Patent Description:
Methods and devices have been developed for lighting support structures such as housings for apparatuses including those for conducting chemical, biochemical, and/or biological assays, housings for consumer products such as computers, kitchen appliances, and electronics, structures for automotive interiors and exteriors, and structures for architectural details. These methods and devices are used in a variety of applications including medical diagnostics, food and beverage testing, environmental monitoring, manufacturing quality control, drug discovery, basic scientific research, automotive, cooking, and interior design. These uses may be for utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. For example, utilitarian reasons include showing the status of an apparatus contained in the housing (e.g., via color or intermittent flashing or pulsing), or lighting a display on the housing for visualization by a user.

A variety of apparatuses are available for conducting assay measurements including instruments that measure changes in optical absorbance, emission of luminescence (e.g., fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence (ECL)), emission of radiation, changes in light scattering, and changes in a magnetic field. <CIT> and <CIT> describe solutions that are useful for carrying out singleplex and multiplex ECL assays in a multi-well plate format. They include plates that comprise a plate top with through-holes that form the walls of the wells and a plate bottom that is sealed against the plate top to form the bottom of the wells. The plate bottom has patterned conductive layers that provide the wells with electrode surfaces that act as both solid phase supports for binding reactions as well as electrodes for inducing ECL. The conductive layers may also include electrical contacts for applying electrical energy to the electrode surfaces. Reference is also made to <CIT>.

Challenges arise for developing methods and devices for lighting support structures, e.g., housings, when the surface of the support structure contains a shape such as an angle, curve (convex or concave), or indentation. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> each disclose a housing comprising a light device.

Thus, improved methods and devices for lighting are needed for aesthetic and utilitarian reasons. Some improvements resulting from the disclosed methods and devices result in a more even distribution of light across a surface of a housing due to the structure of the light devices disclosed below. The disclosed light devices are engineered to have a compact, low-profile design, be easily manufactured, and not require Fresnel lenses.

The present invention is directed to a device housing comprising the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject of the depending claims.

The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings, which are provided as illustrative of certain embodiments of the subject application, and not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

In the discussion and claims herein, the term "about" indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or device. For example, for some elements the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±<NUM>%, for other elements, the term "about" can refer to a variation of ±<NUM>% or ±<NUM>%, or any point therein.

As used herein, the term "substantially", or "substantial", is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a surface that is "substantially" flat would either completely flat, or so nearly flat that the effect would be the same as if it were completely flat.

As used herein terms such as "a", "an" and "the" are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include those terms defined in the plural and vice versa.

References in the specification to "one embodiment", "certain embodiments", some embodiments" or "an embodiment", indicate that the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention, as it is oriented in the drawing figures. The terms "overlying", "atop", "positioned on" or "positioned atop" means that a first element, is present on a second element, wherein intervening elements interface between the first element and the second element. The term "direct contact" or "attached to" means that a first element, and a second element are connected without any intermediary element at the interface of the two elements.

Reference herein to any numerical range expressly includes each numerical value (including fractional numbers and whole numbers) encompassed by that range. To illustrate, reference herein to a range of "at least <NUM>" or "at least about <NUM>" includes whole numbers of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., and fractional numbers <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In a further illustration, reference herein to a range of "less than <NUM>" or "less than about <NUM>" includes whole numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc., and fractional numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc..

<FIG> is an illustration of a device housing <NUM>. The device housing <NUM> is an example of a structure that is capable of containing one, two, or more light devices described in the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the one or more light devices described in the present disclosure can be included in any other suitable housing and/or support structure.

The device housing <NUM> includes a front <NUM>, a front light face <NUM>, a front light face border <NUM>, a top <NUM>, and a right side <NUM>. Also included are a left side and bottom of the device housing, although these features are not illustrated. Also included in the device housing <NUM> is an upper light device <NUM> (also referred to as first light device) and a lower light device <NUM> (also referred to as second light device), each of which will be discussed in more detail below. In other embodiments, the size and location of these light devices can be different. Either or both of the upper light device <NUM> and the lower light device <NUM> can display various colors and/or intensities of light, which can act as status identifiers. For example, a first steady-state color (e.g., blue or green) indicates that the instrument in the housing is turned on but idle, a second steady-state color (e.g., red or yellow) indicates that the instrument in the housing is either not ready or requires attention (e.g., a fault state), and a pulsing color (e.g., blue or green) indicates that the instrument is turned on and operating or operational.

