PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9277660-B1
Application Number: US-201414500931-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Screwless joining of an enclosure with pressure sensitive adhesive and removal via pneumatic release mechanisms

Abstract:
This application relates to methods and apparatus for pneumatically separating adhesively joined components. A pneumatic release mechanism can be positioned between the adhesively joined components. The pneumatic release mechanism can be positioned adjacent to or within an adhesive joint so that when it is filled with air the pneumatic release mechanism can exert a force on the joined components sufficient to sever the adhesive bond. In some embodiments, the joined components can be housing components. In other embodiments, the joined components can be a battery cell and a housing component.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a first component having a first surface and defining an air inlet extending through a wall of the first component; 
 a second component having a second surface; and 
 an adhesive layer in direct contact with both the first surface and the second surface; and 
 a pneumatic release mechanism coupled with the air inlet of the first component and positioned proximate the first surface, wherein the first component is completely separated from the second component when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism comprises an inlet manifold coupled with an inflatable member. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable member is at least partially embedded within the adhesive layer. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the inlet manifold is configured to supply air to a plurality of inflatable members. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable member has a varying cross-sectional area. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable member inflates in distinct stages causing the first component to be gradually separated from the second component. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first component is a first housing component and the second component is a second housing component that cooperates with the first housing component to form an electronic device housing. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism is disposed within an internal volume defined by the electronic device housing. 
     
     
       9. A self-releasing adhesive layer for joining a first component to a second component, the self-releasing adhesive layer comprising:
 an adhesive substrate; 
 wherein the first component is a first housing component and the second component is a second housing component that cooperates with the first housing component to define an interior volume; and 
 a pneumatic release mechanism at least partially embedded within the adhesive substrate, wherein the pneumatic release mechanism severs a bond formed by the adhesive substrate between the first and second components when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
 
     
     
       10. The self-releasing adhesive bonding layer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism comprises two sheets of polyester film sealed to one another around a peripheral edge of the two sheets to form an interior expandable volume. 
     
     
       11. The self-releasing adhesive bonding layer as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism further comprises an inlet for receiving pressurized gas. 
     
     
       12. The self-releasing adhesive bonding layer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism comprises an elastomeric tube. 
     
     
       13. The self-releasing adhesive bonding layer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first component is a battery cell and the second component is a housing component. 
     
     
       14. The self-releasing adhesive bonding layer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive substrate keeps the housing components together and enclosing a plurality of electrical components within the interior volume. 
     
     
       15. A portable electronic device, comprising:
 a first housing component; 
 a second housing component that cooperates with the first housing component to define an interior volume; 
 an adhesive layer joining the first housing component to the second housing component at a bonding region; and 
 a pneumatic release mechanism at least a portion of which is disposed within the interior volume, wherein the pneumatic release mechanism is configured to completely separate the first housing component from the second housing component when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
 
     
     
       16. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an inlet manifold configured to receive compressed gas through an opening in the first housing component and to distribute the gas to the pneumatic release mechanism. 
 
     
     
       17. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism comprises a plurality of inflatable members, and wherein the inlet manifold is configured to distribute the gas to the plurality of separate inflatable members of the pneumatic release mechanism. 
     
     
       18. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the inlet manifold is configured to distribute gas to the plurality of inflatable members sequentially. 
     
     
       19. The portable electronic device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the pneumatic release mechanism comprises an elastomeric tube configured to exert a separating force upon both the first and second housing components proximate the bonding region.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US14/58090 with an international filing date of Sep. 29, 2014, entitled “SCREWLESS JOINING OF AN ENCLOSURE WITH PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE AND REMOVAL VIA PNEUMATIC RELEASE MECHANISMS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to methods and apparatus for separating joined components. More particularly, compressed gas can be introduced into a pneumatic release mechanism positioned between the components to separate adhesively joined components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A housing formed from multiple housing components allows convenient access to interior portions of the housing when the housing components can be separated. Separation of the housing components provides convenient access to internal device components during both assembly and rework applications. Unfortunately, when a number of housing components are joined to form the housing, fasteners used to join the housing components generally cause at least one of two problems. In some cases the fasteners remain visible after the various housing components are joined. For example, a screw head may be left visible along an outside surface of the housing. This can prevent a sleek and unbroken cosmetic surface from being achieved. Alternative joining methods can be used that do not result in visible screw heads marring a cosmetic surface of a housing. For example, adhesive joints do not typically require visible fasteners; unfortunately, adhesive bonds do tend to be permanent or at least semi-permanent in nature. Many adhesive joints are difficult to remove because it can be difficult to get a removal tool between the housing components to exert a separating force from an effective position. In some cases, wedging the removal tool between the parts to achieve that effective position can take time and the wedging of the removal tool between the components can cause scrapes and/or gouges on one or more cosmetic surface of the housing components. For at least these reasons, disassembly of an adhesively joined housing can be a lengthy process with a high potential for causing damage to the housing components. 
     SUMMARY 
     This paper describes various embodiments that relate to pneumatically separating adhesively joined housing components. 
     An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes at least the following elements: a first component having a first surface and defining an air inlet extending through a wall of the first component; a second component having a second surface; an adhesive layer in direct contact with both the first surface and the second surface; and a pneumatic release mechanism coupled with the air inlet of the first component and positioned proximate the first surface. The first component is separated from the second component when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
     A self-releasing adhesive layer is disclosed. The self-releasing adhesive layer is configured to joining a first component to a second component. The self-releasing adhesive layer includes at least the following: an adhesive substrate; and a pneumatic release mechanism at least partially embedded within the adhesive substrate. The pneumatic release mechanism severs a bond formed by the adhesive substrate between the first and second components when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
     A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device includes at least the following: a first housing component; a second housing component that cooperates with the first housing component to define an interior volume; an adhesive layer joining the first housing component to the second housing component at a bonding region; and a pneumatic release mechanism at least a portion of which is disposed within the interior volume. The pneumatic release mechanism is configured to separate the first housing component from the second housing component when the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated. 
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  show perspective views of an exemplary portable computing device suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  shows an interior view of a base of the portable computing device and an interior-facing surface of a bottom cover; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  show cross-sectional views of the base and an inlet manifold in accordance with section line B-B; 
         FIG. 4A  shows a cross-sectional view of the base and an uninflated pneumatic release mechanism in accordance with a section line depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4B-4F  show cross-sectional views of the base and the pneumatic release mechanism as it the pneumatic release mechanism is inflated and separates two housing components; 
         FIG. 5A  shows a cross-sectional view of a sidewall of the base being adhesively coupled with the bottom cover by an adhesive layer; 
         FIG. 5B  shows a top view of a low-profile bladder system arranged in a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive; 
         FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment in which a bladder system is configured to facilitate the release of a number of battery cells from the base; 
         FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2 , in which the bladder system includes a number of staged releases mechanisms; 
         FIG. 8  shows a flow diagram representing a method of installing a pneumatically actuated mechanism for releasing an adhesive coupling; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a block diagram representing an electronic device suitable for controlling operations of internal components in accordance with the described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     Adhesively joined components can be particularly difficult to separate. In many cases, separation of adhesively joined components can cause damage to at least one of the joined components; the damage can be severe enough to prevent reuse of the damaged component. Frequently, the difficulty in separating the components lies in not being able to exert a separation force in an effective position. For example, when housing components are adhesively joined, an interface between the components can make it difficult to grip the housing components and exert an effective force that facilitates disassembly. In such a case, a prying tool might be employed to apply a force between the housing components. Unfortunately, the prying tool can cause dents, scratches, and/or deformation of the housing components to an extent where the housing components require replacement or at minimum time consuming or costly rework. 
     One solution to this issue is to pre-position a pneumatically actuated apparatus in close proximity to the adhesive bonds. When the pneumatically actuated apparatus is actuated it can exert the force necessary to decouple the joined components. In some embodiments, the pneumatically actuated apparatus can be positioned adjacent to an adhesive coupling while in other embodiments the pneumatically actuated apparatus can be integrated into the adhesive bond layer itself. In either configuration the pneumatically actuated apparatus is positioned so that the pneumatically actuated apparatus exerts a separating force on the joined components. In some embodiments, the pneumatically actuated apparatus includes a manifold for distributing compressed air to a number of different locations. The manifold can be equipped with an air intake positioned in an accessible location. In this way a compressed air source can be coupled with the manifold so that the pneumatically actuated apparatus can be actuated. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-8 ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1A  shows an exemplary electronic device  100  suitable for use with the described embodiments. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  can be a portable electronic device along the lines of a laptop computer. Electronic device  100  includes one housing component that takes the form of base  102  pivotally coupled to lid  104  by hinge assembly  106 . Lid  104  can include a number of electrical components that include at least circuitry for supporting display assembly  108 . In some embodiments, lid  104  can also include internal antennas for sending and receiving wireless signals. Base  102  can include a number of user interface components such as keyboard  110  and track pad  112  with which a user can interact with electronic device  100 .  FIG. 1B  shows a perspective view of a bottom portion of electronic device  100 . In particular, a housing component taking the form of bottom cover  114  is depicted, which is operable to close an opening leading into base  102 . In this way, bottom cover  114  and base  102  cooperate to define an internal volume within which internal components can be positioned and protected. The depicted dashed lines show positions at which bottom cover  114  can be adhesively coupled with base  102 . While bottom cover  114  is depicted taking the form of a substantially flat bottom cover it should be understood that the bottom cover can also have other geometries along the lines of a curved geometry, in which case bottom cover  114  may only contact base  102  along a periphery of base  102 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an interior view of base  102  and an interior-facing surface of bottom cover  114 . A pneumatic release mechanism taking the form of bladder system  202  is depicted in a configuration that places it next to sidewalls  204  of base  102 . Bladder system  202  includes two separate inflatable members  206  and  208 , which extend away from inlet manifold  210  in different directions. A portion of inflatable member  206  is also arranged along central rib  212 . Adhesive layers  214  are arranged across top surfaces of both sidewalls  204  and central rib  212 . In this way, when bottom cover  114  is compressed against base  102  adhesive layers  214  create robust adhesive bonds between bottom cover  114  and base  102  at a bonding area defined by an interface between bottom cover  114  and sidewalls  204  and central rib  212 . Although a specific configuration is depicted, it should be understood that by arranging bladder system  202  next to the bonding areas, a force exerted by bladder system  202  while the inflatable members are inflated can be concentrated in close proximity to the bonding areas. In addition to being arranged next to the bonding areas, bladder system  202  can be engaged with inlet manifold  210 . Inlet manifold  210  can include a number of fittings around which an opening in each of inflatable members  206  and  208  can be engaged. Once coupled with inflatable members  206  and  208  inlet manifold  210  can be arranged to receive and distribute air to each of inflatable members  206  and  208 . 
