With Paper, Book Or Copy Holder Patents (Class 362/98)
  • Patent number: 10851975
    Abstract: A mixer carriage for an audio, video and/or lighting control console contains a tray body with a tray surface and a coupler for movable coupling to the audio and/or video and/or lighting control console, so that the mixer carriage is moveable relative to a user interface of the audio, video and/or lighting control console. The tray body has at least one lighting device on it for illuminating the tray surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft fuer professionelle Audiotechnik mbH
    Inventors: Klaus Cain, Harald Klaus, Helmut Jahne, Arno Schuenemann
  • Patent number: 10792946
    Abstract: An illuminated assembly, and methods of making and using such an illuminated assembly, whereby the illuminated assembly includes a panel and at least one sheet coupled to the panel, the sheet capable of overlaying engagement with the panel. The sheet can include a sheet front surface opposite a sheet back surface, and at least one light transmission portion disposed therein, whereby the light transmission portion can communicate between the sheet front and back surfaces. Further, the illuminated assembly can include a light source operatively coupled to the panel, whereby in an activated condition, the light source can provide light to the panel. Following, the light can be transmitted from the panel through the light transmission portion of the sheet such that the light can be viewable by a viewer of the sheet front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Susan Francesca Hudachek
  • Patent number: 9207527
    Abstract: A system and method for decorating a vegetable, such as a pumpkin, is provided. The system includes a base frame disposed within an aperture defined in the pumpkin, and a cover having a design or image associated therewith that is selectively coupled to the base frame. The base frame may be a flexible, frusto-conical ring that has an outer edge positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the pumpkin. The outer edge may be at least partially formed of a magnetic material, and the cover may be formed of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material of the base frame to selectively attach the cover to the base frame. The system may include a colored sheet positioned behind the cover, and a protective backing positioned behind the colored sheet to provide protection from the heat generated from the light source within the pumpkin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Ryan Shooshan
  • Patent number: 9103546
    Abstract: A hand held device includes a container body having a column of individually controlled LED lights for use as guide lines for handwriting and for use as a highlighting feature. Processing circuitry is included that stores LED light configurations to be recalled for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Bader Abdullah Almalki
  • Publication number: 20150146414
    Abstract: A hand held device includes a container body having a column of individually controlled LED lights for use as guide lines for handwriting and for use as a highlighting feature. Processing circuitry is included that stores LED light configurations to be recalled for later use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Bader Abdullah ALMALKI
  • Patent number: 8960936
    Abstract: A backlit storybook for the visually impaired comprises an audio and visual storybook including a book, a base, and an integral backlight. Each page of the book comprises images or words. The book is placed upon the base to enable each individual page to backlight the images and words to provide a high-contrast lighted character pattern easily readable by those with impaired vision. The system further includes a speaker for audio to play a corresponding narration and indicates when different pages should be turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Shelley A. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 8899773
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a menu vision aid. In one embodiment, a menu vision aid comprises a frame, a lens disposed within the frame adapted to enhance the visibility of a menu page, a light source attached to the frame adapted to provide light to a menu page; and an attachment member attached to at least one of the frame and the light source, the attachment member adapted to attach the menu vision aid to a menu page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: David Levine, Gene Uhlig, Joseph A. Calenda
  • Patent number: 8888309
    Abstract: An electronic device case comprises a housing having a pivotable light arm and a receptacle. The light arm may be displaced between a stowed position and a use position. When in the use position, the light arm reduces the amount of glare light and increases the uniformity of light distribution to effectively illuminate the display of the electronic device. The receptacle comprises a lip over-molded to a base. The lip may be formed of a material that is more flexible than a material forming the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Khim Hung Foo, Kari J. Rinko, John Gee Tang, Gregory T. Witmer, Qing-Hua He, Jerilynn S. Ng
  • Publication number: 20140168950
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a menu vision aid. In one embodiment, a menu vision aid comprises a frame, a lens disposed within the frame adapted to enhance the visibility of a menu page, a light source attached to the frame adapted to provide light to a menu page; and an attachment member attached to at least one of the frame and the light source, the attachment member adapted to attach the menu vision aid to a menu page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: David Levine, Gene Uhlig, Joseph A. Calenda
  • Patent number: 8733961
