PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9716815-B2
Application Number: US-201514875402-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Cover glass for covering a camera of an electronic device

Abstract:
An electronic device can include a camera and a cover glass arrangement disposed over the camera. The cover glass arrangement includes a thinner region or cover glass that is positioned over a light-receiving region of the camera. Additionally, the thinner region or cover glass can be disposed over the light-receiving region and at least parts of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 an enclosure; 
 a camera positioned within the enclosure; 
 a cover attached to the enclosure and defining:
 an exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 an opening aligned with a light-receiving region of the camera; and 
 
 a camera cover in the opening and having a thickness different than a thickness of the cover. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera cover is thinner than the cover. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the camera cover comprises a lens in optical communication with the light-receiving region of the camera. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cover is formed from glass; and 
 the camera cover is formed from sapphire. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening extends through a complete thickness of the cover. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the electronic device is a rear surface of the electronic device that is opposite a display surface of the electronic device. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device, comprising:
 a camera; 
 a cover layer defining a portion of an external surface of the electronic device and having an opening therethrough, the cover layer comprising a first transparent material; 
 a camera cover disposed in the opening and comprising a second transparent material different than the first transparent material; and 
 a display device covered by at least a portion of the cover layer. 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the portion of the external surface is a first portion of the external surface; and 
 the camera cover defines a second portion of the external surface that is substantially flush with the first portion of the external surface. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the camera cover is thinner than the transparent cover layer; and 
 at least a portion of the camera extends at least partially into the opening. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the camera cover is formed from sapphire. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein at least part of the camera extends into the opening. 
     
     
       12. A cover assembly for an electronic device, comprising:
 a cover having a first thickness, configured to form an exterior surface of the electronic device, and defining an opening in a location corresponding to a lens of a camera in the electronic device; and 
 a lens cover configured to be positioned within the opening and having a second thickness different than the first thickness. 
 
     
     
       13. The cover assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the second thickness is smaller than the first thickness; 
 an exterior surface of the lens cover is substantially flush with an exterior surface of the cover when installed on the electronic device; and 
 an interior surface of the lens cover is recessed relative to an interior surface of the cover glass when installed on the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       14. The cover assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a bracket coupling the lens cover to the cover. 
     
     
       15. The cover assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the cover is formed from a first transparent material; and 
 the lens cover is formed from a second transparent material different than the first transparent material. 
 
     
     
