U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,303

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1,2and3, in one embodiment of the present invention, a display illumination system, including a lighting device or light source such as backlight device126, is employed in a handheld video game device100. While the light source is preferably a backlight device126, any suitable light source can be used. The handheld video game device100includes a housing103, a processor mounted in the housing and a display mounted to the housing and controlled by the processor. It should be understood that a processor can be any suitable electronic circuit. The display is preferably a video display or video screen102; however it can be any other suitable display device. Preferably, the handheld video game device100also includes a plurality of inputs104,106,108and110, which are mounted to the housing and controlled by the processor, and a photoconductive sensor or light sensor111which is mounted on a surface of the housing or positioned in any other suitable location. The photoconductive sensor or light sensor111is in communication with the processor and is adapted to detect an ambient light intensity level. Sensor111is also in communication with an illumination device such as backlight device126positioned adjacent to the screen102that is also in communication with the processor.

The illumination device, backlight device or backlight display126can be automatically adjusted such that the light intensity level of the video display or video screen enables players to view and play a game displayed by the handheld video game device in different ambient light conditions. Therefore, players are able to enjoy and play the games with little or no affect on their concentration or their ability to play the games.

In one embodiment, the display device or display screen102includes a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that displays the characters, symbols or images of a particular game when the game is operated by the handheld device. Preferably, the LCD is mounted to the housing103and is visible by a player from the front or top portion of the handheld device as illustrated inFIG. 1; however the LCD can be arranged in any suitable configuration. The LCD or display screen102may display black and white images, color images or any suitable combination of these colors or images. It should be appreciated that the display screen102does not necessarily need to be an LCD and may be any suitable display device or display screen.

Preferably, the backlight device126includes a conventional backlight device such the backlight devices available at video game stores or retailers; however, the backlight device126can be any suitable backlight device. The backlight device126is preferably internally mounted to the housing103of the handheld device100; however the backlight device126can be configured in any suitable manner. Specifically, the backlight device126is positioned adjacent to and between the display device or display screen102of the handheld device100and the processor (i.e., printed circuit board, PC board or other suitable device). The processor activates the backlight device to increase the light intensity level of the display screen102in low or no light conditions. It should be appreciated that the light intensity level of the light emitted from the backlight device126is adjustable to any suitable light intensity level or to any desired light intensity level by the processor.

Preferably, the handheld device100includes a photoconductive sensor or light sensor111which is mounted to the housing103; however, the photoconductive sensor or light sensor111is not necessarilty mounted (e.g., a remote sensor not mounted to the housing) and can be arranged in any other suitable manner. The handheld device preferably includes one photoconductive sensor111, but can include any suitable number of photoconductive sensors111. It should also be appreciated that the photo conductive sensor111may be mounted to any suitable location or locations on the housing103. The photo conductive sensor may also be an independent sensor which is attachable to a surface of the housing103.

The photoconductive sensor111detects or senses the ambient light intensity level and communicates the detected light intensity level to the processor. Then, the processor compares the detected light intensity level with a designated, pre-determined or preset light intensity level that is inputted or programmed into the processor during manufacturing of the handheld game device or any other suitable time. It should be noted that the player can specify the preset light intensity level. Further, the preset light intensity level could be derived or learned from the player's behavior (e.g., the player manually adjusting the display illumination in one or more ambient light circumstances). Preferably, the designated light intensity level is determined or set based on a desired or optimum light intensity level for viewing the display device or display screen of the handheld device100in low to no light conditions; however, the designed, predetermined or preset light intensity level can be set to any suitable light intensity level.

Preferably, the handheld device100includes a capacitor such as a time delay capacitor124, which is mounted to the processor or PC board; however, the handheld device100can operate in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention without a capacitor such as the time delay capacitor124. The time delay capacitor124can be any suitable capacitor. Preferably, the time delay capacitor124is electrically connected between the photo conductive sensor111and the backlight device126as illustrated inFIG. 3; however, the time delay capacitor124can be connected in any other suitable configuration or absent from the handheld device100entirely.

