PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8610822-B2
Application Number: US-79466410-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Camera alignment and mounting structures

Abstract:
An electronic device may be provided with a housing. A camera module may be mounted within the housing. The housing may have a camera window with which a lens in the camera module is aligned. To rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the camera window and the electronic device housing, an alignment structure may be mounted to the housing in alignment with the camera window and housing. The alignment structure may be formed form a ring-shaped structure with an opening. The alignment structures may have sidewalls that form an alignment groove for the camera module. The camera window may be formed from a circular opening in a layer of opaque material deposited on a transparent housing member such as a planar layer of glass. During the process, a laser tool may be used to trim the opening in the opaque material.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus, comprising:
 an electronic device housing structure having a camera window; 
 an alignment structure mounted to the housing structure, wherein the alignment structure comprises a ring-shaped member having an opening that is aligned with the camera window, wherein the alignment structure further comprises at least two protrusions that extend from the ring-shaped member and that define a notch between the protrusions, wherein the alignment structure is oriented such that the ring-shaped member is between the protrusions and the camera window; and 
 a camera module mounted within the alignment structure, wherein the camera module comprises a housing, a cylindrical member that protrudes from the housing and a lens mounted on the cylindrical member, wherein the cylindrical member includes a radially extending tab that extends from the cylindrical member, wherein the radially extending tab of the cylindrical member mates with the notch between the protrusions of the alignment structure mounted to the housing structure such that the radially extending tab and the notch rotationally align the camera module with the housing structure, wherein the electronic device housing structure comprises a transparent member coated with a layer of opaque material, wherein the layer of opaque material has an opening that forms the camera window, wherein the opening in the ring-shaped member has a circular shape with a center, and wherein the camera window comprises a circular opening with a center that is aligned with the center of the circular shape of the ring-shaped member. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the electronic device housing structure comprises a planar member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the transparent member comprises a planar glass layer. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus defined in  claim 3  wherein the planar glass layer comprises a planar rear housing member in a cellular telephone. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the electronic device housing structure comprises a glass plate and wherein the opaque material comprises a layer of opaque ink. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device, comprising:
 a camera module; 
 alignment structures having portions that mate with the camera module and that rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the electronic device, wherein the alignment structures comprise hook-shaped structures and wherein the camera module comprises a pair of protrusions that mate with the hook-shaped structures when the camera module is aligned with the electronic device; and 
 a rear surface member, wherein the alignment structures are directly attached to the rear surface member, wherein the rear surface member comprises a layer of ink with a camera opening and wherein the camera module has a lens that is aligned with the camera opening. 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device defined in  claim 6  wherein the rear surface member comprises a planar rear surface member. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device defined in  claim 7  wherein the planar rear surface member comprises a layer of glass. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device, comprising:
 a camera module; 
 alignment structures having portions that mate with the camera module and that rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the electronic device, wherein the alignment structures comprise hook-shaped structures and wherein the camera module comprises a pair of protrusions that mate with the hook-shaped structures when the camera module is aligned with the electronic device; 
 a rear surface member, wherein the alignment structures are directly attached to the rear surface member, wherein the rear surface member comprises a layer of ink with a camera opening, wherein the camera module has a lens that is aligned with the camera opening, and wherein the rear surface member comprises a planar rear surface member; 
 a printed circuit board; and 
 at least one spring between the camera module and the printed circuit board.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/325,768, filed Apr. 19, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This relates generally to electronic devices and components for electronic devices. 
     Electronic devices such as cellular telephones include numerous electronic and mechanical components. Care should be taken that these components are durable, attractive in appearance, and exhibit good performance. Tradeoffs must often be made. For example, it may be difficult to design a robust mechanical part that is attractive in appearance. The designs for attractive and compact parts and parts that perform well under a variety of operating environments also pose challenges. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved electronic devices and parts for electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Electronic devices may be provided that include mechanical and electronic components. These components may include mechanical structures such as mounting structures and electrical components such as integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and electrical devices that are mounted to printed circuit boards. Optical components, connectors, antennas, buttons, and other structures may be included in an electronic device. 
     An electronic device may have a housing. Electronic components and mechanical structures may be formed within the housing. To ensure that the electronic device is attractive, attractive materials such as metal and plastic may be used to form parts of an electronic device. Compact size may be achieved by using compact internal mounting structures. Good electrical performance may be achieved by designing an electronic device to handle a variety of thermal and electrical loads. 
     Optical structures may be included in an electronic device such as a cellular telephone or other portable device. For example, lenses and camera structures may be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with a component such as a camera module that is aligned with respect to the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a rear perspective view of an illustrative electronic device with a component such as a camera module that is aligned with respect to the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional end view of an illustrative electronic device of the type shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional camera module alignment arrangement in a cellular telephone with a plastic housing. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the interior of an electronic device and an associated camera module showing how an alignment structure may be aligned to a device housing structure and showing how the camera module can be aligned to the alignment structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an illustrative camera module that may be mounted within an electronic device using an arrangement of the type shown in  FIG. 5  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is perspective view of a layer of glass or other device structure that may be provided with a camera window such as a window formed from an opening in a layer of opaque ink in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the device structure of  FIG. 7  showing how a ring-shaped alignment structure with engagement features may be mounted to the device structure around the camera window in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative ring-shaped camera module alignment structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an illustrative camera module having an engagement feature that is configured to mate with an engagement feature in a ring-shaped camera module alignment structure of the type shown in  FIG. 9  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a system in which camera alignment structures are aligned and mounted on a planar glass structure or other structures in an electronic device and in which a camera module is aligned and mounted to the alignment structures in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  if a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in assembling an electronic device that contains a component such as a camera module using an alignment structure that is mounted to a glass plate or other structure in the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device that may be provided with a camera in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an illustrative camera module that may be used in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative camera module in an interior portion of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of a planar electronic device member such as a glass panel that has been provided with a camera module alignment structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of a camera module alignment structure of the type shown in  FIG. 16  and an associated camera module in an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of a camera module and associated electronic device structures showing how the camera module may be rotated into alignment by alignment structures during assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded cross-sectional view showing how an electronic device may have housing portions that have engagement features that engage with mating engagement features on a camera module for aligning and mounting the camera module within the electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of a camera module and a housing structure with mating hook-shaped engagement features in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device in a partially assembled state showing how housing structures may be provided with hook-shaped engagement features that mate with corresponding prong-shaped engagement features on a camera module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional side view of the electronic device of  FIG. 21  showing how the hook-shaped engagement features may be slid into place towards protruding engagement features on the camera module during device assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional side view of the electronic device of  FIG. 22  showing the hook-shaped and prong-shaped engagement features of  FIGS. 21 and 22  in a mated configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional end view of an electronic device showing how hook-shaped engagement features may be provided with beveled edges that form guiding surfaces to help ensure that a device housing fits over a camera module properly during device assembly operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device in which mating hooks and prongs have been used to mount a camera module beneath a camera window in a rear housing wall in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative cover glass structure on which a pattern of black ink is being deposited using a silk screening process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional side view of the cover glass structure of  FIG. 1  following formation of a layer of black ink with an undersized opening in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional side view of the cover glass structure of  FIG. 27  following attachment of structural members such as frame members showing how a laser trimming tool may be used to trim the edges of the opening in the black ink layer in accurate alignment with the frame members in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a top view of a black ink opening prior to laser trimming operations in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the black ink opening of  FIG. 29  after laser trimming operations have been performed using a system of the type shown in  FIG. 28  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is cross-sectional side view of a portion of an electronic device that has a flash window and a camera window in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is an exploded perspective view of electronic device structures associated with a camera window of the type shown in  FIG. 31  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices can be provided with cameras, flash, optical parts, camera mounting structures and the like. 
     Proper assembly of an electronic device involves aligning the camera module to the device. To rotationally and laterally align a camera module with respect to a camera window and the electronic device housing, an alignment structure may be mounted to the housing in alignment with the camera window and housing. The camera module may be mounted within the alignment structure. The alignment structure may be formed form a ring-shaped structure with an opening. The alignment structure and camera module may have mating engagement features. 
     Alignment structures may be implemented using a structure such as a plastic plate member with sidewalls. The plate member may be attached to a rear surface member. The sidewalls of the plate may form an alignment groove. The planar surface of the rear surface member may also form an alignment surface. Biasing members such a foam and springs may be used to bias the camera module into position within the alignment structures. If desired, the alignment structures may be formed using hook-shaped members that mate with corresponding protrusions on the camera module. 
     Electronic device displays are often provided with cover glass layers that have an undercoating of black ink. Openings in the black ink may be formed for components such as cameras. A laser tool may be used to trim the opening in the opaque material. 
     Electronic devices that may be provided with these components include desktop computers, computer monitors, computer monitors containing embedded computers, wireless computer cards, wireless adapters, televisions, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, routers, portable electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet computers, and handheld devices such as cellular telephones and media players, and small devices such as wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. Portable devices such as cellular telephones, media players, and other handheld electronic devices are sometimes described herein as an example. 
     An illustrative electronic device that may be provided with mechanical and electrical features to improve performance, aesthetics, robustness, and size is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  may include storage and processing circuitry  12 . Storage and processing circuitry  12  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. Storage and processing circuitry  12  may be used in controlling the operation of device  10 . Processing circuitry in circuitry  12  may be based on processors such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, dedicated processing circuits, power management circuits, audio and video chips, and other suitable integrated circuits. 
     With one suitable arrangement, storage and processing circuitry  12  may be used to run software on device  10 , such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, antenna and wireless circuit control functions, etc. Storage and processing circuitry  12  may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using storage and processing circuitry  12  include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, protocols for handling cellular telephone communications services, etc. 
     Input-output devices  14  may be used to allow data to be supplied to device  10  and to allow data to be provided from device  10  to external devices. Examples of input-output devices  14  that may be used in device  10  include display screens such as touch screens (e.g., liquid crystal displays or organic light-emitting diode displays), buttons, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, speakers and other devices for creating sound, cameras, sensors, etc. A user can control the operation of device  10  by supplying commands through devices  14  or by supplying commands to device  10  through an accessory that communicates with device  10  through a wireless or wired communications link. Devices  14  or accessories that are in communication with device  10  through a wired or wireless connection may be used to convey visual or sonic information to the user of device  10 . Device  10  may include connectors for forming data ports (e.g., for attaching external equipment such as computers, accessories, etc.). 
     The various components of the electronic device may be surrounded by a housing  16 . The housing protects the internal components and may help keep the internal components in their assembled position within the device  10 . The housing  16  may also help form part of the outer peripheral look and feel of the device  10 , i.e., the ornamental appearance. The housing can be widely varied. For example, the housing can include a variety of external components that utilize a variety of different materials. In one example, at least a portion of the housing includes a translucent/transparent portion through which internal components may optically communicate to the outside world. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the device  10  can include an optical system  18 . The optical system  18  can for example include optical components  20  that works through a window/opening  22  in the housing  16 . The optical components  20  may for example correspond to one or more camera modules. Although situated inside the housing  16 , the camera modules may be configured to capture image data outside the device  10  via the window/housings. That is, they have a line of sight that passes through the window/opening  22 . The optical components may have an axis such as axis  24  with which they are oriented. The axis may be aligned with the window/opening in order to provide the best possible image capture. By way of example, the window/opening may be associated with a translucent/transparent portion of the housing. In one embodiment, the electronic device  10  include one or more alignment structures for ensuring proper mounting and operation of the optical components  18  relative to the housing  16 . 
     As should be appreciated, proper assembly of an electronic device involves aligning the camera module to the device. If the camera module is skewed relative to the device, a user may have difficulty taking pictures that are not tilted. Improper alignment of the camera module to the electronic device may also block the lens in the camera module. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved ways in which to align components such as camera modules within electronic devices. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the housing may have planar front and rear surfaces. The planar surfaces may include structures such as layers of glass or other transparent planar members. Layers of black ink or other opaque substances may be formed on the transparent planar housing members. Camera windows may be formed in the housing by forming openings in the opaque substance on the transparent planar members. Camera functionality may be provided in the electronic device by mounting camera modules in the electronic device. 
     To rotationally and laterally align a camera module with respect to a camera window and the electronic device housing, an alignment structure may be mounted to the housing in alignment with the camera window and housing. The camera module may be mounted within the alignment structure. The alignment structure may be formed form a ring-shaped structure with an opening. The opening in the ring-shaped alignment structure may be aligned with the camera window opening when attaching the alignment structure to the housing. The alignment structure and camera module may have mating engagement features that ensure alignment between the camera module and the alignment structure when the camera module is inserted within the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes an electronic device housing structure having a camera window, an alignment structure mounted to the housing structure, and a camera module mounted within the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that also includes a planar member. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the planar member includes a transparent member coated with a layer of opaque material. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the transparent member includes a planar glass layer and wherein the layer of opaque material has an opening that forms the camera window. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the planar glass layer includes a planar rear housing member in a cellular telephone. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the alignment structure includes a ring-shaped structure that has an opening that is aligned with the camera window. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the opening in the ring-shaped structure has a circular shape with a center and wherein the camera window includes a circular opening with a center that is aligned with the center of the circular shape of the ring-shaped structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the camera module has a protrusion and wherein the ring-shaped structure has a notch that mates with the protrusion. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the camera module has a protruding portion with a cylindrical surface and wherein the ring-shaped structure has at least one protrusion with a cylindrical inner surface contour that mates with the cylindrical surface. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the electronic device housing structure includes a glass plate with a layer of opaque ink, wherein the layer of opaque ink has an opening that forms the camera window, and wherein the alignment structure has an opening that is aligned with the opening in the layer of opaque ink. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided wherein the camera module includes a protruding portion having at least one engagement structure and wherein the alignment structure receives the protruding portion and mates with the engagement structure to ensure that the camera module is aligned to the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a planar surface surrounded by four sidewall edges, a camera window in the rear surface, an alignment structure mounted to the planar surface, wherein the alignment structure surrounds the camera window and is rotationally aligned with respect to the four sidewall edges of the housing, and a camera module having at least one engagement feature that mates with the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the camera module includes a cylindrical protrusion and wherein the alignment structure receives the cylindrical protrusion to align the camera module relative to the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the alignment structure includes a ring-shaped member that is attached to the planar surface of the housing adhesive. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that further includes a planar transparent member that forms the planar surface of the housing. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that further includes a layer of opaque material on the planar transparent member that forms the camera window. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the alignment structure has a notch and wherein the cylindrical protrusion has a tab that mates with the notch. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a method of aligning a camera module with respect to a camera window in an electronic device housing is provided that includes mounting an alignment structure to the electronic device housing at the camera window in rotational alignment with the electronic device housing, and mounting the camera module within the alignment structure in rotational alignment with the alignment structure and the electronic device housing by engaging a camera module engagement feature with the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment a method is provided wherein the alignment structure has an opening and wherein mounting the alignment structure to the electronic device housing includes aligning the opening with the camera window. 
     In accordance with another embodiment a method is provided, wherein the camera module engagement feature includes a radially extending tab, wherein mounting the alignment structure to the electronic device housing includes attaching a ring-shaped alignment structure to a planar housing member using adhesive, and wherein mounting the camera module within the alignment structure includes mounting the camera module within the alignment structure so that the radially extending tab engages a mating notch in the alignment structure and rotationally aligns the camera module to the alignment structure. 
     In accordance with these embodiments, electronic devices may be provided with components that require alignment. 
     As an example, an electronic device may have a camera module. The camera module may include an image sensor and a lens. The image sensor may be an integrated circuit that contains a two-dimensional array of image pixels that gather digital images. The lens and the image sensor may be mounted in a camera module housing. The camera module housing may be, for example, a cube-shaped plastic housing. Optional additional circuitry such as an image processing chip or other circuits may be mounted within the housing of the camera module. 
     For proper operation of the camera module, the camera module should be installed within the electronic device so that the camera lens is not blocked. If, for example, the electronic device has a transparent camera window, the lens of the camera module should be aligned with the camera window. To ensure that acquired images are not undesirably tilted, the camera module should also be rotationally aligned with respect to the camera. 
     Other components may likewise require proper alignment to an electronic device. For clarity, the alignment of components such as camera modules is sometimes described herein as an example. This is, however, merely illustrative. Any suitable component may be aligned with respect to an electronic device, if desired. 
     To ensure proper alignment of a camera module or other component with respect to an electronic device, an alignment structure may be mounted within the electronic device. For example, an alignment structure may be mounted to a rear glass plate or other structure associated with the housing of the electronic device. The camera module may be mounted in alignment with the electronic device using the alignment structure. The alignment structure and the camera module (or other component) may, for example, have mating features that ensure proper alignment between the camera module and the alignment structure. By ensuring that the alignment structure is mounted in the electronic device with a proper orientation, the proper orientation of the camera module to the electronic device is obtained. 
     Any suitable electronic device may be provided with alignment structures such as these. As an example, alignment structures of this type may be used in electronic devices such as cameras, handheld computers, tablet computers, computers integrated into computer monitor housings, laptop computers, set-top boxes, gaming devices, wrist watch devices, pendant devices, cellular telephones, etc. With one suitable configuration, alignment structures such as camera module alignment structures are provided in relatively compact electronic devices such as portable electronic devices. 
     These and other embodiments will be described in greater detail below. 
     An illustrative portable electronic device is shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , portable electronic device  10  may include a housing  1012 . Housing  1012 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including, plastic, glass, ceramics, carbon-fiber composites and other composites, metal, other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. A unibody construction may be used for device  10  in which case some or all of housing  1012  may be formed from a single piece of material. Housing  1012  may, for example, be formed from a piece of plastic or metal that covers the sidewalls of device  10  and that covers the rear surface of device  10 . Frame members and other components may be mounted in the unibody housing. With another illustrative arrangement, housing  1012  may be implemented using multiple structures that are assembled together. For example, housing  1012  may be formed from a central frame  1012 A to which a front and/or rear panels  1012 B and  1012 C are attached (as an example). In some cases, the front and/or rear panels may include an outer transparent layer (e.g., cover glass). Other configurations may be used if desired. In one embodiment, the panels may be removable. For example, the rear panel may be detached from the rest of the housing in order to provide internal access to the electronic device. In one example, the rear panel is made to slide relative to the rest of the housing between a closed position, enclosing the device, and an open position, providing an opening. 
     The device may also include a display  1014  situated in front panel  1012 B. In some cases, the front panel  1012 B can be configured to cover both active and/or inactive portions of the front surface of device  10 . Display  1014  may, for example, be a touch screen that incorporates capacitive touch electrodes. Display  1014  may include a central active region of front panel  1012 B such as active region  1217 . Display  1014  may include image pixels formed form light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs), plasma cells, electronic ink elements, liquid crystal display (LCD) components, or other suitable image pixel structures. Edge portions such as regions  1221  of front panel  1012 B may be inactive. In some cases, the underside of a transparent front panel in the inactive regions  1221  may be coated with an opaque coating such as an opaque ink. An opening may be formed in the opaque ink to serve as a display window for display  1014 . A similar configuration can be provided for the rear panel whether or not another display is used, i.e., the rear panel may be formed with a transparent member with an opaque coating. 
     The device may include a variety of I/O components including for example buttons, connectors, jacks, receivers, speakers and/or the like. 
     In one embodiment, device  10  may also include one or more cameras. Cameras may be implemented, for example, by mounting camera modules within the housing of device  10 . 
     In one embodiment (as shown in  FIG. 2A ), device may include front-facing camera  26 . Front facing cameras may for example be mounted behind the front panel that covers display  1014 . Alternatively or additionally (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), device may include rear-facing camera  28 . Rear facing cameras may be mounted in device  10  behind the rear panel of device  10 . In other suitable configurations, the housing of device  10  may be formed from a plastic or metal housing in which a transparent plastic or glass camera window structure has been mounted. In this type of arrangement, camera modules may be mounted behind the window structure. 
     A front-facing camera  26  may be implemented by mounting a camera module below the front panel in alignment with the camera window. As discussed above, the front of device  10  may be provided with a transparent member coated with an opaque substance such as opaque ink. The transparent member may have a camera window formed by an opening in the opaque ink. A similar configuration may be provided by the rear panel. 
     Alignment schemes that involve aligning a camera module with respect to a camera window formed form an opening in a layer of opaque ink on a transparent layer are sometimes described herein as an example. In general, however, camera modules may be aligned to camera windows of any suitable type. 
     A cross-sectional side view of device  10  of  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , housing  1012  may include sidewall structures such as housing sidewall structures  120 . Structures  10120  may be implemented using a metal ring-shaped member that substantially surrounds the rectangular periphery of display  1014 . Structures of this type are sometimes said to form a band around the periphery of device  10 , so sidewall structures  10120  may sometimes be referred to as band structures, a band member, or a band. Structures  10120  may be formed from a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, or other suitable materials. One, two, or more than two separate structures may be used in forming structures  10120 . Structures  10120  may serve as a bezel that surrounds and/or holds display  1014  on the front (top) face of device  10 . Structures  10120  are therefore sometimes referred to herein as bezel structures  10120  or bezel  10120 . 
     Band  10120  runs around the rectangular periphery of device  10  and display  1014 . Band  10120  may be confined to the upper portions of device  10  (i.e., peripheral regions that lie near the surface of display  1014 ) or may cover the entire vertical height of the sidewalls of device  10  (e.g., as shown in the example of  FIG. 2 ). Other configurations are also possible such as configurations in which band  10120  or other sidewall structures are partly or fully integrated with the rear wall of housing  1012  (e.g., in a unibody-type construction). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , display  1014  may be mounted to band  10120  of housing  1012  using mounting structure  1018 . Mounting structure  1018  may be, for example, a plastic frame. On the rear of housing  1012 , device  10  may have a planar glass member such as glass member  1026 . Glass member  1026  may be coated with a layer of opaque material such as black ink  1028 . Opening  1030  in black ink  1028  may serve as a camera window. 
     Device  10  may include internal housing structures that support band  10120 . For example, internal metal plate  10122  may be welded or otherwise attached between left-edge and right-edge segments of band  10120 . Plate  10122  may help support band  10120 . Printed circuit boards  1020  may be mounted within device  10 . For example, printed circuit boards  1020  may be mounted on plate  10122 . Components  1022  such as integrated circuits, switches, input-output port connectors, discrete components, and other circuitry and devices may be mounted to printed circuit boards  1020 . The components that are mounted or otherwise electrically connected to printed circuit boards  1020  may include a camera module such as camera module  1024 . 
     For proper operation, camera module  1024  may be mounted behind opening  1030  in rotational alignment with the edges of device  10 . Dashed lines  1033  illustrated a possible angle of view of camera module  1024  after camera module  1024  has been mounted in device  10 . 
     Device  10  may be provided with one or more cameras. In the example of  FIG. 3 , two cameras  1024  are shown that may be used, for example, for front-facing camera  26  of  FIG. 2A  and rear-facing camera  28  of  FIG. 2B . 
     A cross-sectional side view of a conventional camera module mounting arrangement in a cellular telephone. As shown in  FIG. 4 , rear plastic housing wall  1032  of the cellular telephone has circular opening  1042 . Chrome bezel  1038  lines the inner surface of opening  1042 . Camera module  1036  has lens  1044 . Alignment structures  1034  are formed as an integral portion of rear plastic housing wall  1032 . Camera module  1036  has alignment structures that engage structures  1034 . This laterally and rotationally aligns camera module  1036  and lens  1044  within hole  1042 . 
     Arrangements of the type shown in  FIG. 4  may not always be satisfactory. For example, arrangements of the type shown in  FIG. 4  may be difficult or impossible to implement in devices that have glass rear surfaces such as planar glass member  1026  of  FIG. 3 . 
     To accurately align a component such as camera module  1024  within device  10  of  FIG. 2 , an alignment structure may be mounted to glass plate  1026 . Camera module  1024  may then be mounted in the alignment structure. This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , glass plate  1026  may include a layer of ink such as black ink  1028 . Opening  1030  may have a circular shape and may serve as a camera window for camera module  1024 . 
     Alignment structure  1046  may be mounted on glass  1026  in alignment with device  10  and camera window  1030 . For example, alignment structure  1046  may be attached to glass  1026  using adhesive  1048 . Alignment structure  1046  may also be attached to glass  1026  or other suitable portions of housing  1012  or device  10  using clips, springs, screws, other fasteners, solder, welds, etc. 
     Alignment structure  1046  may have one or more alignment features such as features  1050 . Features  1050  may be, for example, protrusions, recesses, notches, grooves, ribs, tabs, or other suitable structures. Features  1050  may be configured to form engagement structures that engage with features such as features  1052  on camera module. Features  1052  may be protrusions, recesses, notches, grooves, ribs, tabs, or other suitable structures that are capable of mating with features  1050  on alignment structure  1046 . 
     When camera module  1024  is moved in direction  1056  to mount camera  1024  against glass plate  1026 , features  1052  may engage with features  1050 . When features  1050  engage with features  1052  during the mounting of camera module  1024  to alignment structure  1046 , camera module  1024  becomes aligned to alignment structure  1046 . Because alignment structure  1046  is aligned to camera window  1030  and device  10 , camera module  1024  and camera lens  1054  in camera module  1024  become aligned with camera window  1030  (i.e., the center of lens  1054  becomes aligned with the center of opening  1030 ). Rotational alignment is also achieved using this approach, so that images captured by camera module  1024  will not appear tilted to a user of device  10 . This is because the edges of the image sensor chip in module  1024  will not be tilted with respect to the edges of the housing of device  10 . 
     A bottom perspective view of an illustrative camera module is shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , camera module  1024  may have a camera module housing  1056  and a flex circuit tail such as tail  1060 . Tail  1060  may be formed form a flexible polymer sheet such as a sheet of polyimide. A signal path may be formed from patterned metal traces on the flexible polymer sheet. Tail  1060  may be connected to a printed circuit board such as one of boards  1020  in the example of  FIG. 3 . Foam pad  1058  may be used in biasing camera module  1024  in place within alignment structure  46  and device  10 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of glass plate  1026 . Plate  1026  may be coated with an opaque substance such as black ink layer  1028 . Camera window  1030  may be formed from a circular opening or other suitable opening in ink  1028 . If desired, plate  1026  may be formed from a transparent plastic rear housing structure or other suitable clear planar housing members. In another suitable arrangement, plate  1026  may be part of an opaque housing structure and opening  1030  may be formed by installing a clear plastic or glass window within an opening in the opaque housing. 
