WO2007072338A1

WO2007072338A1 - Lighting source providing spectral output beyond a user interface of a mobile device

Info

Publication number: WO2007072338A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/054825
Authority: WO
Inventors: Elmo Marcus Attila Diederiks
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV; US Philips Corp
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV; US Philips Corp
Priority date: 2005-12-20
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2008-06-20

Abstract

A mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400) containing a user interface (110, 210, 310), a display (120, 220, 320, 430), a memory (420), a controller (460), a processor (410), and an ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450). Through the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450), the mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400) is capable of exhibiting spectral outputs that extend beyond a user interface of the device. The spectral outputs may be initiated through a communication signal, or the rendering of a file stored on the memory (420) of the mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400). The ambient lighting source (550) may include a light source (552) coupled into a waveguide (554) for distribution of corresponding spectral outputs.

Description

LIGHTING SOURCE PROVIDING SPECTRAL OUTPUT BEYOND A USER INTERFACE OF A MOBILE DEVICE

The present invention relates to personalizing and enhancing a user's experience of a mobile device by integrating ambient color lighting.

Lighting elements are often used to illuminate consumer devices. Most illuminated devices are generally only suitable for exhibiting fixed illumination with one or more light sources. For example, an illuminated consumer device might utilize a single white-light bulb as a lighting element for a display with the white light shining through a transparent colored material.

Research conducted in the 1980s on televisions concluded that viewing a television in a darkened room may cause eye strain. Ambient lighting was recommended for decreasing eyestrain when viewing television. However, consumer devices, such as mobile phones, generally only comprise lighting elements, for example, LEDs, in the display or to provide lighting for user input devices, such as a keypad item, for facilitating interaction with a user interface of the mobile device.

Mobile phone technology for example allows files, such as audio files, image files, and video files, generally hereinafter media files, to be stored on the phone and rendered as desired. Many mobile phones enable linking such files to specific caller identification information (caller ID) available upon receiving a call. In this way, when the caller ID is received, the associated media file is rendered. In this way, a user of the phone may associate a particular audio file, image file, etc., such as a particular ringtone and/or image file, with a particular caller to facilitate identification of the caller without having to manually discern the caller ID, such as caller originating phone number, etc. In addition, the use of distinctive ringtones enables the user to personalize the phone.

Other mobile devices, such as media players (e.g., audio, image, video, etc. players) have an ability to store and render media for user consumption. However, users are constantly looking at different ways to personalize mobile devices and simplify interaction with the mobile devices. For example, a faceplate of a device may be altered to give a device a personalized look and/or feel. Cases are made for media devices to protect the devices and to enable personalization. Nonetheless, each of these systems has limitations in personalization and does little to facilitate interaction or add to the interactive experience.

It is an object of the present system to overcome these and other disadvantages in the prior art.

The present system includes a mobile device having a display, an ambient lighting source, and a processor operationally coupled to the display and the ambient lighting source. The processor is operable to provide a visual rendering on the display and to provide a spectral output from the ambient lighting source that extends beyond a user interface of the mobile device. The ambient lighting source may be positioned around the display, may be positioned in proximity to the sides of the mobile device and/or may be positioned around a user input.

The ambient lighting source may include a plurality of lighting elements that are configured to operate as one or more groups of lighting elements. In one embodiment, the ambient lighting source may couple light into a waveguide for distribution of the ambient lighting spectral output over a distributed portion of the mobile device. The processor may be arranged to render at least one of audio, visual and tactile data and control the ambient lighting source based on the rendered data. In one embodiment, the processor analyzes the data prior to rendering the data to determine the control of the ambient lighting source. In another embodiment, the processor renders a lighting script corresponding to the data to determine the control of the ambient lighting source. The processor may analyze the data while rendering the data to determine the control of the ambient lighting source. The mobile device may be a mobile phone and the data may be audio data that corresponds to a ringtone. The processor may provide a user interface for operation together with a user input to provide personalization of the spectral output.

It should be expressly understood that the drawings are included for illustrative purposes and do not represent the scope of the present system in which:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a mobile device containing ambient lighting in accordance with the present system;

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the mobile device containing ambient lighting in accordance with the present system;

FIG. 3 is a further embodiment of the mobile device containing ambient lighting in accordance with the present system; and

FIG. 4 is a device of the present system.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., for illustration. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments that depart from these specific details would still be understood to be within the scope of the appended claims. For the purpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present system. Similar reference numerals within different drawings are denoted to indicate similar functions and/or operation. Moreover, it should be expressly understood that the drawings are included for illustrative purposes only. The drawings may not be accurately scaled, in particular with respect to angular representations of optical light paths, and as such, should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present system as claimed.

