US20080063218A1 - Machined window undercut - Google Patents

Abstract

A media player comprising a display screen is provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material such as plexiglass or glass. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall. The method can include as well using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player. The method can also include adhering the transparent wall to the housing using the adhesive.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention can relate to methods that improve construction of electronic devices. More specifically, this invention can relate to improving the efficiency of an electronic device stored in a closed-back housing.
• As products compete to be thinner and thinner, it is important to be as space efficient as possible both to make room for other components as well as to improve and ease the assembly process as much as possible.
• In conventional closed-back products, the window normally sits flat on the interior of the housing surface, so no space is saved. More specifically, the window flange simply sits on top of the housing's inner surface.
• Therefore, it would be desirable to increase the volume available for storing components in an electronic device without increasing the device size.
• It would also be desirable to increase the volume available for components in a closed-back electronic device.
• It would be yet further desirable to increase the volume available for storing electronic components in an electronic device while substantially maintaining the structural integrity of the device and attendant level of protection provided to the components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• A trend exists in the computer industry to reduce size, weight and thickness of electronic devices. Typically, any computer part that can be made smaller is made smaller to accommodate this trend. By way of example, the wall thickness of the computer housing has been made thinner over the years. In most instances, decreased wall thickness reduces the overall thickness and weight of the computer, both of which are desired to make a portable computer more portable.
• Nevertheless, making the outer structure thinner to reduce computer weight and thickness has its drawbacks. As a general rule, thicker walls mean stronger walls. Thus, as the walls are thinned, the enclosure becomes more flexible. Consequently, the thinner outer structure can not offer enough support to protect the internal components of the computer. Even when the thinner outer structure is strong enough to protect the internal components, users who have come to expect rigid structures can be unsatisfied.
• Moreover, recently, computer housing designs have been implemented in more complex shapes. These complex designs can create structural problems that result in even more flexible outer shells. The complex shapes can be contoured or curvilinear, which generally reduces the overall strength of the computer housing. The complex shapes also make it increasingly difficult to provide any internal support to offset these problems.
• One embodiment of the invention may be directed to reducing the thickness in the housing in a region surrounding an opening through which a display screen may be viewed. Normally, this display screen is protected by a transparent wall. The transparent wall typically is adhered to the interior surface of the housing around the opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing around the opening is reduced in thickness so a flange of the wall can be placed in the housing. In this embodiment the transparent wall may be flush with the interior surface of the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, the transparent wall may be flush with the exterior surface of the housing as well.
• One purpose of the machined window undercut feature according to the invention is to maximize the space available for the electronics in the z-axis without sacrificing the strength of the housing. In fact the machined window undercut may, in certain embodiments, enhance the strength of the design.
• Furthermore, the undercut feature can allow for a higher capacity (thicker) battery and taller components on the main logic board. The extra space can also make assembly of the electronics into the housing simpler and more efficient. Such space is especially important in selected models of the iPod™ device manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. This is because all the components can be installed through the top (or bottom) of the product in this closed-back device and more space in along the z-axis—i.e., the axis that runs vertically, toward the viewer, when the viewer looks into the screen of the device—maybe necessary.
• The undercut window feature according to the invention can be created by machining a recess in the area where the window will mate with the inside of the housing. Because this product has a closed-back cosmetic housing, a special cutter may be needed to create this recess feature.
