Abstract: A fascia member (200) for a wireless telecommunication device (700) or other electronic device includes a thin, flexible membrane (201) having a transparent, reinforcing member (212) coupled thereto. The thin, flexible membrane (201) includes a transparency region (203) and a deflectable key region (204). The thin, flexible membrane (201) may thus serve as a major front face for the wireless telecommunication device (700) with no break lines between display and keypad. Printing on one side of the thin, flexible membrane (201) provides alphanumeric indicia (207) and graphical designs for the wireless telecommunication device (700). Printing may also be applied to the transparent, reinforcing member (212).

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, an electronic display viewable from a front side of the electronic device, an optical shuttering layer substantially parallel to the front side, and a color changing layer positioned over at least a portion of the shuttering layer. A driver controls transitions of the shuttering layer between a transparent clear state and an opaque state and also transitions of the color changing layer between a transparent clear state and a colored state. Depending on driver control, the appearance of the electronic device can change from an opaque color (solid color or with graphic design elements), to a translucent color (solid color or with graphic design elements) possibly with an underlying electronic display somewhat visible, to a transparent color with an underlying electronic display clearly visible.

Abstract: A backlighting device (300, 400, 500, 600) emitting light having a first wavelength includes a first radiation emission device (302), e.g., an electroluminescent lamp, for emitting radiation having a second wavelength. A layer (306) of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), e.g., free standing quantum dots or phosphorus particles, emits light having the first wavelength in response to the first radiation emission device (302), the first wavelength being larger than the second wavelength. A transparent material (116, 120, 122) overlies the layer of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), wherein the light having a first wavelength passes through the transparent material (116, 120, 122). Optionally, a filter (402) may be placed over the layer (306) to block the radiation having a second wavelength, and a scattering layer (604) may be placed over the layer (306) to scatter wavelength other than the first wavelength.

Abstract: A housing (100, 300, 600, 700) for storing and protecting items comprises a photoreactive material (106) that selectively and irreversibly changes colors upon exposure to activating radiation (124, 324); and an ultraviolet attenuation coating (102, 702) disposed over the photoreactive material (106). Radiation (124, 324) is selectively applied to the photoreactive material (106) to irreversibly change the color of the photoreactive material (106) and therefore the housing (100, 300, 600, 700). An optional patterned layer (332) may be disposed between the photoreactive material (106) and the selective application of radiation (124, 324), and a background color (108) may be included, to affect the visual presentation of the housing (100, 300, 600, 700).

Abstract: A backlighting device (300, 400, 500, 600) emitting light having a first wavelength includes a first radiation emission device (302), e.g., an electroluminescent lamp, for emitting radiation having a second wavelength. A layer (306) of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), e.g., free standing quantum dots or phosphorus particles, emits light having the first wavelength in response to the first radiation emission device (302), the first wavelength being larger than the second wavelength. A transparent material (116, 120, 122) overlies the layer of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), wherein the light having a first wavelength passes through the transparent material (116, 120, 122). Optionally, a filter (402) may be placed over the layer (306) to block the radiation having a second wavelength, and a scattering layer (604) may be placed over the layer (306) to scatter wavelength other than the first wavelength.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display of a particular size that may be perceived as larger than the particular size as a result of light emitted by one or more light guides adjacent the perimeter of the display. The display may also be perceived as brighter. In particular, the display is configured to output a changing image. A light guide is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the display and coupled to a multicolor LED. A controller of the electronic device is configured to analyze the changing image to determine the color content. The multicolor LED is driven to emit light according to the color content of the changing image. The light guide is configured to couple light from the LED in a direction parallel to the display viewing surface, and to couple light out of the light guide in a direction away from the display viewing surface.

Abstract: A housing (100, 300, 600, 700) for storing and protecting items comprises a photoreactive material (106) that selectively and irreversibly changes colors upon exposure to activating radiation (124, 324); and an ultraviolet attenuation coating (102, 702) disposed over the photoreactive material (106). Radiation (124, 324) is selectively applied to the photoreactive material (106) to irreversibly change the color of the photoreactive material (106) and therefore the housing (100, 300, 600, 700). An optional patterned layer (332) may be disposed between the photoreactive material (106) and the selective application of radiation (124, 324), and a background color (108) may be included, to affect the visual presentation of the housing (100, 300, 600, 700).

Abstract: A device (50) with modal lighting includes a translucent layer (74); a first light source (60) operative to project light (94) through the translucent layer (74); and a second light source (65b) operative to project light (93) through the translucent layer (74). The first light source (60) prevents light (91) projected from the second light source (65b) from entering a portion (74a) of the translucent layer. A method (250) for modal lighting in a device includes projecting light by a first light source through a translucent layer (260); projecting light by a second light source through the translucent layer (270); and preventing, by the first light source light, projected by the second light source from entering a portion of the translucent layer (280).

