Anodized housing with fingerprint-resistant sealing technique

Abstract

An anodized housing with fingerprint resistant sealing techniques is provided. A housing for an electronic device includes: a metal substrate; a porous anodic oxide layer covering the metal substrate; and a hydrothermal sealant disposed on the anodic oxide layer, the hydrothermal sealant including a molten salt.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 593,955, filed on October 27, 2023, entitled “ANODIZED ENCLOSURE WITH FINGERPRINT RESISTANT COATING,” and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 549,988, filed on February 5, 2024, entitled “ANODIZED ENCLOSURE WITH FINGERPRINT RESISTANT COATING,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to anodization systems and methods. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for providing hydrophobic and fingerprint-resistant anodic sealing technology. Background Art

[0004] Sealing is an important aspect of any decorative anodizing process for substrates, especially aluminum alloys, as it ensures corrosion resistance of the surface and protects the anodic oxide from the absorption of dirt and loss of any incorporated colorants. Most sealing processes involve exposing the anodic coating to a hot aqueous solution, which causes hydration of the pore structure. Although pure boiling water or steam can be used, additives can also be added to improve process control and consistency, and can also improve the beneficial properties of the surface.

[0005] Screens and metal surfaces of mobile phones, tablet computers, and other handheld electronic devices are susceptible to fingerprint and smudge deposits. Such deposits can detract from the aesthetics of the object and reduce the user's enjoyment of the device. When these deposits accumulate on the surface of an electronic device, they degrade the display quality and reduce the ability to enjoy the device.

[0006] Currently, there are limited durable amphiphobic (oil and water repellent) coatings on the market for electronic devices. Aftermarket coatings are used on handheld electronic devices, but these coatings have limited use because they are not abrasion resistant. Summary of the invention

[0007] In at least one example of the present disclosure, a housing for an electronic device includes a metal substrate, a porous anodic oxide layer covering the metal substrate, and a hydrothermal sealant disposed on the anodic oxide layer, the hydrothermal sealant including a molten salt. In some examples, the metal substrate may include an aluminum alloy or a titanium alloy. In some examples, the molten salt may include at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. In at least one example, the hydrothermal sealant may have a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°. In one example, the porous anodic oxide layer also includes a dye disposed in a hole, the hole including a distal portion and a proximal portion, the dye fills the hole, and the sealant has a crystalline structure having a phosphate concentration gradient. In some examples, the sealant extends between about 10 nm and about 20 nm into the proximal portion of the hole. In some examples, the phosphate concentration gradient may include a high phosphate concentration at the proximal portion of the hole and a reduced phosphate concentration toward the distal portion of the hole. In one example, the sealant may include a sealing layer on the outer surface of the anodic oxide layer, the sealing layer having a thickness between about 1 nm and about 100 nm. In one example, the molten salt may include a surfactant containing a phosphate.

[0008] In one example of the present disclosure, a coating for an electronic device may include: an anodized oxide layer formed on a metal substrate; and a hydrothermal sealant disposed in the pores of the anodized oxide layer. In some examples, the hydrothermal sealant includes an ionic molten salt. In some examples, the hydrothermal sealant may have a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°. In some examples, the ionic sealant may include 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharin, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatics, benzothiazolones, or at least one of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. In at least one example, the anodized oxide layer may include a pore defined by an opening extending from an outer surface of the anodized oxide layer toward the metal substrate. The pore may also include a dye disposed therein. In some examples, the pore may include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the dye filling the pore, and the hydrothermal sealant having a boehmite structure sealing the proximal portion of the pore.

[0009] In one example of the present disclosure, a method of providing a sealed anodized coating may include: anodizing a substrate in an electrolyte to form an anodic oxide coating; and hydrothermally sealing the anodic oxide coating using a sealant solution having an ionic liquid concentration between about 0.2 ppm and about 3.0 ppm. In some examples, the sealant solution may be between about 85° C. and about 100° C. In some examples, sealing the anodic oxide coating with the sealant solution may include immersing the anodized substrate in the sealant solution for between about 20 minutes and about 90 minutes. In one example, the method may also include dyeing the anodized substrate with an organic dye before hydrothermally sealing the anodic oxide coating. In some examples, the ionic liquid may include at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatics, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present disclosure will be readily understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like structural elements, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a case for an electronic device according to an embodiment is illustrated.