    Abstract: A light bar for illuminating a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the light bar includes an elongated housing extending along an edge of the surface to be illuminated. The housing has a wall adjacent the surface to be illuminated, and at least portions of that wall are transparent. A series of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted within the housing and spaced along the length of the housing for illuminating the surface, and a connector couples the LEDs to an electrical power source for energizing the LEDs to produce light that illuminates the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Triplet Music Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. McGowan, W. David Keys, Jean Giroux
  • Patent number: 8641249
    Abstract: An illuminating magnifying lens capable of focusing its light on objects in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame connected to a handle, and in a part of the handle jointing to the frame is defined an assembling groove in which being assembled a lamp, a battery and a light guiding member. When the magnifying lens is used to magnify the object, the projecting light of the lamp is restricted by the light guiding member and can only be emitted out from the open end of the guiding hole, plus there is projecting angle between the guiding hole and the lens element, therefore, the light of the lamp will be directed toward the object without projecting onto the lens element, thus preventing dazzling reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Su
  • Publication number: 20140003034
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention use light to add human-like features to an inanimate object. In one embodiment, the object includes a film with an image that has been manipulated to provide for a low profile projection of an image onto a vertical surface directly adjacent to the object. For example, the image of a witch's head could be projected onto a wall and directly beneath, a witch's hat could be hanging on the wall. In another embodiment, changing lights and shadows are used to create animated objects out of otherwise inanimate objects. Various embodiments include components to create the illusion of changing facial expressions. These components include a plurality of light sources and an electronic device that controls the light sources to create the animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: TIMOTHY JAY LIEN, JASON BLAKE PENROD, STEVE EIKOS, ROBERT D. WERTANEN, MA LAP MAN, WESLEY D. LINDQUIST, KARI JEAN WALBERG
  • Publication number: 20130341900
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a system and method for producing a back-lit colour laser image, and an identity document using this method and back lighting system. The body of the identity document may be transparent. In various implementations, the light back-lights the colour laser image which may be formed of sub-pixels partly covered by non-reflective surfaces in the protective layer. The light may enter through tiny holes in decorative patterns on the reverse side of the document. Various implementations may find particular applications for identity cards, credit cards, passports, driving licences, secure entry badges, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Lazzari, Jean Marc Lazzari
  • Patent number: 8591055
    Abstract: An illuminated clipboard (100) includes a clipboard base (102), a license receiving/viewing device (106) located on the clipboard base, and an illumination source (150, 156) adapted to selectively illuminate the license receiving/viewing device. An illumination source (194) illuminates a ticket-holding area (104). Displays (180, 182) provide current date and time information and a future court date information. An auxiliary license holding slot (196) is provided having an auxiliary illumination source (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony S. Leanza
  • Patent number: 8585230
    Abstract: A device for illuminating a surface of a member is provided that includes a light transmissive element having a substantially planar surface adapted to be situated over and separated from the member surface. The device also includes a light source adapted to emit light rays that directly illuminate the member surface and light rays directed between the element surface and the member surface at an angle causing a substantial portion of the light rays to be reflected by the element surface onto the member surface to illuminate the member surface. The light rays reflected from the member surface pass through the element such that the illuminated member surface can be observed. An apparatus for illuminating a surface is provided that includes an arrangement reflecting light toward the member that is positioned over the member and separated from the member by a gap, and an arrangement emitting light into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Phillip Schopper
  • Patent number: 8581832
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises a plurality of light sources, light sequencing circuitry coupled to the light sources, a light guide structure for directing light from the plurality of light sources over a surface of a display screen to be illuminated, and a user interface for providing control input to the light sequencing circuitry. The light sequencing circuitry comprises a logic state machine responsive to the control input to select one of a plurality of available sequencing modes for the plurality of light sources, a code generator operative to generate output signals controlling respective ones of the light sources responsive to the selected one of the sequencing modes, and timing circuitry for defining timing intervals for processing of the control input by the logic state machine to determine the selected one of the sequencing modes and for generation of the corresponding output signals by the code generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Roger A. Fratti, Joseph Michael Freund
  • Publication number: 20130250552
