United States Patent [19]
`Tsuchiyama et al.
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005548271A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,548,271
`Aug. 20, 1996
`
`[54] DATA DISPLAY RADIO PAGER
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Kinya Tsuchiyama; Masahiro Matai,
`both of Tokyo, Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: NEC Corporation, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 265,668
`Jun.24, 1994
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jun. 28, 1993
`
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 5-178529
`
`•••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••• H04Q 1/30; G08B 5/22
`Int. CI.6
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl . ................................... 340/311.1; 340/825.44;
`3451102; 368/227
`[58] Field of Search ............................ 340/311.1, 825.44,
`340/825.45; 3451102, 4; 368/30, 83, 84,
`226, 227, 241, 242
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`911989 Stair et al. ........................... 340/311.1
`4,868,563
`4,876,537 1011989 Oyarnada ........................... 340/825.44
`711990 Kawamura .............................. 3451102
`4,945,350
`5,087,906
`2/1992 Eaton et al ........................ 340/825.44
`5,185,604
`2/1993 Nepple et al ...................... 340/825.44
`5,192,947
`3/1993 Neustein .............................. 340/311.1
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`62-198735 1211987
`
`Japan .
`
`Primary Examiner-Brent A. Swarthout
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & Soffen,
`LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In a data display radio pager, light emitting diodes (LEDs)
`for alerting the user of the pager to an incoming call are
`disposed in a backlight together with LEDs for backlighting
`a liquid crystal display (LCD) for message display. The alert
`LEDs effect an alert via the LCD and flash in a striking color
`different from the color of light to issue from the backlight
`LEDs. The radio pager is miniature despite that the LCD and
`alert LEDs are arranged on the front of the casing of the
`pager.
`
`4,644,350
`4,649,381
`
`211987 Ishii ................................... 340/825.44
`3/1987 Masuda et al .......................... 3451102
`
`15 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`32
`32b/
`
`p
`
`12b
`
`28
`
`TOYOTA EXHIBIT 1003
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`Page 1 of 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 20, 1996
`Aug. 20, 1996
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`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`5,548,271
`5,548,271
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`U.S. Patent
`Fig. 2
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`Aug. 20, 1996
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`5,548,271
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`32
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`32b/
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`32a
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`Page 3 of 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 20, 1996
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`5,548,271
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`Fig. 3A
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`Page 4 of 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 20, 1996
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`5,548,271
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`Fig. 4
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`32A
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`40
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`36
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`120
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`Page 5 of 8
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`5,548,271
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`1
`DATA DISPLAY RADIO PAGER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`following detailed description taken with the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`FlG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a data
`display radio pager embodying the present invention;
`FlG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view show(cid:173)
`ing a specific backlight structure included in the embodi(cid:173)
`ment;
`FlGS. 3A and 3B are respectively a front view and a
`section view of the embodiment; and
`FlG. 4 is a view similar to FlG. 2, showing another
`specific backlight structure.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`The present invention relates to a data displa~ radio ~ager
`having a liquid crystal display (LCD) provtded wtth a
`backlight and, more particularly, to a data display radio
`pager having a miniature configuration.
`A data display radio pager having an LCD for displaying
`a message is extensively used today. The LCD is usually 10
`provided with a backlight which allows the user of the pager
`to see the LCD in the dark. Specifically, when the user
`operates a button switch provided on the casing of the pager,
`light emitting diodes (LEDs) are turned on to illuminate the
`LCD, so as to provide a backlight. Such backlight LEDs are 15
`also turned on when, for example, the power switch of the
`pager is turned on or when a call is received by the pager.
`In many cases, the backlight LEDs emit yellow-green light
`which brightly illuminates the LCD for easy recognition of
`messages displayed thereon. On the other hand, it has been 20
`customary to provide this kind of pager with alert LEDs in
`addition to the backlight LEDs. When the power switch of
`the pager is turned on or when a paging signal is received by
`the pager, the alert LEDs are turned on to inform the user of
`such a condition. The alert LEDs emit red light or similar 25
`striking light.
`The problem with the conventional data display radio
`pager is that the alert LEDs, provided in addition to the
`backlight LEDs, have to be arranged on the surface of the
`pager together with the LCD. Specifically, the LCD for 30
`message display has a large area and has to be positioned on
`the front of the casing of the pager in order to facilitate
`recognition. Therefore, it is necessary to locate the alert
`LEDs next to the LCD on the front of the pager casing or on
`one side of the pager casing. For example, a radio pager 35
`having alert LEDs located next to a message display LCD is
`disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication
`No. 62-198735.
`However, locating the alert LEDs next to the LCD on the
`front of the pager casing is undesirable for the following 40
`reason. In a card type pager available today, which is
`extremely thin and small, the LCD occupies a substantial
`area on the front of the pager casing. Hence, the alert LEDs
`cannot be positioned next to the LCD unless the front area
`of the casing, i.e., the horizontal and vertical dimensions of 45
`the pager are increased, which prevents miniaturization of
`the pager. On the other hand, when the alert LEDs are
`mounted on one side of the pager casing, they are difficult to
`see and, therefore, apt to cause the user to overlook an alert
`signal.
`
`Referring to FlG. 1 of the drawings, a data display radio
`pager embodying the present invention is shown. As shown,
`the pager, generally 10 has an LCD 12 provided with
`backlight LEDs 12a and alert LEDs 12b. Switching circuits
`14 and 16 tum on and tum off the backlight LEDs 12a and
`alert LEDs 12b, respectively. Power sources 18 and 20 are
`respectively connected to the backlight LEDs 12a and alert
`LEDs 12b via the switching circuits 14 and 16. A control
`section 26 controls the switching circuits 14 and 16. The
`reference numerals 22 and 24 each designates a booster coil.