In this example of device housing <NUM>, front light face <NUM> is shown as a substantially curved, flat structure, but in other embodiments, front light face <NUM> can be formed of different flat shapes, or, can be other angular and/or curved shapes.

Although not shown, device housing <NUM> can include various electrical and internet connections, either, wired or wireless, to provide electricity and information/communication ability to the device housing <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, the device housing <NUM> can include several surfaces, each of which can be formed of the same, or different material. The material is any suitable material selected from metals, plastic based materials, rubbers, carbon based materials, glasses, and combinations thereof.

Each surface of the device housing <NUM> can include a layer of paint, and/or an adhesive element (such as a sticker and/or an adhesive wrap), and/or no extra material on the outer surface of the material that forms that portion of the device housing <NUM>.

Each surface of the device housing <NUM> can be finished in any suitable way, such as with a matte finish, a shiny finish, and levels of light reflectance in between.

<FIG> is a top view of device housing <NUM>, which illustrates the components mentioned above in another perspective, such that left side <NUM> is partially visible. As can be seen in <FIG>, the upper light device <NUM> spans a substantially linear distance along the front <NUM> of the device housing <NUM>. Also, the lower light device <NUM> spans a substantially linear distance, which is vertically offset from upper light device <NUM>, along the front <NUM> of the device housing <NUM>. The upper light device <NUM> can be included at or near the transition between the front <NUM> and the top <NUM>. The lower light device <NUM> can be included at or near the transition between the front <NUM> and the front light face <NUM>. In other embodiments, the upper light device <NUM> can be separate from, and not contact the device housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the lower light device <NUM> can be separate from, and not contact the device housing <NUM>.

A cross section of the device housing <NUM>, along line <NUM>' (shown in <FIG>) is shown in <FIG>. The interior of device housing <NUM> is shown as hollow in this figure, to aid in explanation, with an interior surface of left side <NUM> visible. However, the interior of device housing <NUM> can include any suitable electrical apparatus and any suitable analytical apparatus.

Although <FIG> illustrates some more details regarding upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM>, further detail is provided in the subsequent images, which offer magnified views of these components.

A magnified view of a cross section (from <FIG>) of the lower light device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The lower light device <NUM> is connected to the device housing by one or more mounting elements <NUM>. In this embodiment the mounting elements <NUM> are shown as screws, but in other embodiments, the mounting elements <NUM> can be any suitable mechanism that is capable of maintaining the lower light device <NUM>'s position within the device housing, such as a clip, snap, nail, staple and/or adhesive.

The lower light device <NUM> includes a printed circuit board (electrical supply) <NUM>, which supports one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> can be any suitable structure that can physically support the one or more LEDs <NUM>, and also provide electricity to each of the one or more LEDs <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material.

A divergence angle of the LEDs <NUM>, as well as other LEDs disclosed in the present application, is about <NUM>°, but, can be any angle between about <NUM>° and about <NUM>°. Further, LEDs <NUM>, as well as other LEDs disclosed in the present application, are capable of producing various colors (including but not limited to white, blue, green, red, and yellow), various brightnesses of light and various warmth values of light.

Only one full LED <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, however, LEDs <NUM> can extend along any portion, or the entire, length of the lower light device <NUM>. The spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM> can be any suitable size for the desired application.

To guide light generated from the one or more LEDs <NUM>, a light pipe <NUM> is located between the one or more LEDs <NUM> and the front light face <NUM>. For example, the spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM> can be such that overlapping regions of illumination are formed by the one or more LEDs <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>, toward the front light face <NUM>.