• In one embodiment of the invention, the housing for the device is extruded aluminum. The recess for the window can be cut just deep enough to allow the housing to maintain its minimum wall thickness—i.e., the wall thickness necessary to maintain the structural integrity of the device and to sufficiently protect the internal components—in that area. The window can then be adhered to the housing in this recess, thereby saving space along the z-axis.
• Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention can facilitate manufacturing electronic devices having certain housing designs such as closed backs. While conventional close-back device may present manufacturing issues, the housing of the electronic device may help to alleviate these issues, as described above, by allowing more space in the z-axis.
• A media player comprising a display screen is also provided. The media player can include a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening. The media player can also include a transparent wall having a flange. Alternatively, the transparent wall may not require a flange but rather can be a flat, substantially transparent piece of material. The flange can be adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness in order to form a transparent protective cover for the display screen. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided. The method can include forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player. The method can also include adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall and using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player. The method can also include adhering the transparent wall to the housing using the adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a media player that may be designed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the screen portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is cross-sectional taken from line A-A ofFIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 is an exploded portion taken from line B-B of the cross-sectional shown inFIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a media player housing and special cutter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 7 is a side plan view taken from line C-C of a media player housing and special cutter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 8 is another perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 9 an exploded portion similar to the exploded portion shown inFIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing a method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing another method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the screen portion of a media player in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken from line D-D of the screen portion inFIG. 12 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the description of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of amedia player100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The term “media player” generally refers to computing devices that are dedicated to processing media such as audio, video or other images, as for example, music players, game players, video players, video recorders, cameras, and the like. In some cases, the media players contain single functionality (e.g., a media player dedicated to playing music) and in other cases the media players contain multiple functionality (e.g., a media player that plays music, displays video, stores pictures and the like). In either case, these devices are generally portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels.
• In one embodiment, the media player can be a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket of the user. By being pocket sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a laptop or notebook computer). For example, in the case of a music player, a user can use the device while working out at the gym. In case of a camera, a user can use the device while mountain climbing. In the case of a game player, the user can use the device while traveling in a car. Furthermore, the device can be operated by the users' hands; no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. In the illustrated embodiment, themedia player100 is a pocket sized hand held MP3 music player that allows a user to store a large collection of music. Although used primarily for storing and playing music, the MP3 music player shown herein can also include additional functionality such as storing a calendar and phone lists, storing and playing games, storing photos and the like. In fact, in some cases, it can act as a highly transportable storage device.
• Electronic device10 can also be any miniature consumer electronic device. Miniature electronic devices may have a form factor that is smaller than that of hand-held devices. Illustrative miniature electronic devices can include, but are not limited to, watches, rings, necklaces, belts, accessories for belts, headsets, accessories for shoes, virtual reality devices, other wearable electronics, accessories for sporting equipment, accessories for fitness equipment, or combinations thereof.
• By way of example, the MP3 music player can correspond to the iPod™ MP3 player manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif. One pocket-sized IPod™ has a width of about 2.4 inches, a height of about 4 inches and depths ranging from about 0.72 to about 0.84 inches.
