# US 2001/0026445 A1 · Apparatus for illuminating a portable electronic or computing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2001/0026445 A1 - Document ID: US20010026445A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 09/847,118 - Filed: 2001-05-01 - Published: 2001-10-04 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-11 - Assignees: Technology Creations, Inc. - Inventors: David Naghi; Herschel Naghi; Eric A. Hanscom; Gilbert Fregoso - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20010026445A1 ## CPC - A63F 13/98: Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers - F21V 23/04: the elements being switches (safety devices F21V25/00) - F21V 33/0052: {Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor} - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - H04M 1/22: Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials - A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing - A63F 2300/204: the platform being a handheld device - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source. The illumination apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, an illumination device connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the power source when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, the illumination device including a connection member, and an interchangeable illumination head removably attached to the connection member of the illumination device and adapted to be illuminated by the illumination device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source, comprising: providing an illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, and an illumination device connected to the body, the illumination device adapted to removably receive one of numerous different interchangeable illumination heads; plugging the plug of the illumination apparatus into the port of the portable handheld video game device; connecting one of numerous different interchangeable illumination heads to the illumination device; and lighting the illumination device and the interchangeable illumination head with the power source to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further including removing the interchangeable illumination head from the illumination device and replacing the interchangeable illumination head with a different interchangeable illumination head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable illumination head is snapped onto the illumination device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the illumination device includes one or more LEDs. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white LEDs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable illumination head is generally disc-shaped. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one electroluminescent member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein at least one electroluminescent member is generally disc shaped. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with at least one EL member, the illumination device includes an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the electrical contact of the interchangeable illumination head when the interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device, and the method further includes illuminating at least one EL member of the interchangeable illumination head with the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the illumination device includes a light source and a generally cylindrical body that at least partially surrounds the light source, and the interchangeable illumination head includes a generally cylindrical hole that mates with said cylindrical body when the interchangeable illumination head is connected to the illumination device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and a generally cylindrical conductive inner surface that defines the generally cylindrical hole and is electrical communication with at least one EL member, the generally cylindrically body includes a conductive outer surface that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the conductive inner surface when the interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device, and the method further includes illuminating at least one EL member of the interchangeable illumination head with the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 12 An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source, comprising: a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port; a body connected to the plug; an illumination device connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the power source when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, the illumination device including a connection member; and an interchangeable illumination head removably attached to the connection member of the illumination device and adapted to be illuminated by said illumination device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interchangeable illumination head is adapted to be snapped onto the connection member of the illumination device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the illumination device includes one or more LEDs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white LEDs. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interchangeable illumination head is generally disc-shaped. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one electroluminescent member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one electroluminescent member is generally disc shaped. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with at least one EL member, the illumination device includes an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the electrical contact of the interchangeable illumination head when the interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device for illuminating at least one EL member by the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the illumination device includes a light source and a generally cylindrical body that at least partially surrounds the light source, and the interchangeable illumination head includes a generally cylindrical hole that mates with said cylindrical body when the interchangeable illumination head is connected to the illumination device. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and a generally cylindrical conductive inner surface that defines the generally cylindrical hole and is electrical communication with at least one EL member, the generally cylindrically body includes a conductive outer surface that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the conductive inner surface when the interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device for illuminating at least one EL member by the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 22 A kit for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source, comprising: an illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a body connected to the plug, an illumination device connected to the body and adapted to be powered by the power source when the plug is plugged into the port for illuminating an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, the illumination device including a connection member; and multiple interchangeable illumination heads, each removably attachable to the connection member of the illumination device for illumination by said illumination device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein each interchangeable illumination heads is adapted to be snapped onto the connection member of the illumination device. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein the illumination device includes one or more LEDs. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The kit of claim 24, wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white LEDs. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein each interchangeable illumination head is generally disc-shaped. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein each interchangeable illumination head includes at least one electroluminescent member. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The kit of claim 27, wherein at least one electroluminescent member is generally disc shaped. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein each interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with at least one EL member, the illumination device includes an electrical contact that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the electrical contact of each interchangeable illumination head when the interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device for illuminating at least one EL member by the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein the illumination device includes a light source and a generally cylindrical body that at least partially surrounds the light source, and each interchangeable illumination head includes a generally cylindrical hole that mates with said cylindrical body when the interchangeable illumination head is connected to the illumination device. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The kit of claim 30, wherein each interchangeable illumination head includes at least one EL member and a generally cylindrical conductive inner surface that defines the generally cylindrical hole and is electrical communication with at least one EL member, the generally cylindrically body includes a conductive outer surface that is in electrical communication with the plug and electrically communicates with the conductive inner surface when each interchangeable illumination head is attached to the illumination device for illuminating at least one EL member by the power source of the handheld video game device when the plug is plugged into the port of the handheld video game device. ### Claim 32 (depends on 22) The kit of claim 22, wherein the interchangeable illumination heads are at least one of a different configuration and color. ### Claim 33 A method of illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source and a display screen with a width and a height, comprising: providing a flexible illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a width substantially the same as at least one of the width and the height of the display screen, and an illumination device connected to the body; plugging the plug of the illumination apparatus into the port of the portable handheld video game device; lighting the illumination device with the power source to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device; and covering the display screen with the body of the illumination apparatus when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, further including rolling the illumination apparatus upon itself when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 35 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the body is generally ribbon-shaped and has a wave-like cross-section. ### Claim 36 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the body carries one or more EL members. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the illumination device includes at least one light emitting diode (“LED”). ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein at least one LED is at least one white LED. ### Claim 39 A method of illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source and a display screen with a width and a height, comprising: providing a flexible illumination apparatus comprising a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port, a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a width substantially the same as at least one of the width and the height of the display screen, and an illumination device connected to the body; plugging the plug of the illumination apparatus into the port of the portable handheld video game device; lighting the illumination device with the power source to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device; and rolling the illumination apparatus upon itself when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 40 An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source and a display screen with a width and a height, comprising: a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port; a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a width substantially the same as at least one of the width and the height of the display screen; an illumination device connected to the body to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, wherein the flexible body is adapted to be positioned between at least a first position where the illumination device is positioned to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device and a second position where the body covers the display screen when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the flexible body is adapted to be rolled upon itself when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the body is generally ribbon-shaped and has a wave-like cross-section. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the body carries one or more EL members. ### Claim 44 (depends on 40) The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the illumination device includes at least one light emitting diode (“LED”). ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The apparatus of claim 44, wherein at least one LED is at least one white LED. ### Claim 46 An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source and a display screen with a width and a height, comprising: a plug for plugging the apparatus into the port; a flexible body connected to the plug, the body having a width substantially the same as at least one of the width and the height of the display screen; an illumination device connected to the body to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device, wherein the flexible body is adapted to be rolled upon itself when the portable handheld video game device is not in use. ### Claim 47 An illumination apparatus for illuminating an object associated with a portable handheld video game device having a port in electrical connection with at least one power source, comprising: a base; a plug extending from the base for plugging the apparatus into the port; a body connected to the plug; an illumination device connected to the body to illuminate an object associated with the portable handheld video game device; and at least one power source carried by the base for powering the illumination device when the portable handheld video game device is not capable of delivering power through the port. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the body is pivotally connected to the base. ### Claim 49 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the body is bendable. ### Claim 50 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the body is adapted to be positioned between at least a folded up position and a folded down position. ### Claim 51 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the illumination device includes a transparent hood. ### Claim 52 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the illumination device includes at least one light emitting diode (“LED”). ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The apparatus of claim 52, wherein at least one LED is at least one white LED. ### Claim 54 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the base includes a clip mechanism to clip the apparatus to a flat support surface. ### Claim 55 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the base is adapted to support the apparatus. ### Claim 56 (depends on 47) The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the base includes a power source housing and a slotted cover to house at least one power source.