       FIG. 8  shows how alignment structure  1046  may be mounted to glass plate  1026  surrounding opening  1030 . Alignment structure  1046  may be formed from metal, plastic, other materials, or combinations of these materials. Alignment structure  1046  may have a circular shape of the type shown in  FIG. 8  or may have other suitable shapes (e.g., rectangular shapes, shapes with straight and curved edges, hexagonal shapes, oval shapes, etc.). In the  FIG. 8  example, alignment structure  1046  has a circular (ring) shape with a circular periphery and a circular opening. The circular opening of alignment structure  1046  is preferably large enough to surround camera window  1030  without blocking any of camera window  1030 . Notches such as notch  1062  or other alignment features may be provided in alignment structure  1046  to facilitate subsequent alignment of camera module  1024 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an illustrative alignment structure that may be mounted at opening  1030 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , notch  1062  may be formed by a gap between adjacent protrusions such as protrusions  1064 . Protrusions  1064  may be formed as an integral portion of circular base structure  1066 . Base structure  1066  may be implemented using a ring-shaped member that has a circular outer edge such as edge  1068  and a circular inner edge such as edge  1070 . Because edge  1070  of the inner surface of ring  1066  is circular, alignment structures such as alignment structure  1046  of  FIG. 9  may be suitable for mounting over circular camera window openings such as circular opening  1030  of  FIG. 8 . If desired, alignment structure  1046  may have non-circular opening shapes such as oval shapes (formed when inner edge  1070  follows an oval path), rectangular shapes (formed when inner edge  1070  has four edges), etc. The outer periphery of alignment structure  1046  may also have different suitable shapes. For example, outer edge  1068  may trace a path that is circular, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. The use of an alignment structure that has a circular footprint may help to minimize the amount of space that is consumed within device  10  when attaching alignment structure  1046  to plate  1026 . The use of other shapes may help enhance manufacturability. 
     There may be any suitable number of notches such as notch  1062  in alignment structure  1046 . The use of a single notch in the arrangement of  FIG. 9  is merely illustrative. Moreover, other types of engagement features may be formed on alignment structure  1046  (e.g., ribs, grooves, openings, recesses, protrusions, etc.). The use of the notch-shaped opening for engagement feature  1062  of  FIG. 9  is shown as an example. 
     Camera module  1024  may have a cube-shaped housing such as housing  1056  of  FIG. 10  or may have housings of other shapes. Lens  1074  may be mounted on a cylindrical protruding portion of housing  1056  such as cylindrical protrusion  1080 . Protrusion  1080  may have an engagement feature such as radially extending tab  1078  that mates with an alignment feature in alignment structure  1046  ( FIG. 9 ) such as notch  1062 . There may be one, two, three, or more than three engagement features on camera module  1026 . The arrangement of  FIG. 10  is merely illustrative. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , portion  1080  of camera module housing  1056  may have a cylindrical shape (as an example). As a result of the cylindrical shape of housing portion  1080 , outer surface  1076  of housing portion  80  is cylindrical. The cylindrical shape of surface  1076  may mate with the cylindrical shape of mating inner surface  1072  of protrusions  1064  in alignment structure  1046 . If desired, this mating relationship may be accomplished using camera module housings and alignment structures of different shapes. For example, inner surface  1072  of alignment structure  1046  may have planar portions and outer surface  1076  of housing  1056  may have corresponding planar portions. The arrangement shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  in which inner surface  1072  of alignment structure  1046  follows a cylindrical contour and in which outer surface  1076  follows a cylindrical contour is merely illustrative. Mating surfaces of any suitable shape may be used in alignment structure  1046  and camera module  1024 . 
     As this example demonstrates, alignment structure  1046  and camera module  1024  may have portions that define the lateral position of camera module  1024  relative to alignment structure  1046  (e.g., mating cylindrical surfaces such as surface  1072  and surface  1076 ) and portions that define the rotational position of camera module  1024  relative to alignment structure  1046  (e.g., matching engagement features such as tab  1078  and notch  1062 ). During assembly operations, alignment structure  1046  can initially be laterally aligned relative to opening  1030  in planar member  1026  and can be rotationally aligned to the edges of housing  1012 . Camera module  1024  may then be mounted to alignment structure  1046 . During mounting of the camera module to alignment structure  1046 , surfaces  1072  and  1076  may help ensure proper lateral alignment of camera module  1024  and engagement features  1078  and  1062  may help ensure proper rotational alignment of camera module  1024 . 
     Assembly operations may be performed manually, using automated (computer-controlled) equipment, or using a combination of manual and automated techniques. An illustrative assembly tool that uses electronically controlled positioning stages is shown in  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the operation of tool  1082  may be controlled using control circuitry  1088 . Control circuitry  1088  may include one or more computers, positioning stage controller circuitry, and other hardware for controlling the operation of tool  1082 . An operator may input commands to control circuitry  1088  using a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or other user interface equipment (e.g., circuitry  1088 ). In response, control circuitry  1088  may issue commands to positioning stages such as positioning stages  1090  and positioning stages  1094 . Control circuitry  1088  may also issue commands to positioning stages  1090  and  1094  automatically (i.e., in response to control code running on processors in circuitry  1088 ). 
     Camera  10100  may be used, for example, in capturing digital images for tool  1082 . Illumination source  1096  may provide light  1098  that passes through opening  1030  in plate  1026 . Camera  10100  may capture images of opening  1030  and structure  1046 . Control circuitry  1088  may process captured image data to determine how to control the position of alignment structure  1046  relative to opening  1030  and plate  1026 . 
     Positioning stages  1094  and  1090  may move horizontally and vertically (i.e., in three orthogonal dimensions X, Y, and Z) and rotationally (e.g., by rotating in directions  1086  about rotational axis  1084  in the center of opening  1030 ). Alignment structure  1046  may be mounted in positioning stage  1090  using mounting members  1092 . By controlling positioning stages  1090 , the lateral position (i.e., the horizontal X-Y position) of alignment structure  1046 , the vertical position (i.e., the vertical Z position) of alignment structure  1046 , and the rotational position about axis  1084  of alignment structure  1046  may be controlled. Plate  1026  may be mounted on stages  1094 . Positioning stages  1094  may be used to control the lateral, vertical, and rotational position of plate  1026 . 
     By gathering information on the position of structure  1046 , plate  1026 , and opening  1030  using camera  10100 , control circuitry  1088  can automatically determine what types of position adjustments should be made to align structure  1046 . Structure  1046  may then be moved vertically towards plate  1026  so that structure  1046  may be mounted on plate  1026  (e.g., using a ring of adhesive such as adhesive  1048 ). After structure  1046  has been mounted to plate  1026 , camera module  1024  may be positioned in structure  1046  using positioning stages  1090  and  1094 . 
     Illustrative operations involved in assembling device  10  are shown in  FIG. 12 . At step  10102 , equipment such as equipment  1082  of  FIG. 11  may be used in aligning alignment structure  1046  with hole  1030 . For example, equipment  1082  may be used to adjust the lateral position of alignment structure  1046  until the center of the circular opening in alignment structure  1046  is aligned with the center of circular opening  1030  in ink layer  1028  on plate  1026 . The alignment operations of step  10102  may also involve adjusting the rotational alignment of structure  1046  (i.e., so that notch  1062  or other engagement structures are positioned in a desired angular orientation with respect to the edges of plate  1026 ). 
     After alignment structure  1046  has been laterally and rotationally aligned with respect to plate  1026  and opening  1030 , equipment  1082  may be used to mount structure  1046  to plate  1026  at step  10104  (e.g., using adhesive  1048 ). 
     At step  10106 , equipment  1082  may be used to align camera module  1024  with respect to alignment structure  1046 . In particular, stages  1090  and  1094  may be used to adjust the lateral and rotational orientation of camera module  1024  until cylindrical surface  1076  is laterally aligned with surfaces  1072  of alignment structure  1046  and until rotational alignment features such as tab  1078  are aligned with features such as notch  1062 . 
     After camera module  1024  has been aligned to alignment structure  1046  in this way, positioning stages  1090  and  1094  may be used to insert camera module  24  into alignment structure  1046 . Once mounted in this way, inner cylindrical surfaces  1072  on structure  1046  will mate with outer surface  1076  on camera module  1024  and engagement feature  1062  on structure  1046  will receive engagement feature  1078  on camera module  1024 , thereby ensuring proper lateral and rotational alignment of camera module  1024  relative to camera window opening  1030  and device  10 . Adhesive, press-fit structures, fasteners, biasing members such as foam  1058  ( FIG. 6 ), and/or other mounting techniques may be used in mounting camera module  1024  within alignment structure  1046  (step  108 ). 
     In devices with parts that move relative to each other during assembly, the camera may become dislodged or misaligned during assembly operations. Conventional arrangements may also place unwanted stresses on device components. If care is not taken, the camera will not be oriented properly within the device, leading to camera performance problems. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide an electronic device with improved camera mounting structures. 
     in accordance with one embodiment, the housing may have a peripheral band-shaped structure formed from a material such as metal. A display may be formed on a front surface of the housing. A planar rear surface member such as a layer of glass may be attached to a rear surface of the housing. 
     The planar rear surface member may be formed from plastic, glass, or other materials. When formed from a transparent material such as clear glass, the planar rear surface member may be provided with an inner layer of an opaque substance such as ink. An opening may be formed in the ink to serve as a camera window for the electronic device. When the planar rear surface member or housing wall structure is formed from plastic or metal, a clear glass or plastic camera window structure may be used as a camera window. 
     Alignment structures may be used to ensure that the camera module is rotationally and translationally aligned with respect to the electronic device. The camera module may have a lens through which images are captured. When mounted within the housing of the electronic device, the alignment structures help ensure that the camera module lens is aligned with the camera window. 
     The alignment structures may be implemented using a structure such as a plastic plate member with sidewalls. The plate member may be attached to the rear surface member. The sidewalls of the plate may form an alignment groove. The planar surface of the rear surface member may also form an alignment surface. The alignment groove may have a sidewall that bears against a protruding portion of the camera module such as a flash unit, thereby rotating the camera module into alignment. Another sidewall may be angled to form a guiding ramp that helps the groove receive the camera module. 
     Biasing members such a foam and springs may be used to bias the camera module into position within the alignment structures. 
     If desired, the alignment structures may be formed using hook-shaped members that mate with corresponding protrusions on the camera module. The hook-shaped members and the mating protrusions may have angled surfaces that help bias the camera module towards the rear surface member and thereby relieve pressure from an associated biasing member. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes a camera module; and alignment structures having portions that mate with the camera module and that rotationally and laterally align the camera module with respect to the electronic device. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that also includes a planar rear surface member, wherein the alignment structures are attached to the planar rear surface member. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the alignment structures include sidewalls forming an alignment groove that guides the camera module into alignment with the electronic device. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that also includes a biasing structure that biases the camera module against at least one of the sidewalls. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the camera module has a protruding structure that bears against a given one of the sidewalls. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the electronic device includes foam that biases the camera module against the planar rear surface member. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that also includes a printed circuit board; and at least one spring between the camera module and the printed circuit board. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the alignment structures include hook-shaped structures. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the camera module includes a pair of protrusions that mate with the hook-shaped structures when the camera module is aligned with the electronic device. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the planar rear surface member includes a layer of glass. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the planar rear surface member includes a layer of ink with a camera opening and wherein the camera module has a lens that is aligned with the camera opening. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes housing structures, and a camera module mounted to the housing structures, wherein the camera module includes a base structure having sidewalls, imaging components disposed in the base structure, and at least one protruding structure on the sidewalls of the base structure that engages with the housing structures. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the at least one protruding structure includes a pair of protruding alignment structures and wherein the housing structures include a pair of hook structures with openings that receive the protruding alignment structures. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the housing structures have sidewalls forming an alignment groove. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein one of the sidewalls is angled to form a guiding ramp that receives the camera module. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the housing structures include at least one glass member and at least one hook structure attached to the glass member that mates with the at least one protruding structure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a display on a front surface of the housing, a planar rear member on a rear surface of the housing, wherein the planar rear member has a camera window, camera alignment structures attached to the planar rear member, and a camera module having a lens, wherein the camera module is received within the camera alignment structures so that the lens is aligned with the camera window and so that the camera module is rotationally aligned with respect to the housing. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided wherein the camera module includes a protruding flash unit and wherein the camera alignment structures includes a groove having at least one sidewall that bears against the protruding flash unit. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that also includes ink on the planar rear member that surrounds the camera window, wherein the camera alignments structures includes sidewalls including at least one angled sidewall that forms a guiding ramp that receives the camera module. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, an electronic device is provided that also includes a foam gasket that is compressed between the planar rear member and the camera module. 
     In accordance with these embodiments, cameras may be used in electronic devices to capture still images and video clips. The electronic devices in which the cameras are used may be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers or small portable computers of the type that are sometimes referred to as ultraportables. Portable electronic devices may also be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable electronic devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. 
     If desired, the electronic devices in which the cameras are provided may be, for example, handheld wireless devices such as cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), remote controllers, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and handheld gaming devices. The electronic devices may also be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple conventional devices. Examples of hybrid portable electronic devices include a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality, a gaming device that includes wireless communications capabilities, a cellular telephone that includes game and email functions, and a portable device that receives email, supports mobile telephone calls, has music player functionality and supports web browsing. These are merely illustrative examples. 
     An illustrative electronic device of the type that may be provided with a camera is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Device  10  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may be, for example, a handheld electronic device that supports  2 G and/or  3 G cellular telephone and data functions, global positioning system capabilities, and local wireless communications capabilities (e.g., IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth®) and that supports handheld computing device functions such as internet browsing, email and calendar functions, games, music player functionality, etc. 
     Device  10  may have housing  1012 . Housing  1012 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, or other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some situations, housing  1012  or portions of housing  1012  may be formed from a dielectric or other low-conductivity material. Housing  1012  or portions of housing  1012  may also be formed from conductive materials such as metal. 
     With one suitable arrangement, which is sometimes described herein as an example, the sidewalls of housing  1012  are formed from a material such as plastic or metal (e.g., a metal bezel or metal band that surrounds substantially the entire periphery of device  10 ), whereas the front and rear surfaces of device  10  are formed from planar glass structures. The glass structure on the front surface of device  10  may be, for example, a planar cover glass layer or other glass structure associated with a display such as a touch screen display. The front surface glass may cover some or substantially all of the front of device  10 . The glass structure on the rear surface of device  10  may be, for example, a planar cosmetic glass layer, a glass layer through which visible indicators such as status light-emitting-diodes or back-lit icons are displayed, a layer of touch screen glass that forms part of a rear-mounted touch screen, other display structures, etc. The glass structure on the rear of device  10  may cover some or substantially all of the planar rear surface of device  10 . 
     An illustrative configuration in which a display such as display  1014  is mounted on the front surface of device  10  is shown in  FIG. 13 . Display  1014  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, an electronic ink display, a plasma display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of display  1014  may be formed from a layer of glass (sometimes referred to as the display&#39;s cover glass). Display  1014  may also have interior layers (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor array for providing display  1014  with touch sensing capabilities, a layer of thin-film transistors for controlling the image pixels in the display, etc.). 
     Display  1014  may have a central active region such as active region  1217  and inactive end regions such as regions  1221 . To hide interior portions of device  10  from view, the underside of display  1014  (e.g., the cover glass of the display) in inactive regions  1221  may be coated with an opaque substance such as black ink (as an example). The inner surface of the rear surface glass layer may also be covered with an opaque substance such as black ink. 
     An opening may be formed in one of regions  1221  of the display cover glass to accommodate button  1016 . An opening such as opening  1223  may also be formed in one of regions  1221  (e.g., to form a speaker port). The end portions of housing  1012 A (i.e., the peripheral metal band or other housing sidewall structures) may also be provided with openings such as openings  1222  and  1224  for microphone and speaker ports and opening  1220  for an input-output data port. 
     Device  10  may be used to capture image data such as still images and video clips. For example, a front-facing camera  26  may be placed under one of regions  1221 . A rear-facing camera  28  may be placed under the glass or other structures on the rear surface of device  10 . A camera flash such as camera flash  30  may also be provided. Camera window openings may be formed in the opaque ink layers that are printed on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass layers to allow the camera to receive images through the glass. Openings in plastic or metal housing structures may also serve as camera windows. 
     Cameras may be used to capture images and video and are sometimes referred to as camera modules. A typical camera module includes an imaging chip, an optional image processing chip, a lens, and associated packaging structures. If desired, device  10  may only have a single camera (e.g., only a front-facing camera  26  or only a rear-facing camera  28 ). Device  10  may also have two or more cameras (e.g., both front-facing camera  26  and rear-facing camera  28 ). Device  10  may be provided with a camera flash or light such as camera flash  30 . 
     An exploded cross-sectional side view of an illustrative configuration that may be used for device  10  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  is shown in  FIG. 13 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , device  10  may have a band-shaped peripheral housing sidewall portion  1212 . Band  1212  may, for example, be a rectangular ring formed from a material such as plastic or metal. Mounting structures such as printed circuit board  1236  may be mounted within device  10 . Components  1238  may be mounted on printed circuit board  1236 . Components such as components  1238  may include integrated circuits, discrete components, switches, data port connectors, batteries, antennas, displays, microphones, speakers, etc. Front member  1216  may be attached to front side  1226  of device  10 . Rear member  1228  may be attached to rear side  1240  of device  10 . Front member  1216  and rear member  1228  may be formed from plastic, metal, glass, ceramics, composites, other suitable materials, or combinations of these materials. 
     With one suitable arrangement, which is sometimes described herein as an example, front member  1216  may be formed from one or more layers of glass. For example, front member  1216  may include a touch screen display with a layer of cover glass that is mounted to housing portion  1212 . Rear member  1228  may also be formed from one or more layers of glass. For example, rear member  1228  may be formed from a rectangular layer of glass that fits within a recess in housing portion  1212 . When attached to housing  1212 , members  1216  and  1228  may be considered to form part of housing  1212 . 
     Members  1216  and  1228  may be attached to housing  1212  using adhesive, screws, clips, other fasteners, etc. During assembly, it may be desirable to use a sliding motion when attaching rear member  1228 . For example, it may be desirable to move rear member along path  1230 . Initially, member  1228  may be moved in direction  1234 . After moving member  1228  in direction  1234 , member  1228  may be slid along direction  1232 . This type of compound pressing and sliding motion may be used to attach member  1228  to device  10  or other suitable attachment techniques may be used to attach member  1228 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an illustrative camera module of the type that may be included in device  10  to provide device  10  with imaging capabilities. As shown in  FIG. 14 , camera module  1242  may include a base such as cube-shaped base  1244 . Base  1244  may be formed from materials such as plastic and may be used to house electronic components  1249  for camera module  1242  such as an imaging array and processing circuitry. Lens  1252  may be used to gather images for camera module  1242 . Light may be received along axis  1254 . 
     Trim member  1246  may be formed from part of base  1244  or may be attached to base  1244  (e.g., using adhesive or other fastening mechanisms). Portion  1248  of member  1246  may form a protrusion (e.g., as part of a camera flash unit or other camera structure, as a trim extension, etc.). Electrical connection to the circuitry in camera module  1242  may be made using flexible printed circuit  1256 . Flexible printed circuit  1256  (“flex circuit”) may include conductive traces that are electrically connected to imaging circuitry  1249  of camera module  1242 . 
