PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9052428-B2
Application Number: US-201113046378-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components

Abstract:
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided. At least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component on an electronic device may be adjusted based on a detected variable device characteristic of the device, such as a temperature of a device component. By adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of the dynamic optical component, different portions of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be directed from the dynamic optical component for changing the variable device characteristic.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for thermally managing a hand-held electronic device, the method comprising:
 by the hand-held electronic device:
 detecting a device characteristic variable of the hand-held electronic device using a sensor of the hand-held electronic device; 
 adjusting, based on the device characteristic variable, at least one of a reflectance and a transmittance of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the hand-held electronic device using a dynamic optical component coupled to a housing of the hand-held electronic device; and 
 causing a temperature of the hand-held electronic device to change as a result of the adjusting. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises at least one of the following:
 increasing a percentage of a first spectrum band of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted through the dynamic optical component; and 
 decreasing a percentage of a second spectrum band of the electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted through the dynamic optical component. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation includes visible light. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device characteristic variable is the temperature of a portion of the hand-held electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the hand-held electronic device is at least one of a power supply of the hand-held electronic device, a memory component of the hand-held electronic device, the dynamic optical component of the hand-held electronic device, and the housing of the hand-held electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance is performed when the device characteristic variable is above or below a threshold value. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises one of:
 heating the dynamic optical component to a temperature above a first transition temperature; and 
 cooling the dynamic optical component to a temperature below a second transition temperature. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises one of:
 applying a first electrical charge to the dynamic optical component that is above a first transition charge; and 
 applying a second electrical charge to the dynamic optical component that is below a second transition charge. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises:
 adjusting at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of a first spectrum band of the electromagnetic radiation by a first amount; and 
 adjusting at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of a second spectrum band of the electromagnetic radiation by a second amount. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further comprising, based on the device characteristic variable, adjusting at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation using a different dynamic optical component of the hand-held electronic device. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  further comprising detecting another device characteristic variable of another dynamic optical component of the hand-held electronic device, wherein the adjusting comprises adjusting the at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance based on both the device characteristic variable and the other device characteristic variable. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the detecting comprises detecting the device characteristic variable within a cavity defined by a housing of the hand-held electronic device; and 
 the incident electromagnetic radiation is from a source external to the cavity. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electromagnetic radiation is from a source external to a cavity defined by the housing of the hand-held electronic device; and 
 the adjusting comprises adjusting the at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance based on both the device characteristic variable and an amount of light incident upon at least a portion of the housing. 
 
     
     
       14. A hand-held electronic device, comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory configured to store instructions that when executed by the processor cause the hand-held electronic device to perform steps that include:
 detecting a device characteristic variable using a sensor of the hand-held electronic device, and 
 adjusting an amount of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a dynamic optical component of the hand-held electronic device based on the detected device characteristic variable in order to change a temperature of the hand-held electronic device. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14  further comprising a housing that comprises at least one wall defining a cavity, wherein the dynamic optical component is a coating on a surface of the at least one wall. 
     
     
       16. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14  further comprising a housing that comprises at least one wall defining a cavity, wherein the dynamic optical component is positioned at least partially within an opening through the at least one wall. 
     
     
       17. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14  further comprising a housing that comprises at least one wall defining a cavity, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is from a source external to the cavity. 
     
     
       18. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the sensor is configured to detect the device characteristic variable within the cavity; and 
 the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component is configured to change the device characteristic variable. 
 
     
     
       19. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component is configured to change the device characteristic variable. 
     
     
       20. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14 , further comprising a power supply configured to:
 receive at least some of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component; 
 convert the received electromagnetic radiation into power; and 
 store the power. 
 
     
     
       21. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 20 , wherein the dynamic optical component is configured to adjust the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component based on the detected device characteristic variable and based on a power supply characteristic. 
     
     
       22. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the device characteristic variable is an operating temperature of a first component of the power supply; and 
 the power supply characteristic is one of: 
 an effectiveness with which the power supply converts different portions of the received electromagnetic radiation into power; 
 an amount of power being converted by the power supply; 
 the amount of power stored by the power supply; and 
 the amount of power being drawn from the power supply. 
 
     
     
       23. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the device characteristic variable is the temperature of a portion of the hand-held electronic device. 
     
     
       24. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the dynamic optical component is configured to decrease the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component when the detected device characteristic variable is above a first threshold. 
     
     
       25. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the dynamic optical component is configured to increase the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component when the detected device characteristic variable is below a first threshold. 
     
     
       26. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the device characteristic variable is a temperature of a first component of the hand-held electronic device; 
 an operating temperature range of the first component is below a first threshold and above a second threshold; and 
 the dynamic optical component is configured to: 
 decrease the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component when the detected device characteristic variable is above the first threshold; and 
 increase the amount of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component when the detected device characteristic variable is below the second threshold. 
 
     
     
       27. A method for thermally managing a hand-held electronic device, the method comprising:
 by the hand-held electronic device:
 determining a temperature of a dynamic optical component of the hand-held electronic device when a temperature of a device component of the hand-held electronic device is within a temperature threshold; and 
 configuring the dynamic optical component to be in:
 a first optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component becomes less than the determined temperature; and 
 a second optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component becomes greater than the determined temperature. 
 
 
 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the device component is a power supply. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 27 , wherein the dynamic optical component is a thermochromic system. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 27 , wherein:
 when the dynamic optical component is in the first optical state, the dynamic optical component is configured to transmit a first percentage of electromagnetic radiation; and 
 when the dynamic optical component is in the second optical state, the dynamic optical component is configured to transmit a second percentage of the electromagnetic radiation. 
 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 30 , wherein a heat contribution of the first percentage is greater than a heat contribution of the second percentage. 
     
     
       33. A hand-held electronic device, comprising:
 a housing at least partially enveloping a processor and a memory, and including at least one wall defining a cavity; 
 a temperature sensor for detecting an internal temperature within the cavity; and 
 a dynamic optical component for modifying the internal temperature of the cavity by limiting an amount of incident electromagnetic radiation that can enter the cavity, the dynamic optical component configured to be in:
 a first optical state when the internal temperature is detected to be below a temperature threshold, and 
 a second optical state when the internal temperature is detected to be above the temperature threshold. 
 
 
     
     
       34. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein the dynamic optical component receives incident electromagnetic radiation from a source external to the cavity. 
     
     
       35. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein a reflectance of the dynamic optical component in the first optical state is lower than a reflectance of the dynamic optical component in the second optical state. 
     
     
       36. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein a heat component of incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the dynamic optical component in the first optical state is higher than the heat component of the incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the dynamic optical component in the second optical state. 
     
     
       37. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein the dynamic optical component is configured to lower the internal temperature when the dynamic optical component is in the second optical state. 
     
     
       38. The hand-held electronic device of  claim 33 , wherein the dynamic optical component is configured to raise the internal temperature when the dynamic optical component is in the first optical state. 
     
