Patent: Dynamic Ornamental Appearance

[MacRumors]

A patent filed on February 13, 2002 by "Apple Computers, Inc" [sic] reveals a very interesting patent description:


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.


Images/diagrams also available at the US Patent site.

[Billicus]

Very interesting indeed... new iDevice?

[TheAnswer]

Anyone else thinking maybe iTunes effects against the outside cover of an iPod...in effect a Mood Pod??

Too bad I only use mine while in traffic or at the gym...trust me, half the time it would not be pretty.

[medea]

wow, what in the world could this become? I'm imagining a new cube that does everything the article talks about.....wow, I wonder how long it will be before we see this implemented in something?

[robrash]

I don't understand what all the latin text means but the drawing has me excited :D

[medea]

Originally posted by TheAnswer
Anyone else thinking maybe iTunes effects against the outside cover of an iPod...in effect a Mood Pod??

Too bad I only use mine while in traffic or at the gym...trust me, half the time it would not be pretty.
No it's definitely meant for a computer, at least at the current stage, I just browsed through the rest of the patent page and its very very interesting, read some of the claims on it. ie:19. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the general purpose computer system is a desktop computer system.

[webb21]

Yay! Apple finally makes a toaster oven! You know, those diagrams are pretty vague. I noticed how boxlike the diagram was, and apple doesn't like squares. Of course I do realize they wouldn't put a detailed diagram down. That would ruin steve's show.

[funkywhat2]

"By way of example, the iMAC model, which is produced by Apple Computer..."

Nice.:D

[cc bcc]

Originally posted by Macrumors
A patent filed on February 13, 2002 by "Apple Computers, Inc" [sic] reveals a very interesting patent description:

quote:
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.


Images/diagrams also available at the US Patent site.

They could have simply said: screen, monitor, display or tv...

[Phechs]

I don't know that all the fuss is about, looks like an idea to make the cases of future (COMSUMER ONLY HOPEFULLY) Macs illuminate with user defined color related info, boooring. I mean not terribly useless, but some on, use the R&D money for something else.

[Phechs]

Throw the darn R&D money into Marklar or PPC970 research. I know the 970 R&D is outside apples hands, but still......apply the money to something the PRO Mac users need, or some of us just might jump ship(by necessity, not choice). I don't know if any of you have had the chance to use a dual athalon alienware system with music/video/2D/3D but WOW!!!!!. I am really hoping that apple comes up with something quickly to remedy the processor issue. sorry this is off topic, but really, we need more posts from those that understand that this money and effort should be focused in more necessary directions....unless of course, as it has happened before, this new invention revolutionizes Mac computing, as well as the computer market as a whole.

[Mr. Anderson]

Am I the only one having a problem looking at the images? They seem to be cut off :confused:

Anyway - if its a housing for a device that has colored LEDs lighting up the display - it almost sounds too hokey for apple. If anyone can post a pick of what's at the patent site that would be helpful.

D

[Flowbee]

Let's just hope there's a way to turn it off!

[dabirdwell]

Able to adapt to whatever you want? It would be cool if this was like the adapting camoflauge fatigues that DARPA is developing. Maybe not that high tech...

[arn]

Originally posted by Phechs
I am really hoping that apple comes up with something quickly to remedy the processor issue. sorry this is off topic, but really, we need more posts from those that understand that this money and effort should be focused in more necessary directions....unless of course, as it has happened before, this new invention revolutionizes Mac computing, as well as the computer market as a whole.

I think you're being a bit short-sighted. There's an explorative quality of R&D.
So, it's ok with you under the following condition? "unless of course this new invention revolutionalizes..." I guess people won't know until R&D is done on it.

As you said... the 970 is out of their area... and why should they spend more money on Marklar? A project that may or may not see the light of day.... and there is a limit to how much productivity can be had by throwing more money at one particular area. How many people do you want on the PowerMac project? The entirety of the Apple development team? Why waste money on OSX or other tech when they can keep throwing money at the PowerMac research? Obviously, I'm being sarcastic... but your complaints are without much merit.

arn

[isxios]

Well, Apple is already doing this in a limited fashion, with their iBooks, Cinema Displays, etc, there are lights where none are visible until they come on. They may be trying to develope this further and, of course, protecting their designs from being pilfered by others.

Hector

[MarkMc]

Seems like they are already using this to some extent. Think of the power adapter on the snow iBooks. It illuminates orange while charging, then green when done. Seems to fit the description perfectly, although I can't help but imagine that there could be many, many other cool ways to use that technology.

[xj9000]

Sometime companies pantent an idea, not to use it, but to prevent someone else for using it.

If Apple has a patent on glowing machines that don't have to be doing ANY R&D. They just hold it to prevent Dell or Compaq from creating computers that do.

[bidge]

Originally posted by dukestreet
Am I the only one having a problem looking at the images? They seem to be cut off :confused:

Anyway - if its a housing for a device that has colored LEDs lighting up the display - it almost sounds too hokey for apple. If anyone can post a pick of what's at the patent site that would be helpful.

D

I had problems accessing the images in Chimera but accessed them with no problems in IE.

Hope this helps...

[IJ Reilly]

This looks like the patent on the Jobs Reality Distortion Field.

[G4scott]

Originally posted by isxios
Well, Apple is already doing this in a limited fashion, with their iBooks, Cinema Displays, etc, there are lights where none are visible until they come on. They may be trying to develope this further and, of course, protecting their designs from being pilfered by others.

