Light attachment for portable electronic device

• US 7,153,212 B1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fast Track Global Limited
• Original Assignee: Mad Catz Incorporated (Mad Catz Interactive Incorporated)
• Inventors: Olson, Eric W., Schroeder, Dennis L., Sollberger, Simon A., Karten, Stuart A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel, Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US10/355,811
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 463/47, 362/317, 362/351, 362/352, 362/368, 362/370, 362/371, 362/382, 362/418, 362/427, 362/428, 362640-659, 206/315.1, 273/150, 248585-588
• US Class Current: 463/47
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/26 Pivoted arms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor

Abstract

A light attachment for electronic devices may include a base, a deployable arm, a light source and deployment mechanism. The base can be removably attached to an electronic device. The light attachment has a retracted, closed position, and a deployed, open position. While in either postilion, the light attachment is compact and can reside on the electronic device permanently or semi-permanently without interfering with the screen or other functions of the electronic device to which it is attached. The deployment mechanism is a retractable mechanism that has engaged and disengaged states. When the deployment mechanism is actuated while the collapsible light attachment is in its retracted position, the deployable arm is caused to be deployed and the light source is caused to be turned on. Once deployed, the movable arm is situated in a predetermined position optimal for illuminating a LCD screen or other features of the electronic device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for illuminating an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a base;

a light source;

a deployable arm coupling the light source to the base;

a deployment mechanism configured to transition the deployable arm automatically from a non-deployed position to a deployed position; and

a housing having an inside and an outside, the housing movably attached to the deployable arm and configured to protect the light source in the non-deployed position, wherein the deployable arm is configured to automatically move the light source from the inside of the housing in the non-deployed position to the outside of the housing in the deployed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-deployed position comprises a closed position of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the light source is inoperative while the apparatus is in the closed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light deployed position comprises an open position of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the light source is operative while the apparatus is in the open position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a connector for connecting the apparatus to the electronic device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the connector is configured to provide physical and electrical connectivity between the apparatus and the electronic device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployment mechanism is a button, switch lever or trigger.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light source is at least partially surrounded by the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a concave portion sufficient to substantially envelop the deployable arm and the light source inside in the non-deployed position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the interior substantially concave position of the housing is made of reflective material.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the reflective material enhances the brightness of light emanating from the light source.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployable arm comprises one or more segments.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployable arm comprises two or more segments.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the segments of the deployable arm are movably connected.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployment mechanism further is configured to cause the light source to illuminate in connection with deployment of the deployable arm.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an urging means for providing an urging force to cause the deployable arm to transition from a retracted position to a deployed position.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the urging means comprises one or more springs.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the urging means is coupled to the deployable arm.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to cause the urging means to impart the urging force on the deployable arm.

53. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a concave portion sufficient to substantially envelop the deployable arm and the light source inside in the retracted state.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the interior substantially concave portion of the housing is made of reflective material.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein the reflective material enhances the brightness of light emanating from the light source.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the deployable arm comprises at least one segment.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the deployable arm comprises more than one segments.

58. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the segments of the deployable arm are movably connected.

21. An illumination apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be attachable to a portable electronic device;

a light source;

a movable arm coupling the light source to the base; and

a deployment mechanism configured to move the movable arm automatically from a retracted position to a predetermined position optimized for illuminating the portable electronic device; and

a housing having an inside and an outside, the housing movably attached to the movable arm and configured to protect the light source in the retracted position, wherein the deployable arm is configured or automatically move the light source from the inside of the housing in the retracted position to the outside of the housing in the predetermined position.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the predetermined position optimized for illuminating the portable electronic device comprises a deployed position, and wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to move the movable arm automatically from the retracted position to the deployed position.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the deployed position comprises an open position of the apparatus.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the light source is operative while the apparatus is in the open position.

27. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the base comprises at least one fastener for removably attaching the apparatus to the portable electronic device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the base further comprises at least one connector for connecting the apparatus to the portable electronic device.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the connector is configured to provide physical and electrical connectivity between the apparatus and the portable electronic device.

30. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the base comprises a plurality of fasteners for removably attaching the apparatus to the portable electronic device.

31. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a button, lever, trigger or switch.

32. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the light source is at least partially surrounded by the housing.

33. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the housing comprises a concave portion sufficient to substantially envelop the movable arm and the light source inside in the retracted position.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the interior substantially concave portion of the housing is made of reflective material.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the reflective material enhances the brightness of light emanating from the light source.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the movable arm comprises at least one segment.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the movable arm comprises more than one segment.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the segments of the movable arm are movably connected.

39. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the predetermined position comprises a deployed position, and wherein the deployment mechanism is configured to move the movable arm from a non-deployed position to the deployed position.

23. The apparatus of 21 wherein the retracted position comprises a closed position of the apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the light source is inoperative while the apparatus is in the closed position.

40. An illumination apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be attachable to a portable electronic device;

a light source;

a deployable arm coupling the light source to the base;

a deployment mechanism configured to move the deployable arm between a retracted state in which the deployable arm assumes a non-interfering position relative to operation of the portable electronic device to a deployed state in which the deployable arm is positioned such that the light source illuminates the portable electronic device; and

a housing having an inside and an outside, the housing movably attached to the deployable arm and configured to protect the light source in the retracted state, wherein the deployable arm is configured to automatically move the light source from the inside of the housing in the retracted state to the outside of the housing in the deployed state.

50. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a button, lever, trigger or switch.

51. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein activating the deployment mechanism causes the deployable arm to transition from the retracted state to the deployed state.

52. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the light source is at least partially surrounded by the housing.

41. The apparatus of 40 wherein the retracted state comprises a closed position of the apparatus.

42. The apparatus of 41 wherein the closed position comprises the deployable arm being substantially horizontally positioned to the base.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the light source is inoperative while the apparatus is in the closed position.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the deployed position comprises an open position of the apparatus.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the open position comprises the deployable arm being substantially vertically positioned to the base.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the light source is operative while the apparatus is in the open position.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the base comprises at least one fastener for attaching the apparatus to the portable electronic device.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the base further comprises at least one connector for connecting the apparatus to the portable electronic device.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the connector is configured to provide physical and electrical connectivity between the apparatus and the portable electronic device.

59. An illumination apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be attachable to a portable electronic device;

a light source;

a deployable arm coupling the light source to the base;

a deployment mechanism configured (i) to move the deployable arm automatically from a non-deployed position to a predetermined position for illuminating the portable electronic device, and (ii) to cause the light source to emit light; and

a housing having an inside and an outside, the housing movably attached to the deployable arm and configured to protect the light source in the non-deployed position, wherein the deployable arm is configured to automatically move the light source from inside of the housing in the non-deployed position to outside of the housing in the predetermined position.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein a single user interaction causes the deployment mechanism both to move the deployable arm to the predetermined position and to cause the light source to emit light.

61. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the deployment mechanism comprises a button, lever, trigger or switch.

62. The illuminating apparatus of claim 59, wherein the housing comprises a concave portion sufficient to substantially envelope the deployable arm and the light source inside in the non-deployed position.