     
       39. A machine-readable non-transitory storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a hand-held electronic device, cause the hand-held electronic device to carry out steps that include:
 detecting a temperature of the hand-held electronic device using a sensor of the hand-held electronic device; 
 determining that the temperature is at or above a threshold value; 
 adjusting, based on the temperature at least one of a reflectance and a transmittance of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the hand-held electronic device using a dynamic optical component coupled to a housing of the hand-held electronic device; and 
 causing the temperature to change based on the adjusting.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This can relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices and, more particularly, to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Electronic devices, such as desktop computers and portable media players, often include various electrical components and mechanical components, and each component may have its own acceptable range of operating temperatures within which the component may operate effectively. A component&#39;s operating temperature may be changed by the operation of the component, the operation of proximal components, and/or the ambient temperature of the electronic device. When the operating temperature of such a component moves outside its acceptable range of operating temperatures, the component may fail and/or cause damage to the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided. 
     For example, in some embodiments, there is provided a method for thermally managing an electronic device. The method may include detecting a variable device characteristic of the electronic device and, based on the detected variable device characteristic, adjusting at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component of the electronic device. 
     In other embodiments, there is provided an electronic device that may include a sensor configured to detect a variable device characteristic and a dynamic optical component that may be configured to adjust the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component based on the detected variable device characteristic. 
     In yet other embodiments, there is provided a method for thermally managing an electronic device that includes determining the temperature of a dynamic optical component of the electronic device when the temperature of a device component of the electronic device is a first constraint temperature of an operating temperature range of the device component. Then, the method includes configuring the dynamic optical component to be in a first optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component is less than the determined temperature and configuring the dynamic optical component to be in a second optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component is greater than the determined temperature. 
     In still yet other embodiments, there is provided an electronic device that may include a housing having at least one wall that may define a cavity. The electronic device may also include a temperature sensor for detecting an internal temperature within the cavity, and a dynamic optical component that may be in a first optical state when the internal temperature is detected to be below a first temperature threshold and that may be in a second optical state when the internal temperature is detected to be above the first temperature threshold. 
     In still yet other embodiments, there is provided computer-readable media for controlling an electronic device. The computer-readable media may include computer-readable code recorded thereon for detecting a variable device characteristic of the electronic device and, based on the detected variable device characteristic, adjusting the reflectivity of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component of the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects of the invention, its nature, and various features will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart, of an illustrative process for thermally managing an electronic device in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for thermally managing an electronic device in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     A dynamic optical component of an electronic device may be adjusted to change the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted by the dynamic optical component. This adjustment may be based on a detected variable characteristic of the electronic device such that the adjusted reflectance and/or transmittance may change the variable characteristic. For example, a detected variable characteristic may be a temperature of a particular component or location within the electronic device. When that temperature is determined to have risen above a particular threshold, the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation that is reflected and/or transmitted by the dynamic optical component may be accordingly adjusted so as to reduce the temperature down below the particular threshold. 
     The variable characteristic may be detected by a sensor within a cavity defined by a housing of the electronic device and the dynamic optical component may be adjusted to change the reflectance and/or transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation received from a radiation source external to the cavity (e.g., the sun or any other source that may affect the ambient temperature of the device). The dynamic optical component may be provided as a coating on a surface of the housing or within an opening through the housing for transmitting at least a portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation into the cavity. In some embodiments, when the detected variable device characteristic is a cavity temperature that needs to be lowered, the transmittance of at least a portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be decreased such that less electromagnetic radiation may be passed through the dynamic optical component and into the cavity. For example, the transmittance of the infrared spectrum band of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be decreased, such that less of the heat component of that infrared radiation may be able to affect the cavity temperature. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device  100  that may use one or more dynamic optical components for thermally managing device  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Electronic device  100  may be any portable, mobile, or hand-held electronic device configured to be used wherever its user travels. Alternatively, electronic device  100  may not be portable at all, but may instead be generally stationary. Electronic device  100  can include, but is not limited to, a music player (e.g., an iPod™ available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), video player, still image player, game player, other media player, music recorder, movie or video camera or recorder, still camera, other media recorder, radio, medical equipment, domestic appliance, transportation vehicle instrument, musical instrument, calculator, cellular telephone (e.g., an iPhone™ available by Apple Inc.), other wireless communication device, personal digital assistant, remote control, pager, computer (e.g., a desktop, laptop, tablet, server, etc.), monitor, television, stereo equipment, set up box, set-top box, boom box, modem, router, printer, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to playing music) and, in other embodiments, electronic device  100  may perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that plays music and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     Electronic device  100  may include a processor  102 , memory  104 , communications circuitry  106 , power supply  108 , input component  110 , output component  112 , thermal management sensor  114 , and dynamic optical component  116 . Electronic device  100  may also include a bus  118  that may provide one or more wired or wireless communication links or paths for transferring data and/or power to, from, or between various other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, one or more components of electronic device  100  may be combined or omitted. Moreover, electronic device  100  may include other components not combined or included in  FIG. 1 . For example, electronic device  100  may include a compass, positioning circuitry, or several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . For the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Memory  104  may include one or more storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Memory  104  may include cache memory, which may be one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data for electronic device applications. Memory  104  may be any machine-readable medium or computer-readable medium and may store media data (e.g., music and image files), software (e.g., for implementing functions on device  100 ), firmware, preference information (e.g., media playback preferences), lifestyle information (e.g., food preferences), exercise information (e.g., information obtained by exercise monitoring equipment), transaction information (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable device  100  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information (e.g., telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), calendar information, any other suitable data, or any combination thereof. 
     Communications circuitry  106  may be provided to allow device  100  to communicate with one or more other electronic devices or servers using any suitable communications protocol. For example, communications circuitry  106  may support Wi-Fi (e.g., an 802.11 protocol), Ethernet, Bluetooth™, high frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, transmission control protocol/internet protocol (“TCP/IP”) (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), hypertext transfer protocol (“HTTP”), BitTorrent™, file transfer protocol (“FTP”), real-time transport protocol (“RTP”), real-time streaming protocol (“RTSP”), secure shell protocol (“SSH”), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. Communications circuitry  106  may also include circuitry that can enable device  100  to be electrically coupled to another device (e.g., a host computer or an accessory device) and communicate with that other device, either wirelessly or via a wired connection. 
     Power supply  108  may provide power to one or more of the other components of device  100 . In some embodiments, power supply  108  can be coupled to a power grid (e.g., when device  100  is not acting as a portable device or when it is being charged at an electrical outlet). In some embodiments, power supply  108  can include one or more batteries for providing power (e.g., when device  100  is acting as a portable device). As another example, power supply  108  can be configured to generate power from a natural source (e.g., power supply  108  may include one or more solar cells for generating solar power). 
     One or more input components  110  may be provided to permit a user to interact or interface with device  100 . For example, an input component  110  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, a touch pad, dial, click wheel, scroll wheel, touch screen, one or more buttons (e.g., a keyboard), mouse, joy stick, track ball, microphone, camera, proximity sensor, light detector, motion sensor, and combinations thereof. Each input component  110  can be configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more output components  112  that may present information (e.g., graphical, audible, and/or tactile information) to a user of device  100 . For example, an output component  112  can take a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, audio speakers, headphones, audio line-outs, antennas, infrared ports, rumblers, vibrators, and combinations thereof. 
     As another example, electronic device  100  may include a visual display as an output component  112  for presenting visual data to a user. In some embodiments, such a display may be embedded in device  100  or coupled to device  100  (e.g., a removable display), and may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (“SED”), a carbon nanotube display, a nanocrystal display, any other suitable type of display, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, such a display can include a movable display or a projecting system for providing a display of content on a surface remote from electronic device  100 , such as, for example, a video projector, a head-up display, or a three-dimensional (e.g., holographic) display. As another example, such a display may include a digital or mechanical viewfinder, such as a viewfinder of the type found in compact digital cameras, reflex cameras, or any other suitable still or video camera. 
