Active enclosure for computing device

• US 20040156192A1
• Filed: 02/06/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Kerr, Duncan, Hotelling, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/154
• 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 computing device, comprising:

a housing for enclosing various internal components associated with the operation of the computing device; and

an indicator assembly for indicating events associated with the computing device, the indicator assembly being configured to produce an indicator image at an outer surface of the housing when activated, and to eliminate the indicator image from the outer surface of the housing when deactivated.

2. The computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the indicator assembly includes a light source capable of emitting light, the light from the light source being made incident on an inner surface of the housing in order to form the indicator image at the outer surface of the housing.

3. The computing device as recited in claim 2 wherein the light source includes an LED or a group of LEDs.

4. The computing device as recited in claim 3 wherein the light source includes a red, green, blue and white LED, the colored LEDs performing color mixing in order to effect the color of the indicator image.

5. The computing device as recited in claim 2 wherein the light is made incident on a translucent portion of the housing, the translucent portion transmitting light without permitting objects disposed behind it from being distinctly seen.

6. The computing device as recited in claim 2 wherein the indicator assembly further includes a mask that blocks light from illuminating all but the part of the housing desired to be illuminated.

7. The computing device as recited in claim 2 wherein the indicator assembly further includes a light pipe or light guide for directing light to the part of the housing desired to be illuminated.

8. A housing indicator system, comprising:

a housing having at least an inner bezel, the inner bezel having a light receiving recess that forms a reduced thickness portion, the reduced thickness portion being translucent; 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 the 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.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the light source includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

10. The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the light source includes a RGB LED system and a white LED.

11. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the thickness of the reduced thickness portion is adjusted to effect the intensity of light provided at the outer surface of the inner bezel.

12. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the inner bezel is formed from a white material.

13. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the thicker portions surrounding the reduced thickness portion are opaque.

14. The system as recited in claim 8 further comprising an illuminable plug that is positioned within the recess, the illuminable plug directing the light from the light source to the reduced thickness portion.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 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.

16. The system as recited in claim 14 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.

17. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein the illuminable plug includes a screen member at its outer surface, the screen member matching the color of the inner bezel

18. 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.

19. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the light device includes a RGB LED and a white LED.

20. The system as recited in claim 18 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.

21. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the light guide is a light tube formed from opaque white plastic

22. The system as recited in claim 18 wherein the indicator assembly further includes light gaskets at the interfaces surrounding the light guide.

23. A computer system, comprising:

a processor configured to generate light control 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 LEDs, the light driver being configured to convert the 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 effecting the light intensity of the light emitting diode.

24. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein the light control signal is a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal.

25. The computer system as recited in claim 24 wherein the light driver includes a PWM signal to voltage converter and a voltage to current converter.

26. The computer system as recited in claim 25 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.

27. The computer system as recited in claim 26 wherein the voltage is between 0 mV to about 500 mV, and wherein the current is between about 0 mA to about 20 mA.

28. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein the light feature includes a plurality of LEDs, each of which is capable of producing a different color of light, the intensity of each of the LEDs being adjusted in order to produce different light effects.

29. The computer system as recited in claim 28 wherein the LEDs are selected from red, green, blue and white LEDs, the intensity of each of the LEDs being adjusted in order to produce a different color.

30. The computer system as recited in claim 29 wherein the light feature includes at least a red, green, blue and white LED.

31. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein the light feature includes a light driver for each LED.

32. The computer system as recited in claim 31 wherein the light feature includes four light drivers, each of which is configured to drive a different LED, a first light driver is configured to drive a red LED, a second light driver is configured to drive a green LED, a third light driver is configured to drive a blue LED and a fourth light driver is configured to drive a white LED.

33. The computer system as recited in claim 23 wherein the light feature includes a light driver for at least one LED and a light switch for at least one LED.

34. The computer system as recited in claim 33 wherein the light feature includes three light drivers and a light switch, each of which is configured to drive a different LED, a first light driver is configured to drive a red LED, a second light driver is configured to drive a green LED, a third light driver is configured to drive a blue LED, and the light switch is configured to drive a white LED.

35. The computer system as recited in claim 23 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 LED.

36. 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 an LED so as to produce light; and

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