     While  FIG. 2  depicts inlet manifold  210  being arranged to distribute air in two different directions to two different inflatable members, it should be understood that inlet manifold  210  can direct incoming air in any number of directions to any number of separate inflatable members. In some cases, inlet manifold  210  can be configured to direct air in a first direction and then subsequently in a second direction so that various inflatable members of bladder system  202  are inflated in a predetermined order. For example, a valve of inlet manifold  210  leading into inflatable member  206  can be configured to open only once a predetermined air pressure was reached within inflatable member  208 . In this way, particular portions of the adhesive bond can be targeted. In some embodiments, a portion of the bond could be weakened in a particular location that corresponds to an inflatable member receiving air first. In such a configuration, a relatively lower force can be needed to sever the adhesive bond. Inlets associated with inlet manifold  210  will be described in more detail in  FIGS. 3A-3B . Bladder system  202  can be at least partially secured in place within base  102  by securing tabs  216 . In this way bladder system  202  can be prevented from shifting out of place. In some embodiments, bladder system  202  can include additional attachment points to keep it positioned adjacent to sidewalls  204  and central rib  212 . It should be noted that in some embodiments, bladder system  202  can be reused; however the severed adhesive layers generally need replacing when adhesively re-bonding base  102  and bottom cover  114 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show cross-sectional views of base  102  and inlet manifold  210  in accordance with section line B-B. In some embodiments, air inlet  302  can run through a bottom surface of base  102  as depicted in  FIG. 3A , while in other embodiments air inlet  302  can be defined by sidewall  204 , as depicted in  FIG. 3B . In either case, an air supply fitting can be attached to an exterior opening of air inlet  302  so that air can be introduced into inlet manifold  210  and subsequently distributed to bladder system  202  (not depicted). As described above, inlet manifold can include a number of valves that regulate an order in which various inflatable members receive compressed gas. Each valve can be configured to open in response to any of a number of stimuli. For example, one valve can be configured to open once a predetermined pressure has been achieved within inlet manifold  210  while another valve can be configured to open after a certain amount of time has passed. 
       FIGS. 4A-4F  show cross-sectional views of base  102  and inflatable member  208  in accordance with section line B-B, in which bottom cover  114  is engaged with sidewall  204 .  FIG. 4A  shows inflatable member  208  in a deflated state. Once air is distributed to inflatable member  208  by inlet manifold  210 , inflatable member  208  begins to stretch away from an interior surface of base  102  and towards an inside surface of bottom cover  114  as depicted in  FIGS. 4B-4C .  FIGS. 4D-4E  show inflatable member  208  exerting force upon both base  102  and bottom cover  114  until a bond between bottom cover  114  and sidewall  204 , formed by adhesive layer  214 , is finally severed, as depicted in  FIG. 4F . Inflatable member  208  can amount to a length of elastomeric tubing and can be formed from any number of flexible materials such as for example rubber, plastic or heat-shrunk tubing. While inflatable member  208  is shown as having a substantially circular geometry when full inflated (see  FIG. 4F ), a cross-sectional geometry of inflatable member  208  can be optimized to avoid interference with other adjacent internal devices positioned within base  102 . For example, inflatable member  208  can have a vertically oriented ellipsoid-shaped cross-sectional geometry that can exert force upon bottom cover  114  without preventing other internal components from being arranged in close proximity to inflatable member  208 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows a cross-sectional view of sidewall  204  of base  102  adhesively coupled with bottom cover  114  by an adhesive layer  214 . In this embodiment, adhesive layer  214  includes an integrated, low-profile bladder system. Low profile bladders system can be embedded within adhesive layer  214  as depicted. In some embodiments, the low profile bladders system can be constructed of two thin sheets of polyester film  502 , along the lines of a Mylar® film, each sheet having a thickness of about 15 microns. An outer periphery of each of the two polyester films  502  can be heat sealed to each other at locations  504 . By forming the layer with thin, but resilient substrates the low profile bladder system can be added to the adhesive layer  214  without substantially increasing an overall height of adhesive layer  214 , as a combined height y of about 30 microns. In this way, the bladder system becomes a substantially zero thickness adder that facilitates convenient removal of bottom cover  114  without adding substantial height to the bond layer. 
       FIG. 5B  shows a top view of adhesive layer  214  used to join sidewall  204  to bottom cover  114 . In some embodiments, adhesive layer  214  can be formed primarily of pressure sensitive adhesive. Adhesive layer  214  can be described as a self-releasing pressure sensitive adhesive, because a pneumatic release mechanism is embedded within a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. As depicted, the pneumatic release mechanism taking the form of the low-profile bladder system described in conjunction with  FIG. 5A  can include a connecting end  506  that protrudes from a pressure sensitive adhesive substrate to facilitate attachment to an inlet manifold, along the lines of the manifolds previously depicted. In such a configuration, the low-profile system can be heat sealed all along the outer periphery of an intersection between the sheets of polyester film  502  leaving an opening only at connecting end  506 . In some embodiments, adhesive layer  214  can include an amount of closed cell foam. When the low profile bladder system receives compressed air from an inlet manifold, sheets of polyester film  502  separate as the compressed gases expand between the sheets of polyester film  502 , which subsequently causes the adhesive coupling between bottom cover  114  and base  102  to be severed or at least sufficiently weakened to a point where bottom cover  114  can be easily removed from sidewall  204 . It should be noted that while connecting end  506  is depicted as having a shaped end, adhesive layer  214  can be manufactured by removing adhesive layer  214  from a roll of adhesive which includes the embedded low-profile bladder system. Once adhesive layer  214  is released from the adhesive roll portions of the adhesive substrate can be removed, thereby allowing one end to be closed and another end to be configured to receive compressed air. 