JP3080334U - Lighting portable electronic device via utility power jack - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a low-cost and practical lighting device for a portable electronic device. SOLUTION: By plugging into a flexible arm (7) a utility power jack (4) of the portable electronic device (1) so that power can be obtained from a port of the portable electronic device. It has a white LED (9) that is powered via the utility power jack.
The lighting device comprises a housing (10), a reflector (13), a diffuser or magnifier (14), and a dimmer (1) for controlling the light intensity provided by the white LED.
5).

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention relates to the field of lighting devices for portable electronic devices or portable computing devices.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Small electronic devices with viewing screens or keypads are very widespread and extremely popular. Such devices have been popular for many years in connection with hand-held, portable, battery-powered gaming devices. A well-known example of such a device is the GAME BOY ^R device sold by Nintendo, which has already sold millions of units. More recently, other electronic devices have been equipped with viewing screens, such as portable video cameras and mobile phones. And, of course, portable computers have long been equipped with viewing screens. Although the complexity and cost of such devices can vary widely, the use of a substantially flat liquid crystal display screen is common to such devices.

[0003] Flat liquid crystal display screens work very well in well-lit areas. However, if such a device is used in a dimly lit location or at night, it would be difficult for the user to see anything in its viewing screen, if not impossible. This problem is exacerbated when such screens are used in devices in the sense of being portable, and especially when they are smaller devices.

If a portable device is sufficiently complex and generally more expensive, such as a portable tap-top computer, such a device can include lighting within its actual device. One example of such lighting is a portable laptop computer with a backlight (backlit) screen. However, this solution is not always economically practical and does not always solve the problem with smaller devices. Furthermore, if the electronic device does not have a visual field screen, this option will not be effective.

[0005] A number of different solutions have been proposed to solve the problems specifically associated with these hand-held, portable, battery-powered gaming devices. Such solutions have typically included add-on devices with their own power source. These devices may be designed to be compatible with the electronic device or may be designed to be used in connection with the electronic device. However, such devices tend to be bulkier and heavier because they use their own power source. In addition, the second power source adds cost and creates another potential power source defect.

Accordingly, there has long been a need for a simple and economical device that can illuminate a portable electronic device or portable computing device without the disadvantages associated with prior art lighting devices.

[0007]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a low cost, practical and improved luminaire for a portable electronic device, the luminaire being powered by a utility power jack of the electronic device. .

It is also a primary object of the present invention to provide a low cost, practical and improved lighting fixture for a portable computing device, wherein the lighting fixture is powered by a utility port of the computing device. It is to be.

[0009] These and other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art in connection with the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are set forth in detail below.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention is generally a lighting fixture for illuminating a portable electronic device that plugs into the electronic device and connects the electronic device via an electrical connection to a utility power jack. It is directed to lighting fixtures that are powered by power sources. The invention is also generally a lighting fixture for illuminating a portable computing device with a display screen, which plugs into the computing device and provides an electrical connection to a utility port connected to a power source. It is directed to a luminaire powered by the power supply of the computing device via a connection.

[0011] In a first other aspect of the present invention, the lighting device is a light emitting diode. White light diodes are particularly preferred.

In another aspect of the invention, the luminaire includes a plug having a second utility power jack or port capable of receiving a second plug in electrical communication with the utility power jack or port. Including.

In another aspect of the invention, the lighting device can be controlled by a dimmer.

In another aspect of the invention, a luminaire includes a plug having one or more support wings. These support wings may be used to prevent movement of the body in a particular direction, particularly when the wings are located at opposite ends of the plug.

In another aspect of the invention, the luminaire can include a flexible arm. The flexible arm may be adjusted to adjust the height or angle of the lighting device with respect to the portable electronic device or portable computing device. In addition, other devices such as diffusers, magnifiers, reflectors, dimmers, or adjusters that change the light intensity can be added to the luminaire.

[0016]

[Embodiment of the invention]

Figure 1 illustrates how a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be used in any way to the portable electronic game devices, etc. GAME BOY ^R (Boy) device. Although this drawing shows a portable electronic game device, the present invention is applicable to any portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone or a video camera, that has a utility power jack for making an electrical connection to a power source. .

The electronic device 1 in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a viewing screen 2, a power supply, and a utility power jack. Power and utility power jacks are not visualized and are schematically indicated by reference numerals 3 and 4 because their placement and configuration depend on the design of a given portable electronic device. It fluctuates. The power supply 3 may be self-contained, such as with a battery (battery) in a battery compartment. Power supply 3 can either be augmented by plug-in (or plug-in) capabilities for non-portable power supplies, such as wall outlets.

