Apple Ex. 1017
`Apple Inc. v. Firstface Co., Ltd.
`IPR2019-00614
`Page 00001
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`US 8,965,449 B2
`Page 2
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`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`
`WO 2008/030976
`
`12/2002
`3/2008
`
`2008/0266773 AL* 10/2008 Szolygaet al. cscs 361/683
`2009/0273562 Al
`11/2009 Baliga etal.
`2010/0066928 Al
`3/2010 Pelfrey
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`KR
`
`10-2003-00 14946
`
`2/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Korean Office Action dated Sep. 26, 2014, KR 10-2013-7028335, 14
`pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00002
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00002
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`ee2AMOWSN
`
`SOIRSeALdvo
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`ADVE
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`MOCNIM
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`YATIOSLNOD
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`moan|
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`SOVANSLNI
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00003
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00003
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`xf
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`pd
`WEATHER
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`ets
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00004
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00004
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`36 —~y
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00005
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00005
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`FIG. 4
`
`80-—~4
`FIG. 5
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00006
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00007
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`110
`
`io
`
`EVENT,
`ASSOCIATED “\,
`~
`WITHACONCEALED
`“COMPONENT
`
`“COMPLETE?
`
`WINDOW
`|
`CONTROLLER OPENS
`|
`m THE WINDOW TO EXPOSE |
`THE PREVIOUSLY
`HIDDEN COMPONENT
`
`7 SSOCIATED
`WITH CONCEALED
`“COMPONENT
`
`FIG. 8
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00008
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`

`

`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`
`
`| oS owiHA
`2 ( HIDDEN |
`
`|
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00009
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`“USER AY
`< AUTHENTICATION
`REQUESTED?
`
`>>
`
`|
`OPENS WINDOW OVER
`|
`| BIOMETRIC COMPONENT TO|
`| EXPOSE THE PREVIOUSLY |
`|
`HIDDENCOMPONENT
`|
`
`| INFORMATION iS OBTAINED]
`.
`THROUGH EXPOSED
`|
`
`
`
`IDENTITY
`VERIFIED?
`
`CLOSES WINDOW
`
`FIG. 11
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00010
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24
`
`’
`
`2015
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`2US 8
`
`965,449 B2
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`doVId
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`dadVvayLNleddusonid
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00011
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00011
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`

`

`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`“ASNONIOVSAY
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00012
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24
`
`’
`
`2015
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`N
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00013
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00013
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24
`
`’
`
`2015
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`
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`_3uSHNOOTSSVI
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`dod
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`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00014
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00014
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 24, 2015
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`
`(5)suetountoow
`SLIDETOUNLOCK SLIDETOUNLOCK
`
`FIG.16
`
`IPR2019-00614 Page 00015
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`IPR2019-00614 Page 00015
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`

`

`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`1
`DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING
`ACCESS TO INTERNAL COMPONENT
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The present disclosure relates generally to the industrial
`design of an electronic device and, more particularly, to tech-
`niques for hiding components of an electronic device behind
`a window,such as a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC)
`window, while such componentsare notin use.
`This section is intended to introduce the reader to 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 helpful in providing
`the reader with backgroundinformation to facilitate a better
`understanding ofthe various aspects ofthe present disclosure.
`Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are
`to be readin this light, and not as admissionsofpriorart.
`Electronic devices are becoming more and more sophisti-
`cated, capable of performing a multitude of tasks from image
`capture to identity verification through biometric sensors.
`Providing increased functionality often involves adding com-
`ponents to such electronic devices. However, adding more
`components can lead to a cluttered, unattractive electronic
`device.
`Current techniques for incorporating components into an
`electronic device may be limited by the relative sizes of the
`components and the electronic device. The larger the compo-
`nents and the smaller the electronic device, the less spatial
`area there may be to incorporate additional components. For
`example, a small electronic device where a large display
`covers mostofthe face ofthe electronic device may not allow
`for any additional components, such as a fingerprint reader, to
`be added to the electronic device. Furthermore, under the
`current techniques, adding new components may harm 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. An electronic
`device that incorporates multiple components may lose its
`aesthetic appeal when covered by visible components, par-
`ticularly as compared to a seamless electronic device where
`very few, if any, components of the electronic device are
`visible.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Asummary of certain embodiments disclosed hereinis set
`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 that may not
`be set forth below.
