Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-02-20
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S679090, C361S689000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191939
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of information handling systems, and particularly to illumination of information handling systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often desirable to utilize an information handing system in a variety of places at a variety of times. For example, it is often desirable to utilize a portable information handling system, such as a laptop computer, on an overnight airline flight to accomplish a variety of tasks during the flight. Under such conditions, the amount of lighting available for illuminating the information handling system, especially the keyboard or pointing device, is severely limited or non-existent. In the event operation of the information handling system in low ambient lighting levels is desired, auxiliary illumination of the information handling system is required. Since the display of the information handling system is typically a source of light, it would be highly advantageous to utilize light emanating from the display by redirecting a portion of the light to illuminate areas of the information handling system requiring illumination such as the keyboard or pointing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an information handing system capable of being utilized in an environment having a low level of ambient light. In one embodiment, the information handling system includes a housing having upper and lower sections, a display disposed on the upper section of the housing for displaying information, and a reflective material disposed on the upper section of the housing for reflecting light emanating from the display onto the lower section of the housing such that the lower section of the housing is illuminated by the reflected light.
The present invention is further directed to a method for utilizing an information handling system in an environment having a low level of ambient light. In one embodiment, the method includes steps for operating a display of the information handling system whereby light is emanated from the display, impinging a portion of the light emanated from the display upon a reflective material disposed on the information handling system, and redirecting the light impinging upon the reflective material to a portion of the information handling system for which illumination is desired such that the portion of the information handing system is illuminated.
It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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patent: 5510782 (1996-04-01), Norris et al.
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patent: 5708428 (1998-01-01), Phillips
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patent: 3046881 A1 (1982-09-01), None
Chang Yean-Hsi
Cool Kenneth J.
Gateway Inc.
Picard Leo P.
Suiter & Associates PC
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