Abstract:
A lighting assembly for compact computer devices such as, or example, hand held video games utilizes a light source directed away from the display screen of the compact computer device and a reflective surface selectively positionable over the display screen to intercept and reflect the light emanating from the light source and re-direct it toward the display screen. The directing of the light away from the display screen and subsequent reflecting back toward the display screen results in an evenly diffused light being applied to the display screen, while completely 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. 09/590,992 filed on Jun. 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 which enables game 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 COLORS™ (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 assemblies utilize various different light sources that are generally directed toward the screen. The use of white or light colored frame sides is implemented in an effort to diffuse the light before projected onto the screen, however, neither the white or light colored sides of the fame prevent spotting or “hot spots” caused by the illumination of the light source immediately adjacent the viewing screen or even worse, when positioned so as to project light directly at the viewing screen. As such, the light source, in the area of disposition, causes a glare spot or “hot spot” on the high-gloss glass 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 a light assembly for use in enhancing the view of a compact computer video screen includes a base portion adapted to fit over a top edge of the compact computer device. An upward extension is pivotally connected to the base portion and a reflector housing is pivotally connected to the upward extension. A light source is disposed within a recess in the upward extension and positioned so as to direct light away from the video screen. A reflector is disposed on the underside of the reflector housing and is adapted to reflect light from the light source downward toward the video screen. Through the variable positioning of the upward extension and reflector housing (via the pivotal connections) the user can selectively adjust the amount of light reflected down onto the video display screen. 
     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 a  is a perspective view of the game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 1 b  is a perspective view of the game light assembly with the game playing apparatus shown in phantom; 
     FIG. 1 c  is a perspective view of the game light assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 1 d  is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 c;    
     FIG. 1 e  is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 1 f  is a top view of the game light assembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 e;    
     FIG. 2 is a front view of game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a side view of the game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a side view of the game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 c  is a perspective view of the base portion of the game light assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear view of the game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the game light assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the game light assembly in an extended flattened position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of game accessory power supply connector for compact video game devices according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the game accessory power supply connector according to the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the game accessory power supply connector according to the invention; 
     FIG. 10 a  is top perspective view of the game accessory power supply connector for compact video game devices according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 b  is a bottom perspective view of the game accessory power supply connector for compact video game devices according to another embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of the game accessory power supply connector depicted in FIG. 10 a  as disposed on a compact video game device shown in phantom; and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the game accessory power supply connector taken along lines XII—XII of FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b  show the light assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the invention. Light assembly  10  includes a base portion or housing  12  adapted to be releasably attached to a hand held video game device  5  and an upper portion having an upward extension  14  and reflector housing  16 . According to one embodiment, the base portion  12  has a left side  24  that includes a power supply plug  28  which is adapted and positioned to be inserted into an external port of the hand held video game device. Power supply plug  28  engages the external port of the hand held video game device  5  when disposed in its operable position (shown in FIG. 1 b ) and thereby electrically connects the light assembly  10  to the battery power supply of the game device  5 . The external port of the game device may be an external link port for linking the game device  5  to another game device and enabling head to head competition and multi-player game action. In addition, the external port 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 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. In this manner, the light assembly  10  does not need its own power supply or batteries. In one embodiment, an on/off power switch  50  can be provided on the base portion  12  which allows the user to selectively turn on and off the light assembly  10 . In another embodiment, there is no power switch on base portion  12  and the light assembly is powered on and off with the switching on and off of the game device. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that the electrical connections made within the light assembly and the manner of manufacturing the same may be made by any suitable known type of electrical connections and manufacturing methods. Light assembly  10  is preferably made of molded plastic to dimensionally fit the Game Boy™, but may also be made of any suitable known material capable of being shaped into a desired style. 
     FIGS. 1 c - 1   e  and FIG. 4 show various other embodiments where the light assembly  10  includes its own power source. Referring to FIGS. 1 c  and  1   d , a battery compartment  25  is provided within base portion  12  and includes an access cover  27  that is releaseably connected to base portion  12  with a snap or other suitable connection. The size and type of battery or batteries  29  contained within the compartment  25  is a matter of design choice. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the type of battery and size thereof can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. FIGS. 1 e  and If show the disposition of the battery compartment  25  within reflector housing  16 . In this embodiment, the reflector  18  is connected to or integrally formed with the compartment cover  31 . Thus, the battery(ies)  29  are covered by the compartment cover  31  and are thereby contained within housing  16  underneath the reflector  18 . FIG. 4 shows another embodiment where the battery compartment  25  is disposed within upward extension  14  and covered by a compartment cover  33 . Compartment cover  33  is preferably molded to conform to the shape and texture of the upward extension  14  and thereby is concealed from obvious view. Those of ordinary sill in the art will appreciate that the actual location of the battery compartment  25  within the light assembly  10  is also a matter of design choice. 