Hector

Very true. They could have a series of lights on the panel right above the keyboard with certain lights, maybe with some sort of images in them, that show if you have new e-mail, someone's trying to chat with you, your battery life is low, your trunk is open (jk :D ). The best thing that I've seen done with this is the power switch on the G4 Cube. You could hardly tell it was a button, but you just touch it, and it lights up, and the computer starts. Truly elegant. The only thing is that looking at the pictures, it seems that it may have some other uses too... Maybe the MoodMac... That would be a freaky trip back to the 70's...

For those of you who think that they need to spend more money on R&D for the pro's, chill out. Apple can only wait for the 970, and even then, the average consumer makes up the majority of Apple's sales, not the pro sales. I do agree though, that Apple must do something for them, but seeing their current situation, the only thing to do now is wait...

I'll just assure you, that whatever Apple does, it will probably look a lot cooler than those neon lights people are putting in their pee-cee's... I just hope that you can turn these lights off if you need to.

[clubsport]

Some of the information given in the patent leads me to believe that this technology could be used to display various information about what the Mac is currently doing.

Therefore, could this be purtaining to a new line of xServes that are able to change colour to reflect certain info about the server? For instance, the xServe could turn red if there was a problem, making it easily visible to people in the room.

Of course, this could be frightfully expensive and I have to say that it is not really worth it, but Apple is known for going to extreme lengths to make their products the best in the field.

[skunk]

I hope the implementation is a lot more elegant than the explanation. That's a really messy piece of writing....:(

[Tiauguinho]

This is a very interesting idea... As always Apple suprises me with the things they come up with and thats the reason i love them...

[taerf]

Originally posted by dukestreet
Am I the only one having a problem looking at the images? They seem to be cut off :confused:


I had that problem and was able to fix it by turning OFF "Save Movies in Disk Cache" in the Quicktime system preferences control pane.

[G4scott]

Originally posted by clubsport
Some of the information given in the patent leads me to believe that this technology could be used to display various information about what the Mac is currently doing.

Therefore, could this be purtaining to a new line of xServes that are able to change colour to reflect certain info about the server? For instance, the xServe could turn red if there was a problem, making it easily visible to people in the room.

Of course, this could be frightfully expensive and I have to say that it is not really worth it, but Apple is known for going to extreme lengths to make their products the best in the field.

This actually seems like the most plausible application for this technology (or at least by the way I understand it) I don't see how it would be too expensive though, all that you need are some LED's, and a type of case that can easily diffuse the light evenly...

[skunk]

I've just read through the whole thing: I've never seen anything remotely like it! Is anyone clued up enough on Patent applications to tell if this is how they would normally look? It is SO BIZARRE!! I can't see it having anything to do with XServes: there's a long section about asteroids and spaceships, and another showing what looks like an old iMac plus speakers, external drive, mouse, keyboard and so on, ALL illuminated! And then there's a bit referring to coloured iMacs being currently available. Some of this stuff is far from new, and the drawings are very strange for a company like Apple to produce, unless it's purposeful disinformation. :eek: :eek: :eek:
Time to resurrect the Tetrahedron thread??? This is really freaky stuff!!

[animefan_1]

The patent was filed in February of 2002

[skunk]

Originally posted by animefan_1
The patent was filed in February of 2002
Yes, but some of it refers back to and includes earlier stuff from 2001.
On re-reading, make that September 1999....

[formatc]

The first thing I thought of was cell phone covers.

This technology, if used as a phone cover, would allow its owner to change the look of the phone at will.

When the phone rings, it could do all kinds of things... Maybe even custom "ring animations" for specific people in your addressbook. Know what I mean?

Sometimes I am very skeptical about an Apple cell phone... but it is very, very possible.

Apple says that the PDA is evolving into the cell phone. Then stories appear about Quicktime on Japanese phones. Now "Dynamic Ornamental Appearance". Hmmmm...

http://www.post.ch/Poste/Images/12_10_2001_10_23_08Low.gif

[skunk]

The filing does actually mention cell-phones and PDAs....

[3G4N]

This could be bringing back the color to Apple,
literally. A new way for your computer/device
to communicate with you (startup, errors, iTunes,
iCal, IM, email, alarmclock,...), and for you to
customize it to your likes.

Using all the flexible plastic LED and similar display
materials being developed, Apple could basically embed
this into the clear plastic and turn your computer's
surface into a screen. Or leave it off.

This can be applied across their entire
line of computers and devices. Squeeze a
little more $$ from liscensing it to each of their
3rd party hardware maufacturers (zips, printers,
etc) -- would definately add up to some bank!

I've long thought of an arm-top that could
change it's "desktop" to conform to your
clothing/style.

And I don't mean to be lazy, but anyone got
a LINK? or reposting some of the images?

[MacRumorSkeptic]

I've seen remote controls with a touch screen that can change the display for the different controls (TV, VCR, DVD, & Stereo). Could it be for something similar?

[Beej]

Originally posted by clubsport
Some of the information given in the patent leads me to believe that this technology could be used to display various information about what the Mac is currently doing.

Therefore, could this be purtaining to a new line of xServes that are able to change colour to reflect certain info about the server? For instance, the xServe could turn red if there was a problem, making it easily visible to people in the room.

Of course, this could be frightfully expensive and I have to say that it is not really worth it, but Apple is known for going to extreme lengths to make their products the best in the field. I can't see why a glowing xserve would be any more effective than a couple of super-bright LEDs on the front, especially considering 9 times out of 10 nothing but the front of the xserve will be visible.