     The shape and size of camera module  1242  of  FIG. 14  is merely illustrative. Module  1242  may, for example, have a cylindrical shape or other suitable shape. 
     When mounted within the housing of device  1212 , the front (upper) surface of camera module  1242  may press against a camera window structure. A gasket such as ring-shaped gasket  1250  may be used to form a seal with the housing or other structures in device  10  against which camera module  1242  is mounted. The seal may help to prevent intrusion of dust or other contaminants in the vicinity of lens  1252 . Gasket  1250  may be formed from foam, foam coated with a slippery material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, elastomeric materials such as synthetic or natural rubber, silicone, mixtures of foam and polymers, or other suitable flexible materials. The camera window may be formed from a clear plastic or glass member or may be formed from an opening in member  1228  or  1216 . Members such as members  1228  and  1216  may, for example, include planar glass layers that are coated with a layer of an opaque substance such as black ink. A camera window may be formed from a circular opening in the black ink. This type of opening may be formed on the front side of device  10  (e.g., an opening in inactive region  1221  of  FIG. 13 ) or on the rear of device  10  (e.g., a camera window opening in the ink on rear glass layer  1228 ). 
     As described in connection with  FIG. 13 , rear glass member  1228  may be mounted on device  10  using a push-and-slide motion involving movement along vertical direction  1234  followed by movement along horizontal dimension  1232 . When camera module  1242  is mounted behind rear glass member  1228 , gasket  1250  may form a seal with rear glass member  1228 . Gasket  1250  may be formed from a slippery material or may have a surface coating of a slippery material to ensure that gasket  1250  does not catch and tear as rear member  1228  is translated across the surface of gasket  1250  in direction  1232  ( FIG. 13 ). 
     To ensure proper translational alignment (horizontal and vertical lateral alignment) and proper rotational alignment between the opening in the ink of layer  1228  (or other suitable camera window structure) and lens  1252 , device  10  may be provided with alignment structures. These alignment structures may be implemented using guiding grooves, rails, hooks, sidewalls, or other features that serve to align camera module  1242  when camera module  1242  is mounted in device  10 . Alignment structures may be formed from plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, composites, other suitable materials, or combinations of these materials. Alignment structures may be attached to housing  1212  or formed as integral portions of housing  1212 . For example, alignment structures may be formed from part of a peripheral sidewall band, as part of front member  1216 , as part of rear member  1228 , as part of a rail or frame that is attached to a peripheral sidewall band or front or rear housing member, etc. 
     Alignment structures may, for example, be attached to rear housing member  1228 . As rear housing member  1228  slides in direction  1232  ( FIG. 13 ), camera module  1242  may slide into engagement with the alignment structures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , camera module  1242  may be mounted so that rear surface  1258  rests on biasing structures  1262 . Biasing structures  1262  may be supported by part of display  1216  or housing  1212  (as examples). Biasing structures  1262  may be formed from springs or other suitable biasing elements. For example, biasing structures  1262  may be formed from one or more pieces of foam or other elastomeric members. When compressed, biasing structures  1262  bias camera module  1242  upwards in vertical direction  1264 . This helps hold camera module  1242  against inner surface  1266  of rear member  1228 . 
     Alignment structures  1260  may be mounted to inner surface  1266 . Grooves or other features in structures  1260  may guide trim  1246  of camera module  1242  into place as rear member  1228  slides in direction  1232  during assembly. A portion of member  1228  and/or a portion of alignment structures  1260  may bear against camera module sidewall  1268  as member  1228  slides in direction  1232 . At the same time, bias structures  1270  (e.g., springs, foam, or other biasing members) may be compressed between structure  1272  and camera module sidewall  1276 . This generates a restoring force on camera module  1242  in direction  1274 . Structure  1272  may be a printed circuit board, a frame member or other internal housing structure, or other suitable portion of device  10 . 
     To complete assembly, rear member  1228  may be slid further in direction  1232 .  FIG. 16  is a perspective view of inner surface  1266  of rear member  1228 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , alignment structure  1260  may be a thin plastic plate or other structure that is mounted to the inner surface  1266  (e.g., with adhesive). Alignment structure  1260  may have an alignment groove with alignment walls  1280 ,  1282 ,  1284 , and  1286 . Walls  1282  and  1286  may be substantially parallel and may guide opposing edges of trim member  1246 . Rear wall  1284  may serve as a stop that bears against surface  1268  of camera module  1242  (e.g., on trim  1246 ). Portion  1288  of sidewall  1286  may be flared outwards to form a guiding ramp that helps receive camera module  1242  within walls  1282 ,  1284 , and  1286 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , portion  1288  may lie along an axis (axis  1294 ) that is oriented at an angle θ of about 0-30° with respect to axis  1292  of wall  1286 . As member  1228  and structure  1260  move in direction  1232 , camera module  1242  (i.e., trim  1246 ) is guided into alignment with walls  1282 ,  1284 , and  1286 . This ensures that lens  1252  ( FIG. 14 ) of camera module  1242  is aligned with camera window opening  1290  ( FIG. 16 ) in the ink layer on surface  1266 . 
     As shown by the dashed line in  FIG. 17 , camera module  1242  may have an optional protrusion that bears against wall  1280  of alignment groove  1278 . Protrusion  1248  may be part of a flash unit for camera module  1242  or other protruding structure. As shown in  FIG. 18 , as member  1228  is moved in direction  1232 , wall  1280  bears against protrusion  1248  while biasing structures  1270  (e.g., springs) press against surface  1276 , rotating camera module in counterclockwise direction  1296  (in the orientation of  FIG. 18 ). This forces surface  1268  to come to rest parallel to wall  1284 , thereby helping to ensure that camera module  1242  is rotationally aligned with electronic device  10  (i.e., the camera is not tilted). Sidewall  1284  helps ensure that camera module  1242  is mounted at a fixed location in dimension Y. Sidewalls  1282  and  1286  help ensure that camera module  1242  is mounted at a fixed location in dimension X. The portion of surface  1266  against which module  1242  is biased helps ensure that camera module  1242  is mounted at a fixed location in dimension Z. 
     The use of alignment structures such as structures  1260  of  FIGS. 15 ,  16 ,  17 , and  18  to rotationally and laterally align camera module  1242  relative to electronic device  10  is merely illustrative. Any suitable alignment structures may be used to align and mount camera module  1242  in device  10 . For example, camera module  1242  can be aligned and mounted within device  10  by providing hook-shaped engagement features on member  1228  and mating protrusions on camera module  1242 . This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , hook-shaped structures  1298  may include openings such as opening  12100  that mate with protrusions  12102  on camera module  1242 . Structures  1298  may be formed as an integral portion of rear member  1228  or may be attached to member  1228  (e.g., using adhesive, fasteners, etc.). Protrusions  12102  may be formed as part of trim  1246 , as part of plastic base  1244 , or other portions of camera module  1242  or may be formed from structures that are attached to camera module  1242 . 
     During assembly, member  1228  may be moved in vertical direction  1234 . Structures  1298  may be provided with bevels or other guide features that help ensure that structures  1298  will ride over the outer edges of camera module  1242 . After structures  1298  have been placed over camera module  1242 , member  1228  may be moved horizontally in direction  1232  (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal axis of electronic device  10 ). Once moved sufficiently, protrusions  12102  will enter and mate with openings  12100  in hook structures  1298 . 
     Any suitable number of hook structures  1298  and protrusions  12102  may be used to mount camera module  1242 . For example, there may be two hook structures  1298  and two corresponding protrusions  12102 . One hook and protrusion may be located on the near side of camera module  1242  and one hook and protrusion may be located on the far side of camera module  1242  (in the orientation of  FIG. 19 ). 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view showing how openings  12100  in hook-shaped structures  1298  and protrusions  12102  may serve as mating engagement features when rear member  1228  and structures  1298  are moved in direction  1232  relative to camera module  1242  during assembly. 
       FIGS. 21 ,  22 , and  23  illustrate how structures  98  may engage with structures  12102  during assembly. 
     Initially, camera module  1242  may be placed within housing  1212  on biasing structure  1262 . Biasing structure  1270  may be compressed between structure  1272  (e.g., a housing structure or printed circuit board in device  10 ) and camera module  1242 , thereby pushing camera module  1242  adjacent to rear wall  12104  of housing  1212 . Biasing structure  1262  may be formed from foam or other structures that bias camera module  1242  in direction  1264  towards rear member  1228 . Rear member  1228  may be placed on device  10  in direction  1234 . As structures  1298  reach camera module  1242 , a bevel on at least one of structures  1298  helps ensure that structures  1298  will not catch on the edges of camera module  1242 . 
     After rear member  1228  has been placed on device  10  as shown in  FIG. 21 , rear member  1228  can be moved in direction  1232 , as shown in  FIG. 22 . Each of hook-shaped structures  1298  may have an angled surface  12106  that is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the plane of rear surface member  1228 . Each protrusion  12102  may have an angled surface  12108  that makes a non-zero angle with respect to the plane of rear surface member  1228 . As member  1228  moves in direction  1232 , each angled surface  12106  of structures  1298  bears against a corresponding one of the angled surfaces  12108  of protrusions  12102 , biasing camera module  1242  in direction  1264  against inner surface  1266  of rear member  1228 . This helps compress foam gasket  1250  between camera module  1242  and rear member  1228 . 
