Patent Abstract:
Wireless communication devices ( 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 ) include multi-state visual indicating devices ( 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 126, 128 ) that are operable to alert users that wireless communication links or connections have been established between two or more devices. Upon establishing a connection, the wireless devices share indicia activation information (e.g., color or timing sequence information) and the multi-state visual indicating devices in the devices operate according to the indicia activation information to apprise users that the connection has been established. Activatable indicia ( 216, 214, 216, 218 ) that are preferably integral with the wireless device housings inform the device users as to the state of communication.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates in general to wireless communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to advising a user of a wireless device as to a connection status of a wireless communication.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Advances in electronic manufacture techniques (e.g., semiconductor lithography) have greatly reduced the cost of including computing and communication functionality in electronic apparatus. It is contemplated that computing and communication functionality will be included in a wide variety of electronic apparatuses (e.g., consumer electronics) that have not had such functionality.  
           [0003]    Personal area networks (PAN) that span a set of devices (e.g., wireless telephone, notebook computer, and personal digital assistant PDA) carried by a single person are contemplated. PANs can for example be used to transfer email messages received via a data communication enabled wireless telephone to a PDA or laptop for reading. Wirelessly connected stationary home electronics are also contemplated. Wirelessly connecting multiple devices will enable them to interact and to more efficiently serve their user&#39;s needs. So as not to burden the user, wireless connections are, in certain instances, to be set up automatically as devices move within range of each other. For example, when a portable device carried by the user, is moved within range of other devices (e.g., stationary devices) in their home or business such devices are expected to automatically establish communications for the purpose of exchanging useful information or control signals without the intercession of the user. Such automatic communications open up a wide variety of possible methods for automating various home and business functions and increasing the user&#39;s productivity and quality of life. However, given that inter-device communication is to be established without the user&#39;s intercession, coupled with the present lack of familiarity with such systems, it is anticipated that such system may lead to consumer uncertainty and apprehension. Uncertainty as to whether devices are communicating and the status of such communication in each particular instance, may lead to false expectations as to whether or not devices are communicating, and in general to uncertainty as to the capability of such systems. In the case that more than two devices that are capable of communicating on an ad hoc basis are in range of each other uncertainty may arise as to which if any devices are communicating. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0004]    The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a wireless network according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a front view of a wireless telephone included in the network shown in FIG. 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the wireless telephone shown in FIG. 2;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 2-3;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of method of operating the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 1-4 in conjunction with a second wireless communication enabled device according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of operating a second wireless communication enabled device in coordination with the method shown in FIG. 5  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7 is flow chart of a method of operating the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 1-4 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of operating a second wireless enabled communication device in coordination with the method shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a front housing portion of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 1-4 including an electroluminescent activatable indicia;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion, and a circuit substrate of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 1-4 including a photoluminescent activatable indicia;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion, and the circuit substrate of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 2-4 including an etched pass through type activatable indicia;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective x-ray view of the front housing portion of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 2-4 including a thermochromic activatable indicia; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion, and the circuit substrate of the wireless telephone shown in FIGS. 2-4 including a leaky fiber indicator lamp. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.  
