Automatic display illumination in a receiver
First Claim
1. A method of illuminating a display in a receiver, the receiver having a light source for illuminating the display and a signal present output having a first state indicating the presence of a received signal the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting the first state at the signal present output;
in response to detecting the first state illuminating said light source and starting a first timer defining a first time interval;
testing for the end of said first time interval and testing for continued detection of the first state at the signal present output; and
upon detecting the end of said first time interval, or upon detecting the cessation of the first state at the signal present output, extinguishing said light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A receiver is disclosed which includes an automatic display illumination capability. Upon the receipt of a signal, the display is illuminated until either an interval timer expires, or the signal goes away. In the preferred embodiment, a portable scanning receiver employs a liquid crystal display and an incandescent light. The automatic display capability can be enabled and disabled to a manual display illumination mode of operation. Benefits include improved ease of use in low ambient light conditions and improved battery life.
59 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of illuminating a display in a receiver, the receiver having a light source for illuminating the display and a signal present output having a first state indicating the presence of a received signal the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting the first state at the signal present output; in response to detecting the first state illuminating said light source and starting a first timer defining a first time interval; testing for the end of said first time interval and testing for continued detection of the first state at the signal present output; and upon detecting the end of said first time interval, or upon detecting the cessation of the first state at the signal present output, extinguishing said light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A receiver for receiving signals, comprising:
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a display; a light source for illuminating said display; a received signal indicator having an output indicative of the presence of a received signal and indicative of the absence of a received signal; a first timer for timing a first time interval, said first timer having an output for outputting a signal indicative of the expiration of said first time interval; and a controller coupled to said display for displaying information thereon, said controller operably coupled to said light source for illuminating and extinguishing said light source, said controller coupled to said first timer for starting said first timer, and further coupled to said output of said first timer, and said controller coupled to said received signal indicator output, such that when said received signal indicator output indicates the presence of said received signal, said controller illuminates said light source and starts said first timer, said controller illuminating said light source until said received signal indicator indicates the absence of a signal, or until said first timer output indicates said expiration of said first time interval. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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Specification