PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11945048-B2
Application Number: US-202117559129-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Laser-based cutting of transparent components for an electronic device

Abstract:
Laser-based techniques for cutting and drilling of transparent components are disclosed. These laser-based techniques rely on laser modification of transparent substrates followed by chemical etching and are suitable for use with a variety of transparent substrates. Transparent components and enclosures and electronic devices including the transparent components are also disclosed herein.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a display; and 
 an enclosure comprising:
 a transparent component provided over the display, the transparent component comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface, the edge surface defining multiple facets and a surface texture comprising:
 a set of recessed features having a characteristic feature size from 25 nm to less than 1 micron; and 
 a set of lateral features, at least some of the recessed features of the set of recessed features overlapping lateral features of the set of lateral features; and 
 
 an enclosure component coupled to the transparent component and at least partly defining an internal cavity of the electronic device, the display positioned at least partially within the internal cavity. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a spacing of adjacent lateral features of the set of lateral features ranges from 10 microns to 40 microns. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the front surface defines a perimeter of the transparent component; and 
 the lateral features of the set of lateral features are aligned with the perimeter. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic feature size is a diameter of the set of recessed features. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein a spacing of adjacent lateral features of the set of lateral features is larger than the diameter of at least one of the recessed features of the set of recessed features. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent component is a glass ceramic component. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device comprising:
 a display; and 
 an enclosure comprising:
 a transparent component provided over the display, the transparent component defining:
 a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface, the edge surface defining multiple facets and a surface texture comprising recessed features having a characteristic feature size from 25 nm to less than 1 micron; 
 a corner region; and 
 an array of holes positioned in the corner region; and 
 
 an enclosure component coupled to the transparent component and at least partly defining an internal cavity of the electronic device, the display positioned at least partially within the internal cavity. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the array of holes is offset from a perimeter of the front surface of the transparent component. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the transparent component is formed from a glass material. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the array of holes is filled with a transparent material having an index of refraction that is substantially matched to the glass material. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the surface texture further comprises a set of lateral features; and 
 at least some of the recessed features are intermixed with lateral features of the set of lateral features. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the holes of the array of holes has a diameter less than 1 mm. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the diameter of at least one of the holes of the array of holes ranges from 2 micrometers to 500 micrometers. 
     
     
       14. An electronic device comprising:
 an enclosure comprising:
 a housing; and 
 a transparent component coupled to the housing and defining an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a shaped edge surface extending between the exterior and the interior surfaces and defining a surface texture, the surface texture comprising:
 a set of lateral features; and 
 a set of recessed features having a characteristic feature size from 25 nm to less than 1 micron, at least some of the recessed features of the set of recessed features interspersed with lateral features of the set of lateral features; and 
 
 
 a display positioned at least partially within an interior cavity defined by the housing. 
 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the shaped edge surface defines a facet; and 
 the surface texture extends over the facet. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the housing defines a side surface of the electronic device; and 
 the shaped edge surface is positioned within the interior cavity. 
 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the transparent component is formed from a chemically strengthened glass. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the transparent component is formed from sapphire. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the shaped edge surface defines a curve. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the exterior surface defines a perimeter of the transparent component; and 
 the transparent component further defines an array of holes offset from a corner region of the perimeter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a nonprovisional application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/130,017, filed Dec. 23, 2020 and titled “Laser-Based Cutting of Transparent Components for an Electronic Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to laser-based modification of transparent materials. Particular embodiments relate to laser-based cutting methods which can produce transparent components having a faceted or rounded edge profile. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some traditional methods for cutting glass involve scribing and breaking a glass sheet. The cut edges of the glass sheet may then be ground and polished. The techniques and articles described herein are directed to laser-based methods for cutting glass and other transparent components. 
     SUMMARY 
     Laser-based techniques for cutting and drilling of transparent components are disclosed herein. These techniques rely on laser modification of transparent substrates followed by chemical etching. The techniques are suitable for use with a variety of transparent substrates, including transparent substrates formed from glass or glass ceramic materials. Transparent components and enclosures and electronic devices including the transparent components are also disclosed herein. 
     Some of the techniques described herein can be used to separate a transparent component with a shaped edge profile from a larger substrate. For example, the shaped edge profile may be faceted or include one or more curves. Additional techniques described herein can be used to form through-holes, blind-holes, or other features in the transparent component. 
     As described herein, laser modification of the transparent substrate creates a set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. Etching a region of the transparent substrate that includes the laser-formed features can form a hole, a slot, or other opening in the transparent substrate. In some examples, the opening is a kerf used to separate a transparent component from a remainder of the transparent substrate. In some cases, the techniques described herein may strengthen an edge surface of the transparent component as compared to an edge surface produced by a mechanical separation technique. 
     In some embodiments, one or more laser modification operations use a laser system which produces a beam that comprises a focal segment defined by an elongated core of light. The laser system may scan the beam along a path. The focal segment of the beam may extend into the transparent substrate and create the laser-formed features. The orientation and the length of the focal segment(s) can be configured to precisely control the size and shape of an opening formed in the transparent substrate. In some cases, the focal segment and the laser-formed features may define an oblique angle with respect to a surface of the transparent substrate. 
     The disclosure provides a method for making a transparent component for an electronic device, the method comprising modifying a transparent substrate using a laser system. The operation of modifying the transparent substrate comprises scanning a first focal segment of a first beam along a first path to create a first set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate, the first set of laser-formed features at a first oblique angle with respect to a rear surface of the transparent substrate, scanning a second focal segment, different from the first focal segment, of a second beam along a second path to create a second set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate, the second set of laser-formed features at a substantially perpendicular angle with respect to the rear surface, and scanning a third focal segment of a third beam, different from the second focal segment, along a third path, to create a third set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate and at a second oblique angle with respect to a front surface of the transparent substrate. The method further comprises exposing the transparent substrate to an etchant to form the transparent component, the etchant separating the transparent component from a remainder of the transparent substrate along the first, second, and third sets of laser-formed features, the transparent component having a rear chamfer facet defined by the first set of laser-formed features and a front chamfer facet defined by the third set of laser-formed features. 
     In addition, the disclosure provides a method for making a transparent component for an electronic device, the method comprising pulsing a first focal segment of a first laser beam along a first closed path on a transparent substrate to create a first set of laser-formed features having a first depth that extends through the transparent substrate, pulsing a second focal segment of a second laser beam along a second closed path on the transparent substrate to create a second set of laser-formed features that extends to a second depth that is less than a thickness of the transparent substrate, and pulsing a third focal segment of a third laser beam along a third closed path on the transparent substrate to create a third set of laser-formed features that extends to a third depth that is less than the second depth. The method further comprises forming a shaped edge surface of the transparent component by etching a region of the transparent substrate comprising the first, second, and third sets of laser-formed features and subsequent to etching the region of the transparent substrate, removing the transparent component from a surrounding portion of the transparent substrate. 
     The disclosure further provides an electronic device comprising a display and an enclosure comprising a transparent component provided over the display, the transparent component comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface, the edge surface defining multiple facets and a surface texture comprising recessed features having a characteristic feature size from 25 nm to less than 1 micron. The electronic device further comprises an enclosure component coupled to the transparent component and at least partly defining an internal cavity of the electronic device, the display positioned at least partially within the internal cavity. 
    
    
     
       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 elements. 
         FIG.  1 A  depicts an example electronic device. 
         FIG.  1 B  depicts another example electronic device. 
         FIG.  2    shows a top view of a component for an electronic device. 
         FIG.  3    shows a partial cross-sectional view of a component. 
         FIG.  4    shows a partial cross-sectional view of another component. 
         FIG.  5    shows a flow chart of a laser-based cutting process. 
         FIG.  6    schematically shows an operation of scanning a laser beam along a path on a substrate. 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  schematically show cross-sectional views of stages in a laser-based cutting process. 
         FIG.  8    schematically shows a top view of a substrate and a path of the beam for a laser-based cutting process. 
         FIG.  9    schematically illustrates a substrate after an etching operation. 
         FIG.  10    shows a flow chart of another laser-based cutting process. 
         FIGS.  11 A,  11 B, and  11 C  schematically show cross-sectional views of stages in another laser-based cutting process. 
         FIGS.  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C  show examples of edge surfaces obtained using a laser-based cutting operation. 
         FIG.  13 A  shows an example of another laser-treated component and  FIG.  13 B  is a detail view of  FIG.  13 A . 
         FIG.  14    shows a block diagram of a sample electronic device that can incorporate a laser-modified transparent component. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     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 implementation. To the contrary, the described embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to laser-based techniques for cutting and/or drilling of transparent substrates. The techniques disclosed herein rely on laser modification of the transparent substrates followed by chemical etching. The techniques are suitable for use with a variety of transparent substrates, including transparent substrates formed from glass or glass ceramic materials. In some cases, the transparent substrate is a component for an electronic device. Transparent components and enclosures and electronic devices including the transparent components are also disclosed herein. 
     Laser modification of the transparent substrate as described herein creates a set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the region of the transparent substrate including the laser-formed features may etch more quickly than adjacent regions of the substrate. Etching the region of the transparent substrate that includes the laser-formed features can form a hole, a slot, or other opening in the transparent substrate. In some cases, the opening may be a kerf and the transparent substrate may be separated into multiple pieces following the etching operation. In additional cases, the etching process may remove enough of the substrate so that the transparent substrate may be separated into multiple pieces. 
     In techniques described herein, one or more laser modification operations use a laser system which produces a beam that comprises a focal segment defined by an elongated core of light. The laser system may scan the beam along a path. The focal segment of the beam may extend into the transparent substrate and may be used to modify the transparent substrate. The orientation and the length of the focal segment(s) can be configured to precisely control the size and shape of the opening formed in the transparent substrate. In some cases, the beam is configured so that the focal segment forms an oblique angle with respect to a surface of the transparent substrate without requiring tilting of the transparent substrate. As used herein, the term “oblique” may be used to describe an angle that is not perpendicular or at a right angle with respect to a particular reference. As described herein, the focal segment may have a more uniform intensity across a cross-section of the focal segment than a laser feature produced by tilting the transparent substrate with respect to the processing head (or vice versa). The laser system may produce a series of pulses so that the beam has a pulsed nature. The additional description of laser systems and beams provided with respect to  FIG.  5    is generally applicable herein. 
     In some cases, the laser-based techniques described herein can be used to separate a transparent component with a shaped edge profile from a larger substrate. Such laser-based separation techniques are also referred to herein as laser-based cutting techniques. In some cases, beam(s) are scanned along multiple paths on the substrate to produce the shaped edge profile. The length and orientation of the focal segment(s) within the transparent substrate may be configured to produce the shaped edge profile. In embodiments, the laser-based separation technique produces an edge surface extending between a front surface and a rear surface of the transparent component and this edge surface defines the shaped edge profile. For example, the beam(s) may define focal segments having different orientations with respect to major surfaces of the substrate to produce a faceted edge profile, as described with respect to  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C . As an additional example, the beam(s) may be scanned along a series of nested paths to produce a facet of the edge profile, as shown in  FIGS.  11 A,  11 B, and  11 C , or to produce a curved edge profile. As previously discussed, one or more laser modification operations may be followed by an etching operation. 
     Forming the edge profile of the transparent component during the operation of separating the transparent component from the transparent substrate can provide process efficiencies. An additional benefit of the laser-based separation techniques described herein is that these techniques can produce an edge finish that is more resistant to damage than a typical finish produced by mechanical grinding and polishing techniques. In some embodiments, an edge surface of the component may define recessed features which have a characteristic feature size less than about 10 microns (10 micrometers), less than about 1 micron, from about 100 nm to about 5 microns, from about 100 nm to less than about 1 micron, from about 25 nm to less than about 1 micron, from about 100 nm to about 750 nm, from about 50 nm to about 500 nm, from about 50 nm to about 200 nm, from about 25 nm to about 500 nm, from about 25 nm to about 200 nm, or from about 25 nm to about 150 nm. The characteristic feature size may be a diameter of the recessed features or a spacing between the recessed features. In additional embodiments, an edge surface of the component may define lateral features which repeat through the thickness. These lateral features may have a characteristic spacing less than 50 microns, such as a characteristic spacing from about 10 microns to about 40 microns. In some cases, the size of at least some of the recessed features (e.g., depressions) is less than the characteristic spacing of the lateral features and is on the order of hundreds of nanometers. The description of edge profiles and edge finishes provided with respect to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 , and  4    is generally applicable herein and is not repeated here. 
     In additional cases, the laser-based techniques described herein can be used to form through-holes and/or blind holes in a transparent substrate or component. For example, a beam may be scanned around a closed path and a focal segment of the beam may extend through a thickness of a transparent substrate or component to produce a through-hole. In some examples, a beam may be used to locally modify the transparent substrate to produce a fine through-hole or blind hole as shown in the example of  FIG.  13 B . In embodiments, the diameter of such a hole may be less than about 1 mm. In additional examples, the hole may be larger in diameter, such as a hole configured to facilitate positioning of one or more device components, such as an optical module of a camera assembly or a sensor assembly or a speaker. In some embodiments, the same laser apparatus can be used to form one or more sets of features in a transparent substrate which are used to separate a transparent component from the transparent substrate and to form one or more sets of features which are used to form through-holes and/or blind holes in the portion of the transparent substrate which becomes the transparent component. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 14   . 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 A  depicts an example electronic device  100 . In embodiments, the electronic device  100  has an enclosure  110  that includes a transparent cover member or other transparent component produced by a technique as described herein. In some embodiments, the electronic device  100  may be a digital media player, a portable media player, and/or a home control device. In additional embodiments, the electronic device  100  may be a computing device (e.g., a desktop, notebook, laptop, or tablet computing device), a mobile telephone (also referred to as a mobile phone), an input device, or another type of portable electronic device. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  has a form factor in which the height of the device is greater than both the width and the length of the top face. In addition, the width and the length of the top face of the electronic device  100  are depicted as similar in size. The form factor shown in the example of  FIG.  1 A  is exemplary rather than limiting and in additional examples the height may be less than the width and/or the length, the width and the length of the top face may differ, or both. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  comprises an enclosure  110  including an enclosure component  112  and a cover  122 . The cover  122  may define at least a portion of a front surface  102  of the electronic device and may be referred to as a front cover. In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the cover  122  defines a substantial entirety of the front surface  102  of the electronic device. In some examples, the enclosure further includes another cover which defines at least a portion of a rear surface  104  of the electronic device and which may be referred to as a rear cover. Internal components of the device may be at least partially enclosed by the enclosure  110  and, in some cases, may be positioned within an internal cavity defined by the enclosure. 
     The enclosure  110  may include one or more transparent components. The transparent component may be cut to size using a laser cutting process and/or holes may be introduced into the transparent component using a laser drilling process as described herein. In some cases, the transparent component is in the form of a cover member included in the front cover  122  and/or the rear cover. 
     In some embodiments, a cover of the electronic device  100 , such as the cover  122 , is three-dimensional (e.g., non-planar) or defines a contoured profile. For example, the cover  122  may define a peripheral portion that is not coplanar with respect to a central portion. An example of a three-dimensional shape is a shape that defines a generally planar central portion and a peripheral portion extending out of the plane defined by the central portion. The peripheral portion may, for example, define a side wall of an electronic device enclosure, while the central portion defines a front surface (which may define a transparent window that overlies a display). As an additional example, a cover may define a surface protrusion (an example of which is shown in  FIG.  1 B ), a surface recess, and/or one or more curved surfaces. In additional embodiments, the cover may be substantially planar. A transparent component such as a transparent cover member  132  may be shaped similarly to its respective cover. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the cover  122  is positioned over a display  144  that is at least partially enclosed or surrounded by the enclosure component  112  of the enclosure  110 . The cover  122  may define a transparent region for viewing the display. The display  144  may be a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an LED-backlit LCD display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active layer organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, and the like. In some embodiments, the display  144  may be attached to (or may abut) the cover  122 . 
     Alternately or additionally, the cover  122  may be integrated with or coupled to a touch sensor that is configured to detect or estimate a location of a touch along the exterior surface of the cover  122 . The touch sensor may include an array of capacitive electrodes that are positioned below the cover  122  and, in some instances, may be integrated with the display. In additional examples, the cover  122  may be integrated with or coupled to an electronic device component which provides an alternate or an additional functional characteristic. Capacitive and/or other functional characteristics may be associated with planar and/or non-planar regions of the cover  122 . The additional description of displays and sensors provided with respect to  FIG.  14    is generally applicable herein and is not repeated here. 
     The cover  122  includes a cover member  132 , which may be referred to as a front cover member. The cover member  132  may extend laterally across the cover  122 , such as substantially across the width and the length of the cover  122 . The cover member  132  may have a thickness from about 0.3 mm to about 0.75 mm or from about 0.5 mm and to about 1 mm. In some embodiments the cover member  132  is a glass component (a glass cover member) or a glass ceramic component. The additional description of glass and glass ceramic components provided herein with respect to the transparent component  232  of  FIG.  2    is generally applicable herein. In additional embodiments, the cover member  132  may be formed of one or more of the other materials described with respect to the transparent component  232  of  FIG.  2   . In some embodiments, the cover  122  may define one or more holes extending through its thickness, with the hole positioned over another device component such as a microphone, speaker, or the like. 
     The cover  122  may include one or more coatings applied to the cover member. For example, an anti-reflection and/or smudge-resistant coating may be applied to an exterior surface of the cover member. As an additional example, a coating designed to produce a visual effect, such as an opaque mask coating, may be applied to an interior surface of the cover member. In a further example, the cover  122  may include a laminate material (e.g., in sheet form) applied along an interior surface of the cover  122  to provide structural support/reinforcement, an electrical function, a thermal function, and/or a visual effect. The laminate material may conform to a three-dimensional portion of the cover. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the enclosure  110  further includes an enclosure member  112 , which for simplicity may also be referred to herein as a housing. The cover  122  may be coupled to the enclosure member  112 . For example, the cover  122  may be coupled to the enclosure member with an adhesive, a fastener, an engagement feature, or a combination thereof. 
     In embodiments, the enclosure member  112  at least partially defines a side surface  106  of the electronic device  100 . In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the enclosure member  112  defines all four sides of the electronic device  100 . The enclosure member  112  of  FIG.  1 A  also defines corner regions  108 , the boundaries of which are generally indicated by vertical lines. One or more of the corner regions may define a compound curvature. In additional embodiments, an enclosure member  112  may be positioned internal to the electronic device  100  and one or more of a front cover  122  or a rear cover may define all or most of the side surface of the electronic device. In the example of  FIG.  1 A , the electronic device  100  includes an input device  152 . The enclosure component  112  may define an opening to accommodate the input device. In additional examples, an enclosure component may define one or more openings in a side surface to allow (audio) input or output from a device component such as a microphone or speaker, to provide a window for transmission and/or receipt of a wireless signal and/or to accommodate an electrical port or connection. 
     In some embodiments, the enclosure component  112  is formed from a single material and in some examples may be a monolithic component. For example, the enclosure component  112  may be formed from a glass material, a metal material, a ceramic material, a glass ceramic material, or a polymer material. In additional embodiments, an enclosure component may include multiple members. For example, the enclosure component may include one or more metal members, one or more glass members, or one or more glass ceramic members. In some cases, one or more members may be a transparent component as described herein. In some cases, an enclosure member is formed from a series of metal segments that are separated by dielectric segments that provide electrical isolation between adjacent metal segments. For example, a dielectric segment may be provided between a pair of adjacent metal segments. One or more of the metal segments may be coupled to internal circuitry of the electronic device  100  and may function as an antenna for sending and receiving wireless communication. The dielectric segments may be formed from one or more dielectric materials such as a polymer, a glass, or a ceramic material. As referred to herein, a component or member formed from a particular material, such as a glass or a metal material, may also include a relatively thin coating of a different material along one or more surfaces, such as an anodization layer, a physical vapor deposited coating, a paint coating, a primer coating (which may include a coupling agent), or the like. 
     The electronic device  100  may include additional components beyond a display and/or a touch screen. These additional components may comprise one or more of a processing unit, control circuitry, memory, an input/output device, a power source (e.g., a battery), a charging assembly (e.g., a wireless charging assembly), a network communication interface, an accessory, a sensor, or another component that is part of a wireless communication system (e.g., an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, or the like). Components of a sample electronic device are discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG.  14    and the description provided with respect to  FIG.  14    is generally applicable herein. 
       FIG.  1 B  shows another example of an electronic device  101 . In embodiments, the electronic device  101  has an enclosure  111  that includes a transparent component as described herein. The transparent component may be produced using one or more of the techniques described herein. The electronic device  101  may be any of the electronic devices previously described with respect to the electronic device  100  and may have any of the form factors previously described with respect to that device. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the enclosure  111  includes a cover  123 . The cover  123  includes a cover member  133 . The cover member  133  may define at least a portion of a front surface  103  of the electronic device and may be referred to as a front cover member. The cover member  133  may extend laterally across the cover  123 , such as substantially across the width and the length of the cover  123 . In some embodiments the cover member  133  is a transparent component (such as a glass cover member), which may be produced by a technique as described herein. In additional embodiments, the cover member  133  may be formed of one or more materials other than glass, and in some cases may be a glass ceramic cover member. The cover member  133  may be shaped similarly to the cover  123 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the cover  123  defines a protruding portion  127  which protrudes with respect to another portion  126  of the cover. The protruding portion  127  may also be referred to herein as a protruding feature or simply as a feature. More generally, a transparent component such as the cover member  133  may define one or more features which vary in elevation with respect to a neighboring portion or region of the transparent component. A feature which is formed to a different elevation than a neighboring portion of the transparent component may define a protrusion or a recess in some embodiments. In some cases, a device component such as a sensor assembly, a camera assembly, and the like may be provided under a protruding feature. The size of the protruding portion  127  may depend at least in part on the size of a device component underlying the protruding feature. In some embodiments, a lateral dimension (e.g., a width) of the protruding feature may be from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, from about 5 mm to about 30 mm, from about 10 mm to about 20 mm, or from about 15 mm to 30 mm. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the protruding portion  127  is shown as generally curved or rounded in shape. However, this example is not limiting and in other examples a protruding portion may define a substantially plateau-shaped top. The plateau-shaped top may be substantially parallel to an exterior surface defined by an adjacent portion of the cover. The amount of protrusion or offset between the top of the protruding portion  127  and exterior surface of the adjacent portion of the cover may be from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm or from about 0.75 mm to about 2 mm. 
     When the cover member  133  is shaped similarly to the cover  123 , the cover member  133  may also define a protruding portion. In some examples, a cover member  133  that defines a protruding portion has substantially the same thickness as a neighboring portion of the cover member. The protruding portion may be formed using one or more techniques such as a machining technique, a molding technique, a technique in which a greater number of layers forms the protruding portion, and the like. In examples, the thickness of the cover member may be greater than about 0.3 mm and less than about 0.75 mm or greater than about 0.5 mm and less than about 1 mm in both the protruding portion  127  and the portion  126  of the cover  123 . 
     In additional examples, the cover member  133  varies in thickness. The cover member  133  may have a greater thickness in a protruding portion than in an adjacent portion. In embodiments, the cover member  133  may have a thickness in the protruding portion  127  that is at least 10%, 25%, or 50% and up to about 250% greater than a thickness of the cover member in the portion  126  of the cover  123 . In some cases, the thickness of the thicker portion of the cover  123  (including the protruding feature) is greater than about 1 mm and less than or equal to about 2 mm or about 2.5 mm. The thickness of the portion  126  of the cover  123  may be greater than about 0.3 mm and less than about 0.75 mm or greater than about 0.5 mm and less than about 1 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the cover  123  may define one or more holes extending through its thickness. The one or more holes may facilitate positioning of one or more device components, such as a speaker or an optical module of a camera assembly or sensor assembly. In some cases, a through-hole may be formed into the protruding portion  127  and a device component may extend into at least partially into the protruding portion. By the way of example, the electronic device may include one or more optical modules selected from a camera module, an optical sensor module, an illumination module, and a (non-optical) sensor. In some examples, a window may be provided over the through-hole to protect the underlying device component. When the glass cover member  133  is shaped similarly to the cover  123 , the glass cover member may also define one-more more through-holes. 
     In some cases, the cover  123  may be integrated with or coupled to a touch sensor or another electronic device component which provides a functional characteristic to the cover. The cover  123  may include one or more coatings applied to the cover member and these coatings may be similar to the coatings previously described with respect to the cover  122 . In some examples, the cover  123  may include a laminate material applied along an interior surface of the cover  123  in a similar fashion as described with respect to  FIG.  1 A . 
     The enclosure  111  of the electronic device  101  also includes an enclosure component  113 . The enclosure member  113  at least partially defines a side surface  107  of the electronic device  100 . In the example of  FIG.  1 B , the enclosure member  113  defines all four sides of the electronic device  101 . The enclosure member  113  of  FIG.  1 B  also defines corner regions  109 . The enclosure member  113  may be similar in construction and materials to the enclosure member  112  and the corner regions  109  may be similar to the corner regions  108  and those details are not repeated here. 
     The electronic device  101  may include one or more components such as a display, one or more sensor assemblies, and/or one or more camera assemblies. As additional examples, the electronic device may comprise one or more of a processing unit, control circuitry, memory, an input/output device, a power source (e.g., battery), a charging assembly (e.g., a wireless charging assembly), a network communication interface, an accessory, a sensor, or another component that is part of a wireless communication system (e.g., an antenna, a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, or the like). Components of a sample electronic device are discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG.  14    and the description provided with respect to  FIG.  14    is generally applicable herein. 
       FIG.  2    shows a top view of a transparent component for an electronic device. The component  232  may be an example of the cover member  132  of  FIG.  1 A . The transparent component  232  may be substantially transparent to visible light as well as to the wavelength(s) of light produced by the laser system used in the laser modification techniques described herein. For brevity, transparent components may also be referred to as components herein. 
     The view of  FIG.  2    shows a front surface  202  and a perimeter  203  of the front surface  202 . The component  232  further defines a rear surface, which may be generally opposite the front surface, and an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface, as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . One or more of these edge surfaces of the component  232  may be faceted, chamfered, or include a curved surface as described in more detail with respect to  FIGS.  3  and  4   . 
     The edge surface may have a surface texture as a result of a laser-based cutting technique as described herein. For example, the edge surface may define a surface texture which includes fine recessed features. In some embodiments, the edge surface of the component may define recessed features which have a characteristic feature size less than about 10 microns, less than 1 micron, from about 100 nm to about 5 microns, from about 100 nm to less than about 1 micron, from about 25 nm to less than about 1 micron, from about 100 nm to about 750 nm, from about 50 nm to about 500 nm, from about 50 nm to about 200 nm, from about 25 nm to about 500 nm, from about 25 nm to about 200 nm, or from about 25 nm to about 150 nm. The characteristic feature size may be a diameter of the recessed features, a spacing between the recessed features, and/or a depth of the recessed features. The surface texture may also include fine lateral features which repeat periodically through the thickness. These lateral features may be substantially parallel to the front or back surface of the transparent component. In some cases, the lateral features may have a spacing in a range from about 10 microns to about 40 microns. In some cases, the size of at least some of the recessed features (e.g., depressions) is less than the characteristic spacing of the lateral features and is on the order of hundreds of nanometers. Examples of these surface textures are shown in  FIGS.  12 B and  12 C  and described in more detail with respect to these figures. 
     In some embodiments, the laser-based separation techniques described herein produce an edge surface that is more resistant to damage than edge surfaces produced by mechanical grinding and polishing techniques. In some cases, the resistance to damage may be assessed by determining a maximum weight that can be dropped onto the component (e.g., using a Gardner test). In additional cases, the resistance to damage can be assessed by determining a maximum height from which the component can be dropped onto a surface such as concrete, asphalt, granite, or the like. 
     In additional embodiments, a transparent component may further define an opening, which may be positioned over a speaker or other device component. In some cases, the laser modification techniques described herein can be used to form an edge profile around this opening. The opening may be defined by an edge surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface and this edge surface may be similar to or different than the edge surface defined along the perimeter of the transparent component. 
     Although the transparent component  232  is shown in  FIG.  2    as being substantially planar, the principles described herein also relate to transparent components which define a surface protrusion (such as shown in  FIG.  1 B ), a surface recess, and/or one or more curved surfaces. In some embodiments, a component may be three-dimensional or define a contoured profile. For example, a component may define a peripheral portion that is not coplanar with respect to a central portion. The peripheral portion may, for example, define a side wall of an electronic device enclosure, while the central portion defines a front surface. 
     In some cases, the transparent component  232  may be a glass component, a glass ceramic component, or a component comprising one or more glass portions and one or more glass ceramic portions. In some examples, the transparent component  232  may be chemically strengthened by ion exchange. In additional cases, the transparent component  232  may be a ceramic component such as a sapphire or zirconia component, a polymer component, or a combination comprising one or more polymer layers in combination with one or more glass, glass ceramic or ceramic layers. The transparent component may have a thickness from about 50 microns to about 3 mm, from about 200 microns to about 500 microns, from about 300 microns to 750 microns, from about 500 microns to about 1 mm, or from about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm. In some cases, the transparent component may be a structural member of the enclosure. 
     A glass component such as a glass cover member may be formed from a silica-based glass material. The glass material may have a network structure, such as a silicate-based network structure. As referred to herein, a “glass cover member,” a “glass component,” and/or a “glass sheet” may include some relatively small amount of impurities or crystalline material, such as 1% or less, 2% or less, or 5% or less by weight of the member. 
     In some embodiments, the glass material includes an aluminosilicate glass. As used herein, an aluminosilicate glass includes the elements aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, but may further include other elements. Typically, the glass material includes an ion-exchangeable glass material, such as an alkali metal aluminosilicate glass (e.g., a lithium aluminosilicate glass). An ion-exchangeable aluminosilicate glass may include monovalent or divalent ions that compensate for charges due to replacement of silicon ions by aluminum ions. Suitable monovalent ions include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Li + , Na + , or K + . Suitable divalent ions include alkaline earth ions such as Ca 2+  or Mg 2+ . 
     A glass ceramic component such as a glass ceramic cover member predominantly includes or consists essentially of a glass ceramic material. As referred to herein, a glass ceramic material comprises one or more crystalline phases (e.g., crystals) formed by crystallization of a (precursor) glass material. These crystalline phases can contribute to the favorable mechanical properties of the glass ceramic material. The glass ceramic may further comprise an amorphous (glass) phase and the crystals may be dispersed in the glass phase. In some examples, the amount of the crystalline phase(s) is from 50% to 90%, from 60% to 90%, from 70% to 90%, from 20% to 40%, from 20% to 60%, from 20% to 80%, from 30% to 60%, or from 30% to 80% of the glass ceramic by weight. 
     By the way of example, the glass ceramic material may be an alkaline silicate, an alkaline earth silicate, an aluminosilicate, a boroaluminosilicate, a perovskite-type glass ceramic, a silicophosphate, an iron silicate, a fluorosilicate, a phosphate, or a glass ceramic material from another glass ceramic composition system. In some embodiments, the glass ceramic portion comprises an aluminosilicate glass ceramic or a boroaluminosilicate glass ceramic. The glass ceramic material may include other elements in addition to the principal elements of the glass ceramic material (e.g., aluminum, silicon, and oxygen for an aluminosilicate). For example, the glass ceramic material (and the precursor glass) may include elements from nucleating agents for the glass ceramic material, such as a metal oxide (Ti, Zr) or other suitable oxide material. Aluminosilicate and boroaluminosilicate glass ceramics may further include monovalent or divalent ions some of which may compensate charges due to introduction of aluminum ions in the material. For example, an aluminosilicate glass ceramic may include alkali metal ions such as Li +  or Na + . 
       FIG.  3    shows a partial cross-sectional view of a transparent component  332 . The cross-sectional view of  FIG.  3    may be an example of a cross-sectional view of the transparent component  232  along A-A. The transparent component  332  defines a front surface  302  and a rear surface  304 , which is generally opposite the front surface  302 . The transparent component  332  further defines an edge surface  306  extending between the front surface and the rear surface. The front and the rear surfaces may be referred to herein as major surfaces of the transparent component. The front surface may at least partially define an exterior surface of the electronic device. 
     In the example of  FIG.  3   , the edge surface  306  defines multiple facets. An edge surface defining multiple facets may also be referred to herein as a faceted edge surface. In particular, the edge surface  306  includes a first facet  307 , a second facet  308 , and a third facet  309 . The first facet  307  and the third facet  309  each define a chamfer (also referred to as a chamfer facet) and the second facet  308  defines a side surface of the component. The first facet  307  may define a front chamfer facet and the rear facet  309  may define a rear chamfer facet. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first facet  307  defines an angle θ with respect to the front surface  302  and the third facet  309  defines an angle θ with respect to the rear surface  304 . The angle θ may be referred to as an exterior angle since it is measured outside the transparent component  332 . In some cases, the exterior angle is an acute angle and is between 30 degrees and 60 degrees or between 40 degrees and 50 degrees. The corresponding interior angle may be an obtuse angle and may be between 120 degrees and 150 degrees or between 130 degrees and 140 degrees. As shown in the example of  FIG.  3   , the front and rear exterior (and interior) angles may be in similar ranges. In additional examples, the front and rear exterior (and interior) angles may be different from one another. In some embodiments, the junctions between the facets and between the facets and the front and rear surfaces may be more well defined or “crisper” than those produced using a mechanical grinding and polishing technique. For example, the profile defined using the techniques described herein may result in corners or features that are substantially sharper (having little or no rounding) as compared to traditional machining techniques. The number of facets shown in the example of  FIG.  3    is exemplary rather than limiting and in additional examples the transparent component may have a greater number of facets. 
     In some embodiments a length of the second facet  308  is greater than that of either the first facet  307  or the third facet  309 . For example, the length of the second facet  308  can be from one and one-half to two times greater than a length of either the first facet  307  or the third facet  309 . 
       FIG.  4    shows another partial cross-sectional view of a transparent component  432 . The cross-sectional view of  FIG.  4    may be an example of a cross-sectional view of the transparent component  232  along A-A. The transparent component  432  defines a front surface  402  and a rear surface  404 , which is generally opposite the front surface  402 . The transparent component  432  further defines an edge surface  406  extending between the front surface and the rear surface. 
     The edge surface  406  includes a side surface  408 , a curved surface  407  between the front surface  402  and the side surface  408 , and a curved surface  409  between the side surface  408  and the rear surface  404 . Each of the curved transitions  407  and  409  may define a radius of curvature R. In some cases, the radius of curvature may be from 0.2 to 0.5 times a thickness of the transparent component  432 . In additional examples, the curved transitions may define different radii of curvature. 
     The examples of edge profiles provided with respect to  FIGS.  3  and  4    are not limiting and in additional embodiments the edge profile may define a full-round feature (e.g., a radius of curvature equal to half a thickness of the transparent component), an edge profile defining curved surfaces with different radii, or an edge profile defining a spline shape with a variable radius. 
       FIG.  5    shows a flow chart of a laser-based cutting process  500 . The process  500  may be used to cut a transparent component from a transparent substrate. As shown in the example of  FIG.  5   , the process  500  comprises multiple operations of modifying a transparent substrate using a laser system. As previously discussed, the process  500  uses a laser system which produces one or more beams, each beam comprising an elongated core of light. The elongated core of light may define a focal segment and the focal segment of the beam may be used to modify the transparent substrate by producing laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. A single laser system may produce beams which differ in the length and/or the orientation of the focal segment. Each of the beams may be a Bessel beam or a Bessel-like beam which includes a focal segment as described herein. The laser system may produce pulses of light. The laser-formed features produced in the transparent substrate may include voids, other changes in the internal structure of the transparent component, and combinations of these. For brevity, the laser-formed features may simply be referred to as features herein. 
     As previously discussed, the process  500  may use a laser system capable of shaping a beam so that a focal segment of the beam defines an oblique angle with respect to a major surface of the transparent substrate (e.g., a front surface and/or a rear surface). In some cases, the laser system may be configured to produce a focal segment oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a surface of the transparent substrate even when a processing head of the laser system and the surface of the substrate are not substantially tilted with respect to each other. Alternately or additionally, a focal segment produced by the laser system may be substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the transparent substrate. 
     The laser system may include a beam shaping element which is configurable to produce a beam which may have a variety of focal segment orientations with respect to a major surface (or another surface) of the transparent substrate. The beam shaping element may also be configurable to produce a beam which may have a variety of focal segment lengths. The beam shaping element may be configured to produce a focal segment useful for creating the laser-formed features even when the focal segment is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to a surface of the transparent substrate. In some embodiments, the beam shaping element is a spatial light modulator. 
     The laser system may also include a laser processing head, which may also be referred to herein as an optical head. The laser processing head may face a surface of the transparent substrate. When the laser processing head and the transparent substrate are moved relative to each other, the beam defines a path on the surface of the transparent substrate facing the laser processing head, and this path may also be referred to herein as a surface path. If the path passes through the transparent substrate, the beam may also define a path on the surface of the substrate opposite the facing surface. The beam also defines a route within the transparent substrate, which may also be referred to herein as an internal path. In some cases, the path on the surface and the route within the transparent substrate may be discontinuous due to the pulsed nature of the beam. In some cases, the laser system may include more than one laser processing head, as described in more detail with respect to  FIGS.  7 A to  7 C . In embodiments, the laser processing head(s) of the laser system may face the same surface or different surfaces of the transparent substrate during the process  500 . 
