PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10007829-B2
Application Number: US-201615262955-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device including electrostatic discharge device coupled flexure member and related methods

Abstract:
An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member.

Claims:
That which is claimed: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a device housing having a topside and an underside; 
 a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing; 
 a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame; 
 an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing; and 
 an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the mounting frame comprises a rectangular-shaped body, and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from respective corners thereof. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2  further comprising a contact member, electrically isolated from the flexure member, electrically coupled to first and second ones of the support legs and extending therebetween; and wherein the ESD device is electrically coupled to the contact member and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3  further comprising an insulating member electrically isolating third and fourth ones of the support legs from the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 3  further comprising a respective fastener fastening each support leg to the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the ESD device comprises a discrete ESD semiconductor device. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a pushbutton switch operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a pivot restrictor carried by the topside of the device housing and cooperating with the mounting frame to restrict pivoting thereof. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible circuit substrate coupled to the finger biometric sensor. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device comprising:
 a device housing having a topside and an underside; 
 a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing and comprising a rectangular-shaped body, and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from respective corners thereof; 
 a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame; 
 an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing; and 
 a discrete semiconductor electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10  further comprising a contact member, electrically isolated from the flexure member, electrically coupled to first and second ones of the support legs and extending therebetween; and wherein the ESD device is electrically coupled to the contact member and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11  further comprising an insulating member electrically isolating third and fourth ones of the support legs from the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 11  further comprising a respective fastener fastening each support leg to the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 10  further comprising a pushbutton switch operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 10  further comprising a pivot restrictor carried by the topside of the device housing and cooperating with the mounting frame to restrict pivoting thereof. 
     
     
       16. A method of making an electronic device comprising:
 positioning a mounting frame movable above a topside of a device housing; 
 positioning a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame; 
 positioning an electrically conductive flexure member to be carried by an underside of the device housing, the electrically conductive flexure member configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing; and 
 electrically coupling an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein positioning the mounting frame comprises positioning a rectangular-shaped body, and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from respective corners thereof. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising electrically coupling a contact member, electrically isolated from the flexure member, to first and second ones of the support legs and extending therebetween; and wherein coupling the ESD device comprises electrically coupling the ESD device to the contact member and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising positioning an insulating member electrically isolating third and fourth ones of the support legs from the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  further comprising coupling each support leg to the electrically conductive flexure member using a respective fastener.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of electronics, and, more particularly, to the field of finger biometric sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fingerprint sensing and matching is a reliable and widely used technique for personal identification or verification. In particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification involves scanning a sample fingerprint or an image thereof and storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the fingerprint image. The characteristics of a sample fingerprint may be compared to information for reference fingerprints already in a database to determine proper identification of a person, such as for verification purposes. 
     A fingerprint sensor may be particularly advantageous for verification and/or authentication in an electronic device, and more particularly, a portable device, for example. Such a fingerprint sensor may be carried by the housing of a portable electronic device, for example, and may be sized to sense a fingerprint from a single-finger. 
     Where a fingerprint sensor is integrated into an electronic device or host device, for example, as noted above, it may be desirable to more quickly perform authentication, particularly while performing another task or an application on the electronic device. In other words, in some instances it may be undesirable to have a user perform an authentication in a separate authentication step, for example switching between tasks to perform the authentication. It may also be desirable for a fingerprint sensor to perform other functions beyond authentication. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device may include a device housing having a topside and an underside, a mounting frame movable above the topside of the device housing, and a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The electronic device may also include an electrically conductive flexure member carried by the underside of the device housing and configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. The electronic device may also include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically coupled between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     The mounting frame may include a rectangular-shaped body, and a plurality of support legs extending downwardly from respective corners thereof. The electronic device may further include a contact member, electrically isolated from the flexure member, electrically coupled to first and second ones of the support legs and extending therebetween, and wherein the ESD device may be electrically coupled to the contact member and the electrically conductive flexure member, for example. 
     The electronic device may further include an insulating member electrically isolating third and fourth ones of the support legs from the electrically conductive flexure member, for example. The electronic device may also include a respective fastener fastening each support leg to the electrically conductive flexure member, for example. 
     The ESD device may include a discrete ESD semiconductor device, for example. The electronic device may include a pushbutton switch operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor and the topside of the device housing. 