     Continued movement of rear member  1228  in direction  1232  results in the configuration of  FIG. 23  in which foam gasket  1250  is further compressed against inner surface  1266  of rear member  1228 , gap  12110  has formed between rear housing portion  12104  and surface  1276  of camera module  1242 , and biasing structure  1270  is compressed between surface  1268  of camera module  1242  and structure  1272 . In this configuration, compressed biasing structure  62  biases camera module  1242  in direction  1264 , but this biasing process is assisted by the engagement of structures  1298  and protrusions  12102 . Because the alignment structures formed by structures  1298  and protrusions  12102  help compress gasket  1250  between camera module  1242  and rear member  1228 , the tendency of biasing structure  1262  to push apart members  1228  and  1216  can be minimized. 
     In the  FIG. 23  arrangement, a gap such as gap  12110  may be formed between housing wall  12104  (e.g., a peripheral band structure in housing  1212 ) and surface  1276  of camera module  1242 . The location of camera module  1242  in this state is known. Because structures  1298  are rotationally aligned with respect to member  1228 , rotational alignment of camera module  1242  is achieved when structures  1298  engage with protrusions  12102  as shown in  FIG. 23 . Engagement between hook structures  1298  and protrusions  12102  also serves to fix the location of camera module  1242  in dimensions Y and X. Surface  1266  locates camera module  1242  in dimension Z. 
     A cross-sectional end view of structures  1298  showing how one of structures  1298  may be provided with an angled surface such as bevel  12112  is shown in  FIG. 24 . As structures  1298  are moved in direction  1234  during the initial stages of assembly (i.e., before sliding member  1228  and structures  1298  into engagement with protrusions  12102 ), angled surface  12112  may bear against corner  12116  of camera module  1242 . This causes camera module  1242  to follow path  12114  relative to structures  1298 , ensuring alignment of camera module  1242  relative to structures  1298  in dimension X. 
     If desired, camera lens  1252  may be aligned with a camera window that is formed from a cylindrical opening in the sidewalls of housing  1212 . An arrangement of this type is shown in  FIG. 25 . As shown in  FIG. 25 , device  10  may have a housing  1212  in which an opening such as camera window opening  12118  is formed. Opening  12118  may be formed by placing a clear plastic or glass window in an opening in housing  1212 . A cylindrical metal liner, an elastomeric gasket, and other structures may, if desired, be used in forming camera window opening  12118 . Camera module  1242  may have a lens (see, e.g., lens  1252  of  FIG. 14 ) that is aligned with camera opening  12118 . Rotational and lateral alignment between camera module  1242  and housing  1212  may be ensured by attaching hook structures  1298  to housing  1212  and by providing camera module  1242  with protrusions  12102  that mate with hook structures  1298 . 
     Electronic device displays are often provided with cover glass layers that have an undercoating of black ink. Openings in the black ink may be formed for components such as cameras. Screen printing techniques are conventionally used to form these openings, which can lead to inaccurate placement of the openings and undesirably rough edges. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide improved techniques for forming openings in opaque masking layers such as the layers of black ink that are formed on the underside of display cover glass layers. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, electronic devices (e.g., device  10  of  FIG. 1 ) may be provided with cover glass layers or other transparent substrates that are coated with a patterned layer of opaque material such as black ink. The openings in this coating may be undersized relative to their desired final dimensions. Frame members and other components may be assembled to the cover glass. Following this assembly process, a laser tool may be used to trim the opening in the opaque material. Because the opening is trimmed after the frame members are attached to the cover glass, the opening may be accurately aligned with respect to the frame members. Laser trimming operations may also help to ensure the formation of smooth edges in the opening. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a method of forming an opening in an opaque layer of material on a transparent substrate is provided that includes depositing the opaque layer of material on the transparent substrate with an opening of a first size, and laser trimming the opening to create an opening of a second size that is larger than the first size. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided that also includes attaching structures to the transparent substrate before laser trimming the opening. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided that wherein the transparent substrate includes a display cover glass and wherein depositing the opaque layer includes screen printing the opaque layer on the display cover glass. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided that wherein the structures includes frame structures and wherein laser trimming the opening includes using a laser to remove material from edges of the opening in alignment with the frame structures. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a method is provided that wherein laser trimming the opening includes laser trimming a circular inner edge of a camera window opening. 
     In accordance with these embodiments, the display in an electronic device such as device  10  of  FIG. 1  may be provided with a layer of black ink or other suitable opaque material (e.g., paint, ink, etc.). The layer of black ink or other opaque material may, for example, be formed on the underside of a cover glass layer that is associated with the display. The cover glass layer, which may be formed from a planar layer of glass, plastic, or other suitable transparent members, may be used to protect sensitive internal display components from damage. 
     In active regions of the display (i.e., portions of the display that contain image pixels for the display), the cover glass is not covered with black ink. This allows a user to view the image pixels through the cover glass. There may be, for example, a rectangular opening in the center of the cover glass that is aligned with a corresponding rectangular array of image pixels in a liquid crystal display. 
     In inactive peripheral regions of the display, the black ink may be provided on the underside of the cover glass. This helps shield internal components in the electronic device from view by the user, thereby improving device aesthetics. 
     Some components that are covered by the black ink are structural in nature. For example, the black ink may cover screws or other mechanical fasteners. Other components use light. These components include light sensors such as infrared and visible photodiodes that are used to detect ambient light, photodiodes that serve as part of light-based proximity sensors, etc. These components may also include camera components such as a camera (i.e., a camera module with an image sensor), a camera flash (e.g., a light-emitting diode), etc. 
     To ensure proper operation of a component that uses light, an opening may be formed in the black ink layer. Conventionally, such openings are created during the process of silk-screen printing of the black ink onto the cover glass. When formed in this way, however, openings tend to have undesirably rough edges. There is also a potential for misalignment with this type of conventional approach. For example, if a frame is attached to a cover glass with a silk-screened black ink layer that has an opening, multiple alignment tolerances come into play (i.e., frame-to-glass and glass-to-opening). Each alignment tolerance that is involved adds a potential source of misalignment. 
     To increase alignment accuracy and improve edge smoothness, laser trimming operations may be performed. With this type of arrangement, a laser may be used to trim the edge of the opening in the black ink layer. 
     Initially, a black ink layer or other layer of opaque material may be deposited on the cover glass or other transparent substrate. This layer may contain an undersized opening that is suitable for subsequent laser trimming. 
     An illustrative approach for depositing a black ink layer of this type is shown in the cross-sectional side view of  FIG. 26 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , a layer of opaque material may be deposited on a transparent substrate such as substrate  16310 . Substrate  16310  may be a planar cover glass member, a planar layer of plastic, or any other transparent material. 
     Opaque substance  16304  may be black ink, ink of a color different than black, black paint, paint of a different color, or any other suitable opaque substance. Opaque substance  16304  is preferably formed from a material that is able to form a masking layer that blocks visible light. The use of black ink to form the masking layer is sometimes described herein as an example. 
     Black ink may be deposited in a pattern on substrate  16310  using pad printing, ink-jet printing, screen printing, painting, spraying, dripping, or any other suitable technique. The use of screen printing (“silk screening”) is sometimes described as an example. As shown in  FIG. 26 , a screen printing apparatus may include an ink-permeable structure such as screen  16308  that has a desired pattern of ink-impermeable structures such as ink-blocking structure  16306 . Ink-blocking structure  16306  may have the size and shape of an undersized opening for a camera or other light-based electronic component in an electronic device. During screen printing operations, squeegee  16300  may be moved in direction  16302  to force ink  16304  through unblocked portions of screen  16308  and onto the surface of substrate  16310 . 
     The screen printing operations of  FIG. 26  form a patterned black masking layer such as ink layer  16312  of  FIG. 27  on the surface (i.e., the inner or underside surface in a finished device) of substrate  16310 . Black ink layer  16310  includes one or more openings such as opening  16314 . Structure  16306  is preferably sized so that opening  16314  has lateral dimensions (e.g., diameter D) that are less than the desired final dimensions of the finished opening (e.g., diameter DH). This leaves room for laser trimming of the interior periphery of opening  16314 . 
     Laser trimming may be performed using laser trimming equipment  16332  of the type shown in  FIG. 28 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , trimming equipment  16332  may include a laser such as laser  16328  that focuses a beam of light such as laser beam  16330  on ink layer  16312 , thereby removing excess ink and forming a smooth edge (edge  16316 ) for opening  16314 . The laser trimming process also helps align opening  16314  with respect to substrate  16310 . Alignment with respect to structures such as frame structures  16318  that are attached to substrate  16310  can also be improved. 
     Laser  16328  may be a continuous wave (CW) or pulsed laser that operates in the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared portion of the light spectrum. 
     The position of laser  16328  and beam  16330  may be controlled using positioning stage  16326 . Control unit  16324  may be used to control positioning stage  16326  based on information gathered from external sensors such as cameras  16322 . 
