USER-MODIFIABLE CASING FOR PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

• US 20100123666A1
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wickholm, Anna, Thorn, Ola
• Application Number:
  US12/273,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20100123666A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions

Abstract

The invention relates to a casing for a portable communication device, comprising at least one layer of an electrical conducting material adapted to change its appearance. The layer is connected to an outer surface of the casing. A control unit is adapted to receive an input signal and as a result produce a control signal where the layer is adapted to receive the control signal and to change its appearance depending on the control signal, and thereby change the appearance of said casing.

Claims

1. Casing for a portable communication device, comprising;

at least one layer of an electrical conducting material adapted to change its appearance, wherein said layer is connected to an outer surface of said casing;

a control unit adapted to receive an input signal and as a result produce a control signal;

wherein said layer is adapted to receive said control signal and to change its appearance depending on said control signal, and thereby change the appearance of said casing.

2. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said layer of electrical conducting material comprise of a number of individual cells, wherein each individual cell is capable of changing its appearance individually depending on said control signal.

3. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said change of appearance of the casing comprises a change in transparency of said layer.

4. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said change of appearance of the electrical conducting layer comprises a change in colors.

5. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said change of appearance of the electrical conducting layer comprises a change in reflection.

6. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said change of appearance of the electrical conducting layer comprises a change in pattern.

7. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said layer covers the whole outer surface of the casing.

8. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the casing additionally comprises a layer of pressure sensitive material.

9. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the casing additionally comprises additional layers of electrical conducting material, wherein each additional layer are controlled by an individual control signal and adapted to change its appearance depending on said individual control signal.

10. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said layer of electrical conducting material is configured to retain its appearance if no change in the control signal is received.

11. The casing according to claim 1, wherein said layer of electrical conducting material is configured to retain its appearance if no control signal is received.

12. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the input signal is generated by said pressure sensitive layer as a result of a pressure applied to said pressure sensitive layer.

13. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the input signal is generated by a user command.

14. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the portable communication device comprises a user interface, wherein the input signal is generated by operating said user interface.

15. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the input signal is generated by an external event outside to the portable communication device.

16. Method for changing appearance of a casing in a portable communication device comprising at least one layer of electrical conducting material, wherein said layer is connected to an outer surface of said casing, adapted to change its appearance, the method comprising the steps;

receiving an input signal;

producing a control signal as a result of the received input signal;

changing the appearance of the casing as a result of a control signal; and

retaining the appearance of the casing.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable components comprising instructions for changing the appearance of the casing of a portable communication device comprising at least one layer of electrical conducting material, wherein said layer is connected to an outer surface of said casing, adapted to change its appearance, comprising instructions for;

receiving an input signal;

producing a control signal as a result of the received input signal;

changing the appearance of the casing as a result of a control signal; and

retaining the appearance of the casing.