-output (IO) device configured to support connections  46  to one or more external accessories  47 , host devices  48 , and network systems  49 , including hard-wired, wireless, audio, visual, infrared (IR), and radio frequency (RF) communications. 
     Display  43  is viewable through front or rear cover glass  12 , within display window  14 . Cover glass  12  may also accommodate various different control features  20 , audio components  22 , camera, sensor or other accessory features  24 , and lighting or indicator features  26 , including, but not limited to, button and switch control features  20 A- 20 D, speaker and microphone features  22 , front and rear camera or sensor features  24 A and  24 B, and LED flash or lighting/indicator features  26 , as described above. 
     Cover glass  12  comprises one or more of front cover glass  12 A, back cover glass  12 B, lens cover or inset components  12 C and  12 D, or other components for electronic device  10 , as described above. Cover glass  12  is formed of a substantially single-crystal aluminum oxide, sapphire, or sapphire glass material, and provided with ion-implanted indicia  19  to improve clarity, visibility, intelligibility, durability, and stability over a range of different environmental conditions and operational demands, as described below, including increased persistence when exposed to shock, impact, scratching, abrasion, and other effects. 
     As used herein, the terms “glass” and “cover glass” are not limited to amorphous forms such as silica glass, but also encompass sapphire, sapphire glass, and other aluminum oxide ceramics, in either substantially single-crystal or polycrystalline form. The terms “sapphire” and “sapphire glass” encompass α-Al 2 O 3  and other aluminum oxide materials with varying amounts of trace elements and impurities, including sapphire, corundum, ruby, and ion impregnated or doped aluminum oxide ceramics and sapphire materials. 
     These definitions reflect usage in the art, in which cover glasses, front glasses, back glasses, glass inlays, glass insets, glass inserts, and other “glass” components may be provided in the form of silica glass, lead crystal, quartz, and other amorphous or polycrystalline forms. These definitions also reflect usage in this disclosure, where cover glasses and other “glass” components may be formed of aluminum oxide ceramics and sapphire materials, in either substantially single-crystal or polycrystalline (e.g., fused polycrystalline) form. 
     The term “substantially single crystal” encompasses both identically single-crystal and substantially single-crystal forms of sapphire material, as distinguished from amorphous and polycrystalline forms. The term “substantially single crystal” does not does not necessarily imply a fault-free construction, and may include some degree of localized inclusions and lamellar twinning, including crystal plane orientations in which such localized faults, inclusions, and lamellar twinning are present, but in which the same or substantially similar crystal plane orientation is expressed or extant across the structure of the component, or as defined between the first and second (e.g., interior and exterior) major surfaces of the component. 
       FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of electronic device  10 , for example as taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3 , or for any of the other devices  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B and  4 . In this particular configuration, device  10  comprises front glass  12 A, back glass  12 B, and housing (or housing assembly)  16 , with internal components including controller  42 , display  43  and a battery or other power source  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , front glass  12 A and back glass  12 B are coupled to sides  16 C of housing  16 , for example via mechanical attachment to frame  18 . Controller  42 , display  43  and battery  50  are disposed within the interior of device  10 , with front glass  12 A located in front of (or above) display  10 , and back glass  12 B located behind (or below) display  43 . 
     Display window  14  is defined as a substantially transparent feature in front glass  12 A, in order to observe the viewable area of display  43 . Border portions  15  may also be provided, for example via pigment layer  15 B on the bottom (interior) surface of cover glass  12 A, in order to define the boundaries of display window  14 . Back glass  12 B may also include one or more transparent display windows  14 , for example to accommodate an additional back-side display or indicator, or a camera or other sensor internal to electronic device  10 . Alternatively, one or both of back glass  12 A and  12 B may be substantially opaque. 