    Abstract: A lighted clipboard comprising a platform, where the platform receives a document; a clip attached to a top portion of the platform, where the clip secures the document to the platform; an adjustable light attached to the platform, where the adjustable light is an LED light and where the adjustable light illuminates the document on the platform. The adjustable light may be attached to the top, bottom or sides of the platform for optional illumination of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Anderson
  • Patent number: 8540388
    Abstract: A lit billfold for displaying and illuminating checks in dimly lit restaurants includes front and back covers, a document securing means, and a document illuminating means. The document securing means includes a plurality of straps attached to the edge of the inner surface of one of the front or back covers. The document illuminating means includes a light guide panel with a light source and a switch means, which both electrically connect to a power source located in a power source housing. Folding the light guide panel open toggles the switch means and activates the light source. Folding the light guide panel closed again toggles the switch means and deactivates the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Yi-Ting Chen
  • Publication number: 20130180936
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a holder with a slot for laterally receiving and extracting a thin substrate into a recessed access area where a major surface of the substrate may be accessed while the edges of the substrate are substantially retained against vertical egress. In an illustrative example, the thin substrate may be paper or other material suitable for marking with a writing instrument. The access area in some examples may be defined by an opening in the holder through which a central area of the major surface of the substrate may be accessed. In an illustrative embodiment, the holder may be attached to a child's high chair to attract the child's attention and substantially confine the use of writing instruments to the paper disposed within the recessed access area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Kavitha Subbaraman, Rajagopalan Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 8469534
    Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hanney, Peter Iezzi, Todd Conard
  • Patent number: 8419222
    Abstract: An electronic reader system includes an electronic book and a stylus. The electronic book includes a battery and a cover. The stylus includes a pen body for writing on the electronic book to input data or commands into the electronic book, and an illumination member detachably attached to the pen body. The illumination member can be detached from the pen body and attached onto the electronic book, receiving electrical power from the book as it does so, to illuminate the electronic book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sha-Sha Hu, Yan-Xiang Huang, Ting Gong, Ting Dong, Bo-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8348450
    Abstract: A dedicated electronic book (“eBook”) reader device and a reading light are described. The reading light may be embedded in a cover for the eBook reader device. The cover may draw power from the eBook reader device and provide that power to the reading light. The reading light may be attached to the cover by a flexible connector that, when withdrawn from the cover, automatically positions the reading light to illuminate an electronic display of the eBook reader device. In one implementation, the flexible connector is made of shape-memory alloy. The reading light may be oriented within the cover such that the reading light extends from a corner of the cover at an approximately 45 degree angle from a spine of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Hebenstreit, Wilfrido Loor Canizares, Amrinder Pal Singh Siani, Hannah Rebecca Lewbel
  • Patent number: 8297774
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a booklight which is free-standing or attaches to a book cover, a bed frame or other supporting object to facilitate the reading of a book. Attached to each arm is at least one light-radiating source which may be housed within a shade. The light-radiating source may be an incandescent, fluorescent or LED bulb, or the like, as is known in the art. The angle and direction of each light-radiating source can be manually and separately adjusted by the user to focus light on different areas of the book simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: David Michael Lilenfeld
  • Patent number: 8256937
    Abstract: A drawing assembly for children includes a housing having a drawing surface and an illumination assembly pivotally connected to the housing and movable between a storage position within a recess in the housing, and a deployed position. The illumination assembly includes an illumination source that is positionable to provide illumination to the drawing surface when in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Bleyle, Ray Cappello, Ken Temple
  • Patent number: 8246208
    Abstract: An electronic book includes a shell and an illumination device. The shell defines a housing. The illumination device is received in the housing, and includes a support arm rotatablely connected to the shell, at least one light source fixed on the support arm, a opening mechanism movably connected to the support arm and opens or folds the support arm, and a light cover mounted on the opening mechanism. The light cover follows the opening mechanism to unfold or fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bao-Jun Huang, Jing Wen
  • Publication number: 20120206905
    Abstract: A booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: M-EDGE ACCESSORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick MISH, Jim WARD, Adam ASHLEY
  • Patent number: 8220945
