US5899553A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroluminescent lamp for illuminating push-button devices
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1996-04-17
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an electroluminescent device which proves a means for illuminating push-button devices such as television remote controllers, keypads for security systems, computer keyboards, beepers, night lights, telephones, portable emergency lighting, calculators, and like devices. The invention comprises a power supply which includes an electrical voltage inverter and a power source, and which is connected to a thin and flexible electroluminescent planar sheet containing embedded circuitry and powered by alternating current. The individual components are connected together by electrical leads. The thin electroluminescent lamp portion of the invention provides an even area of template illumination when it is placed over push buttons of an underlying device, and that device can then be used under low-level illumination, or even in complete darkness. Additionally, the present invention allows augmentation of existing illumination. The invention can be added during the manufacturing process, or it can be retrofitted by the end-user to upgrade devices already in use. The planar sheet can be manufactured to glow in one or more of several colors, to suit the needs of the manufacturer or end-user.
Inventors
- 👤 Montgomery Brook Howell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:36
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/018; H01H2219/02; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An illumination source on an underlying device with push buttons, the illumination source comprising: (a) a power supply; (b) an electroluminescent responsive planar sheet powered by the power supply to develop an illumination response, wherein the planar sheet has a profiled border and templated openings to expose the push buttons of the underlying device; (c) wherein the planar sheet is provided with power from said power supply coupled to a terminal on the profiled border; (d) leads connecting a power clip to the power supply; (e) an interface to attach the planar sheet to the underlying device; and (f) an on-off switch on the underlying device to control the power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An illumination source on an underlying device with push buttons, the illumination source comprising: (a) a power supply; (b) an electroluminescent responsive planar sheet powered by the power supply to develop an illumination response, wherein the planar sheet has a profiled border and templated openings to expose the push buttons of the underlying device; (c) wherein the planar sheet is provided with power from said power supply coupled to a terminal on the profiled border; (d) leads connecting a power clip to the power supply; (e) an interface to attach the planar sheet to the underlying device; and (f) an on-off switch on the underlying device to control the power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 in which the power supply includes a battery source and an electrical voltage inverter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 in which the electroluminescent planar sheet has a surface which is evenly illuminated so that: (a) labels on the surface of the planar sheet and surrounding the push buttons of the underlying device to enable the electroluminescent illumination thereof; and (b) the illumination is uniform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the illumination source is mounted externally of the underlying device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 1 in which the planar sheet is templated and a region of the sheet is perforated such that: (a) the sheet fits over any available underlying device; and (b) the functions written on the control face are lit and readable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 in which the underlying push-button device is lit by template illumination, solely or in an augmented manner, and in a visible spectrum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the illumination device is externally mounted on said underlying device for illuminating the device push buttons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the power supply further contains a transformer device and operates for a timed interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the electroluminescent responsive planar sheet: (a) is flexible and bendable; (b) is a thin film and normally opaque; (c) is luminescently responsive to selective voltages; and (d) has a surface adapted to receive printed indicia thereupon indicative of the functions of the underlying device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the illumination source is added to the underlying device during the initial manufacture of the underlying device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the invention is retrofitted to an already-manufactured device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the illumination source including an electrical connection within the body of an underlying device having a battery compartment and including: (a) the power supply in the battery compartment of the underlying device; (b) the planar sheet fixedly attached to a push-button containing active surface of the underlying device; and (c) the on-off switch on a lateral surface of the underlying device for activation of the illumination source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illumination device of claim 12 wherein the circuitry of the underlying device is contained wholly within the body of the underlying device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illumination device of claim 12 wherein the illuminating planar sheet is external and fixedly attached to the push-button containing active surface of the underlying device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The illumination device of claim 12 wherein an on-off switch is external and mounted on a lateral surface of the underlying device for activation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The illumination device of claim 12 wherein electroluminescent circuitry is intimately connected to the internal circuit boards of the underlying device during manufacture.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of electroillumination of an underlying device with push buttons, wherein an illumination source is added by: (a) attaching a power supply; (b) including an electroluminescent responsive planar sheet powered by the power supply to develop an illumination response wherein the sheet has a profiled border and templated openings to expose the push buttons of the underlying device; (c) providing the planar sheet with power from said power supply coupled to a terminal on the profiled border; (d) connecting a power clip to the power supply with leads; (e) interfacing the planar sheet to the underlying device; and (f) controlling the power supply with an on-off switch on the underlying device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of electroillumination of an underlying device with push buttons, wherein an illumination source is added by: (a) attaching a power supply; (b) including an electroluminescent responsive planar sheet powered by the power supply to develop an illumination response wherein the sheet has a profiled border and templated openings to expose the push buttons of the underlying device; (c) providing the planar sheet with power from said power supply coupled to a terminal on the profiled border; (d) connecting a power clip to the power supply with leads; (e) interfacing the planar sheet to the underlying device; and (f) controlling the power supply with an on-off switch on the underlying device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 17 in which the surface of the electroluminescent planar sheet is illuminated so that: (a) labels are placed on the surface of the planar sheet and surrounding the push buttons of the underlying device to enable the electroluminescent illumination thereof; (b) the illumination is made uniform to exclude pinpoint light sources; (c) the illumination is between controlled limits; and (d) the upper limit is selected so that night vision is not momentarily lost.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of mounting the device externally of an underlying device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17 in which the planar sheet is cut and perforated so that: (a) the sheet fits over a selected underlying device; and (b) the functions written on the control face are readable through the sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 such that the sheet is added to an underlying device during the initial manufacture of the underlying device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 such that the sheet is retrofitted to an already-manufactured device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of selecting the illumination within the visible spectrum for a timed interval.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of electroilluminating underlying devices comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an illuminating device with an internal circuit interdependent with the circuitry of the underlying device, said internal circuit contained wholly within the body of the underlying device; (b) fixedly attaching an external illuminating planar sheet portion of the illuminating device to a push-button containing active surface of the underlying device; (c) mounting an external on-off switch for thumb pressure operation of the illuminating device; and (d) connecting electrolumninescent circuitry of the illuminating device to internal circuit boards of the underlying device during manufacture.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of electroilluminating underlying devices comprising the steps of: (a) positioning an illuminating device with an internal circuit interdependent with the circuitry of the underlying device, said internal circuit contained wholly within the body of the underlying device; (b) fixedly attaching an external illuminating planar sheet portion of the illuminating device to a push-button containing active surface of the underlying device; (c) mounting an external on-off switch for thumb pressure operation of the illuminating device; and (d) connecting electrolumninescent circuitry of the illuminating device to internal circuit boards of the underlying device during manufacture.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 further including the step of placing a power supply within a battery compartment of the underling device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 24 further including the step of positioning an illuminating device with a circuit connecting with the circuitry of the underlying device, said circuit contained partially within the body of the underlying device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 further including the step of connecting electro,luminescent circuitry of the illuminating device to circuit boards of an already-manufactured underlying device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |