PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10427439-B2
Application Number: US-201816126984-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Substrate marking for sealing surfaces

Abstract:
An electronic device includes a housing having an opening that includes an interior surface with a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°). The electronic device also includes a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening and the SIM card tray includes an angled surface. Information is encoded in the form of text that is laser etched on the angled surface. The text is characterized as having an aspect ratio that corresponds to the viewing angle.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a surface and a recess that extends from the surface, the recess having walls that extend to a terminus surface, wherein the walls are observable only from a location that is outside of the housing at a viewing angle that is non-orthogonal to the surface; and 
 a mark laser etched on at least one wall and having physical characteristics corresponding to a laser beam impinging the at least one wall at the viewing angle, wherein when the mark is observed at the viewing angle, the mark has an appearance corresponding to the laser beam impinging the surface at an angle that is orthogonal to the surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the appearance of the mark is characterized by at least one of a line width and an aspect ratio. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the mark corresponds to a laser altered portion of the surface characterized by a contrast ratio. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the contrast ratio is a difference in luminosity of light reflected from an unaltered portion and the altered portion of the surface. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein a legibility of the mark is characterized by a function of both the contrast ratio and the line width. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes an opening in the surface. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the opening is capable of accommodating a SIM card tray that is removable through the opening, wherein the SIM card tray includes an angled surface. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the SIM card tray further includes text on the angled surface, the text having an aspect ratio and a line width corresponding to a contour of the angled surface. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the viewing angle is within a range of viewing angles exclusive of 90°. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having an opening that includes an angled surface having a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°); 
 a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening, the SIM card tray including the angled surface; and 
 information encoded as text that is laser etched on the angled surface, wherein the text is characterized as having an aspect ratio and line width that corresponds to the viewing angle of 90°. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein legibility of the text is based upon at least a line width of the text and a contrast ratio of the text. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the contrast ratio comprises a difference in reflected luminosity between the text and a background region that is unaffected by the laser. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein a preferred lined width is within a range of line widths from a first line width that is not readily visible at the viewing angle and a second line width, the second line width being such that two adjacent lines appear to merge. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the information includes at least one of a serial number, or a model number, or a part number. 
     
     
       15. A method for using a laser to inscribe textual information at a surface of a substrate that is only viewable from a vantage point having an angular displacement that is other than ninety degrees (90°) relative to the surface, the method comprising:
 positioning a laser capable of projecting a laser beam towards the surface at the angular displacement; 
 projecting the laser beam at the surface at the angular displacement; and 
 causing the laser beam to impinge the substrate at the surface, wherein the laser beam inscribes the textual information at the surface by altering a reflective characteristic of the surface, wherein the textual information has an aspect ratio and a line width in accordance with the angular displacement. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the laser is a pulse modulated UV type laser. 
     
     
       17. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the aspect ratio corresponds to an energy of the laser and a frequency of pulse modulation. 
     
     
       18. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein an anodic oxide layer overlays the surface. 
     
     
       19. The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the anodic oxide layer is sufficiently transparent to the laser beam such that the laser beam is capable of passing through the anodic oxide layer to impinge the surface. 
     
     
       20. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the information includes at least one of a serial number, or a model number, or a part number.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/557,090, entitled “PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” filed Sep. 11, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     This patent application is also related and incorporates by reference in their entirety each of the following co-pending patent applications:
     (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/127,043 entitled “THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE STRUCTURE FOR DISSIPATING HEAT IN A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE” by HOOTON et al. filed Sep. 10, 2018;   (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/127,055 entitled “PLATE FOR MAGNETIC SHIELDING OF AN OPERATIONAL COMPONENT IN A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE” by WAH et al. filed Sep. 10, 2018;   (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/127,064 entitled “STRUCTURES FOR SECURING OPERATIONAL COMPONENTS IN A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE” by RAMMAH et al. filed Sep. 10, 2018; and   (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/127,071 entitled “SPACE-EFFICIENT FLEX CABLE WITH IMPROVED SIGNAL INTEGRITY FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE” by SLOEY et al. filed Sep. 10, 2018.   

