ACTIVE ENCLOSURE FOR COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20100201539A1
• Filed: 04/14/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: KERR, Duncan R., HOTELLING, Steve P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/815.420
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/175 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.

Claims

1. A housing indicator system, comprising:

a housing having at least an inner bezel, the inner bezel having a light receiving recess that forms a reduced thickness portion, the reduced thickness portion being translucent; and

a light source disposed behind the housing, the light source being configured to illuminate the reduced thickness portion in order to form an indicator image at an outer surface of the inner bezel, a shape of the recess producing an indicator image of similar shape on the outer surface of the inner bezel.

2. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an illuminable plug positioned within the recess, the illuminable plug directing light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

3. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, wherein light from the light source is made incident on a translucent portion of the housing, the translucent portion transmitting light without permitting objects disposed behind it from being distinctly seen.

4. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an indicator assembly for indicating events associated with the computing device, the indicator assembly being configured to produce the indicator image at an outer surface of the housing when activated, and to eliminate the indicator image from the outer surface of the housing when deactivated.

5. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 4, wherein the indicator assembly further includes a mask that blocks light from illuminating all but a part of the housing desired to be illuminated.

6. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 4, wherein the indicator assembly further includes a light pipe or light guide for directing light to a part of the housing desired to be illuminated.

7. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the reduced thickness portion is adjusted to affect the intensity of light provided at the outer surface of the inner bezel.

8. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, wherein the inner bezel is formed from a white material.

9. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 1, wherein thicker portions of the housing surrounding the reduced thickness portion are opaque.

10. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises:

a clear outer layer; and

a translucent inner layer, the inner bezel being formed in the translucent inner layer, the reduced thickness portion representing an area of the translucent layer that is illuminated;

and wherein the indicator assembly comprises;

a light barrier configured to prevent light from entering the translucent layer except at the reduced thickness portion; and

a light guide configured to direct light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

11. A housing indicator system, comprising:

a housing comprising a clear outer layer and a translucent inner layer having a light receiving recess that forms a reduced thickness portion, the reduced thickness portion representing an area of the translucent layer that is illuminated; and

an indicator assembly comprising;

a light device configured to provide light to the reduced thickness portion;

a light barrier configured to prevent light from entering the translucent layer except at the reduced thickness portion; and

a light guide configured to direct light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

12. A housing indicator system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light barrier is a metal disk positioned within the light receiving recess and over a portion of the translucent layer.

13. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light guide is a light tube formed of opaque white plastic.

14. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 11, wherein the indicator assembly further includes light gaskets at interfaces surrounding the light guide.

15. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light device includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a processor configured to generate light control signals, and wherein the indicator assembly includes a light system operatively coupled to the processor, the light system including one or more light emitting diodes capable of emitting light to illuminate the housing, and a light driver disposed between the processor and at least one of the light emitting diodes, the light driver being configured to convert the light control signals into a stable continuous current for driving the light emitting diodes, a magnitude of current being based at least in part on the light control signal, the magnitude of the current affecting the light intensity of the light emitting diode.

17. The housing indicator system as recited in claim 16, wherein the light control signals are pulse width modulation (PWM) signals.

18. A housing indicator system, comprising:

a housing having a light receiving recess that forms a reduced thickness portion, the reduced thickness portion being translucent; and

a light source disposed behind the housing, the light source being configured to illuminate the reduced thickness portion in order to form an indicator image at an outer surface of the light receiving recess, the shape of the recess producing an indicator image of similar shape on the outer surface of the light receiving recess.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, further comprising an illuminable plug positioned within the recess, the illuminable plug directing light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

20. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the illuminable plug includes a light barrier at its peripheral surface, the light barrier being configured to prevent light from emanating out of sides of the illuminable plug.

21. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the inner bezel includes an opening in the recess, the illuminable plug being disposed inside the opening, an outer surface of the illuminable plug being flush with the outer surface of the inner bezel to produce a uniform and continuous appearance.

22. The system as recited in claim 19, wherein the illuminable plug includes a screen member at its outer surface, the screen member matching a color of the inner bezel.

23. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

24. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the light source includes a RGB LED system and a white LED.

25. The system as recited in claim 23, further comprising a light driver for each LED.