Devices and methods for changing the appearance of a mobile communications device
First Claim
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1. A mobile device comprising:
- an outer housing;
a key adjacent the outer housing;
a plurality of pixels covering the substantial entirety of the outer housing and the key;
a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with the plurality of pixels; and
a logic unit which controls the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels are adapted to change appearance when an electrical signal is sent to the plurality of pixels based upon operation of the logic unit, the logic unit causing the plurality of pixels to display an animated design in response to when the mobile device is placed in an open position;
display a function of the key using a portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key when the mobile device is placed in an open position; and
display a portion of the animated design using the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key, such that the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key follows the appearance of the animated design, when the mobile device ceases to be in use.
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Abstract
The present invention is a housing of a mobile communications device that is entirely covered in pixels. The pixels allow the appearance of the housing to be customized or changed as a user desires. The pixels can be part of an active matrix or passive matrix LCD display that comprises the entire housing. A logic unit on the device allows the appearance of the housing to be selected, created, or downloaded.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mobile device comprising:
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an outer housing; a key adjacent the outer housing; a plurality of pixels covering the substantial entirety of the outer housing and the key; a central processing unit (CPU) in communication with the plurality of pixels; and a logic unit which controls the plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels are adapted to change appearance when an electrical signal is sent to the plurality of pixels based upon operation of the logic unit, the logic unit causing the plurality of pixels to display an animated design in response to when the mobile device is placed in an open position; display a function of the key using a portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key when the mobile device is placed in an open position; and display a portion of the animated design using the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key, such that the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key follows the appearance of the animated design, when the mobile device ceases to be in use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of changing the appearance of a housing of a mobile communications device comprising:
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running a program which controls a plurality of pixels on the housing and a key adjacent the housing, the plurality of pixels covering the substantial entirety of the housing and the key; selecting a desired appearance from the program; communicating the desired appearance to the plurality of pixels; causing the plurality of pixels to display an animated design in response to when the mobile communication device is placed in an open position; causing the plurality of pixels to display a function of the key using a portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key when the mobile device is placed in an open position; and causing the plurality of pixels to display a portion of the animated design using the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key, such that the portion of the plurality of pixels covering the key follows the appearance of the animated design, when the mobile device ceases to be in use. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mobile device, comprising:
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a power supply; a phone portion comprising a first plurality of electronic components connected to the power supply; a computer portion coupled to the phone portion comprising a second plurality of electronic components connected to the power supply; a housing for the first and second pluralities of electronic components, said housing substantially entirely covered in a first liquid crystal display (LCD) connected to the power supply; a key adjacent the housing substantially entirely covered in a second LCD; and a logic unit on the computer portion, wherein the first and second LCDs are adapted to change appearance when an electrical signal is sent to the first and second LCDs based upon operation of the logic unit, the logic unit causing the first LCD to display an animated design in response to when the mobile device is placed in an open position; causing the second LCD to display a function of the key using the second LCD when the mobile device is placed in an open position; and causing the second LCD to display a portion of the animated design using the second LCD, such that the second LCD follows the appearance of the animated design, when the mobile device ceases to be in use. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification