Active enclosure for computing device

• US 8,148,913 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Issued: 04/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Kerr, Duncan R., Hotelling, Steve P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens, Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US12/533,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20090289571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 315/247, 315/250, 315/291, 315/294, 315/297, 315/307, 315/312, 362/26, 362/27, 362/29, 362/31, 362/99, 362/249, 362/561, 362/800, 362/812
• US Class Current: 315/291
• 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 computer system, comprising:

a processor configured to generate pulse width modulation (PWM) signals; and

a light feature operatively coupled to the processor, the light feature comprising;

one or more light emitting diodes capable of emitting light in order to illuminate an illuminable housing of the computer system; and

a light driver disposed between the processor and at least one of the light emitting diodes, the light driver being configured to convert light control signals into a stable continuous current for driving the light emitting diode, the magnitude of the current being based at least in part on the light control signal, the magnitude of the current being proportional to a light intensity of the light emitting diode, wherein the light driver includes a PWM signal to voltage converter and a voltage to current converter.

2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the PWM signal has a duty cycle that changes in accordance with the desired light intensity of the LEDs, wherein the voltage changes in accordance with the duty cycle, and wherein the current changes in accordance with the voltage.

3. The computer system as recited in claim 2, wherein the voltage is between 0 mV to about 500 mV, and wherein the current is between about 0 mA to about 20 mA.

4. The computer system as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the light emitting diodes is capable of producing a different color of light, an intensity of each of the light emitting diodes being adjusted in order to produce different light effects.

5. The computer system as recited in claim 4, wherein the light emitting diodes are selected from red, green, blue and white light emitting diodes, the intensity of each of the light emitting diodes being adjusted in order to produce a different color.

6. The computer system as recited in claim 5, wherein the light feature includes at least a red, green, blue and white light emitting diode.

7. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the light feature includes a light driver for each light emitting diode.

8. The computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein the light feature includes four light drivers, each of which is configured to drive a different light emitting diode, a first light driver is configured to drive a red light emitting diode, a second light driver is configured to drive a green light emitting diode, a third light driver is configured to drive a blue light emitting diode and a fourth light driver is configured to drive a white light emitting diode.

9. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the light feature includes a light driver for at least one light emitting diode and a light switch for at least one light emitting diode.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 9, wherein the light feature includes three light drivers and a light switch, each of which is configured to drive a different light emitting diode, a first light driver is configured to drive a red light emitting diode, a second light driver is configured to drive a green light emitting diode, a third light driver is configured to drive a blue light emitting diode, and the light switch is configured to drive a white light emitting diode.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor includes a pulse width modulation unit having at least one channel with a programmable duty cycle that helps control the light intensity of the light emitting diode.

12. A method of illuminating a housing, comprising:

generating a light control signal associated with a desired light intensity;

converting the light control signal into a voltage representative of the desired light intensity;

converting the voltage into a current representative of the desired light intensity, the current driving a light emitting diode so as to produce light; and

directing the light from the light emitting diode through the housing such that an image is created at an outer surface of the housing.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the voltage is converted to a stable continuous current.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the light control signal is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the PWM signal has a duty cycle that changes in accordance with the desired light intensity of the light emitting diode, wherein the voltage changes in accordance with the duty cycle, and wherein the current changes in accordance with the voltage.

16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the light intensity of the light emitting diode is controlled by a PWM unit having at least one channel with a programmable duty cycle.

17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the current drives a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of which is capable of producing a different color of light, the intensity of each of the light emitting diodes being adjusted in order to produce different light effects.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the light emitting diodes are selected from red, green, blue and white light emitting diodes, the intensity of each of the light emitting diodes being adjusted in order to produce a different color.