     In some examples, the laser system may produce pulses having a wavelength in the infrared range (e.g., having a wavelength from about 1 μm to about 5 μm). In some embodiments, the laser system may produce pulses having a femtosecond or picosecond duration (or pulse width). For example, the pulse duration may be from 50 femtoseconds to less than 1 picosecond, from 100 femtoseconds to 500 femtoseconds, from 500 femtoseconds to 20 picoseconds, or from 1 picosecond to 50 picoseconds. The repetition rate of the laser system may be from about 50 kHz to about 1000 kHz or from about 100 kHz to about 750 kHz. The scan speed may be varied as desired, and in some embodiments may be from about 250 mm/sec to about 750 mm/sec or from about 500 mm/sec to about 1500 mm/sec. The average power produced during the process may be from about 1 W to about 30 W or from about 10 W to about 75 W. The pulse energy may be on the order of 50 microJoules to 500 microJoules. In some cases, a diameter or width of the beam (e.g., a spot size) may be from about 1 microns to about 10 microns or about 1 micron to about 5 microns and the spot spacing may be from about 1 micron to about 10 microns, or from about 1 micron to about 5 microns. The laser system may be operated with or without burst mode. 
     The substrate is substantially transparent to the wavelength of the pulses produced during the process  500  and may be formed of any of the materials described with respect to  FIG.  2   . In some cases, the substrate may be a portion of a “mother sheet” of glass and the edge surfaces of the substrate may be formed by a breaking process and then ground and polished. The major surfaces of the substrate (e.g., the front and rear surfaces) may optionally be ground and polished prior to laser modification of the substrate. The thickness of the substrate may be similar to the thicknesses of the transparent component previously described with respect to  FIG.  2   . 
     The process  500  includes an operation  502  of scanning a first beam along a first path to create a first set of features. In embodiments, the operation  502  comprises scanning a first focal segment of the first beam along the first path. The first focal segment may define a first angle that is oblique with respect to a rear surface of the transparent substrate. The first angle may be measured interior to the portion of the substrate that forms the transparent component. When measured inside the transparent substrate this interior angle may be an obtuse angle. This interior angle may have similar values to those described with respect to the transparent component of  FIG.  3   . In some cases, the first path is a first surface path on a surface of the transparent substrate which faces the laser processing head. 
     The interaction of the first beam with the transparent substrate creates a first set of laser-formed features. The first focal segment extends into the transparent substrate in the operation  502 . The first set of features may be distributed along the first focal segment and so may also be described as being at the first angle with respect to the rear surface. As previously described, the first focal segment may travel along a first route interior to the transparent substrate and the first set of features may be distributed along the first route.  FIG.  7 A  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of at least a portion  712  of a first route which extends into the transparent substrate and forms an oblique angle with respect to a rear surface of the transparent substrate. As referred to herein, the front surface of the transparent substrate faces a processing head of the laser. 
     The process  500  also includes an operation  504  of scanning a second beam along a second path to create a second set of features. In embodiments, the operation  504  comprises scanning a second focal segment of the second beam along the second path. The second focal segment is different than the first focal segment. For example, the second focal segment may define a second angle, different from the first angle, with respect to the rear surface. In embodiments, the second focal segment is substantially perpendicular to a rear surface and/or a front surface of the transparent substrate. In additional embodiments, the second focal length may have a different length (or depth from the rear surface) than the first focal length. In some cases, the second path is a second surface path on a surface of the transparent substrate which faces the laser processing head 
     The interaction of the second beam with the transparent substrates creates a second set of laser-formed features. The second focal segment extends into the transparent substrate in the operation  504 . The second set of features may be distributed along the second focal segment and so may also be described as being at the second angle with respect to the rear surface. The second focal segment may travel along a second route interior to the transparent substrate and the second set of features may be distributed along the second route.  FIG.  7 B  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of at least a portion  722  of a second route which extends into the transparent substrate and is substantially perpendicular to a rear surface  704  and a front surface  702  of the transparent substrate. The second route may connect to the first route and in some cases the second route may intersect the first route. The second route may also have a different depth than the first route. In embodiments, the second route is substantially perpendicular to a rear surface and/or a front surface of the transparent substrate. 
     The process  500  also includes an operation  506  of scanning a third beam along a third path to create a third set of features. In embodiments, the operation  506  comprises scanning a third focal segment of the third beam along the third path. The third focal segment may define a third angle that is oblique with respect to a front surface of the transparent substrate. The third focal segment extends into the transparent substrate in the operation  506 . The third angle may be measured interior to the portion of the substrate that forms the component. When measured inside the transparent substrate this interior angle may be an obtuse angle. This interior angle may have similar values to those described with respect to the transparent component of  FIG.  3   . The third focal length may have a different length than the second focal length and/or the first focal length. In some cases, the third path is a third surface path on a surface of the transparent substrate which faces the laser processing head. 
     The interaction of the third beam with the transparent substrates creates a third set of laser-formed features. The third focal segment extends into the transparent substrate in the operation  506 . The third set of features may be distributed along the third focal segment and so may also be described as being at the third angle with respect to the front surface. The third focal segment may travel along a third route interior to the transparent substrate and the third set of features may be distributed along the third route.  FIG.  7 C  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of at least a portion  732  of a third route which extends into the transparent substrate and forms an oblique angle with respect to a front surface of the transparent substrate. The third route may have a different depth than the second route and/or the first route. The third route may connect to the second route and in some cases may intersect the second route. 
     A region of the transparent component including the first, the second, and the third sets of features may span a thickness of the transparent component. In some embodiments, the first, the second, and the third routes together span a thickness of the transparent component. 
     The process  500  also includes an operation  508  of forming a faceted edge surface of the component by selectively etching a region of the transparent substrate including the first, the second, and the third sets of features. In some cases, the first set of features may intersect the second set of features and the second set of features may intersect the third set of features. The operation  508  may produce a faceted edge surface having three facets, an example of which is shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     As previously discussed, the region including the first, the second, and the third sets of features may etch more quickly than adjacent regions of the substrate. Etching away this region can form an opening (e.g., a kerf) in the transparent component. The opening may form a closed path (e.g., a loop) which defines a periphery of the transparent component as shown in  FIG.  9    and the faceted edge surface may extend around the periphery. In some cases, the process  500  may produce an edge surface of the transparent component which is more damage resistant than an edge surface produced using mechanical grinding and polishing methods. 
     Chemical etching techniques for glass and glass ceramic components may involve using a suitable acid or base etchant to remove portions of the component. The chemical etching may occur in the liquid phase or in a gas phase. Etching techniques also include reactive ion etching, which may use a mixture of a fluorine containing compound such as CH 4 , CHF 3 , SF 6  and the like in a gas such as argon or xenon. In some cases, the etching time is longer and/or an etching process temperature is longer for a glass ceramic component or ceramic component than for a glass component of similar overall composition. Optionally, the component may be washed following the operation  508 . 
     The process  500  further includes an operation  510  of removing the transparent component from a remaining portion of the transparent substrate following the operation of selectively etching the transparent substrate. Typically, the operation of selectively etching the region of the transparent substrate including the laser-formed features enables the transparent component to be freely removed from the remaining portion of the transparent substrate. The remaining portion may surround the transparent component. 
     The process  500  may also include additional operations following the operation  510 . For example, the process  500  may include one or more operations of polishing the transparent component. The process  500  may also include one or more operations of chemically strengthening the transparent component through ion exchange (e.g., when the transparent component is formed from a glass material, a glass ceramic material, or a combination of these). 
       FIG.  6    schematically shows a laser system  680  and an operation of scanning a beam  682  produced by the laser system  680 . The laser system  680 , which includes a processing head  681 , is simplified for purposes of illustration in  FIG.  6   . The processing head  681  and the transparent substrate  601  move relative to each other to scan the beam  682  along a path  661  on a front surface  602  of the transparent substrate  601 . 
     As previously described with respect to  FIG.  5   , the laser system  680  may produce a beam comprising an elongated core of light and the elongated core of light may define a focal segment. The focal segment of the beam may extend into the transparent substrate and may be scanned along the path  661  to create a set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. The beam  682  is shown in  FIG.  6    as approaching the front surface at an angle which is approximately perpendicular to the front surface  602 . However, this example is not limiting and the beam  682  may be oriented with respect to the front surface  602  as required to provide the desired orientation of the focal segment with respect to the front surface  602  and/or a rear surface of the transparent substrate  601 . 
     In additional cases, the laser system  680  may comprise multiple processing heads, with each processing head in optical communication with a different optical system of the laser system. The additional description of laser systems, beams, and focal segments provided with respect to  FIG.  5    is generally applicable herein and is not repeated here. 
     In additional examples, one or more additional beams may be scanned along one or more additional paths to form additional laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. After etching, an opening may be formed in the transparent substrate  601 . For example, the opening may be similar to the openings described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B, and  2    (e.g., an opening to allow input or output from a device component). 
       FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  schematically show cross-sectional views of stages in a laser-based cutting process. As previously described with respect to  FIG.  5   , the focal segment of a beam may be scanned along a path such as the path  661  to create a set of laser-formed features within the transparent substrate. The focal segment of the beam typically extends into the transparent substrate and may travel along a route interior to the transparent substrate.  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  schematically show examples of at least portions of routes along which the focal segment may travel inside the transparent substrate during a process for producing a faceted edge profile on a transparent component. For simplicity of illustration, the example of  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B , and  7 C shows the intersection of portions  712 ,  722 , and  732  of three different routes, but does not necessarily show the entire route traveled by each of the beams. 
