Abstract:
An improved lighting apparatus for hand held video games utilizes a directional light source and a curved reflective surface disposed opposite the directional source in a frame positioned proximate to the display screen of the hand held device. The use of a directional light source and the curved reflective material provides an increased and more diffused lighting effect while eliminating the otherwise experienced hot spots or dark spots common in prior art light assemblies.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/567,245 filed May 9, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hand held video games, and more particularly, to a releasably attachable light assembly for the hand held video game for enabling game as playing in low light conditions. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Compact computers and video game devices having video viewing screens are becoming more and more popular and typically comprise hand-held portable, battery-operated devices. The viewing screen is typically a liquid crystal display (LCD) that is generally flat and displays information and or provides the screen for playing video games. Such compact computers and video games may include, but are not limited to: calculators, computer video games, lap top computers, and other computers where a variety of software is employed. In particular, compact video games, such as the compact video game systems known as GAME BOY™, GAME BOY POCKET™ and GAME BOY COLOR™ (Trademarks of Nintendo of America), are completely self-sustained video game systems which may be operated by interchangeably employing a collection from a library of software game packs. These Nintendo video game systems provide a compact, self-contained, battery-operated, portable hand-held computer with a cross key joy stick (directional-pad or D-pad) to operate the game start and select buttons, action buttons and an LCD-type screen, together with volume controls so as to display and enable the user to display images and play games. 
     While video display screens are employed and typically include a flat LCD-type screen, such LCD-type display screens are often difficult to observe by the user in partial or low light conditions, such as, for example, automobiles, planes, trains, buses, and the like due to the lack of illumination on the LCD screen to permit suitable contrast during use. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,832 and 5,325,280 show a light apparatus for use with compact computer screens. As shown and described, the body includes an open video space designed to be the same size as the LCD video screen of the compact computer apparatus. The body includes a pair of sloped or angled white colored side panels and a top and bottom side panel and the white or light colored extending directly generally perpendicular to the video screen rather than sloped as illustrated for the side panels. The top side panel is integral with and extends from the bottom molded section of the body when the body sections are matingly engaged to form the body, the top panel with the panels on the top section then form a rectangular, open video viewing space of the apparatus. 
     The light apparatus includes a pair of light bulbs placed on either side of sloping panels and which side panels also include a short, solid, upward extending light shield so as to prevent the direct glare of the light bulbs onto the LCD screen and to provide for indirect lighting through reflection on the light-colored side panels onto the LCD viewing screen. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,339 and 5,165,779 disclose combined light and magnifier devices for hand-held computers with video screens. Each of these patents show a battery operated light assembly that is mounted to a separate assembly mounted adjacent the view screen and spaced from the magnifier lens. The devices shown in these patents are adapted to provide a screen magnifier while also providing additional light to the screen for playing in low light conditions. 
     Unfortunately, the use of an LCD screen in these hand-held video game devices makes the illumination of the same difficult. The primary reason for this difficulty is due to the fact that the plastic cover to the actual LCD screen is generally of a high-gloss finish, and as such has a tendency to reflect light. This reflection of light primarily occurs when the light shines substantially directly onto the screen, and thus, the high-gloss screen cover prevents the light from penetrating the cover and thereby illuminating the LCD screen. 
     In all of the aforementioned patents, the lighting assembly utilizes incandescent to type bulbs which are oppositely positioned within the solid frame surrounding the viewing screen, The use of white or light colored frame sides is implemented in an effort to diffuse the light a before projected onto the screen, however, neither the white or light colored sides of the frame prevent spotting or “hot spots” caused by the illumination of the incandescent bulb immediately adjacent the viewing screen. As such, the incandescent bulb, in the area of disposition, causes a glare spot or “hot spot” on the high-gloss cover to the actual LCD display screen. Thus, the user&#39;s view is obstructed and not increased in these hot spot areas. Furthermore, dark spots are created on the screen where the additional light is not effectively distributed across the screen. In view of these drawbacks of the prior art patents, it would be desirable to provide a lighting assembly for a hand-held computer gaming device that does not have any screen “hot spots” or dark spots, and actually works to increase the viewing of the display screen. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved lighting assembly for hand-held video games that does not cause “hot spot” or other glaring effects from the use of light source to illuminate the LCD display. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved lighting assembly for hand-held video games that effectively utilizes reflection techniques to efficiently illuminate the LCD display screen of the game device. 
