Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
; s ^ -1- 2042407
-~ D~SCRIPTION
.
L~ght Apparatus for Vse Nith A Co~pact Computer V~deo Screen
Background ~f the Invention
Compact computer apparatuses having video vlewing screens
are quite popular and typically comprise hand-held, portable,
battery-operated devices which typically display information
or play games employing a video screenl particularly a generally
flat, liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. Such compact video
computer apparatuses may include, but not be limited to:
calculators, computer video games, lap top computers and other
- computers where a variety of software is employed. In particular,
compact video games, such as the compact video game system known
- as GAME BOYTM (a trademark of Nintendo of America, Inc.), is
a completely self-sustained video game system which may be
operated by employing a collection from a library of software
game packs. The Nintendo GAME BOYTM compact video game system
provides a compact, self-contained, battery-operated, portable,
~: hand-held computer with a cross key joy stick to operate the
game and start and select buttons with an LCD-type screen,
together with volume controls 80 as to display and enable the
user to display images and play games.
~`` While video display screens are employed and typically
`; include a flat LCD-type screen, such LCD-type display screens
are often difficult to observe by the user in partial light,
particularly, for example, in semi-darkened rooms, automobiles,
`, planes, trains, buses and the like due to the lack of illumination
on the LCD screen to permit suitable contrast during use.
~i, Therefore, it is desirable to provide a light apparatus
`~ to enhance the view of the video screens of compact video systems,
` 30 particularly video systems employing a flat, LCD-type screen,
such as for example, as illustrated by the Nintendo GAME BOYTM
video game system.
: .
. . ,
.' ' ~
:: ~
'
, ~ .
. . .
., ~ ... ~
-` 2~24~7
2 26720~100
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light
; apparatus used with a compact computer vldeo screen.
More particularly, the invention concerns a portable,
battery-operated, hand-held light apparatus for use with
a portable, battery-operated, hand-held computer video
screen system employing an LCD screen to enhance the
user's viewer of the LCD screen.
The present invention provides a portable,
compact light apparatus for use in enhancing the view of
a compact hand-held computer video screen, said light
apparatus being battery operated and having a body
~ provided with an open viewing area adapted to be placed
- over the video screen, the apparatus comprising means or
i 15 releasably securing the apparatus over the compact
computer apparatus with the open viewing space of the
light apparatus positioned over the video viewing screen,
and being battery powered for indirectly lighting the
video viewing screen by light from the light appara~us.
` 20 In particular, the present invention provides a
portable, battery-operated, compact light apparatus for
use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video
screen, which light apparatus comprises: al a body having
a plurality of light-colored, short, extended panels
which define an open video viewing space within the body,
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
compartment in the body adapted to receive one or more
batteries as a power source for the light apparatus; c)
~- lighting means to liyht up indirectly one or more
surfaces of the side panels to have reflected llght from
~ said lighting means 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 battery compartment and to the
;J
""`.'', ~
. ' . ~ '.
:,
' " ' .` ' ' ' . . ~ " . ' ' ' ' ' ' . ' ' . "
'. ., ! .,, , . : ~
;' ' . ' ' ' ` ' ' ' ' . ~ ~ ' .: " ' ' ' '., ' ,
~. ~ ' ' ': .
~ 2~2~7
2a 26720-100
batteries as a power source to he employed therein; and
~) attachment means to secure releasably the body of the
light apparatus directly on to the compact computer
apparatus so that the open viewing area of the light
; 5 apparatus may be positioned over the video screen of the
compact computer apparatus and whereby the indirect light
means may enhance the view of th~ video screen in use by
the user.
:! The invention compri~es a light apparatus
lo parti~ularly a portable, hand-held, battery-operated
"J light apparatus for use in ~ombination with a computer
apparatus having a video screen, such as compact video
game system, in order ~o enhance the display of the video
screen. The light apparatus generally comprl~es a body
section, such as a molded plastic top and bottom section,
having a plurality of, for example generally four, spaced
' apart, generally perpendicular to the screen liqht-
colored panels which define an open viewing area in the
`~ body, the open viewing area adapted to match, i.e.
generally rectangular, the viewing area of the video
screen of the compact video apparatus with which the
., .
light apparatus is to be employed. The side panels
extend outwardly about the sides of the open viewing
space and generally are perpendicular outwardly from the
j 25 compact video game screen to be enhanced, and generally
- are white or a light color to reflect indirect lighting.
