CONTROLLING AN APPEARANCE OF AN APPARATUS

1 . A method comprising:

producing a visual output using a user history dependent upon a plurality of past events relevant to a user of an apparatus;

detecting a new event relevant to the user of the apparatus;

creating a new user history dependent upon the plurality of past events relevant to a user of an apparatus and the new event relevant to the user of the apparatus; and

producing a new visual output using the new user history.

2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the new visual output is a continuous output that personalizes the apparatus and enables differentiation of the apparatus from other similar apparatus.

3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user defines parameters that control how a user history determines a visual output.

4 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user history can be augmented but cannot be reset, and wherein a visual output is continuously produced when the apparatus is operational such that the user history always affects an appearance of the apparatus.

5 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user history is a user action history dependent upon a plurality of past actions performed by the user in relation to the apparatus, the method comprising:

producing a visual output using a user action history dependent upon a plurality of past actions performed by the user in relation to the apparatus;

detecting a new action performed by the user in relation to the apparatus;

creating a new user action history dependent upon the plurality of past actions performed by the user in relation to the apparatus and the new action performed by the user in relation to the apparatus; and

producing a new visual output using the new user action history.

6 . A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the user action history is dependent upon events selected from the group comprising:

application use;

how the apparatus has been used;

usage pattern for different communication types;

analysis of user communication content;

how the apparatus has been augmented with software; and

events in a user's life.

7 - 11 . (canceled)

12 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising using a hardware detector to detect the new event relevant to the user of the apparatus.

13 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the hardware detector is an impact detector.

14 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising producing a visual output using the user action history that varies with time and use of the apparatus.

15 . (canceled)

16 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visual output is a spatially distributed visual output.

17 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , comprising controlling distribution of color in the visual output in dependence upon the user history.

18 . A method as claimed in claim 16 , comprising controlling distribution of brightness in the visual output in dependence upon the user history.

19 . A method as claimed in claim 18 , comprising reducing brightness over time in the absence of use of the apparatus by the user.

20 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising using the visual output to simulate scratches.

21 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the visual output comprises selected content relating to recent use of the apparatus by the user.

22 - 23 . (canceled)

24 . An apparatus comprising:

an event detection module configured to detect a new event relevant to a user of the apparatus;

a user history module configured to manage a user history dependent upon a plurality of past events relevant to a user of an apparatus; and

a visual output module configured to produce a visual output dependent upon the user history.

25 . An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the visual output is provided in a straight line.

26 . An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the visual output is provided using dedicated hardware.

27 . (canceled)

28 . An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the visual output is positioned on an exterior cover of the apparatus.

29 - 31 . (canceled)

32 . An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform

producing a visual output using a user history dependent upon a plurality of past events relevant to a user of an apparatus;

detecting a new event relevant to the user of the apparatus;

creating a new user history dependent upon the plurality of past events relevant to a user of an apparatus and the new event relevant to the user of the apparatus; and

producing a new visual output using the new user history

33 . (canceled)