[0012] Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a housing having a coating including an ionic sealant disposed in pores of an anodized oxide layer according to one embodiment is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 3 IR spectroscopy measurements of a coating on an anodized aluminum substrate including a sealant with an ionic liquid according to one embodiment are shown.

[0014] Figure 4 The state of a water drop on a sealant under static conditions is illustrated according to one embodiment, showing the water contact angle.

[0015] Figure 5 Methods for providing a sealed anodized coating according to some embodiments are illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to a preferred embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover substitutions, modifications and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments defined by the appended claims.

[0017] According to another embodiment, a housing for a portable electronic device is described. The housing includes a metal substrate and an anodized layer or coating covering the metal substrate. The anodized layer includes: a hole having an opening extending from an outer surface of the anodized layer toward the metal substrate; and a sealing material that blocks the opening of the hole.

[0018] As used herein, the terms anodic film, anodized film, anodic layer, anodized layer, anodic oxide coating, anodic layer, anodized layer, metal oxide layer, oxide film, oxide layer and oxide layer are used interchangeably and refer to any appropriate oxide layer. The oxide layer is formed on the metal surface of the metal substrate. The metal substrate may include any of many suitable metals or metal alloys. In some embodiments, the metal substrate may include aluminum, and the aluminum can form aluminum oxide when oxidized. In some embodiments, the metal substrate may include an aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the metal substrate may include titanium, and the titanium can form titanium oxide when oxidized. In some embodiments, the metal substrate may include a titanium alloy. As used herein, the terms "component", "layer", "segment" and "portion" may also be used interchangeably where appropriate.

[0019] The following disclosure relates to an electronic device having a coating that includes an ionic compound that increases the water contact angle of the coating surface, making the surface more hydrophobic without affecting the tactile properties of the material. The coating reduces the visibility of fingerprints and improves the cleanability of the housing.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the coating may include an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid may be a molten salt comprising positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. Typical salts (such as sodium chloride) are solid at room temperature (e.g., about 20°C to 22°C). However, the ionic liquid may include larger compounds as substituents. In other words, the ionic liquid includes relatively large cations and large anions. The absolute size of the substituent does not allow the ions to crystallize as typical salts, so the ionic liquid remains liquid at room temperature.

[0021] A sealant comprising an ionic liquid can be applied to a substrate having a porous anodic oxide layer covering a metal substrate. The sealant can be applied as a hydrothermal sealant and as a solution that can enter the pores and seal the pores. The anodized substrate can be immersed in the solution to form an adequate seal. After sealing, the surface can have a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°, which makes the surface resistant to fingerprints and smudges, and makes the surface significantly easier to clean than known sealants for housings.

[0022] References below Figures 1 to 5 These and other embodiments are discussed. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description of these figures given herein is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. In addition, as used herein, a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising at least one of a first option, a second option, or a third option should be understood to refer to a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising one of each listed option (e.g., only one first option, only one second option, only one third option), a plurality of a single listed option (e.g., two or more first options), two options simultaneously (e.g., one first option and one second option), or a combination thereof (e.g., two first options and one second option).

[0023] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a housing 100 for an electronic device according to one embodiment is illustrated. The techniques described herein can be used to treat metal surfaces (e.g., metal oxide layers, etc.) of housings of portable and non-portable electronic devices. For example, smart phones, tablet computers, smart watches, and portable computers can all be included with the housings described herein.

[0024] In some examples, housing 100 may include a metal substrate 102. While the present invention is applicable to any substrate, they are particularly relevant to those substrates that can be anodized. For example, substrate 102 may include at least one of aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, titanium, and / or stainless steel. However, aluminum is common due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and availability. Anodized aluminum can achieve many colors because dyes can be used to obtain the desired hue.

[0025] According to some examples, the metal surface of the substrate 102 may refer to a metal oxide layer 104 covering the metal substrate. In some examples, the metal oxide layer 104 may be referred to as a coating or an anodic coating. In some examples, the metal oxide layer 104 is formed by the metal substrate during the anodizing process. Anodizing converts a portion of the metal substrate 102 into a metal oxide, thereby producing a metal oxide layer, which is generally harder than the metal substrate 102 below and can act as a protective layer. The metal oxide layer 104 can be used as a protective coating to protect the metal substrate 102, for example, when these portable devices are dropped, scratched, chipped or worn. Additionally, the metal oxide layer 104 may include a pore structure that can be plugged or filled to prevent external contaminants from reaching the metal substrate 102. Therefore, the metal oxide layer 104 can be a porous anodic oxide layer covering the metal substrate 102.