     It should be noted that one or more input components and/or one or more output components may sometimes be referred to collectively herein as an input/output (“I/O”) component or I/O interface. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , input component  110  and output component  112  may sometimes be a single I/O component  111 , such as a touch screen, that may receive input information through a user&#39;s touch of a display screen and that may also provide visual information to a user via that same display screen. 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more dynamic optical components  116 . Each dynamic optical component  116  may be modified to adjust its reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, dynamic optical component  116  may be modified to adjust the reflectance of a certain portion of incident electromagnetic radiation independently from the reflectance of another portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation. For example, dynamic optical component  116  may be modified to adjust its reflectance of the infrared radiation spectrum portion of incident electromagnetic radiation while not adjusting its reflectance of the visible light radiation spectrum portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation. By adjusting the reflectance of a dynamic optical component  116 , the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted as well. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation that may be transmitted through a dynamic optical component  116 , the amount of the thermal radiation component or heat energy component of the incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component  116  may also be adjusted. 
     As described in more detail below, by placing a dynamic optical component  116  in between another component of device  100  and a source of electromagnetic radiation, the adjustment of the reflectance of the dynamic optical component  116  may control how much of the heat of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be passed through the dynamic optical component  116  and passed onto or received by the other component of device  100 . It is to be understood that, although dynamic optical component  116  may often be described herein as having an adjustable reflectance, dynamic optical component  116  may similarly be described as having an adjustable transmittance and/or an adjustable absorptance. For example, the reflectance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be the fraction or percent of a particular frequency or wavelength of incident electromagnetic radiation that is reflected from dynamic optical component  116  without being absorbed or transmitted, while the transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be the fraction or percent of a particular frequency or wavelength of incident electromagnetic radiation that is passed through the dynamic optical component  116  without being absorbed or reflected, and while the absorptance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be the fraction or percent of a particular frequency or wavelength of incident electromagnetic radiation that is absorbed by the dynamic optical component  116  without being reflected or transmitted. Therefore, a dynamic optical component  116  may be dynamically modified to adjust its reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation. 
     For example, a dynamic optical component  116  can take a variety of forms and its reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance may be adjusted in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, a micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) and/or a nano-electro-mechanical system (“NEMS”) of one or more shutters that may be at least partially opened or closed, an evaporative liquid that may turn to a reflective gas, any suitable system including one or more chromic elements or substances that may be adjusted in any suitable way, or any combinations thereof. A change in an entity&#39;s reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation resulting from a process caused by some form of stimulus may be referred to as chromism. Many materials may be chromic, including, but not limited to, conducting polymers, inorganic compounds, and organic compounds. Dynamic optical component  116  may be any suitable type of chromic system whose reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance may be adjusted using any suitable stimulus including, but not limited to, a thermochromic system that may be adjusted by temperature change, an electrochromic system that may be adjusted by electrical current, a photochromic system that may be adjusted by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, a gasochromic system that may be adjusted using gas, a solvatochromic system that may be adjusted using solvent polarity, a vapochromic system that may be adjusted using vapor, an ionochromic system that may be adjusted using ions, a halochromic system whose reflectance may be adjusted by pH change, a mechanochromic system that may be adjusted using mechanical action, a tribochromic system that may be adjusted using friction, a piezochromic system that may be adjusted using pressure, a cathodochromic system that may be adjusted using electron beam irradiation, a radiochromic system that may be adjusted using ionizing beam irradiation, a magnetochromic system that may be adjusted using a magnetic field, or any combinations thereof. 
     For example, in some embodiments, dynamic optical component  116  may be a thermochromic system configured such that when the temperature of a portion of component  116  exceeds or falls below a particular transition temperature, component  116  may transition from a first temperature dependent state to a second temperature dependent state by increasing or decreasing the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of at least a particular wavelength or band of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a portion of component  116 . Such a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116  may be configured to have more than two temperature dependent states, and different transitions between different sets of temperature dependent states may be stimulated by different transition temperatures. Moreover, different transitions between different sets of temperature dependent states may adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of different particular wavelengths or different bands of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a surface of the dynamic optical component  116 . In some embodiments, such a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116  may include one or more heating elements for controllably heating or cooling a portion of the dynamic optical component  116  to a temperature above or below a transition temperature to change the temperature dependent state of the dynamic optical component  116 . In other embodiments, the temperature of such a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116  may be moved above or below a transition temperature by a heating component of electronic device  100  that may be distinct from the dynamic optical component  116  or by a source of electromagnetic radiation that may be distinct from device  100  altogether, such as the sun or another source external to device  100 . 
     As another example, in some embodiments, dynamic optical component  116  may be an electrochromic system configured such that when an electrical charge applied to a portion of component  116  exceeds or falls below a particular transition charge, component  116  may transition from a first charge dependent state to a second charge dependent state by increasing or decreasing the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of at least a particular wavelength or band of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a portion of component  116 . Such an electrochromic dynamic optical component  116  may be configured to have more than two charge dependent states, and different transitions between different sets of charge dependent states may be stimulated by different transition charges. Moreover, different transitions between different sets of charge dependent states may adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of different particular wavelengths or different bands of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a surface of the dynamic optical component  116 . 
     As yet another example, in some embodiments, dynamic optical component  116  may be a MEMS and/or NEMS system configured such that when a particular transition control input is sent to a portion of the component  116 , component  116  may transition from a first control input dependent state to a second control input dependent state by increasing or decreasing the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of at least a particular wavelength or band of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a portion of component  116 . Such a MEMS and/or NEMS dynamic optical component  116  may be configured to have more than two control input dependent states, and different transitions between different sets of control input dependent states may be stimulated by different transition control inputs. Moreover, different transitions between different sets of control input dependent states may adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of different particular wavelengths or different bands of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a surface of the dynamic optical component  116 . For example, such a system may include one or more controllable shutters (e.g., a flexible film actuator that may move relative to an element for either allowing or blocking passage of electromagnetic radiation to the element). 
     Therefore, a dynamic optical component  116  may be a chromic system configured such that when a stimulus characteristic of a portion of component  116  exceeds or falls below a particular transition stimulus value, component  116  may transition from a first stimulus dependent state to a second stimulus dependent state by increasing or decreasing the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of at least a particular wavelength or band of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a portion of component  116 . The first stimulus dependent state may be a first optical state that may be defined by a first reflectance, a first transmittance, and a first absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation, while the second stimulus dependent state may be a second optical state that may be defined by a second reflectance, a second transmittance, and a second absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation, and at least one of the first reflectance and the first transmittance may be different than a respective one of the second reflectance and the second transmittance for a particular incident electromagnetic radiation. Such a chromic dynamic optical component  116  may be configured to have more than two stimulus dependent states, and different transitions between different sets of stimulus dependent states may be stimulated by different transition stimulus values. Moreover, different transitions between different sets of stimulus dependent states may adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of different particular wavelengths or different bands of particular wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation incident to a surface of the dynamic optical component  116 . 
     Device  100  can be provided with various suitable types of dynamic optical component  116  in various suitable ways. For example, at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116  with a variable reflectance may be provided as a dye or coating that may be painted or otherwise applied to any suitable surface of device  100 . As another example, at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116  with a variable reflectance may be provided as a flexible film actuator that may be layered over any suitable portion of device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also include one or more thermal management sensors  114 . Each sensor  114  may be provided to detect one or more variable device characteristics of electronic device  100 , such as a variable characteristic related to a current operation, performance, and/or environmental condition of one or more components or areas of electronic device  100  that may be useful for controlling the thermal management of electronic device  100 . For example, each sensor  114  may take various forms, including, but not limited to, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of a portion of electronic device  100 , a performance analyzer for detecting an application characteristic related to the current operation of one or more components of electronic device  100  (e.g., whether or not power supply  108  is fully charged, what application program is being run by processor  102 , etc.), a single-axis or multi-axis accelerometer, an angular rate or inertial sensor (e.g., optical gyroscope, vibrating gyroscope, gas rate gyroscope, or ring gyroscope), a magnetometer (e.g., scalar or vector magnetometer), a pressure sensor, an electromagnetic radiation sensor or light sensor (e.g., ambient light sensor (“ALS”), infrared (“IR”) sensor, and the like that may detect a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation being received, transmitted, reflected, and/or absorbed by a dynamic optical component  116 ), a linear velocity sensor, a thermal sensor, a microphone, a proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, a sonic or sonar sensor, a radar sensor, an image sensor, a video sensor, a global positioning system (“GPS”) detector, a radio frequency (“RF”) detector, an RF or acoustic Doppler detector, an RF triangulation detector, an electrical charge sensor, a peripheral device detector, and any combinations thereof. For example, one or more sensors  114  may be used to determine the current operating temperature of a component of device  100 , the orientation or velocity of electronic device  100 , the amount or type of light, heat, or sound that device  100  is currently being exposed to, and the like. 
