HANDHELD DEVICES AS VISUAL INDICATORS

• US 20130104043A1
• Filed: 12/18/2012
• Published: 04/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Whang, Eugene Antony
• Granted Patent: US 9,678,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/716
• 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;

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 which playlist is selected from the plurality of playlists.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to alternate the light source between light modes of a plurality of light modes according to which playlist is selected from the plurality of playlists, and wherein the plurality of playlists comprises a night beacon mode, a music mode, and a standard mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of playlists comprises:

a first playlist that corresponds to the night beacon mode, and

a second playlist that corresponds to the music mode.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the back lit 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.

5. 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 a playlist from the plurality of playlists.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the second light mode comprises a night beacon mode that is configured to alert others of the user'"'"'s presence.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the playlists of the plurality of playlists comprises at least one or more songs.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the second light mode comprises a music mode that varies the light level transmitted by the light source in accordance with the song being played.

9. A portable communication device, comprising:

a display configured to display at least a graphical user interface (GUI);

a lights 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 song or a group of songs; and

a processor configured to alternate the light source between light modes of a plurality of light modes in response to the user selection.

10. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein the group of songs comprises a playlist.

11. The portable communication device of claim 10, wherein the playlist is configured to be created on a remote computing device separate from and remote to the portable communication device.

12. The portable communication device of claim 11, comprising a wireless communication module configured to wirelessly couple the remote computing device to the portable communication device.

13. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the remote computing device comprises a personal computer, a cellular telephone, a portable media player, or any combination thereof.

14. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein the portable communication device comprises a portable media player, a cellular phone, or any combination thereof.

15. 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;

receiving a selection of a playlists via an input device configured to receive a user selection of a playlist from the plurality of playlists using the graphical user interface; and

alternating the light source between a plurality of light modes based at least in part upon the selected playlist.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of light modes comprises a night beacon mode, a music mode, and a standard mode.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of playlists comprises:

a first playlist that corresponds to the night beacon mode, and

a second playlist that corresponds to the music mode.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of playlists comprises a third playlist that corresponds to the standard mode.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein displaying the plurality of playlists comprises backlighting the display using the standard mode until a selection is received.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein alternating the light source between a plurality of light modes is based in part upon a detection of motion via an accelerometer.