Display housing for computing device

• US 8,139,349 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2009
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence, Bell, Jory, Stringer, Chris J., Riccomini, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jinhee
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, INGRID D
• Application Number:
  US12/490,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20090257232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.21, 361/679.22, 361/816, 361/818, 248917-924, 174/35.R, 174/35.GC, 362/311.01, 362/311.02, 362/310, 362/351, 362/296.09, 362/253, 349 58- 60
• US Class Current: 361/679.21
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Claims

1. A personal computing device, comprising:

a housing having a translucent portion, the housing enclosing internally various components that provide computing operations for the personal computing device;

a light source disposed inside the housing, said light source being configured to produce light inside said housing so as to illuminate at least a portion of said translucent portion in a manner that results in the display of a predetermined design on said housing;

a mask disposed inside the housing and proximate to the light source, said mask being positioned to block at least a portion of light emitted from the light source, wherein the mask includes an opening therethrough in a form of said predetermined design, and wherein the passing of light from the light source through the opening results in the display of said predetermined design; and

an EMI shield disposed between said light source and said mask, wherein said EMI shield is adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough from the light source to the mask.

2. The personal computing device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined design is a symbol.

3. The personal computing device of claim 1, wherein said predetermined design is a logo.

4. The personal computing device of claim 1, wherein said mask comprises a cosmetic shield.

5. The personal computing device of claim 1, wherein said light source is configured to produce light inside the housing so as to indirectly illuminate at least a portion of said translucent portion.

6. The personal computing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a light directing system configured to direct the light from the light source to the translucent portion.

7. The personal computing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a light scattering element configured to scatter light from the light source.

8. The personal computing device of claim 1, wherein said mask is separate from said housing.

9. A method of illuminating a personal computing device, the method comprising:

providing a housing having a translucent portion, the housing enclosing internally various components that provide computing operations for the personal computing device;

disposing at least one light source inside the housing;

emitting light from the at least one light source so as to illuminate at least a portion of said translucent portion in a manner that results in the display of a predetermined design on said housing; and

positioning a mask inside the housing and proximate the at least one light source such that said mask blocks at least a portion of light from the at least one light source, wherein the mask includes an opening therethrough in a form of said predetermined design, and wherein the passing of light from the at least one light source through the opening results in the display of said predetermined design.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said predetermined design is a symbol or logo.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said mask comprises a cosmetic shield.

12. The method of claim 9, further including the step of:

directing light from said at least one light source to said translucent portion.

13. The method of claim 9, further including the step of:

scattering light from said at least one light source, wherein said scattered light contributes to form a characteristic glow at one or more locations on said housing.

14. A method for illuminating a predetermined design on an electronic device, the method comprising:

providing a light source, a mask adapted to block at least a portion of the light source, and an EMI shield disposed between the light source and the mask within a housing of the electronic device, wherein said EMI shield is adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough from the light source to the mask, wherein the mask comprises an opening therethrough that forms a predetermined design, and wherein the housing comprises at least a translucent portion thereof;

emitting light from the light source within the electronic device; and

passing at least a portion of the emitted light through the opening in the mask and then through a corresponding translucent portion of the housing adjacent the opening in the mask, thereby illuminating the predetermined design in the translucent portion.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said predetermined design is a symbol or logo.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said mask comprises a cosmetic shield.

17. The method of claim 14, further including the step of:

directing light from said light source to said translucent portion.

18. A personal computing device, comprising:

a housing having a translucent portion, the housing enclosing internally various components that provide computing operations for the personal computing device;

a light source disposed inside the housing, said light source being configured to produce light inside said housing so as to illuminate at least a portion of said translucent portion in a manner that results in the display of a predetermined design on said housing;

a mask disposed inside the housing and proximate to the light source, said mask being positioned to block at least a portion of light emitted from the light source; and

an EMI shield disposed between said light source and said mask, wherein said EMI shield is adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough from the light source to the mask.