PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10642228-B1
Application Number: US-201815874689-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: LED-backed housing split of a portable electronic device

Abstract:
This application relates to a wearable electronic device including a housing having an illumination region, where the housing can carry components that can include a processor capable of receiving an input signal and responding to the input signal by providing an illumination signal. The components can further include independently-controllable light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination region and in communication with the processor, the light-emitting units capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) presenting the notification by emitting an amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing at least partially defining an internal cavity, the housing comprising;
 a cover layer overlying a display disposed in the internal cavity; 
 a side wall including an illumination region adjacent to and extending at least partially around a periphery of the cover layer and the display, the illumination region comprising a light-transmissive material; 
 
 a processor capable of receiving an input signal and responding to the input signal by providing an illumination signal; and 
 independently-controllable light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination region and in communication with the processor, the light-emitting units capable of presenting a notification by emitting an amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an environmental sensor in communication with the processor, the environmental sensor capable of detecting an environmental stimulus, and responding by providing a sensory signal to the processor based at least partially on the environmental stimulus. 
 
     
     
       3. The wearable electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is capable of receiving the sensory signal from the environmental sensor, and adjusting the illumination signal based at least partially on the sensory signal. 
     
     
       4. The wearable electronic device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a display assembly comprising a touch input sensor overlaid by the cover. 
 
     
     
       5. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the side wall comprises lower and upper housing sections, and the illumination region includes internal receiving structures that are coupled to locking structures of the lower and upper housing sections. 
     
     
       6. The wearable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the light-transmissive material includes glass, polycarbonate, plastic, acrylic or ceramic. 
     
     
       7. The wearable electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the lower and upper housing sections comprise electrically conductive material, and the light-transmissive material comprises dielectric material that electrically isolates the lower and upper housing sections from each other. 
     
     
       8. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing defining an aperture and having a protective cover disposed in the aperture, the housing including a luminescence section that includes light-transmissive material adjacent to and at least partially surrounding the aperture; 
 a processor; 
 a touch sensitive display assembly disposed in the aperture and overlaid by the protective cover, the display assembly capable of detecting a touch event at the protective cover, and providing a corresponding detection signal to the processor, the processor providing an illumination signal based at least partially on the detection signal; and 
 light-notification units carried by the housing at the luminescence section, the light-notification units capable of receiving the illumination signal, and emitting a pattern of light based at least partially on the illumination signal. 
 
     
     
       9. The wearable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes lower and upper housing sections, and the luminescence section includes receiving structures that are coupled to locking structures of the lower and upper housing sections. 
     
     
       10. The wearable electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the lower and upper housing sections comprise electrically conductive material, and the light-transmissive material comprises dielectric material that electrically isolates the lower and upper housing sections from each other. 
     
     
       11. The wearable electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the display assembly is capable of receiving a touch input for adjusting one or more settings of the light-notification units. 
     
     
       12. The wearable electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more settings include:
 a color of light; 
 a brightness of light; 
 a pattern of light; or 
 a duration of light. 
 
     
     
       13. A wearable electronic device, comprising:
 a housing defining an aperture; 
 a display assembly positioned at the aperture, an illumination section of the housing including a light-transmissive material at least partially surrounding the aperture and the display assembly; 
 an environmental sensor for detecting an environmental stimulus, and providing a corresponding detection signal; 
 a processor for receiving the detection signal, and generating an illumination signal based at least partially on the detection signal; and 
 light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination section, wherein the light-emitting units are capable of receiving the illumination signal, and emitting a predetermined amount of light based at least partially on the illumination signal. 
 
     
     
       14. The wearable electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the display assembly includes a protective cover disposed in the aperture, the display assembly capable of receiving a control signal from the processor based at least partially on the detection signal, and presenting a visual icon based at least partially on the control signal. 
 
     
     
       15. The wearable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the processor controls the light-emitting units independent of the display. 
     
     
       16. The wearable electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the light-emitting units are molded within the light-transmissive material at the illumination section. 
     
