Apple has applied for a new United States Patent, number 20020190975, for a “computing device with dynamic ornamental appearance.”
“The invention pertains to electronic devices capable of dynamically changing their ornamental or decorative appearance, i.e., the outer appearance as seen by a user. The electronic devices generally include an illuminable housing. The illuminable housing, which includes at least one wall configured for the passage of light, is configured to enclose, cover and protect a light arrangement as well as functional components of the electronic device. The light arrangement, which generally includes one or more light sources, is configured to produce light for transmission through the light passing wall(s) of the illuminable housing. The transmitted light illuminates the wall(s) thus giving the wall a new appearance. That is, the transmitted light effectively alters the ornamental or decorative appearance of the electronic device. In most cases, the light is controlled so as to produce a light effect having specific characteristics or attributes. As such, the electronic device may be configured to provide additional feedback to the user of the electronic device and to give users the ability to personalize or change the look of their electronic device on an on-going basis. That is, a housing of the electronic device is active rather than passive, i.e., the housing has the ability to adapt and change. For example, the light may be used to exhibit a housing behavior that reflects the desires or moods of the user, that reflects inputs or outputs for the electronic device, or that reacts to tasks or events associated with operation of the electronic device.”
iTunes-controlled or other application controlled color changes to the cases of iPod, iMac, and iBook lines spring immediately to mind, especially considering Apple’s recent penchant for all or mostly white plastics. Whereas previous iMac (and clamshell iBook) colors were dictated by Apple, now the user would be able to design custom colors to match any environment and change them at will, if our ruminations are correct. Will we see these at MacWorld?
Read the entire patent application here.