`The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for
`concealing componentsof an electronic device behind a win-
`dow that can change between opaque andtransparent con-
`figurations, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal
`(PDLC)window. Since such a window maybe hidden behind
`a transparent display or color-matched to seamlessly inte-
`grate into an enclosure of the electronic device, the compo-
`nents may remain hidden from view while not in use. When
`desired, the electronic device may expose the concealed com-
`ponents by causing the electronic window to change opacity,
`allowing the components to suddenly appear as from out of
`nowhere. In accordance with one embodiment, an electronic
`device may include a window with a componentofthe elec-
`tronic device disposed behind the window. Upondetecting an
`
`2
`event associated with the component, a window controller
`may maketransparent, 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-
`sure of concealed components. For example, when an image
`capture application of the electronic 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
`
`10
`
`electronic device. Upon detecting this request, the window
`controller may open the window, causing the image capture
`device and/or the associated strobe to suddenly appear from
`out of the enclosure.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Various refinements of the features noted above may exist
`in relationto various aspects ofthe present disclosure. Further
`features mayalso be incorporated in these various aspects as
`well. These refinements and additional features may exist
`individually or in any combination. For instance, various
`features discussed below in relation to one or more of the
`illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the
`above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in
`any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above
`is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects
`and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure with-
`out limitation to the claimed subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Various aspects ofthis disclosure may be better understood
`upon reading the following detailed description and upon
`reference to the drawings in which:
`FIG. 1isa block diagram of an electronic device capable of
`performing the techniques disclosed herein, in accordance
`with an embodiment;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a handheld device
`representing one embodimentofthe electronic device of FIG.
`1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic back view of the handheld device
`illustrated in FIG.2;
`FIG.4 is an exploded view representing layers of an elec-
`tronic 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 an elec-
`tronic display capable of concealing a component behind a
`window and transparent display as disclosed herein, in accor-
`dance with an embodiment;
`FIG.6 is across-sectional view illustrating an embodiment
`of a windowselectively configured to be opaque, and thus
`capable of concealing a componentas disclosed herein, in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG.7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the window of
`FIG. 6 selectively configured to be transparent, and thus
`capable of exposing a component as disclosed herein, in
`accordance with an embodiment;
`FIG. 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 capture
`functionality from a forward facing image capture device,
`exposed from behind a window,
`in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating image capture
`functionality from a rear facing image capture device,
`exposed from behind a window,
`in accordance with an
`embodiment;
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart describing an embodiment of a
`method for authenticating a user of an electronic device by
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`

`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`3
`using a biometric sensor component disposed behind a win-
`dow in the electronic device of FIG. 1;
`FIGS. 12-14 are schematic diagrams representing pro-
`cesses for unlocking an electronic device by authenticating a
`user using a concealed biometric sensor of the electronic
`device of FIG.1, in accordance with embodiments;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram representing a process for
`authenticating a user of an electronic device, using a con-
`cealed biometric sensor, during an e-commerce transaction
`on the electronic device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an
`embodiment; and
`FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of a handheld device
`
`representing one embodimentofthe electronic device of FIG.
`1,
`illustrating concealment of a display of the handheld
`device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`One or more specific embodiments of the present disclo-
`sure will be described below. These described embodiments
`
`are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques.
`Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of
`these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation
`maynotbe described in the specification. It should be appre-
`ciated that in the developmentof any such actual implemen-
`tation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous
`implementation-specific decisions must be madeto achieve
`the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with sys-
`tem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary
`from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be
`appreciated that such a developmenteffort 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.
`Whenintroducing elements ofvarious embodiments of the
`present disclosure,
`the articles “a,” “an; and “the” are
`intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements.
