Display housing for computing device

• US 6,977,808 B2
• Filed: 09/03/1999
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence, Bell, Jory, Stringer, Chris J., Riccomini, Roy
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US09/389,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20030161093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/681, 361/683
• US Class Current: 361/679.24
• 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 display apparatus of a computer system, comprising:

a liquid crystal display panel that produces light for a display screen;

a frame supporting said liquid crystal display panel with dimensional stability;

a housing having said frame attached thereto, substantial portions of said housing being translucent; and

a cosmetic shield provided between said housing and said frame to mask said frame and said liquid crystal display panel from being visible through the substantial portions of said housing being translucent.

2. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display apparatus is lid of a portable computer.

3. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the substantial portions of said housing are formed from a polycarbonate material.

4. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing lacks uniform ribs.

5. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display apparatus further comprises:

an Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) shield provided with or adjacent said frame.

6. A display apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said EMI shield includes a plurality of openings.

7. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame attached to said housing at a peripheral portion of said housing.

8. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame is metal.

9. A display apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the substantial portions of said housing are formed from a polycarbonate material.

10. A display apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said frame attached to said housing at a peripheral portion of said housing using connectors such that the connectors are not visible through said housing.

11. A display apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein an upper portion of said frame affixes to an upper peripheral portion of said housing using a plurality of tongues formed on the upper peripheral portion of said housing.

12. A display apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein a lower portion of said frame affixes to a lower peripheral portion of said housing using a plurality of screws inserted parallel to a primary surface of said housing.

13. A display apparatus as recited in claim 1,

wherein said display apparatus further comprises:

an Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) shield provided with or adjacent said frame, said EMI shield including a reflection region where the opening are not present, and

wherein said cosmetic shield including a cosmetic shield opening, the cosmetic shield opening being positioned across from the reflection region of said EMI shield.

14. A display apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the cosmetic shield opening pertains to a predetermined design.

15. A display apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the predetermined design is a symbol.

16. A display apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein at least a portion of light from said light panel that reflects from the reflection region of said EMI shield produces an illuminated design on said housing when said light panel is active, the illuminated design corresponds to the predetermined design.

17. A display apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the predetermined design is a logo.

18. A computer monitor, comprising:

a housing, substantial portions of said housing being translucent;

a light source provided within said housing, said light source producing light for a display screen of the computer monitor; and

a cosmetic shield provided between said housing and said light source to mask said light source from being visible through the substantial portions of said housing being translucent.

19. A computer monitor as recited in claim 18, further comprising:

an Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) shield provided between said light source and said cosmetic shield, said EMI shield including a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings allowing at least a portion of light from said light source to pass through the EMI shield to the cosmetic shield.

20. A computer monitor as recited in claim 19, wherein said cosmetic shield includes a cosmetic shield opening, the cosmetic shield opening allowing light passing through the EMI shield to pass through the cosmetic shield in order to illuminate the substantial portions of said housing being translucent.

21. A computer monitor as recided in claim 20, wherein said EMI shield further includes a reflection region where the plurality of openings are not present, the cosmetic shield opening being positioned across from the reflection region of said EMI shield.

22. A computer monitor as recited in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of light passing through the cosmetic shield reflects from the reflection region of said EMI shield.

23. A computer monitor as recited in claim 20, wherein the cosmetic shield opening is in the shape of a company logo.

24. A computer monitor as recited in claim 19, wherein said computer monitor is lid of a portable computer.

25. A computer monitor as recited in claim 24, wherein said light source is part of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel.

26. A computer monitor as recited in claim 25, wherein the substantial portions of said housing being translucent are formed from a polycarbonate material.

27. A method for illuminating a predetermined design in a translucent housing using reflected light, said method comprising:

emitting light from a light panel in first and second directions;

reflecting a portion of the light emitted in the second direction from a cosmetic shield, the cosmetic shield being provided between the housing and the light panel;

reflecting a portion of the light reflected from the cosmetic shield back towards the cosmetic shield using a reflecting surface; and

passing a portion of the reflected light from the reflecting surface through an opening in the cosmetic shield having the predetermined design and then through a corresponding portion of the housing adjacent the opening in the cosmetic shield, thereby illuminating the predetermined design in the translucent housing.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the predetermined design is a logo.

29. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein the reflecting surface is provided by a portion of a EMI shield provided between the light panel and the cosmetic shield, the EMI shield includes openings that pass through substantial amounts of light yet provides electro-magnetic shielding, the openings are not provided in the portion of the EMI shield providing the reflecting surface.

30. A computer monitor, comprising:

a flat panel display that emits light in a forward direction and in a back direction when active; and

an outer shell for providing a housing for at least a rear portion of said computer monitor, said outer shell including a transparent portion through which a portion of the light emitted by said flat panel display in the back direction is able to pass, thereby illuminating the transparent portion when said flat panel display is active.

31. A computer monitor as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

a light diffuser provided between said flat panel display and the translucent portion of said outer shell.

32. A computer monitor as recited in claim 31, wherein said light diffuser is a label.

33. A computer monitor as recited in claim 31, wherein the light passing through the transparent portion produces a multi-color illuminated design.

34. A computer monitor as recited in claim 33, wherein the multi-color illuminated design is defined by the transparent portion.

35. A computer monitor as recited in claim 33, wherein said light diffuser is a label, and wherein the multi-color illuminated design is defined on the label.

36. A computer monitor as recited in claim 30, wherein said light diffuser is able to substantially normalize the intensity of the light being emitted through the transparent portion across flat panel displays with substantially different characteristics in the light emitted in the back direction.

37. A computer monitor as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

a light guide that receives a portion of the light emitted in the back direction by said flat panel display, and directs the portion of the received light to a predetermined destination for illumination of a feature when said flat panel display is active.

38. A computer monitor as recited in claim 37, wherein the feature is a design on a front portion of said display apparatus.

39. A computer monitor as recited in claim 38, wherein the feature is external to said computer monitor.

40. A computer monitor as recited in claim 39, wherein the feature illuminates a keyboard of a computer associated with said computer monitor.

41. The computer monitor as recited in claim 37 wherein the light guide is a light pipe.

42. The computer monitor as recited in claim 37 wherein the light guide is an opening defined by a foam insert disposed between the flat panel display and the transparent portion off the outer shell.

43. A computer monitor as recited in claim 42 further including a foam stiffener provided internal to said housing so as to substantially fill unused space internal to said housing, thereby providing stiffness to said housing.

44. A computer monitor as recited in claim 43 wherein said antenna has first and second antenna poles, and wherein said housing has first and second sides, the first antenna pole being placed at the first side and the second antenna pole being placed at the second side.

45. A computer monitor as recited in claim 42 further including an antenna, said antenna being configured to transmit or receive RF signals, said housing being configured to enclose said antenna such that said antenna is entirely contained internal to said housing and is operable while being internal to said housing without having to extend any portion of said antenna outside said housing.

46. A portable computer, comprising:

a base unit including at least a processor;

a display unit including a bezel, a flat panel display, and a translucent outer shell, said flat panel display being disposed between said bezel and said translucent outer shell and emitting light so as to illuminate the translucent outer shell.

47. A portable computer as recited in claim 46 wherein said display unit further comprises:

a cosmetic shield disposed between said flat panel display and said outer shell, said cosmetic shield masking a substantial portion of said light that is emitted by said flat panel display.

48. A portable computer as recited in claim 47 wherein said cosmetic shield includes a reflective surface positioned towards said fiat panel display, and a mask opening for allowing the light to pass therethrough, said light passing through the mask opening illuminating a portion of said outer shell.

49. A portable computer as recited in claim 48 wherein said display unit further comprises an Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) shield disposed between said flat panel display and said cosmetic shield, said EMI shield having a plurality of holes for allowing said light to pass therethrough, and a reflective surface positioned away from said flat panel display and towards said cosmetic shield.

