Another Apple patent application has surfaced recently. Apple's invention talks of housing methods for a computing device, generally relating to computer systems. More particularly, the patent focuses on improved features for housings. The patent was filed on March 19, 2002, having been published only now.

Abstract
Improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing is provided with one of an illuminable connector, a touch pad arrangement, and a palm rest stiffening plate. Normally, the illuminable connector and the touch pad arrangement are provided on external portions of a housing of the computing device such that they are available for user interaction. The palm rest stiffening plate is provided internal to a housing to provide stiffness or rigidity to a palm rest region of the housing.
(Source: PatentStorm)

Apple claims its invention has quite some applicability, with a first aspect pertaining to an illuminable connector suitable for use with the computing device. A second aspect of the invention, Apple says, would involve a touch pad arrangement for use with the computing device. In this case, both the illuminable connector and the touch pad arrangement can be provided on external portions of a housing of the computing device in such a way that they are available for user interaction.

Apple's invention also pertains to a palm rest stiffening plate, this being a third aspect of the concept. Implementing this can be done in numerous ways, Apple says, combined with “an apparatus, a device, a method, and a computer system,” as the patent filing reads. But since Apple's focus has always been computers...

“As a computer system, one embodiment of the invention includes a light source, a computer housing configured to enclose said light source, and an illuminable connector provided at an outer peripheral surface of said computer housing,” reads the patent's description. “The illuminable connector including a connector configured to transmit signals to and from said computer system, and a light emitting enclosure having a light receiving area and an illuminating area. The light emitting enclosure being configured to direct light from said light source through said light emitting enclosure from the light receiving area to the illuminating area, and said light emitting enclosure being disposed around the outer periphery of said connector.”

Unlike most Apple patent filings, this one lists only one inventor, namely Chris J. Novak.