Integrated camera window
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorDOUGLAS J. WEBER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods for camera integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide a camera window for an electronic device are disclosed. A camera window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.).
Claims18
A consumer electronic product, comprising:
- a housing;
- electrical components disposed at least partially internal to the housing, said electrical components including at least a camera;
- and
- a cover glass coupled to the housing, the cover glass comprising a transparent camera window and an adjacent glass region that is dark or opaque, the camera being arranged adjacent to the transparent camera window, and the adjacent glass region being sufficiently dark or opaque for substantially reducing glare at the camera via the cover glass.
A method for assembling an electronic product, the electronic product including a camera, the method comprising:
- disposing a transparent camera window in an aperture in the cover glass;
- lapping the transparent camera window and an adjacent glass region of the cover glass into a planar exterior surface of the cover glass, the adjacent glass region being sufficiently dark or opaque for substantially reducing glare at the camera via the cover glass;
- and
- subsequently attaching the cover glass to a housing for the electronic product, wherein the transparent camera window is provided adjacent to the camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.