WO2018135670A1

WO2018135670A1 - Finger-mounted reading light with automatic shut-off

Info

Publication number: WO2018135670A1
Application number: PCT/KE2018/000051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naomi Nthambi Ndolo GATHECHA
Original assignee: Gathecha Naomi Nthambi Ndolo
Priority date: 2017-01-19
Filing date: 2018-01-18
Publication date: 2018-07-26

Abstract

A lighting apparatus for illuminating a page or e-reader, with a contact-sensitive pushbutton (105) accessible externally. The apparatus is mounted over the fingertip, held in place by flexible ribs (106). Power switch, flap (103) is raised to ON position, powered by a battery in compartment (102). When ready to read, pushbutton (105) should be directly above the page and the beam from light source (101) cast onto the page. Rotating dimmer switch (l 04) to select brightness releases pushbutton (105) to protrude. The mounted finger, slightly raised, directs reading by pointing the light beam. When reading ceases, the pointing finger relaxes, resting on the page whereupon contact with pushbutton (105) activates the shut-off mechanism, dimming the light gradually. To continue reading, the dimming, or off, light is restored to previous brightness by resuming pointing the beam; raising the mounted finger breaks the contact with pushbutton (105) and deactivates the shut-off mechanism.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE FINGER-MOUNTED READING LIGHT WITH AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF

PREAMBLE OF THE INVENTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to lighting devices and more particularly to a lighting device for use when reading a handheld book or e-reader.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The pleasurable pastime of reading goes hand in hand with the requirement for appropriate lighting. Since the creation of the bedside lamp, numerous devices have been invented that are more portable to be carried around along with the reading material, and that focus the illumination more on the reading material and less on the surroundings. These inventions endeavour to maximise

convenience for the user.

Some of the lighting devices currently commonly in use for reading handheld books are reading lamps on flexible necks that are attached to the spine or pages of a book by clips/pegs.

US 10928072 describes a book light connected to a telescoping arm that is pivotally connected to a base with a clip for attaching to a book. US 10870662 describes a book light coupled to a flexible arm for mounting on a book spine.

DE20031 15600 describes a reading lamp for clamping between the pages of a book lying transverse to the lines of print.

Book light inventions are also available in the general form of bookmarks and book jackets.

USl 1738299 describes a bookmark with two hinged segments one of which has a lighting window that has additional functions, including acting as a magnifier.

US08176580 describes a lighting device in the form of a bookmark with a retractable light-bearing neck that when extended out of the book resumes its previous curve by special memory effect.

EP 19870901566 describes a book cover that houses a reading light in its spine, for removably mounting on a book.

Other reading light devices currently in use include illuminating flat panels that are placed flat onto the page to be read.

CN 103672424 describes a hand-held piate and a rectangular reflector plate that emits soft light onto a book page. These devices require constant manipulation for correct placement and continuous adjustment to re-direct the illumination appropriately as reading progresses from page to page.

As with portable lights and torches for various forms of physical activity, some reading light inventions include devices for attaching to various body parts, in order to maximise convenience for the user by eliminating the handling of the lighting devices.

US08301670 describes a portable device worn about the head on a band and projects a reading light forward from the forehead. US08303129 describes an illumination device fastened to the wrist by nylon straps, worn on the inside of the wrist for reading, and on the outside for other activities like cycling.

Other lighting devices still, are attached to the fingers as the most suitable body part for their intended specific functionality.

US14513796 describes a toy worn on a human finger with a reading tool and a light source that interacts with photo-luminescent ink on other surfaces.

US1 1213280 describes a finger light in the form of a large box ring worn on the index finger above the nail to project light downwards onto a surface when writing.

US08001420 describes a finger-mounted laser spotlight attached to a hand glove above the fingers for use in the US Air Force to provide a beam of near-infrared light without shadows. US06415324 describes a pressure-activated finger light worn as an extension to the finger and activated by a single finger, which accommodates a variety of finger sizes.

US508543177 describes a pressure-actuated light with a housing resembling a human finger which when worn over fingers creates a glow on the fingertips when they are clicked to simulate a magician plucking light out of thin air.

Other prior art relevant to the present invention include those of switching mechanisms for torches/flashlights that integrate pushbuttons and rotatable switches for desirable functionality.

US 10743580 describes a dual mode switch mechanism for flashlights that prevents accidental activation of the light, with a reduced number of moving components for cheaper and improved reliability of assembly. With the wide variety of readings lights available, the main disadvantage still remains in that the lighting devices require constant manipulation to attach/re- attach or repeatedly adjust as reading progresses. Some of them damage the parts of the book where they are attached. This makes them cumbersome to use. A solution that is better suited to the activity of reading to eliminate the cumbersome aspect of other reading lights would therefore be useful.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The principle object of this invention is to provide a specifically tailored, suitable and convenient lighting device for use when reading handheld books that overcomes the main disadvantage of existing reading lights: that they require constant manipulation which introduces problems and makes them

cumbersome to use.

Another object of this invention is to provide efficient lighting using an energy- saving device that employs simple automation to avoid regular and repeated wastage of energy associated with lighting for reading.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a smart solution that employs simple innovation by aligning its functionality to the basic processes in the activity of reading to enhance the user experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light by definition is finger-mounted on a finger of the hands that are engaged to hold the book in place and keep the pages open such that illumination will be concurrently cast onto the pages, without any extra cumbersome action required of the user. A lightweight, well-fitting, comfortable, finger-mounted apparatus is more advantageous than a lighting device that is attached to any part of a book, or worn on any other part of the body while reading. Another aspect of the present invention, that goes hand-in-hand with the finger- mounting as an advantageous position for the lighting device, is the novel pushbutton element that is specifically located so as to be worn protruding towards the book page while reading. The present invention is thus specifically tailored to capitalise on the manner in which the hands are naturally engaged in handling a book while reading, not only to conveniently light the book, but also to use the light more efficiently by detecting when there is a cessation of reading to shut the light off. The pushbutton so located would be the first point to contact when the finger with the lighting device mounted on it relaxes and comes to rest upon the page. This mounted finger therefore pilots the reading activity by directing the light onto the part of the page to be read by simply flexing the finger from side to side as reading progresses. The mounted finger is slightly raised above the page pointing this way and that, while the other fingers remain in fixed position holding on to the book. The alert flexing motion of the mounted finger, like eye movement albeit less vigorous, reflects the reading process while it is actively ongoing. When for some reason reading ceases, the mounted finger relaxes and comes to rest on the page, and the pushbutton element upon contact activates the shut-off mechanism that turns the light off as it is no longer required. If the reader was reading in a dark room before bedtime, they may continue sleep comfortably without the invasion of the reading light. To continue reading, the reader need only resume pointing with the mounted finger to direct the illumination as appropriate. This automatic shut- off feature is not only efficient as it saves energy and prolongs the life of the lighting device, but it is also more advantageous than other available options as it aligns itself to reading and the reader's activity, to conveniently provide lighting only when it is required and in use.

An improvement on the energy efficiency is further possible by having part of the body of the apparatus function as a solar panel to charge the power source in place of a traditional chemical battery.

The present invention is also applicable for reading e-books. Dedicated e-reader devices have no backlighting, to mimic the print book reading experience as closely as possible, and for longer battery life. Compared to the clip-on lights available, some custom built for particular models of e-readers, the present invention will be more convenient in much the same ways as described with print books because e-readers too are hand-held during reading.

As will be made more evident in the Detailed Description and Claims, other advantages of the present invention include: the use of LEDs, or other lighting technology of a quality best suited to reading; the incorporation of a dimmer switch with pre-deterrrined delay in the shut-off mechanism to avoid the disruption of sudden darkness on inadvertent contact with the pushbutton; and the use of natural gravity to control the pushbutton mechanism to provide a device that is inexpensive to manufacture.