[0026] In some examples, such as where the metal substrate 102 includes aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the metal oxide layer 104 may be formed over the metal substrate 102 and may include a pore structure 106 (or pores) formed through the metal oxide layer and may extend from an outer surface of the metal oxide layer toward a barrier layer 108 that separates the metal oxide layer 104 from the underlying metal substrate 102. Additionally, according to some embodiments, each of the pore structures 106 of the metal oxide layer 104 may be capable of receiving a dye particle 110 that may give the metal oxide layer 104 a specific color associated with the dye particle 110. In other words, the pore may include a distal portion and a proximal portion, the dye filling the pore, and the hydrothermal sealant sealing the proximal portion of the pore. In some examples, the metal oxide layer 104 may be given different dye colors based on the dye particles 110 deposited within the pore structure 106. In some examples, the color of the metal oxide layer 104 may be characterized according to an L*a*b* color antagonism size value. The L* color antagonism dimension value is a variable in the L*a*b* color space. Generally speaking, L* corresponds to lightness. L*=0 represents the blackest black and L*=100 represents white.

[0027] According to some examples, the anodized layer of the housing may be sealed by a sealing process, wherein the pores of the anodized layer are blocked by applying a sealant 112. In some examples, the sealant may be disposed on the anodized layer and seal the dye within the pores and also protect the surface of the metal oxide layer 104 from wear and potential accumulation of impurities.

[0028] In some examples, the sealant 112 may include an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid may be a component of the sealant. In some examples, the ionic liquid may include a molten salt. Ambient temperature molten salts or hydrophobic room temperature molten salts exist in a liquid phase under standard temperature and pressure conditions. Salts are simple, typically ionic (i.e., chemical bonds are simple ionic) and stable compounds. In some examples, the sealant 112 may include an ionic liquid at a concentration between about 10 ml / L and about 40 ml / L.

[0029] In some examples, sealant 112 may fill pore structure 106. Thus, sealant 112 may be closely adhered to anodized layer 104. In some examples, dye particles 110 may be disposed within pores 106, and the dye particles and sealant 112 fill the pores. Sealant 112 may seal the pores and retain dye particles 110 therein.

[0030] In some examples, the porous anodic oxide layer 104 may have a porosity between about 30% and about 80%. During the anodizing process, holes are formed in the oxide layer, and these holes may be, for example, spaced apart by about 40-50 nanometers. The diameter of each hole may be in the range of 0.005 microns to about 0.05 microns or 0.01 microns to about 0.03 microns. However, these sizes are not intended to be limiting. In some examples, the anodic oxide 104 may have a porosity between about 30% and about 40%. In some examples, the porosity of the anodic oxide 104 may be between about 40% and about 50%, between about 50% and about 60%, between about 60% and about 70%, between about 70% and about 80%, or include a range between about 30% and about 60% or between about 40% and about 70%, because the pore size may vary based on the anodizing process.

[0031] The sealing surface may include pores 106 of the sealing oxide layer 104. In some examples, the anodic oxide coating 104 may have a thickness between about 5 μm and about 20 μm. In some examples, the sealant 112 may have a thickness between about 1 nm and about 100 nm (designated as thickness t). However, the thickness of the sealant 112 is not intended to be limiting. In some examples, the sealant 112 may be between about 5 nm and about 30 nm, between about 30 nm and about 60 nm, or between about 60 nm and about 100 nm.

[0032] Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a coating for a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment is illustrated, wherein the coating includes a hydrothermal sealant configured to seal pores of an anodized oxide layer. The anodized layer is formed on a metal substrate. The hydrothermal sealant includes an ionic liquid as part of a sealant solution to be applied to the anodized oxide layer.

[0033] Region 202 illustrates a portion of a hole including a sealant. The sealant is shown as a lighter color in the figure and includes a clear texture change compared to region 204 of the anodized oxide layer. In some examples, the hydrothermal sealant may have a boehmite structure that seals the proximal portion of the hole. Boehmite is an aluminum hydroxide mineral formed during the hydrothermal sealing process. The ionic sealant may be at least partially disposed in the hole of the anodized oxide layer. In some examples, the sealant may have a crystalline structure having a phosphate concentration gradient. In region 202, the sealant may include a phosphorus layer integrated into the oxide structure. In some examples, the phosphate concentration gradient may include a high phosphate concentration at the proximal portion of the hole and a reduced phosphate concentration toward the distal portion of the hole. In one example, the phosphorus layer may have a thickness between about 10nm and about 20nm. In some examples, the thickness of the phosphorus layer may be between about 10nm and about 15nm, between about 15nm and about 18nm, or between about 18nm and about 20nm. In some examples, the thickness of the phosphorus layer can be about 15.2 nm.