The time delay capacitor124receives the electrical signals from the photo conductive sensor (which indicates the ambient light intensity level) and adjusts the signals so that the backlight display gradually illuminates until the designated or desired light intensity level is reached. Therefore, the time delay capacitor prevents the backlight display from automatically illuminating to the highest light intensity level or brightest light setting such as what commonly occurs with the backlight device in a typical cellular phone or similar device. The gradual illumination of the display screen (i.e., LCD) enables the backlight device126to illuminate the display screen to several different light intensity levels.

Further, the gradual change in backlight level can make the change less noticeable to the game player and/or to others. Thus, the game player is less likely to be distracted from the game by abrupt backlight level changes, and backlight level changes are less likely to draw the attention of others. As a result, the backlight device enhances the visual display of the game and increases a player's enjoyment of the video game device.

Additionally, the gradual illumination of the backlight device efficiently utilizes the stored energy, such as the energy stored in one or more batteries inserted in the device, to operate the handheld device. This conserves energy and thereby enables the batteries, or other energy source that powers the handheld device, to last longer and enable players to play the games for a longer period of time while using the backlight device.

Preferably, after a player activates or turns the handheld device “on,” the processor automatically causes the photoconductive sensor111to sense or detect the ambient light intensity level of the particular location or setting in which a player is using the handheld device, and automatically causes the backlight device or backlight display to automatically, gradually adjust the light intensity level of the display screen102according to the detected ambient light intensity level. However, it should be noted that operation of the photoconductive sensor111can be initiated and/or conducted manually or in any other suitable manner.

Preferably, the backlight device of the present invention continuously and gradually adjusts the light intensity level of the display screen of the video game device to a designated optimum light intensity level based on the detected ambient light conditions of the surroundings in which the player is playing a game operated by the handheld device; however, the light intensity level can be adjusted at regular intervals or in any other suitable manner. The present invention therefore enables players to continue to play games operated by the handheld device without interruption and at substantially optimum or ideal light intensity levels for viewing and playing the games on the display screen.

When the ambient light intensity level is less than the preset or designated light intensity level as shown in block116, the processor gradually increases the light intensity level of the light emitted by the backlight device126. Similarly, the processor gradually decreases the light intensity level of the light emitted by the backlight device126when the ambient light intensity level is greater than the designated or preset light intensity level as shown in block112.

Further, when the ambient light intensity level is greater than the designated light intensity level, the processor causes the time delay capacitor to charge up. As a result, the backlight device gradually emits light and gradually illuminates the display screen102. Once the capacitor is fully charged, the backlight device illuminates at the target illumination level (e.g., maximum illumination or another predetermined level). When the ambient light intensity level is less than or below the designated light intensity level, the processor causes the time delay capacitor to discharge. Once the capacitor is fully discharged, the backlight device illuminates at the target illumination level (e.g., no illumination or another predetermined level). Operating the handheld device in this manner saves significant power and enables the batteries or other energy source used to operate the video game device to last longer.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the preferred electrical or electronic configuration of the components of the handheld device is shown; however the components of the handheld device can have any suitable electrical or electronic configuration. The photo conductive sensor111is electrically connected to the time delay capacitor124which controls the illumination of the backlight device. The capacitor124is also electrically connected to the backlight device126. Thus, the electrical signals indicating the ambient light intensity level sensed by the photoconductive sensor111are relayed or communicated to the backlight device126via electrical wires or any suitable electrical communication lines or means. The capacitor adjusts the time delay of the electrical signals to increase or decrease the light intensity level of the backlight device based on the ambient light intensity level detected or sensed by the photoconductive sensor111as described above. It should be appreciated that the electrical configuration of the present invention may include any suitable number of resistors, capacitors or other electrical components. Further, it should be appreciated that the display illumination system can be electrically or electronically separate from the system that controls the game.

