Patent Publication Number: US-2013235260-A1

Title: A Button with Lens for a Display Housing

Description:
BACKGROUND  
     An electronic device such as a notebook computer may include a keyboard and a display screen. The device may include various components such as an ambient light sensor for adjusting the backlight of the display screen based on ambient light conditions. The device may also include a camera to allow a user to capture images and/or video of themselves. The device may also include a light source to illuminate the keyboard of the computer. Such components consume space on the device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       For a detailed description of example embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a computer having a button with a lens as part of the outer housing of the display; 
         FIG. 2A  is a detailed perspective view of the upper portion of the outer housing of the computer of  FIG. 1  in accordance with at least some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial side view of the outer housing showing a button in an actuated state in at least some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 2C  is a partial side view of the outer housing showing an illuminator in an activated state in accordance with at least some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a detailed perspective view of the upper portion of the outer housing of the computer of  FIG. 1  in accordance with at least some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  is a partial side view of the outer housing showing the button in a deactuated state in at least some illustrative embodiments; 
         FIG. 3C  is a partial side view of the outer housing showing an illuminator in an deactivated state in accordance with at least some illustrative embodiments; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram in an embodiment of architecture of the computer of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     Disclosed is an embodiment of an electronic device such as a notebook computer having a display screen with an outer housing surrounding the display screen. A button is disposed on the outer housing and a lens is disposed on the button to allow ambient light to enter the interior of the outer housing. In some embodiments, the ambient light can be used by a light sensor to adjust a backlight of the display screen. In other embodiments, the button can be used to activate an illuminator such as a light source to illuminate a working surface of the computer such as the keyboard portion of the computer. In other embodiments, a graphic symbol, such as an icon, representing a feature of the computer, such as the illuminator, may be disposed on a surface of the button. In this manner, the lens being integrated with the button may help reduce the amount of space consumed on the housing which may decrease the cost of manufacturing of the computer. In addition, the reduction of space may help improve the aesthetic look of the computer. 
     Various embodiments and the advantages thereof are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A- 2 C,  3 A- 3 C and  4  in which like numerals are being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the views,  FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic device  100  in the form of a notebook or “laptop” computer. It should be understood that the electronic device can be any type of computing device such as, but not limited to, a tablet personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, a desktop computer, a gaming device or any type of portable or non-portable electronic device. As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  includes a base  102  and a display  104  that is pivotally connected to the base. The base  102  includes an outer housing  106  that surrounds various internal components of electronic device  100 , such as a processor, memory, hard drive, and the like. Also included in base  102  are user input devices disposed on a working surface of the base, including a keyboard  108 , a touchpad  110 , selection buttons  112  and input/output ports  114 . The display  104  includes its own outer housing  116  that supports and surrounds a display screen  118 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. 
     Integrated into outer housing  116  is a “web” camera  122 , a button  124 , and an illuminator  126 . The camera  122 , button  124 , and illuminator  126  can be positioned adjacent each other along a top side or edge of outer housing  116 . However, it should be understood that such components can positioned along other portions of outer housing or other portions of the device  100 . The camera  122  can be used when capturing still images and/or video data of a subject, such as the computer user. As explained below in further detail, a lens  128  is disposed on button  124  to allow ambient light to enter the interior of outer housing  116  and be received by an ambient light sensor disposed within the interior of the outer housing. A graphic symbol  130 , such as an icon, representing the illuminator  126  is disposed on an outer surface of button  124 . The button  124  can be actuated, such as pressed, to activate or enable illuminator  126 . For example, button  126  can cause illuminator  126  to extend outward away from outer housing  116  to illuminate light onto a surface of base  102  such as keyboard  108 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 2A-2C . The button  124  can also be pressed to deactivate illuminator  126 . For example, button  124  can cause illuminator  126  to retract inward toward outer housing  116  and to disable the illuminator to no longer illuminate light as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . In this manner, having lens  128  integrated with button  124  may help reduce the amount of space consumed on outer housing  116  which may help improve the aesthetic look of the device. Although camera  122 , button  124  and illuminator  126  are shown disposed on the upper portion of outer housing  116 , it should be understood that these components can be disposed on other portions of outer housing such as the left, right, and lower portions of the outer housing. Although camera  122  is shown integrated with electronic device  100 , it should be understood that electronic device can be embodied without camera  122 . Although camera  122  is shown integrated with electronic device  100 , it should be understood that another module, such as a microphone, speaker and the like, can be employed instead of camera  122 . 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a detailed perspective view of the upper portion of outer housing  116  with button  124  in the actuated state and illuminator  126  in the activated state. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , lens  128  is shown integrated within the structure of button  124 . However, it should be understood that lens  128  can configured in other arrangements such as disposed on the interior or exterior surface of button, combined with protective layers to reduce damage to the lens and the like. The button  124  can be implemented using any actuating mechanism such as a push mechanism, slide mechanism or the like. The button  126  can include hardware components, software components or a combination thereof. The button  126  may include functionality to cause an electrical switch to enable (turn on) and disable (turn off) illuminator  126 . The graphic symbol  130  is shown as a “light bulb” icon representing the function of illuminator  126  and disposed on an outer surface of the button. The round portion of the “light bulb” icon occupies the location of lens  128  which may help reduce the amount of physical space consumed on outer housing  116 . However, it should be understood that graphic symbol  130  can be take any form and represent any feature of electronic device  100 . The graphic symbol  130  may be placed on the surface of button  124  using any technique such as printing, laser etching and the like. The lens  128  may allow ambient light to enter the interior of outer housing  116  and be received by ambient light sensor  132  which is disposed within the interior of the outer housing. The ambient light sensor  132  can be configured to receive the ambient light around display screen  118  and automatically adjust the screen&#39;s backlight to an optimized brightness level. The ambient light sensor  132  can be any device capable of detecting available environmental light and automatically increasing or decreasing the display backlighting to compensate for low-light and high-light environments. For example, ambient light sensor  132  may be able to reduce the display screen&#39;s brightness when it is used in a dark room. On the other hand, ambient light sensor  132  may be able to increase the brightness of the display screen when it is in a well-lit environment. In this manner, the user may be provided a consistent image quality as well as minimization of eye strain and reduction of power consumption. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2C , illuminator  126  comprises a light assembly with a housing to support a light source  134 . In one embodiment, the light assembly is pivotably coupled and securable within outer housing  116  of display  104  by a locking mechanism. The light assembly is disposed at a medial location above display screen  118 . However, it should be understood that light assembly may be otherwise located (e.g., at any other position on outer housing). It should also be understood that light assembly may also be pivotably coupled to base  102 . 
     The illuminator  126  is shown in an extended position when in the activated state. When in the extended orientation, the housing of illuminator  126  extends outwardly from display screen  118  to expose light source  134  to illuminate working surface of base  102  such as a portion of keyboard  108 . In the embodiment shown, light source  134  comprises at least one light emitting diode disposed within the housing of the illuminator. However, it should be understood that other types of light sources including, but not limited to, light bulbs, black light sources, etc., may be used. 
     The housing of illuminator  126  is pivotably coupled to outer housing  116  to facilitate movement of the illuminator in the direction of arrows  138  and  140 . According to some embodiments, the illuminator is outwardly biased by a biasing mechanism  136  to expose light source  134  and enable illumination of the working surface of base  104 . The biasing mechanism  136  is shown as torsion spring, however, it should be understood that biasing mechanism may be any type of biasing mechanism to outwardly bias illuminator  126 , and thus light source  134 , from outer housing  16 . 
     The illuminator is positionable in the extended position such that light source  134  is disposed at an angle θ relative to display screen  118  to direct light in a plurality of different angular extended positions relative to display screen  118  and/or working surface of base  104  to direct light to desired portions of the working surface. In other embodiments, illuminator  126  may be configured to be located in two positions, namely, a fully extended position and a retracted or stored position. 
     In operation, a user may actuate button  124  to cause illuminator  126  to move into the extended position. For example, actuation of button  124  may include having a user press the button inward toward the interior of outer housing  116  to which caused the button to move into the retracted position. Such actuation may cause the biasing mechanism to release illuminator  126  from the retracted position to the extended position to expose light source  134  and enable illumination of the working surface of base  104 . Independent of the actuation of button  124  or the position of illuminator  126 , the button allows ambient light to continue to enter through lens  128  and be received by ambient light sensor  132  for subsequent processing. For example, the ambient light conditions can be used to adjust the backlighting of display screen  118 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a detailed perspective view of the upper portion of outer housing  116  with button  124  in the deactuated state and illuminator  126  in the deactivated state (retracted position). In the retracted position, the housing of illuminator  126  is locatable within a recessed area of the interior of outer housing  116 . When illuminator  126  is configured in the retracted or stored position, a front surface of the housing of illuminator is flush (flush or substantially flush) with a forwardly facing surface of outer housing  116 . However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the housing of illuminator  126  may extend slightly outwardly from outer housing  116  such that the housing of illuminator  126  is at least partially disposed within other housing  116  in a retracted position. 
     In operation, a user may deactuate button  124  to cause illuminator  126  to move into the retracted position. For example, deactuation of the button may include having a user press the button while the button is in the retracted position which will cause the button to extend outward away from the outer housing and be flush with the surface of the outer housing. Such deactuation may cause the biasing mechanism of illuminator  126  to retract illuminator from the extended position to the retracted position and to turn off (disable) light source  134  and sable illumination of the working surface of base  104 . In a similar manner as when the illuminator is in the extended position, independent of the position of button  124  or position of illuminator  126 , button  124  allows ambient light to continue to enter through lens  128  and be received by ambient light sensor  132  for subsequent processing. For example, the ambient light conditions can be used to adjust the backlighting of display screen  118 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of architecture for electronic device  100  in accordance with at least one embodiment. As indicated in  FIG. 4 , computing device  100  comprises a processing device  400 , memory  402 , a user interface  404 , web camera  122 , light sensor  132 , button  124  and illuminator  126 , each of which is connected to a local interface  406 . The local interface  406  can include any interface means, such as for example, buses like universal serial bus (USB), system management bus (SMBUS), peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) the like, to interface with devices such as the camera, sensor and the like. 
     The processing device  400  can comprise a central processing unit (CPU) that controls overall operation of electronic device  100  and memory  402  may include anyone of or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., RAM) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., hard disk, ROM, tape, etc.) that store code that can be executed by processing device  400 . 
     The user interface  404  comprises the components with which a user interacts with electronic device  100 , such as keyboard  108 , touchpad  110 , buttons  112  and input/output ports identified above in relation to  FIG. 1 . The web camera  122  may comprise an image sensor that converts an optical image to an electric signal. By way of example, the image sensor may comprise a charged-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The light sensor  132  may comprise a photodetector, such as a photodiode, that converts light intensity into an electric signal. An embodiment for illuminator  126  has been described above. The illuminator  126  may further include a control element that receives instructions from the processing device  400  that indicated how to control the light. 
     The memory  402  may comprise various programs (i.e., logic), including an operating system  408  one or more user applications  410 , and an illumination control program  412 . The operating system  408  may control the execution of other programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services. The user applications  410  can comprise any application that executes on electronic device  100 , which may include an image capture program, a video conferencing program, and the like. 
     The illumination control program  412  may include instructions which when executed by processing device  400  may control the operation of camera  122 , button  124  and illuminator  126 . The control program  412  may be able to control the operation of web camera  122  by capturing one or more images, or preparation for capturing one or more images. The control program  412  may control the interaction of button  124  and illuminator  126 . For example, control program  412  can be configured to detect actuation of button  124  and cause activation of illuminator  126 . The control program  412  may also be configured to control ambient light received by light sensor  132 . For example, control program  412  may detect ambient light received by light sensor  132  and use such ambient light conditions to control the backlighting of display device  118 . 
     The software in memory may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing functions. The software in the memory may include software to implement control program  412 . The control program  412  can include source program, executable program (object code), script, or any other entity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. When it is a source program, then the program needs to be translated via a compiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not be included within the memory, so as operate properly in connection with the O/S. Furthermore, control program  412  can be written as (a) an object oriented programming language, which has classes of data and methods, or (b) a procedure programming language, which has routines, subroutines, and/or functions, for example but not limited to, C, C++ and Java. In some embodiments, the software in memory may further include a basic input output system (BIOS). The BIOS can include a set of essential software routines that initialize and test hardware at startup, start the O/S, and support the transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS can be stored in memory (ROM) so that the BIOS can be executed when electronic device  100  is activated. 
     When electronic device  100  is in operation, processing device  400  can be configured to execute software stored within the memory, to communicate data to and from the memory, and to generally control operations of electronic device  100  pursuant to the software. The control program  412  and other programs, in whole or in part, but typically the latter, can be read by the processing device, perhaps buffered within the processor, and then executed. 
     When control program  412  is implemented in software, the software can be stored on any computer readable medium for use by or in connection with any computer related system or method. In the context of this document, a computer readable medium is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that can contain or store a computer program for use by or in connection with a computer related system or method. The control program  412  can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). 
     The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.