Apple Applies For Color-Change Patent

Secret300 writes "Apple is applying for a patent to release "devices capable of dynamically changing their ornamental or decorative appearance." If this is a success, it would considerably boost Apple's presence in the technology world." So, perhaps we can not only theme our desktop on the machine - but our *literal* desktop.

Theming Potential?

[1stflight]

Imagine the theming potential here, you could change EVERYTHING!!!

Re:"devices capable of changing their color"

[WPIDalamar]

Sounds more like a patent to change how the mac looks, not just the display. Maybe my mac's case is blue in the morning, and yellow at night? If this is the case, there MUST be things that do similar things.

Hell, wouldn't certain animals qualify as prior art?

And what about novelity (is that a word?)? Screw the prior art searches, we need examiners that can say "This is not novel, so it's not patentable, even tho no one else has done it."

Ok is it me

[TerryAtWork]

or did the previous story become the very first one I've ever seen here with no comments allowed?

To comment on THAT story - computers themselves won't teach anything. It's small groups of enthusiasts like The R.E.S.I.S.T.O.R.S. (Whose motto was the totally cool 'Each One Teach One') or the MIT Computer Club that actually teach things.

And since most teachers are clueless re computers, only small groups can ever exist.

To comment on THIS story, this is just another land-rush patent crap that's caused by an incorrect patent system that will one day be corrected.

Once again, apple comes in first.

[joebagodonuts]

They've always worked at setting themselves apart, creating computers that were interesting in appearance as well as easy to use. They work, and look good doing it. I miss my apple. I enjoy linux on x86, but I know my next purchase will be an Apple, and not just because of the insides. Apple works (and usually succeeds)at delivering the complete package.

Visuals

[Daleks]

iTunes visuals on your computer skin or even your iPod case would be awesome. It would make every case-modder out there green with envy.

Prior art abounds

[JaredOfEuropa]

From the patent: " The electronic devices generally include an illuminable housing. The illuminable housing, which includes at least one wall configured for the passage of light, is configured to enclose, cover and protect a light arrangement as well as functional components of the electronic device. The light arrangement, which generally includes one or more light sources, is configured to produce light for transmission through the light passing wall(s) of the illuminable housing."

Is Apple trying to patent case mods?? Plenty of prior art... those neon-lights-behind-a-window case mods, anyone? And yes, the patent speaks of changing the color or pattern of the light. Been there, done that: there's a case mod that emits a light ranging from blue to red, depending to the CPU temperature.

Prior Art

[Zapdos]

See it here [dynamism.com]

These guys are doing this already -- SERIOUSLY!

[Geraden]

http://www.colorkinetics.com/

I thought I'd read a press release lately about how some teen/geek toy was doing the color change case thing already. Will submit when I find it.

Scott

All sorts of possible USEFUL uses

[goombah99]

There are all sorts of possible useful uses. For example, a signal strength/direction finder for wireless connection displayed on the back of the ibook could help you orient it. Imagine that spagetti of cables in the back of your rack; now imiagine if the computer could selectively light up the sheeth of its ethernet cable to show you where it went. Also the patent says it could be in input device too. perhaps, an ipod could display a keyboard on its back surface. Or maybe a iTablet computer lacking a real keyboard could form a rudimentary keyboard on its back side.

I have often wanted just a small built in light for my keyboard on my notebook computer so I could see the keyboard with the roomlights off and not be blinded by the screens light.

How about a trackpad button that could segment itself into a three button mouse depending on where you pressed it.

how about just a load sensor, or something that showed you the state of the computer (like VM swap, talking to the firewire disk) or maybe if it told you if some other user was remotely logged in.

What if the computer turned oranged striped if it detected (somehow) that it had been stolen, or an un authorized log in was attempted.

finally, is there anyone who does not think the visualls that go on with iTunes are not stunning? maybe they can do something equally impressive here.

my last comment is this. it is only a short trip down the road before skinable color changing polymers allow video screens to be painted on all most anything in any shape, even flexible ones. That's when this idea will really take off. So this is just a precursor.

Re:"devices capable of changing their color"

[Anonymous Coward]

If no-one else has done something then by definition it is novel.
Don't know in brain fucked US IP system, but in France, at least a few year ago, literal description by artist of imaginary things where enough to render the things unpatentable, when somebody finally was able to make them. The one who could have patented them was the artist. (there is no need to prove actual realisation to obtain the patent).

Holy Mother of God. Literally.

[kfg]

I can find prior art for this as near as my neighbor's back yard. He's got one of those Madonna in a bathtub thingies. The Madonna and bathtub are both white. He has different colored spotlights he can shine on it to change its color depending on his mood.

He's been doing this for 40 years * that I know of.* I don't know how long before I moved in next door he'd been doing it.

You'll find the same technique used in any theatrical performance, rock show, movie or other such staged performance.

This technique is so old it isn't even medieval. It predates that period by a considerable margin.

And since when is chrome "tech?"

"Yeah, I advance the technology of my house by putting up some new wallpaper and adding a few colored lights."

Right Bob, bite me.

KFG

Re:"devices capable of changing their color"

[Jucius Maximus]

Haven't the people at apple ever seen a mood ring?

Or a lava lamp?

Or those little artificial christmas trees with fiber optic stands built into them that dynamically emit changing colours?

I think that this has been done before.

Re:You obviously do not understand Patents...

[_avs_007]

what about those hypercolor shirts they used to have 10 years ago? Remember those? They changed color....

In fact lots of things these days are temp sensitive...

Mercedes and a few other car makes, have an option for electronic tint in the rear window, so when the car is off and the alarm is armed, the windows turn opaque.

I have an electochromatic rear view mirror that automatically darkens, etc.... Surely these things can be considered prior art.

Or what about the "mystic" paint, that Ford Mustangs used to offer back in the mid 90's... That changed color as well....

Heck, I even remember some phones at LA cellular about 10 years ago that was just an LCD panel, so that the UI for the phone changed dynamically. No keys or anything.. Just one rectangular touch screen. That could be considered dynamically changing, since the phone was just an LCD screen with a microphone and speaker.