    Abstract: An electronic book includes a shell and an illumination device. The shell defines a receiving groove. The illumination device includes a support arm fastened to the shell and an illumination member fixed on the support arm. The illumination device is received in the receiving groove when not in use. The electronic book can be read when the ambient light is too low or in darkness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bao-Jun Huang, Jing Wen
  • Patent number: 8201960
    Abstract: A children's book light comprises a head, the head including a light source for illuminating at least one page of a book; a body, the body including a page holder for holding open a page of the book; and a flexible neck, the flexible neck connecting the head to the body. Preferably, the head represents the head of a fictional character or an animal. Preferably, the page holder includes a pair of arms capable of holding the book open to a selected page. Preferably, the flexible neck is constructed of metal, most preferably, gooseneck tubing. Preferably, the light source includes a light emitting diode (LED), and the body includes at least one battery, the at least one battery electrically connected to the LED situated in the head via wiring, the wiring passing through the flexible neck from the battery to the LED. Preferably, the flexible neck is structured and arranged to allow the head to move relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Gonzalo Chris Ortega
  • Patent number: 8186843
    Abstract: A booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: M-Edge Accessories, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Mish, Jim Ward, Adam Ashley
  • Patent number: 8113676
    Abstract: A device for discreetly illuminating theater programs for reading in a darkened theater, including an elongated generally flat top surface portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a first width and defining a display surface, an elongated generally flat bottom surface portion spaced from the generally flat elongated top surface portion and extending generally parallel to the elongated generally flat top surface portion and having a second width less than the first width, a first side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and disposed substantially perpendicular to the generally flat top and bottom surface portions, a second side portion extending between the generally flat top and bottom surface portions, wherein the generally flat top and bottom surface portions and the first and second side portions define a housing, a generally cylindrical recess formed in the housing, a translucent elongated slit formed in the second side portion and directed away from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Hallowell
  • Patent number: 8087794
    Abstract: A book is disclosed with light sources embedded in the pages, thereby providing substantially uniform illumination that eliminates any need for external lighting. Visual interest is increased by providing switchability between a plurality of illumination modes, such as Flicker, Flash, On, and Off, each mode causing all of the light sources in at least one page to behave in a substantially identical manner. The light sources can be LED lights embedded in a regular array within translucent sheets that improve the illumination uniformity. An illumination control, on/off switch, and/or power source such as exchangeable or rechargeable batteries can be included in the spine of the book, or in a separate housing in wired communication with the book. Illumination modes can be switched by moving a magnetic and/or conductive portion of a wand near sensors in the pages. Indicia can be printed directly on the translucent sheets, and/or on overlay sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Janice Stravinskas, Joseph V. Stravinskas, Russ Weinzimmer
  • Patent number: 8047670
    Abstract: A booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: M-Edge Accessories, LLC
    Inventors: Mish Patrick, Jim Ward, Adam Ashley
  • Publication number: 20110261555
    Abstract: A reading light such as is clipped onto the back of a book has two illuminating color zones; one being yellow/white and the other being blue/white. These are provided by separate LEDs. These LEDs are mounted on one or more arms which can be pivoted from a closed state to a deployed state. A manual switch allows the user to switch between the two different colors of illumination or select both at the same time. This approach enhances user comfort in reading the illuminated material. Certain materials and certain ambient light favor the use of a yellow/light illumination color while other materials and other conditions favor the use of a blue/white illumination color. This provides visual comfort for the user who can select which of the light color ranges is most comfortable and can select both if that provides greater comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated
    Inventors: Toshihide Hokari, Russell Posser
  • Publication number: 20110242798
    Abstract: A children's book light comprises a head, the head including a light source for illuminating at least one page of a book; a body, the body including a page holder for holding open a page of the book; and a flexible neck, the flexible neck connecting the head to the body. Preferably, the head represents the head of a fictional character or an animal. Preferably, the page holder includes a pair of arms capable of holding the book open to a selected page. Preferably, the flexible neck is constructed of metal, most preferably, gooseneck tubing. Preferably, the light source includes a light emitting diode (LED), and the body includes at least one battery, the at least one battery electrically connected to the LED situated in the head via wiring, the wiring passing through the flexible neck from the battery to the LED. Preferably, the flexible neck is structured and arranged to allow the head to move relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Gonzalo Chris Ortega