• As shown inFIG. 1,media player100FIG. 1 also showshousing102,display screen104,scroll wheel110, concave-faced upper non-plastic portion ofcenter button112, that can be used for user navigation through a user interface,holdswitch114, andearphone jack116 of media player. Housing102 can hostcenter button112, and can in fact be configured to retainscroll wheel110 in its position in the media player. Navigation can be implemented in the form of transmission of user instructions in response to user stimulus onscroll wheel110.
• In addition,housing102 can also define the shape or form of the media player. That is, the contour ofhousing102 can embody the outward physical appearance ofmedia player100. The integrated circuit chips and other circuitry contained within the housing can include a microprocessor (e.g., CPU), memory (e.g., ROM, RAM), a power supply (e.g., battery), a circuit board, a hard drive, other memory (e.g., flash) and/or various input/output (I/O) support circuitry. The electrical components can also include components for inputting or outputting music or sound such as a microphone, amplifier and a digital signal processor (DSP). The electrical components can also include components for capturing images such as image sensors (e.g., charge coupled device (CCD) or complimentary oxide semiconductor (CMOS)) or optics (e.g., lenses, splitters, filters). The electrical components can also include components for sending and receiving media (e.g., antenna, receiver, transmitter, transceiver, etc.).
• In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 1, themedia player100 includesdisplay screen104 and related circuitry.Display screen104 is used to display a graphical user interface as well as other information to the user (e.g., text, objects, graphics). By way of example,display screen104 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD). As shown,display screen104 is visible to a user ofmedia player100 through anopening105 inhousing102, and through transparent wall106 (alternatively referred to herein as “a window”) that is disposed in front ofopening105. Although generally transparent,transparent wall106 can form part of thehousing102 because it helps to define the shape or form ofmedia player100 and, in some embodiments of the invention, can form a substantially contiguous surface of the media player together withhousing102.
• As mentioned above,media player100 also includesscroll wheel110. Scrollwheel110 generally consists of touchableouter surface111 for receiving a finger for manipulation onscroll wheel110.
• The position ofdisplay screen104 andscroll wheel110 relative tohousing102 can be widely varied. For example, they can be placed at any external surface (e.g., top, side, front, or back) ofhousing102 that is accessible to a user during manipulation ofmedia player100. In the illustrated embodiment,scroll wheel110 is located in a lower, front area ofhousing102. Furthermore,transparent wall106 can be recessed below, level with, or extend above the surface ofhousing102. In the illustrated embodiment,transparent wall106 is substantially flush with the external surface ofhousing102.
• The shape ofdisplay screen104 andtransparent wall106 can also be widely varied. For example, they can be circular, rectangular, triangular, and the like. In general, the outer perimeter of the shaped scroll wheel defines the working boundary of the scroll wheel. In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 1,display screen104 is rectangular andscroll wheel110 is circular.
• In addition,media player100 can also include one ormore buttons112 configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions, such as for making selections or issuing commands associated with operatingmedia player100.Media player100 can also includehold switch114. Media player can also includeheadphone jack116 and a data port (not shown).
• FIG. 2 shows a top plan view ofdisplay screen204 of media player100 (shown inFIG. 1) in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2 showsscreen204 following assembly of the media player. The following figures showing internal views of the media player either during assembly of the media player according to the invention or following assembly of the media player according to the invention.FIG. 2 also shows opening205 as well astransparent wall206.
• As noted above with respect toFIG. 1,display screen204 is visible to a user ofmedia player100 throughopening205 inhousing102, and throughtransparent wall206 that is disposed in front ofopening205. Although transparent,transparent wall206 can be considered part ofhousing102 because it helps to define the shape or form ofmedia player100. In fact, as described above,display screen204, can be implemented flush withhousing102 which may provide advantages such to prevent the collection of dirt and/or dust inmedia player100 and to preventmedia player100 from catching on to other surfaces.
• FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional taken from line A-A ofFIG. 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3 shows undercutareas302 and304 inhousing305.