The present invention is not limited to the particular apparatus described in the preferred embodiment, rather it can be performed in as many different modes as the possible variations and combinations of its functional aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Figure Ί is a diagrammatic representation of the present invention worn on the index finger showing a side view partially in elevation and partially in cross- section with some inside detail displayed;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the present invention worn on the index finger showing a cross section cut through the dimmer switch and the pushbutton element;

Figure 3 is a general perspective view of the present invention worn on the index finger and in use to illuminate the pages of a book whilst reading. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described here in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings labeled Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate the elements significant to the functionality of the invention as described in this preferred embodiment, while Fig. 3 is a general image of the preferred embodiment as viewed by the user while reading a book. This embodiment is not limiting to the invention, it is one form of the numerous possible variations and modifications, as defined in the Claims, which would be evident to one skilled in the art.

The apparatus of this preferred embodiment is mounted on a finger by wearing over the fingertip in the form of a thimble. The apparatus fits snugly and comfortably on the finger without falling off with the aid of flexible ribs 106, distributed around the inner surface to grip the finger at multiple points. The ribs may be displaced or deformed by the finger when wearing to create just enough room within the cavity 207, which allows the apparatus to fit varying sizes of fingers. They are made of a soft material, like silicon, for comfort.

To use, first the power switch is turned on. In this preferred embodiment, the switch 103 is in the form of a flap that is switched on by raising it upwards to expose more of the light source 101 and switched off by lowering to expose less, mimicking an eyelid. When switched on, the apparatus functions as a torch, providing a constant beam of light that is directed by pointing the finger.

When the user is settled to begin reading, the torch-mode lighting described above is further adjusted using the rotating dimmer switch 104 which sits in a circular groove like a flat ring. Rotating this dimmer switch out from its

rest /inactive position releases the pushbutton element 105 so it is displaced through opening 210 to protrude slightly beyond the adjacent external surface 208 of the apparatus. When the pushbutton element 105 is released thus, the automatic shut-off function is activated and the apparatus is in reading-mode.

The rotating dimmer switch 104 can be rotated within a range the length of slot 21 1 punctured through the flat ring form to select the desired level of brightness. The solid portion 212 of the flat ring form defines the extents of slot 21 1 at both ends.

This pushbutton 105 is the novel element of this apparatus that improves its function beyond prior art reading lights. This apparatus of this embodiment is†o be worn on the finger such that pushbutton 105, when released, protrudes towards the surface of the page to be read.

The shape and design of the apparatus will distinctly indicate the upper and lower sides, and the directional light source 101 will also guide the user to wear it correctly.

The light source 101 comprises a suitable bulb type, like an LED, emitting suitable colour-balanced light for reading, situated in a suitable housing with an appropriate transparent cover (or lens) to protect the light bulb and transmit the light. The light source 101 is appropriately shaped so as to focus the beam of light onto the book page or surface to be read.

The light source 101 is powered by a cell stored in an adjacent battery compartment 102 which can hold a suitable sized coin or button cell of the appropriate chemistry like lithium.

Using the fingers to hold the book, or e-reader device, the finger mounted by the apparatus is pointed appropriately to project the light beam onto the portion of the page that is to be read, and flexed as necessary as the reader's eyes move to other portions and pages. To do this, the pointing finger is slightly raised above the page surface. The apparatus is light in weight and with the rest of the fingers supported on the book or e-reader surface, minimal effort is required to flex the finger from side to side corresponding with the eye movement of the reader during reading. This can be comfortably done continuously as reading progresses from page to page. The hands are used to handle the book in the normal manner without manipulating the lighting apparatus itself from page to page, which is the main disadvantage of prior art to be overcome by this invention. If and when the reader stops reading due to a temporary distraction, the corresponding pointing and flexing of the finger mounted with the lighting apparatus also stops as the finger naturally relaxes when the reader's alertness is directed elsewhere. The relaxed finger comes to rest on the page surface, and because it is protruding beyond exterior surface 208, pushbutton 105 will be the first point of contact; it gets pushed inwards through opening 210. The slightest inward movement to displace pushbutton 105 past the interior surface 209 activates the automatic shut-off mechanism of the apparatus to slowly dim the light to a minimum, or until it is completely off, over a pre-determined duration of time. In the preferred embodiment, the pre-determined duration is 30 seconds. The gradually dimming light is not as disruptive as a sudden shut-off, but it is noticeable. The reader can choose to let it continue for a while until they are ready to resume reading, for example if they have looked up from the book to speak to someone. If the contact with the page is accidental, for example when turning a book page, the dimming light is restored to previous brightness when reading resumes and contact between the pushbutton and the page is broken. If the reader is dozing but not yet asleep, as may happen when reading for a long stretch of time, the dimming light gently alerts the reader who may wake up and resume pointing to continue reading, or choose to switch the light off completely and go to sleep. If the reader has inadvertently dozed off to sleep, the dimming continues until it shuts off. This saves energy as well allows the reader to sleep in better comfort without the intrusion of the now unnecessary light. When shut off, the light could be completely off, or at a bare minimum without sufficient illumination for reading or seeing, but just enough for the apparatus to be visibly detectable in a dark room.