     
       17. The wearable electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the environmental sensor is at least one of a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, or a thermometer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/559,440, entitled “LED-BACKED HOUSING SPLIT OF A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” filed Sep. 15, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to a portable electronic device having a display capable of presenting a user interface and a light-notification unit capable of presenting a user notification. More particularly, the light-notification unit can be controlled independently of the display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, there has been a proliferation in the number of users who heavily rely upon portable electronic devices to provide important reminders, notifications, and alerts that are pertinent to their daily activities. In particular, many of these users desire to receive such information in a quick and easily-understandable manner. However, many conventional portable electronic devices instead present this information in an inconvenient and generally inaccessible manner, which can diminish the overall user experience. 
     SUMMARY 
     To cure the foregoing deficiencies, the representative embodiments set forth herein disclose various techniques related generally to a portable electronic device having a display capable of presenting a user interface and a light-notification unit capable of presenting a notification. More particularly, the light-notification unit can be controlled independently of the display. 
     According to some embodiments, a wearable electronic device for presenting a notification is described. The wearable electronic device can include a housing capable of carrying components, the housing having an illumination region that includes light-transmissive material. The components can include a processor capable of receiving an input signal and responding to the input signal by providing an illumination signal. The components can further include independently-controllable light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination region and in communication with the processor, the light-emitting units capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) presenting the notification by emitting an amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal. 
     According to some embodiments, a wearable electronic device for presenting an illuminated notification is described. The wearable electronic device can include a housing capable of carrying components and having a luminescence section that includes light-transmissive material. The components can include a processor and a display assembly in communication with the processor and overlaid by a protective cover, where the display assembly is capable of (i) detecting a touch event at the protective cover, and (ii) providing a corresponding detection signal to the processor that, in turn, provides an illumination signal. The components can further include light-notification units in communication with the processor, where the light-notification units are carried by the housing at the luminescence section, and the light-notification units are capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) cooperatively emitting a pattern of light some of which partially passes through the light-transmissive material, where at least some of the pattern of light corresponds to the illuminated notification. 
     According to some embodiments, a wearable electronic device for presenting a notification is described. The wearable electronic device can include a housing having an illumination section that includes light-transmissive material. The components can include an environmental sensor capable of (i) detecting an environmental stimulus, and (ii) providing a corresponding detection signal. The components can further include a processor in communication with the environmental sensor, the processor capable of (i) receiving the detection signal from the environmental sensor, and (ii) responding by generating an illumination signal that is based on the detection signal. The components can further include light-emitting units in communication with the processor and carried by the housing at the illumination section, where the light-emitting units are capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) responding by emitting a predetermined amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal that corresponds to the notification. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
     This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described features are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate perspective views of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate perspective views of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate cross-sectional views of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate top views of various examples of portable electronic devices that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate various views of an exploded view for forming a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of a portable electronic device that can be configured to implement different aspects of the various techniques described herein, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a method for presenting a notification at a portable electronic device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a method for forming a portable electronic device that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a system diagram of various applications that are capable of implementing functions at a portable electronic device, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The embodiments described herein set forth techniques related to a portable electronic device having a display capable of presenting a user interface and a light-notification unit capable of presenting a user notification. More particularly, the light-notification unit can be controlled independently of the display assembly such as to present information that can supplement information presented by the user interface. In some embodiments, the light-notification unit can present information that is independent of information presented by the user interface. Although technological advances in recent years have enabled a single portable electronic device to execute a variety of different functions in order to present different information to a user, the presentation of the information by the single portable electronic device is generally limited to a single visual-generating component (i.e., a single display). Consequently, when the single portable electronic device is tasked with displaying multiple types of information, the single portable electronic device must often prioritize an order of the different types of user information to be presented to the user. Further complicating matters is that the user must often perform a series of steps (e.g., unlocking the portable electronic device with a password, etc.) in order to access this user information. While these series of steps may be important for securing confidential information from others users, it can also be burdensome to perform these series of steps when the user information to be presented is not confidential in nature and should be presented in a quick and easily-understood manner. 
     Furthermore, while the display assembly can include a light-emitting diode (LED) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display that is capable of presenting a combination of brilliant colors and advanced graphics, certain types of user information may not need to be presented with such advanced colors and/or graphs that can consume a considerable amount of power from a power supply of the portable electronic device. In the interest of conserving power, the portable electronic device can rely upon another means (besides the display assembly) to present visual user information. More particularly, the described embodiments involve the light-emitting notification unit being independently controllable from the display. For example, the user may wish to receive notifications or information without having to activate the display. Additionally, the light-emitting notification unit can be capable of providing detailed user information while consuming very little power. 
     According to some embodiments, a wearable electronic device for presenting a notification is described. The wearable electronic device can include a housing capable of carrying components, the housing having an illumination region that includes light-transmissive material. The components can include a processor capable of receiving an input signal and responding to the input signal by providing an illumination signal. The components can further include independently-controllable light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination region and in communication with the processor, the light-emitting units capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) presenting the notification by emitting an amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal. 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device can refer to a media player, a camera, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a computer tablet, a portable computer, a fitness tracker, a medical diagnostic device, a health-monitoring tool, a touchscreen electronic device, and the like. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2B, 3A-3B, 4, 5A-5B, 6, 7A-7B, 8A-8C, 9A-9C, and 10-13 ; 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. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  illustrate perspective views of a portable electronic device  100  that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments. In particular, the portable electronic device  100  can be configured to present a light notification that corresponds to user information. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the portable electronic device  100  can include a housing  102  that can be configured to carry components within an internal cavity (not illustrated), including a display assembly  106  and a light-notification unit  110 . The display assembly  106  can include a cover layer  108  that is capable of receiving a touch event executed by a user of the portable electronic device  100 . In some examples, the display assembly can include a sensor (e.g., capacitive sensor, resistance sensor, piezoelectric element sensor, etc.) for detecting the touch event at the cover layer  108 . In response, the sensor can transmit a detection signal to a processor (not illustrated) that is descriptive of the touch event. In some examples, the display assembly  106  can include a combination of force input and/or touch input sensors that can be integrated into the display assembly  106  for detecting the touch event at the cover layer  108 . In response to detecting the touch event, the processor can cause the display assembly  106  to present a user interface that corresponds to the touch event. According to some examples, the user interface can include visual icons (or visual content) that convey user information and that are capable of being selected by at least one of a touch event at the touch input layer/force input layer of the display assembly  106 , a rotatable digital crown  130  or the I/O component  132  (e.g., buttons, switches, etc.), thereby causing the display assembly  106  to update the visual icons that are presented. 