BTW, the link on the front page is no onger valid - the page says "Search Time Limit Has Expired."

[neonart]

Sure this could be silly for certain things, but imagine this:
A PDA that basically looks like a thin flat box with nothing on it. Titanium in color for example. Touch one tiny spot where the classic 1/0 power button appears and... tadaaaa.... it comes to life. A full touch(stylus) sesitive PDA that can be reconfigured as other devices like a phone, an iPod, video player, voice recorder, digicam, etc. The interface changes on the outside depending on the use. Could be very, very cool!

[syntax]

Originally posted by dukestreet
Am I the only one having a problem looking at the images? They seem to be cut off :confused:


in chimera i'm getting a broken quicktime icon, in ie something appears to load but it's blank.

[doddsk]

Blue Dalmation and Flower Power were just the beginning......

[Phil Of Mac]

Am I the only one suspecting this is fake? "Apple Computers"? If it was "Apple Computer", I would be more prone to believe it...

[xenocytekron]

me too, can someone post a mirror?

[bobafett]

Apple has been experimenting with light and transperancies for a long time. In fact the original imac was going to have suround sound that was driving light that was projected out of the machine on the wall. This sounds hokey but from what I hear it was very cool. It gave yet another dimension to the experience of watching a movie. This could be a variation on this theme. Apple has a guy in R+D who's job is to come up with interesting things with lights. (eg. pulsating sleep light)

[Tommy!]

maybe it will have something to do with the lightup apple logos on the ibook and powerbook

[scem0]

Originally posted by Tommy!
maybe it will have something to do with the lightup apple logos on the ibook and powerbook

could be.... but I think this goes past just the apple logo on the
iBook.

[sprescott1974]

Originally posted by bobafett
Apple has been experimenting with light and transperancies for a long time. In fact the original imac was going to have suround sound that was driving light that was projected out of the machine on the wall. This sounds hokey but from what I hear it was very cool. It gave yet another dimension to the experience of watching a movie. This could be a variation on this theme. Apple has a guy in R+D who's job is to come up with interesting things with lights. (eg. pulsating sleep light)

Is his name Duncan Kerr???

i read through the entire patent and it was quite intersting. not as spaceage as some people here are posting. it sounds very much like the pulsating sleep light taken to the next extreme. for example, when you are playing a game everything is stull running behind it, but currently the computer does not inform you if you have new mail or an im. this patent seems to be implying that with this technology, that won't be the case anymore. the shell of the computer will light up a particular color to make you aware of the mail...or more likely a mail icon will appear somewhere on the computer's enclosure to let you know you have mail. For the regular consumers, they'll be able to customize the appearance of their computers a use i don't think is neccessary for the already beautiful Macs.

Also, to the person who stated this patent was filed with "Apple Computers" as the assignee and not "Apple Computer", I found that suspect as well, but whoever filed used one of Apple's patent lawyers. Also, Apple appears to have filed several other patents about computer enclosures during that same week.

What is suspect though is that the patent refers tot his technology being compatible with either IBM computers or Apple computers. Does anyone call Windoze PCs "IBM" computers anymore?

[shakespeare]

Yes, I am rather suspicious of this myself. Are all of Apple's patents so badly laid out? Could someone show us the patent to an Apple product we're all familiar with so that we could compare patent to reality and get a better idea of what this one could mean?

The 'Apple Computers' strikes me as highly suspect, too, as does their capitalisation of 'iMAC'; although again, I'm not sure how Apple works with patents, and perhaps those who write their patents are indeed this far removed from the creative aspects of the company.

I am sceptical but intrigued. Let's get some more information.

[yac_moda]

A while back I put a suggestion in Apple's box:

It was around the time that there were rumors of a back lit keyboards on Powerbook prototypes, my suggestion to Apple was that they should put RGB diodes (They were not available yet from any manufacturer but were a near future possibility!) under each key of keyboards and put bulbs in the menus of applications about half the size of the bulbs in windows of OS X. I suggested that they use various colors in the bulbs and light keys on the keyboard to correspond to the bulbs and get rid of command key equivalents text in the menus.

Now Command key equivalents are functional even when they are not visible, the menu item not deployed, in contrast to this I suggested a scheme where the main menu would light up on the keyboard and then the selected menu would pop down and the keyboard lights would change to correspond to the menu that was visible thus the lighting of the keyboard would be very dynamic and change frequently.

A truly type-able interface and very easy to use.

Implementing this on digital devices would probably be even more useful, easier to use in dark places, and a further enhancement of easy of use!

MacYoda LIVES!!!

[NHMac]

Originally posted by sprescott1974

for example, when you are playing a game everything is stull running behind it, but currently the computer does not inform you if you have new mail or an im. this patent seems to be implying that with this technology, that won't be the case anymore. the shell of the computer will light up a particular color to make you aware of the mail...or more likely a mail icon will appear somewhere on the computer's enclosure to let you know you have mail.

This (and the patent) seems to fit in of the field of Ambient Computing. This company has been getting some press for thier early work in this arena

http://www.ambientdevices.com

[gooddog]

Originally posted by Macrumors
A patent filed on February 13, 2002 by "Apple Computers, Inc" [sic] reveals a very interesting patent description:

***************

A phone !

The color changes are for universal access and theater
no-ring situations and more -- like colors assigned to
separate caller classes or individuals -- pink is Mom,
Red is boss, green is stock agent, etc.