`
`The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are
`intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be addi-
`tional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally,it
`should be understoodthat references to “one embodiment”or
`
`“an embodiment”ofthe present disclosure are not intended to
`be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional
`embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
`The present disclosure generally provides techniques for
`enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of an elec-
`tronic device by concealing components of the electronic
`device behind a window (e.g., a PDLC window). To avoid
`cluttering 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 noteworthy are com-
`ponents that havetraditionally required external exposure to
`light or that emit light. For example, these “visually-depen-
`dent components” may include a fingerprint 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 havetraditionally hadatleast a
`visual input or output portion of the component externally
`exposed when incorporated into an electronic device. Using
`the current techniques, these visually-dependent components
`may be configured to be exposed only when desired, and
`otherwise may remain hidden from view. These visually-
`dependent components may remain hidden while the window
`is “closed,’ meaning to be controlled to be substantially
`
`4
`opaque. These components may become exposed when the
`windowis “opened,” meaning to be controlled to be substan-
`tially transparent.
`Disposing components of an electronic device behind a
`window may provide an aesthetic benefit to the electronic
`device by allowing the components to remain unseen and
`hidden behind the window until access to the componentis
`desired, creating a more seamless electronic device. Further-
`more, the current techniques provide for exposure of compo-
`nents behind a transparent display of the electronic device,
`providing aesthetic value by allowing exposure to the com-
`ponent from areas that a user wouldtraditionally 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 to
`an electronic device that otherwise would notfit.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suit-
`able electronic devices for performingthe presently disclosed
`techniquesis provided below. In particular, FIG. 1 is a block
`diagram depicting various components that may be present in
`an electronic device suitable for use with the present tech-
`niques. FIGS. 2 and 3 represent one example of a suitable
`electronic device, which maybe,as illustrated, a handheld
`electronic device having component concealment capabili-
`ties.
`Turningfirst to FIG.1, an electronic device 10 for perform-
`ing the presently disclosed techniques may include, among
`other things, one or more processors 12, memory 14, non-
`volatile storage 16, a display 18, image capture device(s) 20,
`a window controller 22, one or more window(s) 24, an I/O
`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 further below, the window con-
`troller 22 may be configured to open a window 24 disposed
`above certain of these components, such as image capture
`device(s) 20, a strobe 32, and/or a biometric sensor 34. The
`various functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 mayinclude hard-
`ware elements (including circuitry), software elements (in-
`cluding computer code stored on a computer-readable
`medium) or a combination of both hardware and software
`elements. Further, FIG. 1 is only one exampleof a particular
`implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types
`ofcomponents that may be presentin the electronic device 10.
`Before continuing, it should be understoodthat the system
`block diagram of the electronic device 10 shownin FIG. 1 is
`intendedto be a high-level control diagram depicting various
`components that may be includedin such an electronic device
`10. That is, the illustrated connection lines between each
`individual component shown in FIG. 1 may not necessarily
`represent paths or directions through which data flowsor 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-
`cated image and/or video processors.
`The processor(s) 12 and/or other data processing circuitry
`may be operably coupled with the memory 14 andthe non-
`volatile storage 16 to perform various algorithmsfor carrying
`out the presently disclosed techniques. Such programs or
`instructions executed by the processor(s) 12 may bestored in
`any suitable manufacture that includes one or moretangible,
`computer-readable media at least collectively storing the
`instructions or routines, such as the memory 14 andthe non-
`volatile storage 16. In example, non-volatile storage 16 may
`include ROM, CD-ROM,or RAM. Also, programs(e.g., an
`operating system) encoded on such memory 14 or non-vola-
`tile storage 16 may also include instructions that may be
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`

`

`5
`executed by the processor(s) 12 to enable the electronic
`device 10 to provide various functionalities, including those
`described herein.
`
`6
`able from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. FIG. 2 depicts the
`front of handheld device 36, while FIG. 3 depicts the back of
`handheld device 36.
`
`US 8,965,449 B2
`
`The display 18 may be a touch-screen display that may
`enable users to interact with a graphical user interface of the
`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. The I/O interface 26 may enable the
`electronic device 10 to interface with variousother electronic
`
`devices, as may the network interface 28. The network inter-
`face 28 mayinclude, for example, an interface for a personal
`area network (PAN), such as a Bluetooth network,for a local
`area network (LAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network,
`and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3G or 4G
`cellular network.
