INTEGRATED VISUAL NOTIFICATION SYSTEM IN AN ACCESSORY DEVICE

• US 20180144591A1
• Filed: 01/18/2018
• Published: 05/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: SARTEE, Jared A., WODRICH, Justin Richard
• Granted Patent: US 10,249,152 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

The described embodiments relate generally to an accessory device for a tablet device. The accessory device takes the form of a flexible screen protector that can be disposed over a display portion of the tablet device. Because the flexible screen protector covers the display of the tablet there is no visual way for the tablet to provide notifications to the user while the screen protector overlays it. By providing a data and power connection between the tablet and the accessory device, the processor of the tablet device can command illumination elements disposed in the accessory device to be illuminated in any of a number of illumination states. Each of the illumination states can be associated with an operating state of the tablet device thereby allowing the tablet device to visually communicate operating state information while the display is covered.

Claims

1. An accessory device for an electronic device that includes a display, the accessory device comprising:

a body having a size and shape to cover the display, the body having an opaque portion and a transparent portion connected to the opaque portion, wherein the body covering the display causes the display to present visual information at a location corresponding to the transparent portion.

2. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising illumination elements embedded in the cover.

3. The accessory device of claim 2, further comprising a window formed in the cover, wherein the illumination elements provide a notification of visual element presented on the display at a location corresponding to the window.

4. The accessory device of claim 3, further comprising a transparent material that fills the window.

5. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising:

a least a first segment that defines the opaque portion; and

a second segment that defines the transparent portion, wherein the second segment defines an outer edge of the body.

6. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising a hinge that connects the body with the electronic device.

7. The accessory device of claim 1, further comprising an electroluminescent panel carried by the cover, the electroluminescent panel having a shape in accordance with a notification, wherein a control signal from the electronic device to the body causes the electroluminescent panel to illuminate and provide the notification.

8. An accessory device for an electronic device that includes a display, the accessory device comprising:

a transparent body having a size and shape to cover the display, the transparent body having an opening that leads to the electronic device; and

a hinge connected to the transparent body, wherein when the hinge is coupled with the electronic device, the hinge allows rotation of the transparent body with respect to the electronic device.

9. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the transparent body allow an input to be received by a touch sensor of the display.

10. The accessory device of claim 8, further comprising an illumination panel embedded in the transparent body, the illumination panel capable of illuminating when a control signal generated by the electronic device is received by the transparent body.

11. The accessory device of claim 10, wherein the illumination panel illuminates to define an illumination that defines a user notification.

12. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the transparent body comprises:

a first segment; and

a second segment; and

a foldable region between the first segment and the second segment, wherein the foldable region allows the first segment to pivot relative to the second segment, and vice versa.

13. The accessory device of claim 12, wherein the transparent body further comprises:

a third segment; and

a second foldable region between the second segment and the third segment, wherein the foldable region and the second foldable region allow the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment to form a triangular support structure.

14. The accessory device of claim 8, wherein the hinge comprises a magnet capable of magnetically coupled with the electronic device.

15. An accessory device for an electronic device that includes a display, the accessory device comprising:

a cover having a size and shape to cover the display; and

an electroluminescent panel carried by the cover, the electroluminescent panel having a shape in accordance with a notification, wherein a control signal from the electronic device to the cover causes the electroluminescent panel to illuminate and provide the notification.

16. The accessory device of claim 15, further comprising illumination elements embedded in the cover, the illumination elements capable of illuminating when a control signal generated by the electronic device is received by the cover.

17. The accessory device of claim 15, wherein the cover comprises an opening, and wherein when the cover overlays the display, the display present visual information in a location corresponding to the opening.

18. The accessory device of claim 17, further comprising:

a first segment that includes the opening; and

a second segment that includes the electroluminescent panel, the second segment different from the first segment.

19. The accessory device of claim 18, further comprising a third segment different from the first segment and the second segments, the third segment comprising illumination elements embedded in the third segment, the illumination elements capable of illuminating to form at least of a notification or a word.

20. The accessory device of claim 15, wherein the shape includes at least one of an email notification, a calendar notification, or an application related notification.