     Processor  102  of device  100  may include any processing circuitry operative to control the operations and performance of one or more components of electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, processor  102  may be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, thermal management applications or any other application or program. For example, processor  102  may load a user interface program or other application program (e.g., a program stored in memory  104  or on another device or server) to determine how data received from one or more device components (e.g., from input component  110  and/or sensor  114 ) may manipulate the ways in which data may be provided to other components of device  100  (e.g., to output component  112  and/or dynamic optical component  116 ). 
     In some embodiments, processor  102  may control the operation of one or more components of electronic device  100  (e.g., control the reflectance of dynamic optical component  116 ) based on information detected by sensor  114  (e.g., information related to the operating temperature of a component of device  100 ). Sensor  114  may detect when the operating temperature of power supply  108  moves outside of its operating temperature range, which may be defined by at least one temperature range constraint, such as an upper threshold temperature and a lower threshold temperature. For example, if sensor  114  detects that the operating temperature of power supply  108  has increased above a certain upper threshold temperature of an operating temperature range of power supply  108 , processor  102  may be configured to consequentially increase the reflectance of a dynamic optical component  116  that may be positioned between a source of electromagnetic radiation and power supply  108 . By increasing the reflectance of such a dynamic optical component  116 , less incident electromagnetic radiation from the source may be transmitted through dynamic optical component  116  and towards power supply  108 . By decreasing the amount of electromagnetic radiation that may be transmitted towards and/or received by power supply  108  through a dynamic optical component  116 , power supply  108  may be less likely to be heated by the electromagnetic radiation and the operating temperature of power supply  108  may be more likely to decrease below the upper threshold temperature of its operating temperature range. 
     As another example, if sensor  114  detects that the operating temperature of power supply  108  has decreased below a certain lower threshold temperature of an operating temperature range of power supply  108 , processor  102  may be configured to consequentially decrease the reflectance of a dynamic optical component  116  that may be positioned between a source of electromagnetic radiation and power supply  108 . By decreasing the reflectance of such a dynamic optical component  116 , more incident electromagnetic radiation from the source may be transmitted through dynamic optical component  116  and towards power supply  108 . By increasing the amount of electromagnetic radiation that may be transmitted towards and/or received by power supply  108  through a dynamic optical component  116 , power supply  108  may be more likely to be heated by the electromagnetic radiation and the operating temperature of power supply  108  may be more likely to increase above the lower threshold temperature of its operating temperature range. 
     Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the performance or mode of a component of electronic device  100  may be altered based on a combination of information detected by one or more sensors  114  and/or a characteristic of dynamic optical component  116 , such as the current reflectance of dynamic optical component  116 . For example, if sensor  114  detects that the operating temperature of power supply  108  is above a certain upper threshold temperature of an operating temperature range of power supply  108  and it is determined that the reflectivity of dynamic optical component  116  may not be increased, processor  102  may be configured to consequentially reduce or terminate the use of power supply  108  (e.g., until the operating temperature of power supply  108  is below the upper threshold temperature and/or until the reflectivity of dynamic optical component  116  may be increased). By altering the performance or mode of a component of electronic device  100  based wholly, or at least in part, on information detected by sensor  114  and/or a characteristic of dynamic optical component  116 , electronic device  100  may better control the thermal management of electronic device  100 . 
     Electronic device  100  may also be provided with a housing  101  that may at least partially enclose one or more of the components of device  100  for protection from debris and other degrading forces external to device  100 . In some embodiments, housing  101  may include one or more walls  120  that may at least partially define a cavity  103  within which at least a portion of one or more of the various components of device  100  can be disposed. In some embodiments, housing  101  can support various components of device  100 , such as input component  110  and/or output component  112 , at the surfaces of walls  120  of housing  101  or within one or more housing openings  151  through the surfaces of walls  120  of housing  101 . Housing openings  151  may also allow certain fluids (e.g., air) or other phenomena (e.g., electromagnetic radiation) to pass into or out of cavity  103  (e.g., for helping to manage the temperature of device  100 ). 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device  100  may be provided within its own housing (e.g., input component  110  may be an independent keyboard or mouse within its own housing  101  that may wirelessly or through a wire communicate with processor  102 , which may similarly be provided within its own housing  101 ). Housing  101  can be formed from a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals (e.g., steel, copper, titanium, aluminum, and various metal alloys), ceramics, plastics, glass, and any combinations thereof. Housing  101  may also help to define the shape or form of electronic device  100 . That is, the contour of housing  101  may embody the outward physical appearance of electronic device  100 . 
     One or more dynamic optical components  116  can be positioned in various ways with respect to sources of electromagnetic radiation, housing  101 , and various other components of device  100  to thermally manage device  100 . In some embodiments, a dynamic optical component  116  may be positioned adjacent to or at least partially within an opening  151  through a wall  120  of housing  101  to adjust the amount of electromagnetic radiation external to device  100  that may pass into cavity  103  through that opening  151 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116   a  may be positioned within an opening  151   a  through a top wall  120   t  of housing  101 . In some embodiments, dynamic optical component  116   a  may be positioned with respect to opening  151   a  such that an external surface  117   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be substantially flush with an external wall surface  121   t  of top wall  120   t  about opening  151   a . This may provide a smooth transition between external wall surface  121   t  and dynamic optical component  116   a.    
     When positioned within opening  151   a  through top wall  120   t  of housing  101 , external surface  117   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be exposed to electromagnetic radiation external to device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , incoming or incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  may strike external surface  117   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a . Incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  may be any type of electromagnetic radiation across any portion or the entirety of the electromagnetic spectrum, and may be generated by any electromagnetic radiation source. For example, incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  may be solar electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun (e.g., electromagnetic radiation source  290   s ). It is to be understood, however, that incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  may be provided by any suitable electromagnetic radiation source  290   s . As described above with respect to dynamic optical component  116  of  FIG. 1 , dynamic optical component  116   a  may be controlled to adjust the percent of one or more various particular frequencies or wavelengths of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  that is reflected away from dynamic optical component  116   a  as reflected electromagnetic radiation  290   r , that is transmitted through dynamic optical component  116   a  as transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t , and that is absorbed by dynamic optical component  116   a  as absorbed electromagnetic radiation  290   a . Therefore, the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  allowed into cavity  103  of device  100  through dynamic optical component  116   a  as transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  may be varied to thermally manage components of device  100  within cavity  103 . 
     As another example, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116   b  may be positioned within an opening  151   b  through top wall  120   t  of housing  101 . However, unlike dynamic optical component  116   a , dynamic optical component  116   b  may be positioned with respect to opening  151   b  such that an external surface  117   b  of dynamic optical component  116   b  may not be substantially flush with external wall surface  121   t  of top wall  120   t  about opening  151   b . Instead, a protective layer  130  may be provided over external surface  117   b  of dynamic optical component  116   b . Protective layer  130  may be any suitable protective material that may also be transparent or at least translucent for passing at least some electromagnetic radiation therethrough. Layer  130  may protect surface  117   b  of dynamic optical component  116   b  from any degrading forces external to device  100  while still exposing dynamic optical component  116   b  to at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation external to device  100  (e.g., at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation provided by source  290   s ) that may pass through layer  130 . For example, protective layer  130  may be a scratch resistant glass. 
     In some embodiments, at least a portion of top wall  120   t  itself may be transparent or at least translucent for allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, such that a dynamic optical component  116  need not be positioned with respect to an opening through wall  120 . For example, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , an external surface  117   c  of a dynamic optical component  116   c  may be positioned on top of external wall surface  121   t  of top wall  120   t , such that at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation transmitted through dynamic optical component  116   c  may also pass through top wall  120   t  and into cavity  103 . Likewise, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , an external surface  117   d  of a dynamic optical component  116   d  may be positioned under an internal wall surface  123   t  of top wall  120   t , such that electromagnetic radiation passed from external wall surface  121   t , through top wall  120   t , and to internal wall surface  123   t  may be received as incident electromagnetic radiation at external surface  117   d  of dynamic optical component  116   d  for adjustable transmission into cavity  103 . As yet another example, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , a dynamic optical component  116   e  may be positioned within top wall  120   t  between external wall surface  121   t  and internal wall surface  123   t , such that at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation passed through external wall surface  121   t  may be received as incident electromagnetic radiation at external surface  117   e  of dynamic optical component  116   e  for adjustable transmission through dynamic optical component  116   e  and then internal wall surface  123   t  into cavity  103 . 