The light apparatus includes a battery section for the
` placement of batteries as a power source and includes
- electrical wires extending from the battery and
~;: 30 electrically connected to an off/on switch and hence to a
....
- pair of small light bulbs placed on either side of the
side panels, the lights adapted to be powered by the
batteries and operated by the off/on switch. The lights
are placed on opposing sides of the panel section and
while in operation provide indirect enhancement light
::~
2~2~7
2b 26720-100
which is reflected from the side panels onto the viewing
screen of the video screen of the compact computer
apparatus in use thereby enhancing viewing of the LCD
screen.
. .
`:;
:s
.
'
,
:
:`.
:.:
:
; , .~'' ';' ,i
.
. . . . .
, . .
... .
~ ~i) 2~2~07
--3--
, ,
In addition, the light apparatlls inclu~es means by which
the body section, including the battery section, may be clipped
directly on in a snap-on fashion or otherwise retained in and
on the compact computer so that the open viewing space of the
body section of the light apparatus may fit directly over the
video screen whose image is to be enhanced by the light of the
light apparatus. In connection ~with a particular compact computer
video game system, the body section would include a battery
section at the top of the body section and which extends
backwardly from the body section. The body section includes
, a pair of generally parallel, straight, spaced apart, molded-type
ridges, which ridges are designed to fit in a snap-on fashion
- onto the molding or design grooves found on the face and at
the top face of the Nintendo game system. One ridge extending
from the bottom surface of the extended battery section snaps
into a groove on the top of the Nintendo GAME BOYTM system so
-; as to provide a snap-on light apparatus. Another ridge on the
.,
top back surface of the body section snaps into a groove on
- the top face surface of the Nintendo game system. In combination
with the Nintendo GA~E BOYTM system, the light apparatus when
- snapped on may be snapped directly in place or laterally slid
to position the open viewing space of the light apparatus so
; as to provide for alignment of the open viewing space with the
LCD video screen or the GAME BOYTM video game system, and
optionally, to provide the user with a visual view of the battery
and viewing light of the face surface of the compact computer
apparatus.
Broadly, the present inveneion is directed to a portable,
- battery-operated, compact light apparatus for providing indirect
light and enhancing the user 1 8 view of a video ~creen in a
compact, portable, battery-operated computer, such as a compact
computer game video screen system, particularly where the video
screen is, composed of a LCD screen which is difPicult to see
in partial light or poor visLbility conditions. The light
apparatus of the invention comprises a box-like body with a
.., .. ~
.
'
:~ . .
4 '~ 2 ~ ~ 7
.
; plurality of surrounding 8ide panels, typically light colored,
such as white, and of short, deEined depth, for example, about
one-quarter inch, which defined in the body element and open
video viewing space within the body wlth the element viewing
space typically being generally rectangular in nature and adapted
to conform to the size of the video screen in the compact
apparatus in which the light apparatus i9 to be employed, 80
that the open video viewing space may be placed di~ectly over
~. the video screen, such as a 4x4~ cm open viewing space to fit
`, 10 over a 8imilar size video screen.
-~ The light apparatus includes a battery compartment adapted
to receive batteries as a source of power therein, typically
for example four "AA" type batteries, with the battery compartment
generally integrally formed into the plastic molded body and
positioned in one preferred embodiment so ehat the battery
compartment is at the top section of the body above the open
video viewing space and which battery compartment extends slightly
~; backwardly from the back surface of the body section so as to
! overhang the top surface at least in part of the compact computer
- 20 apparatus in which the light apparatus is to be employed.
The light apparatus includes light means to light up one
or preferably two or more directly opposing sides of the open
viewing space with the open viewing space typically being defined
by a plurality of light-colored side panels, generally four
side panels, comprising a top and bottom panel generally vertical
to the video viewing screen and two opposingly spaced apart
generally sloping side panels on either side of the video viewing
screen with typically a pair of light bulbs dispo~ed one on
each of the side panels. Preferably, a short extension adjacent
the open viewing space on each of the opposing side panels is
provided to provide for shielding of light from the light bulbs
so that the light from the light bulbs will not impinge directly
onto the LCD video screen, but rather be reflected from the
sloping side panels to provide indirect light on to the LCD
~ideo screen. Of course, if desired, the lights may be employed
. .
~:'
', , .