       FIG.  7 A  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the portion  712  of a first route along which a first focal segment travels inside the transparent substrate. Each of the portion  712  of the first route and the first focal segment extends into the transparent substrate from the rear surface  704  of the transparent substrate. As previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  5   , a first set of laser-formed features may be distributed along the first focal segment and the portion  712  of the first route and so  FIG.  7 A  may also generally indicate the positioning of the first set of laser-formed features. Each of the portion  712  of the first route and the first focal segment forms an oblique angle with respect to the rear surface  704  of the transparent substrate  701  (as measured within an interior portion of the transparent substrate  701 ). The interior portion of the transparent substrate  701  that will form the transparent component is shown to the left in  FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C . 
       FIG.  7 B  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a portion  722  of a second route along which a second focal segment travels inside the transparent substrate  701 . Each of the portion  722  of the second route and the second focal segment extends into the transparent substrate  701 . As previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  5   , a second set of laser-formed features may be distributed along the second focal segment and the portion  722  of the second route and so  FIG.  7 B  may also generally indicate the positioning of the second set of laser-formed features. Each of the portion  722  of the second route and the second focal segment is substantially perpendicular to a rear surface  704  and a front surface  702  of the transparent substrate. As shown in  FIG.  7 B , the portion  722  of the second route (and the second focal segment) has a depth from the rear surface that is greater than or equal to that of the portion  712  of the first route (and the first focal segment). In some cases, each of the second route and the second focal segment may extend through a thickness of the transparent substrate. The second route forms an obtuse angle with respect to the first route in the example of  FIG.  7 B  (as measured within the interior portion of the transparent substrate  701 ). 
       FIG.  7 C  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a portion  732  of a third route along which a third focal segment travels inside the transparent substrate  701 . Each of the portion  732  of the third route and the third focal segment extends into the transparent substrate  701  from the front surface  702  of the transparent substrate. As previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  5   , a third set of laser-formed features may be distributed along the third focal segment and the portion  732  of the third route and so  FIG.  7 C  may also generally indicate the positioning of the third set of laser-formed features. As shown in  FIG.  7 C , each of the portion  732  of the third route and the third focal length forms an oblique angle with respect to the front surface  702  of the transparent substrate  701 . Each of the portion  722  of the second route (and the second focal segment) has a depth from the front surface that is greater than or equal to the portion  732  of the third route (and the third focal segment). The third route forms an obtuse angle with respect to the second route in the example of  FIG.  7 C  (as measured within the interior portion of the transparent substrate  701 ). The portion  712  of the first route, the portion  722  of the second route, and the portion  732  of the third route together span a thickness of the transparent substrate  701 . 
     In the example of  FIGS.  7 A through  7 C  the focal segment of the beam travels along the first route before traveling along the second route and the focal segment of the beam travels along the second route before traveling along the third route. However, this example is not limiting, and the focal segments may travel along the different routes in a different order. 
     In additional examples, the laser system may include two or more optical systems. In some cases, a first optical system of the laser system at least partially produces the first beam and the third beam, and a second optical system of the laser system at least partially produces the second beam. The first optical system may be in optical communication with a first laser processing head and the second optical system may be in optical communication with a second laser processing head. The first optical system may include a spatial light modulator. 
     As previously discussed, laser-formed features may be distributed along at least the portion  712  of the first route, the portion  722  of the second route, and the portion  732  of the third route in the transparent substrate  701 . In some cases, laser-formed features may also be formed some distance away from the focal segment of the beam. Therefore, the region of the transparent substrate  701  that includes the laser-formed features may in some cases extend some distance beyond the positions of the focal segments and the route portions  712 ,  722 , and  732 . 
       FIG.  8    schematically shows a top view of a transparent substrate  801  and a path  861  of a beam on the front surface  802  for a laser-based cutting process. For example, the path  861  may be used for one or more of the operations of scanning a beam along a path in a laser-cutting process. The path  861  shown in  FIG.  8    indicates the pulsed nature of the beam, although the spacing between the spots  862  is exaggerated for convenience of illustration. In some embodiments, the spacing between the spots  862  is from about 1 micron to about 10 microns, or from about 1 micron to about 5 microns. In the example of  FIG.  8   , the spots  862  are spaced so that they do not overlap. However, in other examples, the spots may touch or partially overlap. 
       FIG.  9    schematically illustrates a transparent component  952  and a remainder portion  956  of the transparent substrate  901  after an operation of etching the substrate  901 . The etching operation may form an etched region  962  which may be an opening that extends through a thickness of the substrate  901 . The opening may be referred to as a slot herein. The etched region  962  may form a loop which defines a periphery  903  of a front surface  902  of the transparent component  952 . The transparent component  952  may have a faceted edge surface which extends around the periphery  903 , as shown in  FIGS.  3 ,  12 A, and  12 B . 
     In additional embodiments, the disclosure provides additional processes for making a transparent component for an electronic device. The transparent component may have a shaped edge surface, such as a faceted edge surface, an edge surface with rounded corners, and other edge surface shapes other than a flat edge surface.  FIG.  10    shows a flow chart of another laser-based cutting process  1000 . The process  1000  may be used to cut a transparent component from a transparent substrate. As shown in the example of  FIG.  10   , the process  1000  comprises multiple operations of modifying a transparent substrate with a beam from a laser system. In embodiments, the laser processing head(s) of the laser system may face the same surface or different surfaces of the transparent substrate during the process  1000 . The laser system, the beam characteristics, and the substrate characteristics may be similar to the laser system, the beam characteristics, and the substrate characteristics described with respect to  FIG.  5    and those details are not repeated here. 
     The process  1000  includes an operation  1002  of scanning a focal segment of a beam along a first path to create a first set of laser-formed features. The focal segment may be a first focal segment and the beam may be a first laser beam. The first focal segment may extend through a thickness of the transparent substrate and at least some of the first set of laser-formed features may be formed within the transparent substrate. The first path may be a closed path, which defines a region of the transparent substrate which is interior to the closed path. This region may also be referred to herein as an interior region. 
     As previously discussed with respect to  FIGS.  5  and  7 A- 7 C , the first focal segment of the beam typically extends into the transparent substrate and may travel along a first route interior to the transparent substrate. The first set of laser-formed features may be distributed along the first focal segment and the first route.  FIG.  11 A  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a first route  1110  within a transparent substrate  1101 . The first route  1110  defines an interior region  1140  of the transparent substrate  1101  (to the left of the first route  1110  in  FIG.  11 A ). 
     The process  1000  also includes an operation  1004  of scanning the beam along a first series of paths to create a second set of laser-formed features. A focal segment of the beam may extend into the transparent substrate and at least some of the second set of laser-formed features may be formed within the transparent substrate. A length of the focal segment of the beam may be adjusted during the operation  1004 . For example, the length of the focal segment may be different for at least two of the paths. In some cases, the beam is a second laser beam and the operation  1004  includes pulsing a first series of focal segments along a first series of paths. At least some of the lengths (and their depths from a surface of the transparent substrate) of the first series of focal segments may be different. For example, a focal segment of the first series of focal segments may have a length that is less than that of an adjacent focal segment. The laser-formed features distributed along the first series of focal segments may therefore be distributed to different depths within the transparent substrate. Alternately, the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along each path of the series of paths may be referred to as a set of laser-formed features and the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along a first series of paths may be referred to as a first collection of sets of laser-formed features. 
     The paths of the first series of paths may be closed paths. In some examples, the paths of the first series may be nested so that they do not overlap one another. Further, each path of the first series of paths may be nested within a previously formed path.  FIG.  11 B  shows an example of a series of nested paths on the surface  1104 . In some cases, the paths of the first series may be spaced apart from one another and from the first path by a distance from 1 micron to 10 microns or from 1 micron to 5 microns. In some examples, the number of paths of the first series of paths may be from 5 to 25 or from 10 to 20. 
     As previously discussed with respect to  FIGS.  5  and  7 A- 7 C , the focal segment(s) of the beam typically extend into the transparent substrate and may travel along a first series of routes interior to the transparent substrate. Laser-formed features (e.g., the second set of laser-formed features) may be distributed along the first series of focal segments and the first series of routes. The first series of routes may extend into an interior region of the transparent substrate as defined by the first path (e.g., to the left of the first path and first route  1110  in  FIG.  11 B ). In some examples, the routes of the first series of routes may have graduated depths from a rear surface of the transparent substrate. For example, the depth of an outer route (closest to the first route  1110 ) may be longer than the depth of an inner route of the first series of routes.  FIG.  11 B  shows an example of a first series of routes having graduated depths from the rear surface of the transparent substrate. The first series of routes of  FIG.  11 B  may be configured to produce a facet of an edge surface of the component, as discussed in more detail with respect to  FIG.  11 B . 
     The process  1000  also includes an operation  1006  of scanning the beam along a second series of paths to create a third set of laser-formed features. A focal segment of the beam may extend into the transparent substrate and at least some of the third set of laser-formed features may be formed within the transparent substrate. The focal segment of the beam may be adjusted during the operation  1006 . In some cases, the beam is a third laser beam and the operation  1006  includes pulsing a second series of focal segments along a second series of closed paths. At least some of the lengths (and depths from a surface of the transparent substrate) of the second series of focal segments may be different. For example, a focal segment of the second series of focal segments may have a length that is less than that of an adjacent focal segment. The laser-formed features distributed along the second series of focal segments may therefore be distributed to different depths within the transparent substrate. Alternately, the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along each path of the series of paths may be referred to as a set of laser-formed features and the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along a second series of paths may be referred to as a second collection of sets of laser-formed features. 