50. A portable computer as recited in claim 49 wherein said light emitted by said flat panel display is passed through said openings in said EMI shield towards said reflective surface of said cosmetic shield, thereafter said first passed light is reflected off of the reflective surface of the cosmetic shield towards the reflective surface of the EMI shield, thereafter said first reflected light is reflected off of the reflective surface of the EMI shield towards the mask opening in the cosmetic shield, thereafter the second reflected light is passed through the mask opening thereby illuminating a portion of said outer shell.

51. A portable computer as recited in claim 46 wherein said display unit further comprises a frame for supporting said flat panel display relative to said base unit.

52. A portable computer as recited in claim 51 wherein said frame is coupled to said base unit via a hinge.

53. A portable computer as recited in claim 46 wherein said bezel is coupled to said outer shell so as to form a housing of said display unit.

54. A computing system, comprising:

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

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.

55. The component as recited in claim 54 wherein the computing device or system is a general purpose computer.

56. The component as recited in claim 55 wherein the general purpose computer is a portable computer.

57. The component as recited in claim 54 wherein the component is a display apparatus.

58. The component as recited in claim 57 wherein the light source is a flat panel display.

59. The component as recited in claim 58 wherein the light source is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

60. The component as recited in claim 54 wherein the light source produces light in first and second directions.

61. The component as recited in claim 60 wherein the light produced in the first direction passes through an opening in the housing, and wherein the light produced in the second direction passes through the substantial portion of the housing that is translucent.

62. The component as recited in claim 54 further including a cosmetic shield disposed between the light source and the substantial portion of the housing that is translucent, the cosmetic shield having a light blocking portion and a light passing portion.

63. The component as recited in claim 62 wherein the light passing portion associated with the cosmetic shield is an opening for allowing light to pass therethrough, and wherein the light blocking portion reflective surface.

64. The component as recited in claim 62 further including an EMI shield disposed between the light source and the cosmetic shield, the EMI shield having a light blocking portion and a light passing portion.

65. The component as recited in claim 64 wherein the light passing portion associated with the EMI shield is a plurality of openings for allowing light to pass therethrough.

66. A computer monitor, comprising:

a housing having a translucent wall and an opening for a display screen of the computer monitor;

a light source for illuminating the display screen, and for illuminating at least a portion of the translucent wall.

67. The display apparatus as recited in claim 66 further comprising a cosmetic shield disposed between the display device and the translucent wall.

68. The display apparatus as recited in claim 66 further comprising an EMI shield disposed between the display device and the translucent wall.

69. A portable computer, comprising:

a base unit including at least a processor;

a display unit including a bezel, a flat panel display, and a translucent outer shell, said flat panel display being disposed between said bezel and said translucent outer shell and emitting light so as to illuminate the translucent outer shell; and

a cosmetic shield disposed between said flat panel display and said outer shell, said cosmetic shield masking a substantial portion of said light that is emitted by said flat panel display, said cosmetic shield including a reflective surface positioned towards said flat panel display, and a mask opening for allowing the light to pass therethrough, said light passing through the mask opening illuminating a portion of said outer shell.

70. A portable computer as recited in claim 69 wherein said display unit further comprises an Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) shield disposed between said flat panel display and said cosmetic shield, said EMI shield having a plurality of holes for allowing said light to pass therethrough, and a reflective surface positioned away from said flat panel display and towards said cosmetic shield.

71. A portable computer as recited in claim 70 wherein said light emitted by said flat panel display is passed through said openings in said EMI shield towards said reflective surface of said cosmetic shield, thereafter said first passed light is reflected off of the reflective surface of the cosmetic shield towards the reflective surface of the EMI shield, thereafter said first reflected light is reflected off of the reflective surface of the EMI shield towards the mask opening in the cosmetic shield, thereafter the second reflected light is passed through the mask opening thereby illuminating a portion of said outer shell.

72. A portable computer as recited in claim 69 wherein said display unit further comprises a frame for supporting said flat panel display relative to said base unit.

73. A portable computer as recited in claim 72 wherein said frame is coupled to said base unit via a hinge.