The lighting fixture, indicated generally at 5, includes a plug, indicated generally at 6, for plugging the lighting fixture 5 into the utility power jack 4 of the electronic device 1. The exact form of the plug 6 matches the utility power jack 4 and the mechanical and electrical connection between the utility power jack 4 and the plug 6 when the luminaire 5 is plugged into the electronic device 1. Should be designed to produce

The lighting fixture 5 also includes a body 7 and a lighting device 8. A body 7 connects the lighting device 8 with the plug 6, which body preferably comprises a flexible arm. The lighting device 8 is electrically connected to the utility power jack 4 via the plug 6 and the body 7, and when the lighting device 5 is plugged into the electronic device 1, the lighting device 8 turns on the power supply 2. Powered by The electrical connection between the lighting device 8 and the plug 6 can be achieved by any suitable means, for example wires (not shown). Particularly preferably, when the luminaire 5 is plugged into the utility power jack 4, the body 7 can be adjusted to adjust the height and / or angle of the luminaire 8 with respect to the electronic device 1. is there. It is particularly preferred to tie one or more support wings 16 to the plug 6 to prevent movement of the luminaire away from the electronic device. These support wings 16 stabilize the plug 6 by providing an abutment surface for the electronic device 1, thereby preventing the plug 6 from swinging in the plane of the support wing 16. The support wings 16 also reduce the possibility of the plug 6 being pulled out of the electronic device 1 at the support wing 16, thereby stabilizing the connection of the plug 6 to the electronic device 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 8 includes a light emitting diode (“LED”) 9 housed within a case housing 10. The housing 10 may also include suitable electronics such as a resistor 11 or a regulator (not shown) for changing the intensity of light provided by the LED. LED 9 in a particularly preferred embodiment is a white light diode. The housing may also include additional components such as a diffuser or diffuser 14. Alternatively, the diffuser 14 can be replaced with a magnifier 14. Another additional configuration that may be included is a reflector 13. The reflector 13 assists in minimizing the backscattering of the light produced by the lighting device, while helping to concentrate the light on the object to be illuminated. The reflector includes a specular surface on the bottom of the reflector to reflect light away from the user. The housing 10 may also include an opaque surface at the end remote from the desired movement of light to minimize unwanted back scattering of light toward the user's eyes. Particularly preferably, the housing 10 includes a dimmer 15. The dimmer 15 can be a variable resistor or a potentiometer connected to a user control such as a dial.

When the plug 6 of the luminaire 5 plugs into the utility power jack 4 of the electronic device 1, the utility power jack 4 connects the connection otherwise provided to the user of the electronic device 1 by the plug. Inevitably occupy. Since the user of electronic device 1 may need to connect some other device to utility power jack 4, plug 6 may be configured to include a second utility power jack 12. Particularly preferred. This second utility power jack 12 accepts a second plug and provides a mechanical and electrical connection to the second plug equivalent to that provided by the utility power jack 4. Can be provided. Therefore, when the second plug is plugged into the plug 6 and the plug 6 is plugged into the utility power jack 4, the second utility power jack 12 is connected to the second plug by the utility power jack 4. Providing electrical communication.

The present invention is also adaptable to a portable computing device, having a display screen that is not illuminated by the portable computing device. In such an embodiment, the luminaire is plugged into the utility port of the computing device making an electrical connection to a power source instead of the utility power jack 4 of the electronic device 1. The utility port on such a device may be an additional product, a communication device, a cable, or any port that allows the connection of any additional accessories or products. The luminaire may have a second utility port capable of receiving a second plug, wherein the second plug plugs into the plug and the plug plugs into the utility port. The utility port will be in electrical communication with the utility port. In all other aspects, the structure and function of the luminaire will be the same as for the luminaire 5 described above in connection with the electronic device 1.

It is to be understood that further changes and modifications in the actual constructs described herein may be readily made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable electronic device 2 Viewing screen 3 Power supply 4 Utility power jack 5 Lighting fixture 6 Plug 7 Body (flexible arm) 8 Lighting device 9 Light emitting diode 10 Housing 12 Second utility power jack 13 Reflector 14 Diffuser 15 Dimmer 16 Wings

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 4, 2001 (2001.4.4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims for utility model registration

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Utility model registration claims]

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) David Nagi, USA 90048 Los Angeles, California Moore Drive 6630 (72) Creator Gilbert Fregoso, USA 92337 Fontana, California 13838 Santa Ana Avenue 13838

