Electronic device display module

• US 8,638,549 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2010
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Garelli, Adam T., Mathew, Dinesh C., Wilson, Thomas W. Jr., Hendren, Keith J., Augenbergs, Peteris K., Degner, Brett W., Hamel, Bradley J., Kessler, Patrick, Damlanakis, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US12/862,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20120050975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.02, 361/679.21, 361/679.55, 36167926-6793, 361/679.56
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235

Abstract

Electronic devices may have housings. A housing may contain a display on its front face and a rear plate such as a plate formed from glass on its rear face. A peripheral housing member may surround the display and rear plate. An antenna may be formed in the peripheral housing member. The rear plate may be formed from laminated layers including a light guide layer. Device hinges may include hinge structures that are integral to the peripheral housing member. A logo may be formed by coating the rear plate with a patterned masking layer. Display structures for the display and the rear plate may be mounted to opposing sides of a shelf portion of the peripheral housing member. The rear plate may be formed from electrochromic glass and may cover photovoltaic cells and touch sensors. Driver boards may be mounted within a clutch barrel perpendicular to the display.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

upper and lower housings, wherein the upper housing has a front surface and a rear surface;

a hinge connecting the upper and lower housings;

a display mounted that forms a portion of the front surface of the upper housing, wherein the display has four edges;

a peripheral housing member that surrounds the four edges of the display; and

a rectangular plate that is mounted within the peripheral housing member, wherein the rectangular plate at least partially forms the rear surface of the upper housing.

2. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises metal.

3. The portable computer defined in claim 2 wherein the rectangular plate comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

metal, glass, ceramic, fiber composite, and plastic.

4. The portable computer defined in claim 2 wherein the rectangular plate comprises glass.

5. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises fiber composite material.

6. The portable computer defined in claim 5 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an opening in which an antenna is formed.

7. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an integral shelf structure, wherein the display comprises at least one planar member that is mounted to a first side of the integral shelf structure, and wherein the rectangular plate is mounted to a second side of the integral shelf structure.

8. The portable computer defined in claim 7 further comprising:

a clutch barrel that covers the hinge; and

a display driver board mounted within the clutch barrel.

9. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the peripheral housing member comprises an integral shelf structure, the portable computer further comprising at least one light-emitting diode mounted on the integral shelf structure.

10. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising a shelf structure that is attached to the peripheral housing member, wherein the rectangular plate is mounted to the peripheral housing member.

11. The portable computer defined in claim 10 further comprising at least one light-emitting diode mounted on the shelf structure.

12. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a touch screen having a touch sensor array.

13. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the display has at least one curved corner.

14. The portable computer defined in claim 13 wherein the peripheral housing member has at least one curved corner.

15. The portable computer defined in claim 1 wherein the rectangular plate has at least one curved corner.

16. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising antenna traces on the rectangular plate.

17. The portable computer defined in claim 1 further comprising a camera that receives light through the rectangular plate.