• FIG. 3 also showstransparent wall306.FIG. 3 also showsflange308 oftransparent wall306. In an embodiment of the invention, undercutareas302 and304 are adapted to allowflange308 to rest against undercut areas and to be adhered thereto. In conventional media players, transparent wall would rest on the housing without the undercut areas. This arrangement would take all the space of the thickness of the window away from the inner space in the housing. Thus, the space available for inner electronic components and other components along the z-axis of the media player was reduced. However, in a structure according to the invention as shown inFIG. 4, available volume along the z-axis is increased.
• It should be noted that iftransparent wall306 is implemented without a flange—i.e., as a flat piece of transparent material—then surface of media player will no longer be flush in the embodiment shown inFIG. 3 but rather can dip in at transparent wall until the point at which the cutout portion allowstransparent wall306 to abut.
• FIG. 4 shows an exploded portion taken from line B-B of the cross-sectional shown inFIG. 3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4 showstransparent wall402.Wall402 can incorporate a step so as to mate with undercut406.FIG. 4 also shows adhesive404 for adheringwall402 tohousing408.
• Undercut406 allowswall402 to sit higher inhousing408. This relationship makes more room for internal components.
• This relationship also improves ease of assembly in closed-back devices such as iPod™ media players. This relationship improves ease of assembly because closed-back devices can typically only be assembled from the top, the bottom or the opening in the face of the housing. As described above, the closed-back of a device typically limits the access to the internal components once they have been inserted in the device. This can make assembly of the device more challenging.
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a media player window and portion of a media player according to the invention.FIG. 5 showshousing502,transparent wall504 and adhesive506. Alternative configurations of adhesive506 are described in more detail inFIG. 8 below.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of a media player housing and special cutter according to the invention.FIG. 6 shows opening605 inhousing602, customizecutter606 for cutting undercut607 into the underside ofhousing602. Undercut607 is shown in dotted line because it is not visible from a top plan view of the outside ofhousing602.
• It should be noted that the dimension in the x and y axes of undercut607 can be determined by the radius ofcutter606. This is because, in one embodiment of a method according to the invention,cutter606 can be lowered throughopening605 and then used to cut undercut607 into the underside of the top surface ofhousing602. Furthermore, the sharpness of the corners of undercut607 will also be determined by the radius ofcutter606. Thus a mathematical relationship is obtained between the radius of the corners of undercut607 and the radius ofcutter606.
• The mathematical relationship may include the width of the undercut required to present a sufficient surface onto which the transparent wall flange can be adhered, the radius of the cutting head in order to allow the cutting ahead to reach the required width in the undercut while the shaft of the cutting tool does not interfere with the ledge of the opening, and the radius of the shaft.
• FIG. 7 shows a side plan view taken from line C-C ofFIG. 6 of amedia player housing702 and customizedcutter706 according to the invention.Cutter706 comprisescutter shaft709 andcutter head708.FIG. 7 also shows cut out portion710 of an undercut according to the invention. Thus,FIG. 7 shows one side of an undercut according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 shows an exploded portion similar toFIG. 5. All the elements ofFIG. 8 are the same as inFIG. 5 with the single difference being the shape and orientation ofadhesive804. InFIG. 8, adhesive804 fills the additional cavities betweenwall802 and the undercut (not shown inFIG. 8) in housing808 as well as at least partially the vertical gap between housing808 andwall802. This additional adhesive can provide additional structural reinforcement and enhance the strength of the bond betweenwall802 and housing808.
• FIG. 9 shows an exploded portion similar toFIG. 4. All the elements ofFIG. 9 are the same as inFIG. 4 with the single difference being the shape and orientation ofadhesive904. InFIG. 9, adhesive902 fills the additional cavities betweenwall902 and undercut908 as well as the additional vertical wall betweenhousing908 andwall902. As described above, this additional adhesive can provide additional structural reinforcement and enhance the strength of the bond betweenwall902 andhousing908.
• In some embodiments of the invention, adhesive904 can be disposed both above undercut906 and below undercut906, as shown inFIG. 9. Alternatively, adhesive904 may be disposed in either one direction—i.e., above or below undercut906 but not both above and below undercut906. Of course, the specific application of adhesive may be dictated based on manufacturing requirements. Other additional applications of adhesives may include applying adhesives as round dots or by other suitable application technique.