     The electronic device may further include a pivot restrictor carried by the topside of the device housing and cooperating with the mounting frame to restrict pivoting thereof, for example. The electronic device may further include a flexible circuit substrate coupled to the finger biometric sensor, for example. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making an electronic device. The method may include positioning a mounting frame movable above a topside of a device housing and positioning a finger biometric sensor carried by the mounting frame. The method may also include coupling an electrically conductive flexure member to an underside of the device housing, the electrically conductive flexure member configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame relative to the device housing. The method may further include coupling an ESD device between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partially exploded perspective view of a portion of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is another partially exploded perspective view of a portion of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an input device of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4 a    is a partial side view of a portion of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a partial side of the portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 4 a    with the input device depressed. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of an electrically conductive flexure member and an ESD device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the electrically conductive flexure member and ESD device of  FIG. 5  with fasteners removed. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the electrically conductive flexure member and ESD device of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the electrically conductive flexure member and ESD device of  FIG. 7  with fasteners removed. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the electrically conductive flexure member of  FIG. 8  with the contact member removed. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the electrically conductive flexure assembly and ESD device of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged top perspective view of an ESD device and contact member according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged top view of the ESD device and contact member of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the ESD device and contact member of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged bottom view of the ESD device and contact member of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom perspective view of the ESD device and contact member of  FIG. 11  including pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-3 , an electronic device  20  includes a device housing  21 . The device housing has a topside  22  (e.g. outside the device housing) and an underside  23  (e.g., within the device housing). While the electronic device  20  is illustratively in the form of a laptop computer having input devices  26  in the form of keyboard keys for performing respective functions, it should be understood that the electronic device may be in the form of another type of electronic device, for example, a mobile wireless communications device or smartphone, tablet computer, or other electronic device. The device housing  21  may have openings  25  therein to permit passage from the topside  22  to the underside  23 . 
     The electronic device  20  also includes, as part of an input device  50  or keyboard key, a mounting frame  30  that is movable above the topside  22  of the device housing  21 . The mounting frame  30  includes a ring-shaped or rectangular body  31 . More particularly, the ring-shaped body  31  is shaped in a keyboard key shape, which is generally rectangular, and has an opening  32  therein. The ring-shaped body  31  also includes a support member  35  defining a ledge that is recessed relative to a top of the ring-shaped body  31 . Of course the ring-shaped body  31  may have another ring-shape, for example, be round. 
     The mounting frame  30  also includes support legs  33  extending downwardly from the ring-shaped body  31 . Illustratively, there are four support legs  33  that extend downwardly from the ring-shaped body  31  at the corners of the ring-shaped body. While there are illustratively four support legs  33 , there may be any number of support legs, and the support legs may not be positioned at the corners. Each support leg  33  has a respective fastener receiving passageway  36  therein to receive a respective fastener  58   b , as will be described in further detail below. 
     A finger biometric sensor  40  is carried within the opening  32  in the ring-shaped body  31  of the mounting frame  30 . The finger biometric sensor  40  may be a capacitive or electric field based finger biometric sensor, for example, and may be configured to cooperate to perform at least one of an authentication function, navigation function, and spoof detection function, for example. In some embodiments, the finger biometric sensor  40  may be an optical sensor, or other type of finger biometric sensor, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     A cover layer  45  is carried by the mounting frame  30  over the finger biometric sensor  40 . More particularly, the cover layer  45  is carried by the support member  35  within the recess so that the cover layer is flush or nearly flush with the top of the mounting frame  30 . The cover layer  45  may include sapphire, glass, or other dielectric material and may define a finger placement surface for a user&#39;s finger. 
     An adhesive ring  46  is coupled between the cover layer  45  and the support member  35  of the mounting frames ( FIG. 3 ). The adhesive ring  46 , which may be in the form of a pre-cut glue ring, secures the cover layer  45  to the support member  35 . 
     An integrated circuit (IC)  41  is coupled to an underside of the finger biometric sensor  40 . The IC  41  may be a level translation IC, for example. The IC  41  may perform other and/or additional functions and may be positioned elsewhere, for example, carried by a flexible circuit substrate  42 . 
     The flexible circuit substrate  42  couples to or carries the finger biometric sensor  40 . The flexible circuit substrate  42  illustratively has an elongate shape and extends from the topside  22  of the device housing  21  to the underside  23  of the device housing. A connector  43  is coupled to the flexible circuit substrate  42  ( FIG. 3 ). The connector  43 , while illustratively coupled to the flexible circuit substrate  42  in the stack-up of components, may be located adjacent the components elsewhere in the device housing  21 , for example, logic circuitry or other circuitry. An adhesive coupling pad  44  ( FIG. 1 ) may couple the flexible circuit substrate  42  to the connector, for example. 