         [0019]    The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including”, “comprising” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as a non-exclusive inclusion (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a wireless network  100  according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. A plurality of disparate type wireless communication enabled devices  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  including a network portal  102 , a wireless telephone  104 , a laptop computer  106 , a PDA  108 , and a set top box  110  are parties to the wireless network  100 . The network portal  102  is communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN)  124 . Each of the devices  102 - 110  participating in the wireless network  100  includes a multi-state visual indicating device such as a display or an indicator lamp. Multiple states of the visual indicators are characterized by different intensity levels (e.g., on and off), different colors, different spatial patterns (e.g., icons, or images) or a combination thereof. The laptop  106  includes a wireless network card  112  that includes an indicator lamp  114 . The laptop also includes a display  116 . The PDA  108  includes an indicator lamp  116 . The set top box  110  includes an indicator lamp  118 . The wireless telephone  104  includes an indicator lamp  120 , and the network portal  102  includes an indicator lamp  122 . The PDA  108  also includes a display screen  126 , and the telephone  104  includes a display screen  128 . As described more fully below sets (e.g., pairs) of indicator lamps, or display screens of the devices  102 - 110  are operated together to alert users that one or more wireless communication links have been established between two or more of the devices  102 - 110 .  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a front view of the wireless telephone  104  included in the network shown in FIG. 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIG. 2. Although the invention is described in detail herein below with reference to the wireless telephone  104 , the invention is alternatively applied to other electronic devices such as, for example, two-way messaging devices, personal digital assistants, fixed wireless network access nodes, home entertainment equipment such as set top boxes, and associated remote controls, smart home control nodes, game controllers and associated game boxes, personal computers and associated peripherals such as printers, scanners, and plotters, point of sale terminals and associated hand held scanners, including the devices shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0022]    Referring to FIG. 2, the wireless telephone  104  comprises a housing  202  that includes a front housing portion  204 . The front housing portion  204  supports a plurality of momentary contact keys  206 ,  208 , including a set of alphanumeric keys  206  that are used to input alphanumeric data including telephone numbers, and other telephone book data (e.g., names). Also included among the momentary contact keys  206 ,  208 , are a number of function keys  208 . The wireless telephone  202  includes a display  128  that is useful, among other things, for displaying phone number and operating status information (e.g., signal strength, battery reserve). The telephone  104  includes an antenna  220 . The front housing portion  204 , is alternatively a removable interchangeable face plate.  
         [0023]    The front housing portion  204  includes a window  212 , over a light source  316 . The light source  316 , in combination with the window  212  serves as the lamp  120  identified with reference to FIG. 1. The light source  316 , and a light source on another device (e.g., another wireless telephone, network node, PDA, lap top computer) with which the wireless telephone  104  establishes a communication link are preferably turned on to indicate that the communication link has been established. In order to reduce ambiguity in indicating that two devices have established a communication link, the light sources in the two devices that have established a communication link are preferably activated according to the same activation information. The common activation information preferably takes the form of a timing sequence according to which light sources in two devices which have established a communication link are activated. Such a timing sequence may for example comprise a predetermined set of on periods (e.g., two seconds, two seconds, two seconds), interleaved with a predetermined set of off periods (e.g. one second, one second, one second). Preferably driving of the light sources according to the timing sequence is synchronized. Rather than using two discrete states (e.g., on and off) the intensity of light sources in the two devices are alternatively modulated continuously. In the preferred embodiment, a synchronization signal is transmitted between the two devices in order to synchronize driving of the light sources in the two devices according to the timing sequence.  
         [0024]    The light source  316  is preferably an LED. Alternatively, the light source is an electroluminescent lamp, or a photoluminescent lamp that is excited by a UV LED. In the latter two cases the electroluminescent, or photoluminescent material is preferably located on an external surface of the front housing portion  204 . In the latter case the window  120  can be dispensed with.  
         [0025]    According to another alternative embodiment, the light source  316  is a full color light emitting diode (LED). Full color LEDs include three separately drivable LED chips e.g. a red, a green and a blue chip. In such an alternative embodiment, the activation information preferably takes the form of a color selection signal, which is to say that the light sources in two devices that have established a communication link are preferably adjusted to the substantially the same color, in order to indicate that the two devices have established a communication link. The color which is specified by two or more color coordinates, is preferably selected at random e.g., by randomly selecting one or more color coordinates, by one of the devices establishing the communication link, and communicated to other (e.g., one other) devices with which the communication link is established. Alternatively, the color of light sources in two devices is modulated in synchronism to indicate that a communication link has been established between the two devices.  
         [0026]    One or more activatable indicia  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  are also formed on the front housing portion  204  of the telephone  104 . The activatable indicia  212 - 218  include two abbreviated textual indicia  216 ,  218  including a transmitting state indicia ‘Tx’  216 , and a receiving state indicia ‘Rx’  218 . By activating the textual indicia  216 ,  218  the user of the wireless telephone  104  is visually apprised as to whether the telephone  104  is transmitting or receiving information. The activatable indicia  212 - 218  also include graphical indicia  216 ,  218 , including a locked lock icon  212 , and an unlocked lock icon  214 . The locked lock icon  212  is activated to indicate to the user that secure (i.e., encrypted) communication is taking place, and the unlocked lock icon  214  is activated to indicate to the user that unsecured (e.g., open) communication is taking place.  
         [0027]    The activatable indicia  212 - 218  preferably take the form of electroluminescent, photoluminescent, or thermochromic devices. Alternatively, the activatable indicia takes the form of a pattern etched in an opaque layer of the front housing portion  204 . Back lighting of the etched pattern is provided by switching on a light source located in the housing  202 .  
         [0028]    Preferably, the activatable indicia  212 - 218  are activated in response to the status of a short range communication link, such as a BLUETOOTH communication link. BLUETOOTH is a communication protocol developed by the BLUETOOTH SIG trade association. The name BLUETOOTH is a trademark of the BLUETOOTH SIG trade association. The activatable indicia  212 - 218  are useful in educating the users as to the operation of short range and ad hoc communications, and therefore may be used to promote the use of short range and ad hoc communications in a variety of applications. Locating the activatable indicia  212 - 218  on the front housing portion  204  tends to insure that the activatable indicia will be viewable by the user. Forming the activatable indicia on the front housing portion allows the activatable indicia  212 - 218  to be made relatively large and at the same time allows the activatable indicia to be incorporated in the wireless telephone  104  in a space efficient manner.  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 3, the housing  202  of the wireless telephone  104  encloses a circuit substrate  314 . The circuit substrate  314  supports a keypad  312  that includes the alphanumeric keys  206  and the function keys  208 . The circuit substrate  314  also supports a number of other electrical circuit components  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310  including a microphone  306 , a speaker  308 , a light source driver  304 , and an activatable indicia driver  310 . Although only one activatable indicia driver  310  is visible in the side view of FIG. 3, there are preferably multiple activatable indicia drivers  306  for driving all the activatable indicia  212 - 218 .  
         [0030]    According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more of the momentary contact keys  206 ,  208  optionally include light sources. For example, the keys  206 ,  208  optionally include one or more electroluminescent lamps that are integrated with the keys  206 ,  208 . Light sources incorporated into the keys  206 ,  208  are alternatively activated in order to indicate to a user that the wireless telephone  104  has established an ad hoc communication link with another device. The light sources included in the keys  206 ,  208  are alternatively activated in a manner (e.g., synchronously according to a timing sequence) to indicate to the user with which other device the wireless telephone  104  has established an ad hoc communication link.  
         [0031]    According to another alternative embodiment of the invention, the display  128  is used to display a graphic (e.g., a picture randomly selected from a plurality of pictures) that is simultaneously displayed on a display of a second device (e.g. PDA  108 , or laptop  106 , FIG. 1) with which the wireless telephone  104  has established an ad hoc wireless communication link. Simultaneously displaying the same picture on the display  128  of the telephone  104  and on the display of the second device with which the wireless telephone  104  has established an ad hoc communication link indicates to the user (e.g., one or more users of the wireless telephone  104  and the second device) that the two devices have established a communication link.  
         [0032]    According to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention the fact that the wireless telephone  104  is in communication with another device is indicated by driving at least a portion of the display  128  and the display of the second device according to the same timing sequence. In other words, the displays of the two devices are driven substantially synchronously. As an example, a block portion of the displays of the two devices, are synchronously, alternately driven to one of two colors according to a timing sequence.  
         [0033]    According to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention an activatable indicia in the form of a logo  222  is operated (e.g. flashed according to a timing sequence, or adjusted to a certain color) in order to indicate that a wireless communication link has been established. The logo is preferably electroluminescent, but is alternatively photoluminescent, thermochromic, or takes the form of an etched pass through in the front housing portion  204 . A etched pass through logo that is back lit by a full color LED serves as a color adjustable logo.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless telephone  104  comprises a transceiver module  402 , a processor  404  (e.g., a digital signal processor), an analog to digital converter (AID)  406 , a key input decoder  408 , a plurality of indicia driver circuits  410 , a digital to analog converter (D/A)  412 , a display driver  414 , a program memory  416 , and a workspace memory  418  coupled together through a digital signal bus  420 .  
         [0035]    The transceiver module  402  is coupled to the antenna  220 . Carrier signals that are modulated with data, e.g., encoded audio data, pass between the antenna  220 , and the transceiver  402 . Alternatively, an infrared detector, and an infrared emitter are provided for infrared wireless communication. Infrared wireless signals are alternatively used in the network  100  shown in FIG. 1. IrDA is a protocol for wireless communication that can be used in the network  100 .  
         [0036]    The microphone  306  is coupled to the A/D  406 . Audio, including spoken words and ambient noise, is input through the microphone  306  and converted to digital format by the AID  406 .  
         [0037]    The keypad  312  that includes the alphanumeric keys  206 , and the function keys  208  is coupled to the key input decoder  408 . The key input decoder  408  serves to identify depressed keys and provide information identifying each depressed key to the processor  404 .  
         [0038]    The indicia driver circuits  410 , which comprises the indicia driver  310 , are coupled to an activatable indicia array  422  that includes the activatable indicia  212 - 218   218 . The indicia driver circuits  410  drive the activatable indicia  212 - 218  in response to control signals received from the microprocessor  404 .  
         [0039]    The D/A  412  is coupled to the speaker  308 . The D/A  412  converts decoded digital audio to analog signals and drives the speaker  308 . The display driver  414  is coupled to the display  128 .  
         [0040]    The program memory  416  is used to store programs that control the wireless telephone  104 . The programs stored in the program memory  416  are executed by the processor  404 . The workspace memory  418  is used as a workspace by the processor  404  in executing programs. Methods that are carried out by programs stored in the program memory  416  are described below with reference to FIGS. 5-8. The program memory  416  is a form of computer readable media. Other forms of computer readable media can alternatively be used to store programs that are executed by the processor  404 .  
         [0041]    The transceiver module  402 , processor  404 , A/D  406 , key input decoder  408 , indicia driver circuits  410 , D/A  412 , display driver  414 , program memory  416 , and workspace memory  418 , are preferably embodied in the electrical circuit components  302 , the activatable indicia driver  310 , and electrical interconnections of the printed circuit substrate  314  shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of method of operating the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 1-4 in conjunction with a second wireless communication enabled device (e.g., laptop  106 , PDA  108 , set top box  110 , or network portal  102 ) according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. In step  502 , a wireless connection or communication link is established between the wireless telephone  104  and the second wireless communication enabled device. In step  504 , indicia activation information in the form of a light activation timing sequence is transmitted from the wireless telephone  104  to the second wireless communication enabled device. (Alternatively, the roles of the wireless telephone  104  and the second wireless communication enabled device are reversed.) In step  506 , a synchronization signal is transmitted from the wireless telephone  104  to the second wireless communication enabled device. In step  508 , the light source  316  of the wireless telephone  104  is activated according to the activation timing sequence transmitted to the second wireless communication enabled device.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of operating a second wireless communication enabled device in coordination with the method shown in FIG. 5. In step  602 , the second wireless communication enabled device functions to establish the communication link with the wireless telephone  104 . (Step  602  is performed in coordination with step  502 ). In step  604 , the light activation timing sequence information that was transmitted in step  504  is received. In step  606 , the synchronization signal that was transmitted in step  506  is received. In response to receiving the synchronization signal, in step  608  an indicator lamp of the second wireless communication enabled device is driven in accordance with the light activation timing sequence information. Executing the processes shown in FIGS. 5-6 causes the light source  316  of the telephone  104  and the indicator lamp of the second wireless communication enabled device to turn on and off according to the timing sequence, in synchronism.  