     This and other objects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which an improved light assembly for use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video screen comprises: a frame opening corresponding in size to a size of the compact computer video screen; a directional light source disposed in a side of the frame opening for projecting a substantially collimated light beam toward an opposing side of said frame opening, said directional light source being recessed within said frame side so as to not extend into said frame opening; and a curved reflective surface disposed entirely across said opposing side of said frame opening and adapted to reflect the received collimated light beam in a substantially evenly diffused configuration toward the video screen, wherein said curved reflective surface is recessed into said frame so as to not extend into said flame opening. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved lighting assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the improved lighting assembly taken along lines II—II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a sectional view of the improved lighting assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a sectional view of the improved lighting assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the improved lighting assembly as implemented into a combined light and magnifier for the hand held video game device according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a side partial cross sectional view of the improved lighting assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a side partial cross sectional view of the improved lighting assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 7 is a side partial cross sectional view of the improved lighting assembly according a sixth embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the improved light assembly system  100  according to a first embodiment of the invention. Light assembly  102  is slidably disposed on the hand-held video game device  104  as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,091,832 and 5,325,280, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Light assembly  102  includes an upper and lower frame opening  109   a  and  109   b,  respectively, that form an overall flame  108  that is substantially dimensioned according to the dimensions of the underlying display screen  106  on game device  104 . 
     Light assembly  102  includes a power on/off switch  110 , a battery compartment  112  and an access panel  114  for allowing the replacement of the enclosed batteries (not shown). In subsequent embodiments, the use of an on/off switch and battery compartment are eliminated. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the frame  108  taken along lines II—II in FIG.  1 . As shown, frame  108  includes has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and includes a light source  120  recessed into the frame and positioned so as to not protrude into the viewing area formed by upper and lower openings  109   a  and  109   b.  According to a preferred embodiment, upper frame opening  109   a  is smaller than the lower frame opening  109   b  by an offset distance S 1 . This offset between the upper frame opening  109   a  and lower frame opening  109   b  prevents light from escaping upward beyond the upper frame opening  109   a,  regardless of the light source implemented. The different size frame openings are especially effective when incandescent light sources are used as light source  120 . By increasing the opening size of the lower flame opening  109   b,  the light reflected by curved reflective surface  122  that is already is angled toward the lower frame opening now has an opening of increased size through which the light is received onto the video screen  106 . The video screen  106  may be a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a mini CRT, or any other type of video screen. Those of skill in the art will recognize that any other type of video screen may be used in the game device  104  without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     The light source  120  is preferably a directional light source such as a directional light emitting diode (LED) and/or an incandescent light bulb having a collimating lens for directing the output light toward the opposing side of the flame  108  with as little dispersion prior to contacting the opposing side of the frame  108 . 
     Opposite light source  120  is a curved reflective surface  122  adapted to reflect the received light back toward light source  120  and reflective surface  124  and down toward screen  106 . The angle of curvature is preferably within a range of 45-90 degrees with respect to the received collimated light beam. For example, curved reflective surface  122  is a partial or approximately ⅛ tubular section as shown. The top portion near upper frame opening  109   a  is angled at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the light beam, effectively reflecting light back toward light source  120  and reflective surface  124 . The bottom portion of surface  122  near lower frame opening  109   b  is angled at approximately 45° with respect to the light beam, thereby reflecting light directly downward toward screen  106 . Between the top and bottom portions, curved reflective surface  122  curves continuously between the 90° and the 45° angled portions. This variably curving central section of surface  122  reflects light onto screen  106  at a correspondingly broad range of angles thereby eliminating glare from almost any viewing angle. In this manner, the received collimated light beam is variably and angularly directed toward the display screen  106  of the game device. 
     In addition, a reflective surface  124  is disposed entirely around directional light source  120  and extends across the entire respective internal side of frame  108 . FIG. 3 a  shows the disposition of reflective material  124  along the entire inside surface of frame  108  within which light source  120  is disposed. A hole  125  in reflective material  124  is provided to accommodate light source  120 . 
     The reflective material implemented for materials  122  and  124  is preferably a mylar reflective material, but may also be any suitable known reflective material, and must be at least capable of being curved as depicted with reflective material  122 . 
     As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 2, when directional light source  120  is illuminated, it projects a substantially collimated beam of light toward reflective surface  122 . The collimation of light source  120  is provided by the previously mentioned directional LED, or may be provided through the use of an appropriate lens. An attribute of the light source  120  is that the light emanating therefrom does not disperse or come into contact with display screen  106  prior to being received by the opposing reflective surface  122 . 
     Due to the curvature of reflective surface  122 , some of the received light from light source  120  is reflected downward toward display screen  106  at various different angles, while other portions of the received light are reflected back toward the surface on which light source  120  is disposed. Thus, the additional reflective material  124  positioned around light source  120 , shown in FIG. 3 a,  serves to further reflect light back toward the curved reflective surface  122 . In this manner, the directional light originating from light source  120  is reflected at least once and potentially several times before the light is ultimately directed toward the display screen  106 . Thus, when the light reaches the display screen  106 , it is substantially diffused and thereby effectively illuminates display screen  106  more evenly and without any possibility of hot spots or glare spots as experienced with the lights of the prior art. 