As used herein, the term "mobile device" includes but is not limited to mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), smartphones, personal communicators, handheld game consoles, and mobile media players.

The term "user input" includes buttons, dials, sliders, multi-buttons, touch displays, adjustable controls, keypads, touch pads, switches, linear switches, rotary switches, variable switches, thumb wheels, dual inline package switches, and/or other input devices suitable for user interaction and interfacing with the mobile device and image/audio/user interaction portions that may be produced by a processor running program portions to facilitate user interaction and interfacing with the mobile device.

The term "lighting elements" includes high-brightness LEDs, white LEDs, RGB LEDs, red LEDs, blue LEDs, green LEDs, organic LEDs, and other lighting elements that are enabled to produce a lighting effect. Packaged LEDs, non-packaged LEDs, surface mount LEDs, chip on board LEDs, and LEDs of other configurations may be included.

The term "spectral output" refers to a visual display of colors created by the lighting elements. Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile device 100 includes a user input device 110, a display 120 for exhibiting information 130, and ambient light sources 140. The term mobile device as utilized herein is intended to refer to a class of device that is generally understood to be readily portable, such as pocket sized and/or pocketbook sized devices and other similarly sized devices of the like. The display 120 and other elements may also be considered part of a function of a user interface, which operates together with, for example, the user input 110, alone or together with other interaction portions of the device 100 to facilitate user interaction with the mobile device 100.

The display 120 may comprise color and non-color (e.g., monochromatic, grey scale, etc.) lighting elements. The display 120 is capable of exhibiting different colored and non- colored states by activating (e.g., illuminating) one or more lighting elements and/or other visual elements, such as monochromatic visual elements (e.g., LCD), for example, illuminating a red LED and a blue LED to produce a purple colored state. The display 120 may also include a transparent covering that may be colored or not colored. Through the transparent covering, the display 120 is also capable of exhibiting different colored states, for example illuminating a blue LED through a red transparent covering to produce a purple colored state.

The display 120 is capable of exhibiting communication information 130, such as incoming telephone numbers, caller identification (caller ID), outgoing telephone number, device personalization information, such as a selected ring tone, identification, image, and/or video. The display 120 is also capable of exhibiting information 130 such as date, time, battery strength, message notification, and/or other information relating to and/or facilitating interaction with the mobile device 100. The mobile device 100, through its programming, may include a menu driven system. Through its menu driven system, the device 100 via its display 120 exhibits a series of menus, etc. allowing the user to personalize, organize, collate information stored on the mobile device's 100 memory and/or perform other user interactions with the mobile device 100. Through the user input 110, the user is capable of dialing phone numbers, programming the phone, typing words, scrolling through the mobile device's 100 menu system, and/or other functions for the operation and personalization of the mobile device 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ambient light source 140 may be positioned around the display 120, may be positioned under a bezel 150, such as a transparent or translucent bezel 150 and/or may be positioned along one or more sides of the bezel 150, such as a raised bezel arranged so that a spectral output may emanate from the sides of the bezel 150. The ambient light source 140 may contain lighting elements. The lighting source 140 may be comprised of one group of lighting elements encircling the display 120, or may be comprised of two or more separate groups of lighting elements encircling the display 120. In one embodiment, the lighting source 140 may be comprised of, for example, one or more groups of lighting elements, with a different group situated on each or one or more of a left, right, top, and bottom side of the display 120. For example, in one embodiment, the lighting source 140 may be positioned only under the display 120 of the device 100.

The groups may be made of a string of lighting elements, or separate lighting elements numbering one or more. In addition, a group and/or one or more elements of a group of lighting elements may be made up of sub-groups of lighting elements, such as red, green and blue (RGB) sub-groups and/or other lighting sub-groups. In one embodiment, the lighting elements may be formed from a light source and a waveguide configured for directing a spectral output to one or more different portions of the mobile device. In this way, a group of lighting elements may be formed from one light source and a waveguide configured to produce the spectral output at two or more locations referred to herein for simplicity of discussion as the lighting elements. To further simplify the following discussion, terms such as "group of lighting elements" and "lighting elements" generally should be understood to encompass any such composition of elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

In operation, the lighting elements may operate in tandem, individually, as sub-groups, or in any other desired combination. By operating individually, as sub-groups, etc., the lighting elements may create a range of spectral output. The operation of the lighting elements may be programmed by the user of the mobile device 100, thus allowing personalization and/or facilitating interaction. In addition, the lighting elements may operate by a processor running light scripts that are synchronized to rendering of media files by the mobile device and/or that correspond to the media files. The mobile device (e.g., a processor of the mobile device) may analyze media files as the media files are rendered to determine control of the lighting elements. Further operation of the mobile device and lighting elements is included herein.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment in accordance with the present system including a mobile device 200, a user input 210, a display 220 for exhibiting information 230, and an ambient lighting source 240. In this embodiment, the lighting source 240 may be positioned around one or more perimeter portions of the mobile device. In this way, when actuated the lighting source 240 provides lighting that encircles the entire mobile phone 200 or some portion thereof. Operation of the mobile device 200, the display 220, and the user input 210, generally, may be similar to that of the device in FIG. 1, as may be the operation of the lighting source 140. Further, the lighting elements may be located under transparent and/or translucent portions of the perimeter portions of the mobile device 200. The lighting source 140 may also be positioned along an edge of the mobile device 200 and/or along a backside of the mobile device 200, thereby producing spectral output that may emanate beyond an edge of the mobile device 200.

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention comprising a mobile device 300, user input 310, a display 320 for exhibiting information 330, and ambient lighting source 340. In this embodiment, the lighting source 340 may be positioned in one or more areas of the device 300, such as being adjacent to the display 320, around the sides of the device 300, and on and/or beneath the user input 310. As should be readily apparent, portions of the lighting source 340 may operate in tandem and/or independently with other portions of the lighting source 340.

FIG. 4 shows a mobile device 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present system. The device 400 may include a processor 410 operationally coupled to a memory 420, a display 430, a user input 440, and an ambient lighting source 450, which in an embodiment is coupled to the processor 410 through a controller 460. In one embodiment, the ambient lighting source may be configured for coupling light into a waveguide for distribution of the ambient spectral output at one or more locations that are remote from the ambient lighting source. The memory 420 may be any type of device for storing application data as well as other data, such as lighting control data (e.g., light scripts). The application data and other signals may be received by the processor 410 for configuring the processor 410 to perform operation acts in accordance with the present system. The operation acts may include controlling at least one of the display 430 to display a user interface (UI) for operation of the device 400, control of the ambient lighting element 450, processing of media files for rendering and/or determining control signals corresponding to the media files for controlling the ambient lighting element 450, processing preference files for setting device preferences including ambient lighting preferences, and other operations suitable for the mobile device 400. The various components of the device 400 may be operationally coupled to each other by any type of link, including wired or wireless link(s).

The processor 410 may render a file stored in the memory 420 to generate signals that control stimulation of the ambient lighting element 450. Files executable by the processor 410 may include data files, audio files, image or picture files, video files, audio/visual files (generally media files) and/or light scripts. Executable files may include one file, or two or more files rendered in conjunction for configuring the processor 410 for operation in accordance with the present system. Data files may include, for example, caller ID files, text message files, outgoing numbers, and incoming numbers. Media files are any type of files that may be suitably rendered by the mobile device. Light scripts are files that are adopted particularly for creating a spectral output from one or more ambient lighting elements 450. The rendering of the light scripts may be synchronized to rendering of other files, such as media files.

For example, a specific signal, such as an ambient lighting control signal, may be generated in response to a particular file being rendered. The specific signal may be sent to the controller 460 where it is converted into a form suitable for driving the ambient lighting element 450, which may include controlling the current, amplitude, duration, or waveform of the signals impressed on the ambient lighting element 450.

The acts of the present methods are particularly suited to be carried out by a computer software program, such computer program preferably containing modules corresponding to the individual steps or acts of the methods. Such software may, of course, be embodied in a computer-readable medium, such as an integrated chip, a peripheral device or memory, such as the memory 420 or other memory coupled to the processor 410. A processor 410 suitable for the present invention may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable digital signal processor or other programmable device, along with external memory such as read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electronically erasable programmable read-only memory, random access memory, dynamic random access memory, double data rate random access memory. Rambus direct random access memory, flash memory, or any other volatile or non-volatile memory for storing program instructions, program data, and program output or other intermediate or final results. A processor 410 may also include an application specific integrated circuit, programmable gate array logic, a programmable logic device, a digital signal processor, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, or any other device or combinations thereof that may be configured to process electronic signals. In addition, a processor 410 may include discrete circuitry such as passive or active analog components including resistors, capacitors, inductors, transistors, operational amplifiers, and so forth, as well as discrete digital components such as logic components, shift registers, latches, or any other separately packaged chip or other component realizing a digital function. Any combination of the above circuits and components, whether packaged discretely, as a chip, as a chipset, or as a die, may be suitable adapted to use as a processor 410 as described herein. Where a processor 410 includes a programmable device such as the microprocessor or microcontroller mentioned above, the processor 410 may further include computer executable code that controls operation of the programmable device in accordance with the present system.