    
    
     FIELD 
     The following description relates to an electronic device. In particular, the following description relates to a portable electronic device (e.g., smartphone) having various features and enhancements. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices are known to include a housing and a cover glass that combines with the housing to enclose components such as a circuit board, a display, and a battery. Also, portable electronic devices are known to communicate over a network server to send and receive information, as well as communicate with a network carrier to send and receive voice communication. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a housing having a surface and a recess that extends from the surface. The recess having walls that extend to a terminus surface and the walls are observable only from a location that is outside of the housing at a viewing angle that is non-orthogonal to the surface. The electronic device also includes a mark having physical characteristics corresponding to being laser etched at the viewing angle. When the mark is observed at the viewing angle, the mark has an appearance corresponding to being laser etched at an angle that is orthogonal to the surface. 
     An electronic device includes a housing having an opening that includes an interior surface having a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°) and a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening. The SIM card tray including an angled surface and information encoded in the form of text that is laser etched on the angled surface, wherein the text is characterized as having an aspect ratio that corresponds to the viewing angle. 
     A method for using a laser to inscribe textual information at a surface of a substrate that is only viewable from a vantage point having an angular displacement that is other than ninety degrees (90°) relative to the surface is described. The method is carried out by performing at least the following steps: positioning a laser capable of projecting a laser beam towards the surface at the angular displacement, projecting the laser beam at the surface at the angular displacement, causing the laser beam to impinge the substrate at the surface. It should be noted that the laser beam inscribes the textual information at the surface by altering a reflective characteristic of the surface. Moreover, the textual information has a contrast ratio and a line width in accordance with the angular displacement. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front isometric view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear isometric view of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate a marked substrate in accordance with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a substrate having a recess with a surface that is not directly viewable; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the substrate of  FIG. 4  having the surface marked with a laser; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates laser marking near or on a recess capable of receiving a SIM card; 
         FIG. 7  shows a histogram of a laser marked surface; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of steps in a method for laser marking a contoured surface of a housing of a portable electronic device; 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following disclosure relates to an electronic device, such as a mobile communication device that takes the form of a smart phone or a tablet computer device. The electronic device can also have a form factor making the electronic device suitable for wearable applications. By wearable it is meant that the electronic device can be worn by a user by way of a strap, a wristband, or any other suitable attachment mechanism. It should be noted that the electronic device can include several enhancements and modifications not found on traditional electronic devices. For example, the electronic device may include a protective cover (transparent material) and a display assembly coupled to the protective cover, with the display assembly extending to the edges (or at least substantially to the edges) of the protective cover, thereby providing an “edge to edge” appearance of the display assembly as visual information (textual, still images, or motion images, i.e., video) are seen at or near the edges of the protective cover. The electronic device can also have operational components enclosed within and carried by a housing. The housing can have recesses or other features some of which can have surfaces that can be suitable for application of identifying marks, or indicia. The identifying marks can include information such as a serial number, a model number, textual information related to an owner of the product, and so on. It is therefore imperative that the identifying marks be legible and readily viewable. However, for cosmetic purposes, the identifying marks can be viewable at only a specific viewing angle, or range of viewing angles. In this way, the identifying marks will be less likely to adversely affect an aesthetic appearance of the electronic device. Therefore, a surface (or surfaces) of the housing that is not readily viewable (such as interior surfaces of a recess or other housing feature) can be used for application of the identifying marks. In this way, the identifying marks can be generally visible at line of sight having a pre-determined viewing angle(s) with respect to a normal of the surface. In this way, the identifying information is viewable when needed yet does not detract from the overall aesthetic appearance of the electronic product. 