FIGS. 4 and 5show the operation of an alternative embodiment in which the display and backlight device126(or any other display illumination device or method) are maintained to the extent possible at an effective brightness level. Both an ambient light scale and a backlight scale are determined. Preferably the ambient light scale ranges from no ambient light to the maximum detectable by the photoconductive sensors111; however the ambient light scale can have any suitable range. Similarly, the backlight scale preferably ranges from off to maximally on; however, the backlight scale can have any suitable range. A mapping function maps ambient light values to backlight values. Preferably, the mapping function is linear; however the mapping function can be any suitable mapping from ambient light values to backlight values. It should be noted that backlighting is discussed for illustrative purposes and that any other illumination devices and/or methods can be used in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 4, as the ambient light level detected by the photoconductive sensors111changes, the amount of light supplied by the display illumination or brightness system also changes. When a handheld video game device100is turned on, at step400the photoconductive sensors detect the ambient light level. From the ambient light level a target illumination level is determined (e.g., using the mapping function) at step405. Then, at step410, it is determined whether the current illumination level is lower than the target illumination level. If it is, the current illumination level is increased at step415and the process repeats at step400. Preferably, the current illumination level is increased directly to the target illumination level; however, the current illumination level can be increased by an increment, by a gradual increase towards maximally on using a time delay capacitor124as described above, or in any other suitable manner.

If the current illumination level is not lower than the target illumination level, at step420, it is determined whether the current illumination level is higher than the target illumination level. If it is, the current illumination level is decreased at step425and the process repeats at step400. Preferably, the current illumination level is decreased directly to the target illumination level; however, the current illumination level can be decreased by an increment, by a gradual decrease towards off using a time delay capacitor124as described above, or in any other suitable manner. If the current illumination level is not higher than the target illumination level, the levels must be equal, so the level is not adjusted and the process repeats at step400.

Additionally, the processor is preferably programmable to check the ambient light constantly or at specific time intervals, and repeats the process described above and shown inFIG. 4. Thus, if the ambient light level changes, the illumination level is adjusted only as much as needed (i.e., the amount indicated by the mapping function).

As shown inFIG. 5, the game player or user, preferably, can manually select a brightness level for the display illumination system at step500. The selection is preferably made by moving a dedicated dimmer switch; however, the selection can be made using a combination of software and one or more general input devices (e.g., adjustment of various laptop monitors by invoking a display brightness adjustment mode and pressing the left/right or up/down cursor keys to raise or lower the brightness level) or any suitable selection device. It should be noted that the level selected by the game player or user can be sub-optimal for battery efficiency purposes.

Further, the level selected can be inconsistent with a mapping function given the current ambient light level. To reconcile this possible inconsistency, if the player selected illumination level is different from the illumination level determined by the current ambient light level and the mapping function, the mapping function is changed so that the current ambient light level maps to the player selected illumination level at step505. Preferably, the function is changed by adding or subtracting a scalar value. For example, if the mapping function, map(x), maps the current ambient light level to an illumination level that is c units below the player selected illumination, the new mapping function, new_map(x), is map(x)+c. It should be noted that the new mapping function can be any suitable mapping function. Then, at step510, the new mapping function is used to control the display device illumination level.

The handheld video game device100can also include an override mechanism that enables a user to specify that the display illumination level should not change even if the ambient light level changes. Further, the mapping function and/or preset light intensity level can be programmed using any suitable means. Thus, a user can specify the exact display illumination behavior desired in any number or range of ambient light intensity levels.

It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to video game devices such as handheld video game devices and may be employed in any suitable devices such as personal digital assistants, portable computers or lap top computers, blackberry devices, cellular phones, portable DVD players or any suitable electronic, electrical, video display device or other suitable display device which utilizes a display screen to display images, symbols, characters or other data or information to a user.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.