Automatic display illumination in a receiver

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver has a light function input device for controlling a light function, further comprising the steps of: testing for activation of the light function input device; upon activation of said light function input device, starting a second timer defining a second time interval; upon expiration of said second time interval, testing for continued activation of the light function input device, and upon detecting activation of the light function input device, toggling the light function between an automatic mode of operation and a manual mode of operation.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein the display comprises an icon, further comprising the steps of: activating a first and second state of said icon according to the mode of operation of said light function.

Claim 5

A receiver for receiving signals, comprising: a display; a light source for illuminating said display; a received signal indicator having an output indicative of the presence of a received signal and indicative of the absence of a received signal; a first timer for timing a first time interval, said first timer having an output for outputting a signal indicative of the expiration of said first time interval; and a controller coupled to said display for displaying information thereon, said controller operably coupled to said light source for illuminating and extinguishing said light source, said controller coupled to said first timer for starting said first timer, and further coupled to said output of said first timer, and said controller coupled to said received signal indicator output, such that when said received signal indicator output indicates the presence of said received signal, said controller illuminates said light source and starts said first timer, said controller illuminating said light source until said received signal indicator indicates the absence of a signal, or until said first timer output indicates said expiration of said first time interval.

Claim 6

A receiver for receiving signals, comprising: a display; a light source for illuminating said display; a received signal indicator having an output indicative of the presence of a received signal and indicative of the absence of a received signal; a first timer for timing a first time interval, said first timer having an output for outputting a signal indicative of the expiration of said first time interval; and a controller coupled to said display for displaying information thereon, said controller operably coupled to said light source for illuminating and extinguishing said light source, said controller coupled to said first timer for starting said first timer, and further coupled to said output of said first timer, and said controller coupled to said received signal indicator output, such that when said received signal indicator output indicates the presence of said received signal, said controller illuminates said light source and starts said first timer, said controller illuminating said light source until said received signal indicator indicates the absence of a signal, or until said first timer output indicates said expiration of said first time interval.

Claim 7

The receiver in claim 4, further comprising: a light function input device operably coupled to said controller, and having an activated state; and wherein activation of said light function input device for more than a second time interval causes said controller to toggle a light function routine between a manual mode and an automatic mode of operation.

Claim 8

The receiver of claim 5, further comprising: an icon in said display having a first and second state wherein said first state indicates said manual mode and said second state indicates said automatic mode of operation of said light function routine; and wherein said controller activates said first and second state of said icon according to the presently operable mode of operation of said light function routine.