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment in which bladder system  202  is configured to release battery cells  602  from base  102 . As depicted, manifold  604  is configured to receive air or any other compressed gas at an entrance defined within base  102 . Because bladder system  202  extends under each of battery cells  602 , adhesive layers  606  coupling battery cells  602  to base  102  can be released by injecting compressed air or some other compressed gas into bladder system  202  by way of inlet manifold  604 . As depicted, bladder system  202  includes only one inlet manifold  604 . In some embodiments, manifold  604  can be configured to direct air into inflatable members  206  and  208  concurrently. In some embodiments, manifold  604  can be configured to direct air into only one of inflatable members  206  and  208 . In other embodiments, a direction in which inlet manifold  604  can be directed by a processor in communication with manifold  604 . For example, if one of battery cells  602  is determined to be degraded but the remaining battery cells  602  are still properly functioning, the processor can be configured to direct manifold  604  to direct air only towards the inflatable member that releases the degraded battery cell  602 . It should be not that while only a this singular manifold is depicted, bladder system can include multiple manifolds and/or multiple bladder systems to help provide control over how, when and in what order the adhesively coupled components are released. In this way, individual battery cells can be targeted for removal without removing all the battery cells at once. While bladder system  202  is depicted in a position adjacent to adhesive layers  606  it should be understood that bladder system  202  can also be integrated into adhesive layers  606 . For example, by positioning adhesive immediately adjacent to and over bladder system  202  so that bladders system is included in an adhesive stack, bladder system  202  can be even more effective at disrupting the adhesive coupling between battery cells  602  and base  102 . In some embodiments, bladders system  202  can be arranged between various adhesive layers. For example, inflatable member  206  runs between one of adhesive layers  606  and adhesive layer  608 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2 . In this configuration bladder system  202  includes a number of staged releases  702 . Staged releases  702  can build in a delay into an actuation of various portions of bladder system  202 . For example, staged release mechanisms  702  can be embodied as weak heat seals in bladder system  202 . Heat seal  702  positioned between segment  704  and  706  of bladder system  202  can allow segment  704  to inflate and decouple a first portion of bottom cover  114  (not depicted) from base  102  prior to inflating segment  706 . After the first portion is decoupled the heat seal can release allowing segment  706  of bladder system  202  to inflate. Because a first portion of the adhesive coupling is already broken, subsequently released segments of bladder system  202  can cause a remaining portion of the adhesive connection to be sheared apart. 
     In some embodiments, staged release mechanisms  702  can be embodied by timed releases and/or pressure sensor actuated release mechanisms that only actuate once a predetermined pressure has been reached or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. In some embodiments, various ones of staged release mechanisms  702  can be configured to release or open at different predetermined pressures. The predetermined pressures can be optimized during a testing process in which an ideal amount of pressure can be determined. In still other embodiments, segment  704  of bladder system  202  can be smaller than segment  706  since after an initial portion of the adhesive layer has been separated a remaining portion of the adhesive bond joining the components can be severed with substantially less force. By reducing a size of bladder system  202  base  102  can have an increased amount of space for accommodating various internal components within base  102 , such as for example internal component region  708 . Internal component region  708  can represent any number of internal components suitable for use with an electronic device. For example, a printed circuit board and/or integrated circuit could be positioned within or proximate to internal component region  708 . In some embodiments these internal components can interact with and direct various aspects of bladder system  202 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a flow diagram  800  representing a method of installing a pneumatically actuated mechanism for releasing an adhesive coupling. In a first step  802  the pneumatically actuated mechanism is attached to a first component, adjacent to a surface configured to be adhesively coupled to a second component. In some embodiments, the pneumatically actuated mechanism can be integrated with a layer of adhesive configured to couple the first and second