Abstract: A backlighting device (300, 400, 500, 600) emitting light having a first wavelength includes a first radiation emission device (302), e.g., an electroluminescent lamp, for emitting radiation having a second wavelength. A layer (306) of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), e.g., free standing quantum dots or phosphorus particles, emits light having the first wavelength in response to the first radiation emission device (302), the first wavelength being larger than the second wavelength. A transparent material (116, 120, 122) overlies the layer of a plurality of photon emitting particles (308), wherein the light having a first wavelength passes through the transparent material (116, 120, 122). Optionally, a filter (402) may be placed over the layer (306) to block the radiation having a second wavelength, and a scattering layer (604) may be placed over the layer (306) to scatter wavelength other than the first wavelength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for activating a layer (208, 308, 408) of free standing quantum dots. The apparatus comprises a first coil (216, 316, 426) disposed contiguous to a light emitting device (200, 300, 400, 612) including the free standing quantum dots. An alternating current is supplied to the coil (216, 316, 426) for generating an electric field, and the plurality of free standing quantum dots are subjected to the electric field thereby causing photons to be emitted therefrom. A structure (214, 328), such as a housing (620) of a portable electronic device (610, 710) may be positioned either, when opaque, between the light emitting device (300, 400) and the coil (316, 426), or, when transparent, on a side of the light emitting device (200) opposed to the coil (216).

Abstract: An apparatus that provides lighting for a user interface in a mobile communication device is disclosed. The apparatus may include a planar lightguide, at least one light source located adjacent to the planar lightguide, a plurality of optical structures having at least a first section of optical structures disposed on the surface of the planar lightguide and a second section of optical structures disposed on the surface of the planar lightguide separate from the first section of optical structures, wherein the first section of optical structures is configured to cause a first boundary behavior of light associated with the bending of light paths, and the second section of optical structures is configured to cause a second boundary behavior of light associated with the bending of light paths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display of a particular size that may be perceived as larger than the particular size as a result of light emitted by one or more light guides adjacent the perimeter of the display. The display may also be perceived as brighter. In particular, the display is configured to output a changing image. A light guide is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter of the display and coupled to a multicolor LED. A controller of the electronic device is configured to analyze the changing image to determine the color content. The multicolor LED is driven to emit light according to the color content of the changing image. The light guide is configured to couple light from the LED in a direction parallel to the display viewing surface, and to couple light out of the light guide in a direction away from the display viewing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for indicating operation of an imager by positioning a notification light within the no light zone that is between the imager and a lens and/or approximately in the same plane as the imager. The notification light can be configured to operate according to the duty cycle of the imager, that is, the light can be inactive while the imager is collecting light and can be active while the imager is not collecting light, without affecting the quality of the image capture or video recording. By positioning the notification light in the no light zone, there may be better utilization of the surface area of a camera or mobile communication device or other device with a camera.

Abstract: A fascia member (200) for an electronic device (700) includes a thin, flexible membrane (201) coupled to a rigid skeletal member (202). The thin, flexible membrane (201) includes a transparency region (203) and a deflectable key region (204). The thin, flexible membrane (201) may thus serve as a major front face for the electronic device (700) with no break lines between display and keypad. Printing on one side of the thin, flexible membrane (201) provides alphanumeric indicia (207) and graphical designs for the electronic device (700).

Abstract: A fascia member (200) for a wireless telecommunication device (700) or other electronic device includes a thin, flexible membrane (201) having a transparent, reinforcing member (212) coupled thereto. The thin, flexible membrane (201) includes a transparency region (203) and a deflectable key region (204). The thin, flexible membrane (201) may thus serve as a major front face for the wireless telecommunication device (700) with no break lines between display and keypad. Printing on one side of the thin, flexible membrane (201) provides alphanumeric indicia (207) and graphical designs for the wireless telecommunication device (700). Printing may also be applied to the transparent, reinforcing member (212).

Abstract: A device (50) with modal lighting includes a translucent layer (74); a first light source (60) operative to project light (94) through the translucent layer (74); and a second light source (65b) operative to project light (93) through the translucent layer (74). The first light source (60) prevents light (91) projected from the second light source (65b) from entering a portion (74a) of the translucent layer. A method (250) for modal lighting in a device includes projecting light by a first light source through a translucent layer (260); projecting light by a second light source through the translucent layer (270); and preventing, by the first light source light, projected by the second light source from entering a portion of the translucent layer (280).

Abstract: A user interface device of a wireless communication device in which one or more of the keys on the user interface are fluorescently illuminated when the user interface is in active mode. One or more keys may include a layer including an opaque film area and a non-opaque area, such as an aperture in the opaque film area in the shape of indicia, such as a number, letter or function indicator. The opaque film area blocks illumination, and the non-opaque area allows illumination to pass through it. Fluorescent ink at the non-opaque area of a key fluoresces when illuminated in active mode, providing fluorescent indicia viewable by a user.

Abstract: Communication device keypad illumination. A mobile communication device can include a housing and a mobile communication device numeric keypad coupled to the housing, the mobile communication device numeric keypad having an external visible portion. The mobile communication device can also include a light source coupled to the housing, the light source dedicated to direct light substantially at the external visible portion of the mobile communication device numeric keypad to illuminate the mobile communication device numeric keypad.