The processor 410 and memory 420 may be any type of processor/controller and memory, such as those described in U.S. 2003/0057887, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The processor 410 is capable of providing control signals and/or performing operations in response to input signals received from the user input 440, and executing instructions stored in the memory 430. The processor 410 may be an application- specific or general-use integrated circuit(s). Further, the processor 410 may be a dedicated processor for performing in accordance with the present system or may be a general-purpose processor wherein only one of many functions operates for performing in accordance with the present system. The processor 410 may operate utilizing a program portion, multiple program segments, or may be a hardware device utilizing a dedicated or multi-purpose integrated circuit.

The controller 460 may be a pulse width modulator, pulse amplitude modulator, pulse displacement modulator, resistor ladder, current source, voltage source, voltage ladder, switch, transistor, voltage controller, or other controller suitable for controlling the ambient lighting element 450. The controller 460 may regulate the current, voltage and/or power through the ambient lighting element 450, in response to signals received from the processor 410.

In one embodiment, the device 400 comprises one or more controllers 460 to correspond to the one or more groups of ambient lighting elements 450, for example four controllers for four groups of lighting sources. In this case, the processor 410 is useful for routing specific signals to the appropriate controller 460 which in turn is used to drive the specific ambient lighting source group it is operationally connected to. In another embodiment, the processor 410 and controller 460 may be incorporated into one device. This device may drive one or more ambient lighting elements 450.

In the event the ambient lighting element 450 is comprised of several groups of lighting sources, the groups may be controlled in tandem, individually from one another, in groups, etc. The groups may exhibit the same color for the same duration of time, the same color for different durations of time, or different colors for different durations of time, for example, depending on the preferences of the user, on the media being rendered, limitations of the ambient lighting element 450, the processor 410, the controller 460, etc., depending on light scripts that correspond to rendered media, depending on rendered media, etc.

The computer-readable medium and/or memory 420 may be any recordable medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, removable memory, CD-ROM, hard drives, DVD, floppy drives, and/or memory cards) or may be a transmission medium (e.g., a network comprising fiber-optics, the world-wide web, cables, and/or a wireless channel using, for example, time-division multiple access, code-division multiple access, or other wireless communication systems). Any medium known or developed that may store information suitable for use with a computer system may be used as the computer-readable medium and/or memory 420. Additional memories may also be used. The computer-readable medium, the memory 420, and/or any other memories may be long-term, short-term, or a combination of long- and -short term memories. These memories configure the processor 410 to implement the methods, operation acts, and functions disclosed herein. The memories may be distributed or local and the processor 410, where additional processors may be provided, may be distributed or singular. For example, the controller 460 and/or light source 450 may contain all or portions of the processor 410 in a distributed processor system. The memories may be implemented as electrical, magnetic or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices. Moreover, the term "memory" should be construed broadly enough to encompass any information able to be read from or written to an address in the addressable space accessed by a processor. With this definition, information on a network is still within memory 420, for instance, because the processor 410 may retrieve the information from the network.

The operation acts of the present system may include controlling at least one display 430 to display a user interface that depicts a visual environment. The user interface may be used to select a file or program from the memory 420, modify a file or program in the memory 420, modify a file or program parameter from the memory 420, select an external signal for control of the lighting sources 450, initiate rendering of a file or program, or provide other operations suitable for a particular mobile device. The display 430 may include indicate various information, such as set forth in FIG. 1, including, for an example of a mobile phone device, incoming caller identification (Caller ID), outgoing identification for outgoing calls, ring tone identification such as ring tone name, images, and/or videos, date, time, battery strength, and message notification. The display may also exhibit menus stored on the memory 420, such menus enabling, amongst other functions, personalization of the device 400. For example, a menu may be operational to modify the controller 460 of one group of lighting sources 450. Menu selections may include, for example, group color, duration of light pulse, correlation of the group to a specific caller ID, specific ring tone, specific graphic, and/or specific video. The menu may be configured to control one or more groups or lighting elements of the ambient lighting element 450.