.:, ,
2 ~ ~ 7
without the need for direct lighting and so positioned to provide
indirect lighting or employing different light bulbs, such as
soft llghts, or employing lights on all or one surfaces to provide
the lighting necessary to enhance the video screen. The light
apparatus includes electrical ~witch means, typically a sliding
switch mean~, to pro~ide off/on power with electrical wiring
from the batteries in the battery compartment through the
electrical switch means and to the light, with the electrical
switch means typlcally comprising a sliding off/on switch which
makes contact with a tengion-bissed metal bar which in the "on"
position forces the metal bar to make contact ~nd to light the
light bulbs and in the "off" position to break the circuit.
- In the light apparatus, the optical light system employed
in combination is of considerable importance in providing view
enhancement of the display screen. The light bulbs are a source
of white light (filaments), the light bulb shields or tabs prevent
concentrated light from illuminating directly the surface of
- the LCD screen, the white or light-colored wall~ about the screen
diffuse the white light from the bulbs and the white finish
~`~ 20 is preferably a flat white rather than a glossy white finish
; to reflect a homogenous light onto the surface of the LCD display
` screen to eliminate uneven illumination of the display screen.~he light apparatus includes an attachment means to
- releasably secure the body of the light apparatus in a releasable
manner to the compact computer apparatus and optionally so as
to permit adjustment of the open viewing ~area of the light
apparatus to be slid or positioned over the video screen of
j the compact computer apparatus and thereafter to be easily removed
:
if desired where lighting conditions might rhange. Any releasable
means to attach the body of the light apparatus onto the computer
apparatus may be employed to include, but not limited to, for
example, the employment of Velcro~ fasteners secured to the
surface of the light apparatus and to the surface of the somputer
game apparatus.
`' ~ : .
: :
~ 6 ~) 2a~24~7
More preferably in one defined embodiment herein, attachment
means provides for a pair of space apart ridges on the light
apparatus, such straight line ridges adapted to snap into a
groove on the front surface of the video game apparatus and
1 5 another ridge to snap from the bottom surface of the battery
compartment into a groove onto the top surface of the computer
game apparatus so as to provicle a snap-on means of attaching
the light apparatus onto the compact computer apparatus. The
attachment means employing the raised ridges on the light
apparatus are particularly adapted for use with the compact
computer apparatus wherein there are corresponding grooves formed
in the computer apparatus. In particular, the light apparatus
as illustrated ls designed to be employed with a compact computer
apparatus and video game system known as the Nintendo GAME BOYTM
video game system whereby the compact computer apparatus with
the LCD video screen contains a line groove extending across
and close to the top surface of the video game system and another
-- groove extending across the top surface of the video game system,
~` thus enabling the light apparatus ridges to be snapped into
place into said grooves and also enables the light apparatus
to move slidably laterally for correct positioning of the open
viewing area of the light apparatus over the LCD video screen.
The invention will be described for the purposes of
illustration only in connection with certain preferred
embodiments; however, it is recognized that various changes,
modifications, additions and improvements may be made to the
illustrated embodiments by those persons skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
. . _
~ig. 1 is a perspective view from above showing the light
apparatus of the invention in an attached position onto a compact
computer apparatus;
Fig. 2 is front elevational view of the light apparatus
of the invention;
.
~-
,
:.~
., ' ~ ~ ' ' .
.. , . I ,
:. . . .. . .
: , . :.:
~, , .
f ~ ~ 2~2~07
Fig. 3 i9 a back elevational view of the light apparatu.q
~-. of the invention;
Figs. 4 snd 5 are opposite ~ide plan views of the light
apparatus of the invention;
I' 5 Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the light apparatus of the
;~~ invention;
Fig. 7 i8 a bottom plan view of the light apparatus of
the inventlon;
Fig. 8 is a front plan v:Lew in the open position of the
10 bottom cover of the light apparatus of the invention;
~: Fig. 9 is a back plan view in the open position of-the
top cover of the light apparatus of the invention; and
Fig. 10 is a side plan view of the light apparatus of the
- invention ~ecured to a compact computer apparatus as shown in15 Fig. 1, with the computer apparatus shown in dotted lines.
- Description oE the Embodi~e~ts
. ~ig. 1 illustrates the light apparatus of the invention
:-. 12 in combination with a Nintendo GAME BOYTM compact computerapparatus 14 having a LCD video screen 16. The computer apparatus
20 14 has a battery warning light section 18 on the front face
to advise the user concerning the status of the battery and
contains a recessed groove 20 around the side of the apparatus,
apparently a design or molding line, and a top groove 22 on
top front surface of the computer apparatus 14.