     One or more dynamic optical components  116  may be provided along various portions of one or more walls  120  of housing  101 . In some embodiments, only certain portions of a wall  120  may be provided with one or more dynamic optical components  116  for adjusting the amount of electromagnetic radiation external to device  100  that may be transmitted into cavity  103  through that wall (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 2  with respect to top wall  120   t  and dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   e  along different portions of top wall  120   t ). In other embodiments, an entire wall  120  may be provided with one or more dynamic optical components  116 , such that all electromagnetic radiation external to device  100  that may be transmitted into cavity  103  through that wall may be selectively adjusted. For example, as also shown in  FIG. 2 , a bottom wall  120   b  of housing  101  may be provided with a dynamic optical component  116   f  that may span the entire area of bottom wall  120   b . As another example, an opening  151   g  may be provided through left-side wall  1201  of housing  101  and a dynamic optical component  116   g  may be provided within opening  151   g  such that an external surface  117   g  may be exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation external to device  100  (e.g., incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  from source  290   s ). In yet other embodiments, an entire wall  120  may not be provided with any dynamic optical components  116 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a right-side wall  120   r  may be provided with no dynamic optical component  116 . 
     As mentioned, device  100  can be provided with various suitable types of dynamic optical component  116  in various suitable ways. For example, at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116  with a variable reflectance may be provided as a dye or coating that may be painted or otherwise applied to any suitable surface of device  100  (e.g., dynamic optical component  116   d  may be provided as a coating or dye on internal wall surface  123   t  of top wall  120   t ). As yet another example, at least a portion of a dynamic optical component  116  with a variable reflectance may be provided as a flexible film actuator that may be layered over any suitable portion of device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, two dynamic optical components  116  may be aligned with one another, each of which may be configured to have different optical properties. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a dynamic optical component  116   j  may be positioned adjacent at least a portion of dynamic optical component  116   f . Each one of dynamic optical components  116   f  and  116   j  may be controlled by its own stimulus and/or may be configured to have its own reflectance/transmittance/absorptance response to the same stimulus. For example, components  116   f  and  116   j  may have different responses to a particular temperature stimulus. By aligning two or more dynamic optical components  116 , all electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the portion of a first dynamic optical component adjacent to a second dynamic optical component may be provided as incident electromagnetic radiation to the second optical component that is aligned with the portion of the first dynamic optical component. For example, two dynamic optical components  116  may be provided as two coatings layered on top of one another, and each dynamic optical component may adjust its reflectance/transmittance/absorptance independently of the other dynamic optical component. 
     In order to thermally manage device  100 , the operation of one or more components of device  100  may be controlled based on information detected by one or more sensors  114  (e.g., information related to the operating temperature of a component or the reflectance/transmittance of a component). For example, a battery component  108   z  of power supply  108  may only function properly if it is operating at an operating temperature within an acceptable operating temperature range that may be defined by a minimum operating temperature and a maximum operating temperature. Therefore, one or more sensors  114  (e.g., sensor  114   z  of  FIG. 2 ) may be provided to detect the operating temperature of battery component  108   z . If the operating temperature of battery component  108   z  is detected to have exited its acceptable operating temperature range or to have reached a threshold temperature deemed related to its acceptable operating temperature range (e.g., within 5° Celsius of exiting its acceptable operating temperature range), or if the detected operating temperature is to be changed for any other suitable reason, device  100  may be configured to alter the operation of one or more components. 
     For example, when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  has risen above or may be about to rise above its upper threshold temperature of an operating temperature range (e.g., 45° Celsius), or if the detected operating temperature is to be lowered for any other suitable reason, device  100  may be configured to alter the operation of one or more components in order to reduce the operating temperature of battery component  108   z . In some embodiments, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of one or more of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   g  such that less electromagnetic radiation may be passed therethrough for heating battery component  108   z . As just one example, the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be reduced such that the heat component of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  may be reduced. This may reduce the internal temperature of cavity  103  and the operating temperature of battery component  108   z.    
     Alternatively, when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  has fallen below or may be about to fall below its lower threshold temperature of an operating temperature range, or if the detected operating temperature is to be raised for any other suitable reason, device  100  may be configured to alter the operation of one or more components in order to increase the operating temperature of battery component  108   z . In some embodiments, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of one or more of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   g  such that more electromagnetic radiation may be passed therethrough for heating battery component  108   z . As just one example, the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be increased such that the heat component of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  may be increased. This may increase the internal temperature of cavity  103  and the operating temperature of battery component  108   z.    
     In some embodiments, device  100  may include sensors  114  for detecting various characteristics of its dynamic optical components  116 . For example, each one of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   g  of  FIG. 2  may include at least one respective sensor  114  associated therewith (e.g., sensors  114   a - 114   g ). In other embodiments, a dynamic optical component  116  may not be provided with its own dedicated sensor  114 , and a single sensor  114  may be used to detect characteristics of multiple dynamic optical components  116 . These detected characteristics of dynamic optical components  116  by sensors  114  may be used to best determine how to thermally manage device  100 . 
     For example, sensor  114   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be configured to detect the temperature or spectrum content of its transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t , the temperature or spectrum content of its absorbed electromagnetic radiation  290   a , the temperature or spectrum content of its reflected electromagnetic radiation  290   r , the temperature or spectrum content of its incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i , and/or any other suitable characteristic of any of those radiations and/or any other suitable characteristic of dynamic optical component  116   a  itself (e.g., the switching time required by component  116   a  to switch between its current state and a new state). Therefore, when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  has fallen below or may be about to fall below its minimum operating temperature, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of one or more of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   a  based on one or more of the detected characteristics of one or more of those dynamic optical components  116 . For example, if sensor  114   a  detects that dynamic optical component  116   a  may not be adjusted to transmit electromagnetic radiation capable of increasing the operating temperature of battery component  108   z , but sensor  114   g  detects that dynamic optical component  116   g  may be adjusted to transmit electromagnetic radiation capable of increasing the operating temperature of battery component  108   z , then device  100  may be configured to adjust the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   g  but not to adjust the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a.    
     Moreover, the relative positions of or distances between each dynamic optical component  116  with respect to a portion of device  100  that may need to be thermally managed (e.g., battery component  108   z ) may be used to determine which dynamic optical components  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. For example, if it is determined that dynamic optical component  116   a  and dynamic optical component  116   e  are each capable of being adjusted to manage the operating temperature of battery component  108   z , but that battery component  108   z  is closer to dynamic optical component  116   a  than to dynamic optical component  116   e , then device  100  may be configured to adjust the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  but not to adjust the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   e.    
     A dynamic optical component  116  may be specifically positioned with respect to a particular component of device  100  for altering the function of that component, and that functional relationship between components may be used to determine which dynamic optical components  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a solar cell component  108   a  of power supply  108  may be positioned adjacent dynamic optical component  116   a , such that transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  provided by dynamic optical component  116   a  may be received by solar cell component  108   a  for generating power for device  100 . In some embodiments, solar cell component  108   a  may be coupled to battery component  108   z  such that power generated by solar cell component  108   a  from transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  may be stored in battery component  108   z . Therefore, as the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  is adjusted, the power generation capabilities of solar cell component  108   a  may also be adjusted. A characteristic of such a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   a  and power supply  108  (e.g., the effectiveness or ability of solar cell component  108   a  to convert various particular wavelengths or bands of wavelengths of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  into power, the amount of power being generated by solar cell component  108   a , the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z , the amount of power being drawn from battery component  108   z , etc.) may be used to determine which dynamic optical components  116  may be adjusted and how they may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. 
     As just one example, the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z  may be a characteristic of a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   a  and power supply  108  that may be used by device  100  to determine whether or not the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. For example, device  100  may be configured to compare the battery charging benefits of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  of dynamic optical component  116   a  with the battery heating drawbacks of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  of dynamic optical component  116   a  when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  is to be reduced. Based on this comparison of the relative needs to reduce the operating temperature of battery component  108   z  and to increase the power stored in battery component  108   z , device  100  may be configured to increase, decrease, or not adjust the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  as transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  by dynamic optical component  116   a . In some embodiments, device  100  may also be configured to make this adjustment determination based on one or more detected characteristics of dynamic optical component  116   a , such as its distance from battery component  108   z , the temperature of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  at dynamic optical component  116   a , and the like (e.g., as detected by sensor  114   a ). 