     A pushbutton switch  51  is operatively coupled between the finger biometric sensor  40  and the topside  22  of the device housing  21 . The pushbutton switch  51 , more particularly, may mount to an underside of the flexible circuit substrate  42 . The pushbutton switch  51  may actuate based upon downward movement of the support member  30  above the topside  22  of the device housing. In other words, downward pressure, for example, from a user&#39;s finger on the support member  30  and more particularly, the cover layer  45  moves the support member downward to actuate the pushbutton switch against the topside  22  of the device housing  21 . The pushbutton switch  51  may be coupled, via the flexible circuit substrate  42 , to circuitry for performing a respective function, for example, a power-on function. 
     The mounting frame  30  is biased upwardly relative to the device housing  21  by a flexure member  55  coupled to the underside  23  of the device housing  21 . Based upon the upward bias of the mounting frame  30 , the pushbutton switch  51  is thus not normally actuated (i.e., in the depressed position). The flexure member  55  illustratively has a resilient flat body  56  that includes slotted openings  57  therein. The slotted openings  57  cooperate to permit the resilient flat body  56  to flex upon downward movement or pressure. Fasteners  58   a  pass through fastener openings  59   a  in the flexure member  55  to couple the flexure member to the underside  23  of the device housing  21 , for example, to respective fastener receiving passageways  27  in the device housing  21 . The fasteners  58   a  may include any of screws, rivets, and/or other fastening mechanism. 
     The resilient flat body  56  of the flexure member  55  has fastener openings  59   b  at the corners thereof aligned with the support legs  33  of the mounting frame  30 . Respective fasteners  58   b  couple the flexure member  55  to each of the support legs  33  receiving the fasteners within the respective fastener receiving passageways  35 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the electronic device  20  may also include a pivot restrictor  60  carried by the topside  22  of the device housing  21 . The pivot restrictor  60  cooperates with the mounting frame  30  to restrict pivoting thereof. In other words, upon downward pressure to the cover layer  45 , the mounting frame  30  moves in a pivot motion about the pivot restrictor  60  above the topside  22  of the device housing  21 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the pivot restrictor  60  may reduce the amount of x and y axis motion and restrict z-axis movement on the side of the pivot restrictor  60  to nearly no displacement, while there may be about 100-200 microns of displacement on the side opposite the pivot restrictor. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, including a finger biometric sensor  40  in the input device  50  or keyboard key may advantageously permit multiple functions to be performed. For example, a given function, for example, power-on, may occur based upon operation of the pushbutton switch  51  or placement of and downward pressure on the cover layer  45 . During operation of the pushbutton switch  51 , the finger biometric sensor  40  may perform an authentication function, for example. Thus, a given user may be authenticated during a power-on operation. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making an electronic device  20 . The method includes positioning a mounting frame  30  to be movable above a topside  22  of a device housing  21  and positioning a finger biometric sensor  40  to be carried by the mounting frame. The method also includes coupling a flexure member  55  to the underside  23  of the device housing  21  to upwardly bias the mounting frame  30  relative to the device housing  20 , operatively coupling a pushbutton switch  51  between the finger biometric sensor and the topside  22  of the device housing. 
     Referring now additionally to  FIGS. 5-10 , further details of the electrical path or ground path will now be described with respect to the flexure member  55 . More particularly, it may be desirable to isolate potentials with respect to the flexure member  55 , for example, by using the flexure member  55  as a ground plane, as will be described in further detail below. 
     The flexure member  55  is electrically conductive, for example, stainless steel. The electrically conductive flexure member  55  may be coated with an epoxy which may be selectively etched to expose the electrically conductive material or stainless steel, for example. As described above, the electrically conductive flexure member  55  is mounted to or carried by the underside  23  of the device housing  21  and upwardly biases the mounting frame  30  relative to the device housing. 
     To address isolation of potentials with respect to the electrically conductive flexure member  55 , an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device  70  is electrically coupled between the mounting frame  30  and the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . The ESD device  70  may be a discrete semiconductor ESD device, for example, a diode. 
     A contact member  71  that illustratively has a dog-bone shape is electrically isolated from the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . The contact member  71  may be in the form of a flexible circuit member that includes electrically conductive traces carried within a dielectric material, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The contact member  71  carries the ESD device  70 . A mechanical stiffener  81  is carried by the contact member  71  and surrounds the ESD device  70 . The mechanical stiffener  81  may provide increased protection of the ESD device  70 , for example, during assembly and against screwdriver impact. The contact member  71  also includes a contact area  76  on the side opposite the mechanical stiffener  81  and ESD device  70  for coupling to the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . 
