Electronic device with housing for generating light effect

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a first light-emitting module, a second light-emitting module, and a control unit. The housing includes a first light-emitting region and a second light-emitting region. The first light-emitting module includes a plurality of first light-emitting units arranged in the first light-emitting region in an array, and the first light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting ink layer. The second light-emitting module is disposed in the second light-emitting region. The control unit is electrically connected to the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module, and generates a first light-emitting signal and a second light-emitting signal in response to an instruction, to respectively control the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module to emit light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 110139788, filed on Oct. 27, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to an electronic device, and in particular, to an electronic device generating a light emitting effect on a housing.

Description of the Related Art

To highlight the distinctness of the product, light-emitting patterns are generally decorated on a housing of an electronic device. However, for conventional electronic devices, holes need to be formed on the housing, and corresponding light sources are disposed inside to form the light-emitting patterns. Such holes affect the integrity of the housing. In addition, light-emitting forms provided by the conventional electronic devices are limited and cannot present diversified light emitting effects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing, a first light-emitting module, a second light-emitting module, and a control unit. The housing includes at least a first light-emitting region and a second light-emitting region. The first light-emitting module includes a plurality of first light-emitting units arranged in the first light-emitting region in an array, and the first light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting ink layer. The second light-emitting module is disposed in the second light-emitting region. The control unit is electrically connected to the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module, and generates a first light-emitting signal and a second light-emitting signal in response to an instruction, to respectively control the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module to emit light.

Compared with conventional electronic devices, in the disclosure, light-emitting patterns are formed by using light-emitting ink, so that holes on the housing are omitted, thereby improving integrity of the housing. In addition, in the electronic device of the disclosure, the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module are used to provide diversified light emitting effects to meet requirements of users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

More detailed descriptions of the specific embodiments of the disclosure are provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the disclosure are described more clearly according to the following descriptions and claims. It is to be noted that all of the drawings use very simplified forms and imprecise proportions, only being used for assisting in conveniently and clearly explaining the objective of the embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram of an appearance of an embodiment of an electronic device according to the disclosure. In the figure, a notebook computer is used as an example for describing the disclosure.

As shown in the figure, the electronic device10includes a first body12and a second body14. The first body12is pivotally connected to the second body14. In an embodiment, the first body12is a screen portion of the electronic device10, and the second body14is a host portion of the electronic device10.

The first body12includes a housing120, a first light-emitting module124, and a second light-emitting module126. The housing120includes a surface122on a side facing away from the screen (not shown in the figure). The surface122includes a first light-emitting region A1and a second light-emitting region A2. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The quantities of the first light-emitting regions A1and the second light-emitting regions A2are adjustable according to requirements, to present more diversified light emitting effects.

The first light-emitting module124is disposed in the first light-emitting region A1. The second light-emitting module126is disposed in the second light-emitting region A2. The first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126are configured to generate light emitting effects in the first light-emitting region A1and the second light-emitting region A2.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126present patterns or information respectively in the first light-emitting region A1and the second light-emitting region A2, and the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126synchronously present the patterns and the information in the first light-emitting region A1and the second light-emitting region A2, to help users simultaneously confirm information type and content.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting module124is configured to present a pattern, and the second light-emitting module126is configured to present information corresponding to the pattern. In an embodiment, the pattern presented by the first light-emitting module124is a phone pattern, and the information presented by the second light-emitting module126is information corresponding to the phone pattern such as phone numbers and contacts.

In an embodiment, an area of the first light-emitting region A1for presenting the pattern is greater than an area of the second light-emitting region A2for presenting the information, to help the users quickly confirm the information type according to the pattern.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting region A1is in the shape of a triangle or a trapezoid (where the trapezoid is taken as an example in the figure), and the second light-emitting region A2is in the shape of a square. At least two sides of the first light-emitting region A1are adjacent to an edge of the surface122, and the first light-emitting region A1has a bevel edge. The second light-emitting region A2is adjacent to the bevel edge of the first light-emitting region A1, to help the users simultaneously see the first light-emitting region A1and the second light-emitting region A2, thereby reading the information content while confirming the information type. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the second light-emitting region A2is disposed on the surface122outside the first light-emitting region A1. In an embodiment, a position of the second light-emitting region A2is adjacent to the edge of the surface122(such as a lower edge or a left edge shown in the figure), or is located at a corner of the surface122. In addition, in this embodiment, a direction of the information (such as text or numbers) presented in the second light-emitting region A2is along the bevel edge of the first light-emitting region A1. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the direction of the second light-emitting region A2is alternatively along the edge of the surface122. In an embodiment, the information is presented in a lateral direction or a longitudinal direction.

A notebook computer is used as an example inFIG.1for describing the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The disclosure is alternatively applied to an electronic device having a single body, such as a tablet computer or a smartphone. For the electronic device having a single body, the screen portion and the host portion thereof are integrated in the same body. Compared with the foregoing first body12, in the body, at least one first light-emitting region A1and one second light-emitting region A2are disposed on the surface122facing away from the screen, the first light-emitting module124is disposed in the first light-emitting region A1, the second light-emitting module126is disposed in the second light-emitting region A2, and the associated pattern and information are presented as light emitting effects in the first light-emitting region A1and the second light-emitting region A2.

FIG.2shows an embodiment of a first light-emitting module and a second light-emitting module by using a partial enlarged view of an inner side of a housing. A housing220of this embodiment is made of a light-transmissive material.

As shown inFIG.2, a first light-emitting module224and a second light-emitting module226are disposed on an inner side of the housing220, so that an outer side surface of the housing220remains flat. The light-transmissive material, in an embodiment, includes glass, acrylic, polycarbonate (PC), and the like.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting module224includes a plurality of first light-emitting units2242arranged in an array, and the second light-emitting module226includes a plurality of second light-emitting units2262arranged in an array. The plurality of first light-emitting units2242is formed on an inner side surface220aof the housing220. The plurality of second light-emitting units2262are also formed on the inner side surface220aof the housing220.

In an embodiment, a light-emitting area of the first light-emitting unit2242is less than a light-emitting area of the second light-emitting unit2262to present more refined patterns.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting unit2242is in the shape of a circle, and the second light-emitting unit2262is the shape of a long strip. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the first light-emitting unit2242is in the shape of a symmetric pattern such as a square or a regular triangle. The second light-emitting unit2262is in the shape of a circle, a square, or a triangle, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the inner side surface of the housing220is covered by a light-shielding layer228. The light-shielding layer228includes a plurality of openings2282. The first light-emitting units2242and the second light-emitting units2262are located in the plurality openings2282.

Referring toFIG.3together,FIG.3is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting ink structure. A light-emitting ink structure320is used as a single light-emitting unit inside the foregoing first light-emitting module224and the second light-emitting module226.

As shown inFIG.3, the light-emitting ink structure320is formed on a lower surface of a light-transmissive substrate310. The light-emitting ink structure320includes a first conductive layer322, a light-emitting ink layer324, a dielectric layer325, a second conductive layer326, and a protective layer328from top to bottom. The first conductive layer322and the second conductive layer326are configured to generate bias voltages inside the light-emitting ink layer324, to enable the light-emitting ink layer324to emit light. In an embodiment, the first conductive layer322is a conductive polymeric layer. In an embodiment, the second conductive layer326is a metal conductive layer. In an embodiment, the light-emitting ink layer324includes a photochromic powder material such as phosphorus powder.

FIG.4shows another embodiment of a first light-emitting module and a second light-emitting module by using a partial enlarged view of an outer side of a housing. A housing420of this embodiment is made of an opaque material.

As shown inFIG.4, a second light-emitting module426is disposed on an outer side surface420aof the housing420, a first light-emitting module424is disposed on an inner side corresponding to the housing420, and a second light-emitting region A2of the housing420includes a plurality of through holes428, so that light generated by the first light-emitting module424is transmitted outside through the housing420. In an embodiment, the opaque material includes metal, ABS resin, a mixture of ABS resin and polycarbonate, carbon fiber, and the like.

Compared with the embodiment inFIG.2, the second light-emitting module426of this embodiment generates a light emitting effect by using light-emitting ink, and the first light-emitting module424generates a light emitting effect by using a plurality of light-emitting diodes.

As shown in the figure, the first light-emitting module424includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes4242arranged on the inner side of the housing420in an array. Positions of the plurality of light-emitting diodes4242correspond to the through holes428on the housing420.

In an embodiment, as shown in the figure, each light-emitting diode4242respectively corresponds to one through hole428and is aligned with the through hole428. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, each light-emitting diode4242simultaneously corresponds to a plurality of through holes428. The plurality of through holes428is distributed on the peripheries of a light-emitting direction of each light-emitting diode4242.

In an embodiment, the second light-emitting module426includes a plurality of second light-emitting units4262arranged in an array, and the plurality of second light-emitting units is formed on the outer side surface420aof the housing420.

In an embodiment, the second light-emitting unit4262is in the shape of a circle, a square, or a triangle, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The following illustrates how the electronic device10of the disclosure controls the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects with reference to a schematic block diagram.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.5together,FIG.5is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device10inFIG.1.

As shown in the figure, the electronic device10includes a control unit180, and an application AP is installed in the electronic device10by using an operating system OA. The application AP generates an instruction B1under a preset trigger condition. In an embodiment, if the application AP is phone software, when a call is received, the application AP generates an instruction B1corresponding to a phonebook function.

The control unit180is disposed inside the housing120and is electrically connected to the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126. The instruction B1generated by the application AP causes the control unit180to generate a first light-emitting signal S1and a second light-emitting signal S2by using the operating system OA, so that the control unit180respectively controls the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects.

FIG.6is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an electronic device according to the disclosure.

Compared with the embodiment inFIG.5, an electronic device50of this embodiment includes an input unit590. In an embodiment, the input unit590includes a keyboard, a touchpad, or a microphone, and is electrically connected to the control unit180. The input unit590receives an input of the user to generate an input signal C1. The application AP generates an instruction B1in response to the input signal, and the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1and a second light-emitting signal S2in response to the instruction B1, to respectively control the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects.

In an embodiment, if the user chooses or defines a specific pattern by using the input unit590(such as a touchpad), the application AP generates an instruction B1in response to an input signal C1corresponding to the specific pattern, and the control unit180respectively controls the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects in response to a first light-emitting signal S1and a second light-emitting signal S2generated in response to the instruction B1.

FIG.7is a schematic block diagram of still another embodiment of an electronic device according to the disclosure.

Compared with the embodiment inFIG.5, an electronic device60of this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit690. The control unit180is electrically connected to the wireless communication unit690. The wireless communication unit690is paired with another electronic device70such as a handheld device to receive a wireless signal C2.

The application AP generates an instruction B1in response to the wireless signal C2received by the wireless communication unit690, and the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1and a second light-emitting signal S2in response to the instruction B1, to respectively control the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects.

In an embodiment, the electronic device60of this embodiment is paired with a smartphone by the users. The smartphone transmits a wireless signal C2to the electronic device60when receiving a call. Then the electronic device60generates an instruction B1in response to the wireless signal C2, to further control the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126to generate light emitting effects.

FIG.8toFIG.11show four different embodiments of light emitting effects presented by a first light-emitting module124and a second light-emitting module126.

In the embodiments, the first light-emitting module124presents a pattern, and the second light-emitting module126presents text, symbols, or numbers corresponding to the pattern.

Referring toFIG.8, if the instruction corresponds to a phonebook function, the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1to control the first light-emitting module124to present a phone pattern and call information, and the control unit180also generates a second light-emitting signal S2to control the second light-emitting module126to present phone numbers, contacts, and other information associated with the phonebook function. The phone numbers displayed in the figure are taken as an example.

Referring toFIG.9, if the instruction corresponds to a code table function, the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1to control the first light-emitting module124to present a code table pattern, and the control unit180also generates a second light-emitting signal S2to control the second light-emitting module126to present time information. In an embodiment, the code table pattern presented by the first light-emitting module124is an animation pattern and synchronously changes with the time information presented by the second light-emitting module126.

Referring toFIG.10, if the instruction is associated with pattern selection, the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1to control the first light-emitting module124to present a selected pattern (a banana pattern shown in the figure), and the control unit180also generates a second light-emitting signal S2to control the second light-emitting module126to present file information corresponding to the selected pattern, in an embodiment, a file name (BANANA.GIF shown in the figure).

Referring toFIG.11, if the instruction is associated with a login action, the control unit180generates a first light-emitting signal S1to control the first light-emitting module124to present a representative pattern (a banana pattern shown in the figure) corresponding to a login user, and the control unit180also generates a second light-emitting signal S2to control the second light-emitting module126to present a login user name (BANANA shown in the figure).

In conclusion, compared with conventional electronic devices needing to form holes on a housing to generate a light emitting effect, in the disclosure, light-emitting ink is directly applied to an outer side surface420aof a housing420to generate light-emitting patterns, or the light-emitting ink is applied to an inner side surface220aof a housing220and is used in combination with a light-transmissive housing to generate light-emitting patterns, so that holes on the housings120,220, and420are omitted, and the integrity of the appearance of the housing is maintained while providing a light emitting effect.

In addition, the electronic device of the disclosure uses a first light-emitting module124and a second light-emitting module126to simultaneously generate light emitting effects. The light emitting effects generated by the first light-emitting module124and the second light-emitting module126provide the users with diversified information to meet requirements of the users.

The above is merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and does not constitute any limitation to the disclosure. Any form of equivalent replacements or modifications to the technical means and technical content disclosed in the disclosure made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the technical means of the disclosure shall still fall within the content of the technical means of the disclosure and the protection scope of the disclosure.