     Additionally, the light-notification unit  110  can include one or more light-emitting units  112 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the light-emitting units  112  can be arranged in a pattern along a peripheral face region  114  of the housing  102 . By having the light-emitting units  112  disposed along the peripheral face region  114  of the housing  102 , any light indications generated by the light-emitting units  112  can be readily discernable and seen by the user in at least the same capacity that a user interface presented by the display assembly  106  would also be readily visible to the user. For example, both of the light-emitting units  112  and the display assembly  106  can present notifications that are transmitted at a same angle to a user relative to the housing  102 . 
     In some examples, the light-emitting units  112  can be arranged in the pattern along a face of the housing  102  (e.g., a front face opening), a side wall of the housing  102 , a bottom surface of the housing  102 , or a curved/beveled edge surface of the housing  102 . Additionally, each of the light-emitting units  112  can have dimensions (e.g., surface area, etc.) that are significantly less than the corresponding dimensions of the display assembly  106 . In some examples, the light-notification unit  110  has an area that is less than an area of the display assembly  106 . 
     Furthermore, the arrangement of the light-emitting units  112  along the portable electronic device  100  can be such as to cosmetically enhance or improve upon the appearance of the housing  102  of the portable electronic device  100 . For example, the pattern of the light-emitting units  112  should not significantly detract from appearance design aesthetic of the housing  102 . Accordingly, the light-emitting units  112  are disposed along the peripheral face region  114  of the housing  102 ; therefore, preventing the cover layer  108  from being obstructed. In some examples, the light-emitting units  112  can be user-adjustable to emit a color that corresponds, contrasts, and/or matches the color of the display assembly  106 . Additionally, the color and/or pattern emitted by the light-emitting units  112  can correspond, contrast, and/or match with a color of the housing  102 . 
     In some examples, at least one of the light-emitting units  112  and the display assembly  106  can include light-emitting diodes (LED), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), and the like. Beneficially, the light-emitting units  112  have a significantly reduced surface area relative to the display assembly  106  and can include LEDs or OLEDs. The amount of power consumed by the light-emitting units  112  is reduced relative to the display assembly  106 . 
     According to some examples, the housing  102  can include a combination of seals and/or gaskets to prevent water intrusion or minimize water intrusion into any one of the components as described herein. Additionally, the internal cavity of the housing  102  can include a combination of seals to minimize moisture intrusion and/or external contaminants into the internal cavity. In some examples, these seals can seal gaps, cracks, interfaces between housing sections, and the like in order to prevent moisture ingress into the internal cavity of the housing  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the housing  102  can be coupled to a user attachment mechanism  120 , such as a wrist strap, band, and the like. In some examples, the housing  102  can be integrally formed with parts of the user attachment mechanism  120 . The user attachment mechanism  120  can enable the portable electronic device  100  to be secured to a user&#39;s wrist, arm, or other appendage. Additionally, the housing  102  can include a rotatable digital crown  130  and an I/O component  132 . The rotatable digital crown  130  and the I/O component  132  can be capable of toggling user functions presented at the user interface of the display assembly  106 . Additionally, the rotatable digital crown  130  and the I/O component  132  can be capable of adjusting user settings for the light-notification unit  110 , such as adjusting at least one of brightness, color, frequency, duration, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , the portable electronic device  100  can include speakers  140  and a microphone  142  that are disposed at a side surface of the housing  102 . The portable electronic device  100  can include multiple sensing modules  160  that are disposed at a bottom surface of the housing  102 . According to some examples, the multiple sensing modules  160  can include LED lights  162  that are paired with light-sensitive photodiodes  164 . Generally, these LED lights  162  are not visible to a user when the portable electronic device  100  is worn, as the bottom surface of the housing  102  is generally flush against the user&#39;s skin. Thus, these LED lights  162  are generally not capable of providing a user notification. Instead the LED lights  162  can emit an amount of green light and/or infrared light at the user&#39;s skin and detect an amount of green light/IR light absorption by the user&#39;s skin. Subsequently, the light-sensitive photodiodes  164  can provide a detection signal to the processor that corresponds to the amount of light absorbed by the user skin. The light generated by these LED lights  162  can be generally fixed, such that color, duration, frequency are not capable of being adjusted by the user and/or the portable electronic device  100 . Furthermore, the light generated by these LED lights  162  generally fail to provide user information or notifications as the light is merely intended to be directed at the user&#39;s skin for the purpose of measuring an amount of light absorption. For example, the amount of light generated by the LED lights  162  may not correspond to a feedback signal provided by a sensor (e.g., the microphone  142 , etc.) included within the portable electronic device  100 , such as when the sensor detects an event. Additionally, when the portable electronic device  100  is worn, these LED lights  162  emit light that is generally not discernible by the user. 
       FIG. 1C  illustrates a perspective view of the portable electronic device  100 . The housing  102  can include a peripheral face region  114 , such as a bezel that defines a face of the portable electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, the peripheral face region  114  can define the cover layer  108  of the portable electronic device  100 , where the peripheral face region  114  surrounds a peripheral edge of the cover layer  108 . Although  FIG. 1C  illustrates the peripheral face region  114  as having a generally rectangular shape, the peripheral face region  114  can also have a generally elliptical or circular shape, or any other appropriate shape. 
     According to some embodiments, the peripheral face region  114  can include the light-notification unit  110 . The light-notification unit  110  can be disposed at an external surface of the housing  102  or carried within the housing  102 . In some embodiments, the light-notification unit  110  can include individual light-emitting units  112  (e.g., LEDs) that are carried by a light transmissive material of the peripheral face region  114 , the housing  102 , or other region that is injection molded and/or over-molded with light-emitting units  112 . Accordingly, the peripheral face region  114  can include the light transmissive material which is sufficiently transmissive to light (e.g., translucent, transparent, etc.) to enable the amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  112  to pass through the housing  102  and/or peripheral face region  114  such as to be visible to the user while the portable electronic device  100  is worn by the user. Additionally, the light transmissive material can be clear (i.e., free of color) or any specific type of color such as to match or conform to a colored appearance of the housing  102 . In some examples, the light transmissive material can be transparent, translucent, or frosted, and comprised of materials that include at least one of glass, plastic, clear acrylic, polycarbonate, ceramics, metals, and the like. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate cross-sectional views of a portable electronic device  200  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C  taken along the A-A line in  FIG. 1C , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIGS. 2A-2B  illustrate the portable electronic device  200  includes a housing  202  having a cover layer  208  of a display assembly that is capable of receiving a touch event. The housing  202  can include a light-transmissive split  266  that can be molded between a lower housing section  260  and an upper housing section  262 . According to some embodiments, the light-transmissive split  266  can also be interchangeably referred to as an illumination region and a luminescent region. According to some examples, the light transmissive material of the light-transmissive split  266  can be comprised of translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, or frosted plastic. In this manner, the light-transmissive split  266  can be sufficient to transmit an amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  212  through a housing  202 . In some examples, frosted plastic can be beneficial in improving dispersion/diffusion of light throughout the light-transmissive split  266 . Advantageously, frosted plastic can be favored over metal as the frosted plastic can more ably disperse light throughout the light-transmissive split  266 . In particular, frosted plastic can include multiple light-reflective portions. In some embodiments, the light-transmissive split  266  can be substituted with a transparent window at the housing  202 . 
     In some examples, the light-transmissive split  266  can extend between a lower housing section  260  and an upper housing section  262 . The lower housing section  260  can include an interlocking structure  264   a , such as a protruding structure, that can be molded to and/or attached to the light-transmissive split  266  and the upper housing section  262  can include an interlocking structure  264   b  that can be molded to and/or attached to the light-transmissive split  266 . In some examples, the upper and lower housing sections  260 ,  262  are comprised of a metal, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, and the like. Accordingly, in this manner, the metal of the upper and lower housing sections  260 ,  262  can be securely attached and coupled to the light-transmissive split  266  such as to improve an amount of rigidity of the light-transmissive split  266 . The interlocking structures  264   a - b  can extend into receiving structures  266   a - b  (e.g., recessed structures) of the light-transmissive split  266 . In some embodiments, the interlocking structures  264   a - b  and the receiving structures  266   a - b  can cooperate to provide an anchoring or tensioning mechanism for the light-transmissive split  266 . 