     As another example, the particular band or bands of transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  that solar cell component  108   a  may convert into power may be a characteristic of a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   a  and power supply  108  that may be used by device  100  to determine whether or not the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. For example, when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  is to be reduced, device  100  may be configured not only to compare the battery charging benefits with the battery heating drawbacks of a first particular spectrum band of electromagnetic radiation that may be provided in transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  (e.g., an infrared spectrum band), but also to compare the battery charging benefits with the battery heating drawbacks of a second particular spectrum band of electromagnetic radiation that may be provided in transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  (e.g., a visible light spectrum band). Based on these comparisons of the relative needs to reduce the operating temperature of battery component  108   z  and to increase the power stored in battery component  108   z  using different, spectrum bands of electromagnetic radiation, device  100  may be configured to increase, decrease, or not adjust the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  as transmitted electromagnetic radiation  290   t  by dynamic optical component  116   a  for different spectrum bands of radiation independently and by different amounts. For example, device  100  may be configured to adjust dynamic optical component  116   a  not only to increase its transmittance of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum band by a first amount but also to decrease its transmittance of electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum band by a second amount. In some embodiments, this adjustment of dynamic optical component  116   a  may thermally manage power supply  108  effectively, as most of the heat component of incident electromagnetic radiation  290   i  may be contained in the visible light spectrum, whereas solar cell component  108   a  may be able to generate as much power from electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectrum as from electromagnetic radiation in the visible light spectrum. 
     Therefore, device  100  may be configured to independently control the reflectance/transmittance/absorptance of different spectrum bands of a dynamic optical component  116 , which may allow device  100  to thermally manage each of its components in a flexible and efficient way. Each spectrum band may be defined by any suitable wavelength or range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, and need not be limited to commonly defined spectrum bands, such as the infrared spectrum band and the visible light spectrum band. 
     As an additional example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a solar cell component  108   g  of power supply  108  may be positioned adjacent dynamic optical component  116   g , such that electromagnetic radiation transmitted by dynamic optical component  116   g  may be received by solar cell component  108   g  for generating power for device  100 . For example, solar cell component  108   g  may be coupled to battery component  108   z  such that power generated by each one of solar cell components  108   a  and  108   g  may be stored in battery component  108   z . Therefore, as the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   g  is adjusted, the power generation capabilities of solar cell component  108   g  may also be adjusted. A characteristic of such a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   g  and power supply  108  (e.g., the particular band or bands of electromagnetic radiation that solar cell component  108   g  may convert into power, the amount of power being generated by solar cell component  108   g , the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z , the amount of power being drawn from battery component  108   z , etc.) may be used to determine which dynamic optical components  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. 
     As just one example, the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z  may be a characteristic of a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   a  and power supply  108  as well as a characteristic of a functional relationship between dynamic optical component  116   g  and power supply  108 . Each one of these functional relationship characteristics may be used by device  100  to determine whether or not the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  and/or the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   g  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. Additionally or alternatively, detected characteristics of each one of independent dynamic optical components  116   a  and  116   g  may be used to determine whether or not the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  and/or the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   g  may be adjusted to thermally manage device  100  most effectively. For example, device  100  may be configured to compare the battery charging benefits and battery heating drawbacks of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by each one of dynamic optical components  116   a  and  116   g  when it is detected that the temperature of battery component  108   z  is to be reduced. Based not only on this comparison of the relative needs to reduce the operating temperature of battery component  108   z  and to increase the power stored in battery component  108   z , but also on a comparison of characteristics of independent dynamic optical components  116   a  and  116   g  (e.g., their relative distances to battery component  108   z , the relative characteristics of their incident electromagnetic radiations, etc.), device  100  may be configured not only to increase, decrease, or not adjust the transmittance of electromagnetic radiation by dynamic optical component  116   a , but also to increase, decrease, or not adjust the transmittance of electromagnetic radiation by dynamic optical component  116   g.    
     In some embodiments, in addition to or as an alternative to providing dynamic optical component  116   a  between electromagnetic radiation source  290   s  and solar cell component  108   a , a dynamic optical component  116  may be provided between solar cell component  108   a  and an internal portion of device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a dynamic optical component  116   h  may be provided between solar cell component  108   a  and an internal portion of device  100 , such that an external surface  117   h  of dynamic optical component  116   h  may receive as incident electromagnetic radiation any electromagnetic radiation that is passed through solar cell component  108   a . Unlike the placement of dynamic optical component  116   a , the placement of dynamic optical component  116   k  with respect to solar cell component  108   a  may not allow for dynamic optical component  116   k  to vary the amount of electromagnetic radiation received by solar cell component  108   a  from electromagnetic radiation source  290   s . Therefore, the reflectance/transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   k  may be adjusted to thermally manage portions of device  100  (e.g., the operating temperature of battery component  108   z ) without affecting a functional relationship between solar cell component  108   a  and battery component  108   z  (e.g., the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z  by solar cell component  108   a ). 
     In other embodiments, rather than thermally managing device  100  in response to detecting an operating temperature of one or more specific device components (e.g., the operating temperature of battery component  108   z  using sensor  114   z ), device  100  may be thermally managed in response to detecting a more general characteristic of device  100  that may not be tied to one or more specific components. For example, device  100  may include a sensor  114   m  that may be positioned near the middle of cavity  103  for detecting a characteristic of that location of device  100  within cavity  103 . As another example, device  100  may include a sensor  114  that may be positioned adjacent or within a wall of housing  101  (e.g., sensor  114   w  within right-side wall  120   r ) for detecting a characteristic of that location of housing  101  of device  100 . Sensor  114   m  and sensor  114   w  may each be configured to detect any suitable variable characteristic of device  100  at its location, such as a general operating temperature of device  100  at that location, a sound amplitude detected at that location, and the like. Any characteristic detected by sensor  114   m  or sensor  114   w  may be used along with any other characteristic detected by any other sensor  114  in order to determine whether or not to adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of one or more dynamic optical components  116  for thermally or otherwise managing device  100 . 
     In some embodiments, in addition to or as an alternative to providing a dynamic optical component  116  adjacent to or within an opening  151  of a wall  120  of housing  101  of device  100 , a dynamic optical component  116  may be provided adjacent to or about any suitable device component positioned at least partially within cavity  103  of housing  101 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a dynamic optical component  116   i  may be provided adjacent to at least one surface of memory component  104   i  such that an external surface  117   i  of dynamic optical component  116   i  may be exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation that is within cavity  103 . For example electromagnetic radiation that may be received as incident electromagnetic radiation on external surface  117   i  of dynamic optical component  116   i  may be electromagnetic radiation transmitted by another component of device  100  (e.g., transmitted electromagnetic radiation  390   t  provided by battery component  108   z ). 
     Dynamic optical component  116   i  may be provided to thermally manage at least memory component  104   i  from such electromagnetic radiation transmitted by another component of device  100 . For example, memory component  104   i  of memory  104  of device  100  may only function properly if it is operating at an operating temperature within an acceptable operating temperature range that may be defined by a lower threshold or a minimum operating temperature and an upper threshold or a maximum operating temperature. Therefore, one or more sensors  114  (e.g., sensor  114   i  of  FIG. 2 ) may be provided to detect the operating temperature of memory component  104   i . If the operating temperature of memory component  104   i  is detected to have exited its acceptable operating temperature range or to have reached a threshold temperature deemed related to its acceptable operating temperature range (e.g., within 5° Celsius of exiting its acceptable operating temperature range), or if the detected operating temperature is to be changed for any other suitable reason, device  100  may be configured to alter the operation of one or more components. 
     For example, when it is detected that the temperature of memory component  104   i  has exceeded or may be about to exceed its maximum operating temperature, or if the detected operating temperature is to be lowered for any other suitable reason, device  100  may be configured to alter the operation of one or more components in order to reduce the operating temperature of memory component  104   i . In some embodiments, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of one or more of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   h  such that less electromagnetic radiation may be passed therethrough (e.g., from electromagnetic radiation source  290   s ) for heating memory component  104   i . Additionally or alternatively, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   i  such that less electromagnetic radiation may be passed therethrough (e.g., from transmitted electromagnetic radiation  390   t  provided by battery component  108   z  or from any other electromagnetic radiation that may be incident to external surface  117   i  of dynamic optical component  116   i ) for heating memory component  104   i . As just one example, the transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   i  may be reduced such that the heat component of any electromagnetic radiation transmitted by dynamic memory component  116   i  towards memory component  104   i  may be reduced, which may reduce the operating temperature of memory component  104   i.    
     As mentioned, in some embodiments, device  100  may include sensors  114  for detecting various characteristics of its dynamic optical components  116 . For example, dynamic optical component  116   i  of  FIG. 2  may include at least one respective sensor  114   i  associated therewith that may be used to detect characteristics of dynamic optical component  116   i . These detected characteristics of dynamic optical component  116   i  by sensor  114   i  may be used to best determine how to thermally manage device  100 . 
     For example, sensor  114   i  of dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured to detect the temperature or spectrum content of its incident electromagnetic radiation at surface  117   i  (e.g., electromagnetic radiation  390   t  transmitted by battery component  108   z ), the temperature or spectrum content of its absorbed electromagnetic radiation, the temperature or spectrum content of its reflected electromagnetic radiation, the temperature or spectrum content of its transmitted electromagnetic radiation, and/or any other suitable characteristic of any of those radiations and/or any other suitable characteristics of dynamic optical component  116   i  itself (e.g., the time required to switch component  116   i  from its current state to a new state). Therefore, when it is detected that the temperature of memory component  104   i  has fallen below or may be about to fall below its minimum operating temperature, device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   i  based on one or more of the detected characteristics of dynamic optical component  116   i.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , dynamic optical component  116   i  may surround memory component  104   i , although in other embodiments dynamic optical component  116   i  may be provided just along one or some of the external surfaces of memory component  104   i . By providing one or more dynamic optical components  116  surrounding all or even a portion of a device component (e.g., memory component  104   i ), those dynamic optical components  116  may be primarily utilized to thermally manage that device component. Different device components of device  100  may have different acceptable operating temperature ranges and other operating characteristics. For example, battery component  108   z  may operate better at higher temperatures and memory component  104   i  may operate better at relatively lower temperatures. By providing dynamic optical component  116   i  about memory component  104   i , adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   i  may have a much greater effect on the thermal management of memory component  104   i  than on the thermal management of another device component (e.g., battery component  108   z ). 
     In some embodiments, a dynamic optical component  116  may be configured to have at least one transition stimulus value that is equal to or otherwise based on a known characteristic or operational value of another component of device  100 . For example, dynamic optical component  116   i  may be a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116  that may be configured to have a particular transition temperature value that is based on an operating temperature threshold value of memory component  104   i . Particularly, in some embodiments, a transition temperature value of a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured to be equal to the upper threshold temperature of the operating temperature range of memory component  104   i . Therefore, if a surface of dynamic optical component  116   i  is positioned against a surface of memory component  104   i  such that those surfaces of components  116   i  and  104   i  may generally always be at the same temperature, when that shared temperature of components  116   i  and  104   i  exceeds the upper threshold temperature of the operating temperature range of memory component  104   i , that shared temperature of components  116   i  and  104   i  may also exceed the transition temperature of component  116   i , such that component  116   i  may transition from a first temperature dependent state to a second temperature dependent state (e.g., to a state that may transmit less electromagnetic radiation towards memory component  104   i ). In such an embodiment, component  116   i  may transition between states directly due to a change in an operating characteristic of memory component  104   i , and not due to such an operating characteristic of memory component  104   i  being detected by a sensor  114  and then analyzed by device  100  in order to determine whether or not to control component  116   i  to transition between states. 
     As another example, if a thermochromic dynamic optical component  116   i  is positioned with respect to memory component  104   i  such that their temperatures may differ by a known amount (e.g., by 3° Celsius), then a transition temperature value of dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured to be different from the upper threshold temperature of the operating temperature range of memory component  104   i  based on that known amount, such that when the temperature of memory component  104   i  reaches its upper threshold temperature, dynamic optical component  116   i  may reach its transitional temperature. For example, dynamic optical component  116   i  may be provided with a sensor  114   i  that may be configured to determine the temperature or any other characteristic of dynamic optical component  116   i . In some embodiments, sensor  114  may be used to determine the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  when the temperature of memory component  104   i  (e.g., as detected by sensor  114   i ) is a first constraint temperature of an operating temperature range of memory component  104   i . For example, during the manufacture of device  100 , the temperature of memory component  104   i  may be brought to a first temperature constraint (e.g., by operating memory component  104   i  or any other component of device  100  in any suitable way), and the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  may then be measured. Then, dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured such that it may be in a first optical state when the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  is less than the determined temperature, and such that it may be in a second optical state when the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  is greater than the determined temperature. Therefore, by configuring dynamic optical component  116   i  to have at least one transition stimulus value that may be directly linked to a known operational value of another component of device  100  (e.g., an operating temperature threshold of memory component  104   i ), when that other component attains that known operational value, dynamic optical component  116   i  may automatically attain a transition stimulus value and transition between states. 
     It is to be understood that, although many of the examples provided herein may relate to thermally managing an electronic component of device  100  (e.g., solar cell component  108   a , battery component  108   z , memory component  104   i , etc.), a dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage any other suitable component of device  100 , such as a display output component  112 , communications circuitry  106 , any other suitable electronic component, any suitable electro-mechanical component, or any purely mechanical component. For example, the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of one or more dynamic optical components  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage a mechanical button input component  110  of device  100  or a mechanical portion of a wall  120  of housing  101  of device  100 , each of which may have its own operational restrictions, such as operating temperature thresholds. 
     It is also to be understood that a dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted to manage characteristics of another device component that might not be considered for thermal management considerations. For example, rather than adjusting the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  to manage a thermal characteristic of a device component (e.g., the operating temperature of battery component  108   z ), device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  to manage another operational characteristic of a device component. Just as one example, battery component  108   z  may include an element that may not be exposed to electromagnetic radiation in the blue light spectrum, regardless of the heat content of such electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, electronic device  100  may be configured to adjust the transmittance of one or more of dynamic optical components  116   a - 116   i  of device  100  such that no electromagnetic radiation in the blue light spectrum may be transmitted towards battery component  108   z.    
     In some embodiments, a dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted to thermally manage itself rather than another component of device  100 . For example, the reflectance or transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted when an operational characteristic of that dynamic optical component  116  must be thermally managed. When the temperature of absorbed electromagnetic radiation  290   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a  exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., as may be detected by sensor  114   a ), device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance or transmittance of dynamic optical component  116   a  in order to reduce the temperature of absorbed electromagnetic radiation  290   a . This may prevent an external surface of device  100  (e.g., external surface  117   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a ) from becoming too hot for a user to contact. 
     In some embodiments, a dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted to manage characteristics of itself that might not be considered for thermal management considerations. For example, when the brightness, intensity, spectrum content, or any other characteristic of reflected electromagnetic radiation  290   r  provided by dynamic optical component  116   a  exceeds a certain threshold (e.g., as may be detected by sensor  114   a ), device  100  may be configured to adjust the reflectance, transmittance, and/or absorptance of dynamic optical component  116   a  in order to reduce that characteristic. This may prevent dynamic optical component  116   a  from reflecting electromagnetic radiation that may be undesirable to reflect towards a user or other entity external to device  100  that may be facing external surface  117   a  of dynamic optical component  116   a.    
     For example, device  100  may be configured to prevent dynamic optical component  116   a  from being adjusted in such a way that a visible light portion of reflected electromagnetic radiation  290   r  may be aesthetically displeasing in the context of the appearance of housing  101  adjacent dynamic optical component  116   a  (e.g., the portion of external wall surface  121   t  of top wall  120   t  about opening  151 ). Therefore, in some embodiments, device  100  may be configured such that any adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be based on an appearance characteristic of at least a portion of the housing of the device. Additionally or alternatively, device  100  may be configured such that any adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be limited to its reflectance/transmittance of non-visible light (e.g., the adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  may be limited to its reflectance/transmittance of infrared electromagnetic radiation). In some embodiments, this limitation may only be imposed on dynamic optical components  116  that are configured to transmit and/or reflect electromagnetic radiation out from electronic device  100  (e.g., towards a user or other entity external to cavity  103  of housing  101  of device  100 ). 
     Thus, in addition to or as an alternative to controlling the adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  for managing one or more characteristics of another component of device  100  (e.g., the operating temperature of battery component  108   z ), device  100  may be configured to control the adjustment of the reflectance/transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  for managing one or more characteristics of the dynamic optical component  116  itself (e.g., its temperature, the content of its reflected electromagnetic radiation, and the like). 
     Electronic device  100  may use any suitable approach or algorithm for analyzing and interpreting the detected characteristics of various components for thermally managing device  100 . In some embodiments, processor  102  may load a thermal management application (e.g., an application of computer-readable media stored in memory  104  or provided to device  100  by a remote server via communications circuitry  106 ). The thermal management application may provide device  100  with rules for utilizing the various types of data that may be detected by one or more sensors  114  (e.g., the operating temperature of battery component  108   z , the amount of power stored in battery component  108   z , characteristics of the incident, reflected, transmitted, and absorbed electromagnetic radiation of one or more dynamic optical components  116 , the relative positions of dynamic optical components  116  with respect to battery component  108   z , and the like). For example, the rules may determine how device  100  analyzes this data in order to determine how to adjust the transmittance, reflectance, and/or absorption of one or more dynamic optical components  116  to thermally manage device  100  given the detected conditions. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an illustrative process  300  for thermally managing an electronic device. At step  302 , a variable device characteristic of the electronic device may be detected. For example, any suitable variable characteristic of an electronic device may be detected using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  100  may include one or more sensors  114 , each of which may be configured to detect one or more variable device characteristics of electronic device  100 , such as a variable characteristic related to a current operation, performance, and/or environmental condition of one or more components or locations of electronic device  100  that may be useful for controlling the thermal management of electronic device  100 . For example, a variable device characteristic may be the temperature of a portion of an electronic device, an application characteristic related to the current operation of one or more components of the electronic device (e.g., whether or not a power supply component is fully charged, what application program is currently being run by a processor, etc.), a characteristic of electromagnetic radiation being received, transmitted, reflected, and/or absorbed by a dynamic optical component or any other component of the electronic device, a characteristic related to the orientation or velocity of the electronic device, a characteristic related to the amount or type of light, heat, or sound that a portion of the electronic device is currently being exposed to, and the like. 