• FIG. 10 shows a method according to the invention.Step1010 shows forming a housing for storing components of a media player.Step1020 shows forming an opening in one of the faces of the housing or, alternatively, molding a media player having an opening from a suitable material such as carbon fiber.Step1030 shows the optional step of maintaining the face that opposes the face in which the opening was formed as a closed face.Step1040 shows providing a cutting tool through the opening that was formed instep1020.Step1050 shows using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of the housing that surrounds the opening. It should be noted that if the media player was molded, the undercut could be provided as part of the molding process.
• FIG. 11 shows another portion of a method according to the invention.Step1110 shows forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge for placing in an opening of a media player.FIG. 1120 shows adhering an adhesive to either at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall or to a cutout portion of the housing of the media player. This step is drawn in dotted line to emphasize that the adhesive could be applied to either the wall or the housing.
• Step1130 shows placing the transparent wall through one end in the housing.Step1140 shows adhering the transparent wall to one the housing using the adhesive.
• FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.FIG. 12shows display screen1204 as it can be seen throughtransparent wall1206. Furthermore, opening1205 is wherescreen1204 can be viewed. However, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 12, overcut1207 is implemented on the top side ofhousing1202 instead of the underside.
• With respect to the embodiment shown inFIG. 12, the corners ofovercut1207 can be made to have a substantially smaller radius than the corners of undercut607 shown inFIG. 6. This can be due to the fact that a cutting tool used to implementovercut1207 does not require a large radius because it does not have to cut deep within the opening while preserving the edge of the opening as doescutter606 shown inFIG. 6. Rather, a cutter having a substantially smaller radius can be used because the cutter can be directed to exactly the portion being cut instead of having to reach under the ledge of the opening, as shown and described in more detail inFIG. 6. Thus, a cutter used to implementovercut1207 can include a radius, or even a diameter, that is smaller than the width ofovercut1207, whilecutter606 may comprise a radius that may be even double the size or more than the width of undercut607.
• It should also be noted that iftransparent wall1206 is implemented without a flange (not shown)—i.e., as a flat piece of transparent material—then surface of media player can present a surface that is flush withhousing1202. Nevertheless, the thickness ofwall1206 will be less and, as such, may not provide the level of protection to a display screen that a thicker transparent wall, implementable by using a flanged, or stepped, transparent wall, may provide.
• FIG. 13 also shows the embodiment shown inFIG. 12.FIG. 13 shows this embodiment from line D-D ofFIG. 12.FIG. 13 showswall1306 and overcut1307. InFIG. 13,wall1306 may be adhered to the housing without having to putwall1306 into housing. Rather,wall1306 can be adhered directly ontoovercut1307 with an adhesive similar to any of the embodiments described above with respect to the adhesive being adhered to the undercut as shown, for example, inFIG. 5 and/orFIG. 8.
• The methods according to the invention can preferably implemented by a combination of hardware and software, but can also be implemented in hardware or software. The method can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, hard drive, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves.
• In yet another aspect of the invention, the undercut portion of the housing or the overcut portion of the housing may be implemented wherever another element such as theaudio jack116, the holdswitch114 (as shown, for example, inFIG. 1) or any other suitable element of the media player is mounted on the housing of the media player. In each of these implementations, methods or structures according to the invention may be used to reduce the internal volume within the media player required to mount the element.
• In an additional embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIG. 14,portion1402, orportions1402, of the cutout can be left at the original thickness. In order to matetransparent wall1404 withhousing1406,transparent wall1404 and adhesive1405 may be designed accordingly. As shown inFIG. 14, adhesive1405 may be applied in multiple strips or deposits. The number of strips or deposits of adhesive can depend on the shape and arrangement of the multiple cutouts inhousing1406.
• It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein-above are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention.
• Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments.