     According to some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the light-emitting units  212  can be molded to the light-transmissive split  266  using an injection-molding and/or over-molding process. During the over-molding and/or injection-molding processes, the light transmissive material while in a first state (e.g., liquid state) can flow into an insert mold that is positioned at each of the interlocking structures  264   a - b  to shape the light-transmissive material into the light-transmissive split  266  having a curved shape. The light-transmissive material can flow into and around the light-emitting units  212  that were previously positioned within the insert mold. In this manner, the position of the light-emitting units  212  are secured in place by the light transmissive material that is subsequently hardened. According to some examples, the light transmissive material can be constructed from a material that can begin in a first state and may subsequently change to a second state. As an illustration, light transmissive material can be constructed from a plastic that begins in a first, liquid state and then subsequently changes to a second, solid state. In some embodiments, the material of the light-transmissive split  266  can be constructed from a glass-filled polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). Alternatively, the light-transmissive split  266  can be constructed from a high-strength plastic such as polyaryletherketone (“PAEK”) or polyether ether ketone (“PEEK”). Alternatively, the light-transmissive split  266  can be comprised of materials that include acrylic, glass, or ceramics. In some examples, the light-emitting units  212  can be first set in place, and subsequently molded with the light transmissive material such as to form a light-transmissive split  266 . While in the liquid state, the plastic can be allowed to flow around and fill over the interlocking structures  264   a - b . After flowing around and filling the interlocking structures  264   a - b , the plastic material may subsequently be allowed to harden into receiving structures  266   a - b  (e.g., the plastic material is allowed to change into the second, solid state). Upon changing into the solid state, the light transmissive material can physically bond the upper and lower housing sections  260 ,  262  together, thus forming a side surface, side wall, and/or beveled edge of the housing  202 . 
     According to some examples, the light-emitting units  212  can be attached to a circuit board  218 . In some examples, the circuit board  218  can be flexible or rigid. In particular, the light-emitting units  212  of the circuit board  218  can be molded over with the light transmissive material to form a more secure and rigid bond between the light-emitting units  212  and the light-transmissive split  266  within the housing  202 . For example, during an over-molding process, the light-emitting units  212  that are mounted onto the circuit board  218  can be secured to an insert mold of the housing  202 . Subsequently, the light transmissive material is molded over the light-emitting units  212  and the circuit board  218 . Advantageously, by molding the light-emitting units  212  and the circuit board  218 , there can be a reduced risk of damaging the circuit board  218  during a subsequent installation process (e.g., positioning electronic components into the internal cavity  230  of the housing  202 ) as the circuit board  218  is not exposed outside of the light-transmissive split  266 . Furthermore, molding the light-emitting units  212  within the light-transmissive split  266  can enable the tips of the light-emitting units  212  to be positioned much closer to the external surface of the light-transmissive split  266  such as to enable greater light transmissivity through the light-transmissive split  266 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , according to some examples, the light-emitting units  212  that are included in the internal cavity  230  can be attached to a circuit board  218  that may be disposed behind the light-transmissive split  266 . In some examples, the circuit board  218  can be flexible or rigid. A circuit board  218  comprised of rigid material can facilitate in the circuit board  218  being fastened into the housing  202 , such as by using screws. Although a circuit board  218  comprising flexible material may facilitate in attaching the circuit board  218  to the light-transmissive split  266  having a curved internal surface and/or shape. Furthermore, during an installation procedure, the circuit board  218  can be mounted to the light-transmissive split  266  via an adhesive or epoxy. In contrast to molding the light-emitting units  212  within the light-transmissive split  266  as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B  illustrates that the circuit board  218  can be exposed during an installation process. This may be advantageous in enabling the exposed leads of the circuit board  218  to be more easily secured to a printed circuit board  270 . 
     In some examples, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B  the light-emitting units  212  and/or circuit board  218  are electronically coupled to a printed circuit board  270  that is carried at a bottom surface  252  of the housing  202  by way of a flex cable  216 . In some embodiments, each of the light-emitting units  212  is electrically coupled to the same circuit board  218 , where the circuit board  218  is disposed behind the light-transmissive split  266 . 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the light transmissive material of the light-transmissive split  266  can function to electrically isolate the upper and lower housing sections  260 ,  262 . In this manner, electromagnetic interference is reduced and/or eliminated at the light-transmissive split  266  and can enable electromagnetic signals generated by electronic components disposed at the printed circuit board  270  (e.g., antenna, etc.) to more easily pass through the housing  202 —in particular, the light-transmissive split  266 . Additionally, the light-transmissive split  266  can enable electromagnetic signals to more easily pass through and reach electronic components within the internal cavity  230 . The printed circuit board  270  can include additional electronic components, such as a dedicated microcontroller/processor for operating the light-emitting units  212 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrates cross-sectional views of the portable electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C  taken along the A-A line in  FIG. 1C , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 3A  illustrates a portable electronic device  300  having a light-notification unit  310  including light-emitting units  312  that can be molded by a light transmissive material to form a light-transmissive split  366 . In some examples, the light-emitting units  312  can be first set in place, and subsequently molded with the light transmissive material to form the light-transmissive split  366 . According to some examples, the light transmissive material of the light-transmissive split  366  can be comprised of translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, or frosted materials, such as glass, plastic, metal, ceramics, polycarbonates, and the like. In this manner, the light-transmissive split  366  can sufficiently transmit an amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  312  through the housing  302 . 
     In contrast to the portable electronic device  200  illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the individual light-emitting units  312  are not electrically connected to a circuit board—e.g., the circuit board  218 . Instead each of the light-emitting units  312  include leads (e.g., positive and negative leads) that electrically connect each of the light-emitting units  312  to a printed circuit board  370  that is disposed within an internal cavity  330 . In this manner, each of the light-emitting units  312  is individually connected to the printed circuit board  370  with its own dedicated flex cable  316 . One advantage to electrically connecting the light-emitting units  312  to the printed circuit board  370  with its own flex cable  316  is that it can reduce latency such as to increase the response time associated with when the processor (not illustrated) transmits a control signal to operate an individual light-emitting unit  312 . In some examples, a portion (or all) of the flex cable  316  can be molded within the light-transmissive split  366 . 
     The portable electronic device  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  can include a housing  302  having a light-transmissive split  366 . In some examples, the light-transmissive split  366  can extend between a lower housing section  360  and an upper housing section  362 . The lower housing section  360  can include an interlocking structure  364   a  that can be molded to and/or attached to the light-transmissive split  366  and the upper housing section  362  can include an interlocking structure  364   b  that can be molded to and/or attached to the light-transmissive split  366 . In some examples, the upper and lower housing sections  360 ,  362  are comprised of a metal, plastic, ceramic, and the like. Accordingly, in this manner, the upper and lower housing sections  360 ,  362  can be securely attached and coupled to the light-transmissive split  366  such as to improve an amount of rigidity of the light-transmissive split  366 . The interlocking structures  364   a - b  can extend into receiving structures  366   a - b  of the light-transmissive split  366 . In some embodiments, the interlocking structures  364   a - b  and the receiving structures  366   a - b  can cooperate to provide an anchoring or tensioning mechanism for the light-transmissive split  366 . The light-emitting units  312  can be surrounded by the over-molded material. According to some embodiments, the light-transmissive material can form the light-transmissive split  366  via an over-molding and/or injection-molding process, as described herein. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a portable electronic device  301  having light-emitting units  312  that can be molded by a light transmissive material to form an elongated light-transmissive split  368 . In some examples, the light-emitting units  312  are first set in place, and subsequently molded with a light transmissive material to form the elongated light-transmissive split  368 . In contrast to the portable electronic device  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the portable electronic device  301  illustrated in  FIG. 3B  does not include an upper housing section—e.g., the upper housing section  362  having an interlocking structure—e.g., the interlocking structure  364   b  that can be anchored to the elongated light-transmissive split  368 . In contrast, the elongated light-transmissive split  368  can include an anchoring portion  374  having an angled support feature  372  that extends into the internal cavity  330  of the housing  302 . The angled support feature  372  can be capable of supporting the cover layer  308  in a manner similar to the upper housing section  362 . In some examples, the anchoring portion  374  can be referred to as a bezel that provides structural support to the cover layer  308 . 
     In contrast to the portable electronic device  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the elongated light-transmissive split  368  of the portable electronic device  301  provides additional structural rigidity and/or enhances the structural rigidity of the housing  302 . For example, by eliminating a light-transmissive split—e.g., the light-transmissive split  266 —that is coupled at opposite ends to upper and lower housing sections, the housing  302  of the portable electronic device  300  is rendered more structural rigid and less susceptible to a torsional moment when torque is applied to a region of the housing  302  proximate to the elongated light-transmissive split  368 . 
