Active enclosure for computing device

• US 8,029,166 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kerr, Duncan R., Hotelling, Steve P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton; Anabel
• Application Number:
  US12/533,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20090290359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/85, 362/95, 362/253, 116200-337
• US Class Current: 362/311.02
• 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 and a translucent outer bezel, the inner bezel having a light receiving recess that forms a reduced thickness portion, the reduced thickness portion being translucent and thicker portions of the inner bezel being opaque, wherein the outer bezel encloses the inner bezel including the light receiving recess; 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, the shape of the recess producing an indicator image of similar shape on the outer surface of the inner bezel.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the light source includes a RGB LED system and a white LED.

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

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

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thicker portions surrounding the reduced thickness portion are opaque.

7. A housing indicator system, comprising:

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

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, the shape of the recess producing an indicator image of similar shape on the outer surface of the inner bezel; and

an illuminable plug that is positioned within the recess, the illuminable plug directing light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the illuminable plug includes a light barrier at its peripheral surface, the light barrier being configured to prevent light from emanating out of the sides of the illuminable plug.

9. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein the inner bezel includes an opening rather than a recess, the illuminable plug being disposed inside the opening, the outer surface of the illuminable plug being flush with the outer surface of the inner bezel in order to produce a uniform and continuous appearance.

10. A housing indicator system, comprising:

a housing having at least an inner bezel, the inner bezel having a light receiving opening;

an illuminable plug that is disposed inside the opening, the outer surface of the illuminable plug being flush with the outer surface of the inner bezel in order to produce a uniform and continuous appearance, wherein the illuminable plug includes a screen member at its outer surface, the screen member matching a color of the inner bezel; and

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

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 the area of the translucent layer that is illuminated;

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;

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

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light device includes a RGB LED and a white LED.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light barrier is a thin metal disk, which is positioned within the light receiving recess and over a portion of the translucent layer.

14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the light guide is a light tube formed from opaque white plastic.

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

16. A method of indicating a status of a device having an illuminable indicator, comprising:

providing the device having a housing with a smooth outer surface, wherein the housing comprises a translucent reduced thickness portion configured to transmit light while causing light diffusion;

illuminating the indicator at the outer surface by directing light from a light source to the reduced thickness portion of the housing, wherein the light source is disposed inside the device behind the housing; and

preventing light from passing through thicker portions of the housing.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein a light guide directs the light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a clear outer layer.

20. The method as recite in claim 16, wherein the reduced thickness portion comprises a plurality of layers.