As one non-limiting example of forming overlapping regions of illumination, about thirty LEDs <NUM> can be included in upper light device <NUM>, each of which can be spaced apart about <NUM>" from center to center (about <NUM>" separation between each individual LED). In other embodiments of forming overlapping regions of illumination, each of the LEDs <NUM> can be spaced apart from about <NUM>" to about <NUM>" from each other. As one of ordinary skill can determine, for housings smaller or larger than device housing <NUM>, a fewer or more LEDs than thirty may be used.

The term "light pipe" refers to any optical device or combination of devices having a collecting surface (for example, <NUM> of light pipe <NUM>, <NUM> of light pipe <NUM> (discussed below)) through which light may be received into the light pipe device itself, a guide (for example, light pipe <NUM>, light pipe <NUM>) through which received light is directed from the collecting surface to an outlet (for example, <NUM> of light pipe <NUM>, <NUM> and/or <NUM> of light pipe <NUM>), and the outlet through which all or most of the received light is emitted. Those of skill in the art can substitute or use any suitable device or structure that is capable of receiving light through any collecting surface, and capable of guiding the received light through the device or structure to an outlet.

In one embodiment, the light pipe generally comprises an elongated transparent or translucent member having a collecting surface, a guide portion with reflection surfaces and an emission outlet. When a light ray is directed at the collecting surface portion of the light pipe, the light is received in the guide and reflected along a trajectory toward an outlet adjacent to or abutting an optical sensor. The light pipe facilitates total internal reflection of the light and hence passes most or all of the light to the emission outlet.

In this disclosure, the light pipe <NUM> can be formed of one or more suitable materials, such as plastics, glasses, and combinations thereof.

In <FIG>, light is accepted into light pipe <NUM> through a face of the light pipe <NUM> that contacts the one or more LEDs <NUM>. Light is emitted from light pipe <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>, towards the front light face <NUM>. The light emitted from the light pipe <NUM> towards the front light face can be relatively uniform, due to the spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM>, and the structure of the light pipe <NUM>, so that overlapping regions of illumination are formed toward the front light face <NUM>. This relatively uniform light can be achieved without the inclusion of one or more Fresnel lenses.

The light pipe <NUM> can be of a shape shown in <FIG>, which directs light generated by the one or more LEDs <NUM> more generally towards the entire surface of the front light face <NUM>. A vertically thicker light pipe <NUM> in this structure would typically direct more light from the one or more LEDs <NUM> towards the vertical bottom portion of the front light face <NUM>, with the individual locations of each of the one or more LEDs <NUM> more noticeable due to this direction of light.

The height (thickness) of the light pipe <NUM> can be any suitable thickness, such as, for example between about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), or about <NUM>" (<NUM>). Also, the light pipe <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material, such as a polycarbonate material that can be at least partially clear, and may have either a smooth, or a textured finish on any of the surfaces of light pipe <NUM>.

A more detailed view of the light pipe <NUM> is shown in <FIG> is a front view of the light pipe <NUM>, with <FIG> being a cross sectional view of light pipe <NUM> along line A-A of <FIG>.

In <FIG>, a height <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM> is about <NUM>" (<NUM>), but as mentioned above, in other embodiments, this distance can be smaller or larger. This height <NUM> extends between a lower surface <NUM> to a first upper surface <NUM>. Angle B between the lower surface <NUM> to the first upper surface <NUM> is about <NUM>°, however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than about <NUM>°. Angle C between a second upper surface <NUM> and the first upper surface <NUM> is about <NUM>°, however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than about <NUM>°.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the ratio of the height of the second upper surface <NUM> to the height <NUM> is about <NUM>%, however, in other embodiments, this ratio can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than about <NUM>%.

In other embodiments, the height of the second upper surface <NUM> can be larger than the height <NUM>, so that second upper surface <NUM> is further from the lower surface <NUM> than the first upper surface <NUM>. In this embodiment an angle between the second upper surface <NUM> and the first upper surface <NUM> would be about <NUM>° however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than about <NUM>°.

Also as can be seen in <FIG>, the sum of Angles B and C is about <NUM>° between the lower surface <NUM> and the second upper surface <NUM>, however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than about <NUM>°, and, in yet other embodiments, these angles be a portion of a circumference of a circle.