With reference to all of the drawings, the light apparatus
12 comprises a body section 24 having an integrally formed battery
. compartment 26 formed at the upper portion thereof and adapted:` to receive four "AA" batterie~ 30 as the source of power, the
i. battery compartment having a slidable door 28 for retaining
:. 30 the batteries 30 in the battery compartment 26 in a electricalcontact position, the battery compartment 26 extending outwardly
from the back of the body 24 so that in the attachment position
with the computer apparatus 14, the battery compartme~t can
extend over at least a portion of the top surface of the computer
35 apparatus 14. The light apparatus includes an off/on electrical
., .
,",~ ' ;,
20~2~0~
-8-
swltch 56 on the face thereof comprising ~ molded plastic,
slidable off/on switch 56 having a raised, knurled, operating
section 76 which extends outwardly from the front opening 32
in the body 24. The slidable plastic switch i9 located between
two raised, molded plastic ridges 60 on the top molded cover
36. Such top molded cover i3 designed to fit matingly with
the bottom molded cover 38. The light apparatus 12 includes
a slde recessed area 34 so designed as to fit over and expose
to the viewer the battery warning light 18 on the face of the
compact computer apparatus 14 so that the user may view the
: battery light as required.
The body 24 includes an open video space 40 which is designed
- to be of the same size as the LCD video screen 16 of the compact
computer apparatus 14. The body 24 includes a pair of sloped
or angled white colored side panels 42 and 44 and a top and
: bottom Ride panel 50 and the white or light colored extending
directly generally perpendicular to the video screen 16 rather
than sloped as illustrated for the side panels 42 and 44. The
top si~e panel 50 is integral with and extends from the bottom
molded section of the body 38 when the body sections 36 and
38 are matingly engaged to form the body 24, the t~p panel 50
~. with the panels 42, 44 and 46 on the top section 36 then form
:~ a rectangular, open video viewing space 4~ of the apparatus.
The light apparatus includes a pair of light bulbs 52 placed
on either 3ide of sloping sides panels 42 and 44 and which side
panels also include a short, solid, upward extending light shield
48 so as to prevent the direct glare of the light bulbs 52 onto
the LCD screen and to provide for indirect lighting through
reflection on the light-colored side panels 42, 44, 46 and 50
3~ onto the LCD viewing screen 16. The light bulbs 52 are connected
in parallel through wires 54 first to a spaced apart metal
shorting bar 66 (shown in dotted lines) with the other connection
going to an electrical bar 62 which is held in place by two
raised, molded plastic pins 64 and which includes a spring-type
metal, tensioned contact 72 whereby on movement of the off/on
. .
, . . .
,:,
,~ , . .
. .
,
;"'' .. ..
(.~ 2~2~7
g
switch 56 electrical contact is made between the electrical
wires 54 to ~he light bulbs 52 through the electrical metal
bar 62 through wires 54 extending into the batterie~ 30. The
electrical shorting bar 66 i~ connected in parallel to the llght
bulbs 52 and is spaced apart by an extending ridge 7~ spaced
just above the ~ide panel 50.
The light apparatus 12 is secured to a compact computer
game system 14, in particular the Nintendo GAME BOYTM system
as illustrated by the use of a straight, raised, molded ridge
70 on the top back surface of the body section and a correspondlng
straight, raised~ molded ridge 68 extending from bottom surface
of the extending battery compartment 26 (see Fig. 10 in
particular). ~he raised ridges 68 and 70 are designed to snap
in to a matingly and slidable fashion into grooves 20 ~nd 22
of the computer game apparatus 14 80 that the light apparatus
is then releasably attached to the front surface of the computer
game apparatus 14 and may be ea~ily slid through the ridges
laterally to adjust the open space 40 of the light apparatus
12 into the LCD screen 16 of the computer game apparatus 14.
In operation, the light apparatus is then snapped on through
the ridges 68 and 70 into grooves 20 and 22 of the apparatus
14, then slightly laterally adjusted if required so as to place
the indent 34 directly over the battery warning light of apparatus
14 and to position the open viewing space 40 directly over and
aligned with the LCD screen 16 and then moving the off/on switch
` to the "onl' position to provide indirect lighting from bulbs
52 to the LCD screen when viewing the LCD screen of computer
game system 14 in poor light conditions.
What is claimed is:
~,.
.
:. :
::