     In one embodiment, a laser can be used to laser mark a surface at an angle corresponding to a viewing angle. In this regard, the surface can be generally hidden from view except when viewed at the viewing angle(s). For example, the housing can include a recess having internal walls that cannot be viewed “head on” (i.e., viewing angle is about normal, 90°, to the surface) but can nonetheless be viewed at an angle other than normal. Accordingly, a laser used to provide a laser beam used to laser mark the surface can be directed at a laser angle corresponding to the viewing angle. In this way, the laser marks can be viewed at the viewing angle without apparent distortion. It should also be noted, that the quality of the laser mark can be a function of various factors, such a contrast (difference in reflected luminosity between the text and background), line width, color (based upon type of substrate material), and so on. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front isometric view of an embodiment of an electronic device  100 , in accordance with some described embodiments. In some embodiments, the electronic device  100  is a tablet computer device. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  is a mobile wireless communication device (a smartphone, for example). The electronic device  100  may include a band  102  that extends defines an outer perimeter of the electronic device  100 . The band  102  may include a metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or an alloy that includes at least one of aluminum or stainless steel. The band  102  may be composed of several sidewall components, such as a first sidewall component  104 , a second sidewall component  106 , a third sidewall component  108  (opposite the first sidewall component  104 ), and a fourth sidewall component (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The aforementioned sidewall components may include any material(s) previously described for the band  102 . 
     In some instances, some of the sidewall components form part of an antenna assembly (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). As a result, a non-metal material, or materials, may separate the sidewall components of the band  102  from each other in order to electrically isolate the sidewall components. For example, a first composite material separates the first sidewall component  104  from the second sidewall component  106 , and a second composite material separates the second sidewall component  106  from the third sidewall component  108 . The aforementioned composite may include an electrically inert, or insulating, material(s), such as plastics and/or resin, as non-limiting examples. 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a display assembly  116  (shown as a dotted line) that is covered by a protective cover  118 . The display assembly  116  may include multiple layers (discussed below), with each layer providing a unique function. The display assembly  116  may be partially covered by a border  120 , or frame, that extends along an outer edge of the protective cover  118  and partially covers an outer edge of the display assembly  116 . The border  120  can be positioned to hide or obscure any electrical and mechanical connections between the layers of the display assembly  116  and flexible circuit connectors. This will be shown below. Also, the border  120  may include uniform thickness. For example, the border  120  may include a thickness that generally does not change in the X- and Y-dimensions. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the display assembly  116  may include a notch  122 , representing an absence of the display assembly  116 . The notch  122  may allow for a vision system (discussed below) that provides the electronic device  100  with information for object recognition, such as facial recognition. In this regard, the electronic device  100  may include a masking layer with openings (shown as dotted lines) designed to hide or obscure the vision system, while the openings allow the vision system provide the object recognition information. This will be further discussed below. Also, the protective cover  118  may be formed from a transparent material, such as glass, plastic, sapphire, or the like. In this regard, the protective cover  118  may be referred to as a transparent cover, a transparent protective cover, or a cover glass (when the protective cover  118  includes glass). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the protective cover  118  includes an opening  124 , which may represent a single opening of the protective cover  118 . The opening  124  may allow for transmission of acoustical energy (in the form of audible sound) into the electronic device  100 , which may be received by a microphone (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device  100 . Further, the opening  124  may allow for transmission of acoustical energy (in the form of audible sound) out the electronic device  100 , which may be generated by an audio module (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device  100 . Also, the electronic device  100  may not include a button, such as “home button,” commonly found in electronic devices, as the protective cover  118  does not include additional openings. 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a port  126  designed to receive a connector of a cable assembly. The port  126  allows the electronic device  100  to communication data information (send and receive), and also allows the electronic device  100  to receive electrical energy to charge a battery assembly (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, the port  126  may include terminals (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that electrically couple to the connector. 
     Also, the electronic device  100  may include several openings. For example, the electronic device  100  may include openings  128  that allow an additional audio module (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device to emit acoustical energy out of the electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  may further include openings  132  that allow an additional microphone (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the electronic device to receive acoustical energy. Also, the electronic device  100  may include a first fastener  134  and a second fastener  136  designed to secure with a rail (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) that is coupled to the protective cover  118 . In this regard, the first fastener  134  and the second fastener  136  are designed to couple the protective cover  118  with the band  102 . 
