I 111111111111111111111 1111111111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US008965449B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Alvarez Rivera et al.
`
`( 10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`Feb.24,2015
`
`(54) DEV[CESAND METIIODS FOR PROVIDING
`ACCESS TO [NTERNAL COMPONENT
`
`(56)
`
`References C ited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, San Jose, CA
`(US); Richard Dung Minh Dinh.
`Cupertino, CA (US); Scott A. Myers,
`San Francisco. CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: A pple Cnc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 812 days.
`
`EP
`KR
`
`7.215,881 B2
`7.447,772 B2
`2007/ 0255961 A I •
`
`5/2007 Borngraber cl al.
`11/2008 Natsuno el al.
`11/2007 Tracy el al. .................. 713/ I 86
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`10/ 2007
`1850205
`20-1999-002596 I
`7/ 1999
`(Continued)
`
`OTHE R PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/082,118
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`A pr. 7, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0258773Al
`
`Oct. 11 , 2012
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2013.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H 04M 1/00
`G06F 1116
`G06F 21/32
`G06F 21183
`H04L29/06
`H04W 12106
`U.S.CI.
`CPC .............. G06F 111656 (2013.01): G06F 21/32
`(2013.01): G06F 21/83 (2013 .01): G06F
`1/ 1684 (2013.01); H04L 63/0861 (2013 .01):
`H04W 12106 (2013.0 1); G06F 222//2101
`(2013.01)
`USPC ..................... 455/552.1 : 455/566; 455/556.2:
`455/550. 1
`
`Field of Classification Search
`C PC .... .............. .... ... H04 W 12/00; G06K 9/00006
`USPC ............. 455/556.1, 556.2, 550.l , 566, 552.l.
`455/410. 411, 414.1, 418; 370/329, 401;
`345/ 58, 82, 522, 589. 173. 6. 629
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`International Search Report and Wrineo Opinion dated Sep. 26.
`20 I 2, PCT/US20 I 2/03 l 663, I 8 pages.
`(Continue.xi)
`
`Primary Examiner -
`John J Lee
`(74) Attorney, Agent. or Firm - Brownstein Hyatt Farber
`Schreck, LLP
`
`ABSTRAC T
`(57)
`Systems. methods, and devices arc disclosed for applying
`concealment of components of au electronic device. ln one
`embodiment, an electronic device may include a component
`that is d isposed behind a wiodow configured to selectively
`become transparent or opaque. such as a polymer-dispersed
`liquid crystal (PLDC) w indow. TI1e component includes an
`image capture device, a strobe flash. a biometric sensor, a
`light sensor. a proximity sensor. or a solar panel, or a combi(cid:173)
`nation thereof. Additionally, the electronic device includes
`data processing circuitry co1ifigurcd to detenninc when au
`event requesting that the component be exposed occurs. Fur(cid:173)
`thennore, the electro11ic device includes a window control )er
`that may control the window to become transparent, to expose
`the component upon the occurrence of the event requesting
`that rhe component be exposed.
`
`18 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`=
`
`=
`
`164
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`18
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`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`US 8,965,449 B2
`Page2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DO UMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`
`WO 02/ 103504
`WO 2008/030976
`
`12/2002
`3/2008
`
`2008/0266773 Al"' 10/2008 Szolyga. et al.
`2009/0273562 Al
`1112009 Bali ga ct al.
`3/20 l.O Pelfrey
`20 I 0/0066928 A I
`
`... ............ 361/683
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DO UMENTS
`
`OTl--1 · R PlJBLJ ATIONS
`
`Korean Office Action dated Sep. 26, 2014, KR I0-201J-7028335, 14
`pages.
