PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND STATE NOTIFICATION METHOD THEREOF

• US 20110128166A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kagami, Takayuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,907,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits

Abstract

A portable electronic device comprises a key input unit including a plurality of keys or buttons. A plurality of key backlight LEDs are arranged right below or close to predetermined keys or buttons of the plurality of keys or buttons. The key backlight LEDs are capable of selecting and setting a plurality of colors for light emission. A light emission control unit provides a notification of a state of the portable electronic device with a lighting pattern of the plurality of key backlight LEDs.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising a key input unit including a key or a button, characterized by further comprising:

a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in the key input unit, the plurality of light-emitting units being capable of selecting and setting a plurality of colors for light emission; and

light emission control means that controls the plurality of light-emitting units to provide a notification of a state of the portable electronic device with a lighting pattern of the plurality of light-emitting units.

2. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the key input unit includes a plurality of keys or buttons, and the plurality of light-emitting units are arranged right below or close to predetermined keys or buttons of the plurality of keys or buttons.

3. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the light emission control means changes the lighting pattern according to a transition of the state of the portable electronic device.

4. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 3, characterized in that the light emission control means changes the lighting pattern to notify a user of a transition of the state, including a transition from a calling operation of the portable electronic device to a calling and ringing state, a transition from the calling and ringing state to a connection-established state, a state transition of a battery capacity, and a transition of a receiving sensitivity state.

5. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1, characterized by comprising a memory operable to store the lighting pattern of the plurality of light-emitting units, the lighting pattern being registered by at least one of preinstallation, downloading via communication, and setting operation by a user.

6. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 3, characterized in that the light emission control means changes the lighting pattern in association with at least a light emission color and a lighting period.

7. A state notification method of a portable electronic device, comprising:

preparing a portable electronic device comprising a key input unit including a key or a button;

arranging a plurality of light-emitting units in the key input unit, the plurality of light-emitting units being capable of selecting and setting a plurality of colors for light emission; and

providing a notification of a state of the portable electronic device with a lighting pattern of the plurality of light-emitting units.

8. The state notification method of a portable electronic device as recited in claim 7, characterized in that the key input unit includes a plurality of keys or buttons, and

the plurality of light-emitting units are arranged right below or close to predetermined keys or buttons of the plurality of keys or buttons.

9. The state notification method of a portable electronic device as recited in claim 7, characterized by changing the lighting pattern according to a transition of the state of the portable electronic device.

10. The state notification method of a portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, characterized by changing the lighting pattern to notify a user of a transition of the state, including a transition from a calling operation of the portable electronic device to a calling and ringing state, a transition from the calling and ringing state to a connection-established state, a transition of a remaining amount of an internal memory, a state transition of an internal battery capacity, and a transition of a receiving sensitivity state.

11. The state notification method of a portable electronic device as recited in claim 9, characterized by changing the lighting pattern in association with at least a light emission color and a lighting period.