A magnified view of a perspective view of the upper light device <NUM> (from <FIG>) is shown in <FIG>, a cross section (from <FIG>) of the upper light device <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the upper light device <NUM>, the perspective being from the rear of the device housing <NUM> towards the interface between the top <NUM> and the front light face border <NUM>. The upper light device <NUM> is connected to the device housing by one or more mounting elements <NUM>. In this embodiment the mounting elements <NUM> are shown as screws, but in other embodiments, the mounting elements <NUM> can be any suitable mechanism that is capable of maintaining the upper light device <NUM>'s position within the device housing, such as a clip, snap, nail, staple and/or adhesive.

The upper light device <NUM> includes a printed circuit board (electrical supply) <NUM>, which supports one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> can be any suitable structure that can physically support the one or more LEDs <NUM>, and also provide electricity to each of the one or more LEDs <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material.

Several LEDs <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, however, LEDs <NUM> can extend along any portion, or the entire, length of the upper light device <NUM>. The spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM> can be any suitable size for the desired application. For example, the spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM> can be such that overlapping regions of illumination are formed by the one or more LEDs <NUM>. As one non-limiting example of forming overlapping regions of illumination, about twenty four LEDs <NUM> can be included in lower light device <NUM>, each of which can be spaced apart about <NUM>" (<NUM>) from center to center (about <NUM>" (<NUM>) between each individual LED). In other embodiments of forming overlapping regions of illumination, each of the LEDs <NUM> can be spaced apart from about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>) from each other. As one of ordinary skill can determine, for housings smaller or larger than device housing <NUM>, fewer or more LEDs than twenty four may be used.

Vertically between the one or more LEDs <NUM> and a diffuser film <NUM> is a space <NUM>. This space <NUM> can be any suitable size, or not present at all. The space <NUM> can be between about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>"(<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>" (<NUM>)to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), about <NUM>" (<NUM>) to about <NUM>" (<NUM>), or about <NUM>" (<NUM>). In other embodiments, the space <NUM> can be configured to be a distance that is large enough to allow the light from the LEDs <NUM> to partially scatter/spread before reaching the light pipe <NUM>, but a distance that is small enough that the majority of the light from the LEDs <NUM> pass through the light pipe <NUM>.

The diffuser film <NUM> receives the light from the one or more LEDs <NUM>, transmits the light, and contacts a light pipe <NUM>. As used herein the term, "diffuser film" means any material, of any suitable thickness, that is able to scatter specular light (light with a primary direction) at many angles to produce a diffuse light (light with random light direction). The diffuser film <NUM> can be made of any suitable material, such as from one or more polymers, glass or paper. The diffuser film <NUM> can be transparent or translucent. In other embodiments, the diffuser film <NUM> can be an engineered diffuser with patterns embossed onto the surface of the film. In other embodiments, the diffuser film <NUM> can be a holographic diffuser fabricated by recording laser speckle patterns onto a photoresist or film. In other embodiments, the diffuser film <NUM> can be a diffractive diffuser or a material with particulate additives for scattering light.

Some non-limiting examples of a diffuser film <NUM> are: <NUM>™ Envision™ Diffuser Film <NUM>-<NUM>; DFPM grade circular diffuser film supplied by Grafix plastics; and EDF-L1 Engineered diffuser film supplied by RPC Photonics, Inc.

An electrical connector <NUM> is also illustrated in <FIG>, which can be configured to connect to any suitable incoming electrical signal, which will be delivered to the one or more LEDs <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the light pipe <NUM> forms a portion of the exterior surface of the device housing <NUM>, forming a portion of an edge between the front light face border <NUM> and the top <NUM>.

