IP Library Granted Patent US 11,435,781
Granted Patent B1
US 11,435,781 · App. 17/210,367 · Granted Sep 6, 2022

Computing device

Inventors: Madison Smith (Santa Rosa, CA); Cuong Huy Truong (Cary, NC)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
G06F1/1618G06F1/1656G06F1/1671G06F1/1681G06F1/1686
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,435,781
App. No.
17/210,367
Granted
Sep 6, 2022
Kind
B1
Abstract

A computing device can include a processor; memory accessible to the processor; a display panel operatively coupled to the processor; a housing that includes a protective layer that covers the display panel; and a camera assembly mounted to an edge of the housing, where the camera assembly includes a camera, a camera aperture and a recess, where the protective layer covers the camera aperture and extends into the recess.

Claims (24)

1. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

a display panel operatively coupled to the processor;

a housing that comprises a protective layer that covers the display panel; and

a camera assembly mounted to an edge of the housing, wherein the camera assembly comprises a camera, a camera aperture and a recess, wherein the protective layer covers the camera aperture and extends into the recess, wherein the camera assembly comprises a mechanical button, and wherein the mechanical button comprises a face light on one side and a status light on an opposing side.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the camera assembly comprises a camera flash on the same side as the face light.

3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the camera assembly comprises a length that is greater than 10 percent of a length of the edge of the housing and a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the housing to form a finger grip.

4. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising a camera aperture shutter operatively coupled to the mechanical button.

5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical button actuates the camera.

6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the face light is actuated by the mechanical button.

7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the status light is actuated by the mechanical button.

8. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein, in an extended position of the mechanical button, the face light and the status light are exposed and wherein, in a seated position of the mechanical button, the face light and the status light are hidden.

9. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical button is actuatable to supply electrical power to the camera.

10. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising a spring, wherein the mechanical button is biased by the spring.

11. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the camera assembly comprises at least one microphone.

12. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is a display housing and further comprising a keyboard housing and at least one hinge assembly that couples the keyboard housing and the display housing.

13. A method comprising:

responsive to actuation of a push-push button of a camera assembly at an edge of a display housing, activating a face light, activating a camera of the camera assembly, and activating a status light, wherein the face light is on one side of the camera assembly and the status light is on an opposing side of the camera assembly, wherein at least one of the face light and the status light is on the push-push button.

14. The computing device of claim 8 , wherein a position of the camera aperture is fixed and covered by the protective layer, wherein a position of the face light is movable via the mechanical button, wherein a position of the status light is movable via the mechanical button, wherein the camera aperture and the face light face a common direction and wherein the status light faces an opposite direction.

15. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the status light is a backward directed status light that is not visible from a display side of the housing.

16. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the status light indicates execution of a video conferencing application by the computing device.

17. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising a camera aperture shutter operatively coupled to the mechanical button that covers the camera aperture in a seated position of the mechanical button and that exposes the camera aperture in an extended position of the mechanical button.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein a position of the camera is fixed, wherein the face light and the status light are on the push-push button, wherein a position of the face light moves with the push-push button, wherein a position of the status light moves with the push-push button, wherein the camera and the face light face a common direction and wherein the status light faces an opposite direction.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 070269/0092 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2025
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070269/0028 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2021
From: SMITH, MADISON; TRUONG, CUONG HUY
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 055692/0278 →