LIGHTING TECHNIQUES FOR DISPLAY DEVICES

• US 20140028735A1
• Filed: 07/19/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nook Digital, LLC (f/k/a Barnesandnoble.com LLC) (Bahwan CyberTek Pvt Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Nook Digital, LLC (f/k/a Barnesandnoble.com LLC) (Bahwan CyberTek Pvt Ltd.)
• Inventors: Williams, David J., Huang, Chen-Je
• Granted Patent: US 9,953,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/690
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/344 based on particles moving in a fluid or in a gas, e.g. electrophoretic devices electrophoretic devices per se G02F1/167

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for lighting displays such as those associated with electrophoretic display (EPD) devices such as e-readers or any other display technologies or applications. In an embodiment, an EPD device is provided with a number of internal LEDs or other suitable light source generally disposed along at least a portion of the display perimeter. The light can be activated in situations where the available ambient light is inadequate for viewing the display. Light from the light source is distributed across the display, and in some embodiments can be adjusted to provide a desired degree of brightness. The light can be turned on or off via an existing single press-button or otherwise tactile, physical user interface that serves multiple functions. This user interface can be readily found and engaged by the user without the benefit of sight.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a display;

an internal light source adjacent the display; and

a hardware user interface control feature having first and second functions associated therewith, wherein one of the first and second functions is with respect to switching the internal light source on and off, and the other function is unrelated to switching the internal light source on and off.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is an e-reader or tablet and the display is an electrophoretic display (EPD).

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a user interface that allows brightness of the internal light source to be adjusted.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the first function is selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a first time duration commencing from time t₀ and the second function is selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a second time duration commencing from time t₀, wherein the second time duration is longer than the first time duration.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein the second function is with respect to switching the internal light source on and off, and the first function is not selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for the second time duration.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the hardware user interface control feature has a third function associated therewith that is unrelated to the first and second functions, and wherein the third function is selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a third time duration commencing from time t₀, wherein the third time duration is longer than the second time duration.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein if the light source is off at time t₀, the light source will turn on and then turn off when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for the third time duration.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the hardware user interface control feature is a press button.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein when the light source is off at time t₀ and the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for an appropriate duration commencing from time t₀, the light source will begin a timed ramp-up period to increase brightness to a current brightness setting, and wherein when the light source is on at time t₀ and the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for an appropriate duration commencing from time t₀, the light source will begin a timed ramp-down period to decrease brightness until the light source is off.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the ramp-up and ramp-down periods are user-configurable.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein at least one of the ramp-up and ramp-down periods is associated with a ramp rate that is dynamically computed based on brightness level of the light source.

12. A device, comprising:

a power source;

a display;

an internal light source adjacent the display;

a hardware user interface control feature having first and second functions associated therewith, wherein one of the first and second functions is with respect to switching the internal light source on and off, and the other function is unrelated to switching the internal light source on and off, and wherein the first function is selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a first time duration commencing from time t₀ and the second function is selected when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a second time duration commencing from time t₀, wherein the second time duration is longer than the first time duration;

a first switch operatively coupled between the power source and the light source;

a second switch operatively coupled between the power source and other components of the device;

a processor configured to control the first and second switches, wherein the first switch allows the light source to be powered even when the second switch is open; and

a user interface that allows brightness of the light source to be adjusted.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein the second function is with respect to switching the internal light source on and off, and the first function is with respect to posting a quick navigation menu, and wherein the quick navigation menu is not posted when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for the second time duration.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the hardware user interface control feature has a third function associated therewith that is unrelated to the first and second functions, and wherein the third function is with respect to a power conservation mode that is engaged when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for a third time duration commencing from time t₀, wherein the third time duration is longer than the second time duration.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein if the light source is off at time t₀, the light source will turn on and then turn off when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for the third time duration.

16. A computer program product comprising a plurality of instructions non-transiently encoded thereon to facilitate operation of an electronic device according to the following process:

in response to a hardware user interface control feature being engaged for a first time duration commencing from time t₀, execute a first function; and

in response to the hardware user interface control feature being engaged for a second time duration commencing from time t₀, execute a second function;

wherein the second time duration is longer than the first time duration; and

wherein one of the first and second functions is with respect to switching an internal light source of the device on and off, and the other function is unrelated to switching the internal light source on and off.

17. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the second function is with respect to switching the internal light source on and off, and the first function is not executed when the hardware user interface control feature is engaged for the second time duration.

18. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the process further comprises:

in response to the hardware user interface control feature being engaged for a third time duration commencing from time t₀, execute a third function that is unrelated to the first and second functions, wherein the third time duration is longer than the second time duration; and

in response to the light source being off at time t₀ and the hardware user interface control feature being engaged for the third time duration, turn on the light source and then turn off the light source.

19. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the process further comprises:

in response to the light source being off at time t₀ and the hardware user interface control feature being engaged for an appropriate duration commencing from time t₀, commence a timed ramp-up period to increase brightness to a current brightness setting; and

in response to the light source being on at time t₀ and the hardware user interface control feature being engaged for an appropriate duration commencing from time t₀, commence a timed ramp-down period to decrease brightness until the light source is off.

20. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the device includes a power source, a first switch operatively coupled between the power source and the light source, a second switch operatively coupled between the power source and other components of the device, and a processor, the process further comprising:

control, by the processor, the first and second switches, wherein the first switch allows the light source to be powered even when the second switch is open.