     In this particular configuration, indicia  19  are embedded into front glass  12 A of digital electronic device  10 , for example by ion implantation. Cover glass  12 A (or other sapphire component of device  10 ) is formed of an aluminum oxide ceramic material, with first and second (e.g., top and bottom, or interior and exterior) major surfaces. Indicia  19  are embedded into at least one selected (e.g. exterior) major surface, by fixing metal ions into a subsurface pattern layer defined below the selected major surface. 
     Indicia  19  are generated in the subsurface layer by altering an optical property of the aluminum oxide material, for example an optical or chromatic property such as color, opacity or transparency. By embedding indicia  19  in a subsurface layer, below the selected major surface, the effects of abrasion, scratching, and other environmental actions are reduced or substantially eliminated, increasing visibility, clarity, durability, persistence and service life. 
       FIG. 5B  is a schematic illustration of indicia  19  as embedded in sapphire component  12 , for example a front or rear cover glass  12 A or  12 B, as shown in  FIG. 5A , or a lens cover  12 C or inset  12 D, or another sapphire or sapphire glass component for electronic device  10 , as described above. Sapphire component  12  is formed of a ceramic material, for example transparent aluminum oxide ceramic such as corundum, ruby or sapphire, with a substantially single crystal plane orientation extending through inner region  54  of component  12 , as defined between first and second major surfaces  56 A and  56 B. Pigment layer  15 B may be provided on one or both surfaces, for example second major surface  56   b , opposite indicia  19  in first major surface  56 A. Alternatively, pigmentation layer  15 B may be absent. 
     Indicia  19  are formed by ion implantation or other process suitable to embed metal ions into interior  54  of sapphire component  12 . The ions are fixed into subsurface layer  58 , which extends for depth d beneath selected major surface  56 A. Subsurface layer  58  defines indicia  19  by altering the optical and chromatic properties of the transparent ceramic, so that the indicia are visible from selected major surface  56 A. 
     Depending on application, the ions fixed in the subsurface pattern layer are typically selected from a group of metals, for example boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper. Selection is based on penetration, compatibility with the ceramic material, and the resulting optical and chromatic properties, including transparency, opacity and color. 
     For example, the ceramic may be substantially formed of an aluminum oxide-based corundum or clear sapphire material, and chromium, titanium, or iron ions may be selected to form indicia  19  as a blue sapphire or ruby colored material, visible within subsurface layer  58  through a substantially clear, transparent, and colorless interior material  54 . Alternatively, the ceramic may include chromium, titanium or iron to form a ruby or blue sapphire interior  54 , and indicia  19  may be defined with a complementary color or colors in subsurface layer  58 . 
     Sapphire component  12  may be assembled into a mobile device such as smartphone, tablet computer, media player or other digital device  10 , as described above, for example as a cover glass or control surface for a touch screen display, or a back glass component. In these applications, indicia  19  may identify a make, model, or manufacturer of the device, or provide a serial number or other identifying information. 
     Alternatively, sapphire component  12  may be configured as the control surface on a discrete control device, for example a control button or switch  20  or  20 A- 20 D. In these applications, indicia  19  may provide control information, such as a switch label or control indicator. In additional applications, sapphire component  12  may include an aperture for an accessory such as an audio device  22 , camera or sensor  24 A or  24 B, or lighting or indicator feature  26 , and indicia  19  may identify the corresponding function. 
     These techniques contrast with cosmetic artwork designs, which are applied to the front or back side of a cover glass by painting, screen printing, or particle vapor deposition (PVD). Ion implantation, in contrast, bombards component  12  with selected (e.g., metal) ions to embed such artwork and other indicia  19  into selected surface  56 A (or  56 B), so that the ions are permanently fixed in subsurface layer  58  of sapphire component  12 . Different ions (e.g., titanium, chromium, boron, etc.) are selected to generate different degrees of clarity or color in interior region  54 , and can be used to alter the appearance of subsurface layer  58  to define indicia  19 , visible through selected surface  56 A of the cover glass or other component  12 . 
     Overall, ion implantation combined with a sapphire cover glass or other ceramic component  12  can be used to generate cosmetic features, design artwork and other indicia  19  that are robust to environmental conditions, because indicia  19  are defined in subsurface layer  58 , and protected from abrasion, scratching, temperature extremes, and other effects. Indicia  19  may also include serial numbers and other identification marks, as described above, in order to indicate the make, model, design, and manufacture date of the device. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating method  60  for forming a cover glass or other sapphire component for an electronic device, with embedded indicia. As shown in  FIG. 6 , method  60  comprises one or more steps of forming an aluminum oxide based ceramic material (step  61 ), shaping a component from the ceramic (step  62 ), embedding indicia into the component (step  63 ), and assembling the component into a digital electronic device (step  64 ). 
     Forming the ceramic material (step  61 ) may comprise sintering and fusing aluminum oxide (alumina; Al 2 O 3  or α-Al 2 O 3 ) in an inert atmosphere, in order to produce a substantially single crystal transparent ceramic, for example a sapphire, ruby or corundum boule. Typical synthesis processes include, but are not limited to, Verneuil processes, Czochralski processes, and flux methods. Alternatively, a polycrystalline or laminated sapphire material may be utilized. 
     Color may be selected (step  65 ) by including particular elements for inclusion in the ceramic, for example metals such as boron, magnesium, titanium, chromium, iron, and copper, in order to generate particular colors or hues of red, blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange or green. Depending upon color selection, the interior of the component may be referred to as clear sapphire or corundum, blue sapphire, ruby, or a special color. Heat treatment can also be utilized to enhance or modify the color selection. 
     Shaping the component (step  62 ) comprises cutting, drilling, milling or machining the ceramic (e.g., using industrial diamond tools) to form the selected component, for example a cover glass, lens cover, inset, or other component  12 A,  12 B,  12 C, or  12 D, as described above. Generally, the interior of the selected component is defined between major opposing (e.g., interior and exterior) surfaces, and in some configurations the sapphire material may be laminated. 
     Depending on application, one or more apertures may also be formed in the component, in order to accommodate one or more control or accessory features  20 ,  20 A- 20 D,  22 ,  24 ,  24 A,  24 B, and  26 . Alternatively, the component may be formed as a control surface for a touchscreen, or as discrete control device  20  or  20 A- 20 D. 
     Embedding the indicia (step  63 ) comprises implanting or fixing the ions into a subsurface layer or pattern. The subsurface layer defines the indicia by transforming an optical or chromatic property of the ceramic material, for example color, transparency, or opacity. The indicia are visible within the subsurface layer, through the selected surface of the component. 
     Embedding the indicia may be performed by ion implantation (step  66 ), or other suitable process. In ion implantation, selected metal ions are accelerated in an electric field, and directed to a selected surface of the component. Typical acceleration voltages are in the range of about 10 kV to about 500 kV, corresponding to penetration depths (and subsurface layer thicknesses t) of a few nm to about 200-300 nm or more, for example up to about 1 μm, depending on ionization number and mass. 
     Different metal ions may be selected (step  67 ), based on desired penetration depth and compatibility with the ceramic material. Ions may also be selected based on the resulting optical and chromatic properties, as compared to the corresponding properties of the original ceramic material. 
     Assembly (step  65 ) comprises assembling the component into an electronic device, for example a mobile phone, smartphone, computing device, or other mobile or stationary electronic device  10 , as described above. The insignia may identify a make, model, or manufacture of the device, or provide a serial number, artwork, industrial design work, or other identifying information. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt the teachings of the invention to particular situations and materials, without departing from the essential scope thereof. Thus, the invention is not limited to the particular examples that are disclosed herein, but encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130108
Publication Date: 20150728
Grant Date: 20150728
Priority Date: 20130108
Inventors: KWONG KELVIN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T428/24851", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01J37/3171", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B29/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M19/048", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B31/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T428/24851", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M19/048", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B29/20", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B31/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T428/24851", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B31/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01J37/3171", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M19/048", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1601", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C30B29/20", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50002481