Patent ID: 8063869

Claim:
In a handheld computing device that includes user data input means, a backlit display having a variable-intensity backlight, and data processing means coupled to the user data input means and the backlit display, the data processing means including at least one software application configured to display information on the display, a method for controlling an intensity of light produced by the backlight, comprising the steps of: (1) increasing the intensity to a first intensity level from a minimum/off intensity level; and (2) setting the intensity to a second level different from the first intensity level after expiry of a predetermined elapsed time of non-activity from the user data input means by rapidly decreasing the intensity from the first intensity level to the second level so that the change in intensity appears substantially instantaneous, wherein both of the steps (1) and (2) comprise transitioning the intensity to said level, the transitioning being interruptible by a user of the computing device, upon interruption of said transitioning the intensity being set to a magnitude subsisting at the instant of said interruption; the first intensity level is a maximum intensity level if said backlit display is a transmissive liquid crystal display; and the first intensity level is less than said maximum intensity level and greater than said minimum/off intensity level if said backlit display is a reflective or a trans-reflective liquid crystal display.