     In some examples, the elongated light-transmissive split  368  can include a receiving structure  366   a  that can be capable of receiving an interlocking structure  364   a  of the lower housing section  360 . In some examples, the lower housing section  360  can include metal, plastic, ceramic, and the like. Accordingly, in this manner, the lower housing section  360  can be securely attached and coupled to the elongated light-transmissive split  366  such as to improve an amount of rigidity of the light-transmissive split  368 . In some embodiments, the interlocking structure  364   a  and the receiving structure  366   a  can cooperate to provide an anchoring or tensioning mechanism for the elongated light-transmissive split  366 . In some examples, the light-emitting units  312  can be first set in place, and subsequently molded with the light transmissive material to form the elongated light-transmissive split  368 . According to some examples, the light transmissive material of the elongated light-transmissive split  368  can be comprised of translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, or frosted material, such as glass, plastic, polycarbonate, and the like. In this manner, the elongated light-transmissive split  368  can be sufficient to transmit an amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  312  through the housing  302 . 
     Although  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate that the light-emitting units  312  are molded within the light-transmissive split  366  and the elongated light-transmissive split  368 , in other embodiments, the light-emitting units  312  can be attached to a circuit board—e.g., the circuit board  218 —and disposed behind the light-transmissive split  366  and the elongated light-transmissive split  368 , in a manner similar to the embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 2B . In this manner, an amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  312  can still be transmitted through a transparent and/or translucent region of the housing  202 . However, beneficially, these aforementioned techniques do not require molding of the light-emitting units  312  and/or the circuit board with the light transmissive material. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portable electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C  taken along the A-A line in  FIG. 1C , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 4  illustrates a portable electronic device  400  having a light-emitting unit  412  that is an integrally-formed extension of a display layer  410  that is disposed below the cover surface  408 . In this manner, the light-emitting unit  412  can function similarly to an edge-to-edge display of the display layer  410  where the portable electronic device  400  is capable of emitting an amount of light that extends past cover surface  408  and along the edges of the housing  402   e  as well as the face of the housing  402   f  that is adjacent to the edges of the housing  402   e.    
     To accommodate for the amount of light that is emitted by the light-emitting unit  412 , the upper housing section  462  that surrounds and defines the cover surface  408  can be made from a light transmissive material. Additionally, the housing  402  can include a light-transmissive split  466  that also facilitates to enable light generated by the light-emitting unit  412  to pass through the housing  402 . In some examples, both the upper housing section  462  and the light-transmissive split  466  are generally translucent or transparent such as to permit for an uninterrupted amount of light to be displayed along the edges and the face of the housing  402   e  to  402   f . In this manner, the portable electronic device  400  can be capable of emitting an aesthetically pleasing continuous glow or amount of light. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the light-emitting unit  412  can be disposed behind the internal surface of the light-transmissive split  466 , and secured to the internal surface by an adhesive or epoxy. 
     Beneficially, integrating the light-emitting units  412  with the display layer  410  does not require running a flex cable—e.g., the flex cable  216  or the circuit board  218 —between the light-emitting units  412  and a printed circuit board  470 . In this manner, the light-emitting units  412  are more protected from intrusion, such as when an object presses against the flex cable  216 . Furthermore, by integrating the light-emitting units  412  onto the same display layer  410 , a single lighting module (e.g., micro-controller) can be capable of concurrently operating both the display layer  410  and the light-emitting units  412 . Additionally, the single lighting module can be capable of independently operating and controlling the display layer  410  and the light-emitting units  412 . Additionally, each of the individual light-emitting units  412  can be independently controllable from each other. For example, the single lighting module can cause a control signal to be provided to the light-emitting units  412 , thereby generating an amount of light by the light-emitting units  412 , while also preventing a control signal from being transmitted to the display layer  410 , thereby preventing an amount of light from being generated at the display layer  410 . In other examples, each of the displayer layer  410  and the light-emitting units  412  can include their own dedicated lighting module. According to some examples, the display layer  410  and the light-emitting units  412  can include LED or OLEDs. 
     According to some embodiments, the light-emitting units  412  can include a touch input layer and/or force input layer for detecting a touch event at the display layer  410 . In some examples, the light-emitting units  412  can be backed with a back layer having electrically conductive touch traces that are responsive to a change in capacitance caused by the user&#39;s fingertip make electrical contact with the electrically conductive touch traces. The back layer can be integral or isolated from the display layer  410 . Accordingly, a user pressing against the back layer can exert changes in the amount and/or type of light emitted by the light-emitting units  412 . In one example scenario, a user can drag the user&#39;s fingertip along the back layer to induce these changes. Thus, this back layer can act as a supplementary touch layer to the primary touch layer of the display layer  410 . In another example, the light emitted by the light-emitting units  412  can correspond to movements and gestures of the user&#39;s fingertip along the back layer. In some examples, the back layer can be an extension of a touch input layer/force input layer that is associated with the display layer  410 . 
     According to some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the light-transmissive split  466  can also be backed by the light-emitting unit  412 . In this example, the light-transmissive split  466  can be formed by molding light transmissive material around interlocking structures of the lower and upper housing sections  460 ,  462 . In some examples, the light-emitting unit  412  can be adhered to the light-transmissive split  466  and/or the upper housing section  462  with an epoxy or an adhesive. According to some embodiments, the light-emitting unit  412  can be over-molded or injection-molded within the light-transmissive split  466 . For example, the light-emitting unit  412  and the display layer  410  can be first mounted within a frame of the housing  402 . Subsequently, light transmissive material can be molded over and around the light-emitting unit  412  such that the light-emitting unit  412  is securely held within the light-transmissive split  466 . According to some examples, the light transmissive material of the light-transmissive split  466  can be comprised of translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, or frosted material, such as glass, polycarbonate, plastic, acrylic, metal, or ceramic. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device  500 , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 5A  illustrates the portable electronic device  500  can include a light-notification unit  510  that is disposed along a bottom edge and/or lower surface of a housing  502 . The housing  502  can include a cover layer  508  that is capable of receiving a touch event for a display assembly. In some embodiments, light-emitting units  512  of the light-notification unit  510  can be disposed right above or adjacent to a user attachment mechanism  520 , such as a wrist band. By positioning the light-emitting units  512  adjacent to the user attachment mechanism  520 , the light-notification unit  510  can emit an amount of light (e.g., a glow of light) onto the user&#39;s wrist. The light-emitting units  512  can be electrically coupled to a printed circuit board via a flex cable  514 . 
     According to some embodiments, the light-emitting units  512  can be molded within a light-transmissive split  566  that is disposed adjacent to the user attachment mechanism  520 . Unlike the light-transmissive split—e.g., the light-transmissive split  266  of the portable electronic device  200 —disposed along a bezel, the light-notification unit  510  can transmit lighted notifications and user information at an angle that is substantially different from the display—e.g., the display assembly  106 . Beneficially, when the back of the hand is facing away from the user&#39;s eyes such that the display assembly  106  is also facing away from the user&#39;s eyes, the light-notification unit  510  can still be capable of presenting lighted notifications that can be readily perceived by the user&#39;s eyes due to its location along the lower surface of the housing  502 . In this manner, user notifications can still be readily perceived by the user, even when a face of the portable electronic device  500  is turned away from the user. 
     Additionally, the light-transmissive split  566  can be arranged along a peripheral edge of the housing  502 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portable electronic device  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  taken along the B-B line in  FIG. 5A , in accordance with some embodiments. In some examples, the light-emitting units  512  can be first set in place, and subsequently molded with the light transmissive material to form the light-transmissive split  566 . According to some examples, the light transmissive material of the light-transmissive split  566  can be comprised of translucent, transparent, semi-transparent, or frosted material, such as glass, polycarbonate, plastic, acrylic, metal, or ceramic. In this manner, the light-transmissive split  566  can be sufficient to transmit an amount of light generated by the light-emitting units  512  through the housing  502 . 
     According to some embodiments, the light-transmissive split  566  can be attached to lower and upper housing sections  560 ,  562 . In some examples, the light-transmissive split  566  can include a receiving structure, as described above, that can be capable of receiving respective interlocking structures of the lower and upper housing sections. In some examples, the lower and upper housing sections  560 ,  562  can include metal, plastic, ceramic, and the like. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portable electronic device  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C  taken along the A-A line in  FIG. 1C , in accordance with some embodiments. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a portable electronic device  600  having a housing includes a cover layer  608  that is capable of receiving a touch event for a display assembly. The portable electronic device  600  can include light-emitting units  612  that are mounted directly onto an external surface of an edge region  666  of the portable electronic device  600 . In particular, during a manufacturing process, light-emitting units  612  can be mounted directly onto the external surface of the edge region  666 . The edge region  666  can be formed between the lower and upper housing sections  660 ,  662 . Connection ends of the light-emitting units  612  are electrically connected to the flex cables  614 . In contrast to other portable electronic devices described herein, the light-emitting units  612  can protrude from the external surface of the housing, thereby imparting the housing with a textured feel and appearance. 
     According to some embodiments, the edge region  666  can include a light transmissive material such that the edge region  666  can refract light emitted from the light-emitting units  612  along the edges of the housing. In some examples, the edge region is generally translucent or transparent such as to permit for an amount of light to pass through the edge region  666  of the housing and into the internal cavity of the portable electronic device  600 . However, in other embodiments, the edge region  666  can also be constructed from a non-light transmissive material, such that the edge region  666  is rendered opaque to light transmissivity. In particular, the edge region  666  can be constructed from material having a more reflective quality, such as a mirrored finish or surface to enable more light generated by the light-emitting units  612  to refract away from the portable electronic device  600 . The edge region  666  can be formed from any combination of plastic, polymer, or metal. 
     According to some embodiments, the light-emitting units  612  can be electrically coupled to a printed circuit board via flex cable  614 . In some examples, each of the light-emitting units  612  can have its own dedicated flex cable  614 . In other examples, the light-emitting units  612  can be collectively electrically coupled to a circuit board that has its own dedicated flex cable that is connected to the printed circuit board. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device  700 , in accordance with some embodiments.  FIG. 7A  illustrates the portable electronic device  700  can include a housing  702  having a display  708  and a user attachment mechanism  720 . The portable electronic device  700  can include a light-notification unit  710 . The light-notification unit  710  can include micro-perforations  712  that are formed through a side section  760  of the housing  702 . In particular, the micro-perforations  712  can impart the housing  702  with an appearance of having a backlist visual display. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the portable electronic device  700  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  taken along the C-C line in  FIG. 7A , in accordance with some embodiments. According to some examples, each of the micro-perforations  712  is sufficiently small in diameter such that a micro-lens  719  cannot be readily distinguished from the remaining regions of the housing  702  by the naked human eye. In some examples, the micro-perforations  712  can extend generally from an external surface of the side section  760  to an internal surface of the same side section  760 . In some embodiments, the micro-perforations  712  can be filled with a transparent or translucent material, such as glass, plastic, and/or other material that is sufficient to enable light to pass through the housing  702 . Beneficially, the micro-perforations are sufficiently small, thereby minimizing contaminants (e.g., moisture, dirt, etc.) from entering into the housing  702  and causing corrosion of the housing  702 . 
     According to some embodiments, the micro-perforations  712  can be arranged at a pattern along the side section  760  of the housing  702 , a face region (e.g., front face opening, etc.) of the housing  702 , a bottom surface of the housing  702 , and/or an edge of the housing  702 . Additionally, the number of micro-perforations  712  arranged at the housing  702  can vary from a few to several hundreds. It should be noted that when the micro-perforations  712  are unlit (e.g., non-backlit), then the micro-perforations  712  can be indistinguishable to the naked human eye from the remaining regions of the housing  702 . Beneficially, in this manner, even with the presence of several micro-perforations  712  along the housing  702 , the housing  702  is able to retain a generally uniform colorized and texturized appearance when the micro-perforations are unlit. 
     According to some embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the light-notification unit  710  can include a light source  716  that is coupled to one side of a light guide  718 . The light guide  718  can be capable of transmitting and refracting light emitted by the light source  716  towards the micro-perforation  712 . The micro-perforation  712  can include a base layer (such as by back-filling with acrylic) and a micro-lens  719  that is capable of concentrating the amount of light generated by the light source  716  through the micro-perforation  712  such that the amount of light appears to be emitted from the housing  702 . For example, the micro-perforation  712  can taper towards the external surface of the side section  760 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the light source  716  can be electrically coupled to a printed circuit board  770  via a flex cable  714 . The printed circuit board  770  can be mounted onto a bottom surface  752  of the portable electronic device  700 . 
     According to some examples, the light guide  718  can be adhered to a bottom layer of the micro-perforation  712  using an adhesive or epoxy. According to some examples, the housing  702  can be comprised from one or more materials that can include metal, plastic, ceramics, and the like. In contrast to the embodiments of the portable electronic device having a light-transmissive split—e.g., the light-transmissive split  266 —it may be preferable for the portable electronic device  700  to have the housing  702  comprised of metal that is similar to the metal of the housing  702  in order to provide a generally uniform appearance and texture across the housing  702 . 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate top views of various exemplary portable electronic devices that can be capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, according to some embodiments.  FIG. 8A  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device  800  having a light-notification unit  810   a . The light-notification unit  810   a  can include multiple rows of light-emitting units  812   a, b  that are arranged to surround a periphery of the display  808  and are capable of being independently controllable by a processor of the portable electronic device  800 . For example, a first row of light-emitting units  812   a  can be capable of emitting a first amount of light according to at least one of a first amount of color, duration, frequency, intensity, and/or pattern. Additionally, a second row of light-emitting units  812   b  can be capable of emitting a second amount of light according to at a second amount of color, duration, frequency, intensity, and/or pattern. In some examples, the second row of light-emitting units  812   b  can be included along an inner bezel of the portable electronic device  800  while the first row of light-emitting units  812   a  can be included along an outer bezel. Additionally, the portable electronic device  800  can be capable of causing the display  808  to emit an amount of light that is different from either of the first or second row of light-emitting units  812   a - b . Additionally, the first row of light-emitting units  812   a  can emit an amount of light that is different from the second row of light-emitting units  812   b.    
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device  802  having a light-notification unit  810   b . The light-notification unit  810   b  can include a bottom row  812   c  and a top row  812   d  of light-emitting units that are capable of being independently controlled or controlled in unison. As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the bottom and top row of light-emitting units  812   c, d  can be capable of emitting a sequential pattern of lights moving in a left-direction, such as to indicate to a user to make a left turn when used in association with a map application. In another example, the bottom and top row of light-emitting units  812 , d  can be capable of emitting a sequential pattern of lights moving in a right-direction, such as to indicate to a user to make a right turn when used in association with the map application. In another example, only the bottom row of light-emitting units  812   c  can be capable of being emitted to indicate to a user to reverse direction when used in association with the map application. In some embodiments, the light-notification unit  810   b  can be independently controlled from the display  808 . For example, the display  808  can indicate a user interface associated with the same map application or another application, such as a weather application. Beneficially, each of the light-emitting units  812  that are illuminated can combine to form a pattern of lights that provide meaningful user information, such as a turn direction as exemplified in this instance. 
       FIG. 8C  illustrates a top view of a portable electronic device  804  having a light-notification unit  810   c . The light-notification unit  810   c  can include a ring of light-emitting units  812   e  that arranged along a periphery of the display  808 . In some examples, the display  808  can be capable of displaying a clock with a current time of day. Additionally, the light-notification unit  810   c  can also include independently controllable individual LEDs that can emit a pattern of lights that also corresponds to the time of day. Because the light-notification unit  810   c  is independently controllable from the display  808 , the light-notification unit  810   c  can be capable of emitting the pattern of lights that corresponds to the time of day even while the display  808  is turned off. Beneficially, each of the light-emitting units  812  that are illuminated can combine to form a pattern of lights that provide meaningful user information, such as a current time of day. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate various views for forming a portable electronic device  900 , according to some embodiments.  FIG. 9A  illustrates an exploded perspective view  901  of a portable electronic device  900  that can be formed from different components, including a housing  902 , a printed circuit board  970 , a light-notification unit  910 , a display layer  906 , and a cover glass  904 . 
