Handheld devices as visual indicators

• US 9,678,626 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2012
• Issued: 06/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Whang, Eugene Antony
• Primary Examiner(s): Mandeville, Jason
• Application Number:
  US13/718,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20130104043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,638 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345168-169, 345173, 345 87, 715864-866, 455566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0633 by amplitude modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/064 by time modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336

Abstract

A computing device is configured with a multifunctional backlit display. The backlighting can be operated in at least a first mode and a second mode. In a first mode, the backlighting provides luminance to the display so that images on the display can be easily seen. In a second mode, the backlighting provides visual stimulus for relaying information to a user or a user'"'"'s surroundings.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a display configured to display a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface (GUI) is configured to display a plurality of playlists, wherein each playlist of the plurality of playlists comprises a plurality of songs;

an input device configured to receive a user selection of a playlist from the plurality of playlists via the GUI;

a light source configured to provide backlighting to the display; and

a processor configured to control a light level transmitted by the light source according to a playlist, which is selected from the plurality of playlists, wherein the processor is configured to control the light level using a preset intensity pattern assigned to the selected playlist.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to alternate the light source between light modes of a plurality of light modes according to the playlist, which is selected from the plurality of playlists, and wherein at least one of the playlists of the plurality of playlists corresponds to a light beacon effect associated with at least one of the light modes of the plurality of light modes.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to present text or graphics, the backlighting being configured to provide a visual stimulus for relaying information about the selected playlist to an area around the system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to operate in a first light mode providing constant luminance to the display and a second light mode that provides varying luminance for relaying information to a user or the user'"'"'s surroundings, wherein an alternation between the first and second light modes occurs upon selection of standard or enhanced lighting.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the light beacon effect is configured to alert others of the user'"'"'s presence.

6. A portable communication device, comprising:

a display configured to display at least a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the GUI is configured to display a plurality of playlists, wherein each playlist of the plurality of playlists comprises a plurality of songs;

a light source configured to provide a backlight to the display, the backlight providing luminance for the GUI;

an input device configured to receive a user selection of a playlist from the plurality of playlists; and

a processor configured to alternate the light source between light modes of a plurality of light modes in response to the user selection of a playlist, which is selected from the plurality of playlists, wherein the processor is configured to flash the light source using a preset intensity pattern assigned to the selected playlist.

7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the playlist is configured to be created on a remote computing device separate from and remote to the portable communication device.

8. The portable communication device of claim 7, comprising a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly couple the remote computing device to the portable communication device.

9. The portable communication device of claim 7, wherein the remote computing device comprises a personal computer, a cellular telephone, a portable media player, or any combination thereof.

10. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the portable communication device comprises a portable media player, a cellular phone, or any combination thereof.

11. A method for controlling a light source in a backlit display, comprising:

displaying a plurality of playlists in a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the GUI is displayed on a display having a light source to backlight the display, wherein each playlist comprises a respective plurality of songs;

receiving a selection of a playlist via an input device configured to receive a user selection of a playlist from the plurality of playlists using the graphical user interface, wherein the playlist comprises one or more media files; and

alternating the light source between a plurality of light modes based at least in part upon the selected playlist selected from the plurality of playlists, wherein at least one of the light modes of the plurality of light modes causes the light source to flash using a preset intensity pattern assigned to the selected playlist.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying the plurality of playlists comprises backlighting the display using a standard mode until a selection is received.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein alternating the light source between a plurality of light modes is based in part upon a detection of motion via an accelerometer.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein alternating the light source between a plurality of light modes comprises flashing the light source.

15. A system comprising:

a display;

an input device configured to receive a user selection of a playlist from a plurality of playlists, wherein each playlist of the plurality of playlists includes a plurality of songs;

a light source configured to provide backlighting to the display; and

a processor configured to control a light level transmitted by the light source according to a playlist, which is selected from the plurality of playlists, wherein the processor is configured to control the light level using a preset intensity pattern assigned to the selected playlist.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the playlist is configured to be created on a remote computing device separate from and remote to a portable communication device that comprises the display.

17. The system of claim 16, comprising a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly couple the remote computing device to the portable communication device.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote computing device comprises a personal computer, a cellular telephone, a portable media player, or any combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the portable communication device comprises a portable media player, a cellular phone, or any combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the playlists of the plurality of playlists corresponds to a light beacon effect that causes the processor to flash the light source.