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US 2009/0290359 A1Published application
Active enclosure for computing device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsDuncan R. KERR, Steve P. HOTELLING
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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 an 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.
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.
5 more elements
A method of indicating a status of a device having an illuminable indicator, comprising:
- providing the device having a housing with a smooth outer surface, wherein the housing comprises a translucent reduced thickness portion configured to transmit light while causing light diffusion;
- illuminating the indicator at the outer surface by directing light from a light source to the reduced thickness portion of the housing, wherein the light source is disposed inside the device behind the housing;
- and
- preventing light from passing through thicker portions of the housing.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.