PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7660104-B2
Application Number: US-3417408-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: User interface component with a removable cover

Abstract:
A user interface component for use in an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first part and a second part. The user interface component may include a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component. The structural part may include an aperture. The aperture may allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may also allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The user interface component may also include a cover detachably coupled with the structural part. The cover may cover the aperture and may receive user input.

Claims:
1. A user interface component configured for use in an electronic device, the electronic device including at least a first part and a second part; the user interface component comprising:
 a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component, the structural part including at least an aperture, the aperture configured to allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device, the aperture further configured to allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device; and 
 a cover detachably coupled with the structural part, the cover configured to cover the aperture, the cover further configured to receive user input. 
 
     
     
       2. The user interface component of  claim 1  representing a keycap of a key of a key set. 
     
     
       3. The user interface component of  claim 1  representing a keycap of a space bar of a keyboard. 
     
     
       4. The user interface component of  claim 1  representing a pick button. 
     
     
       5. The user interface component of  claim 1  representing a track pad. 
     
     
       6. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the cover is further configured to cover the structural part. 
     
     
       7. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the cover is magnetically coupled with the structural part. 
     
     
       8. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the cover is further configured to compress a tactile dome when the cover receives the user input, thereby triggering generation of a signal. 
     
     
       9. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the structural part is further configured to compress a tactile dome when the cover receives the user input, thereby triggering generation of a signal. 
     
     
       10. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the structural part is coupled with a mechanism plate of the electronic device by one or more stabilization mechanisms, the one or more stabilization mechanisms configured to keep the user interface component substantially parallel to the mechanism plate when the cover receives the user input. 
     
     
       11. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the structural part is coupled with a mechanism plate of the electronic device by one or more leveler bars, the one or more leveler bars configured to keep the user interface component substantially parallel to the mechanism plate when the cover receives the user input. 
     
     
       12. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the aperture is configured to allow a plurality of fasteners to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device, the aperture further configured to allow the plurality of fasteners to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
     
     
       13. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the structural part includes a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of the apertures is configured to allow one or more fasteners to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part and to be removed through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
     
