US5217295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light apparatus and method for illuminating a compact computer video screen
Assignee: Curtis Manufacturing Co Inc
•
Filing: 1992-05-08
•
Granted: 1993-06-08
•
Expires: 2012-05-08
Abstract
Abstract A portable, compact, battery-operated light apparatus for use with a compact computer game having a LCD video screen for enhancing the visibility of the LCD screen in use, which light apparatus comprises a body witha battery compartment and having side panels which define an open viewing space and lights provided in the body element to provide for indirect lighting of the viewing space, the light apparatus comprising a portable, compact, battery-powered light apparatus and which includes ridges on the light apparatus which snap in a releasable manner onto the grooves in a compact computer game video system to releasably secure the light apparatus in position over the LCD video screen of the compact game system.
Inventors
- 👤 Angelo Tortola
- 👤 Robert Howitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:17
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V33/00; F21V33/0004; F21V33/0052; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/90; A63F13/92; A63F13/98; G; G02; G02B; G02B25/00; G02B25/02; G02B27/00; G02B27/02; G02B27/04; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133615; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F15/0216; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A portable, battery-operated, compact light apparatus for use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video screen, which light apparatus comprises: (a) a body which defines an open video viewing space, the video viewing space adapted to conform generally to the size of the compact computer video screen to be enhanced for viewing by the user; (b) a battery power source for the light apparatus; (c) light means within the body and adapted to be connected to the battery power source to provide light to enhance the viewing of the compact computer video screen; (d) electrical switch means to control the power from the power source; (e) electrical connection means to connect the light means through the switch means to the power source to be employed therein; and (f) attachment means to secure releasably in a snap-fitting manner the light apparatus onto the computer apparatus, so that the open viewing space of the light apparatus may be positioned over the video screen of the computer apparatus, and whereby the light enhances the view of the video screen in use by the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A portable, battery-operated, compact light apparatus for use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video screen, which light apparatus comprises: (a) a body which defines an open video viewing space, the video viewing space adapted to conform generally to the size of the compact computer video screen to be enhanced for viewing by the user; (b) a battery power source for the light apparatus; (c) light means within the body and adapted to be connected to the battery power source to provide light to enhance the viewing of the compact computer video screen; (d) electrical switch means to control the power from the power source; (e) electrical connection means to connect the light means through the switch means to the power source to be employed therein; and (f) attachment means to secure releasably in a snap-fitting manner the light apparatus onto the computer apparatus, so that the open viewing space of the light apparatus may be positioned over the video screen of the computer apparatus, and whereby the light enhances the view of the video screen in use by the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a battery compartment secured to the light apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light means comprises first and second white light bulbs positioned generally adjacent opposite sides of the body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises one or more raised ridge means on the light apparatus, the raised ridge means adapted to fit into a snap-in relationship with groove means on the compact computer apparatus, whereby the light apparatus may be retained with the compact computer apparatus and the open viewing space of the light apparatus positioned over the video screen of the compact computer apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the attachment means includes a first raised ridge surface of the light apparatus and a second raised ridge on the bottom surface of the battery compartment, the first and second raised ridges adapted to snap respectively into corresponding grooves on the surfaces of a compact computer apparatus, so as to attach the light apparatus to the compact computer apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which includes batteries positioned in the battery compartment as a power source for the light means of the apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body includes opposite side panels, and the light means is positioned to light up the surfaces of the side panels, to provide reflected light onto the computer video screen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
In combination, a compact computer apparatus having an LCD video screen for viewing by a user, and which includes releasably attached thereto the light apparatus of claim 16, with the open viewing space of the light apparatus positioned generally over the video screen of the compact computer apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes upright shields between the light means and the video screen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes means to prevent direct illumination of the video screen by the light means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a means to reflect light from the light means from a surface in the body onto the computer video screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light means comprises a pair of white light bulbs positioned on opposite sides of the body and positioned to prevent direct illumination of the light bulbs onto the video screen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body comprises four side panels to form a generally rectangular-shaped body and the light means are dispersed on opposite sides of the body and adjacent the apparatus side panels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light means comprises a pair of lights, one on either side of the body, and each light positioned generally centrally of the side of the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body is releasably secured directly adjacent to the surface of the compact computer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the body directly peripherally surrounds the computer video screen adjacent the surface of the compact computer and the light means are on opposite, centrally positioned sides of the body.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of enhancing the viewing of a video screen of a portable, compact computer apparatus, which method comprises: a) providing a portable light apparatus having an open viewing space adapted to be placed over the video screen; b) providing a computer apparatus having a video screen which requires enhanced lighting for viewing in partial light conditions; c) securing in a releasable manner the light apparatus onto the computer apparatus, with the open viewing space of the light apparatus positioned over the video viewing screen; and d) lighting the video viewing screen of the computer apparatus by light powered by a battery source to enhance the viewing of the video screen.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of enhancing the viewing of a video screen of a portable, compact computer apparatus, which method comprises: a) providing a portable light apparatus having an open viewing space adapted to be placed over the video screen; b) providing a computer apparatus having a video screen which requires enhanced lighting for viewing in partial light conditions; c) securing in a releasable manner the light apparatus onto the computer apparatus, with the open viewing space of the light apparatus positioned over the video viewing screen; and d) lighting the video viewing screen of the computer apparatus by light powered by a battery source to enhance the viewing of the video screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 which includes laterally sliding the light apparatus in relation to the computer apparatus, to position the open viewing space of the light apparatus directly over the video screen of the computer apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 which includes reflecting light from a surface onto the video screen.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 which includes tilting one or more opposite side panels to reflect light onto the video viewing screen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 which includes interposing a light shield between the white light and the video screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 17 which includes shielding the light from the light apparatus so that the light will not directly impinge on the video screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 which includes providing a pair of white light bulbs in the light apparatus and positioning the white light bulbs on opposite sides of the light apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 17 which includes placing side panels to form the body of the light apparatus, and placing white light bulbs in front of the panels to reflect light onto the video screen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 17 which includes snap-fitting this light apparatus onto the portable compact computer apparatus with the said open viewing space over the said video screen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 which includes providing a battery powered light apparatus having battery-powered lights in the light apparatus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 which includes providing a compact, portable computer game apparatus having an LCD video screen.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 17 which includes releasably securing a body of the apparatus which defines an open viewing space and which contains lights within the body directly adjacent to the surface of the portable, compact computer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 which includes lighting the video viewing screen of the computer apparatus by opposing, generally centrally positioned lights directly adjacent the video screen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |