External light source for backlighting display

A computing device including:

• a. a transflective display having a viewing surface and a rear surface;
• b. a case enclosing the display such that the viewing surface of the display is exposed, and having a light transmitting input;
• c. a light source, positioned externally from the case and removably affixed thereto, including at least one light emitting element for shining light into the light transmitting input;
• and
• d. a light directing element comprising a light conducting panel disposed within the case for directing light emitted by the light emitting element through the rear surface of the display and out the viewing surface of the display, thereby illuminating the display.

A method for illuminating a transflective display in a display illuminating system for a computing device, wherein the display illuminating system comprises:

• a. a case containing the transflective display and a light transmitting input;
• b. at least one light emitting element, positioned externally from the case and removably affixed thereto, for emitting light into the light transmitting input;
• and
• c. a light directing element comprising a light conducting panel disposed within the case and positioned with respect to the light transmitting input and the transflective display so as to receive light emitted by the light emitting element into the light transmitting input and directing such light through the transflective display, thereby illuminating the display,
• wherein the display has a viewing surface, including the step of:
• shining light from the light emitting element into the light transmitting input in the case, such that the light is directed through a rear surface of the display by the light directing element and exits through the viewing surface of the display.