     The electronic device  100  may include several control inputs designed to provide a command to the electronic device  100 . For example, the electronic device  100  may include a first control input  142  and a second control input  144 . The aforementioned control inputs may be used to adjust the visual information presented on the display assembly  116  or the volume of acoustical energy output by an audio module, as non-limiting examples. The controls may include one of a switch or a button designed to generate a command to a processor circuit (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The control inputs may at least partially extend through openings in the sidewall components. For example, the second sidewall component  106  may include an opening  146  that receives the first control input  142 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear isometric view of the electronic device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition to the aforementioned sidewall components, the band  102  may further include a fourth sidewall component  110 . As shown, a third composite material  152  separates the first sidewall component  104  from the fourth sidewall component  110 , and a fourth composite material  154  separates the fourth sidewall component  110  from the third sidewall component  108 . 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a protective cover  158  that couples with the band  102 . In this regard, the protective cover  158  may combine with the band  102  to form an enclosure of the electronic device  100 , with the enclosure (band  102  and protective cover  158 ) defining an internal volume that carries several internal components, such as a battery assembly, circuit board assembly, vision system, as non-limiting examples. The protective cover  158  may include any material(s) previously described for the protective cover  108  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). When the protective cover  158  include a non-metal material, the electronic device  100  may provide hardware (and software) to support wireless charging. For example, the electronic device  100  may include a wireless power receiving module  160  (represented by a dotted line) covered by the protective cover  158 . The wireless power receiving module  160  is designed to receive an induced current when exposed to an alternating electromagnetic field. This will be further discussed below. Also, the protective cover  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may be referred to as a “front protective cover” and the protective cover  158  may be referred to as a “rear protective cover,” as the front of the electronic device  100  is generally associated with the display assembly  116  (which is covered by the protective cover  118 ), and the back of the electronic device  100  is generally associated with a rear wall, such as the protective cover  158 . 
     The electronic device  100  may further include a camera assembly  170 , which may include a dual camera assembly. As shown, the camera assembly  170  may include a first camera module  172 , a second camera module  174 , and a light emitter  176  positioned between the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174 . The light emitter  176  is designed to provide additional lighting during an image capture event by the first camera module  172  and/or the second camera module  174 . However, it is desired to isolate some of the light “leakage” from the light emitter into the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174 . In this regard, the camera assembly  170  may further include a trim element (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) designed to optically isolate the light emitter  176  from the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174 . In this manner, the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174  may only receive desired light from the light emitter  176 , such as light reflected from an object, the image of which is the first camera module  172  and/or the second camera module  174 ). The trim element will be further shown and described below. Also, the camera assembly  170  may further include a protective cover  178  formed from a transparent material that covers the first camera module  172 , the second camera module  174 , and the light emitter  176 . However, the protective cover  178  may include a masking layer (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) designed to at least partially obscure part of protective cover the first camera module  172 , the second camera module  174 , and the light emitter  176 . It should be noted, however, that the masking layer includes openings that allow the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174  to capture images, and that allow the light emitter  176  to emit light that exits the electronic device  100 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174  are aligned (collectively) in a manner that is parallel with respect to the second sidewall component  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the fourth sidewall component  110 . In other words, an imaginary line can be drawn through the first camera module  172  and the second camera module  174  that is parallel with respect the second sidewall component  106  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the fourth sidewall component  110 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates substrate  300  that, in one embodiment, can have surface  302  that is overlaid by anodic oxide layer  304 . In some embodiments, substrate  300  can include portion  306  having optical characteristics that have been altered in such a way that portion  306  is rendered visually distinct from a remaining unaltered portion  308  of substrate  300 . In some cases, altered portion  306  can take the form of an indicia (such as text, symbol, number, etc.) that can be observed through anodic oxide layer  304  at a “head on” angle. By head on angle it is meant an angle at which altered portion  304  is viewed such that any indicia have observed characteristics (such as aspect ratio, line width, etc.) that are consistent with baseline characteristics. In this case, portion  306  has been altered using laser  310  that provides laser beam  312  directed towards substrate  300  at the “head on” angle of 90°. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the letter “A” is formed using laser beam  312  from laser  310  that passes through anodic layer  304  at an angle of 90° (that also that corresponds to viewing angle of 90°). In this way, as shown in  FIG. 3B , altered portion  306  takes on the appearance of a capital letter “A” in block form having a baseline height a 1  and a baseline width b 1  resulting in the capital letter “A” having baseline aspect ratio AR1 (b 1 /a 1 ) and baseline line width LW (lw 1 ). It should be noted that in general a laser beam produces a circular spot when the impingement angle of the laser beam (i.e., the angle between the impinged surface and the laser) is orthogonal to surface  302 . In this way, the line width and aspect ratio can be associated with the diameter of the circular spot. However, when the impingement angle is other than orthogonal, the laser spot becomes an ellipse having a major axis that is greater than the diameter and a minor axis that is less than the diameter that take together gives the resultant image a “stretched out” appearance. 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates an embodiment whereby substrate  300  is angularly displaced by angle θv from the horizontal whilst the direction of the laser beam and the viewing angle remain unchanged with respect to horizontal plane  314 . In this case, angle θ 2  is about (90−θ 1 )° resulting in the letter “A” having altered visual characteristics in accordance with height a 2  and width b 2 . In this case, letter “A” will have aspect ratio AR 2  (b 2 /a 1 ) and line width lw 2  as shown in  FIG. 3D , where a 1 , b 1 , lw 1  will appear to be different than a 2 , b 2 , lw 2 . 