`
`The image capture device(s) 20 may include a digital cam-
`era configured to acquire still and/or moving images(e.g.,
`video). The image capture device(s) 20 may include a lens
`and one or more image sensors configured to capture and
`convert light into electrical signals. By way of example, the
`image sensor may include a CMOSimagesensor(e.g., a
`CMOSactive-pixel sensor (APS)) or a CCD (charge-coupled
`device) sensor. Generally, the image sensor in the image
`capture device(s) 20 may include an integrated circuit having
`an array of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a photodetec-
`tor for sensing light from an image scene. Thefunctionality of
`the image capture device(s) 20 may be enhancedby the use of
`a strobe 32. The strobe 32 mayincludea light emitting diode
`(LED)light source configuredto illuminate the subject of the
`image capture device(s) 20.
`The biometric sensor 34, such asa fingerprint reader, may
`be configured to take an optical scan of a subject and compare
`the scanned image to a stored image. The stored image data
`maybe retrieved from the memory 14 and/or non-volatile
`storage 16. Based on the scan by the biometric sensor 34, the
`electronic device 10 mayverify the identity of the user. Iden-
`tity verification may provide a more secure electronic pur-
`chase methodas well as a more secure unlocking method for
`the electronic device 10.
`Rather than clutter the electronic device 10, certain com-
`ponents suchas the image capture device(s) 20, strobe 32, and
`biometric sensor 34 may be disposed behind one or more
`window(s) 24, hidden from view whennot in use. The win-
`dow(s) 24 maybetailored 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 components disposed
`behind the window 24. For example, as shown by a handheld
`device 36 of FIGS. 2 and 3, which represents one embodiment
`of the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1, a window 24A may
`conceal the image capture device 20A, a window 24B may
`conceal a biometric sensor 34, a window 24C mayconceal an
`image capture device 20B, and a window 24D mayconceal a
`strobe 32. These windows 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D may be
`opened only around the components over which they are
`disposed. Thatis, although the windows 24A, 24B, 24C, and
`24D are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to be rectangular in shape,
`these windows 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D may be designed to
`open in a shape corresponding to the components that they
`conceal.
`
`The handheld device 36 ofFIGS. 2 and 3 mayrepresent, for
`example, a cellular phone, a portable phone, a media player,
`a personal data organizer, a handheld gameplatform,a tablet
`computer, a notebook computer, or any combination of such
`devices. By way of example, the handheld device 36 may be
`a model of an iPad®, iPod®, iPhone®, or Macbook® avail-
`
`10
`
`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
`
`35
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`40
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`45
`
`50
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`55
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`60
`
`65
`
`The handheld device 36 may include an enclosure 38 to
`protect interior components from physical damage and to
`shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclo-
`sure 38 may include windows 24A and 24B configured to
`conceal components such as an image capture device 20 and
`biometric sensor 34, respectively. By concealing the image
`capture device 20 and the biometric sensor 34 behind the
`enclosure 38, these components may remain unseen when not
`in use. For example, when the image capture device 20 and
`the biometric sensor 34are notin use, they may be concealed
`by selectively causing the windows 24A and 24B to be
`opaque, or“closed.” Since the windows 24A and 24B maybe
`color-matched so as to be indistinguishable from the enclo-
`sure 38, the enclosure 38 may appear seamless when the
`windows 24A and 24Bare closed. When a concealed com-
`ponentis to be in use, such as image capture device 20 and/or
`biometric sensor 34, they may be exposed from beneath the
`enclosure 38 by selectively causing the windows 24A and/or
`24B to becometransparent, or “open.” Components such as
`the image capture device 20 and the biometric sensor 34 may
`be exposedfor as long as desired.
`In some embodiments, componentsof the handheld device
`36, such as the image capture device 20 and the biometric
`sensor 34, may be selectively exposed when certain compo-
`nent-using features of the handheld device 36 are activated.
`By wayof example, an image capture feature ofthe handheld
`device 36, which may employ the image capture device 20,
`may becomeactivated when a user elects to run a camera
`application selectable via a graphicaluser interface (GUI) 40.
`In general, the GUI 40 mayinclude one or more icons 42 for
`providing access to features of the handheld device 36 (e.g.,
`applications, features of an operating system of the handheld
`device 36, features of firmware ofthe handheld device 36, and
`so forth). At times during the useof such features, the features
`may utilize components of the handheld device 36 that may
`be hidden behind a window 24 (e.g., the image capture device
`20 hidden behind the window 24A or the biometric sensor 34
`
`hidden behind the window 24B). Thus, in some embodi-
`ments, when the handheld device 36 detects that a feature
`(e.g., a camera application) that is expected to use a hidden
`component (e.g., the image capture device 20) has been
`selected via the GUI 40, the window controller 22 of FIG. 1
`mayopen the associated window 24 (e.g., the window 24A).