     Light assembly  10  is disclosed in the style of a cobra snake. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the concepts and technology disclosed herein may be applied to a light assembly of any style and shape. Thus, the cobra style depicted herein is only one exemplary embodiment style of the light assembly of the present invention. In addition, the lighting system and technology of the present invention can be used for other applications such as, for example, a book light. 
     The upward extension  14  includes a recess  22  adapted to receive and house a light source  20  that is directed upward away from the display screen  7  of the game device  5 . Light source  20  can be any suitable known light source such as, for example, an incandescent bulb, a light emitting diode (LED), a directional LED, etc. A directional LED provides substantially collimated beam of light that is easily directable toward a particular surface. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the type of light source may be a matter of design choice and may be changed without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. In one preferred embodiment, the light source includes a lens or other means for facilitating the directability or focusing of the light toward the reflective surface. In another preferred embodiment, recess  22  is formed by providing an additional cavity  23  (FIG. 3 b ) that protrudes from the backside of the upward extension  14 . This cavity  23  forms the recess  22  on the front side of the upward extension  14 . 
     The base portion or housing  12  of the light assembly  10  includes various integrated extensions  34 ,  36  and  38  in order to increase its strength and integrity during attachment and detachment to and from the game device  5 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other methods and designs for these portions of base  12  can be altered without departing from the scope of the invention. FIGS. 10 a - 12  show another embodiment of the base portion or housing (to be discussed later) that eliminates extensions  34 ,  36  and  38  and provides a stronger design by integrating thicker support ribs and facia or upper rim  102 . The left side  24  of the base portion or housing  12  includes a power supply plug  28  that is positioned so that when light assembly  10  slidably engages the game device  5  in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 a , power supply plug  28  is inserted into the external port (not shown) of the game device  5 . Although the preferred external port of the game device  5  is generally used to link the game device to another for head-to-head game playing, by designing plug  28  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  20 . 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. Thus, the use of other additional power supplies or batteries to power the light assembly are not necessary. In one embodiment (discussed later with respect to FIGS. 3 a - 3   c ), access to the external port will continue to be provided while the light assembly  10  is mounted in its operable position on game device  5 . The game device  5  also includes a volume control (not shown) that is disposed adjacent the link port. As such, the left side  24  of the base portion  12  is designed so as to not interfere with the operation of the adjacently positioned volume control dial. 
     Depending on the particular game device  5 , an infrared (LR) window (not shown—e.g., GAME BOY™ and GAME BOY COLOR™) or on/off power switch (not shown—e.g., GAME BOY POCKET™) is disposed on the top edge of the game device. As such, base portion/housing  12  includes a cutout or opening  30  (FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b  and  2 ) positioned so as to accommodate the IR window or on/off switch on the game device and keep them accessible when light assembly  10  is disposed in its operable position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b ,  3   a ,  3   b  and  5 , during operation light source  20  is illuminated and positioned within recess  22  such that the light emanating therefrom is directed upward toward reflector housing  16  and away from display screen  7 . As shown in FIG. 5, reflector housing  16  includes a substantially flat reflector  18  disposed on the underside of the housing. Through the use of hinges  40  and  42 , the reflector housing  16  and upward extension  14  can be selectively positioned to reflect the light back down toward the display screen  7  of the game device  5 . Reflector  18  can be any suitable known type of reflector such as, for example, a mirror, reflective mylar, hot stamped chrome plate etc. It is also contemplated to have reflector  18  integrally formed into the underside of the reflector housing  16 . As mentioned previously, light source  20  is directed upward toward reflector  18  on the underside of housing  16 . As such, the light emanating from light source  20  is reflected downward by the reflector  18  and thereby illuminates the display screen  7  in an even and diffused manner. As shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , through the application of hinged connections  40  and  42 , the user can manipulate the angular positions of upward extension  14  and reflector housing  16  to adjust the angular position of reflector  18  with respect to the light source, and thereby enables the user to increase and/or decrease the amount of light being directed toward display screen  7  corresponding to the angular position of the reflector. In other embodiments (not shown), hinges  40  and  42  can be eliminated and light assembly  10  with base portion  12 , upward extension  14  and reflector housing  16  are predeterminately positioned and molded so as to provide the maximum lighting ability for the display screen  7  of the game device  5 . 
