IP Library Granted Patent US 12,013,722
Granted Patent B2
US 12,013,722 · App. 17/210,828 · Granted Jun 18, 2024

Computing device with external shell microperforations

Inventors: Jonathan Jen-Wei Yu (Raleigh, NC); Joseph David Plunkett (Raleigh, NC); Jeremy Carlson (Raleigh, NC); Dhruvi Suresh Fulfagar (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
G06F1/1616A61L2/10A61L2/26G06F1/1656G06F1/1688A61L2202/11G06F1/1647
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,013,722
App. No.
17/210,828
Granted
Jun 18, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computing device can include a processor; memory accessible to the processor; a display operatively coupled to the processor; and an external shell assembly that includes an array of electronic components, where the array of electronic components includes transducers.

Claims (28)

1. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor; and

an external shell assembly that comprises an external shell and an array of electronic components, wherein the array of electronic components comprises transducers that comprise different types of electronic components, wherein the different types of electronic components comprise electricity to light transducers that emit light waves and electricity to mechanical motion transducers that emit pressure waves, and wherein the external shell comprises microperforations for passage of the light waves and for passage of the pressure waves.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each of at least some of the transducers comprises a membrane.

3. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the membrane is a strain gauge membrane.

4. The computing device of claim 2 , wherein the membrane is a speaker membrane.

5. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each of at least some of the transducers comprises a light emitting diode.

6. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each of at least some of the transducers comprises an ultraviolet radiation emitting diode for sterilization of the external shell via passage of ultraviolet light through at least some of the microperforations.

7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the array of electronic components comprises one or more batteries.

8. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the one or more batteries is non-rechargeable.

9. The computing device of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the one or more batteries is rechargeable.

10. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the electricity to mechanical motion transducers are operable as mechanical motion to electricity transducers.

11. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the different types of electronic components comprise mechanical motion to electricity transducers.

12. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the external shell assembly forms part of a display housing for the display, and further comprising a keyboard housing for a keyboard, and a hinge assembly that operatively couples the display housing and the keyboard housing, wherein the external shell assembly comprises a display side and a back side, and wherein the external shell of the external shell assembly forms the back side.

13. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising a battery and power circuitry operatively coupled to the battery, the processor and the array of electronic components, wherein the power circuitry selectively supplies power to the array of electronic components without supplying power to the processor.

14. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising a battery and power circuitry operatively coupled to the battery, the processor and the array of electronic components, wherein the power circuitry selectively supplies power to the array of electronic components while supplying power to the processor.

15. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the array of electronic components is operable independent of operation of the processor.

16. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the array of electronic components is operatively coupled to the processor.

17. The computing device of claim 1 , comprising power circuitry that selectively supplies power to the array of electronic components responsive to a power mode of the processor.

18. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein each of the microperforations comprises a maximum dimension less than approximately 2 mm.

19. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the different types of electronic components comprise mechanical motion to electricity transducers for touch input, and wherein the microperforations increase resiliency of the external shell for elastic deformation of the external shell responsive to touch force.

20. A computing device comprising:

a processor;

memory accessible to the processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor; and

an external shell assembly that comprises an external shell and an array of electronic components, wherein the array of electronic components comprises transducers, wherein each of at least some of the transducers comprise an ultraviolet radiation emitting diode, and wherein the external shell comprises microperforations for passage of ultraviolet radiation for sterilization of the external shell.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2025
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070269/0077 →
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 Mar 24, 2021
From: YU, JONATHAN JEN-WEI; PLUNKETT, JOSEPH DAVID; CARLSON, JEREMY; FULFAGAR, DHRUVI SURESH
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 055699/0102 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220308623A1 · Sep 29, 2022