`
`KR
`
`I 0-2003-0014946
`
`212003
`
`"'cited by examiner
`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00002
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
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`

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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00003
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
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`US 8,965,449 B2
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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00004
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`(cid:143)
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00005
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00006
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`90
`
`90
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`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00007
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`r110
`
`112
`
`COMPONENT HIDDEN
`BENEATH WINDOW
`
`WINDOW
`CONTROLLER OPENS
`..---IM THE WINDOW TO EXPOSE
`THE PREVIOUSLY
`HIDDEN COMPONENT
`
`WINDOW CONTROLLER
`CLOSES WINDOW
`
`FIG. 8
`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00008
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
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`20A v- 36
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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00009
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`r140
`
`142
`
`BIOMETRIC
`COMPONENT HIDDEN
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`NO
`
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`OPENS WINDOW OVER
`BIOMETRIC COMPONENT TO
`EXPOSE THE PREVIOUSLY
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`156
`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00010
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

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`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`(cid:143)
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
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`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
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`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
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`IPR2019-00611 Page 00014
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.24,2015
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
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`US 8,965,449 B2
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`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`1
`DEVICES ANO METHODS FOR PROVIDCNG
`ACCESS TO CNTERNAL COMPONENT
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`event associated with the comp(luent, a window controller
`may make transparent, or "open," the window to expose the
`component. To provide one example. such an event may
`occur when a feature of the electronic device requests expo-
`s sure o.f concealed components. For example, when an image
`capt,trc application of the electro1uc device is not in use. an
`image capture device and/or associated strobe may remain
`hidden behind an electronic window in the enclosure of the
`electronic device. Upo11 detecting this request, the window
`10 controller may open the wi11dow, causing the image capt\1re
`device and/or the associated strobe to suddenly appear from
`out of the enclosure.
`Various refinements of the features noted above may exist
`in relation to various aspects of the present disclosuro. Further
`feat11res n1ay also be .incorporated in these various aspects as
`well. These refinements and additional feanires may exist
`individually or in any combination. For instance, various
`features discussed below in relation to one or more of the
`illust rated embodiments may be .incorporated into any of the
`above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in
`any combination. Again, the brief suilllllary presented above
`is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects
`and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure with(cid:173)
`out limitation to the claimed subject matter.
`
`25
`
`BRJEF DESCRJPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to tbe i1idustrial
`desig11 of an electronic device and, more particularly. to tech(cid:173)
`niques for hiding components of an electronic device behind
`a window, such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC)
`window, while such components arc not in use.
`Tius section is intended to introduce the reader 10 various
`aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the
`present techniques, which are described and/or claimed
`below. This discussion is believed to be helpfi.il in providing
`the reader with background infonnation to facilitate a better 15
`understauding of the various aspec1s of the present disclosure.
`Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are
`to be read in this lig]lt, and not as admissions of prior art.
`Electronic devices are becoming more and more sophisti(cid:173)
`cated, capable of perfonniug a mu.ltitude of tasks from image 20
`capture to identity verification through biometric sensors.
`Providing increased f-unctionality often involves adding com(cid:173)
`ponents to such electronic devices. However. adding more
`components can lead ro a cluttered, unattractive eleciro1J.ic
`device.
`Current techniques for incorporating components into an
`electronic device may be limited by tbe relative sizes of the
`compooelJls and the electronic device. The larger tbe compo(cid:173)
`nents and the smaller the electronic device. the less spatial
`area there may be to incorporate additional components. For 30
`example. a small electronic device where a large display
`covers most of the face of the electronic device may not allow
`for any additioual cornponcnts, such as a fingerprint reader, io
`be added to the electronic device. Furthermore. wider the
`current techniques, adding new components may hann the
`aesthetic appeal of the device by cluttering the electronic
`device enclosure, even though these additional components
`may be seldom or never used by many users. Au electro11ic
`device that incorporates multiple components may lose its
`aesthetic appeal when covered by visible components, par(cid:173)
`ticularly as compared lo a seamless electronic device where
`very few, if any, components of the electro11.ic device are
`visible.
`
`Various aspects of this disclosure may be bet1er understood
`upon reading the following detailed description and upon
`reference to the drawings in which:
`FIG . 1 is a block diagram ofan electronic device capable of
`performing Ll1e techniques disclosed herein, in accordance
`with an embodiment;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a handheld device
`35 representing one embodiment of the electronic device of FIG.
`1;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic back v iew of the handheld device
`illusti:atcd in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view representing layers o fan elec-
`40 tron.ic device enclosure capable of concealing a component
`behind a window in the enclosure as disclosed. herein, in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 5 .is an exploded view representing layers of au elec(cid:173)
`tronic display capable o.f concealing a component behind a
`45 window and transparent display as disclosed herein. in accor(cid:173)
`dance with an embodin1ent;
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment
`of a window selectively configured to be opaque, and thus
`capable of concealing a component as disclosed herein, in
`50 accordance with an embodiment:
`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional v iew illustrating the window of
`FIG. 6 selectively configured to be t·ransparent, and thus
`capable of exposing a component as disclosed hcreio. in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FlG. 8 is a flow chart describing an embodiment of a
`method for controlling the exposure of a component disposed
`behind a window in the electronic device of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating image capt,ire
`fonctionality from a forward facing inlage capture device,
`60 exposed from behind a window.. in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating image capture
`f-unctionality from a rear facing image capt1ire device,
`exposed from behind a window, in accordance with an
`65 embodiment:
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart describing an embodiment. of a
`method for authenticating a user of an elect-ronic device by
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A summary or certain embodiments disclosed herein is sei
`forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are
`presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary
`of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not
`intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this
`disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects thai may noi
`be set forth below.