  • Publication number: 20110188231
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for turning the pages of books. The page turning apparatus includes a housing which receives the book. Further, the page turning apparatus includes a shaft having single or multiple protrusions. The shaft rotates and one or more of the protrusions attached to the shaft act through a number of steps to lift the page, and subsequently push the page as the shaft moves linearly to complete the page-turning process and then reset so the process can be repeated. The rotational motion and the linear motion are provided by one or more energy means. Also, the energy means provides a rotational and a linear motion to the shaft for turning the page of the book. In addition, the rotational motion of the shaft is followed by the linear motion along a horizontal axis of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Manera
  • Publication number: 20110134625
    Abstract: An integrated illuminating reading material holder and system for recharging the holder(s) that uses an electro-luminescent sheet positioned parallel to and under a top flat transparent surface. The reading material is adapted to be supported on top of the transparent surface. A multi-slotted recharging station includes contacts in designated slots for recharging the battery of the holder when received in a respective slot. The holder and system may also use light emitting diodes placed around all or a portion of the perimeter of the holder to illuminate the reading material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: PIRD, LLC
    Inventor: Gary D. Broxson
  • Patent number: 7926986
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a housing, a light-emitting unit, a cup-shaped reflector, and a plurality of leads. The light-emitting unit is disposed in the housing. The cup-shaped reflector is disposed in the housing, and includes a base wall that is formed with a plurality of holes therethrough, and a surrounding wall that diverges from the base wall thereof and that surrounds the light-emitting unit. Each of the leads extends into the housing and is coupled electrically to the light-emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Yu-Nung Shen
  • Patent number: 7920320
    Abstract: The invention relates to electronic devices, in particular consumer electronic devices, including an electrophoactive display, as well as to electronic document reading devices, sometimes called e-readers, such as electronic books. We describe an electronic device including an electroactive display and a light to illuminate said display, wherein said display has a viewing surface, and wherein said light is configured to illuminate said display from in front and to one side of an edge of said viewing surface, across said viewing surface and through a front-most surface of said display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Plastic Logic Limited
    Inventors: Ben Watson, Nick Sandham, David Fisher, Duncan Barclay, Simon Jones, Carl Hayton, Anusha Nirmalananthan
  • Patent number: 7918576
    Abstract: An illuminated clipboard is provided including a base member having an outer surface with a first lamp retainer and a storage compartment with a second lamp retainer. A document holder is secured to the base member for holding a document. An illumination source is removably attachable to the first lamp retainer to selectively illuminate a document held by the document holder and attachable to the second lamp retainer for storage in the storage compartment. A second clipboard can be removable attached to the illuminated clipboard in a back-to-back relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Anthony S. Leanza
  • Publication number: 20110069475
    Abstract: A booklight for a protective cover for an eReader, wherein the protective cover includes a pocket for supporting the booklight, the booklight including a base, a light housing assembly having a light source, a manipulatable neck coupled between the base and the light housing assembly, and a base tab rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the base tab includes a first end rotatably coupled to the base tab, and a second end extending from the first end, wherein the second end is a free end, and wherein at least a portion of the free end is configured to engage the pocket of the protective cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: M-Edge Accessories, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Mish, Jim Ward, Adam Ashley
  • Patent number: 7905648
    Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Freedom Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hanney, Peter Iezzi, Todd Conard
  • Patent number: 7736012
    Abstract: An armored clipboard device for inhibiting a head and a torso of an officer being impacted by bullets fired from a gun includes a case being held by the officer when the officer is writing a ticket. The case includes a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral wall extending between the front wall and the back wall. The front wall has an exterior layer and an interior layer. The exterior layer is comprised of a ballistic deflecting material to deflect rounds impacting the front wall of the case. The interior layer is comprised of a ballistic absorbing layer to slow down and stop any of the rounds that penetrate the exterior layer. A handle is coupled to the case and is grasped to facilitate manipulation of the case. An illumination assembly is coupled to the case to emit light and illuminate an area in front of the officer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventors: Edward S. Chu, Fannie Chu
  • Patent number: 7731392