     At step  304 , based on the variable device characteristic detected at step  302 , at least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component of the electronic device may be adjusted. For example, any suitable dynamic optical component may adjust its reflectance and/or its transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  100  may include one or more dynamic optical components  116 , each of which may be modified to adjust the reflectance and/or transmittance of a certain portion of incident electromagnetic radiation independently from the reflectance and/or transmittance of another portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation. For example, a dynamic optical component  116  may be modified to adjust its reflectance of the infrared radiation spectrum portion of incident electromagnetic radiation while not adjusting its reflectance of the visible light radiation spectrum portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation. By adjusting the reflectance of a dynamic optical component  116 , the amount of incident electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the dynamic optical component  116  may be adjusted as well. 
     The adjustment of the reflectance and/or transmittance of a dynamic optical component may control how much of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be passed through the dynamic optical component and passed onto or received by another portion or component of the electronic device. A dynamic optical component can take a variety of forms and its reflectance and/or transmittance may be adjusted in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, a MEMS and/or NEMS of one or more shutters that may be at least partially opened or closed, an evaporative liquid that may turn to a reflective gas, any suitable system including one or more chromic elements or substances that may be adjusted in any suitable way, or any combinations thereof. An adjustment of a dynamic optical component&#39;s reflectance and/or transmittance may result from a process caused by any suitable stimulus, such as a temperature change, an applied electrical current, an exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and the like. 
     The adjustment of the reflectance and/or transmittance of a dynamic optical component may be based on the detected variable device characteristic. For example, as mentioned with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  100  may include a processor  102  that may control the reflectance and/or transmittance of a dynamic optical component  116  based on information detected by a sensor  114 , such as information related to the operating temperature of a battery component  108  of device  100 . In some embodiments, when the operating temperature of a power supply component is detected to have increased above a certain upper threshold temperature of an operating temperature range of the power supply component, a processor of the electronic device may be configured to consequentially increase the reflectance of a dynamic optical component (e.g., a dynamic optical component that may be positioned between a source of electromagnetic radiation and the power supply component). 
     In some embodiments, the variable device characteristic detected at step  302  may be the temperature of a portion of the electronic device. For example, such a portion of the electronic device may be at least one of a power supply of the electronic device, a memory component of the electronic device, the dynamic optical component of the electronic device, and a housing of the electronic device. In some other embodiments, the detecting of step  302  may include detecting the variable device characteristic within a cavity that may be defined by a housing of the electronic device, and the incident electromagnetic radiation may be from a source that may be external to the cavity (e.g., the sun). 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, the adjusting of step  304  may include increasing the percentage of a first spectrum band of the incident electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted through the dynamic optical component. Additionally or alternatively, the adjusting of step  304  may include decreasing the percentage of a second spectrum band of the incident electromagnetic radiation that is transmitted through the dynamic optical component. Moreover, the adjusting of step  304  may change the variable device characteristic. In other embodiments, the adjusting of step  304  may include adjusting the reflectance and/or transmittance when the detected variable device characteristic is above an upper threshold value or when the detected variable device characteristic is below a lower threshold value. Alternatively, the adjusting of step  304  may include heating the dynamic optical component to a temperature above a first transition temperature or cooling the dynamic optical component to a temperature below a second transition temperature. In yet other embodiments, the adjusting of step  304  may include applying a first electrical charge to the dynamic optical component that is above a first transition charge or applying a second electrical charge to the dynamic optical component that is below a second transition charge. In still yet other embodiments, the adjusting of step  304  may include adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of a first spectrum band of the incident electromagnetic radiation by a first amount and adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of a second spectrum band of the incident electromagnetic radiation by a second amount. In still yet other embodiments, the incident electromagnetic radiation may be from a source that may be external to a cavity that may be defined by a housing of the electronic device, and the adjusting of step  304  may include adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance based on both the detected variable device characteristic and an appearance of at least a portion of the housing. For example, the reflectance may only be adjusted so as not to create a displeasing effect when viewed in relationship to the appearance of the housing. 
     In some embodiments, process  300  may also include adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of second incident electromagnetic radiation of a second dynamic optical component of the electronic device based on the detected variable device characteristic. For example, the device may include multiple dynamic optical components, and the transmittance and/or reflectance of each may be adjusted based on a detected variable characteristic. In other embodiments, process  300  may also include detecting a second characteristic of a second dynamic optical component of the electronic device, and the adjusting of step  304  may include adjusting the transmittance and/or reflectance based on both the detected variable device characteristic and the detected second characteristic. For example, the device may include multiple dynamic optical components, and the transmittance and/or reflectance of a first dynamic optical component may be adjusted based on a characteristic of a second dynamic optical component. 
     It, is understood that the steps shown in process  300  of  FIG. 3  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart, of an illustrative process  400  for thermally managing an electronic device. At step  402 , the temperature of a dynamic optical component of the electronic device may be determined when the temperature of a device component of the electronic device is a first constraint temperature of an operating temperature range of the device component. For example, a temperature of a dynamic optical component may be determined using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  100  may include one or more sensors  114 , each of which may be configured to determine a temperature of a particular portion of device  100 . For example, a dynamic optical component  116   i  may be provided with a sensor  114   i′  that may be configured to determine the temperature or any other characteristic of dynamic optical component  116   i . In some embodiments, sensor  114   i′  may be used to determine the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  when the temperature of memory component  104   i  (e.g., as detected by sensor  114   i ) is a first constraint temperature of an operating temperature range of memory component  104   i.    
     Next, at step  404 , the dynamic optical component may be configured to be in a first optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component is less than the temperature determined at step  402 , and the dynamic optical component may be configured to be in a second optical state when the temperature of the dynamic optical component is greater than the temperature determined at step  402 . For example, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured such that it may be in a first optical state when the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  is less than the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  that was determined when the temperature of memory component  104   i  was a first constraint temperature of the operating temperature range of memory component  104   i . Moreover, dynamic optical component  116   i  may be configured such that it may be in a second optical state when the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  is greater than the temperature of dynamic optical component  116   i  that was determined when the temperature of memory component  104   i  was a first constraint temperature of the operating temperature range of memory component  104   i . The first optical state of the dynamic optical component may be defined by a first reflectance, a first transmittance, and a first absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation, while the second optical state of the dynamic optical component may be defined by a second reflectance, a second transmittance, and a second absorptance of incident electromagnetic radiation, and at least one of the first reflectance and the first transmittance may be different than a respective one of the second reflectance and the second transmittance for a particular incident electromagnetic radiation. 
     In some embodiments, the device component of process  400  may be a power supply of the electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the dynamic optical component of process  400  may be a thermochromic system. When the dynamic optical component is in the first optical state, the dynamic optical component may be configured to transmit a first percentage of a first portion of incident electromagnetic radiation, and when the dynamic optical component is in the second optical state, the dynamic optical component may be configured to transmit a second percentage of the first portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the first percentage may be greater than the second percentage. Additionally or alternatively, a heat component of the first percentage may be greater than a heat component of the second percentage. 
     It is understood that the steps shown in process  400  of  FIG. 4  are merely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may be altered. 
     The processes described with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , as well as any other aspects of the invention, may each be implemented by software, but may also be implemented in hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. They each may also be embodied as computer-readable code recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices (e.g., memory  104  of  FIG. 1 ). The computer-readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed fashion. For example, the computer-readable medium may be communicated from one electronic device to another electronic device using any suitable communications protocol (e.g., the computer-readable medium may be communicated to electronic device  100  via communications circuitry  106 ). The computer-readable medium may embody computer-readable code, instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A modulated data signal may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20110311
Publication Date: 20150609
Grant Date: 20150609
Priority Date: 20110311
Inventors: CAMERON GORDON
GARRONE RYAN JOSEPH
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H05K7/20427", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B7/008", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 46794623