`Whenthe handheld device 36 detects that the utilization ofthe
`
`component(e.g., the image capture device 20) is no longer
`desired by the feature of the handheld device 36 (e.g., the
`camera application is closed), the window controller 22 may
`close the window 24, hiding the component.
`The technique of exposing concealed components is not
`limited to dynamically changing window 24 opacity upon the
`launch of applications within the electronic device 10. For
`example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the back of the handheld
`device 36 may have two windows 24C and 24D disposed
`above an image capture device 20 and a strobe 32, respec-
`tively. Other embodiments may include more or fewer win-
`dows24 and corresponding concealed components. Initially,
`the windows 24C and 24D may conceal the image capture
`device 20 and the strobe 32. In one embodiment, the window
`24C disposed above the image capture device 20 may be
`opened by the window controller 22 upon selection of the
`icon 42 of FIG. 2 linking to the camera application. The
`window 24D disposed above the LED strobe 32 may remain
`closed until the camera application determines that increased
`illumination is desired. Upon such a determination, the cam-
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`era application may provide someindication to the window
`controller 22 that the window 24D disposed above the LED
`strobe 32 should be opened. The window controller 22 may
`“open”the window 24D disposed above the LED strobe 32 by
`making the window 24D transparent, exposing the LED
`strobe 32 for use. Upon determining that the strobe 32 is no
`longer desired for use, the camera application may provide
`some indication to the window controller 22 that the window
`24D should be closed. The window controller 22 then may
`cause the window 24D disposed above the LED strobe 32 to
`“close;’ becoming opaque and hiding the LED strobe 32.
`Upon completion of the use of the image capture device 20,
`the window controller 22 may also close the window 24C
`disposed above the image capture device 20, causing the
`image capture device 20 to disappear into the enclosure 38.
`In some embodiments, even the display 18 of an electronic
`device 10 may be concealed. For example, FIGS. 16A and B
`illustrate a handheld device 36 having a window 24 disposed
`above a display 18. As shown in FIG. 16A, whenthe display
`18 is notin use, the window 24 may remain closed, hiding the
`display 18 and giving the appearance of a single seamless
`enclosure without a display 18. When the display 18 is acti-
`vated, the window 24 may be opened, exposing the display
`18, as shown in FIG. 16B. By way of example, the display 18
`may be activated when a user selects certain of the input
`structures 30 of the handheld device 36.
`
`Window(s) 24 may conceal components in the enclosure
`38 and/or, when the display 18 is transparent(e.g., a trans-
`parent OLEDdisplay), underthe display 18 of the electronic
`device 10. For example, FIG. 4 depicts an enclosure system
`50 in which window(s) 24 may hide certain components of an
`electronic device 10, while FIG. 5 depicts an electronic dis-
`play system 80 in which window(s) 24 may hide certain
`components of an electronic device 10. The enclosure system
`50 mayrepresent one embodimentof the enclosure 38 of the
`handheld device 36 depicted in FIG. 2, but may be used as an
`enclosure for any suitable embodiment of the electronic
`device 10.
`
`Tn both the enclosure system 50 and the electronic display
`system 80, a transparent protective cover layer 52 is disposed
`aboveall other layers of the enclosure 38 to provide protec-
`tion to the underlying layers. The transparentprotective cover
`layer 52 may be madeof a transparent material such as glass
`or plastic and may protect lowerlayers of the enclosure sys-
`tem 50 from wear. Several printing layers 54 beneath the
`transparent protective cover layer 52, including an ambient
`light layer 56, an infrared layer 58, and a color layer 60, may
`be printed beneath transparent protective cover layer 52. The
`ambient light layer 56 may provide an indication of the cur-
`rent level of visible light in the immediate environmentout-
`side the device. The infrared layer 58, which may be capable
`of detecting infrared radiation, may be disposed beneath the
`ambient light layer 56. A color layer 60 may be disposed
`beneath the infrared layer. The color layer 60 provides the
`colorto the enclosure. For example, a black enclosure system
`50 would have a black color layer 60. Each of the printing
`layers 54 may have display cutouts 62 above a display 18 to
`allow the display to be seen through the protective cover layer
`52. A capacitive touch layer 66, protected beneath the trans-
`parent protective cover layer 52, may detect touch inputs from
`a user.