[0034] In one example, the sealant may extend between about 10 nm and about 20 nm into the proximal portion of the hole. In some examples, the sealant may cause overfilling of the hole due to the sealing reaction described below. The presence of the ionic liquid in the sealant can be confirmed by IR spectroscopy, as described in more detail below. However, in some examples, the ionic sealant may include a molten salt. In one example, the molten salt may include a surfactant containing a phosphate, which gives the sealant an anti-fouling or anti-fingerprint effect.

[0035] Ionic liquids used in ionic sealants are composed primarily of ions. When the ionic liquid is cooled, the ionic liquid typically forms an ionic solid, which can be crystalline or glassy. Ionic liquids are typically colorless, viscous liquids. Ionic liquids are typically moderate to poor electrical conductors and non-ionizing. Ionic liquids exhibit low vapor pressures. Many ionic liquids have low flammability and are thermally stable.

[0036] In some examples, the ionic sealant may include at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. In some examples, acetate groups (including magnesium, sodium, calcium, etc.) are the primary drivers of sealant formation. In some examples, the phosphorus layer may be established due to a hydrophobic reaction of hydrothermally sealing the anodic oxide coating with a sealant solution.

[0037] Figure 3 IR spectroscopic measurements of a coating on an anodized aluminum substrate including a sealant with an ionic liquid according to one embodiment are shown. Specifically, Figure 3 This is an IR spectrum display showing the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (Series 2). Infrared spectroscopy is the analysis of the interaction of infrared light with molecules. This can be done by measuring absorption, emission and reflection in three ways. IR spectroscopy measures the vibrations of atoms and based on this functional groups can be determined. IR spectroscopy is one of the most common and widely used spectroscopic techniques employed mainly by inorganic and organic chemists as it can be used to determine the structure of compounds and identify them. Figure 3 It is an IR measurement of an ionic sealant used in a coating for housings of electronic devices and disposed in the pores of an anodized oxide layer. The IR measurement shows the presence of anti-fingerprint compounds within the sealant, as illustrated in Series 2 in the figure.

[0038] In some examples, the ionic liquid may include an ionic molten salt. Figure 4 The state of a water droplet on a sealant under static conditions according to one embodiment is illustrated, showing the water contact angle θ. The water contact angle is the angle established between the periphery of the droplet and the surface on which the droplet rests. Since the contact angle depends on the interaction of the liquid with the surface, they can be used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of the surface, such as the surface free energy. The contact angle (also known as the wetting angle) is formed when a droplet is placed on the surface of a material. The surface tension of the liquid and the attraction of the liquid to the surface cause the droplet to form a dome shape. If the droplet is small and the surface tension of the liquid is high, a perfect hemisphere will be formed. The point where the periphery of the droplet, the liquid-solid interface, and the solid all meet is called the three-phase contact point. The contact angle is defined as the angle between the tangent to the surface of the liquid and the surface of the solid at that point.

[0039] In some examples, the hydrothermal sealant can have a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°. In some examples, the water contact angle of the hydrothermal sealant can be between about 50° and about 60°, between about 60° and about 70°, or between about 70° and about 80°. In some examples, the water contact angle can be greater than 80°.

[0040] The hydrophobicity of the sealant makes the housing for the electronic device anti-fouling and fingerprint-resistant. In other words, the sealant layer makes the coating and / or the housing fingerprint-resistant and stain-resistant. Although the main components of fingerprints are pollutants such as dead skin cells on the skin and dust in the external environment, it is well known that the main cause of stains on the appearance of products such as electronic devices is sebum, which is composed of lipids including triglycerides, wax monoesters, fatty acids, squalene, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, etc. However, another main component of fingerprints is sweat. Therefore, the hydrophobic and amphiphilic properties of the sealant can prevent fingerprints from being deposited on the coating surface and also make fingerprints easier to remove.

[0041] In some examples, when comparing fingerprint visibility of substrates comprising ionic sealants to other sealants and coatings, the substrates comprising ionic sealants exhibit reduced initial visibility of fingerprints on the housing surface relative to conventional coatings and seals, and provide significant cleaning capabilities if fingerprints are visible.