The user input 440 may include a keyboard, mouse, or other devices, including touch sensitive displays, which may stand alone or be part of a system, such as part of a personal computer, personal digital assistant cell phone, etc., for communicating with the processor 410. The device 400 may render an output that includes, for example, auditory stimulation, visual stimulation, and/or tactile stimulation. Output methods may be used one or more at a time in conjunction with one another. For example, while the mobile device 400 renders a media file, such as visually or auditorily, the mobile device 400 may provide a spectral output and tactile output that corresponds to the rendered media file. The spectral output created by the groups of ambient lighting elements 450 may be controlled to correspond to the output methods of the device 400. For example, in the event the device 400 is rendering a specific image, the groups of ambient lighting elements 450 may deliver a spectral output that corresponds to and/or is determined by the specific image.

The light script may be determined by the processor 410 from particular data that the device 400 has stored in the memory 420. The processor 410, in accordance with the present system, may analyze the data to determine a corresponding spectral output at a time of rendering the data or previous to rendering (e.g., control signals for producing a spectral output may be stored in the memory 420 in the form of a light script). In the case of a stored light script, the processor 410 processes the light script that corresponds to the data and provides signals to the controller 460 such that the spectral output is provided in synchronization with the rendered data. The light script may also be provided from a source that is external from the device 400. For example, light scripts that correspond to particular data may be received from an input/output 470, which may be a wired or wireless input/output for receiving/transmitting data, including light scripts. In this way, a user, for example through operation of the user input 440 and a suitable user interface, may select light scripts for receipt and storage in the memory 420. These light scripts may be available at a time of selection of data, such as when a user purchases audio data (e.g., songs) over a wireless connection. In one embodiment, the light scripts may be offered free or for a reduced fee to promote a sale of particular data. Upon selection of the light script, it may be provided to the device 400 through the input/output 470 and may be stored in the memory 420 together with an indication of the corresponding data file.

As another example in accordance with the present system, the ambient lighting element 450 may be adapted to audio data by rendering of a light script. The audio data may correspond for example to a ring tone, whereby when the ring tone of the device 400 is rendered (e.g., played), the light script is processed for example by the processor 410. The processor 410 in response to the light script sends signals to the controller 460 to control the lighting source 450 to exhibit a particular spectral output. In operation, when a ring tone stored on the memory 420 is rendered, the processor 410 passes a signal to the controller 460 which, in response thereto may regulate power to the lighting source 450 so that the lighting source 450 may exhibit the spectral output. For brevity, processing the light script to provide a spectral output will be referred to simply as rendering the light script.

In another embodiment of the device 400, the lighting source 450 may be adapted to match specific spectral outputs with specific ring tones. In this way, upon the device 400 receiving a specific telecommunication signal, which may be exhibited by data shown on the display 430, the device 410 may render a specific audio file. The processor 410 analyzes the audio file and sends to the controller 460 a specific signal that controls the lighting source 450 to exhibit a spectral output that corresponds to or is determined by the rendered audio file. In this embodiment, the memory 420 may store two or more audio files that may each correspond to specific incoming signals. The processor 410 may also be capable of sending two or more different types of signals to the controller 460, the different types of signals corresponding to different spectral outputs.

Analysis of the audio file by the processor 410 to generate a specific signal to the controller 460 may occur once, with the specific signal then being stored on the memory 420 and generated every time the audio file (e.g., ring tone) is rendered. Alternatively, the processor 410 may be used to analyze an audio file, for example the tempo, the tone, beat, and/or other characteristic of the audio file, every time the audio file is rendered to generate a corresponding signal for the controller 460 (real time).

In yet a further embodiment, the lighting source 450 may be adapted to a visual data file (e.g., an image file), whereby every time the image is rendered, the lighting source exhibits a spectral output. The image file may be stored on the memory 420. Upon being rendered, the image file is analyzed by the processor 410. The processor 410 then forwards a specific signal to the controller 460 to power the lighting source 450 to create a spectral output. The spectral output may include, for example, the dominant color of the image, the background color of the image, the contrasting color to the image or other spectral output that may correspond to or be determined by the image file and/or user stored preferences for example as stored in the memory 420. In one embodiment, analysis of the image file may consist of analyzing the average color or colors in specific areas of the image. The delivery of a specific signal to the controller 460 may occur every time the image file is rendered (realtime), or analysis of the image file and delivery of the specific signal may occur once and thereafter the specific signal may be associated with the image file. In addition, the image file may be associated with a data file, for example a caller ID, so that when the data file is rendered, the image file is subsequently rendered and a corresponding or determined spectral output is produced. In this way, the spectral output may be based on the combination of audio, visual and tactile outputs produced by the device 400.

