System for selectively extinguishing a light source that illuminates a television power button

• US 7,209,187 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Mears, Mark Gilmore, Johnson, Gene Harlow, Gospel, Thomas Edward, Munson, Wesley Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESIR, JEAN WICEL
• Application Number:
  US10/020,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,958 Days
• Field of Search: 348/730, 348/569, 348/748, 348/744, 348/800, 348/801, 348/180, 315/169.3, 315/160, 315/411, 345/84, 345/82, 345/76, 345/207, 349/8, 349/61, 455/226.4, 340/7.32
• US Class Current: 348/730
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

A system for selectively illuminates a light source that illuminates a power indicator of a video apparatus when the indicator distracts a viewer. The power button illumination is selectively set to be extinguished or illuminated when the video apparatus is powered on by means of an on-screen menu as an example. Extinguishing the power button light source does not affect the ability of the indicator to become illuminated to provide information to a viewer regarding the operating status of the video apparatus such as when a TV projection lamp has failed.

Claims

1. A system for indicating the status of a video apparatus, comprising:

a power indicator illumination; and

a user interface, wherein the user interface is operative to allow a user to select one of first and second modes of operation, in the first mode of operation, the power indicator illumination is automatically turned on whenever the video apparatus is powered on and remains turned on continuously while the video apparatus is powered on, and in the second mode of operation, the power indicator illumination is turned off when the video apparatus is powered on.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein in the second mode of operation, a processor is adapted to illuminate the power indicator illumination to provide information to the user regarding operating status of the video apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the illumination is at least one light emitting diode (LED).

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises an on-screen menu.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a microprocessor for controlling the illumination in response to information entered by the user on the on-screen menu.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the illumination blinks at a plurality of different speeds, each speed indicating a different one of a plurality of operating status of the video apparatus.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the operating status of the video apparatus comprising at least one of following conditions:

non-operating projection lamp and cooling down of projection lamp.

8. A method of controlling a power indicator illumination of an apparatus, comprising the steps of:

providing a user interface for allowing a user to select one of first and second modes of operation;

receiving a selection from the user;

if the selection indicates the first mode of operation, turning on the power indicator illumination whenever the apparatus is powered on and keeping the power indicator illumination turned on continuously while the apparatus is powered on; and

if the selection indicates the second mode of operation, turning off the power indicator illumination when the apparatus is powered on.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of illuminating the power indicator illumination of the apparatus to provide information to the user regarding status of the video apparatus, even if the selection indicates the second mode of operation.