    Abstract: A portable light intended for mounting on a garment as support includes two LED light sources spaced apart towards the rear of the portable light. A clipped base below on anchor facilitates locating a garment between the anchor and the base, and a spring action urges the base toward the anchor. A hingedly movable head for the LEDs is mounted on the housing to move to and form the housing. An opening of the housing causes a switch in the housing to move between an opened and closed position such that a circuit actives or deactivates the LED lights when the head opens or closes relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Parker, Kevin Deighton, Mac Kidakarn
  • Patent number: 7708429
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illuminated document display system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable document display case configured to house at least one document for discrete illuminated visual viewing. The display case further includes an illumination system, a document protection system, and a storage system. The illumination system is configured to house an illumination device in a manner that facilitates visually receiving information from a document while minimizing external non-document light transmission. The document protection system provides a receptacle to protectively house a document while maintaining the ability for a user to view the document. In addition, the document protection system is configured to enable the illumination system to transmit light upon the document. The storage system enables the illumination system and document display system to be manipulated in a manner to provide for convenient storage without damaging the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Kennedy, Douglas Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7686467
    Abstract: An illuminating device is described. The illuminating device may include a head, a neck and a body. The illuminating device may be manipulated into numerous positions including extended and nested positions so that the light source may be positioned inside the securing structure in the nested position and outside the securing structure in the extended position. Such an illuminating device may be desirable for use, for example, as a portable illuminator, book light, and travel light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Sol-Light LLC.
    Inventors: David Nelson, John Smith, Chase Thompson, Dana Robert Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7671844
    Abstract: A portable electronic reference device is disclosed that can be used by a user when reading a book. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. The device has a display section and a keyboard section. A pivoting transparent lid is provided on the display. The lid also contains a light to allow a user to clearly see the device and pages of a book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Goszyk
  • Publication number: 20090323315
    Abstract: An illuminated table tent comprises a transparent shell with an elongate light source, adapted to direct light radially through surfaces of the transparent shell, maintained within the interior of the shell. A menu or other semitransparent or translucent document is interposed between the light source and insider surface of the transparent shell. A pressure switch is biased in an extended position from a bottom surface of the table tent base to turn the lights on when the weight of the table tent is lifted from the switch, and closes to turn the light source off when the table tent rests on the supporting surface and the switch is in a retracted position flush with the bottom surface of the table tent base. The table tent back-lights the menu for viewing only when the table tent is picked up and passed around, or turned over to form an always-on lantern; otherwise, the table tent is automatically maintained in an off position to save on battery power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: TUMAY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerry Tuite, Sara Tuite, Kevin Tuite
  • Publication number: 20090207589
    Abstract: A reading stand is described which includes a stabilizing base, a column extending upward from the base, and an arm projecting laterally from the column. Mounted at or near the end of the arm is a clamp which is used to hold reading material and/or a reading material support. Reading material placed in the claim is fully or at least substantially below the level of the arm, thereby providing greater clearance between a reader's body and the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: David Smith
  • Patent number: 7549762
    Abstract: A device for illuminating single or multiple page reading material in dimly lit locations, includes two hinged-together cover panels each having a holder for the reading material. The panels completely enclose the reading material in a closed condition and permit reading of the material in an open condition. An additional panel is hinged to one of the cover panels and a wireless or rechargeable lighting module with a programmable microprocessor is retained to the additional panel for moveably directing light onto the reading material. One panel may be used with a flexible strap connected to the panel and retaining the lighting module. A lanyard may be used to connect the panel to the lighting module. The panel may have a cavity and a reel on which the lanyard is wound and connected to the lighting module. The panel may have a channel for a flexible strap retaining the lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventors: Gillian M. Dinnerstein, Peter Millward
  • Patent number: 7543951
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for providing a luminous writing surface, whose color, color temperature, and/or brightness are controlled to achieve a desired contrast between the writing surface and markings removably made thereon. For example, LED-based light sources and/or LED-based controllable lighting units can be employed to back-light or edge-light a transparent or translucent material thereby providing the luminous writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad E. Koerner, Kevin J. Dowling