     According to some embodiments, the light-notification unit  910  can be installed through a non-molding procedure. As illustrated in  FIG. 9B , in particular, the light-notification unit  910   a  is attached to a flexible circuit board having a board-to-board connector  916 . The light-notification unit  910   a  can include a series of light-emitting units  912  that are disposed along a periphery of the light-notification unit  910   a . During the installation process, the light-notification unit  910   a  can be positioned into an internal cavity of the housing  902  and subsequently secured against an internal surface (or inside walls) of the housing  902 . The internal surface of the housing  902  can include a frame for securing the light-notification unit  910   a . Once the light-notification unit  910   a  is installed and secured to the frame of the internal surface of the housing  902 , the board-to-board connector  916  can be electrically coupled to a connector of an electronic component (e.g., printed circuit board  970 ). In this manner, the light-notification unit  910   a  can be sufficiently supported by the frame of the housing  902 , thereby removing the need to mold the light-notification unit  910   a  to the housing  902 . In some examples, the housing  902  can include a light-transmissive split—e.g., the light-transmissive split  266 —which can be disposed adjacent to the light-notification unit  910   a , such as disposing the light-notification unit  910   a  behind the light-transmissive split  266 . Additionally, an epoxy or adhesive can be used to secure the light-notification unit  910   a  to the housing  902 . 
     According to some embodiments, the light-notification unit  910  can be installed through an injection molding procedure. As illustrated in  FIG. 9C , in conjunction with the injection molding procedure, the housing  902  can include a flex circuit board  914   c . During the injection molding procedure, the light-notification unit  910   b  can be secured against an internal surface (or inside walls) of the housing  902 . The internal surface of the housing  902  can include a frame for securing the light-notification unit  910   b . Once the light-notification unit  910   b  is installed and secured to the frame of the internal surface of the housing, light transmissive material can be insert-molded over the light-notification unit  910   b  and the flex circuit board  914   c  within a mold cavity. According to some embodiments, the light-emitting units  912  of the light-notification unit  910  can be molded into the housing  902 . In some embodiments, the light-emitting units  912  can include the flex circuit board  914   c  which is also insert-molded with the light-emitting units  912 . Alternatively, in some embodiments, only the light-emitting units  912  are insert-molded by the light transmissive material. Thereafter, the exposed leads of the light-emitting units  912  can be electrically coupled to the flex circuit board  914   c.    
       FIG. 10  illustrates a block diagram of a portable electronic device that is capable of implementing the various techniques described herein, in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a portable electronic device  1000 —e.g., the portable electronic device  1000 —can include one or more processors  1010  for executing functions of the portable electronic device  1000 . The one or more processors  1010  can refer to at least one of a central processing unit (CPU) or microcontrollers for performing dedicated functions. 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include a power supply  1020  that can be capable of providing power to the portable electronic device  1000 . In some examples, the power supply  1020  can refer to a rechargeable battery, where the power supply  1020  is connected to the processor  1010  via one or more connection cables  1022 . 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include one or more input/output (I/O) components  1030  that enable communication between a user and the portable electronic device  1000 . In some cases, the I/O component  1030  can refer to button, rotatable digital crown, or a switch that is capable of being actuated by the user. In some cases, the I/O component  1030  can refer to a soft key that is flexibly programmable to invoke any number of functions. In some examples, the I/O component  1030  can refer to a switch having a mechanical actuator (e.g., spring-based switch, slide-switch, rocker switch, etc.) or other moving parts that enable the switch to be actuated by the user&#39;s appendage. In some examples, the I/O component  1030  can refer to a capacitive switch. In some examples, the I/O component  1030  can refer to a slide-switch that can be actuated between a first position and a second position. When the I/O component  1030  is actuated, the I/O component  1030  can cause an electrical signal to be provided to the processor  1010  via cable  1032 . 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include at least one memory  1040 , which can include a single disk or multiple disks (e.g., hard drives), and includes a storage management module that manages one or more partitions within the memory  1040 . In some cases, the memory  1040  can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or the like. The portable electronic device  1000  can also include a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read-Only Memory (ROM). The ROM can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM can provide volatile data storage, and stores instructions related to the operation of the portable electronic device  1000 . In some embodiments, the memory  1040  refers to a non-transitory computer readable medium, where an operating system (OS) is established at the memory  1040  that can be configured to execute applications or software programs that are stored at the memory  1040 . In some embodiments, a data bus  1042  can facilitate data transfer between the memory  1040  and the processor  1010 . 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include a touch display unit  1050 , where the touch display unit  1050  can be capable of presenting a user interface that includes at least one icon as part of a user interface, as described in greater detail herein. In some examples, each icon can be associated with a respective function that is capable of being executed by the processor  1010 . In some cases, the touch display unit  1050  can include a display layer (not illustrated), which can include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode display (LED), and so forth. 
     According to some embodiments, the touch display unit  1050  can include a touch input detection component  1054  that can be configured to detect changes in an electrical parameter (e.g., electrical capacitance value) when the user&#39;s appendage (acting as a capacitor) comes into proximity/into contact with the touch display unit  1050 . According to some embodiments, the touch display unit  1050  can include a force input detection component  1052 . In some cases, the force input detection component  1052  can be interchangeably referred to as an applied load detector. The force input detection component  1052  can be configured to detect an amount of force/an amount of load that is exerted by the user&#39;s appendage against the touch display unit  1050 . 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include a wireless communications component  1060 . A network/bus interface  1062  can couple the wireless communications component  1060  to the processor  1010 . The wireless communications component  1060  can communicate with other electronic devices via any number of wired or wireless communication protocols, including at least one of a global network (e.g., the Internet), a wide area network, a local area network, a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and the like. In some examples, the wireless communications component  1060  can transmit data to the other electronic devices over IEEE 802.11 (e.g., a Wi-Fi® networking system), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), ZigBee, Wireless USB, Near-Field Communication (NFC), a cellular network system (e.g., a 3G/4G/5G network such as UMTS, LTE, etc.), and the like. 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include a light-emitting notification unit  1070  connected to the processor  1010  via a cable  1072 . According to some embodiments, the light-emitting notification unit  1070  can be controlled independently of the touch display unit  1050 . Beneficially, in this manner, the light-emitting notification unit  1070  can present notifications that are associated with applications that are different from the touch display unit  1050 . Additionally, the processor  1010  can provide a control signal to operate the light-emitting notification unit  1070  while the touch display unit  1050  is inactive (i.e., not displaying any light). In some embodiments, any one of the I/O component  1030  or the touch display unit  1050  can be capable of adjusting the settings and parameters of the light-emitting notification unit  1070 . For example, the user can utilize the touch display unit  1050  to pull up a menu having a user interface with options specific to the light-emitting notification unit  1070 . By adjusting these options, the user can adjust the duration, color, frequency, intensity, active status, and the like of the light-emitting notification unit. These options will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     According to some embodiments, the portable electronic device  1000  can include at least one sensor  1080  that is capable of detecting conditions that are present in the electronic device&#39;s surroundings or a general proximity to the portable electronic device  1000 . In some examples, the sensor  1080  can refer to at least one of a microphone, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, an accelerometer, GPS sensor, a temperature sensor, a liquid sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic field sensor, a strain gage, a capacitive sensor, a force sensor, a gyroscope, a compass, a barometer, an IR light detector, thermometer, linear acceleration, fingerprint sensor, biometric sensor, facial detection sensor, and the like. In some embodiments, the sensor  1080  can determine whether the portable electronic device  1000  is exposed to a specific condition or stimulus. In response, the processor  1010  can modify one or more functionalities of the portable electronic device  1000  according to the condition or stimulus detected, such as by causing an amount of light to be generated by the light-emitting notification unit  1070  and/or the touch display unit  1050 . According to some embodiments, the sensor  1080  and the processor  1010  can establish a feedback loop for modifying the one or more functionalities according to the specific environmental condition that is detected. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a method  1100  for presenting a notification at a portable electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, the portable electronic device—e.g., the portable electronic device  1000 —can include a light-emitting notification unit  1070  capable of presenting notifications (e.g., user information) that is associated with an application. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the method  1100  begins at step  1102 , where the portable electronic device  1000  receives a request to present a notification associated with a first application while the portable electronic device  1000  is presently displaying a user interface. In some examples, the user interface and the first application can be associated with a same application. In some examples, the user interface can be associated with a second application that is different from the first application. This can occur, for example, when the sensor  1080 —e.g., a microphone detects a voice command associated with presenting a set of map directions to the user&#39;s workplace. In response to detecting the voice command, a touch display unit  1050  of the portable electronic device  1000  can present a graphical user interface that confirms the receipt of the voice command. According to some examples, the touch display unit  1050  can present the graphical user interface that is associated with an intelligent personal assistant application, and the voice command can be associated with a map application. 