components. For example, the adhesive can be formed around at least a portion of the pneumatically actuated mechanism so that actuation of the mechanism immediately begins to disrupt an adhesive coupling. At step  804 , the pneumatically actuated mechanism is coupled with a manifold having an opening for receiving air to inflate the pneumatically actuated mechanism. In some embodiments, the manifold can be attached to a number of pneumatically actuated mechanisms. In any case, the opening is configured to allow access to it after the first and second components are adhesively joined. In this way, air or any other gas can be introduced to the pneumatically actuated mechanism through the manifold even when the components are adhesively coupled. At step  806 , high pressure gas is introduced through the manifold and into at least one pneumatically actuated mechanism, causing the pneumatically actuated mechanism to expand rapidly and exert a force upon the two adhesively joined components. In some embodiments, the pneumatically actuated mechanism can be an elastomeric tube that expands to separate, which in turn exerts a strong force on the joined components sufficient to separate the two components. In some embodiments, the pneumatically actuated mechanism can be configured to inflate in segments so that an adhesive bond between the components is severed in a first location and then gradually separated in a direction extending away from the location where the adhesion bond begins to separate. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of electronic device  900  describing components suitable for controlling operations of internal components in accordance with the described embodiments. Electronic device  900  illustrates circuitry of a representative computing device. Electronic device  900  includes a processor  902  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of electronic device  900 . Electronic device  900  contains instruction data pertaining to operating instructions in a file system  904  and a cache  906 . The file system  904  is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks. The file system  904  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the electronic device  900 . However, since the access time to the file system  904  is relatively slow, the electronic device  900  can also include a cache  906 . The cache  906  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  906  is substantially shorter than for the file system  904 . However, the cache  906  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  904 . Further, the file system  904 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  906 . The power consumption is often a concern when the electronic device  900  is a portable device that is powered by a battery  924 . The electronic device  900  can also include a RAM  920  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  922 . The ROM  922  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  920  provides volatile data storage, such as for cache  906 . 
     The electronic device  900  also includes a user input device  908  that allows a user of the electronic device  900  to interact with the electronic device  900 . For example, the user input device  908  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further, the electronic device  900  includes a display  910  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  902  to display information to the user. A data bus  916  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  904 , the cache  906 , the processor  902 , and a CODEC  913 . The CODEC  913  can be used to decode and play a plurality of media items from file system  904  that can correspond to certain activities taking place during a particular manufacturing process. The processor  902 , upon a certain operating event or events occurring, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  913 . The CODEC  913  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  914 . The speaker  914  can be a speaker internal to the electronic device  900  or external to the electronic device  900 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the electronic device  900  would be considered an external speaker. 
     The electronic device  900  also includes a network/bus interface  911  that couples to a data link  912 . The data link  912  allows the electronic device  900  to couple to a host computer or to accessory devices. The data link  912  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  911  can include a wireless transceiver. The media items (media assets) can pertain to one or more different types of media content. In one embodiment, the media items are audio tracks (e.g., songs, audio books, and podcasts). In another embodiment, the media items are images (e.g., photos). However, in other embodiments, the media items can be any combination of audio, graphical or visual content. Sensor  926  can take the form of circuitry for detecting any number of stimuli. For example, sensor  926  can include any number of sensors for monitoring various operating conditions of electronic device  900 , such as for example a Hall Effect sensor responsive to external magnetic field, a temperature sensor, an audio sensor, a light sensor such as a photometer, a depth measurement device such as a laser interferometer and so on. 
     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: 20140929
Publication Date: 20160301
Grant Date: 20160301
Priority Date: 20140929
Inventors: MCBROOM DANIEL L.
MCBROOM MICHAEL D.
CASEBOLT MATTHEW P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0004", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0217", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/182", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0086", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55360159