       16. The cover assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the second transparent material is sapphire. 
     
     
       17. A method for producing an electronic device, comprising:
 positioning a cover layer having a first thickness on an enclosure such that an opening through the cover layer is aligned with a light-receiving region of a camera in the electronic device and at least a portion of the camera is at least partially in the opening; and 
 disposing a lens cover having a second thickness different than the first thickness in the opening. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing the camera in the enclosure. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the operation of positioning the cover layer on the enclosure is performed after the operation of disposing the lens cover in the opening. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising forming the opening through the cover layer.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/103,661, entitled “Cover Glass Arrangement for an Electronic Device,” filed on Dec. 11, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully disclosed herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more specifically, to cameras in electronic devices. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a cover glass arrangement for a camera included in an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many electronic devices, such as smart telephones, laptop computers, and tablet computing devices include a camera to capture images and video.  FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art electronic device. The electronic device  100  includes a camera  102  positioned adjacent to a surface  104  of the electronic device. The surface can be the front or the back surface of the electronic device  100 . In some devices, a cover glass  106  is disposed over the surface  104  when the camera  102  is positioned adjacent to the front surface of the electronic device  100 . The cover glass  106  can provide various functions or features for the electronic device. For example, in some embodiments, the cover glass  106  can be a touchscreen and provide an aperture for a speaker and microphone. 
     In some embodiments, the cover glass  106  can constrain the amount of space that is available to the camera  102 . As a result, the functionality of the camera can be limited. For example, a flash module may not be included in the electronic device, or the camera may not include an autofocus feature or a high quality lens. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an electronic device can include a camera and a first cover glass disposed over the camera. An opening can be formed through the first cover glass over a light-receiving region of the camera. A second cover glass can be positioned in the opening over the light-receiving region of the camera. A thickness of the second cover glass is less than a thickness of the first cover glass. In some embodiments, the second cover glass is a lens for the camera. 
     In another aspect, an electronic device can include a camera and a monolithic cover glass disposed over the camera. The cover glass includes a thinner region that is positioned over a light-receiving region of the camera. The thinner region can act as a lens for the camera. 
     In yet another aspect, a method for producing an electronic device can include providing a first cover glass having an opening formed through the first cover glass, and providing a second cover glass in the opening. A location of the opening corresponds to a light-receiving region of a camera. A thickness of the second cover glass is less than a thickness of the first cover glass. 
     In another aspect, a method for providing an electronic device can include providing a camera in the electronic device, and providing a monolithic cover glass over the camera. The cover glass includes a thinner region that is positioned over a light-receiving region of the camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical features that are common to the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art electronic device; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a front perspective view of one example of an electronic device that includes one or more cameras; 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a rear perspective view of the electronic device  200  shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3-5  are simplified cross-section views of examples of the electronic device  200  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for producing the cover glass arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method for producing the cover glass arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein provide a cover glass arrangement for an electronic device that includes one or more cameras. The cover glass arrangement can include a first cover glass and a second cover glass, where the second cover glass is positioned in an opening formed through the first cover glass. In one embodiment, the second cover glass can be disposed over a light-receiving region of a camera. In another embodiment, the second cover glass is positioned over the light-receiving region and at least part of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera. 
     The second cover glass can have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the first cover glass. The thinner second cover glass can provide additional space for the camera and/or for an optional lens. In some embodiments, a higher quality camera can be included in an electronic device when the additional space is provided by the thinner second cover glass. For example, a higher quality camera can include a larger sensor, higher quality lenses, an autofocus feature, and/or a flash module. 
     In another embodiment, the cover glass arrangement can include a monolithic cover glass that includes a thinner region formed in the cover glass. The thinner region can be disposed over the light-receiving region, or over the light-receiving region and at least part of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera. Like the second cover glass, the thinner region can provide additional space for the camera and/or for an optional lens. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2B , there are shown front and rear perspective views of one example of an electronic device that can include one or more cameras. The electronic device  200  includes a first camera  202 , a second camera  204 , an enclosure  206 , a display  210 , an input/output (I/O) member  208 , and an optional flash  212  or light source for the camera or cameras. The electronic device  200  can also include one or more internal components (not shown) typical of a computing or electronic device, such as, for example, one or more processors, memory components, network interfaces, and so on. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a cover glass  214  is disposed over the front surface  216  of the electronic device  200 . The cover glass  214  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, glass, plastic, acrylic, sapphire, and various combinations thereof. One or more portions of the cover glass  214  can be an input region for a touch sensing device and/or a force sensing device. The cover glass  214  can include one or more apertures, such as an aperture for a speaker and/or a microphone  218  and the I/O member  208 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cover glass  214  is positioned over the entire front surface  216  of the electronic device. Thus, the cover glass  214  is disposed over the display, the first camera  202 , and the enclosure  206 . In other embodiments, the cover glass  214  can be disposed over one or more portions of a surface or surfaces of the electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the electronic device  200  is implemented as a smart telephone. Other embodiments, however, are not limited to this type of electronic device. Other types of computing or electronic devices can include one or more cameras, examples of which include a netbook or laptop computer, a tablet computing device, a wearable computing or display device such as a watch or glasses, a digital camera, a printer, a scanner, a video recorder, and a copier. 
     The enclosure  206  can form an outer surface or partial outer surface and protective case for the internal components of the electronic device  200 , and may at least partially surround the display  210 . The enclosure  206  can be formed of one or more components operably connected together, such as a front piece and a back piece. Alternatively, the enclosure  206  can be formed of a single piece operably connected to the display  210 . 
