Portable microcomputer with power-sparing system of illuminated indicators
First Claim
1. A portable microcomputer comprising:
- a battery for powering said microcomputer;
a display having light source means for illuminating said display; and
a system of illuminated indicators for indicating various operating states or functions of the microcomputer, comprising;
a plurality of passive illuminated indicators, each deriving its visual signaling energy solely from said light source means; and
at least one active illuminated indicator indicating a condition related to the electrical power for the microcomputer and electrically powered by said battery,said passive indicators being effective, with no drain on said battery, while in a particular state to provide necessary or desirable indications of various operating states or functions of the microcomputer when the microcomputer is being used and said display is active, only said active indicator draining said battery to provide said indication of electrical power.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable microcomputer has a battery for powering the microcomputer. A display has a light source for illuminating the display. A system of illuminated indicators for indicating various operating states or functions of the microcomputer comprises a plurality of passive illuminated indicators, each deriving its visual signaling energy solely from the light source, and at least one active illuminated indicator indicating a condition related to the electrical power for the microcomputer and electrically powered by the battery. The passive indicators are effective, with no drain on the battery, except to change the state of an associated shutter, to provide necessary or desirable indications of various operating states or functions of the microcomputer when the microcomputer is being used and the display is active, only the active indicator draining the battery to provide said indication of electrical power.
28 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A portable microcomputer comprising:
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a battery for powering said microcomputer; a display having light source means for illuminating said display; and a system of illuminated indicators for indicating various operating states or functions of the microcomputer, comprising; a plurality of passive illuminated indicators, each deriving its visual signaling energy solely from said light source means; and at least one active illuminated indicator indicating a condition related to the electrical power for the microcomputer and electrically powered by said battery, said passive indicators being effective, with no drain on said battery, while in a particular state to provide necessary or desirable indications of various operating states or functions of the microcomputer when the microcomputer is being used and said display is active, only said active indicator draining said battery to provide said indication of electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable microcomputer comprising:
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light source means; an illuminated indicator system comprising a plurality of indicator means at a plurality of indicator locations, said system comprising means for bleeding light from said light source means and directing it to each of said indicator means; and shutter means for selectively altering the transmission of light from said light source means to at least one of said plurality of said indicator means. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A portable microcomputer comprising:
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a battery for powering said microcomputer; an LCD display having a backlight means for illuminating the display comprising a light source and a planar light guide for guiding and diffusing light across said LCD display, said LCD display and backlight means having a main portion serving as an output device for said microcomputer and an auxiliary portion along at least one margin thereof; and a system of illuminating indicators for indicating various operating states or functions of the microcomputer, comprising; a plurality of passive illuminated indicators, each deriving its visual signaling energy solely from said auxiliary portion of said LCD display and thereby placing no drain on said battery; and at least one active illuminated indicator indicating a condition related to the electrical power for the microcomputer and electrically powered by said battery, said passive indicators being effective, with no drain on said battery, while in a particular state to provide necessary or desirable indications of various operating states or functions of the microcomputer when the microcomputer is being used and the display is active, only said active indicator draining said battery to provide said indication of system electrical power. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A portable microcomputer comprising:
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a display including an X-Y matrix of pixel light valves and light source means for backlighting said matrix; and illuminating indicator means at an indicator location, comprising means for directing light from said light source to said indicator means. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A portable microcomputer comprising:
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an X-Y matrix display and light source means for backlighting said display; illuminated indicator means at one or more indicator locations comprising fiber optic means for collecting and guiding light from said light source means to said indicator locations; and shutter means for interrupting the transmission of light from said light source to said indicator locations for selectively turning said indicator or indicators on or off without extinguishing said light source. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification