Hidden feature for accessing or repairing mobile devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10618192-B2
Application number	US-201815866411-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 9, 2018
Priority date	Mar 27, 2015
Publication date	Apr 14, 2020
Grant date	Apr 14, 2020

Abstract

Methods and apparatus relating to provision and/or utilization of a hidden feature for accessing and/or repairing mobile devices are described. An embodiment includes a wire physically adjacent to an adhesive. The adhesive bonds a first portion of a computing device and a second portion of the computing device. The wire is capable of being heated in response to application of electrical voltage or current. In turn, the heated wire causes cutting of the adhesive to allow for physical separation of the first portion of the computing device and the second portion of the computing device. Another embodiment utilizes a hidden end of an opening in a computing device to hide a fastener. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a fastening device coupled to a first end of an opening in a computing device, wherein the fastening device is to be accessible from a second end of the opening while the opening retains its original functionality,
wherein the fastening device is to couple a first portion of the computing device and a second portion of the computing device, wherein the first portion of the computing device comprises a first plurality of locking structures and the second portion of the computing device comprises a second plurality of locking structures, wherein each locking structure from the first plurality of locking structures is to lockably couple to a corresponding locking structure from the second plurality of locking structures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is to comprise: a pin, button, screw, shaft, or combinations thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the opening is on an opposite end of the opening from the first end of the opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the original functionality is to comprise an audio signal communication functionality, a data communication functionality, or security locking functionality.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the computing device is to comprise a display assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the display assembly is to comprise a flat panel display.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the computing device is to comprise a device chassis or a device cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is to comprise a mobile computing device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mobile computing device is to comprise one or more of: a System On Chip (SOC) device; a processor, having one or more processor cores; a flat panel display device, and memory.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the mobile computing device is to comprise one of: a smartphone, tablet, UMPC (Ultra-Mobile Personal Computer), laptop computer, Ultrabook™ computing device, and a wearable device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the wearable device is to comprise one of a smart watch, smart glasses, or a smart bracelet.

12. An apparatus comprising:
a fastening device coupled to a first end of an opening in a computing device, wherein the fastening device is to be accessible from a second end of the opening while the opening retains its original functionality,
wherein the fastening device is to couple a first portion of the computing device and a second portion of the computing device, wherein the first portion and the second portion are removably coupled via the fastening device, wherein the first portion is fastened to the second portion when the fastening device is disengaged, wherein the first portion and the second portion can be separated when the fastening device is engaged, wherein the first portion of the computing device comprises a first plurality of locking structures and the second portion of the computing device comprises a second plurality of locking structures, wherein each locking structure from the first plurality of locking structures is to lockably couple to a corresponding locking structure from the second plurality of locking structures.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the fastening device is engaged by a tool inserted into the opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the original functionality of the opening comprises an electrical functionality.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the fastening device is to comprise: a pin, button, screw, shaft, or combinations thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second end of the opening is on an opposite end of the opening from the first end of the opening.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the original functionality is to comprise an audio signal communication functionality, a data communication functionality, or security locking functionality.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first portion of the computing device is to comprise a display assembly.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the computing device is to comprise a device chassis or a device cover.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the computing device is to comprise a mobile computing device.

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Larsen Denica N
• Ho Wing K

Classifications

• Y10S156/937

  Means for delaminating specified electronic component in preparation for recycling · CPC title

• G06F1/1626

  with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] · CPC title

• Y10T156/1911

  Heating or cooling delaminating means [e.g., melting means, freezing means, etc.] · CPC title

• Y10S156/924

  Delaminating display screen, e.g. cathode-ray, LCD screen · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203) · CPC title