     The I/O member  208  can be implemented with any type of input or output member. By way of example only, the I/O member  208  can be a switch, a button, a capacitive sensor, or other input mechanism. The I/O member  208  allows a user to interact with the electronic device  200 . For example, the I/O member  208  may be a button or switch to alter the volume, return to a home screen, and the like. The electronic device can include one or more input members or output members, and each member can have a single I/O function or multiple I/O functions. 
     The display  210  can be operably or communicatively connected to the electronic device  200 . The display  210  can be implemented with any type of suitable display, such as a retina display or an active matrix color liquid crystal display. The display  210  can provide a visual output for the electronic device  200  or function to receive user inputs to the electronic device. For example, the display  210  can be a multi-touch capacitive sensing touchscreen that can detect one or more user touch and/or force inputs. 
       FIGS. 3-5  are simplified cross-sectional views of examples of the electronic device  200  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 2A . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first cover glass  300  is disposed over the surface  216  of the electronic device  200 . The first cover glass  300  has a thickness T 1 . An opening  304  can be formed through the first cover glass  300  around the light-receiving region  306  of a camera  308 . In some embodiments, the light-receiving region of the camera is associated with one or more image sensors  310  included in the camera. 
     A second cover glass  312  can be disposed in the opening  304 . The second cover glass  312  has a thickness T 2 , and T 2  is less than T 1 . The thinner second cover glass  312  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, sapphire, glass, acrylic, plastic, and various combination thereof. In some embodiments, the second cover glass  312  is a first lens in optical communication with the camera  308 . Additionally or alternatively, a second lens  314  can be positioned between the second cover glass  312  and the camera  308 . The second lens  314  can be formed with one or more lenses that each have any given shape and dimensions. Example shapes include, but are not limited to, circular, lozenge, or triangular. 
     The second cover glass  312  can attach to one or more brackets  316 . The bracket or brackets  316  can have any given configuration and size, and can be positioned at any location. Additionally or alternatively, the second cover glass  312  can be attached to a frame (not shown) that attaches to the first cover glass  300 . Any suitable attachment mechanism can be used to attach the second cover glass  312  to the bracket(s)  316  and/or to the frame. By way of example only, an adhesive material and/or a fastener can be used to attach the second cover glass  312  to the bracket(s)  316  and/or to the frame. 
     The opening  304  and the thinner second cover glass  312  provides additional space  318  for the camera  308  and/or the optional second lens  314 . In some embodiments, a higher quality camera can be included in the electronic device  200  when the additional space  318  is present. For example, a higher quality camera can include a larger sensor, higher quality lenses, an autofocus feature, and/or a flash module. In some embodiments, a front-facing camera (e.g., camera  202 ) can be of equal or near-equal quality as a rear-facing camera (e.g., camera  204 ). 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  except that the opening  304  in the first cover glass  300  is larger. The second cover glass  312  is disposed over the light-receiving region  306  and at least part of one or more non-light receiving regions  400  of the camera. 
     The cross-sectional view in  FIG. 5  includes a monolithic cover glass  500 . The cover glass  500  has a region  502  that is thinner than other areas  504  of the cover glass  500 . Region  502  can have any given shape and dimensions. The thinner region  502  can be disposed over the light-receiving region  306  of the camera  308 . Additionally, the thinner region  502  can have a size and/or shape that positions the thinner region over some or all of the non-light receiving regions of the camera  308 . Like the first and second cover glasses  300  and  312 , the cover glass  500  can be make of any suitable material such as sapphire, glass, plastic, and various combinations of materials. 
     In some embodiments, the thinner region  502  can be shaped such that the thinner region acts as a lens. The lens can be in optical communication with the light-receiving region  306  of the camera  308 . Additionally or alternatively, the second lens  314  can be positioned between the cover glass  500  and the camera  308 . The thinner region  502  provides additional space  506  for the camera  308  and/or the optional second lens  314 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method for producing the cover glass arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 . Initially, a thinner region can be formed in a monolithic cover glass, as shown in block  600 . The thinner region can be formed with any known cutting, shaping, or trimming process. The location of the thinner region can correspond to a light-receiving region of a camera, or to the light-receiving region and at least a part of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera. 
     Next, as shown in block  602 , the cover glass arrangement can be attached to the electronic device. As described earlier, any suitable attachment mechanism can be used to connect the cover glass arrangement to the electronic device. For example, an adhesive material and/or a fastener can attach the cover glass arrangement to the electronic device. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method for producing the cover glass arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . Initially, an opening can be formed through a first cover glass (block  700 ). The opening can be formed using any suitable process. For example, the opening can be formed through the first cover glass by etching or grinding the first cover glass. The location of the opening can correspond to the light-receiving region of a camera, or to the light-receiving region and at least a part of one or more non-light receiving regions of the camera. 
     A second cover glass can then be positioned in the opening, as shown in block  702 . The thickness of the second cover glass is less than the thickness of the first cover glass. The cover glass arrangement can then be attached to the electronic device. In one embodiment, the first cover glass is affixed to a frame in the electronic device. The second cover glass can be attached to the first cover glass, to one or more brackets, and/or to the frame attached to the first cover glass. 
     Various embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have been described herein, it should be noted that the application is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respect to one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, where compatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may be exchanged, where compatible. For example, although the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-5  depict the front-facing first camera  202  ( FIG. 2 ), those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be used with the rear-facing second camera  404 . Additionally, a cover glass arrangement can include multiple openings with a second cover glass positioned in each opening, or multiple thinner regions formed in a cover glass. Additionally or alternatively, a cover glass arrangement can include both one or more openings with a second cover glass positioned in each opening and one or more thinner regions.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20151005
Publication Date: 20170725
Grant Date: 20170725
Priority Date: 20131211
Inventors: KWONG KELVIN
HOOTON LEE E.
HAVSKJOLD DAVID G.
MONTEVIRGEN ANTHONY S.
SANFORD EMERY A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/55", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1686", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04104", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N5/2254", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49826", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1686", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0414", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 53272391