Claims (25)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A device for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device having a utility power jack in electrical connection with a power source, a plug for plugging the device into the utility power jack, and the plug. And a lighting device to be connected to the body and to be electrically connected to the utility power jack via the plug and the body, for lighting the portable electronic device. A lighting device comprising a light emitting diode, wherein the lighting device is powered by the power source when the device is plugged into the utility power jack. 2. A method for illuminating a non-backlit display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a utility power jack in electrical connection with a power source, the method comprising: An apparatus comprising: a plug, a body connected to the plug, and a light emitting diode coupled to the body and electrically connected to the utility power jack through the plug and the body. Coupling said plug to said utility jack of said handheld portable video game device to supply power to said light emitting diode, said non-backlit display screen of said handheld portable video game device emitting said light. A method comprising illuminating with a diode. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is compatible with a handheld portable video game device. 4. The hand-held portable video game device has a non-backlit display screen.
The device according to claim 1. 5. An appliance for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device having a first utility power jack in electrical connection with a power source, said appliance being plugged into said first utility power jack. A second utility power jack for receiving a second plug, wherein the second plug plugs into the second utility power jack and the first plug is A second utility power jack, when plugged into the first utility power jack, receiving the second plug in electrical communication with the first utility power jack. A plug connected to the first plug, a body connected to the first plug, and a first plug connected to the body. A lighting device to be electrically connected to the first utility power jack via a lug and the body, wherein the lighting device is connected to the first utility power jack when the lighting device is plugged into the first utility power jack. An apparatus comprising being powered by the power source. 6. An appliance for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device having a first utility power jack in electrical connection with a power source, said appliance being plugged into said first utility power jack. A second utility power jack for receiving a second plug, wherein the second plug plugs into the second utility power jack and the first plug is A second utility power jack, when plugged into the first utility power jack, receiving the second plug in electrical communication with the first utility power jack. A plug connected to the first plug, a body connected to the first plug, and a first plug connected to the body. A lighting device, including a light emitting diode, to be electrically connected to the first utility power jack via a lug and the body, when the appliance is plugged into the first utility power jack. , Wherein the lighting device is powered by the power supply. 7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the body can be adjusted to adjust the height of the lighting device relative to the portable electronic device when the appliance is plugged into the utility power jack. 8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the body can be adjusted to adjust an angle of the lighting device with respect to the portable electronic device when the appliance is plugged into the utility power jack. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said body further comprises a diffuser for diffusing light provided by said lighting device. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said body further comprises an adjuster for changing an intensity of light applied to said lighting device. 11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting diode is a white light emitting diode. 12. An apparatus for illuminating a non-backlit display screen of a hand-held portable video game device having a utility port in electrical connection with a power source, said apparatus plugging said apparatus into said utility port. A plug connected to the plug; a body connected to the plug; a light emitting diode (“LED”) coupled to the body and electrically connected to the utility port through the plug and the body. A light emitting diode ("LED") for illuminating a non-backlit display screen of the handheld portable video game device, wherein the device is plugged into the utility port. A device comprising an LED powered by said power source. 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said LED is a white light emitting diode. 14. An apparatus for illuminating a non-backlit display screen of a hand-held portable video game device having a first utility port in electrical connection with a power source, the apparatus comprising: A first plug that plugs into a utility port of the second utility port and has a second utility port for receiving a second plug, the second plug plugging into the second utility port. And when the first plug is plugged into the first utility port, the second utility port is in electrical communication with the first utility port. A first plug comprising receiving a plug; a body connected to the first plug; when coupled to the body; Both light emitting diodes ("LE") to be electrically connected to the first utility port via the first plug and the body.
D "), wherein the LED is powered by the power source when the device is plugged into the first utility port. 15. The device according to claim 1, 12 or 14, wherein said body comprises a flexible arm. 16. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the body can be adjusted to adjust the height of the LED relative to the portable computing device when the appliance is plugged into the utility port. . 17. The appliance of claim 12, wherein the body can be adjusted to adjust an angle of the LED with respect to the portable computing device when the appliance is plugged into the utility port. 18. The device of claim 12, wherein the body further comprises a diffuser for diffusing light provided by the LED. 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a magnifying glass. 20. The method according to claim 2, wherein said light emitting diode is a white light emitting diode. 21. The method according to claim 2, wherein said body comprises a flexible arm. 22. The method of claim 2, wherein said body further comprises a magnifying glass. 23. The method of claim 2, wherein the body further comprises a diffuser for diffusing light provided by the lighting device. 24. The body further comprises an adjuster for changing the intensity of light provided by the lighting device, and the method adjusts the adjuster for adjusting the intensity of light provided by the lighting device. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: 25. The plug having a second utility power jack for receiving a second plug, wherein the second plug plugs into the second utility power jack and the plug comprises the utility power jack. When plugging into the jack, the second utility power jack accepts the second plug in electrical communication with the utility power jack, and the method includes plugging the second plug into the second power jack. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising coupling with a utility power jack of the power supply.