Invisible, light-transmissive display system

• US 7,884,315 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2006
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Coster, Daniel, Rohrbach, Matthew, Satzger, Doug B., Khosla, Jivan Kumar, Kerr, Duncan, Stringer, Christopher J., Ive, Jonathan P., Andre, Bartley K., Zörkendörfer, Rico, de Iuliis, Daniele, Seid, Calvin Q., Whang, Eugene Antony, Nishibori, Shin, Howarth, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Sohn; Seung C
• Application Number:
  US11/456,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20080084404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.26, 345/173, 345/204, 428/690, 405/80
• US Class Current: 250/227.26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/10 for personal use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/06 using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/08 using both translucent and non-translucent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible holes penetrate through at least a portion of the light resistant material in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive display system, comprising:

providing a light resistant material; and

penetrating substantially invisible holes in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern through the light resistant material.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising shining light through the invisible holes.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising transmitting light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface that is with or without an intrinsic design therein.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

choosing and customizing aesthetic and display motifs by selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are displayed through the invisible holes.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined pattern further comprises penetrating invisible holes through the light resistant material in a pattern selected from one or more informational patterns, logos, control indication patterns, status indication patterns, directive patterns, artistic patterns, and a combination thereof.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising shining predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising orienting at least one light source behind the light resistant material to shine light through the invisible holes.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising orienting at least one light detector behind the light resistant material to detect light shined through the invisible holes.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising orienting at least one light source behind the light resistant material to selectively shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

orienting predetermined light sources behind the light resistant material respectively aligned with the invisible holes; and

configuring the predetermined light sources to controllably shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes to cause the holes to function as pixels to provide a controllable visual display.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising brushing a light-conducting filler into the invisible holes.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising applying into the invisible holes a light-conducting filler selected from one or more fillers that are clear, color-containing, dye-containing, fluorescent, particle-containing, fluorescent particles-containing, nano-particles-containing, or a combination thereof.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising applying a light-conducting UV-curable or heat-curable filler into the invisible holes and curing the light-conducting filler.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising applying light-conducting fillers into the invisible holes, the fillers having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising applying light-conducting fillers into the invisible holes, the fillers having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes, the correlated viscosities for larger holes being higher than the correlated viscosities for smaller holes.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined pattern through the light resistant material further comprises penetrating the invisible holes through the light resistant material and coloring the outer surface of the light resistant material in a predetermined pattern.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined pattern through the light resistant material further comprises penetrating the invisible holes through the light resistant material with sufficient heat to discolor the outer surface of the light resistant material in a predetermined pattern.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined pattern through the light resistant material further comprises penetrating the invisible holes through the light resistant material to simulate one or more of an etched surface, burnished surface, sandblasted surface, anodized surface, engraved surface, and a combination thereof.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising penetrating visible holes in a predetermined pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising forming a cavity into the rear surface of the light resistant material behind the predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.

21. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising reinforcing at least a portion of the light-transmissive display pattern with a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element.

22. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive display system, comprising:

providing a light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material;

penetrating substantially invisible holes in a predetermined ghosted field light-transmissive display pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material; and

orienting at least one light source with respect to the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material to shine predetermined patterns of light through the invisible holes.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising transmitting light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface that is with or without a persistently visible intrinsic design therein.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising:

transmitting light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

choosing and customizing aesthetic and display motifs by selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are displayed through the invisible holes.

25. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined ghosted field pattern further comprises penetrating invisible holes through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material in a pattern selected from one or more informational patterns, logos, control indication patterns, status indication patterns, directive patterns, artistic patterns, and a combination thereof.

26. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising shining predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

27. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising orienting at least one light detector behind the light resistant material to detect light shined through the invisible holes.

28. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising:

orienting predetermined light sources behind the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material respectively aligned with the invisible holes; and

configuring the predetermined light sources to controllably shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes to cause the holes to function as pixels to provide a controllable visual display.

29. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising applying into the invisible holes a light-conducting filler selected from one or more fillers that are clear, color-containing, dye-containing, fluorescent, particle-containing, fluorescent particles-containing, nano-particles-containing, or a combination thereof.

30. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising applying light-conducting fillers into the invisible holes, the fillers having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes, the correlated viscosities for larger holes being higher than the correlated viscosities for smaller holes.

31. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined ghosted field pattern further comprises penetrating invisible holes through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material using one or more of laser drilling, laser machining, electron beam machining, electro-discharge machining, chemical milling, metal injection molding, conventional drilling, and a combination thereof.

32. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined ghosted field pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material further comprises penetrating the invisible holes through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material and coloring the outer surface of the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material in a predetermined persistently visible pattern.

33. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein penetrating invisible holes in a predetermined ghosted field pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material further comprises penetrating the invisible holes through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material to simulate one or more of an etched surface, burnished surface, sandblasted surface, anodized surface, engraved surface, and a combination thereof.

34. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising penetrating visible holes in a predetermined pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material.

35. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising penetrating the invisible holes through the surface of a computer, a display panel, a personal data assistant, a personal music player, appliance instrumentation, vehicle instrumentation, a vehicle display, electronics instrumentation or display, jewelry, a kiosk, an automated teller, a communication device, a remote control device, a medical instrument or device, a simulator, or a combination thereof.

36. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising forming a cavity into the rear surface of the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material behind the predetermined ghosted field light-transmissive display pattern.

37. The method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising reinforcing at least a portion of the light-transmissive display pattern with a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element.

38. An invisible, light-transmissive display system, comprising:

a light resistant material; and

substantially invisible holes penetrating in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern through the light resistant material.

39. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light source configured to shine light through the invisible holes.

40. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light source configured to transmit light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface that is with or without an intrinsic design therein.

41. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising:

a light source configured to transmit light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

a controller for selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are displayed through the invisible holes to choose and customize aesthetic and display motifs.

42. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the invisible holes penetrating in a predetermined pattern further comprise invisible holes penetrating through the light resistant material in a pattern selected from one or more informational patterns, logos, control indication patterns, status indication patterns, directive patterns, artistic patterns, and a combination thereof.

43. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light source configured to shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

44. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising at least one light source oriented behind the light resistant material and configured to selectively shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

45. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising at least one light detector oriented behind the light resistant material and configured to detect light shined through the invisible holes.

46. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising predetermined light sources:

behind the light resistant material;

respectively aligned with the invisible holes; and

configured to controllably shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes to cause the holes to function as pixels to provide a controllable visual display.

47. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light-conducting filler having the characteristics of having been brushed into the invisible holes.

48. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light-conducting filler in the invisible holes and selected from one or more fillers that are clear, color-containing, dye-containing, fluorescent, particle-containing, fluorescent particles-containing, nano-particles-containing, or a combination thereof.

49. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a light-conducting UV-curable or heat-curable filler that has been cured in the invisible holes.

50. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising light-conducting fillers in the invisible holes, the fillers when liquid having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes.

51. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising light-conducting fillers in the invisible holes, the fillers when liquid having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes, the correlated viscosities for larger holes being higher than the correlated viscosities for smaller holes.

52. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a predetermined colored pattern on the outer surface of the light resistant material.

53. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a predetermined heat discolored pattern on the outer surface of the light resistant material.

54. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the invisible holes are configured to simulate one or more of an etched surface, burnished surface, sandblasted surface, anodized surface, engraved surface, and a combination thereof.

55. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising visible holes penetrating in a predetermined pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material.

56. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a cavity in the rear surface of the light resistant material behind the predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.

57. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element reinforcing at least a portion of the light-transmissive display pattern.

58. An invisible, light-transmissive display system, comprising:

a light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material;

substantially invisible holes penetrating in a predetermined ghosted field light-transmissive display pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material; and

at least one light source configured with respect to the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material to shine predetermined patterns of light through the invisible holes.

59. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a light source configured to transmit light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface that is with or without a persistently visible intrinsic design therein.

60. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising:

a light source configured to transmit light through at least some of the invisible holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

a controller for selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are displayed through the invisible holes to choose and customize aesthetic and display motifs.

61. The system as claimed in claim 58 wherein the invisible holes penetrating in a predetermined ghosted field pattern further comprise invisible holes penetrating through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material in a pattern selected from one or more informational patterns, logos, control indication patterns, status indication patterns, directive patterns, artistic patterns, and a combination thereof.

62. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a light source configured to shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes.

63. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising at least one light detector oriented behind the light resistant material and configured to detect light shined through the invisible holes.

64. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising predetermined light sources:

behind the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material;

respectively aligned with the invisible holes; and

configured to controllably shine predetermined patterns of monochrome or multi-colored light through the invisible holes to cause the holes to function as pixels to provide a controllable visual display.

65. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a light-conducting filler in the invisible holes and selected from one or more fillers that are clear, color-containing, dye-containing, fluorescent, particle-containing, fluorescent particles-containing, nano-particles-containing, or a combination thereof.

66. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising light-conducting fillers in the invisible holes, the fillers when liquid having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible holes, the correlated viscosities for larger holes being higher than the correlated viscosities for smaller holes.

67. The system as claimed in claim 58 wherein the invisible holes that penetrate in a predetermined ghosted field pattern further comprise invisible holes that have the characteristics of having penetrated through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material by using one or more of laser drilling, laser machining, electron beam machining, electro-discharge machining, chemical milling, metal injection molding, conventional drilling, and a combination thereof.

68. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a predetermined persistently visible colored pattern on the outer surface of the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material.

69. The system as claimed in claim 58 wherein the invisible holes are configured to simulate one or more of an etched surface, burnished surface, sandblasted surface, anodized surface, engraved surface, and a combination thereof.

70. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising visible holes penetrating in a predetermined pattern through the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material.

71. The system as claimed in claim 58 wherein the invisible holes penetrate through the surface of a computer, a display panel, a personal data assistant, a personal music player, appliance instrumentation, vehicle instrumentation, a vehicle display, electronics instrumentation or display, jewelry, a kiosk, an automated teller, a communication device, a remote control device, a medical instrument or device, a simulator, or a combination thereof.

72. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a cavity in the rear surface of the light resistant metallic, plastic, or coated material behind the predetermined ghosted field light-transmissive display pattern.

73. The system as claimed in claim 58 further comprising a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element reinforcing at least a portion of the light-transmissive display pattern.

74. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

providing a light resistant material; and

penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material.

75. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising shining light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

76. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising transmitting light through at least some of the invisible light-transmissive holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface.

77. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising:

transmitting visible light through at least some of the invisible light-transmissive holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

choosing and customizing display motifs by selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are transmitted through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

78. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising orienting at least one light detector behind the light resistant material to detect light shined through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

79. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising flowing a light-conducting filler into the invisible light-transmissive holes.

80. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising applying a light-conducting curable filler into the invisible light-transmissive holes and curing the light-conducting filler.

81. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising applying light-conducting fillers into the invisible light-transmissive holes, the fillers having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible light-transmissive holes.

82. The method as claimed in claim 74 wherein penetrating invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material further comprises penetrating the invisible light-transmissive holes through the light resistant material and configuring at least a portion of the outer surface of the light resistant material in a predetermined pattern.

83. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising penetrating visible holes in a predetermined pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material.

84. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising forming a cavity into the rear surface of the light resistant material behind the light-transmissive pattern.

85. The method as claimed in claim 74 further comprising reinforcing at least a portion of the light resistant material with a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element.

86. An invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

a light resistant material; and

substantially invisible light-transmissive holes penetrating in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material.

87. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a light source configured for shining light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

88. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a light source configured to transmit light through at least some of the invisible light-transmissive holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface.

89. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising:

a light source configured to transmit visible light through at least some of the invisible light-transmissive holes to cause light to emanate from an apparently solid surface; and

a controller for selecting and controlling the light and light patterns that are transmitted through the invisible light-transmissive holes to choose and customize display motifs.

90. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising at least one light detector oriented behind the light resistant material and configured to detect light shined through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

91. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a light-conducting filler having the characteristics of having been flowed into the invisible light-transmissive holes.

92. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a light-conducting filler that has been cured in the invisible light-transmissive holes.

93. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising light-conducting fillers in the invisible light-transmissive holes, the fillers when liquid having respective predetermined selected viscosities that are correlated with corresponding respective hole sizes of the invisible light-transmissive holes.

94. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a predetermined pattern on at least a portion of the outer surface of the light resistant material.

95. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising visible holes penetrating in a predetermined pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material.

96. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a cavity in the rear surface of the light resistant material behind the light-transmissive pattern.

97. The system as claimed in claim 86 further comprising a transparent or translucent structural reinforcing element reinforcing at least a portion of the light resistant material.