     
       14. The user interface component of  claim 1  wherein the aperture is further configured to allow an illumination unit disposed inside the electronic device to illuminate at least a portion of the cover. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a first part; 
 a second part configured to be coupled with the first part by at least a fastener; 
 a user interface component including at least a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface and having an aperture allowing the fastener to pass through, 
 wherein the aperture is configured to allow the fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device, 
 the aperture is further configured to allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the user interface component represents at least one of a keycap of a key of a key set, a keycap of a space bar of a keyboard, a pick button, and a track pad. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the user interface component further includes a cover detachably coupled with the structure part, the cover being configured to compress a tactile dome when the cover receives a user input, thereby triggering generation of a signal. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the structural part is coupled with a mechanism plate of the electronic device by one or more stabilizing mechanisms, the one or more stabilizing mechanisms configured to keep the user interface component substantially parallel to the mechanism plate when the cover receives the user input. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the aperture is configured to allow a plurality of fasteners to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device, the aperture further configured to allow the plurality of fasteners to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the aperture is further configured to allow an illumination unit disposed inside the electronic device to illuminate at least a portion of the cover.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Enclosures of electronic devices typically include multiple parts that may need to be coupled by fasteners, such as screws. If the fasteners are readily visible and accessible, the electronic devices may be more likely to be disassembled and/or tampered with by users. On the other hand, if the fasteners are not easily accessible, additional time and/or cost may be required for removing the fasteners when legitimate services are to be performed on the electronic devices, e.g., by technicians of the manufacturers of the electronic devices. 
     For example,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic representation of an example prior art electronic device  100 . An enclosure of electronic device  100  may include a top case  101  and a bottom case  102 . Top case  101  and bottom case  102  may be mechanically coupled by screws  103  and  104 . 
     As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1A , screws  103  and  104  may be readily visible and accessible to a user of electronic device  100 . As a result, the user may be more tempted to disassemble electronic device  100  due to curiosity or in an attempt to perform unauthorized repairs, and the components contained inside top case  101  and bottom case  102  may be tampered with by the user. Consequently, electronic device  100  may be damaged. 
     Exterior components of electronic device  100  may not be designed to effectively conceal screws (e.g., screws  103  and  104 ) such that the screws are not visible to the user while being easily accessible by service technicians. As an example of the exterior components, a space bar  110  of electronic device is discussed, with reference to the example of  FIG. 1B . 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view A-A of space bar  110  indicated in the example of  FIG. 1A . As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1B , space bar  110  may include a keycap  190 . Space bar  110  may also include one or more scissor-arm mechanisms, such as scissor-arm mechanism  115 , and one or more levelers, such as levelers  116  and  126 , configured to mechanically couple keycap  100  to a keyboard mechanism plate  111  through one or more pin-and-slot mechanisms, such as pin-and-slot mechanism  121  and  122 . Scissor-arm mechanism  115  and levelers  116  and  126  may also be configured to keep keycap  190  substantially parallel to keyboard mechanism plate  111  when keycap  190  is pressed by a user. 
     When keycap  190  is pressed by the user, keycap  190  may compress tactile dome  114  such that a loading portion  113  of tactile dome  114  may urge a membrane  117  to contact a membrane  118 . When membrane  117  is in contact with membrane  118 , an electrical signal may be generated. 
     Space bar  110  may also include stiffener  161  disposed under key cap  190 . Stiffener  161  may be configured to provide structural stiffness for key cap  190 . 
     As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1B , keycap  190  may not be easily removed from mechanism plate  115  (or electronic device  100 ). In particular, keycap  190  may not be easily removed without one or more of keycap  190 , scissor-arm mechanism  115 , levelers  116  and  126 , pin-and-slot mechanism  121  and  122 , and other components inside space bar  110  being damaged. Even if undamaged, the complexity of the design is such that the components associated with the keycap are often difficult to disassemble and reassembled without requiring specialized tools and/or specialized knowledge. 
     Concealing screws under space bar  110  may prevent users from disassembling and tampering with electronic device  100 . However, a significant amount of cost for replacing damaged parts may be incurred and/or a substantial disassembling time may be required when electronic device  100  is to be serviced by a technician. Accordingly, as illustrated by space bar  110  of electronic device  100  in the example of  FIGS. 1A-B , concealing screws under exterior components may be impractical for prior art electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates to a user interface component for use in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first part and a second part. The user interface component may include a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component. The structural part may include an aperture. The aperture may allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may also allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The user interface component may also include a cover detachably coupled with the structural part. The cover may cover the aperture and may receive user input. 
     The above summary relates to only one of the many embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is set forth is the claims herein. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic representation of an example prior art electronic device. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a space bar indicated in the example of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic representation of an electronic device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a space bar indicated in the example of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates a schematic representation of another cross-sectional view of the space bar indicated in the example of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     One or more embodiments of the invention relate to a user interface component configured for use in an electronic device. The user interface component may represent a keycap of a key of a key set, e.g., a keyboard or a keypad. For example, the user interface component may represent a keycap of a space bar of a keyboard. As another example, the user interface component may represent a pick button of the track pad subsystem. As another example, the user interface component may represent a track pad. 
     The electronic device may represent for example, one or more of a computing device (e.g., a computer), a communication device (e.g., a cellular phone), an entertainment device (e.g., a media player), etc. The electronic device may include a first part and a second part that need to be mechanically coupled. 
     In the following discussion, a key cap is employed as an example user interface component. However, it should be understood that the invention also applies to other human interface components such as pick buttons, track pads, etc. 
     Generally speaking, the key cap user interface component may include a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component. The structural part may also be configured to compress a tactile dome when the cover receives the user input, thereby triggering generation of a signal. 
     The structural part is coupled with a mechanism plate (e.g., a keyboard mechanism plate) of the electronic device by one or more stabilization mechanisms (e.g., one or more scissor-arm mechanisms and/or leveler bars). The one or more stabilization mechanisms may be configured to keep the user interface component substantially parallel to the mechanism plate when the cover receives the user input. 
     The structural part may include an aperture. The aperture may be configured to allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may be further configured to allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may also be configured to allow an illumination unit disposed inside the electronic device to illuminate at least a portion of the cover. 
     In one or more embodiments, the aperture may be configured to allow a plurality of fasteners to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture further may also be configured to allow the plurality of fasteners to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
     In one or more embodiments, the structural pail may include a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of the apertures may be configured to allow one or more fasteners to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part and to be removed through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. 
     The user interface component may also include a cover. The cover may be removable (or detachable) from the structural part. The cover may be configured to cover the aperture. The cover may be configured to provide visual cues to provide the user with an indication of the function of the underlying user interface component (e.g., letter “K”). The cover may also be configured to receive user input. The cover may also be configured to compress a tactile dome when the cover receives the user input, thereby triggering generation of a signal. 
     The cover may also be configured to cover the structural part. The cover may be magnetically coupled with and/or snapped onto the structural part. 
     One or more embodiments of the invention relate to the electronic device that implements one or more of the above-mentioned user interface components. 
     The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the figures and discussions (with prior art mechanisms and embodiments of the invention contrasted) that follow. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic representation of an electronic device  200  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Electronic device  200  may include a top case  201  (representing a first part) and a bottom case  202  (representing a second part). 
     Top case  201  and bottom case  202  may be mechanically coupled by one or more of fasteners  203 - 208 . For example, top case  201  and bottom case  202  may be mechanically coupled by one or more of fasteners  203 - 204  concealed under a space bar  210 . Alternatively or additionally, top case  201  and bottom case  202  may be mechanically coupled by one or more of fasteners  205 - 206  concealed under a track pad  220 . Alternatively or additionally, top case  201  and bottom case  202  may be mechanically coupled by one or more of fasteners  207 - 208  concealed under a pick button  230 . 
     One or more of space bar  210 , track pad  220 , and pick button  230  may include a structural part that have one or more apertures configured to allow one or more fasteners to pass through. Further, one or more of space bar  210 , track pad  220 , and pick button  230  may include a cosmetic cover configured to cover the one or more apertures. As an example, space bar  210  is discussed with reference to  FIGS. 2B-C . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view B-B of space bar  210  indicated in the example of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present, invention. As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 2B , space bar  210  may include stabilization mechanisms (e.g., scissor-arm mechanism  215  and levelers  216  and  226 ) and/or pin-and-slot mechanisms (e.g., pin-and-slot mechanisms  221  and  222 ) configured to mechanically couple a keycap  290  with a keyboard mechanism plate  211 . The stabilization mechanisms and/or pin-and-slot mechanisms may also be configured to keep keycap  290  substantially parallel to keyboard mechanism plate  211  when keycap  290  receives user input  295 , e.g., a compression force. 
     Keycap  290  may include a structural part  291  configured to provide structural stiffness for keycap  290 . For example, structural part  291  may be made of a material including one or more of glass-filled high performance plastic, cast metal, aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. Accordingly, keycap  290  may not need an additional stiffener like stiffener  161  of space bar  110  illustrated in the example of  FIG. 1B . Structural part  291  may be mechanically coupled with one or more of the stabilization mechanisms (e.g., scissor-arm mechanisms and levelers) through one or more of the pin-and-slot mechanisms. 
     Keycap  290  may also include a cover  292  attached to structural part  291 . Cover  292  may be configured to receive user input  295 . Cover  292  may also be configured to provide a cosmetic appearance and a tactile feel of keycap  290 . A user may have several covers with different appearances, colors, and/or feels, and may change the covers in place of cover  292  from time to time, for example, for personalization and/or for fun. 
     Cover  292  may be easily removable or detachable from structural part  291 . For example, cover  292  may be snapped onto structural part  291 . Alternatively or additionally, cover  292  may be magnetically coupled with structural part  291  by one or more magnetic and/or ferrous elements, such as magnetic element  299 . In one or more embodiments, cover  292  may represent a sticky label. 
     Space bar  210  may also include tactile dome  214  (with a loading portion  213 ), membrane  217 , and membrane  218  configured for triggering generation of signals. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view C-C of space bar  210  indicated in the example of  FIG. 2A  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in the example of  FIG. 2C , structural part  291  (or key cap  290 ) may include one or more apertures, such as apertures  293  and  294 . The apertures may be configured to allow fasteners, such as fasteners  203  and  204  (e.g., screws, frictional units, or snap-on units), to pass through structural part  291 . Accordingly, without structural part  291  being decoupled from stabilization mechanisms (e.g., scissor-arm mechanism  215  and leveler  216 ) or removed from electronic device  200 , fasteners  203  and  204  may be inserted through apertures  293  and  294  to mechanically couple top case  201  with bottom case  202 . Cover  292  may simply need to be removed and replaced. 
     Further, without structural part  291  being decoupled from the stabilization mechanisms or removed from electronic device  200 , fasteners  203  and  204  may be easily removed through apertures  293  and  294 . Accordingly, top case  201  and bottom case  202  may be decoupled, and electronic device  200  may be disassembled. Cover  292  may simply need to be removed and replaced. 
     Apertures  293  and  204  may also be configured to allow an illumination unit  280  to provide illumination to at least a portion of cover  292  (e.g., for backlighting purposes). For example, aperture  294  may be configured to allow a light beam  281  from illumination unit  280  to at least partially pass through. 
     Cover  292  may be configured to cover structural part  291  for usability and aesthetic considerations. Cover  292  may be configured to cover the top surface of structural part  291 , thereby covering the one or more apertures, such as apertures  293  and  294 . In one or more embodiments, cover  292  may be configured to cover only the one or more apertures without covering the rest of structural part  291 . 
     When cover  292  receives user input  295 , cover  292  may compress tactile dome  274  for generating an electrical signal. Alternatively or additionally, when user input  295  is received, structural part  291  may compress tactile dome  214  for generating the electrical signal. 
     As can be appreciated from the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention may separate cosmetic functions and structural functions for exterior components (e.g., user interlace components) of electronic devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention may advantageously provide manufacturability and flexibility in manufacturing and servicing electronic devices. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may also effectively conceal fasteners from users of electronic devices. Advantageously, inappropriate handling or tampering of the electronic devices may be prevented. Embodiments of the invention may also provide convenience for service technicians to remove the fasteners for service purposes. 
     Providing easily detachable covers, embodiments of the invention may also provide convenience, flexibility, and versatility in changing the appearance and tactile feel of exterior components of electronic devices. Accordingly, there may be more personalization and more fun associated with utilizing the electronic devices. 
     While ibis invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may find utility in other applications. The abstract section is provided herein for convenience and, due to word count limitation, is accordingly written for reading convenience and should not be employed to limit the scope of the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080220
Publication Date: 20100209
Grant Date: 20100209
Priority Date: 20080220
Inventors: LIGTENBERG CHRIS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/169", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1616", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1662", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41062806