     Therefore, in order to restore the visual characteristics to those in accordance with the “head on” view even though substrate  300  is angularly displaced from horizontal surface  314 , the viewing angle and the angle of the laser that forms altered portion  306  can be aligned to be generally the same, as illustrated in  FIG. 3E . In this case, the apparent aspect ratio and line width can be AR 1  and lw 1 , respectively. This arrangement is particularly useful in those situations shown in  FIG. 4  showing housing  400  having a recess  402  that having wall  404  that blocks a head on view of surface  406  and therefore can only be viewed within a range of viewing angles (θ a , θ b ) other than 90°. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , surface  406  can be part of recess  402  having wall  404 , a portion of surface  406  is to be laser etched by laser  310  using laser beam  312  the effects of which can only be viewed at viewing angle θ v  that is other than 90° (since surface  406  is blocked from “head on” view by wall  404 ). Accordingly, laser  310  can be positioned such that laser beam  312  impinges surface  406  at impingement angle θ 3  (that matches viewing angle θv). In this way, when viewed at viewing angle θv, the visual appearance of any character encoded in altered portion  306  of surface  406  can appear as if the character was formed and viewed at the head on angle of 90°. 
     In a specific case, markings may be made on a sealing surface of a recess capable of receiving, for example, SIM tray. However, this surface, as well as other surfaces, are at an angle. Thus, as is described with respect to  FIG. 6 , a laser etching technique can be used where the laser is configured to etch text while directed an angle to the surface being etched that corresponds to the viewing angle. For example, recess  600  is capable of receiving a SIM tray (not shown), multiple surfaces  602  may be candidates to receive laser etched text. The surfaces  602  may have a substrate base and be covered with an anodization layer (aluminum oxide layer), such that the laser etching is configured to etch the text under the anodization layer covering. However, these surfaces  602  are oriented at an angle that is oblique to the laser etching device. If the text were etched without elongation, then it will be distorted to the viewer and otherwise may be difficult to read. Thus, using the techniques described above, the resultant text  604  can be easily read at the viewing angle. 
       FIG. 7  shows histogram  700  illustrating the luminance (L) variation of a laser ablated portion and a background portion. As shown, background portion (represented by portion  308 ) is generally unaffected by the laser and therefore retains a baseline luminance variation having a peak at L1 whereas the laser ablated portion (portion  306 ) corresponding to the indicia (such as A) can have a luminance histogram having a peak value of L2. It should be noted that a contrast ratio between the background and the indicia can be associated with a ratio of background peak luminance (L1) and indicia peak luminance L2) such that a contrast difference can be defined by Eq. (1):
 
 C.R.=L 2− L 1.  Eq. (1)
 
In one embodiment, a legibility of the mark is characterized by at least as a function of both the contrast ratio and the line width.
 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart  800  of steps in a method in accordance with the described embodiments. At step  802 , a range of viewing angles (that are other than 90°) of a substrate to be marked is determined. At  804 , at least a portion of the substrate is altered using, for example, a laser beam that impinges the surface at an impingement angle that is within the range of viewing angles. At  806 . if the optical characteristics of the altered portion of the substrate are acceptable, then the method is done at  808 , otherwise, at  810 , if the substrate can be reworked, then the substrate is returned to  804 , otherwise, the substrate is rejected at  812 , and the method is done at  808 . 