     At step  1102 , the portable electronic device  1000  can receive a first request to cause a notification associated with the first application to be presented by a light-emitting notification unit—e.g., the light-emitting notification unit  1070 . In some examples, the portable electronic device  1000  can receive the first request while currently displaying a user interface at the touch display unit  1050 . 
     In response, at step  1104 , the portable electronic device  1000  can cause the light-emitting notification unit  1070  to present a notification in accordance with the first request. For example, referring to the scenario discussed above, the portable electronic device  1000  can cause a first control signal to be provided to the light-emitting notification unit  1070  that causes the light-emitting notification unit  1070  to present an amount of light that is associated with the map application. In particular, the light-emitting notification unit  1070  can present an initial direction associated with the map application. In some examples, the amount of light can have a predetermined intensity, color, intensity, directionality, pattern, and the like that corresponds to the voice command. Continuing with the foregoing example, the light-emitting notification unit  1070  can present a pattern of LEDs to blink in a green color in a repeating pattern along a left-side of the face of the portable electronic device  1000  to indicate that the user should turn left. 
     At step  1106 , the portable electronic device  1000  can receive a second request that is associated with the first application in order to update the notification that is being presented at the light-emitting notification unit  1070 . 
     At step  1108 , in response to receiving the second request, the portable electronic device  1000  can transmit a second control signal to the light-emitting notification unit  1070  to cause an updated notification to be presented at the light-emitting notification unit  1070 . According to some embodiments, the light-emitting notification unit  1070  can alter any one of a predetermined intensity, color, intensity, directionality, pattern, and the like of the notification that is being presented in accordance with the first request. For example, continuing with the foregoing example, the portable electronic device  1000  can receive an update that the user has reached the user&#39;s workplace. In response, the portable electronic device  1000  can cause a pattern of LEDs to blink in a red color in a repeating pattern along the entire peripheral face of the portable electronic device  1000  to indicate that the user has reached the destination. Additionally, it should be noted in that in some embodiments, the touch display unit  1050  can present the graphical user interface that is associated with the intelligent personal assistant application while the light-emitting notification unit  1070  presents the updated notification. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a method  1200  for forming a portable electronic device, in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, the portable electronic device—e.g., the portable electronic device  300 —can include a light-emitting unit—e.g., the light-emitting unit  312 —that is molded within a housing  302  of the portable electronic device  300 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the method  1200  begins at step  1202 , where an insert including the light-emitting unit  312  can be positioned into a mold cavity having a shape of a split. According to some examples, the light-emitting unit  312  can include leads that are capable of being electrically connected to at least one of a circuit board, a flex cable, or a printed circuit board. 
     At step  1204 , light transmissive material can be introduced into the mold cavity and be molded around the light-emitting unit  312  such as to form a light-transmissive split—e.g., the light-transmissive split  366 . According to some embodiments, the light-transmissive split  366  can be formed to include receiving structures—e.g., the receiving structures  366   a - b  that are capable of being attached to housing sections—e.g., the lower and upper housing sections  360 ,  362 . At step  1206 , the receiving structures  366   a - b  can be locked together with interlocking structures  364   a - b  of the lower and upper housing sections  360 ,  362 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a system diagram  1300  of an exemplary list of applications  1310  that can execute specific functions at the portable electronic device—e.g., the portable electronic device  100 , according to some embodiments. In some cases, the exemplary list of applications  1310  can be established in the at least one memory  1040  and can be subsequently executed by the at least one processor  1010 , as described in greater detail in  FIG. 10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the exemplary list of applications  1310  can include “Light Settings”  1320 , “Intelligent Personal Assistant”  1330 , “E-mail/Text/Voice Calls/Calendar Notifications”  1340 , “Exercise/Health Status”  1350 , “Cosmetics”  1360 , “Map Directions”  1370 , and “Special Modes”  1380 . It should be noted that any one of these exemplary applications  1310  can be executed by using any combination of voice commands through an intelligent personal assistant, I/O components  1030 , touch display unit  1050 , sensor  1080 , and the like. 
     In some examples, the “Light Settings”  1320  application can include specific settings that are user-adjustable, including: (1) “Adjust Intensity of Lights,” (2) “Adjust Frequency of Lights,” (3) “Adjust Pattern of Lights,” (4) Adjust Different Colors of Lights, and (5) “Touch Interface.” Referring to the “Touch Interface,” in some examples, the light-transmissive material can be composed of plastic which can be backed by a touch sensitive layer. In this manner, each of the light-emitting units—e.g., the light-emitting units  112 —can be activated through user touch input when the touch sensitive layer detects a touch event at an external surface of the light-transmissive material. For example, a user can activate the light-emitting units  112  by pressing the user&#39;s finger against the external surface. 
     In some examples, the “Intelligent Personal Assistant”  1330  application can include specific settings for executing light notifications in conjunction with an intelligent personal assistant that is stored at the portable electronic device  100 . For example, while operating the intelligent personal assistant through a series of specific predetermined voice commands, the portable electronic device  100  can demonstrate recognition of the predetermined voice commands by emitting a predetermined pattern of lights. 
     In some examples, the “E-mail/Text/Voice Calls/Calendar Notifications”  1340  application can include specific settings to enable the light-notification unit  110  to emit an amount of light/predetermined pattern of lights in response to the portable electronic device  100  receiving an indication that an e-mail, text message, and the like are received. Additionally, the light-notification unit  110  can also emit an amount of light associated with a calendar event notification. According to some examples, the settings are user-adjustable to enable the user to select a list of contacts that should be ignored by the portable electronic device  100 . 
     In some examples, the “Exercise/Health Status”  1350  application can enable a user to specify specific light notifications for use during a user&#39;s workout or during a health/medical diagnosis procedure (e.g., physiometric measurements). For example, during a workout, the user may indicate a target exercise heart range between 150 bpm to 175 bpm. When the portable electronic device  100  receives a request from the user to indicate the current heart rate, the portable electronic device  100  can emit a green color to indicate that the user&#39;s current heart rate is within a normal range. In contrast, when the user&#39;s current heart rate is in excess of 175 bpm, the portable electronic device  100  can emit a red color as a note of caution to stop exercising. 
     In some examples, the “Cosmetics”  1360  application can enable a user to adjust the color of the light emitted by the light-notification unit  110  to match, complement, or contrast with a color of a user attachment mechanism  120 , cover layer  108 , or peripheral face region  114  of the portable electronic device  100 . In some examples, the “Map Directions”  1370  application can enable the light-notification unit  110  to emit an amount of light in association with using a map application. As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the light-notification unit  110  can emit a specific pattern of lights to indicate directionality. 
     In some examples, the “Special Modes”  1380  application can indicate “Special Modes”  1380  application that can enable specialized functions capable of being executed by the light-notification unit  110 . For example, an analog clock as illustrated in  FIG. 8C . While executing the “Lost Mode,” the portable electronic device  100  can emit a series of flashing bright lights to enable the portable electronic device  100  to be found. While executing the “Wi-Fi Signal Strength Mode,” the light-notification unit  110  can emit an amount of light that corresponds to an amount of signal strength available. For example, the light-notification unit  110  can emit a red amount of light when the Wi-Fi signal strength of a network is less than acceptable. While executing the “Battery Life Mode,” the light-notification unit  110  can emit an amount of light that corresponds to a current amount of battery life present. For example, a red color generated by the light-notification unit  110  can represent a critical level of battery life remains, while a green color can represent an acceptable amount of battery life remains. Beneficially, the light-notification unit  110  can provide a more energy-efficient indicator than the cover layer  108  such as to conserve battery power during this process. While executing the “Gestures Mode,” the light-notification unit  110  can emit an amount of light that corresponds to a gesture detected by a sensor (e.g., accelerometer, etc.) of the portable electronic device  100 . For example, moving the user&#39;s hand in a side-to-side motion can cause the light-notification unit  110  to emit a purple color, while moving the user&#39;s hand in a vigorous diagonal motion can cause the light-notification unit  110  to emit a pattern of red and green color. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described 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: 20180118
Publication Date: 20200505
Grant Date: 20200505
Priority Date: 20170915
Inventors: CARDINALI, STEVEN P.
YOUNES, AMIN M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G04G9/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G9/0041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G9/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G9/0041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G9/0047", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G9/0041", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C17/0091", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/3208", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/32", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/147", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 70461398