`TI1e present disclosure generally relates to techniques for
`concealing components of an electronic device behind a win- 55
`dow that can change between opaque and transparent con(cid:173)
`figurations, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal
`(PDLC) window. Since such a window may be hidden behind
`a transparent display or color-matched to seamlessly inte(cid:173)
`grate into an enclosure of the electro1J.ic device, the compo(cid:173)
`nents may remain ludden frot11 view while not in use. When
`desired, the electronic device may expose the concealed com(cid:173)
`ponents by causing the electronic window to change opacity,
`allowing the components to suddenly appear as from out of
`nowhere. Iu accordance with one embodiment. an electronic
`device may include a window with a component of the elec(cid:173)
`tTonic device disposed behind the window. Upon detecting an
`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00016
`
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`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
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`

`3
`using a biometric sensor component disposed behind a win(cid:173)
`dow in the electronic device ofFfG. 1;
`FIGS. 12-14 are schematic diagrams representing pro(cid:173)
`cesses for unlocking an electrnnic device by authenticating a
`user using a concealed biometric sensor of the electronic
`device of FIG. 1, in accordance witb embodiments;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram representing a process for
`authenticating a user of an electronic device, using a con(cid:173)
`cealed biometric sensor, during an e -commerce transaction
`on the electronic device of FJG. 1, in accordance with au
`embodiment: a11d
`FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of a bandheld device
`represent"ing one embodiment of the electronic device ofrl.G.
`1. illustrating concealment of a display of the hand.held 15
`device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`One or more specific embodiments of the present disclo- 20
`sure will be described below. Tbese described embodiments
`are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques.
`Additionally, in an e0-011 lo provide a concise description of
`1hcse embodiments, aJI features of an actual implementation
`may not he described in the specification. It should be appre(cid:173)
`ciated that in tbe development of any such actl1al implemen(cid:173)
`tation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous
`in1plemeniation-specific decisions must be made to achieve
`the developers' specific goals. such as compliaucc with sys(cid:173)
`tem-related a11d business-related constraints, which may vary
`from one implementatiou to another. Moreover, it should be
`appreciated that such a development effort might be complex
`and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine
`undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those
`of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
`When introducing clements of various embodiments oft he
`present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are
`intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.
`The terms "comprising," "including.'' and "having" are
`intendL-d to be inclusive and mean that there may be addi(cid:173)
`tional elements otber thau the listed elements.Additionally, ii
`should be understood that references to "oneembodimen1" or
`"an embodiment'' of the present disclosure are not intended to
`be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional
`embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
`ll1e present disclosure generally provides techniques for
`enhancing the fonctionality and aesthetic appeal of an elec(cid:173)
`tronic device by concealing components of the electronic
`device behind a window (e.g .. a PDLC window). To avoid
`clunering the enclosure of an electronic device with various
`seldom-used components. many different electronic device
`components may be concealed behind one or more window(s)
`in the electronic device. Perhaps most notewo.rthy are com(cid:173)
`ponents that have trnditionally required external exposure to
`light or that emit light. For example. these "visually-depen(cid:173)
`dent components" may include a fingerp1int scanner, an
`image capture device, a strobe, a light sensor, a proximity
`sensor, or a solar panel. Each of these components depend on
`light input or output and thus have traditionally had at least a
`visual input or ou1pu1 portion of the component externally
`exposed when incorporated into an electronic device. Using
`the current techniques, these visually-dependent components
`may be config11red to be exposed only when desired, and
`otherwise may remain hidden from view. These visually(cid:173)
`dependent componeu1s may remain hidden while tbe window
`is "closed," meaning to be controlled to be substantially
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`4
`opaque. These components may become exposed when the
`window is "opened," meaning 10 be controlled to be substan(cid:173)
`tially transparent.
`Disposing components of an electronic device behind a
`s window may p rovide an aesthe1ic benefit lo the electronic
`device by allowing the compouents to remain unseen and
`hidden behind the window until access to the component is
`desired, creating a more seamless electronic device. Further(cid:173)
`more, tbe current techniques provide for exposure of compo-
`1 o nents behind a 1mnsparen1 display of the electronic device,
`providing aesthetic value by allowing exposure to tJ1c com(cid:173)
`ponent from areas that a user would traditionally not expect,
`such as behind an electronic device display. Moreover, by
`increasing the potential areas where a component may be
`disposed, it may be possible to add additional components 10
`an electronic device that otherwise would not fit.
`With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suit-
`able electronic devices for performing the presently disclosed
`techniques is provided below. In particular, FIG. 1 is a block
`diagram depicting various componc111s that may be present in
`an electroLt.ic device suitable for use with the present tech-
`niques. FIGS. 2 and 3 represent one example of a suitable
`electronic device, wbich may be, as illuslrt1ted, a handheld
`electronic device having component coucea.lment capabili-
`25 ties.
`Turuil1g first to FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 for perform(cid:173)
`ing the presently disclosed techniques may include, among
`other tbings, one <1r more processors 12, memory 14, non(cid:173)
`volatile storage 16, a display 18, image capture devicc(s) 20,
`30 a window controller 22, one or more window(s) 24. an 1/0
`interface 26, a network interface 28, input structures 30, a
`strobe 32, and a biometric sensor 34 (e.g., a fingerprint
`reader). As will be discussed filrtber below, the window con(cid:173)
`troller 22 may be con.figured to open a window 24 disposed
`35 above certain of these components, such as image capture
`device(s) 20, a strobe 32, ancVor a biometric sensor 34 . The
`various functioual blocks showu in FIG. l may include hard(cid:173)
`ware elements (including circuitry), software elements (in(cid:173)
`cluding computer code stored on a computer-readable
`40 medium) or a combination of both hardware and software
`elements. Further, FIG. 1 is onJy one example of a particular
`implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types
`of components that may be present in the electronic device 10.
`Before continuing, it should be understood. that the syste m
`45 block diagram of the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is
`intended to be a high-level control diagram depicting various
`components that may be included in such an electronic device
`10. That is, Ule illustrated co,rn<--ction lines between each
`individual component shown in FIG. 1 may not necessarily
`50 represent paths or directions through wlt.ich data flows or is
`transmitted between various components of the electronic
`device 10. Indeed, as discussed below,
`the depicted
`processor(s) 12 may, in some embodiments, include multiple
`processors, such as a main processor (e.g., CPU), and. dedi-
`55 cated image and/or video processors.
`The p.rocessor(s) 12 and/or other data processing circuitry
`may be opcrably coupled with the memory 14 and the non(cid:173)
`volatile storage J 610 perform various a lgorithms for carrying
`out the presently disclosed techniques. Such programs or
`60 instrnctions executed by the processor(s) 12 may be stored in
`any suitable manufacture that includes one or more tangible,
`computer-readable media at least collectively storing the
`instrnctions or routines, such as the memory 14 and the non(cid:173)
`volatile storage 16. lo example, non-volatile storage 16 may
`65 include ROM. CD-ROM. or RAM. AJso. programs (e.g .. an
`operating system) encoded on such memory 14 or non-vola(cid:173)
`tile storage 16 may also include instructions that may be
`
`IPR2019-00611 Page 00017
`
`Apple and Samsung Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., and
`Samsung Electronics America, Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00611
`Page 00001
`
`

`

`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`5
`executed by the processor(s) 12 to enable the electronic
`device 10 to provide various functionalities, including those
`described herein.
`The display J.8 may be a touch-screen display that may
`enable users to interact with a graphical user interface of the s
`electronic device 10. The display 18 may be any suitable type
`of display. such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma
`display. or a transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED)
`display, for example. Tbe 1/0 interface 26 may enable t11e
`electronic device lO to interface with various other electronic Io
`devices, as may the network interface 28. Tl1e network inter(cid:173)
`face 28 may include, for example. an interface for a personal
`area network (PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local
`area network (LAN). such as an 802.J lx Wi-Fi network.
`and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3G or 4G 15
`cellular network.
`The image capnire device(s) 20 may include a digital cam-
`era configured to acquire still and/or moving images (e.g ..
`video). ll1e image capture devicc(s) 20 may include a lens
`and one or more image sensors configured to capture and 20
`convert light into electrical signals. By way of example, the
`image sensor may include a CMOS image sensor (e.g., a
`C MOS active-pixel sensor (APS)) or a CCD (charge-coupled
`device) sensor. Generally, the image sensor in the image
`capture device(s) 20 may include :m integrated circuit having 25
`an array of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a photodetec-
`tor for sensing light from an image scene. The functionality of
`t11e image capture devicc(s) 20 may be enhanced by tbe use of
`a strobe 32. ·n1c strobe 32 may include a light emitting diode
`(LED) Ught source configured 10 illuminate the subject of the 30
`image capture device(s) 20.
