Portable computing system

Abstract

A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assembling an electronic device that includes a display housing and a base portion, the method comprising:
 providing a display assembly in the display housing;   securing a flexible circuit with the display assembly, the flexible circuit extending into the base portion to electrically couple the display assembly with an operational component in the base portion; and   securing the flexible circuit in the base portion by a retention member that limits movement of the flexible circuit when the display housing is rotated with respect to the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the flexible circuit by a retention member comprises:
 securing a first extension of the retention member into a first undercut of the display housing; and   securing a second extension of the retention member into a second undercut of the display housing, wherein the flexible circuit is positioned between the first extension and the second extension.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a through hole in the base portion, the through hole positioned to allow acoustical energy from a speaker module to pass through the base portion via the through the through hole; and   forming a blind hole partially into the base portion, wherein the blind hole is filled an ink coating to provide an appearance similar to that of the through hole.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display housing comprises:
 an opening that defines a platform and a relief section that is sub-flush with respect to the platform; and   an indicium disposed in the opening at the platform, wherein the relief section includes a mask to hide the a surface of the relief section.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 bending a keyboard assembly to define a reduced size; and   inserting the keyboard assembly into an opening of the base portion, wherein the keyboard assembly fits into the opening only in the reduced size.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the keyboard assembly having a key that includes:
 a key cap;   a hinge mechanism coupled with the key cap by a first arm at a first side of the key cap and a second arm at a second side of the key cap; and   a light source and a light guide panel covered by the key cap, the light guide panel positioned to receive light from the light source and direct the light toward the key cap.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising forming a shield on the keyboard assembly, the shield comprising:
 applying a first layer to the keyboard assembly, the first layer comprising a first non-electrically conductive material;   applying a second layer to the first layer, the second layer comprising an electrically conductive material; and   applying a third layer to the second layer, the first layer comprising a second non-electrically conductive material, wherein the third layer comprises an opening that allows a component to electrically couple with the second layer.   
     
     
         8 . A method for assembling an electronic device having a display housing and a base portion, the method comprising:
 inserting a touch pad into the base portion, the touch pad having a touch-sensitive interface;   securing an actuator with the touch pad, the actuator providing a vibratory feedback; and   inserting a force sensor into the base portion, the force sensor configured detect an amount of applied force to the touch-sensitive interface, the force sensor further configured to trigger the actuator to provide the vibratory feedback at the touch-sensitive interface when the amount of applied force that is detected exceeds a threshold amount of force.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising securing a top case with a bottom case, the top case and the bottom case combining to define the base portion, wherein securing the top case with the bottom case comprises:
 engaging a securing member with a retention feature of the bottom case; and   coupling a protrusion with the securing member, wherein the securing member flexes around the protrusion to receive the protrusion.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 inserting a magnet in the display housing, the magnet configured to generate an external magnetic field;   securing a magnetic sensor with the top case, the magnetic sensor configured to detect the external magnetic field;   covering the magnetic sensor with a first metal structure; and   securing the bottom case with a second metal structure, wherein the first metal structure and the second metal structure combine to shield the magnetic sensor from magnetic fields other than the external magnetic field.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising securing an edge connector through an opening of the top case, the edge connector configured to electrically couple the electronic device with an external device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 inserting an antenna in the display housing; and   covering the antenna with a chin cover that defines a radio frequency transparent member, the chin cover comprising:
 a substrate comprising glass, 
 a first layer disposed over the glass and defining an indicium, and 
 a second layer disposed over the glass and the indicium. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 terracing the bottom case to define a first terraced region and a second terraced region; and   securing a battery with the first terraced region and the second terraced region.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 securing a foot member with the bottom case, wherein the foot member comprises a protrusion that passes through an opening of the bottom case; and   melting the protrusion to lock the foot member with the bottom case.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising coupling an acceleration sensor with the touch pad, the acceleration sensor providing an indication of speed in which the touch pad is depressed. 
     
     
         16 . A method for assembling an electronic device having a display housing and a base portion, the base portion comprising a data port having a circuit board, the method comprising:
 forming a receptacle region in the base portion; and   forming a through hole in the base portion that opens to the receptacle region, wherein the circuit board is positioned in the through hole and the receptacle region to electrically couple the electronic device with an external device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 forming a terraced region in the base portion; and   securing a batter with the base portion along the terraced region.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 forming a through hole in the base portion, the through hole positioned to allow acoustical energy from a speaker module to pass through the base portion via the through the through hole; and   forming a blind hole partially into the base portion, wherein the blind hole is filled an ink coating to provide an appearance similar to that of the through hole.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising forming an opening in the display housing, the opening defining a platform and a relief section that is sub-flush with respect to the platform, wherein the opening receives an indicium disposed in the opening at the platform, wherein the relief section includes a mask to hide the a surface of the relief section. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the receptacle region includes a size and shape in accordance with a plug that is secured with the external device.