     The paths of the second series of paths may be closed paths. In some examples, the paths of the second series may be nested so that they do not overlap one another. Further, each path of the second series of paths may be nested within a previously formed path.  FIG.  11 C  shows an example of a series of nested paths on the surface  1102 . In some cases, the paths of the second series may be spaced apart from one another and from the first path by a distance from 1 micron to 10 microns or from 1 micron to 5 microns. In some examples, the number of paths of the second series of paths may be from 5 to 25 or from 10 to 20. 
     As previously discussed with respect to  FIGS.  5  and  7 A- 7 C , the focal segment(s) of the beam typically extend into the transparent substrate and may travel along a second series of routes interior to the transparent substrate. Laser-formed features (e.g., a third set of laser-formed features) may be distributed along a second series of focal segments and the second series of routes. The second series of routes may extend into an interior region of the transparent substrate. In some examples, the routes of the second series of routes may have graduated depths from a front surface of the transparent substrate. For example, the depth of an outer route (closest to the first route) may be longer than the depth of an inner route of the second series of routes.  FIG.  11 C  shows an example of a second series of routes having graduated depths from the front surface of the transparent substrate. The second series of routes of  FIG.  11 C  may be configured to produce a facet of an edge surface of the component, as discussed in more detail with respect to  FIG.  11 C . 
     The process further includes an operation  1008  of etching the substrate to form a shaped edge surface of the component and an operation  1010  of removing the component from a surrounding portion of the component. The operation  1008  may be similar to the operation  508  of the process  500  and the operation  1010  may be similar to the operation  510  of the process  500  and those details are not repeated here. 
     The process  1000  may also include additional operations following the operation  1010 . For example, the process  1000  may include one or more operations of polishing the transparent component. The process  1000  may also include one or more operations of chemically strengthening the transparent component through ion exchange (e.g., when the transparent component is formed from a glass material, a glass ceramic material, or a combination of these). 
       FIGS.  11 A,  11 B, and  11 C  schematically show cross-sectional views of stages in a laser-based cutting process. For example, the process may be similar to the process  1000  of FIG.  10 . As previously discussed with respect to  FIGS.  5  and  7 A- 7 C , the focal segment(s) of the beam typically extend into the transparent substrate and may travel along one more routes interior to the transparent substrate. 
       FIG.  11 A  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a first route  1110  along which a focal segment of a beam travels inside the transparent substrate  1101 . As previously described with respect to process  1000 , the focal segment may create a first set of laser-formed features by traveling the first route  1110 . The first route  1110  extends through a thickness of the substrate  1101 . The first route  1110  also defines an interior region  1140  of the transparent substrate  1101  (to the left of the first route  1110  in  FIG.  11 A ). 
     As previously described with respect to the process  1000 , the beam may travel along additional routes within the transparent substrate to form additional laser-formed features. Regions  1142  and  1144  are portions of the transparent substrate where the second and the third sets of laser-formed features are formed in subsequent stages of the process and may therefore also be referred to as portions  1142  and  1144  herein. The dashed lines indicate routes to be traveled in subsequent operations. The regions  1142  and  1144  may be configured to produce a faceted edge surface of the transparent component formed from the interior region  1140  as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  12 A through  12 C . In additional examples, the regions  1142  and  1144  may be configured to produce an edge surface with curved transitions (corners) as shown in  FIG.  4   . 
       FIG.  11 B  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a first series of routes  1120  along which one or more focal segments travel inside the transparent substrate. Each route of the first series of routes extends from the rear surface  1104  into the transparent substrate  1101 . Each route has a depth that is different from that of an adjacent route in the example of  FIG.  11 B . The depth of the routes increases from left to right (from an inner route  1125  to an outer route  1121  as shown in  FIG.  11 C )]. This increase in the depth of the routes can be obtained by increasing the focal length of the beam from left to right (or decreasing the focal length from right to left). As previously described with respect to process  1000 , the beam may travel along the routes of the first series of routes  1120  to create a second set of laser-formed features. Alternately, the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along each route of the first series of routes (and each path of the first series of paths) may be referred to as a set of laser-formed features and the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along a first series of routes (and paths) may be referred to as a first collection of sets of laser-formed features. 
       FIG.  11 C  schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a second series of routes  1130  along which one or more focal segments travel inside the transparent substrate. Each route of the second series of routes  1130  extends from the front surface  1102  into the transparent substrate  1101 . The depth of the routes increases from left to right. This increase in the depth of the routes can be obtained by increasing the focal length of the beam from left to right (or decreasing the focal length from right to left). As previously described with respect to process  1000 , the beam may travel along the routes of the second series of routes  1130  to create a third set of laser-formed features. Alternately, the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along each route of the second series of routes (and each path of the second series of paths) may be referred to as a set of laser-formed features and the laser-formed features formed by scanning the beam along a second series of routes (and paths) may be referred to as a second collection of sets of laser-formed features. 
     In some examples the beam is scanned along the first path before being scanned along the first series of paths and the beam is scanned along the first series of paths before being scanned along the second series of paths. However, this example is not limiting, and the beam may be scanned along the different paths or series of paths in a different order. The number of paths (and routes) in the first and the second series of paths (and routes) shown in the example of  FIGS.  11 A through  11 C  is exemplary rather than limiting and typically will be greater than shown in  FIGS.  11 A through  11 C  as previously described with respect to  FIG.  10   . 
     In additional embodiments, a process for making a transparent component comprises pulsing a first focal segment of a first laser beam along a first closed path on a transparent substrate to create a first set of laser-formed features having a first depth that extends through the transparent substrate. The process further comprises pulsing a second focal segment of a second laser beam along a second closed path on the transparent substrate to create a second set of laser-formed features that extend to a second depth that is less than a thickness of the transparent substrate. In addition, the method comprises pulsing a third focal segment of a third laser beam along a third closed path on the transparent substrate to create a third set of laser-formed features that extend to a third depth that is less than the second depth. The third path may be nested within the second path and the second path may be nested within the first path. For example, this process can be used to make multiple sets of laser-formed features within the regions  1142  and  1144  of  FIG.  11 A . The laser system, the beam characteristics, and the substrate characteristics may be similar to the laser system, the beam characteristics, and the substrate characteristics described with respect to  FIG.  5    and those details are not repeated here. 
     In additional examples, the method comprises pulsing a series of focal segments along a series of closed paths to form a collection of sets of laser-formed features. The series of focal segments may include the second focal segment, the third focal segment, and at least one additional focal segment, and the series of closed paths includes the second closed path, the third closed path, and at least one additional closed path. The collection of sets of laser-formed features includes the second set of laser-formed features, the third set of laser-formed features, and at least one additional set of laser-formed features. In some cases, a portion of the transparent substrate including the collection of sets of laser-formed features may be referred to as a subregion. Etching of this portion of the transparent substrate (alternately, subregion), may form (alternately, define) a feature of the shaped surface, such as a facet or a curved surface, rather than the entire edge surface. 
     The process further comprises forming a shaped edge surface of the transparent component by etching the region(s) of the transparent substrate comprising the first, second, and third sets of laser-formed features. In the example of  FIGS.  11 A- 11 C , the portions  1142  and  1144  of the substrate are etched, as well as a portion of the substrate proximate the route  1110 . The etching operation may be similar to the operation  508  of the process  500  and those details are not repeated here. 
     The method may further comprise removing the transparent component from a surrounding portion of the transparent substrate subsequent to etching the region of the transparent substrate. The removal operation may be similar to the operation  510  of the process  500  and those details are not repeated here. The process may also include additional operations following the operation of removing the transparent component from the surrounding portion. For example, the process may include one or more operations of polishing the transparent component. The process may also include one or more operations of chemically strengthening the transparent component through ion exchange (e.g., when the transparent component is formed from a glass material, a glass ceramic material, or a combination of these). 
       FIGS.  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C  show examples of edge surfaces obtained using a laser-based cutting operation. In some cases, the edge surface may have texture parameters as previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  12 A  shows a cross-sectional view of a transparent component  1252   a  having a faceted edge surface  1206   a  extending between a first surface  1202   a  and a second surface  1204   a . The image of  FIG.  12 A  is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image (secondary electron) at a magnification of 250×. 
       FIG.  12 B  shows a different view of a transparent component  1252   b  having a faceted edge surface  1206   b . In the example of  FIG.  12 B , the faceted edge surface  1206   b  defines a surface texture which includes fine recessed features. The surface texture of the faceted edge surface  1206   b  also includes fine lateral features extending generally parallel to the junction between the faceted edge surface  1206   b  and a first surface  1202   b . These lateral features may repeat periodically through the thickness of the transparent component. The image of  FIG.  12 B  is a SEM image (secondary electron) at a magnification of 150×. The scale marker indicates a distance of 500 microns. As shown in the example of  FIG.  12 B , the lateral features which repeat through the thickness have a characteristic spacing less than 50 microns. The spacing of at least some of the lateral features may be in a range from about 10 microns to about 40 microns. The size of at least some of the recessed features (e.g., depressions) is less than the characteristic spacing of the lateral features and is on the order of hundreds of nanometers. 