`Tbe biometric sensor 34, sucb as a fingerprint reader, may
`be cot1figurnd to take an optical scan of a subject at1d compare
`the scanned image to a stored image. The stored image data
`may be retrieved from the memory 14 and/or non-volatile 35
`storage 16. Based on the scan by the biometric sensor 34, the
`electronic device 10 may veriJ'y the identity of the user. lden-
`ti ty verification may provide a more secure electronic pur(cid:173)
`chase method as well as a more secure uuJocking method for
`the electronic device 10.
`Rather than clutter the electronic device J.O, certain com(cid:173)
`ponents such as the imagecapturedevice(s) 20, strobe 32, and
`biometric sensor 34 may be disposed bebind one or more
`wit1dow(s) 24, hidden from vit-w when nol in use. The win(cid:173)
`dow(s) 24 may be tailored to any shape or size suitable for
`concealing the underlying components. The window(s) 24,
`when closed, are opaque. When opened, the window(s) 24
`become transparent, exposing these compommts disposed
`behind the window 24. For example, as shown by a handheld
`device 36 of Fl GS. 2 and 3. which represents one embodiment so
`of the elecn·onic device 10 of FIG. 1, a window 24A may
`conceal the image captme device 20A, a window 24B may
`conceal a biotnetric sensor 34, a window 24C may conceal an
`image capture device 20B, and a window 24D may conceal a
`strobe 32. These windows 24A. 248. 24C. and 24D may be 55
`opened only around tbe components over whic)1 they are
`disposed. That is, although the windows 24A, 24B, 24C, and
`240 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to be rectangular in shape,
`these windows 24A. 248, 24C. and 24D may be designed to
`open in a shape corresponding to the componems that they 60
`conceal.
`ll1e handhcld device 36 ofFIGS. 2 and 3 may represent, for
`example, a cellular phone, a portable phone, a media player.
`a personal data organizer, a handbeld game platform, a tablet
`computer. a notebook computer. or any combinatjon of such 65
`devices. By way of example, t:he haudheld device 36 may be
`a model of an iPad®, iPod®, iPhone®, or Macbook® avail-
`
`6
`able from Apple lnc. ofCupe1iino, Calif. F1G. 2 depicts the
`front ofhandheld device 36, while FJG. 3 depicts the back of
`handheld device 36.
`The handheld device 36 may include an enclosure 38 to
`protect interior components from physical damage and to
`shield them from ek-ctromagnetic interference. TI1e enclo(cid:173)
`sure 38 may include windows 24A and 24B configured 10
`conceal components such as an image capture device 20 and
`biometric sensor 34. respectively. By concealing 1he image
`capture device 20 and the biometric sensor 34 behiud the
`enclosure 38, these compouems may remain unseen when not
`in use. For example. when the image caplllre device 20 and
`the biometric sensor 34 are not in use, they may be concealed
`by selectively causing the windows 24A and 248 to be
`o_paque, or "closed." Since the windows 24A and 24B may be
`color-matched so as to he indistinguishable from the enclo-
`sure 38, the enclosure 38 may appear seamJess when the
`windows 24A and 248 are closed. When a concealed com(cid:173)
`ponent is to be in use, such as image capture device 20 and/or
`biomelric sensor 34, they may be ex_pose<l from beneath the
`enclosure 38 by selectively causing the windows 24A and/or
`248 to become traDSparent, or ''open." Components such as
`ilie image capttu:c device 20 and the biometric sensor 34 may
`be exposed for as long as desired.
`ln some embodiments, components of the handbeld device
`36, such as the image capture device 20 and the biometric
`sensor 34, may be selectively exposed when certain compo(cid:173)
`nent-using features of the handhe]d device 36 are activated.
`By way of example. an image ca_pt11rc featl!re oflhe handheld
`device 36. which may employ the image capture device 20.
`may become activated when a user elects to nm a camera
`application selectable via a graphical user interface (GUl) 40.
`1n general, the GUl 40 may include one or more icons 42 for
`providing access to featmes of the handheld device 36 (e.g.,
`applications. featmes of an operating system of the handheld
`device 36, feal11res of firmware of the handheld device 36, and
`so forth). At times during the use of such features, the features
`may utiliz.e components of the handJJeld device 36 that may
`be hidden behind a window 24 (e.g., the image capture device
`40 20 hidden behind the window 24A or the biometric sensor 34
`hidden behind