[0042] Figure 5 A method 600 for providing a sealed anodized coating is illustrated according to some embodiments. Figure 5 As illustrated in FIG. 6 , method 600 may begin at step 610, where a surface of a component or housing is treated. At step 610, a substrate may be anodized in an electrolyte to form an anodic oxide coating. The substrate may include aluminum or titanium. In some examples, the anodic oxide coating may be formed by using a current between about 1.0 A / dm 2 About 2.0A / dm 2 A current density between 0.1 and 0.2 is used to hydrothermally seal and form the anodic oxide. Higher currents may be used if the equipment permits and if the resulting discoloration is acceptable, but defects may be observed if the coating is formed at significantly higher current densities.

[0043] The anodic oxide coating may have a thickness between about 5 μm and about 20 μm. Anodization may last from about 30 minutes to about 60 minutes, or from about 35 to about 55 minutes, or from about 40 to about 50 minutes, or may last for about 45 minutes. The thickness of the oxide layer may be controlled in part by the duration of the anodizing process. In some examples, the electrolyte may include about 5 g / L-250 g / L sulfuric acid. In one example, sulfuric acid having a concentration of about 100 g / L may be used. In some examples, the electrolyte may include an organic acid of about 5 g / L-100 g / L. The organic acid may include at least one of oxalic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, or malonic acid. In some examples, the electrolyte may include a mixture of about 100 g / L sulfuric acid and about 20 g / L organic acid.

[0044] In some examples, method 600 may optionally include dyeing the anodized substrate prior to hydrothermally sealing the anodic oxide coating. In some examples, the substrate may be dyed using an organic dye. The anode pores may contain a dye that may impart a desired color to the substrate.

[0045] In some examples, method 600 may also include an act of sealing the anodic oxide coating 630. In some examples, the anodic oxide coating may be sealed with a sealant that includes an ionic liquid at a concentration between about 0.2 ppm and about 0.3 ppm, although this concentration range is intended to be non-limiting. For example, the concentration of the ionic liquid in the sealant may be between about 0.1 ppm and about 0.2 ppm, between about 0.2 ppm and about 0.3 ppm, between about 0.3 ppm and about 0.4 ppm, between about 0.4 ppm and about 0.6 ppm, or between about 0.6 ppm and about 1 ppm.

[0046] In some examples, the ionic liquid may include at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatics, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate.

[0047] In some examples, act 630 may include immersing the anodized substrate in the sealant solution for between about 20 minutes and about 90 minutes, although other time ranges may be used. For example, the anodized substrate may be immersed in the sealant solution for between about 40 minutes and about 80 minutes, between about 70 minutes and about 120 minutes, between about 90 minutes and about 150 minutes, between about 120 minutes and about 180 minutes, or between about 150 minutes and about 200 minutes. In some examples, the anodized substrate may be immersed in the sealant solution for less than about 60 minutes, less than about 30 minutes, or less than about 15 minutes.

[0048] In some examples, when the anodized substrate is immersed in the sealant solution, the sealant solution can be between about 85° C. and about 100° C. However, other temperature ranges can also be used. For example, the sealant solution can be between about 20° C. and about 50° C., between about 50° C. and about 70° C., between about 70° C. and about 85° C., between about 80° C. and about 90° C., or between about 90° C. and about 100° C.

[0049] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the disclosed precise forms. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

[0050] To the extent applicable to the present technology, the collection and use of data obtained from various sources may be used to improve the delivery of inspirational content or any other content that may be of interest to the user. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, the collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, ID, home address, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

[0051] The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology can be used to benefit users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that users are more interested in. Therefore, the use of such personal information data enables users to have planned control over the content delivered. In addition, the present disclosure also anticipates other uses of personal information data that benefit users. For example, health and fitness data can be used to provide insights into the user's overall health status, or can be used as positive feedback to individuals who use technology to pursue health goals.

[0052] The disclosure anticipates that entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transmission, storage or other uses of such personal information data will comply with sound privacy policies and / or privacy practices. Specifically, such entities should implement and adhere to the use of privacy policies and privacy practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easy for users to access and should be updated as changes in the collection and / or use of data occur. Personal information from users should be collected for legal and reasonable entity purposes and should not be shared or sold outside these legal purposes. In addition, such collection / sharing should be carried out after receiving the user's informed consent. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to protect and safeguard access to such personal information data, and ensure that other entities with access to personal information data comply with the privacy policies and procedures of other entities. In addition, such entities can subject themselves to third-party assessments to prove that they comply with widely accepted privacy policies and privacy practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted to specific types of personal information data collected and / or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards including considerations of special jurisdictions. For example, in the United States, the collection or acquisition of certain health data may be governed by federal and / or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be advocated for different types of personal data in each country.

