Apparatus for illuminating a portable electronic or computer device and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention involves an apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a utility power jack or communication port in electrical connection with a power source. The apparatus includes a plug for plugging the apparatus into the utility power jack or communication port, a body connected to the plug, and an illumination device including one or more illumination devices attached to the body and electrically connected to the utility power jack through the plug and the body. The illumination device is powered by the power source when the apparatus is plugged into the utility power jack. Preferably, the one or more illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a utility port in electrical connection with a power source, comprising: 
 a plug for plugging the apparatus into the utility port;    a body connected to the plug; and    one or more illumination devices attached to the body and to be electrically connected to the utility port through the plug and the body, the illumination device to illuminate the display screen of the handheld portable video game device;    wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by the power source when the apparatus is plugged into the utility port.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more low-power illumination devices.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”).  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white light LEDs.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plug includes a communication port for receiving a second plug.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a reflector.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a diffuser.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a magnifier.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a dimmer to vary the intensity of light radiated by the one or more illumination devices.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the dimmer includes a variable resistor.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a battery compartment with at least one battery contact, the apparatus comprising: 
 a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the device;    a power source located within the case;    at least one electrical contact electrically coupled to the power source and adapted to contact the at least one battery contact of the device for powering the device when the case forms a mechanical connection with the device;    a body connected to the case and electrically coupled to the power source; and    one or more illumination devices attached to the body and electrically connected to the power source, wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by the power source.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more low-power illumination devices.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the case includes a second power jack adapted to be coupled to an alternating current adapter for recharging the rechargeable battery and/or powering the device.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”).  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white LEDs.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a reflector.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a diffuser.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a magnifier.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a dimmer to vary the intensity of light radiated by the one or more illumination devices.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the dimmer includes a variable resistor.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the body is integral with the case.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the body includes a plug for detachably connecting the body to the case.  
     
     
         26 . An apparatus for illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having an external power supply jack, the apparatus comprising: 
 a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the device;    a power source located within the case;    a power plug electrically coupled to the power source and adapted for insertion into the external power supply jack of the device for powering the device;    a body connected to the case and electrically connected to the power source; and    one or more illumination devices attached to the body and electrically connected to the power source, wherein the one or more illumination devices are powered by the power source.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more low-power illumination devices.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the power source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the case includes a second power jack adapted to be coupled to an alternating current adapter for recharging the rechargeable battery and/or powering the device.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more illumination devices include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white LEDs.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a reflector.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a diffuser.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more illumination devices further comprise a magnifier.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising a dimmer to vary the intensity of light radiated by the one or more illumination devices.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the dimmer includes a variable resistor.  
     
     
         38 . A method of illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having a battery compartment with at least one battery contact, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an apparatus including a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the device, a rechargeable power source located within the case; at least one electrical contact electrically coupled to the rechargeable power source and adapted to come into contact with the at least one battery contact of the device for powering the device, a body coupled to the case and rechargeable power source, and one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”) attached to the body;    mechanically locking the apparatus to the device so as to place the at least one electrical contact of the apparatus in electrical communication with the at least one battery contact of the apparatus; and    illuminating the display screen of the handheld portable video game device with the one or more LEDs.    
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further including the step of adjusting the brightness of the one or more LEDs with a dimmer on the apparatus.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white light LEDs.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.  
     
     
         42 . A method of illuminating a display screen of a handheld portable video game device having an external power supply jack, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an apparatus including a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the device, a power source located within the case, a power plug electrically coupled to the power source and adapted for insertion into the external power supply jack of the device for powering the device, a body coupled to the case and rechargeable power source, and one or more Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”) attached to the body;    mechanically locking the apparatus to the device;    inserting the power plug of the accessory into the external power supply jack of the device to secure an electrical connection between the apparatus and the device; and    illuminating the display screen of the handheld portable video game device with the one or more LEDs.    
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , further including the step of adjusting the brightness of the one or more LEDs with a dimmer on the apparatus.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more white light LEDs.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the one or more LEDs include one or more wide-angle LEDs.