`
`In the enclosure system 50, a component 68 ofthe elec-
`tronic device 10 may be concealed in the enclosure. This
`component 68 may represent any suitable componentof the
`electronic device 10, such as the image capture device 20, the
`strobe 32, and/or the biometric sensor 34, to name a few. The
`printing layers 54 each have window cutouts 64 disposed
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`above or below a window 24. The window cutouts 64 may
`allow exposure, through the printing layers 54, ofthe window
`24 and/or a component 68 disposed underneath the window
`24. The window 24 maybe color-matchedto the color layer
`60, such that when the window 24is selectively controlled to
`be opaque, the window 24 may appearindistinguishable from
`the printing layers 54. The window 24 maybe disposed above
`the component68, hiding the component68 from view when
`the window 24 is opaque. The display 18 may be disposed
`below or alongside one or more ofthe transparent protective
`cover layer 52, the printing layers 54, and the touch layer 66,
`or integrated into one or more of these layers. While FIG. 4
`illustrates that the window 24is not disposed directly above
`the display 18, it should be noted that in some embodiments
`(e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 16), the window 24 maybedis-
`posed above the display 18 and mayselectively conceal the
`display 18. When open, the window 24 will allow the com-
`ponent 68 to be exposed through the touch layer 66, the
`printing layers 54, and the transparent protective cover layer
`52.
`
`Like the enclosure system 50 of FIG.4, in the electronic
`display system 80 of FIG. 5, a window 24 may conceal any
`suitable component68of the electronic device. In particular,
`in the electronic display system 80 of FIG. 5, the window 24
`maybe located behinda transparent display 18 (e.g., a trans-
`parent organic light emitting diode (OLED)display) and may
`selectively allow the component68 to appear from behind the
`display 18 as needed. As shownin FIG.5, the display 18 may
`be disposed below or alongside the transparent protective
`coverlayer 52, the printing layers 54, and the touch layer 66.
`The window 24 may be disposed underneath the display 18,
`and, when opaque or closed, may act as a uniform, non-
`reflecting backing layer for the transparent display 18. At
`least some portion of the window 24 may be disposed above
`the component 68 (e.g., image capture device(s) 20 or bio-
`metric sensor 34), concealing the component 68 when the
`window is closed. Whenatleast the portion of the window
`above the component 68 is opened, the window 24 will
`expose the component 68 through the transparent display 18
`and the transparent protective cover layer 52.
`Aspreviously discussed, one embodiment of window 24
`mayinclude a polymerdispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) win-
`dow. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic cross-sectional views of
`
`such a PDLC window 24 controlled by a window controller
`22 to be closed (FIG. 6) or opened (FIG. 7). The PDLC
`window 24 may include a PDLC layer 90, which may be
`controlled to be opened(transparent) or closed (opaque) by
`the window controller 22 on demand. A transparent material
`92 may reside between the PDLC window layer 90 and a
`transparent enclosure 94 of the PDLC window 24. Whenthe
`window controller 22 supplies a control signal, an electrode
`96 may cause the PDLC window 24to open or close. In some
`embodiments, the PDLC window 24 may becometransparent
`or opaque by changing the orientation of the liquid crystal
`molecules via changes in an electric field caused by the elec-
`trode 96. The component 68 (e.g., image capture device(s)
`20) to be concealed may be disposed behind the transparent
`enclosure 94. A transparent substrate 98 outside ofthe PDLC
`layer 90 may protect the PDLC layer 90. While the PDLC
`layer 90 is opaque, as shownin FIG.6, the window 24 may be
`understood to be closed to conceal the component 68.
`When desired, the window controller 22 may cause the
`PDLC window 24 to open, as represented by FIG. 7. As
`shown,the window controller 22 may cause the PDLC layer
`90 to becometransparent, by sending a control signal to the
`electrode 96. When the PDLC layer 90 is transparent, the
`component68 maybe seen throughthe transparent enclosure
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`94, the transparent material 92, and the transparent substrate
`98. Additionally, external l