I hope it uses the iMac to do tons of useful phone things.

Anyone see the vapor ware iTalk with cool wheel/button
with 6-way motion , in Bondi Blue years ago ???

I need agood phone to interface with my iMac...

hope it has true spread-spectrum security for internet
credit card orders (not "frequency hopping").

That's my guess and I am sticking to it.

---gooddog



Images/diagrams also available at the US Patent site.

[Doctor Q]

It's obvious that Apple is planning to announce iLavalamp, the combination computer/psychedelic lamp. Sure, I'll buy one.

[MacAficionado]

Somebody at Apple MUST be smoking a lot of weed to come up with this!


Think about it!
:p

[nanosound]

It will be the iRave. The best kind of party light for the best kind of party. Don't forget your pacifier.

[Beej]

Originally posted by MacAficionado
Somebody at Apple MUST be smoking a lot of weed to come up with this!Yeah, it's the same gunja man that came up with the flower power and blue dalmatian iMacs...

[russell]

Roll with me here... cause, could be a little weird.

Tablet PC's... everyone hates them,... some people like them, arguable apple need to go there someday.

Think about a tablet PC sized peice of glass... think, glass, then white, then glass... ya know...

that the glass was the screen... and shazam.. wouldn't that be nice? - Two desktops.. the front & the back of the item...?!?!

/me whipps out his Photoshop skills and does a convincing prototype and throws a try-hard rumour on the web.

Anyway - just an idea.

[s10]

the device turns red when a call comes in, green for a short message, blue when talking or connecting to the internet.
In a time where electronic beeps and bells, especially the ones from cellphones, get very annoying. why not try light signals (when possible)

[gotohamish]

Dynamic Ornamental Appearance = DOA.

It's an AppleCare scam so that when a customer rings up saying:

"Hey! My iMac is DOA!"

Apple can say:

"Congratulations, you received a limited edition iMac SE Dynamic Ornamental Appearance."

D'ya think?

Actually, I'm probably wrong here! :rolleyes:

[Tom800]

It's a small item about the size of the iSub that sits in the centre of the room and projects light patterns on the walls around you. Great for parties as can project the iTunes Visuals, but also for those tranqual moods can project a forest or desert or stary night etc... You want to go see the golden gate bridge, or the rainforest, great wall of china, blah blah, or just change the colour of your white walls to pink for your romantic evening, or maybe if you have a thing about flamingos. Make your room bigger by projecting wide open highway deserted, or a vast lake, or the same as the room itself.

Then the device is made of metal and shiny, so naturally reflects what surrounds it, so looks like whatever is projected on the walls.

[skunk]

Originally posted by MacAficionado
Somebody at Apple MUST be smoking a lot of weed to come up with this!
:p

This is way past weed, it's more like that LSB...:)

But seriously, if it's a fake, someone's gone to an awful lot of trouble. And what IS all the stuff about spaceships and asteroids? It seems very odd to go into all that detail.

On second thoughts, I think it's LSB 2.0!!:D :D

[pkradd]

Patent applications cover all possibilities and not necessarily just a single device. Cover your a** so to speak. It could be anything or it could never see the light of day. Anything from a backlit keyboard to a new kind of display screen.

Polaroid is soon to sell an iZone camera that changes color (the case) when you touch it. Remember the "Mood Rings"?

[cc bcc]

I think it's either a digital picture frame or a standard display. It so vague.

[mangoman]

Originally posted by s10
In a time where electronic beeps and bells, especially the ones from cellphones, get very annoying. why not try light signals (when possible)

I'm with you there. I still feel like smackin' the phone right outta peoples' hands when they feel the need to play Beethoven's 5th every d*mn time their phone rings.

Bring on the lights...

[thedbp]

its clearly a pc-coverto-reformat-o-grator. simply aim the device at people on, say, the subway, the bus, at a baseball game - wherever - and it will change color based on their computing preference. if the subject is a PC user, the device will then emit a pleasing, hypnotic stream of fading, cross-disolving colors.

in this abstract visual wonder will be encoded a secret set of instructions.

eBay servers will grind to a halt as this device forces millions of PCs to go up for auction in one soothing, pulsating cascade of light. and then, the deluge will cripple the Apple Store Online's servers - but not so much that it doesn't keep working.

and bliss will be had by all.

its just toooooo obvious

[Talon1138]

I think this will be used for the half-sphere base of the imac. Remeber all those different colors on the first imacs—tangerine, bondi, etc.—well here you could choose your own color or hardware-top pattern. It could also be part of the visualization for itunes.

I think consumers would go wild if, FOR NO EXTRA COST, you could customize the way the outside of your imac looked.

I can just imagine someone displaying a rotating globe on the outside of their new imac. Pretty cool.

[DOUBLEADESIGN]

Originally posted by Phechs
Throw the darn R&D money into Marklar or PPC970 research. I know the 970 R&D is outside apples hands, but still......apply the money to something the PRO Mac users need, or some of us just might jump ship(by necessity, not choice). I don't know if any of you have had the chance to use a dual athalon alienware system with music/video/2D/3D but WOW!!!!!. I am really hoping that apple comes up with something quickly to remedy the processor issue. sorry this is off topic, but really, we need more posts from those that understand that this money and effort should be focused in more necessary directions....unless of course, as it has happened before, this new invention revolutionizes Mac computing, as well as the computer market as a whole.