In another embodiment, the lighting source 450 may be adapted to a video file, whereby when the video is rendered, the lighting source 450 exhibits a particular spectral output. The spectral output may be based on the average color of the video, the dominant color of the video, or colors in specific areas of the video, etc. The exhibition of the particular spectral output may occur automatically when the video is rendered based on a stored relationship between the video and a desired spectral output, or an analysis of the video may occur every time it is rendered, followed by a spectral output (real-time analysis). Additionally, the video may be linked to a data file, such as caller ID, so that when the data file is rendered, the video is rendered. Analysis of the rendered caller ID will lead to analysis of the video, and subsequently the exhibition of a particular spectral output.

Of course, it is to be appreciated that any one of the above embodiments or processes may be combined with one or more other embodiments or processes to provide even further improvements or modifications in rendering a spectral output on the device 400.

Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present system and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present system has been described in particular detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devised by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the present system as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that: a) the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in a given claim; b) the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements; c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope; d) several "means" may be represented by the same item or hardware or software implemented structure or function; e) any of the disclosed elements may be comprised of hardware portions (e.g., including discrete and integrated electronic circuitry), software portions (e.g., computer programming), and any combination thereof; f) hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog and digital portions; g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and h) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400), comprising: a display (120, 220, 320, 430); an ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550); and a processor (410) operationally coupled to the display and the ambient lighting source and configured to provide a visual rendering on the display and to provide a spectral output on the ambient lighting source beyond a user interface of the mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400).

2. The mobile device of Claim 1, wherein the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550) is positioned around the display (120, 220, 320, 430).

3. The mobile device of Claim 1, wherein the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550) is positioned in proximity to the sides of the mobile device (100, 200, 300, 400).

4. The mobile device of Claim 1, wherein the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550) is comprised of a plurality of lighting elements that are configured to operate as a group of lighting elements.

5. The mobile device of Claim 1, wherein the processor (410) is configured to render at least one of audio, visual and tactile data and control the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550) based on the rendered data.

6. The mobile device of Claim 5, wherein the processor (410) is configured to analyze the data prior to rendering to determine the control of the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550).

7. The mobile device of Claim 5, wherein the processor (410) is configured to render a lighting script corresponding to the data to determine the control of the ambient lighting source (140, 240, 340, 450, 550).

8. The mobile device of Claim 7, wherein the ambient lighting source (550) comprises a light source (552) coupled into a waveguide (554).

9. The mobile device of Claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone and the data is audio data that corresponds to a ringtone.

10. The mobile device of Claim 1, comprising a user input, wherein the processor (410) is configured to provide a user interface for operation together with a user input (440) to provide personalization of the spectral output.

11. A method of creating a spectral output for a mobile device, the method comprising the acts of: rendering a data file; rendering a spectral output beyond a user interface of the mobile device, wherein the rendered spectral output is determined by the rendered data file.

12. The method of Claim 11, comprising the act of rendering the spectral output in proximity to an outside edge of the mobile device.

13. The method of Claim 11, comprising the act of rendering the spectral output in groups of lighting elements.

14. The method of Claim 11, comprising the act of rendering the spectral output in synchronization with the rendering of the data file.

15. The method of Claim 11 , comprising the acts of: analyzing the data file; producing a light script corresponding to the analyzed data file; and rendering the spectral output in dependence on the light script.

16. The method of Claim 15, wherein the analyzing of the data file is performed simultaneously with the rendering of the data file.

17. The method of Claim 11, wherein the data file is a ring tone that is rendered in response to a received telephone call.

18. The method of Claim 11 , comprising the acts of: receiving the data file from a remote network; receiving a light script corresponding to the data file; and rendering the spectral output in dependence on the light script.

19. The method of Claim 11, comprising the act of receiving the light script in response to a promotional offer corresponding to the data file.

20. The method of Claim 11, wherein the promotional offer is an offer to receive the light script for a reduced fee.