     In view of the fact that light assembly  10  can utilize an external port of the game device  5  in order to obtain power (e.g., the link port), an additional port  44  (FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b ) is provided on the external surface of the base portion  12  so as to provide the user with all the functionality of such port while the light assembly  10  is disposed in its operable position on the game device  5 . For example, when using the link port of the game device  5 , the additional port  44  provides the user with the continued ability to link to another game device using an appropriate link wire. FIG. 3 c  shows another embodiment of the positioning of additional port  44  on the external surface of base portion  12 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the position of the externally provided port  44  can be changed without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. 
     FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the light assembly  10  and how the base portion  12  engages the game device  5  according to one preferred embodiment. The right side  26  of base portion  12  includes a small flange  52  adapted to engage the corresponding top corner of the game device  5 . When base portion  12  is slid onto the top edge of the game device (see arrow direction in FIG. 1 a ) flange  52  snaps over the top corner edge of the game device. This “snap over” flange  52 , in conjunction with the power supply connection  28  with the external port of the game device  5 , secures the light assembly  10  into its operable position on the game device. Conversely, the removal of light assembly  10  simply requires the user to “un-snap” flange  52  from its secured position over the top edge and slide the base portion  12  of the light assembly in the reverse direction of the arrow indicated in FIG. 1a for removal from the game device  5 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the light assembly  10  in a flattened position over the game device  5 . Through the hinged connection  40  of the reflector housing  16  with upward extension  14  and the hinged connection  42  of the upward extension with the base portion  12 , the light assembly  10  can be flattened over the game device  5  and screen  7  as shown. This folding aspect (or un-folding) of the light assembly not only functions to place the light assembly  10  into a storage position without requiring its removal from the game device, but also functions to protect the upper surface of the game device  5 . 
     FIGS. 7-9 shows a game accessory power supply connector  70  for use with any type of accessory item. The game accessory power supply connector  70  can be integrated into any type of accessory item for the game device. It is preferable that the particular type of accessory item be one that requires battery power to operate, thus enabling the use of the game device link port as described in several embodiment of the invention. Game accessory power supply connector  70  includes a base portion  71  that is substantially identical to the base portion  12  of the light assembly  10 . Briefly, the base portion  71  includes left and right sides  80  and  82 , respectively, the IR window—on/off switch opening  76 , an on/off switch  74  and the power supply plug  72 . Base portion  71  also includes an external port  86  which can be variously positioned on connector  70  according to design choice. 
     The connection of the game accessory power supply connector  70  is also identical to that of the base portion  12  of the light assembly  10 . Thus, when the connector  70  is slid onto the top edge of the game device (see arrow direction in FIG. 1 a ) flange  84  snaps over the top corner edge of the game device. This “snap over” flange  84  secures the connector  70  into its operable position on the game device. The removal of connector  70  is also identical to that of base portion  12  described earlier. 
     FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  show a preferred embodiment for a game accessory power supply connector  100  according to the invention. Connector  100  has an upper surface  102  on which hinge  106  is disposed for connection to, for example, the upward extension  14  (FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b ). The rear side  101  of connector  100  includes the IR/on/off switch window  110  and the external link port  114  is provided on one side. Similar to the flange  52  described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 5, connector  100  includes flange  104  adapted to snap over the top corner edge of the game device  5 . The upper surface  102  of connector  100  is designed to be thicker than that of the previously discussed embodiments, and as such the structural integrity of the connector is substantially increased. Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that other designs for increasing the overall integrity and strength of the connector can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Connector  100  engages the game device  5  is a slightly more enhanced manner than that of the aforementioned embodiments. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the game device  5  includes a display screen  7  that is covered by a glass or plastic panel  9  that is larger than the display screen. Panel  9  meets with the upper edge  11  of the game device  5  and is slightly recessed from this upper edge  11  so as to form a small ledge between the panel  9  and edge  11 . Connector  100  includes a flange  112  extending downward from the upper surface  102  and positioned such that the upper surface  102  substantially extends across the upper edge  11  of the game device  5  and flange  112  engages over the small ledge formed with panel  9  and thereby secures connector  100  to the top edge of the game device  5 . An optional on/off switch  116  is also provided. 
     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.