Portable electronic reference device with pivoting light lid

• US 7,671,844 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FEP Holding Company
• Original Assignee: Franklin Electronic Publishers Incorporated (Saunders Acquisition Corp.)
• Inventors: Goszyk, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad; Amr
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pervan; Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/171,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20070002024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-172, 361680-681, 36167902-6796, 362 98- 99
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0048 Office articles, e.g. bookmarks, desk lamps with drawers, stands for books or music scores
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B

Abstract

A portable electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a display section and a keyboard section. A pivoting transparent lid is provided on the display. The lid also contains a light to allow a user to clearly see the device and pages of a book.

Claims

1. A portable electronic reference and illumination device having a keyboard, display and processor thin enough to fit between pages of a closed book, comprising:

a lid having first and second opposed edges and third and fourth connecting edges,

said second edge being curved, whereby said third edge is longer than said fourth edge,

said first edge being pivotally connected to said display,

said lid having a transparent section that provides an unobstructed view of said display when said lid is closed;

a light compartment positioned adjacent the juncture between said second and third edges, said light compartment adapted to contain a light source,

said light compartment containing a reflective surface,

said light source positioned to provide light along said curved second edge,

a switch operable to turn on the light source when the lid moves from a closed position to an open position to provide illumination, said illumination having first, second and third components,

said first component being direct illumination from said light source,

said second component being reflected light from said reflective surface, and

said third component being refracted light from the curved second edge of said lid.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery compartment for use with a battery to power the light source, said first battery compartment positioned outboard of said first edge, and

a second battery compartment for use with a battery to power the display and keyboard, said second battery compartment slidable within one of the display and keyboard between an inboard operating position and an outboard battery replacement position.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said third component of said illumination provides a halo effect.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said third component of said illumination provides a halo effect.