         [0044]    According to another alternative embodiment of the invention the second wireless communication device that executes the method shown in FIG. 6, establishes a communication link with a third device, and thereafter relays the light activation timing sequence to the third device, and thereafter transmits a synchronization signal to the third device, in response to which the third device activates a lamp of the third device according to the light activation timing sequence information in synchronism with the wireless telephone  104 , and the second wireless communication enabled device.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 is flow chart of a method of operating the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 1-4 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of operating a second wireless enabled communication device in coordination with the method shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 7, in step  702  a wireless communication link to a second wireless communication enabled device (e.g., laptop  106 , PDA  108 , set top box  110 , or network portal  102 ) is established. In step  704  indicia activation information is transmitted to the second wireless communication enabled device. The indicia activation information that is transmitted in step  704  alternatively comprises an image that is randomly selected or randomly generated, a color to which indicator lamps are to be adjusted, a timing sequence, color modulation information, or other indicia activation information. In step  706  indicia (e.g., the display  128  or a color tunable lamp) of the wireless telephone  104  is activated according to the indicia activation information transmitted in the preceding step  704 .  
         [0046]    Referring to FIG. 8, in step  802  the second wireless communication enabled device functions to establish the communication link with the wireless telephone  104 . In step  804  the indicia activation information that was transmitted in step  704  is received from the wireless telephone, and in step  806  an indicia (e.g., a display or color tunable lamp) of the second wireless enabled communication device is activated in accordance with the indicia activation information.  
         [0047]    Using the methods illustrated in FIGS. 7,8 causes the wireless telephone  104 , and the second wireless communication enabled device with which it establishes a communication link to activate their respective indicia (e.g., a display or color tunable lamp) according to the same indicia activation information (e.g., image or color) and thereby apprises users that the wireless telephone and the second wireless communication enabled device have established a communication link. Therefore the users will be reassured as to the proper functioning of the communication link.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion  204  of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 2-4 including an electroluminescent activatable indicia  900 . Referring to FIG. 9, a first terminal  902 , and a second terminal  904  are integrally molded in the front housing portion  204  which is preferably made of plastic. The terminals  902 ,  904  include respective contact portions  906 ,  908  located within the housing  202  of the wireless telephone  104 . The contact portions  906 ,  908  are used to couple a voltage signal from a electroluminescent driver (not shown) to the electroluminescent activatable indicia  900 .  
         [0049]    A first conductive layer  910  extends over, and electrically contacts the first terminal  902 . A first insulating layer  912  covers the first conductive layer  910 . A electroluminescent layer  914  is patterned to form an abbreviated textual transmit state indicia ‘Tx’. A second insulating layer  916  that is transparent to light emitted by the electroluminescent layer  914  covers the electroluminescent layer  914 . A second conductive layer  918  that is also transparent to light emitted by the electroluminescent layer  914  overlies the second insulating layer  916 . The second conductive layer  918  includes a tab portion  920  that extends beyond the periphery of lower layers and contacts the second terminal  904 . Thus, the terminals  902 ,  904  are used to apply voltage signals between the first conductive layer  910 , and the second conductive layer  918 . A third insulating layer (not shown) that is also transparent, is optionally formed over the second conductive layer  918 . By applying a voltage signal between the conductive layers  910 ,  918 , the electroluminescent layer  914  is caused to emit light thereby activating the transmit state indicia ‘Tx’.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion  204 , and the circuit substrate  314  of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 2-4 including a photoluminescent activatable indicia  1000 . The photoluminescent activatable indicia  1000  is formed on an ultraviolet (UV) transparent portion  1002  of the housing. 