But, aren't they shooting themselves in the foot with Palladium and DRM? I agree I'd like Apple to topple the hardware issues but switching might not do you any good.

[G4scott]

First of all, I don't think this would be able to make a screen out of a sheet of plastic. It wouldn't have the resolution. You'd need a ten foot wide screen for something like that.

I haven't seen the pictures, because the site is not working (at least not for me), so I'm not exactly sure what it looks like.

Secondly, the wording is probably so vague so that Apple lawyers can easily pounce on anyone who comes up with something remotely similar to what they're using. They basically make the patent wide and loosely constructed so that they can twist it to however they want it, depending on interpretation. I just hope Apple has good lawyers to back up this patent if the need arises...

[Spievy]

I can't really figure out what would be the pupose of this "emotional" lighting system other than neat lighting effects.

Unless, we look at it a little deeper. What is the purpose of emotional communication from the computer via light? Computers are essentially dumb, they only respond to commands given to it. Maybe, just maybe, this is the first step of making a computer that is not "dumb"!! This is only spectulation, but Apple could be working on an intelligent computer. And the lights display the emotional status of the intelligent computer.

Ya maybe I have seen "2001 a Space Odyssey" one to many times. But I still think it would be neat.:p

[iNeo]

Apple just pattented a Monitor!

[chrisbac]

I think what this would really be good for is augmenting the next DLD. Rumors say it may be an audio/visual device for the home theater. It would be greast if it was clear what n=mode each devise was in at any time. This is the leading cause of confusion for Hometheater users. It is frustrating to be trying to watch a movie, and have some other sound coming out. If the TV, DVD player and Receiver could all glow the same color when they are in the proper mode, this would help people find these mistakes.

Just a thought, but I think this would be more helpful than adding a display on a Mac cover. And Apple is all about the user experience.

[skunk]

The only recognizable picture in there is of an old-style iMac. And the keyboard, mouse and other peripherals are connected by WIRES!! That's SO 2002, man!! Some of these patents were even filed back in the 20th century...:rolleyes: :p

[G4scott]

Originally posted by iNeo
Apple just pattented a Monitor!

so that's how they're going to get all of the computer marketshare...

[mnkeybsness]

how is anyone viewing this stuff?

chimera, mozilla, AND internet explorer fail to load anything...

a little help with viewing would be appreciated...i know others are having problems too

[Akira]

Some of you guys are posting that it could be used to show if new e-mails have arrived or you're being called or whatever on the case of the device.

Let me tell you that this isn't anything new. Some Dutch student made a lava-lamp kinda thing that lights up in different colours when e-mail arrives. The more e-mails you receive the brighter the light, and when you get mail from a certain person the light will be a different colour...

Ah well, If Apple will hire the guy, we'll know what they're up to ;)

[skunk]

Originally posted by mnkeybsness
how is anyone viewing this stuff?

chimera, mozilla, AND internet explorer fail to load anything...

a little help with viewing would be appreciated...i know others are having problems too

I just used IE on 10.2.3 and no probs. But you have to use the link at the top of the article, not the one below it, which gives me the time-out message too.

By the way, the date of the main filing appears to be December 19, 2002, not February.

[clairiun]

Imaging being able to change the color/design of the exterior of your Mac electronically.

That is my hunch.

P

[cubist]

If the Patent Office grants this patent, it will just be the latest their stupidity at granting patents for obvious things with well-known prior art.

For example, I can recall reading about automobiles with color-changing paint at least 20 years ago.

[skunk]

I think this is a little more sophisticated than a choice of two paint colours...

[mnkeybsness]

this description sounds so general...even the in-depth patent file is very general...and since i finally got the images to work, it sounds like a computer monitor to me...hmmmm

[neonart]

Finally got to see the images. What the heck is that? You'd figure Apple could have drawn something a little less "third grade". Does Apple have an iMac with Illustrator or something laying around to produce some decent drawings? Geez...

Maybe it'll be some new enclosures that'll knock the socks off all those neon light, see through, dancing cheecky monkey PC's.
Not too usefull though.

[Durandal7]

To everyone saying this can't be an Apple patent due to poor grammar and bad layout, it is. Most patents are horribly layed out, or so they appear to people not used to viewing patents.

As for "Apple Computers" I would be very surprised if this were a fake as it would be very illegal to impersonate a corporation like this.

[gooddog]

Originally posted by Akira
Some of you guys are posting that it could be used to show if new e-mails have arrived or you're being called or whatever on the case of the device.

Let me tell you that this isn't anything new. Some Dutch student made a lava-lamp kinda thing that lights up in different colours when e-mail arrives. The more e-mails you receive the brighter the light, and when you get mail from a certain person the light will be a different colour...

Ah well, If Apple will hire the guy, we'll know what they're up to ;)

**************************

True, and I saw a Fresh Gear on Tech TV where a shop does awesome mods on
cell phones that end up looking like something like Close Encounters "TOYS".

But, Apple has great industrial designers who can take that idea and turn it into
a Museum of Modern Art candidate.

I posted , when FP iMac first came out, that internal lights could make the dome appear to rotate --- like the Mother Ship in Close Encounters.

Also, subtle watercolor-like washes of deep purple on a black carbon fiber & glass
body and a throbing, purple apple logo would make for a GORGEOUS NightOwl machine for nocturnal hackers et al.... Ever see the opalescent depth of an olympic class archery bow's stabilizer rod ? It's like looking into a storm. Maybe the TV ad could feature a voice-over of She Walks In Beauty Like The Night ....?

