WO2004051589A1

WO2004051589A1 - Illuminating light display apparatus for usb

Info

Publication number: WO2004051589A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/025881
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cecil E. Williams, Jr.
Original assignee: Williams Cecil E Jr
Priority date: 2002-08-14
Filing date: 2002-08-14
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: AU2002323154A1

Abstract

Solely pertains to achieving (Fig. 1) a light source (104) using a standard Universal Service Bus (USB) device.

Description

ILLUMINATING LIGHT DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR USB

Background of the Invention

The Universal Serial Bus ("USB") is specialized to be an industry standard expansion to the PC architecture of any computer device thereof. The USB architecture provides for ease of use of peripheral expansion. USB is a cable supporting peripherals simultaneously, where one host controller can support up to 127 physical devices.

This invention is broadly concerned with personal computers, internet devices, laptops, PlayStation 2 systems, USB keyboard(s), pocket PCs and or Windows CE devices that incorporate a USB port. One particular difficulty noted with regard to such devices is the lack of an appropriate light source. This can be a particular hardship in such locations wherein auxiliary lamps or the like are not normally available.

Because devices such as personal computers, internet devices and the like, are normally used in the day, their manufacturers have conventionally made no provisions for incorporating a light source in these devices because of their complexity and/or cost factor to do so.

Summary of the Invention

Rather than provide a power source such as batteries or AC power supply, the illuminating light display apparatus of the present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by simplifying the process by attaching a light source to any standard USB connector for its power source. Another key element of the design is a flexible, thinned, bendable stabilizing agent. Because of the compact and light USB design (as illustrated), the unit is adaptable beyond portable devices. By lengthening the standard USB cable (102), the light also becomes fully functional in any standard USB desktop device. The invention also has an on/off switch (not required), which facilitates a quick option for the end user to turn on off the unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an illuminating light attachment for personal computers, internet devices, laptops, PlayStation 2 systems, USB keyboard(s), pocket PCs and/or Windows CE devices, in other words any electronic device that incorporates a USB port;

Figure la illustrates an internal mechanical view of a standard USB wire without any modifications set forth. This is used for illustrative demographics comparison example to Figure 2a only and forms no part of the claimed design.

Figure 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the illuminating light attachment of Figure 1, the opposite side being a mirror image of Figure 1;

Figure 2a illustrates an internal mechanical view of a standard USB wire with modifications primarily and only with the exception of a flexible thinned copper stabilizing shield agent.

Figure 2a, when compared to Figure la, illustrates explicitly the minor modifications to the internal wiring components of a standard USB wire to facilitate the present invention.

This example is one of the several possible variations for the flexible, thin copper stabilizing shield agent, which is added to any standard USB wire to facilitate the light source of the present invention. Again, for the most part, specific details concerning wiring configuration along with the length for a standard USB wires harness is set forth in USB Specifications, and is beyond the scope of this invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a top plan view of the illuminating light attachment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a front elevation view thereof;

Figure 5 illustrates a rear elevation view thereof;

Figure 6 illustrates a bottom plan view thereof;

Figure 7a illustrates a perspective view of the illuminating USB light attachment shown as used on a personal computer's keyboard.

Figure 7b illustrates a front elevation view of the illuminating USB light attachment shown as used on a laptop.

The broken lines showing in Figure 7a and Figure 7b are for illustrative demographics example of usage purposes only and form no part of the claimed design. Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of the illuminating

USB light attachment.

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the opposite side of the second embodiment of the illuminating USB light attachment of Fig. 8, being a mirror image thereof.

The present invention facilitates portable lighting for end users, using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) as a source of power to the illuminating light. The light device does not restrain itself to portability devices even though it has a compact design. It expands its versatility to the desktop personal computer or the new Internet devices by using a device like the "USB Keyboards" to facilitate keyboard or desktop lighting. In addition, by increasing the length of the device (102) the user can use the device like a desk lamp. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the following description, for the most part, specific details are presented concerning the length of the standard USB wire (102) along with the on/off switch (103), which is an optional part of the light source (104). Please note specific detail components have been omitted because such detail is not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and the specifics are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

Referring now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views provided by Figures 1-9.

Within the following description, a standard universal serial bus connector (101), all refers to the USB architecture described within the "Universal Serial Bus Specifications."

The Illuminating Light Display Apparatus (Fig. 1) used the standard USB connector (101) as a power source for its light (104). The specific components are as follows (from bottom up):

Referring now to Fig. 1 :

101 - a standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector;

102- a (variable length) standard USB wire configured with a flexible thinned bendable, stabilizing agent; 103- an on off switch (optional, not required) which gives the end user a friendly quick option to turn off/on the unit; and

104- an illuminating light source with shielding which provides the user with a source of light. These specific components are assembled in this order: The standard USB connector

(101) is connected to the (variable length) standard USB wire (102) configured with a bendable yet flexible thinned, stabilizing agent (for detail, see Fig. 2A). This modified USB wire (102) is then connected to an illuminating light source (104) with proactive shielding which may or may not incorporate an on/off switch (103).

The process of using this invention is as simple as using any standard Universal Serial Bus device and as simple as plugging in telephone jack. The simplicity of the USB Standards and this invention complies with the USB philosophy wholly: just plug it in and the illuminating light attachment (104) will comes on and start working. The universal serial bus wire (102) with the optional flexible thinned, stabilizing agent (as detailed in Fig. 2a) gives the user an easy way to twist and turn the invention's illuminating light source (104) in any direction the user pleases. Finally, the optional on/off switch (103) gives the end user yet another quick way to turn on/off the invention.

Please note a regulating +5 volt is provided and controlled by the apparatus of the present invention (regulated by the USB standards), using the standard USB connector (101). No particular configuration is necessary for the light source attachment such as a surge protector.

Cross Reference to Related Art Applications

D 435,679 12/26/00 Naghi et al.

D 418,240 12/1999 Sherman

D 405,798 02/1999 Shulman

D 377,840 02/1997 Chang

D 251,687 04/1979 Kurokawa

D 238,959 02/1976 Kurokawa

U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,974 12/1992 Riban

U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,487 02/1999 Polley et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,572 09/1998 Brada U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,137 01/1998 Hon U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,945 04/1997 Tsend U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,950 01/1997 Hildebrand U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,986 01/1996 Brada U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,201 01/1995 Friedman U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,622 04/1993 Sottile U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,325 02/1993 Hurdle U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,477 09/1992 Lemmey U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,941 06/1992 Gross et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,937 06/ 1992 Stoudemire U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,832 02/1992 Tortola et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,507 01/1982 Smith et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,339 11/1962 Fahey, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 1,651,307 11/1927 Wilkinson WO 92/06327 04/1992 WIPO Patent Documents 113 818 12/1981

Claims

Claims 1. An illuminating device for the Universal Serial Bus (USB) comprising: a. an elongated, standard USB wire comprising: i. a flexible, tubular stabilizing agent which is easily bendable, and ii. having a first end and a second end; b. a USB connector electronically coupled to said first end of said elongated, standard USB wire; c. an illuminating light(s) electronically coupled to said second end of said elongated, standard USB wire.