204 . The UV transparent portion  1002  is preferably made from a UV transparent plastic. The UV transparent portion  1002  is optionally an insert that is mechanically coupled to a remainder of the housing  202 . A patterned photoluminescent layer  1004  is formed on the UV transparent portion  1002 . The patterned photoluminescent layer  1004  is patterned to form an abbreviated textual transmit indicia ‘Tx’. A UV blocking, visible light transmitting layer  1006  is formed on the UV transparent housing portion  1002  over the photoluminescent layer  1004 . The circuit substrate  314  supports a UV LED  1008  below the abbreviated textual transmit indicia ‘Tx’. A UV light baffle skirt  1010  depends from the front housing portion  204 , and encircles the transmit indicia ‘Tx’ and the UV LED  1008 . The skirt  1010  serves to isolate the UV LED  1008  from other photoluminescent activatable indicia of the same general design (but with different textual or graphic information) that are preferably formed adjacent to the photoluminescent indicia  1000  shown in detail in FIG. 10.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion  204 , and the circuit substrate  314  of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 2-4 including an etched pass through type activatable indicia  1100 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the front housing portion  204  comprises a body of transparent material (preferably plastic) that is coated on an inside surface  1102  with an opaque coating  1104 . Alternatively, the opaque coating is coated an outside surface of the housing portion  204 . The opaque coating  1104  is selectively etched, e.g. by laser etching, in order to inscribe an indicia pattern  1106 . The indicia pattern  1106  shown in FIG. 11 is an abbreviated textual transmit indicia ‘Tx’. An LED  1108  is supported on the circuit substrate  314  proximate the indicia pattern  1106 . A light baffle skirt  1110  depends from the front housing portion  204  surrounding the indicia pattern  1106 , and the LED  1108 . The light baffle skirt  1110  serves a function analogous to that of the UV light baffle skirt  1010  (FIG. 10) discussed above.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective x-ray view of the front housing portion  204  of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 2-4 including a thermochromic activatable indicia  1200 . The thermochromic activatable indicia, includes an indicia pattern (graphic or textual) printed on a thinned area  1202  of the front housing portion  204 . An ohmic heating element  1204  is positioned on an inside surface  1206  of the thinned area  1202 , or is embedded in the thinned area  1202 . A first lead  1208 , and a second lead  1210  are electrically connected to the ohmic heating element  1204  for supplying a driving current thereto. The ohmic heating element  1204  is driven by an indicia driver (not shown in FIG. 12). Making the thinned area  1202  thin tends to reduce the response time of the thermochromic activatable indicia, by reducing the heat capacity of the thinned area  1202 , increasing the thermal conductance across the thinned area  1202 , and decreasing lateral loss of heat from the thinned area  1202 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the front housing portion  204 , and the circuit substrate  314  of the wireless telephone  104  shown in FIGS. 2-4 including a leaky fiber indicator lamp. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the front housing portion  204 , comprises an outer transparent shell  1302 , and an inner shell  1304  nested within the outer transparent shell  1302 . A space  1306  is located between the outer transparent shell  1302 , and the inner shell  1304 . The inner shell  1304  includes a hole  1308 . An optical fiber  1310  extends from within the housing  202  through the hole  1308  into the space  1306  between the outer transparent shell  1302  and the inner shell  1304 . At least a portion of the optical fiber  1310  in the space  1306  is preferably leaky, or leaks light due to its proximity (e.g., contact) with the outer transparent shell  1302 . An end  1312  of the optical fiber  1310  is coupled by an optical coupler  1314  to an LED  1316 . The LED  1316  is coupled through the circuit substrate  314  to an LED driver  1318  that performs the function of the light source driver  304  shown in FIGS. 3,4.  
         [0054]    The optical fiber  1310  serves as an indicator lamp for indicating that a communication link has been established between the wireless telephone  104 , and a second wireless communication enabled device. The LED  1316  is preferably driven in synchronism with an indicator lamp in a second wireless communication enabled device so that users will be apprised that the wireless telephone  104  and the second wireless communication enabled device are in communication.  
         [0055]    The word “integral” as used in this description means disposed on the housing, embedded within the housing, etched into the housing or otherwise forming part of the housing, but does not mean mechanically fastened to the housing.  
         [0056]    While the preferred and other embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7