A more detailed view of the light pipe <NUM> is shown in <FIG> is a front view of the light pipe <NUM>, with <FIG> being a cross sectional view of light pipe <NUM> along line A-A of <FIG>. The light pipe <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material, such as a polycarbonate material that can be at least partially clear, and may have either a smooth, or a textured finish on any of the surfaces of light pipe <NUM>. The light emitted from the light pipe <NUM> can be relatively uniform, due to the spacing between adjacent LEDs <NUM>, and the structure of the light pipe <NUM>, so that overlapping regions of illumination are formed in a direction away from the light pipe <NUM>. This relatively uniform light can be achieved without the inclusion of one or more Fresnel lenses.

In <FIG>, a first height <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM> is about <NUM>", a second height <NUM> is about <NUM>", however, the first height <NUM> and the second height <NUM> can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more larger or smaller than each of these dimensions. The first height <NUM> extends from a top surface <NUM> to a bottom surface <NUM> along a first height surface <NUM>. The second height <NUM> extends from the bottom surface <NUM> to the bottom of portions <NUM> along a second height surface <NUM>.

The difference in height between the first height <NUM> and the second height <NUM> is variable based on the portions <NUM> of the light pipe <NUM>. The portions <NUM> can be angled and/or curved, and in some embodiments, form a surface of a device housing or device. In other embodiments, the second height <NUM> can be the same or substantially the same as the first height <NUM>. In yet other embodiments, the second height <NUM> can be larger than the first height <NUM>.

Angle D between the lower surface <NUM>, and the first height surface <NUM> is about <NUM>°, however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more greater or less than about <NUM>°. Angle E between the lower surface <NUM> and the second height surface <NUM> is about <NUM>°, however, in other embodiments, this angle can be <NUM>%, <NUM>% or more greater or less than about <NUM>°.

The location of upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> have been described above in reference to the device shown in <FIG>, the location of upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> can be other locations in or on device housing <NUM>.

Also, although device housing <NUM> has been described above in reference to the housing shown in <FIG>, in other embodiments, one or both of upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> can be included in and/or on various other pieces of equipment or apparatuses, described above such as a computer (e.g., a laptop computer), kitchen appliance, or consumer electronic equipment to provide utilitarian or aesthetic illumination as described above.

In other embodiments, one or both of upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> can be included in and/or on a mobile device such as a smart phone.

Another aspect described herein is a method of manufacturing the upper light device <NUM>, the lower light device <NUM>, the device housing <NUM>, and modifications and variations thereof as described.

Another aspect described herein is a method of lighting a surface of a device housing.

As discussed above, the spacing of LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the spacing of LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> can be configured so that the distance between each of the LEDs forms overlapping regions of illumination on a surface of the device housing <NUM>.

The LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> can be supplied with an electrical signal continuously, for a period of time, so that the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> continuously illuminate at a first color. For example, a continuous illumination of green or blue can indicate that a device within the device housing <NUM> is powered, but idle.

Further, the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> can be supplied with an electrical signal continuously, for a period of time, so that the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> continuously illuminate at a second color, different from the first color. For example, a continuous illumination of red or yellow can indicate that a device within the device housing <NUM> is in a fault state due, for example, to the device not being ready to conduct the activity, or that attention is required from a user.

The LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> can be supplied with an electrical signal in a pulsed sequence over a length of time so that the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> are supplied for a period of time to illuminate the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> at a first color (different or the same as the first color that is continuously illuminated) followed by not being supplied for a period of time. This gives the effect of the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> appearing to blink on and off over the length of time. For example, this alternate illumination can be of green or blue and can indicate that a device within the device housing <NUM> is operating or operational.

Alternatively, instead of displaying different colors for different states, the intensity of light illuminated from the LEDs <NUM> of the upper light device <NUM> and the LEDs <NUM> of lower light device <NUM> can be increased or decreased.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the device housing <NUM> comprises an AC to DC converter. The converter is configured to convert a power source, such as a wall power supply into a DC link voltage. For example, a wall power supply may be 120VAC @ <NUM>. The wall power supply may be 240VAC or another AC voltage. The voltage of the DC link may be defined as needed. For example, the DC link voltage may be based on the number of LEDs used and its configuration. For example, in an aspect of the disclosure, the LEDs <NUM> or <NUM> may be serially connected. Thus, the DC link voltage is a sum of the voltage required to operate each LED.