     Structures  16318  may be housing structures, internal supports, display structures, a cover glass bezel structure, or other suitable structures. Structures  16318  may be attached to substrate  16310  using screws or other fasteners, adhesive, welds, solder, or other suitable attachment mechanisms (shown schematically as attachment points  16320 ). Once structures  16318  are attached to substrate  16310 , opening  16314  may be trimmed using laser  16328 . By trimming opening  16314  after structures  16318  have been attached to substrate  16310 , opening  16316  can be trimmed with laser  16328  so as to improve its alignment accuracy with respect to structures  16318 . 
     Control unit  16324  may include a computer or other suitable computing equipment that gathers and processes images from cameras  16322 . These images may include images that provide information on the position of opening  16314 , structures  16318 , and substrate  16310 . By processing this information, control unit  16324  may issue commands to positioning stage  16326  to ensure that laser  16328  is positioned properly during trimming. The resulting opening  16314  will have edges  16316  that are well aligned with respect to structures  16318 . Camera structures, light-based sensors, and other light-based components may be directly attached to structures  16318  or may be connected to structures that are aligned with structures  16318 , so improving the alignment of opening  16314  with respect to structures  16318  may help improve the alignment of opening  16314  with respect to these light-based components (i.e., to improve camera-to-opening alignment). 
     The laser trimming process may be used to improve the quality of edges  16316 .  FIG. 29  is a top view of opening  16314  before laser trimming, showing how edge  16316  in the ink layer is relatively rough due to screen printing artifacts. These irregular edges may be removed during the trimming process to produce smooth edges such as smooth edges  16316  of opening  16314  in  FIG. 30 . Opening  16314  may be a sensor opening, a circular camera window opening, or any other suitable opening. 
     If desired, other types of black ink edge may be trimmed using laser trimming (e.g., the edge of a rectangular opening, the edge of a strip of black ink, the edge of an opening or boundary with different shapes, etc.). The use of laser trimming to round and align the inner edges of a circular black ink opening is merely illustrative. 
     An electronic device such as an electronic device (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B) with planar transparent structures such as cover glass layers and glass housing surfaces may include a camera flash unit and a camera module. The camera module may include an image sensor for acquiring digital images. The flash unit may produce illumination to illuminate subjects during the acquisition of the digital images. 
     The flash unit may be formed from a light-emitting diode or other light source. A flash lens such as a Fresnel lens may be used to concentrate light that is emitted from the flash unit. The camera module may receive light through a camera window. 
     The flash unit and the camera module may be mounted adjacent to the planar transparent structure. For example, if the planar transparent structure is formed from a front-side display cover layer (e.g., a layer of cover glass, a protective plastic layer for a display, a protective layer of transparent ceramic for a display, etc.), the flash unit and the camera module may be mounted within the electronic device so that light from the flash is emitted through the cover layer and so that image light for the camera module is received through a camera window in the cover layer. As another example, if the planar transparent structure is formed from a rear-surface transparent layer such as a layer of glass on the back of an electronic device housing, the flash unit may emit light through the rear-surface transparent layer and the camera module can receive light through a camera window in the rear-surface transparent layer. 
     The planar transparent member (i.e., the cover glass layer or rear-surface planar transparent member) may be coated with an opaque substance such as a layer of black ink. For example, black ink may be used to cover substantially all of the inner surface of the planar transparent layer on the rear of a device housing or may be used to cover all non-active regions of a display cover layer. 
     A flash window may be formed by creating an opening in the black ink that receives the flash lens. During illumination with the flash unit, stray light may be internally reflected within the planar transparent structure. To avoid interference with the incoming image light, the camera window may be surrounded with an opaque light-blocking structure such as a camera window sleeve. The camera window sleeve may prevent light that has been launched into the planar transparent structure by the flash unit from being received by the camera module. 
     An illustrative electronic device of the type that may be provided with a camera window sleeve is shown in  FIG. 31 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , electronic device  8010  may include planar transparent structure  8012  and planar structure  8030 . Structure  8012  may be formed on the front of device  8010  and structure  8030  may be formed on the rear of device  8010  or vice versa. Device  8010  may be a cellular telephone, a media player, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or other electronic equipment. 
     In arrangements in which structure  8012  is formed on the front surface of device  8010 , layer  8012  may be a protective display cover layer. This layer may be formed from glass (i.e., cover glass), ceramic, plastic, or other materials. Structure  8030  may be part of a rear housing structure for device  8010  (e.g., a planar transparent member that forms a rear housing surface, an opaque housing structure, internal supports, etc.). 
     In arrangement in which structure  8010  is formed on the rear surface of device  8010 , layer  8012  may be a planar member such as a layer of glass that forms a rear housing surface structure for device  8010 , a layer of transparent plastic, a layer of transparent ceramic, etc. Layer  8030  may be a layer of cover glass or other display structures, housing structures, internal housing elements, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 31 , transparent layer  8012  may have an internal coating such as coating  8020 . Coating  8020  may be an opaque coating layer such as a layer of black ink. One or more additional layers of material (shown as structures  8038  in  FIG. 31 ) may be attached to layer  8012  if desired. Structures  8038  may include, for example, a sheet of metal, composite layers, layers of plastic, adhesive layers, etc. Structures  8038  may enhance the strength of layer  8012  and may prevent layer  8012  from breaking into individual pieces in the event that device  8010  is dropped. 
     Flash unit  8032  may be based on one or more light-emitting diodes (e.g., white light-emitting diodes) or any other light source. During flash discharge events (or continuous illumination), flash unit  8032  produces light  8034 . Light  8034  may be used to illuminate a subject (e.g., a person who is being photographed by the user of device  8010 ). A flash lens such as lens  8036  may be formed within an opening (flash window opening) in black ink layer  8020 . Lens  8036  may be, for example, a Fresnel lens that is formed from a pattern of ridges impressed in ultraviolet-light-cured epoxy. Lens  8036  may be cut from a sheet of lenses and glued onto the inner surface of planar transparent structure  8012  with optically clear adhesive. Lens  8036  may be used to help concentrate light  8034  in the direction of the subject that is being illuminated. 
     Because layer  8012  is transparent, light  8034  may be reflected within layer  8012 . To prevent camera module  8028  from receiving stray rays of light  8034 , camera window  8016  may be provided with an opaque light-blocking structure such as camera window sleeve  8018 . Sleeve  8018  may be formed from an opaque substance such as stainless steel, other metals, plastic, etc. A transparent camera window element such as camera window element  8022  may be mounted within sleeve  8018 . Window element  8022  may be formed from a disk of transparent material such as glass, plastic, or ceramic (as examples). 
     Alternating high-index-of-refraction and low-index-of-refraction layers may be used to form an infrared light-blocking filter such as infrared filter  8024  on the interior surface of window element  8022 . Camera module  8028  may have a lens such as lens  8026 . During operation of camera module  8028 , image light  8014  is received through window  8016  (i.e., through transparent element  8022  and associated infrared filter layers  8024 ) and enters camera module  8028  via lens  8026 . 
     Camera sleeve  8018  may be attached to planar transparent structure  8012  using adhesive, fasteners, engagement structures, etc. In the example of  FIG. 31 , sleeve  8018  has been attached to structure  8012  using a layer of adhesive (layer  8040 ) that is interposed between camera sleeve  8018  and ink layer  8020 . 
       FIG. 32  is an exploded perspective view of device  8010  showing how camera module  8028  and flash unit  8032  may be mounted to a support structure such as structure  8046 . Structure  8046  may include layers of plastic, metal, ceramics, composites, etc. For example, structure  8046  may include a metal heat sink structure. 
       FIG. 32  shows how camera sleeve  8088 , which may sometimes be referred to as a camera trim or camera window trim, may have a planar base member such as member  8044 . Member  8044  may have a hole such a circular hole. Camera sleeve  8088  may also have a cylindrical tube member  8042  that mates with the hole in member  8044 . Cylindrical tube member  8042  and base member  8044  may be formed form a single piece of material (e.g., a unitary machined metal part) or may be formed by welding or otherwise connecting cylindrical tube member  8042  to base member  8044 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment, electronic device structures are provided that include: a planar transparent member, an opening in the planar transparent member that forms a camera window, an opaque camera window sleeve in the opening, and a transparent camera window element in the sleeve. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, electronic device structures are provided wherein the planar transparent member includes a glass housing surface member that is coated with an opaque material and wherein the opaque material has an opening that forms a flash window in the planar transparent member. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, electronic device structures are provided that also include a flash unit that emits light through the flash window, wherein the opaque camera window sleeve blocks the light from the flash unit. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, electronic device structures are provided that also include a camera module that receives image light through the transparent camera window element. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, electronic device structures are provided that also include an infrared-light-blocking filter layer on the transparent camera window element. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, electronic device structures are provided wherein the opaque camera window sleeve comprises metal, wherein the opaque camera window sleeve has a cylindrical tube portion, and wherein the opaque camera window sleeve has a planar base portion that is mounted to an inner surface of the glass housing surface member using adhesive. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20100604
Publication Date: 20131217
Grant Date: 20131217
Priority Date: 20100419
Inventors: WEBER TRENT
MYERS SCOTT
PAKULA DAVID A.
HILL MATTHEW
WANG ERIK L.
DINH RICHARD HUNG MINH
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N23/50", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N23/50", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/351", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G03B17/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B23K26/351", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 44787950