Claims (40)

1. A portable media player comprising:

a display screen;

a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening; and

a transparent wall comprising a flange, the flange that is adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness, wherein the transparent wall a transparent protective cover for the display screen.

2. The media player ofclaim 1 wherein the area of reduced thickness is oriented internally to the media player.

3. The media player ofclaim 1 wherein the area of reduced thickness is oriented externally to the media player.

4. The media player ofclaim 1 the housing comprising a stepped edge around the opening.

5. The media player ofclaim 1 further comprising a closed-back face.

6. The media player ofclaim 1 further comprising a hand-held media player.

7. The media player ofclaim 1 further comprising a miniature media player.

8. A method comprising:

forming a housing for storing components of a media player;

forming an opening in one of the faces of the housing;

penetrating a cutting tool through the opening; and

using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of the housing that surrounds the opening.

9. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising adhering a transparent wall to the cut away portion of the underside of the housing.

10. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising adhering an adhesive to a transparent wall, and then adhering the transparent wall to the cut away portion of the underside of the housing using the adhesive.

11. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising adhering an adhesive to a cutout portion of the housing of the media player.

12. The method ofclaim 8 the forming a housing for storing components of a media player further comprising forming a housing for storing components of a miniature media player.

13. The method ofclaim 8 the forming a housing for storing components of a media player further comprising forming a housing for storing components of a hand-held media player.

14. A method for forming a housing of a media player, the method comprising:

forming a transparent wall having a stepped edge, the transparent wall for placing in an opening of a media player;

adhering an adhesive to at least one surface of the stepped edge of the transparent wall;

using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a media player; and

adhering the transparent wall to the housing using the adhesive.

15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising adhering the adhesive to a plurality of surfaces of the transparent wall.

16. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising placing the transparent wall through one end in the housing, the one end in the housing being different from the opening in the housing.

17. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a miniature media player.

18. The method ofclaim 14 further comprising using the cutting tool to cut away a portion of the underside of a housing that surrounds an opening in a hand-held media player.

19. A media player housing comprising an opening for disposing a window therein, the opening being substantially bound by a perimeter area of the housing, the perimeter area having a thickness less than a majority of the housing.

20. The media player housing ofclaim 19 wherein the perimeter area is oriented internally to the media player.

21. The media player housing ofclaim 19 wherein the perimeter area is oriented externally to the media player.

22. The media player housing ofclaim 19 the housing comprising a stepped edge around the opening.

23. The media player housing ofclaim 19 further comprising a closed-back face.

24. The media player housing ofclaim 1 further comprising a hand-held media player housing.

25. The media player housing ofclaim 1 further comprising a miniature media player housing.

26. A media player comprising:

a display screen;

a housing having an opening and an area of reduced thickness around the opening, the dimension of corners of the area of reduced thickness in the x-axis and the dimension of the corner of the opening in the y-axis each being determined by the radius of a shaft and the radius of a cutting head of a cutter used for obtaining the area of reduced thickness; and

a transparent wall comprising a flange, the flange that is adhered to a surface of the area of reduced thickness.

27. The media player ofclaim 26 wherein the area of reduced thickness faces internally to the media player.

28. The media player ofclaim 26 wherein the area of reduced thickness faces externally to the media player.

29. The media player ofclaim 26 the housing further comprising a stepped edge around the opening.

30. The media player ofclaim 26 further comprising a closed-back face.

31. The media player ofclaim 26 further comprising a hand-held media player.

32. The media player ofclaim 26 further comprising a miniature media player.

33. A method for forming the housing of media player, the method comprising:

forming a housing for storing components of a media player;

forming an opening in one of the faces of the housing;

penetrating a cutting tool through the opening, the cutting tool comprising a circular cutting head; and

using the cutting tool to reduce the thickness of a portion of the underside of the housing that surrounds the opening, the portion of the underside comprising corners, dimensions of the corners in the x-axis and the y-axis being substantially dependent upon the radius of the head of the cutting tool.

34. The method ofclaim 33 further comprising adhering a transparent wall to the cut away portion of the underside of the housing, dimensions of the corners of the transparent wall being substantially dependent upon the dimensions of the corners of the reduced thickness portion of the underside of the housing.

35. The method ofclaim 33 further comprising adhering an adhesive to a transparent wall, and then adhering the transparent wall to the reduced thickness portion of the underside of the housing using the adhesive.

36. The method ofclaim 33 further comprising adhering an adhesive to the reduced thickness portion of the housing of the media player.

37. The method ofclaim 33 the forming a housing for storing components of a media player further comprising forming a housing for storing components of a hand-held media player.

38. The method ofclaim 33 the forming a housing for storing components of a media player further comprising forming a housing for storing components of a miniature media player.

39. The method ofclaim 33 the forming a housing for storing components of a media player further comprising m a housing for storing components of a miniature media player.

40. A method for forming a media player housing, the method comprising:

molding the housing, wherein the housing comprises an opening for disposing a window therein; and

molding the a perimeter region of the housing around the opening, the perimeter region having a thickness less than a majority of the housing.

Images