       FIG.  12 C  is a SEM image (secondary electron) showing a head on view of a faceted edge surface  1206   c  of a transparent component  1252   c . The surface texture of the faceted edge surface  1206   c  includes fine recessed features as previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  12 B . The surface texture of the faceted edge surface  1206   c  also includes fine lateral features generally parallel to the junction between the faceted edge surface  1206   c  and a first surface  1202   c . These lateral features may repeat periodically through the thickness of the transparent component. The lateral dimension (diameter) of at least some of the recessed features (e.g., depressions) is less than 250 nm, and in some cases may be less than 200 nm or even less than 125 nm. In the example of  FIG.  12 C , at least some of the depressions define a rounded perimeter. The magnification is 250× and the scale marker indicates a distance of 500 microns in  FIG.  12 C . 
       FIG.  13 A  shows another example of a laser-treated component. The transparent component  1352  defines one or more holes formed by a laser-based drilling process. In particular, the holes are formed by etching away laser-modified regions of the transparent component. The laser-based drilling process may be used to form through-holes, blind holes, or combinations of these. The laser system, beam characteristics, and etching operation may be similar to those previously described with respect to  FIG.  5    and those details are not repeated here. 
     In the example of  FIG.  13 A , an array  1340  of laser-formed features are formed along a corner region  1322  of a transparent component  1352 . The array  1340  of laser-formed features may help arrest propagation of a crack resulting from an impact to the corner region  1322 . A front surface  1302  of the transparent component  1352  defines a perimeter  1353  and the array  1340  of laser-formed features may be offset from the perimeter  1353  in the corner region  1322 . In some embodiments, a laser-based cutting process may be used to form the perimeter  1353  and the edge surface of the transparent component  1352 . 
       FIG.  13 B  shows a detail view A-A of  FIG.  13 A . As shown in  FIG.  13 B , the laser-formed features of the array  1340  are holes  1342  so that the array  1340  is an array of holes. The holes  1342  are offset from the perimeter  1353  in a corner region  1322  of the transparent component  1352 . The diameter of the holes  1342  shown in  FIG.  13 B  is exaggerated for convenience of illustration, but in some cases the diameter of the holes  1342  may be less than about 1 mm, such as from about 2 microns to about 500 microns. In some embodiments the individual holes  1342  are small enough so that they are not readily viewable by the unaided eye. As previously discussed, the array  1340  of holes  1342  may be configured to help arrest propagation of a crack resulting from an impact to the corner region  1322 . The number and spacing of the hole features  1342  shown in  FIG.  13 B  are exemplary rather than limiting. The array of holes may be at least partially filled with a transparent material having an index of refraction that is substantially matched to the glass material or the glass ceramic material. Filling of the hole features  1342  can limit or prevent accumulation of debris. In some cases, the transparent material may be a polymer material. 
       FIG.  14    shows a block diagram of a sample electronic device that can incorporate a transparent component as described herein, such as a transparent glass or glass ceramic cover member. The schematic representation depicted in  FIG.  14    may correspond to components of the devices depicted in  FIGS.  1 A to  13    as described above. However,  FIG.  14    may also more generally represent other types of electronic devices including transparent components as described herein. 
     In embodiments, an electronic device  1400  may include sensors  1420  to provide information regarding configuration and/or orientation of the electronic device in order to control the output of the display. For example, a portion of the display  1408  may be turned off, disabled, or put in a low energy state when all or part of the viewable area of the display  1408  is blocked or substantially obscured. As another example, the display  1408  may be adapted to rotate the display of graphical output based on changes in orientation of the device  1400  (e.g., 90 degrees or 180 degrees) in response to the device  1400  being rotated. 
     The electronic device  1400  also includes a processor  1406  operably connected with a computer-readable memory  1402 . The processor  1406  may be operatively connected to the memory  1402  component via an electronic bus or bridge. The processor  1406  may be implemented as one or more computer processors or microcontrollers configured to perform operations in response to computer-readable instructions. The processor  1406  may include a central processing unit (CPU) of the device  1400 . Additionally, and/or alternatively, the processor  1406  may include other electronic circuitry within the device  1400  including application specific integrated chips (ASIC) and other microcontroller devices. The processor  1406  may be configured to perform functionality described in the examples above. 
     The memory  1402  may include a variety of types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media, including, for example, read access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory  1402  is configured to store computer-readable instructions, sensor values, and other persistent software elements. 
     The electronic device  1400  may include control circuitry  1410 . The control circuitry  1410  may be implemented in a single control unit and not necessarily as distinct electrical circuit elements. As used herein, “control unit” will be used synonymously with “control circuitry.” The control circuitry  1410  may receive signals from the processor  1406  or from other elements of the electronic device  1400 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  14   , the electronic device  1400  includes a battery  1414  that is configured to provide electrical power to the components of the electronic device  1400 . The battery  1414  may include one or more power storage cells that are linked together to provide an internal supply of electrical power. The battery  1414  may be operatively coupled to power management circuitry that is configured to provide appropriate voltage and power levels for individual components or groups of components within the electronic device  1400 . The battery  1414 , via power management circuitry, may be configured to receive power from an external source, such as an alternating current power outlet. The battery  1414  may store received power so that the electronic device  1400  may operate without connection to an external power source for an extended period of time, which may range from several hours to several days. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  1400  includes one or more input devices  1418 . The input device  1418  is a device that is configured to receive input from a user or the environment. The input device  1418  may include, for example, a push button, a touch-activated button, a capacitive touch sensor, a touch screen (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or a force-sensitive display), a capacitive touch button, a dial, a crown, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device  1418  may provide a dedicated or primary function, including, for example, a power button, volume buttons, home buttons, scroll wheels, and camera buttons. 
     The device  1400  may also include one or more sensors or sensor modules  1420 , such as a force sensor, a capacitive sensor, an accelerometer, a barometer, a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, or the like. In some cases, the device  1400  includes a sensor array (also referred to as a sensing array) which includes multiple sensors  1420 . For example, a sensor array associated with a protruding feature of a cover member may include an ambient light sensor, a Lidar sensor, and a microphone. As previously discussed with respect to  FIG.  1 B , one or more camera modules may also be associated with the protruding feature. The sensors  1420  may be operably coupled to processing circuitry. In some embodiments, the sensors  1420  may detect deformation and/or changes in configuration of the electronic device and be operably coupled to processing circuitry that controls the display based on the sensor signals. In some implementations, output from the sensors  1420  is used to reconfigure the display output to correspond to an orientation or folded/unfolded configuration or state of the device. Example sensors  1420  for this purpose include accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and other similar types of position/orientation sensing devices. In additional examples, the sensors  1420  may include a microphone, an acoustic sensor, a light sensor (including ambient light, infrared (IR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light), an optical facial recognition sensor, a depth measuring sensor (e.g., a time of flight sensor), a health monitoring sensor (e.g., an electrocardiogram (ERG) sensor, a heart rate sensor, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor, a pulse oximeter, a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint sensor), or other types of sensing device. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic device  1400  includes one or more output devices  1404  configured to provide output to a user. The output device  1404  may include a display  1408  that renders visual information generated by the processor  1406 . The output device  1404  may also include one or more speakers to provide audio output. The output device  1404  may also include one or more haptic devices that are configured to produce a haptic or tactile output along an exterior surface of the device  1400 . 
     The display  1408  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an LED-backlit LCD display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active layer organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, an organic electroluminescent (EL) display, an electrophoretic ink display, or the like. If the display  1408  is a liquid-crystal display or an electrophoretic ink display, the display  1408  may also include a backlight component that can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness. If the display  1408  is an organic light-emitting diode or an organic electroluminescent-type display, the brightness of the display  1408  may be controlled by modifying the electrical signals that are provided to display elements. In addition, information regarding configuration and/or orientation of the electronic device may be used to control the output of the display as described with respect to input devices  1418 . In some cases, the display is integrated with a touch and/or force sensor in order to detect touches and/or forces applied along an exterior surface of the device  1400 . 
     The electronic device  1400  may also include a communication port  1412  that is configured to transmit and/or receive signals or electrical communication from an external or separate device. The communication port  1412  may be configured to couple to an external device via a cable, adaptor, or other type of electrical connector. In some embodiments, the communication port  1412  may be used to couple the electronic device  1400  to a host computer. 
     The electronic device  1400  may also include at least one accessory  1416 , such as a camera, a flash for the camera, or other such device. The camera may be part of a camera assembly that may be connected to other parts of the electronic device  1400  such as the control circuitry  1410 . 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” “generally,” “similar,” and the like are used to account for relatively small variations, such as a variation of +/−10%, +/−5%, +/−2%, or +/−1%. In addition, use of the term “about” in reference to the endpoint of a range may signify a variation of +/−10%, +/−5%, +/−2%, or +/−1% of the endpoint value. In addition, disclosure of a range in which at least one endpoint is described as being “about” a specified value includes disclosure of the range in which the endpoint is equal to the specified value. 
     As used herein, the phrase “one or more of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “one or more of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “one or more of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. In addition, as used herein the phrase “one or more of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” separating the items, does not require selection of one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     The following discussion applies to the electronic devices described herein to the extent that these devices may be used to obtain personally identifiable information data. It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     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 intended 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: 20211222
Publication Date: 20240402
Grant Date: 20240402
Priority Date: 20201223
Inventors: Van Dyke, Matthew N.
LI, MICHAEL M.
JOHANNESSEN, THOMAS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B23K26/362", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C15/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/362", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C23/0025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/53", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/0622", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03B33/0222", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03B33/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/382", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/38", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/402", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 79831387