Device cabinet with dynamically controlled appearance
US6778226B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B20/40
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The appearance of a cabinet for a device (e.g., a television) is dynamically controlled. One way of controlling the appearance of the cabinet is by providing a display panel on the cabinet. At least one input is obtained from an input device and processed by a controller. Based on these inputs, the controller sends signals to the display panel to change the appearance of the display panel. Lamps and heat-sensitive materials may be used to effectuate the desired change in appearance. The cabinet display features may be controlled to give the device the appearance of having a persona or of being an independent animate being. For example, lights in the cabinet could flash to suggest the device is laughing in response to the detection of a laugh track in a sitcom being displayed on the device. Patterns and colors can be generated to reflect moods according to the preferences of an interaction-design programmer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.