     The contact member  71  is electrically coupled to first and second ones of the support legs  33  and extends therebetween. More particularly, the contact member  71  may be in the form of a flexible circuit with contact, e.g., copper, pads  73  exposed around respective fastener receiving passageways  86   b  ( FIGS. 11-15 ) for coupling between heads of the respective fasteners  58   b  and the electrically conductive flexible member  55 . To facilitate contact between the ESD device  70  and the electrically conductive flexure member  55 , the electrically conductive flexure member is etched on the top side, for example, laser etched or masked to expose an electrically conductive area  74  ( FIG. 9 ) for mating contact with the contact member  71 , and more particularly, the exposed electrically conductive area  76  on the contact member. On the bottom side, the electrically conductive flexure member  55  may be etched, for example, laser etched or masked to expose a bond region  75  for coupling with the respective fasteners  58   a  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     An electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  77  couples or facilitates the coupling of the contact member  71  to the electrically conductive flexible member  55  so that the ESD device  70  is coupled to the contact member  71  and the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . A test point  82 , for example, an etched or exposed electrically conductive area of the conductive member  71  may enable testing for a sufficient electrically connection through the conductive PSA  77 . 
     An insulating member  72  electrically isolates third and fourth ones of the support legs  33  from the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . A further insulating member  85  or insulating layer is carried by the electrically conductive flexure member  55  on the topside ( FIG. 10 ). 
     Thus, the ESD device  70  is coupled between the mounting frame  30  and the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . Thus, the potential at the fasteners  58   b  is separate (e.g., except for instances of relatively high voltage, i.e., static discharge) from the potential at the fasteners  58   b  and portions of the resilient flat body  56  of the electrically conductive flexure member. More particularly, one side of the ESD device  70  (e.g., diode) is coupled to the fasteners  58   b , and the other side of the ESD device is coupled to the electrically conductive flexure member  55  by way of the respective coupling areas  74 ,  76 . In other words, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the ground path is directed to the device housing  21 . Thus, the finger biometric sensor  40  may be more electrically isolated, which may be particularly desirable in the event of an electrostatic discharge. 
     A method aspect is directed to a method of making an electronic device  20 . The method includes positioning a mounting frame  30  movable above a topside  23  of a device housing  21 , and positioning a finger biometric sensor  40  carried by the mounting frame. The method also includes coupling an electrically conductive flexure member  55  to an underside of the device housing  21 , the electrically conductive flexure member configured to upwardly bias the mounting frame  30  relative to the device housing, and coupling an ESD device  70  between the mounting frame and the electrically conductive flexure member. 
     While a particular configuration has been described herein with respect to the relative positioning of the ESD device  70  and the electrically conductive flexure member  55 , it will be appreciated that the ESD device and contact member  71  may be carried elsewhere by the electrically conductive flexure member. For example, in some embodiments, the ESD device  70  and contact member  71  may be carried by and/or coupled to the electrically conductive flexure member  55  adjacent the fastener openings  59   a  for coupling to the device housing  21 . Of course, the ESD device  70  and the contact member  71  may be arranged in a different configuration relative to the electrically conductive flexure member  55 . 
     The present disclosure recognizes that personal information data, including biometric data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the use of biometric authentication data can be used for convenient access to device features without the use of passwords. In other examples, user biometric data is collected for providing users with feedback about their health or fitness levels. Further, other uses for personal information data, including biometric data, that benefit the user, are also contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure further contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure, including the use of data encryption and security methods that meets or exceeds industry or government standards. For example, personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection should occur only after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities would take any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data, including biometric data, and further contemplates user restrictions on storing data in cloud-based services and/or restricting access to the same. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of biometric authentication methods, the present technology can be configured to allow users to optionally bypass biometric authentication steps by providing secure information such as passwords, personal identification numbers (PINS), touch gestures, or other authentication methods, alone or in combination, known to those of skill in the art. In another example, users can select to remove, disable, or restrict access to certain health-related applications collecting users&#39; personal health or fitness data. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160912
Publication Date: 20180626
Grant Date: 20180626
Priority Date: 20160912
Inventors: SMITH, Brandon S.
LERNER, BRIAN N.
XU, RAN
Pomes, Stephen K.
MCCORD, MICHAEL K.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06V40/13", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/00013", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06K9/00087", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06V40/13", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61559004