IEEE 1394 or USB powered computer light

• US 6,974,223 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC (ACCO Brands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC (ACCO Brands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Krietzman, Mark Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, John Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsidulko, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/921,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20050083677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 362/85, 362/298, 362/299, 362/253, 362/287, 362/427, 362/800, 439/166, 439/170, 439/171, 439/173
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A light for use with computers containing light emitting diodes, which may be directional, on one or more movable supports which is powered via the computer'"'"'s USB or IEEE 1394 port. An auxiliary USB or IEEE 1394 port may be combined with the plug-in light to allow for additional devices to be connected through the same port powering the light.

Claims

1. A computer powered light comprising:

a male jack configured to mate with a USB or IEEE 1394 port;

a movable support member affixed at a first end to the male jack, and having a second end; and

at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode coupled to the movable support member.

2. The computer powered light of claim 1, further comprising an on/off switch, whereby the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode may be switched on or off using the on/off switch.

3. The computer powered light of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary female USB or IEEE 1394 port.

4. The computer powered light of claim 1, further comprising current limiting circuitry affecting a current supply to the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode.

5. The computer powered light of claim 1, further comprising a connector body supporting the male jack and the support member.

6. The computer powered light of claim 1, wherein each light emitting diode is connected to the male jack by conductive lead wires.

7. The computer powered light of claim 1, wherein the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode is capable of producing white light.

8. The computer powered light of claim 1, wherein the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode produces yellow light.

9. The computer powered light of claim 1, wherein the male jack is configured to mate with the USB port.

10. The computer powered light of claim 1 wherein the male jack and the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode are coupled using two long conductive lead wires.

11. A system comprising:

a computer including a USB or IEEE 1934 port; and

a computer powered light comprising (i) a male jack configured to mate with the USB or IEEE 1394 port, (ii) a movable support member affixed at a first end to the male jack and with a second end, and (iii) at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode coupled to the movable support member.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer powered light comprises an on/off switch, whereby the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode may be switched on or off using the on/off switch.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer powered light comprises an auxiliary female USB or IEEE 1394 port.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer powered light comprises current limiting circuitry affecting a current supply to the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the male jack is adapted to mate with the USB port.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the movable support member is a flexible neck.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the male jack and the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode are coupled using two long conductive lead wires.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode produces white light.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one visible spectrum light emitting diode produces yellow light.