     An electronic device, includes a housing having a substrate that includes a surface that is overlaid by an anodic oxide layer, wherein the surface is directly viewable through the anodic oxide layer from a location that is outside the housing and at a viewing angle that is other than orthogonal to the surface and a mark at the surface, the mark having an aspect ratio and a line width in accordance with the viewing angle such that the mark, when viewed at the viewing angle, has an apparent aspect ratio and an apparent line width that corresponds to viewing the mark at a viewing angle that is orthogonal to the surface. In one embodiment, the anodic oxide layer is sufficiently transparent that a laser beam is capable of passing from an external surface of the anodic oxide layer to the substrate surface, wherein the laser beam is incident upon the anodic oxide layer at the viewing angle. In one embodiment, the mark is formed at the substrate surface by moving the laser beam in a controlled manner such that the laser beam alters a portion of the substrate surface on which the laser beam impinges, wherein the altered portion of the substrate surface is visibly distinct from an unaltered portion and is characterized by a contrast ratio and a line width. In one embodiment, the contrast ratio is a ratio of a luminance of the altered portion and a luminance of the unaltered portion of the substrate surface. In one embodiment, a legibility of the mark is characterized by at least as a function of both the contrast ratio and the line width. In one embodiment the electronic device includes an opening that is at least partially defined by the substrate surface. In one embodiment, the opening is capable of accommodating a SIM card tray that is removable through the opening, wherein the SIM card tray includes an angled surface. In one embodiment, the SIM card tray further includes text on the angled surface, the text having an aspect ratio corresponding to a contour of the angled surface. In one embodiment, the viewing angle is within a range of viewing angles exclusive of 90°. 
     An electronic device, includes a housing that include an opening that includes an interior surface having a portion that is only viewable from an external vantage point at a viewing angle that is other than ninety degrees (90°), a SIM card tray that is removable from the housing via the opening, the SIM card tray including an angled surface, and information encoded in the form of text that is laser etched on the angled surface, wherein the text is characterized as having an aspect ratio that corresponds to the viewing angle. In one embodiment, legibility of the text is based upon at least a line width of the text and a contrast ratio of the text. In one embodiment, the contrast ratio comprises a difference in reflected luminosity between the laser etched text and a background region that is unaffected by the laser beam. In one embodiment, a preferred lined width is within a range of line widths from a first line width that is not readily visible at the viewing angle and a second line width, the second line width being such that two adjacent lines appear to merge. In one embodiment, the information includes at least one of a serial number, or a model number, or a part number. 
     A method for using a laser to inscribe textual information at a surface of a substrate that is only viewable from a vantage point having an angular displacement that is other than ninety degrees (90°) relative to the surface is described. The method includes at least: positioning a laser capable of projecting a laser beam towards the surface at the angular displacement, projecting the laser beam at the surface at the angular displacement, causing the laser beam to impinge the substrate at the surface, wherein the laser beam inscribes the textual information at the surface by altering a reflective characteristic of the surface, the textual information has a contrast ratio and a line width in accordance with the angular displacement. In one embodiment, the laser is a pulse modulated UV type laser. In one embodiment, the contrast ratio corresponds to an energy of the laser and a frequency of the pulse modulation. In one embodiment, an anodic oxide layer overlays the surface. In one embodiment, the anodic oxide layer is sufficiently transparent to the laser beam such that the laser beam is capable of passing through the anodic oxide layer to impinge the surface. In one embodiment, the information includes at least one of a serial number, or a model number, or a part number. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180910
Publication Date: 20191001
Grant Date: 20191001
Priority Date: 20170911
Inventors: HAWTHORNE, JENNIFER L.
NORTHROP, MICHAEL J.
LEE, Tristan E.
RAMMAH, MARWAN
HILL, MATTHEW D.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0216", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B41M5/24", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0007", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0264", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F28F21/085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01P3/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/2039", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/069", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B41M5/24", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F28F21/084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0007", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/069", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1626", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/2039", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/0216", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F28F21/085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F28F21/084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K9/0075", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/10189", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B41M5/24", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01P3/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 65630378