     FIG. 3 b  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein two light sources  130   a  and  130   b  are used, and two corresponding holes  135   a  and  135   b  are disposed in the reflective material  132  surrounding these light sources. 
     FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the lighting system of the present invention as incorporated into a display screen magnifier. Magnifiers of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,339, 5,119,239 and 5,165,779, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The magnifier  142  connects to the game device  104  such that a flame  144  is disposed a predetermined distance D, from the upper surface of the game device  104 . Generally, a magnifying lens  140  is disposed within frame  144  so as to provide a magnified view of display screen  106  for the user. Frame  144  is made up of an upper frame opening  146   a  and lower frame opening  146   b.  As described with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, upper frame opening  146   a  is slightly smaller than lower frame opening  146   b  and thereby acts to block light from dispersing upward and out of the frame opening, while the larger lower frame opening  146   b  provides more area for the light to disperse and be reflected downward. As shown, the lighting system of the present invention is integrated into frame  144 . Thus, when directional light source  120  is illuminated, the light beams are directed toward reflective surface  122 , and are ultimately reflected downward by said reflective surface. As discussed previously, an additional surface of reflective material  124  is positioned around light source  120  and provides an additional surface from which light may reflect. 
     The use of the directional light source  120  in combination with the curved reflective surface  122  and oppositely positioned reflective surface  124  causes the light emanating from light source  120  to be reflected and re-reflected before ultimately being directed toward display screen  106 . It is this reflection and re-reflection that results in a more diffused light being imposed on display screen  106 . The diffused light is more evenly dispersed across the screen and does not cause hot spots, glare spots or dark spots on the high-gloss cover of the display screen  106 . 
     FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which a light assembly  143  does not contain a power source, but rather includes a plug  160  with a wires  162  connecting the plug to the lighting assembly  143 . In addition, the lighting assembly  143  is raised from game device  104  by a distance D 2  that is either predetermined or user settable. There is no magnifying lens in either flame opening  146   a  and  146   b,  and thus the distance D 2  provides a wider dispersion angle for the light generated by the lighting assembly in reaching the display screen  106 . The game device  104  includes a volume control dial  152  and an external port  150 . External port  150  can also be used to provide power to the lighting assembly  143  by inserting plug  160 . In this manner, lighting assembly  143  can be powered using the battery power contained within game device  104  and does not require its own battery supply or on/off switch. Thus, when the game device is powered on, the power supply to external port  150  is automatically provided, thereby automatically powering the lighting assembly  143 . 
     The external port of the game device may be an external link port for linking the game device  104  to another game device and enabling head to head competition and multi-player game action. In addition, the external port  150  may be any other port capable of carrying low voltage DC power, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) port (type A and/or B), a (IEEE 1394) FireWire™ port, a networking port (RJ-45), a telephone jack (RJ-11), an AC adapter port capable of providing access to the game device power supply, an earphone or head phone jack, etc. Although the preferred external port  150  of the game device  104  is generally used to link the game device to another for head-to-head game playing, by designing plug  160  to contact select electrical contacts within the link port, light assembly  10  can utilize the power of the game device (e.g., internal or external battery power supplies) to power light source  120 . The external port may also be other communication or power ports provided on the game device from which DC power to illuminate the light assembly can be obtained. 
     In view of the fact that light assembly  143  can utilize an external port  150  of the game device  104  in order to obtain power (e.g., the link port), an additional port  166  (FIG. 5) is provided on the external surface of the light assembly so as to provide the user with all the functionality of such port while the light assembly  143  is disposed in its operable position on the game device  104 . For example, when the external port  150  is the link port of the game device  105 , the additional port  166  provides the user with the continued ability to link to another game device using an appropriate link wire. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the location of additional port  166  is a matter of design choice, and may be, for example, disposed on the housing of light assembly  143  or on plug  160 . 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of fighting assembly  143  where the upper frame opening  164   a  and lower frame opening  164   b  are the same size. In this embodiment, it is not necessary for light source  120  and curved reflective surface  122  to be completely recessed into the flame  144 . As such, light source  120  and curved reflective surface  122  may extend into the opening formed by upper and lower frame openings  164   a  and  164   b,  respectively. 
     FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of lighting assembly  142  wherein frame  170  does not have a C-shaped cross-section. Thus, light source  120  and curved reflective surface  122  are disposed between upper frame opening  164   a  and lower frame opening  164   b  without necessarily being recessed into the respective side of the frame  144 . 
     While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.