Active enclosure for computing device

• US 8,264,167 B2
• Filed: 02/03/2012
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• 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): Le, Tung X
• Application Number:
  US13/365,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20120133301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 221 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 light control signals;

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

a first light source capable of emitting light on an inner surface of an illuminable housing of the computer system in order to illuminate the illuminable housing by producing light for transmission through a light passing wall of the illuminable housing, wherein the housing is configured to enclose functional components of the computer system; and

a light driver disposed between the processor and the first light source, the light driver being configured to convert the light control signals into a stable continuous current for driving the light source, 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 source; and

a second light source for illuminating a display of the computer system, wherein the second light source is separate from the first light source.

2. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the light control signal is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

3. The computer system as recited in claim 2, wherein the light driver includes a PWM signal to voltage converter and a voltage to current converter.

4. The computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of which 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 1, 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, further comprising:

an event monitor; and

a light effect manager operatively coupled to the event monitor, wherein the light effect manager is configured to direct light control signals to the light feature.

8. The computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein the light control signals are based on events tracked by the event monitor.

9. The computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein the illuminable housing acts as an indicator of an event tracked by the event monitor when illuminated.

10. The computer system as recited in claim 7, wherein the light effect manager is configured to determine an illumination characteristic based on an event tracked by the event monitor and on predetermined configuration information.

11. The computer system as recited in claim 10, wherein the predetermined configuration information identifies a type and nature of illumination to be provided for a specific status information by the light feature.

12. A method of illuminating a housing of a computer, comprising:

monitoring events;

generating a light control signal based on a monitored event, the light control signal being associated with an illumination characteristic and corresponding predetermined configuration information;

converting the light control signal into a form that is configured to be used by emit a light emitting diode; and

directing light from the light emitting diode onto an inner surface of the housing and through the housing, wherein the light emitting diode is separate from a light source configured to illuminate a display of the computer.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein directing light from the light emitting diode through the housing creates an image at an outer surface of the housing.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the predetermined configuration information is stored in a database.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the light directed through the housing as a blinking pattern.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the illumination characteristic is a desired light intensity.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein converting the light control signal comprises:

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

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

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the voltage is converted to a stable continuous current.

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

20. The method as recited in claim 19, 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.