ANOTHER IDEA --- imagine a SUPER KEYBOARD (bluetooth) whose keys change color schemes according to whether you are using Final Cut Pro, or MAYA, or
LightWave 3D or iMovie, iWHATEVER , etc... with keyboard shortcuts throbing in various hues and having multiple labels for each key to multiply the functions of each key -- the labels would change with each hue shift. Like a Hammond organ, it could
even teach us how to do various macro's etc.

I think all external buttons and switches could be thus eliminated for that clean look Apple likes, AND STILL KEEP THE FUNCTIONALITY of a ugly box.
toggle the various keyboard "KeyCaps" on or off right at the keyboard, etc...

---gooddog

[Mudbug]

Originally posted by gooddog

imagine a SUPER KEYBOARD (bluetooth) whose keys change color schemes according to whether you are using Final Cut Pro, or MAYA, or
LightWave 3D or iMovie, iWHATEVER , etc... with keyboard shortcuts throbing in various hues and having multiple labels for each key to multiply the functions of each key -- the labels would change with each hue shift. Like a Hammond organ, it could
even teach us how to do various macro's etc.

I think all external buttons and switches could be thus eliminated for that clean look Apple likes, AND STILL KEEP THE FUNCTIONALITY of a ugly box.
toggle the various keyboard "KeyCaps" on or off right at the keyboard, etc...

---gooddog

Anyone else already willing to stand in line to buy this?
Just the idea of a FCP key layout switchable to the Lightwave or MAYA hint layout would be a postproduction dream. I've got two keyboard set up right now for that very reason - too confusing otherwise.

[Phil Of Mac]

I bet this is gonna turn out to be something really boring and stupid and you are all going to look like doofi :)

[tgrundke]

Sounds cool -

But I have to say that Apple's 'slight-of-hand' tricks with case design are wearing thin these days...

But still, swisher.

[djkut]

Am I the only one who can't see the image files on the website??????:mad:

[gooddog]

Originally posted by cubist
If the Patent Office grants this patent, it will just be the latest their stupidity at granting patents for obvious things with well-known prior art.

For example, I can recall reading about automobiles with color-changing paint at least 20 years ago.

********************************

Patent laws are VERY tricky.

Auto paints were based on refraction effects.

This is an active source using transmissive effects.

A mere color change of the hemisphere is not enough
IMHO for Apple to go into production with. There must be
some texture or imaging to go with it, if it is the base we are
talking about here.

And the patent claims make it clear that this is no mere ornamental
flair like a Victrola iMAc with bubbles--- there is content in the light show.

Maybe something for Universal Access ...

Else, it must be an ACTIVE keyboard as I posted above, or
an iPhone or iPod function where the same old point sources of light
indicators would be replaced by whole surface displays like the
way a cuttlefish displays with the chromaphores on it's amazing skin.



And here now, the iSquid :)



---gooddog

---------------------

I always felt the iMac's Apple logo should BE the power button ...
only ... touch sensitive. And the leaf is for the LCD .

[gooddog]

Originally posted by robrash
I don't understand what all the latin text means but the drawing has me excited :D

Wait ! I used to be a jesuit ....

As I sound it out, it means --

a witchy goddess of epic-tale origin who is w-a-t-e-r-p-r-o-o-f and
thus she must be wearing a ... macintosh !!!!
By Jove ! I knew there would be a connection !

This is clearly a reference to the magic of Apple's industrial design !


Elementary my dear Watson/Sherlock nudge, nudge ....

---gooddog
(caninus-confusidas)

[gooddog]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Durandal7
[B]To everyone saying this can't be an Apple patent due to poor grammar and bad layout, it is. Most patents are horribly layed out, or so they appear to people not used to viewing patents.

******************************

I agree.

We must remember that patent claims in this industry are SUPPOSED
to cover all the bases that a competitor may try to steal, while revealing
little as possible of the actual product or process being developed.

The exact form factor etc. will not be the central issue in any defense of
the patent --- it is the core idea that can be defended.

So , only a crude diagram is best if it suffices (like a new car model disguised
against the papparazzi , by fake, boxy attachments).


---gooddog

[deeg]

.. from reading the examples given at the bottom of the patent the case is going to change colours dynamically.. so itunes visuals will effect the whole case not just the display area...cool..

[redAPPLE]

think of what apple already has to offer and combine, my friends.

> the iApps

> lcd displays

> inkwell

> rendezvous

it could be like a "frame". it could be a dynamic photo album.

the pictures would be in a slideshow.

it could show the itunes "light thingy".

it could be a "presentation thingy". draw on an "iTablet" and with rendezvous or bluetooth or whatever they would call the technology, the thing drawn will be seen.

it could be used in info-kiosks. to show ads.

[zon7]

Well, continuing searching in the USPTO, I found this:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=3&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ft00&s1='Apple+Computers'&OS="Apple+Computers"&RS="Apple+Computers"

As you see it says something about a Digital Camera.
If you look at the referenced cites #5764286 and #5379376 you will see something quiet interesting.

[mangoman]

Uhhh... OK. So what does THAT translate to?:rolleyes:

[tgc]

Is it for a way of incorporating iTunes like visuals into an iPod .... make it 'light to the music?'

[mangoman]

You got me, brothah. I'm lost...

Anyone? Anyone? Beuller?

