Portable electronic reference device with pivoting light lid

• US 20070002024A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FEP Holding Company
• Original Assignee: Franklin Electronic Publishers Incorporated (Saunders Acquisition Corp.)
• Inventors: Goszyk, Kurt
• Granted Patent: US 7,671,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 device comprising:

a display for displaying data;

a keyboard for a user to input data into the device for inputting the data;

a lid pivotally connected to the display;

a light attached to the lid;

a processor for processing the input data;

a switch operable to automatically turn on the light when the lid moves from a closed position to an open position;

wherein said keyboard and display are thin enough to be able to fit between pages of a closed book.

2. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lid is transparent.

3. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the light is provided in a light compartment attached to the lid.

4. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 3, wherein the light compartment comprises reflective material positioned on a back side of the light compartment to reflect light.

5. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch is electrically connected to the battery and light.

6. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side, the first side being pivotally connected to the display section and the second side being curved.

7. The portable electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein a battery compartment capable of laterally shifting to receive a battery provides power to the keyboard and display section.

8. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein said keyboard is comprised of a flexible material.

9. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein said display is comprised of a rigid material.

10. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device does not damage a closed book'"'"'s spine when placed inside the closed book.

11. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a battery housing connected to the display and capable of housing at least one battery for powering the light.

12. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 1, wherein the curved second side of the lid partially refracts and reflects light and directs the light downward.

13. The electronic reference device as recited in claim 12, wherein light refracted by the curved second side and reflected light from the light compartment produce a halo effect on the keyboard section.

14. The portable electronic reference device comprising:

a processor capable of performing functions on data;

data keys positioned on a thin flexible material capable of being positioned in a closed book, said data keys electrically connected to the processor are capable of inputting data to the processor; and

a display positioned on said a thin rigid material capable of being positioned in a closed book, said display electrically connected to the processor that is capable of displaying the data, the display having a transparent lid; and

a power source housing connected to the display;

wherein the transparent lid comprises a light for illuminating the data keys and display.

15. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of performing dictionary functions.

16. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of performing calendar functions.

17. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of performing game functions.

18. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of performing calculator functions.

19. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein said processor is capable of creating and storing a user list.

20. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, further comprises a switch to automatically turn on the light when the transparent lid on the display moves from a closed position to an open position and turns off the light when the transparent lid moves from an open position to a closed position.