In other aspects of the disclosure, instead of using an external power supply, such as a wall power supply, the device housing <NUM> may comprise an internal power supply such as a battery. The battery will provide DC voltage. In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, the device housing <NUM> may also include a DC to DC converter. Where multiple LEDs <NUM> or <NUM> are connected in series, the DC to DC converter may be a boost converter, which increases the voltage from the battery voltage provided.

The device housing <NUM> may further comprise a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit that controls the duty cycle of the supplied voltage to the LEDs <NUM> or <NUM>. The PWM circuit controls the intensity of the light emitted by the LEDs. In one aspect of the disclosure, the PWM circuit may be implemented as a <NUM> timer PWM.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the PWM circuit may be connected with a dimmer switch to change the intensity of the LEDs. For example, the dimmer switch may be a potentiometer (POT). The POT may be disposed anywhere in or on the device housing <NUM>, or, the POT can be disposed outside the device housing <NUM>.

One embodiment of device housing <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The device housing <NUM> includes the front <NUM>, the front light face <NUM>, and the front light face border <NUM>. In <FIG>, the upper light device <NUM> spans a substantially linear distance along the front <NUM> of the device housing <NUM>. Also, the lower light device <NUM> spans a substantially linear distance along the front <NUM> of the device housing <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the lower light device <NUM> is illuminated, and is forming an area of illumination <NUM> on the front light face <NUM>. This area of illumination <NUM> is formed due to the illumination of LEDs <NUM>(shown in <FIG>) illuminating overlapping regions of illumination on the surface of the front light face <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, and in <FIG> discussed below, the area of illumination <NUM> is relatively uniform from a left side of the front light face <NUM> to a right side of the front light face <NUM>.

Another embodiment of device housing <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, with two different statuses identified.

In the device housing <NUM> to the left, the area of illumination <NUM> on the front light face, as a result of illumination by the lower light device <NUM>, and the upper light device <NUM>, are both illuminated in a first steady-state color of blue. In this example, this color blue indicates that the instrument in the device housing <NUM> is turned on, but idle.

In the device housing <NUM> to the right (shown as an inset), the area of illumination <NUM> on the front light face, as a result of illumination by the lower light device <NUM>, and the upper light device <NUM>, are both illuminated in a first steady-state color of red. In this example, this color red indicates that the instrument in the device housing <NUM> is in a fault state due, for example, to the device not being ready to conduct the activity, or that attention is required from a user.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the same PWM circuit may be used to control both sets of LEDs <NUM>/<NUM>. In other aspect of the disclosure, two separate PWM circuits are independently used to control the respective sets of LEDs <NUM> or <NUM>. One PWM circuit is installed in the printed circuit board <NUM> and another PWM circuit is installed in the printed circuit board <NUM>. Similarly, separate and independent DC to DC converters (or AC to DC converters) would be installed in the respective printed circuit boards.

In an aspect of the disclosure, a current limiting resistor R is placed in series with the LEDs. The current limiting resistor R has a resistance configured to keep the current at a specified level. Where the LEDs <NUM> are in parallel, a current limiting resistor R will be placed in series with each LED <NUM>.

The upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> are described herein as being included in a specific device housing, however, in other embodiments one or both of the upper light device <NUM> and lower light device <NUM> can be included in any other suitable housing, device, or surface.

Claim 1:
A device housing (<NUM>) comprising:
a first light device (<NUM>), the first light device (<NUM>) comprising a first electrical supply (<NUM>) configured to provide an electrical signal to a first light emitting diode (LED) (<NUM>), the first LED (<NUM>) separated from a first surface of a diffuser film (<NUM>) by a space (<NUM>), wherein the diffuser film (<NUM>) comprises a second surface, opposite the first surface, the second surface configured to contact a first light pipe (<NUM>), characterized in that the device housing (<NUM>) further comprises a second light device (<NUM>), the second light device (<NUM>) comprising a second electrical supply (<NUM>) configured to provide an electrical signal to a second LED (<NUM>), wherein the second LED (<NUM>) contacts a second light pipe (<NUM>).