[skunk]

This seems to refer to something of the vintage of the Quicktake 100 (RIP: got mine still!) and mentions storage on floppy disk :confused: What is the relevance here? The words "Wild", "Goose" and "Chase" spring to mind....:rolleyes:

[mangoman]

My thoughts exactly... Over and out,

Mangoman

[gooddog]

Originally posted by skunk
This seems to refer to something of the vintage of the Quicktake 100 (RIP: got mine still!) and mentions storage on floppy disk :confused: What is the relevance here? The words "Wild", "Goose" and "Chase" spring to mind....:rolleyes:

*****************

Yeah,

to get visualizer effects on the iPod, you need a hi-def LCD screen -- not just a few LED's ----

MAYBE ONE OF THOSE NEW PROJECTED KEYBOARDS FOR THE IPOD ---
SEEN'EM ? AN IMAGE OF A KEYBOARD IS PROJECTED ONTO THE TABLETOP
THEN IR SENSORS DETECT YOUR FINGERS ON THE KEYBOARD ... IT'S ON TECHTV
The iPod could use that for extended functions ...

[skunk]

Who on earth wants visualiser effects on an iPod? Isn't it designed to spend most of its life in your pocket?

[daquake]

Might not be important... did anyone notice the two button mouse?

[SpaceInc]

..or maybe it is new TiBook surface. That would be a nice feature: chancing "covers" like in mobile phones. A really nice feature.

Do I wanna pay for it 10% more: naah.

[RogueLdr]

The images that seem to show a monitor's case change color in response to what is happening onscreen would have a certain degree of benefit in a school computer lab where...inappropriate...material is prohibitted. It would be much harder to play a game or surf an adult site if the teacher could see what your display was displaying from the front of the room.

Even if it was only changing the case appearance to a different solid color based upon email activity, network activity, or flagged application use, this would still be an interesting tool for a teacher.

RL

[wrylachlan]

Things this could be used for -

1)The rim of the slot-loaded drive glows when a disc is inserted, changes color when the disc is reading. Changes color again when the disc is writing.

2) An ipod cradle that looks white, but when you put the iPod in it, a status bar appears under the surface that tells you how much longer the sync will take. Or the charge. Ditto for laptop charge.

3) I like the idea of a keyboard with keys that change for different programs, but I think that will wait till OLEDs get cheap in 5 years. But I may be wrong.

[skunk]

We already have that in for instance the iBook's power socket, pulsing sleep lights, backlit Apple logo. This is hardly revolutionary OR patentable: lots of chargers change from red to green light when charging is complete. Frankly anything more than coloured LEDs to show status seems over the top...especially in a portable appliance where battery life is at a premium....

[GrandShenlong]

The virtual keyboard that one post remarked on is based on a totally different technology. Ever seen those little laser pointers with the interchangeable tips that have designs etched into them (star, reclining silhouette, smiley face, etc.)? Well, this virtual keyboard is basically -- no, literally -- one of those lasers with a keyboard etching angled down, with a small camera below it. The camera reads your finger positions by reading changes or blockages of the laser image.
There's a future for this tech, just not with Apple, in my opinion.

[jadam]

think about it, the mac could become green when a new email was recieved, or start to blink when you have an iChat Message, or if your playing a game and you ge thit, the mac turns red.

think of the uses!

[gooddog]

Originally posted by GrandShenlong
The virtual keyboard that one post remarked on is based on a totally different technology. Ever seen those little laser pointers with the interchangeable tips that have designs etched into them (star, reclining silhouette, smiley face, etc.)? Well, this virtual keyboard is basically -- no, literally -- one of those lasers with a keyboard etching angled down, with a small camera below it. The camera reads your finger positions by reading changes or blockages of the laser image.
There's a future for this tech, just not with Apple, in my opinion.

*******

That's right.

And even this laser-based feature may have importance for iPod.

But I think that if anything is begging for an user interface that is invisible when not in use ( like the "through the plastic" brightness button in some of the high-end Apple flat-panel displays )

it's the iPod.

The large wheel is simply too cool for Apple to trash or even to make smaller.

The clean face of the iPod is just too cool/famous for Apple to clutter with buttons.

If the iPod is going to evolve into all it can be --- it will need additional controls
and indicators for the new functions : these will be TTP (Through The Plastic) invisibles .

A slide-up/view horizontally, 16X9, hi-def screen could conserve the iPod face.

Such technology will , of course , be applied to desktops and other models to
keep the minimalist Apple design alive in coming years.

I think it will be like a real intense GROOVE (sorry) .

---gooddog

[satrokon]

Based on the diagrams attached to this patent (in which a plurality of hardware is seen to be glowing) , it seems that Apple intends to use this DOA concept on a set of digital devices–computers, monitors, keyboards, external HDs, mice, etc.

The focus does seem to be on reflecting system events (Claim 18) such as new mail, error messages, etc. It might also reflect the status of external media such as CDs, the iPod, USB/Firewire devices, etc.

It seems a logical and powerful method of giving the user more appropriate output than a dialog box, sound, or bouncing icon in the dock. These methods can of course be appropriate in many circumstances, but the ability to create a special lighting effect in the housing of a digital device may revolutionize this field of human-computer interaction.

Apple has a talent for joining efficiency with beauty and simplicity, and I expect that this DOA will be no exception. New desktop computers might have a "Lighting Effects" System preference, giving the external shell of the computer a chameleonic appearance. Keyboards could have lights underneath the keys to help with keystrokes and 'visual filters' (only the keys you're using for a specific task would be visible.) Mice may light up based on location on the screen or clicking status. Someday an external disk may be able to visually present file copying, speakers might mirror iTunes visual effects, and the monitor could change from dark green to ocean blue to blood red depending on your mood.