[0053] Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates implementation schemes in which users selectively block the use or access of personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and / or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, with respect to an advertising delivery service, the technology of the present invention may be configured to allow a user to choose to "opt in" or "opt out" at any time during or after registration for the service to participate in the collection of personal information data. In another example, a user may choose not to provide emotion-related data for a target content delivery service. In another example, a user may choose to limit the length of time that emotion-related data is retained, or to completely prohibit the development of basic emotional conditions. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure also contemplates providing notifications related to access or use of personal information. For example, a user may be notified that the user's personal information data will be accessed when downloading an application, and then the user may be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

[0054] In addition, it is the intention of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed in a manner that minimizes the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Once the data is no longer needed, the risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting the data. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect the privacy of users. De-identification can be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at the city level rather than at the address level), controlling how the data is stored (e.g., aggregating data between users), and / or other methods when appropriate.

[0055] Thus, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that various embodiments may also be implemented without requiring access to such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology will not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content may be selected and delivered to a user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or an absolute minimum amount of personal information, such as content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to a content delivery service, or publicly available information.

[0056] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Therefore, for the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of the specific embodiments described herein is presented. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the disclosed precise forms. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are feasible.

Claims

1. A housing for an electronic device, the housing comprising: Metal substrate; a porous anodic oxide layer, the porous anodic oxide layer covering the metal substrate; and A hydrothermal sealant is disposed on the anodic oxide layer, the hydrothermal sealant comprising a molten salt. 2 . The housing for an electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the metal substrate comprises an aluminum alloy or a titanium alloy.

3. The housing for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the molten salt comprises at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate. 4 . The housing for an electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the hydrothermal sealant has a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°.

5. The housing for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the porous anodic oxide layer further comprises a dye disposed within the pores, the pores comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, the dye filling the pores, and the sealant comprises a crystalline structure having a phosphate concentration gradient. 6 . The housing for an electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the sealant extends between about 10 nm and about 20 nm into the proximal portion of the aperture. 7 . The housing for an electronic device according to claim 5 , wherein the phosphate concentration gradient comprises a high phosphate concentration at the proximal portion of the aperture and a decreasing phosphate concentration toward the distal portion of the aperture. 8 . The housing for an electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises a sealing layer on an outer surface of the anodized layer, the sealing layer having a thickness between about 1 nm and about 100 nm. 9 . The housing for an electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the molten salt comprises a surfactant containing a phosphate.

10. A coating for a housing of an electronic device, comprising: an anodized oxide layer formed on a metal substrate; and A hydrothermal sealant is disposed in the pores of the anodized oxide layer.

11. The coating of claim 10, wherein the hydrothermal sealant comprises an ionic molten salt.

12. The coating of claim 10, wherein the hydrothermal sealant has a water contact angle between about 50° and about 80°.

13. The coating of claim 10, wherein the hydrothermal sealant comprises at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate.

14. The coating of claim 10, wherein the anodized oxide layer comprises pores defined by openings extending from an outer surface of the anodized oxide layer toward the metal substrate, wherein the pores further comprise a dye disposed therein.

15. The coating of claim 14, wherein the pore comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, the dye fills the pore, and the hydrothermal sealant comprises a boehmite structure that seals the proximal portion of the pore.

16. A method of providing a sealed anodized coating, the method comprising: anodizing the substrate in an electrolyte to form an anodic oxide coating; as well as The anodic oxide coating is hydrothermally sealed using a sealant solution having an ionic liquid concentration between about 0.2 ppm and about 3.0 ppm.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sealant solution is between about 85°C and about 100°C.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein sealing the anodic oxide coating with a sealant solution comprises immersing the anodized substrate in the sealant solution for between about 20 minutes and about 90 minutes.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising dyeing the anodized substrate with an organic dye prior to hydrothermally sealing the anodic oxide coating.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the ionic liquid comprises at least one of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium saccharinate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (i.e., 2-PMPA), 2-carboxymethylphosphonate, nitrogen-containing aromatic hydrocarbons, benzothiazolones, or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate.

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