In this preferred embodiment, upon breaking the contact with the pushbutton the pre-selected brightness is restored back promptly within 2 seconds.

Also in this preferred embodiment, the pushbutton element 105 functions by simple gravity such that with the apparatus worn properly with the pushbutton facing downwards, when it is released it drops down by gravity to protrude beyond the adjacent external surface of the apparatus. Thereafter, whenever contact pushes it in and is subsequently broken, the pushbutton drops back out by gravity to protruding position to switch the dimming light back on.

Other possible embodiments not exemplified by the above description could use other means like springs, levers, magnets, sensors, or programmable means, or other means to aid the in and out movement of the pushbutton. For example, with an apparatus that is shaped less circular and more like a finger to allow the user to choose and locate a point of contact with the reading surface that is not directly vertically below but will be the first point of contact according to the placement of the finger adjacent to the book. Other embodiments could also employ different methods of mounting on a human finger. Other embodiments could activate reading-mode by releasing the pushbutton using a power switch that displaces to a third position in addition to ON and OFF. Other embodiments could use different technologies to assign the function of the pushbutton to whatever external surface of the apparatus that comes into contact with the surface of the book, or e-reader. The possible variations are numerous. The scope of the invention is determinable by the appended Claims.

Claims

1 CLAIMS

What is claimed is: 1 . A lighting apparatus, comprising:

a power source and means for powering;

a light source and means for illumination;

a means for mounting on a finger of the hand; and

characterized by a pushbutton element accessible on the exterior surface that is configured to shut the light off in response to contact with an external surface while the said lighting apparatus is switched on and in use.

2. The apparatus recited in Claim 1 wherein the said pushbutton element is

configured to restore the light back on in response to loss of contact with the external surface.

3. The apparatus recited in Claim 1 further comprising a dimming mechanism wherein the said pushbutton element is configured to shut off the light by activating the dimming mechanism to diminish the light to off or to a minimum.

4. The apparatus recited in Claims 2 and 3 wherein the said pushbutton element is configured to restore the light back on by deactivating the dimming mechanism to restore the light back to previous brightness.

5. The apparatus recited in Claims 3 and 4 further compromising a delay

mechanism wherein the dimming mechanism is configured to delay over a pre-determined period of time thereby gradually dimming the light to a minimum or to off or gradually restoring the fight back on or back to previous brightness.

6. The apparatus recited in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the said pushbutton element is configured and located within the apparatus so as to function naturally by gravity to maintain the light on as well as to restore the light back on. 2

7. The apparatus recited in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the said pushbutton element is configured to function with the aid of mechanisms further comprised therein such as springs, levers, magnets, sensors, or programmable means, or other means that facilitate positioning and movement of the said pushbutton element.

8. The apparatus recited in Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the function of the said pushbutton element is performed by part of the exterior surface of the apparatus or other element accessible on the exterior surface by use of sophisticated technology or mechanisms to detect contact with the exterior surface to trigger the light shut off or restoration.

9. The apparatus recited in Claims 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 wherein the means for powering is itself sophisticated or sensor-type such as to put the light on or off without the use of the standard type on/off switches that are manually flipped such as in response to contact on the exterior surface or to exposure of the exterior surface to darkness or other technology.

10. The apparatus recited in Claims 1 and 2 wherein the said pushbutton element functions conversely, to shut the light off in response to loss of contact with an external surface, and restore the light back on in response to contact with an external surface.