I hope that Apple can carry through on this concept. I'm not sure it's revolutionary, but it's a technology that is definitely worth delving into (if only to find our G5 tower looking a little too much like Hal.) ;)

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
It's obvious that Apple is planning to announce iLavalamp, the combination computer/psychedelic lamp.
Hey, Macworld stole my idea! The last paragarph in their article Coming soon -- the 'chameleonic' Mac? (http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/0301/02.chameleonic.php) today says It's more than just colors, too. Apple said that "dynamic light effects," are possible too, like rainbows, stripes, dots, and flowers, for example. You could turn your Mac into a lava lamp.

[MarkMc]

I heard a rumor a few months back about Apple working closely with a company named Color Kinetics. Check out their Sauce product line, seems to do exactly what is described here, except with various light toys.

ColorKinetics.com (http://www.colorkinetics.com/)

[Doctor Q]

The Sauce (http://www.cksauce.com/products/index.htm) products by Color Kinetics change colors randomly using microprocessor-controlled RGB LEDs. It would make sense for Apple to work with Colort Kinetics and make them computer controlled. Not only could the Mac itself change colors, maybe they'll let the Mac use wireless methods to control the colors of your nightlight, room lamps, flashlight, etc. too!

[tubaz]

The keyboard of the new 17" powerbook, anyone?

On the apple site...

"Futuristic backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Another first from Apple featured on the new 17-inch PowerBook G4: a unique fiber optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that?s right out of the future. A light sensor automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. In low light, for example, the PowerBook G4 automatically lowers its display backlight and turns on the backlit keyboard. Then light-emitting fiber optic strands located under the keyboard come to life and illuminate the backlit keyboard so you can continue to work, unaffected by the change in ambient light."

[gooddog]

Originally posted by tubaz
The keyboard of the new 17" powerbook, anyone?

On the apple site...

"Futuristic backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor
Another first from Apple featured on the new 17-inch PowerBook G4: a unique fiber optic backlit keyboard with laser-etched keys that?s right out of the future. A light sensor automatically adjusts the keyboard and screen brightness based on the available ambient light. In low light, for example, the PowerBook G4 automatically lowers its display backlight and turns on the backlit keyboard. Then light-emitting fiber optic strands located under the keyboard come to life and illuminate the backlit keyboard so you can continue to work, unaffected by the change in ambient light."

***************

Yeah, but it was my idea --- yet I was pooh-poo'ed by touch typists who claim to have no need to see tha keyboard :(

I am so bitter that I went out and bought an iBook 12 incher , out of spite !

And - yes - the lid is on crooked !!!!!

Anybody know if the screws nearby will adjust the lid on straight ?

------

Now I will once again blind all with my splendor ----

SMART KEYS that use multi-color mode LED's to color code the key layout for keyboard short-cuts automatically, when
we launch Final Cut Pro, LightWave 3D, etc....


---- next year : 19-inch iMac with ADC or else !!!!!!!!


---gooddog

[bad_c]

Bantam uses a very similar process in their new MP3 players. The tech has been around for a couple of years, sounds like Apple just found a better use for it.

http://www.bantamusa.com/

Bad_C

[mangoman]

Looks pretty cool. Now imagine (or try to) Apple putting Jonathan Ives and crew on a device like this... You KNOW it'd be on your lust list! :)

[BigJayhawk]

The History Channel had an episode on Stealth Fighters/Bombers and they noted that the high-tech future would include Visual Stealth. (Can anyone say a Cloking Device?)

The point was that a Stealth fighter that is BLACK on a LIGHT BLUE sky was not so Stealthy BUT if you could change the color to LIGHT BLUE --DYNAMICALLY-- then you would attain a higher level of stealth.

Hmm, Dynamically changing color. Where have I read that at?

[pgwalsh]

Originally posted by BigJayhawk
The History Channel had an episode on Stealth Fighters/Bombers and they noted that the high-tech future would include Visual Stealth. (Can anyone say a Cloking Device?)

The point was that a Stealth fighter that is BLACK on a LIGHT BLUE sky was not so Stealthy BUT if you could change the color to LIGHT BLUE --DYNAMICALLY-- then you would attain a higher level of stealth.

Hmm, Dynamically changing color. Where have I read that at? The stealth bomber has the bottom painted to match the color of the sky while flying. They'd be better using reflective mirroring where once side of a object reflects the other.

[mmmdreg]

maybe I got the wrong idea but perhaps a digital foto frame that can change it's outward appearance and actually be a continuos slideshow of pictures with unnoticable buttons to control it manually if needed.

[smegdude]

so why would you want a computer you can't see? it would be like a floating screen image, with wires floating underneath it. When you open the dvd drive you could make a dvd disappear. I'm not sure if people would like that. Try turning on an invisible computer. ;)

[OSeXy!]

The patent description published on January 2nd indicates more uses than just a glowing keyboard, though that would be included as part of the description...



EDIT>> URL too long to be dealt with nicelyhttp://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/PTO/search-adv.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&p=1&S1=('Apple+Computers'.AS.)&OS=AN/

[DeusOmnis]

I dont see any current technologies using this since apple has been moving towards a more professional look. Perhaps a new line of consumer products may come out, or another idevice (iphone, newton, etc).