`The backlight LEDs 12a are disposed in the LCD 12. In the
`illustrative embodiment, the alert LEDs 12b are also dis(cid:173)
`posed in the LCD 12.
`FlG. 2 shows a specific structure of a backlight 32
`accommodating the backlight LEDs 12a and alert LEDs
`12b. As shown, in the backlight 32, the LEDs 12a and 12b
`are mounted on a printed circuit board 28. A rectangular
`saucer-like reflection frame 30 is formed with windows 30a
`through the bottom thereof. The circuit board 28 is fitted on
`the bottom of the reflection frame 30 such that the LEDs 12a
`and 12b each protrudes into the frame 30 via one of the
`windows 30a. A light conducting plate 32a is received in the
`reflection frame 30 over the LEDs 12a and 12b. Further, a
`diffusion sheet 32b is provided on the light conducting plate
`32a.
`As shown in FlGS. 3A and 3B, the backlight 32 is
`received in the casing lOa of the pager 10 and extends along
`the rear of the LCD 12. When the backlight LEDs 12a are
`turned on, light emitted therefrom is extended to around the
`LEDs 12a by the light conducting plate 32a and then
`diffused by the diffusion sheet 32b. As a result, the light
`illuminates the LCD 12 from the rear uniformly. In the
`illustrative embodiment, the light from the LEDs 12a is
`yellow-green light which is high in visual sensitivity and,
`therefore, brightly illuminates the LCD 12. When the alert
`LEDs 12b are turned on, light from the LEDs 12b are
`diffused in the same manner as the light from the LEDs 12,
`thereby illuminating the LCD 12. In the embodiment, the
`light from the LEDs 12b is red light and, therefore, high-
`lights the LCD 12 in red. Button switches 34 are arranged on
`the front of the casing lOa of the pager 10.
`The pager 10 is operated in substantially the same manner
`as a conventional pager. Briefly, on receiving a signal, the
`60 pager 10 demodulates it while shaping the waveform, com(cid:173)
`pares the demodulated signal with an address number, or
`identification number, assigned to the pager 10, and if the
`former is identical with the latter, causes the alert LEDs 12b
`to flash, causes a speaker to produce an alert tone, or
`65 otherwise alerts the user of the pager to the received call.
`Assume that the pager 10 has received a call or that the
`user desires to see a message on the LCD 12. Then, as the
`
`50
`
`55
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
`provide a data display radio pager which is miniature despite
`having an LCD with a backlight and alert LEDs arranged
`together on the front of the casing of the pager.
`A data display radio pager of the present invention
`comprises an LCD provided with at least one backlight LED
`for illuminating the LCD, and a backlight structure for
`accommodating, together with the backlight LED, at least
`one alert LED for alerting a user of the radio pager to an
`incoming call in the LCD.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other objects, features and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent from the
`
`Page 6 of 8
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`5,548,271
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`20
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`30
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`3
`user presses predetermined one of the button switches 34,
`the control section 26 sequentially delivers a high level
`signal and a low level signal to the switching circuit 14 via
`an output port LMPQ thereof. On receiving the high level
`signal first, the switching circuit 14 applies a voltage of 1 V 5
`from the power source 18 to the booster coil 22. The booster
`coil 22 boosts the input voltage. Subsequently, in response
`to the low level signal, a current stops flowing through the
`switching circuit 14 with the result that a current flows
`through the backlight LEDs l2a. As a result, the LEDs l2a 10
`are turned on to brightly illuminate the LCD 12, allowing the
`user to see a message on the LCD 12. On receiving a
`message, for example, the pager 10 drives the alert LEDs
`l2b in the same manner as it drives the backlight LEDs 12a,
`thereby alerting the user to the incoming call. The difference 15
`is that the control section 26 delivers a high level signal and
`a low level signal to the alert LEDs 12b via an output LEDQ
`thereof alternately at predetermined intervals. As a result,
`the LEDs 12 each flashes in red at the predetermined
`intervals, facilitating the recognition of the received call.
`In the illustrative embodiment, the alert LEDs l2b are
`disposed in the LCD 12, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
`Hence, even if the LCD 12 mounted on the front of the pager
`casing lOa has a relatively large area, it occupies a minimum
`of area on the front of the casing lOa and, therefore, allows 25
`the casing lOa to be miniaturized, compared to a conven(cid:173)
`tional pager having an LCD and alert LEDs arranged side by
`side. Further, the LEDs l2b, disposed in the LCD 12, effect
`an alert via the LCD 12 and, therefore, surely informs the
`user of the incoming call.
`FIG. 4 shows another specific structure of the backlight.
`As shown, the backlight, generally 32A, has a rectangular
`saucer-like reflection frame 36 and a light conducting plate
`38 which are formed integrally with each other. The light
`conducting plate 38 is formed with openings 38a and 38b at 35
`opposite ends thereof. The backlight LEDs 12a and alert
`LEDs l2b are securely received in the openings 38a and
`38b, respectively. A diffusion sheet 40 is positioned on the
`light conducting plate 38. The backlight 32A is located at the
`rear of the LED 12 for illuminating it, as shown in FIG. 3B. 40
`The backlight 32A is simple in structure since it does not
`need a printed circuit board for supporting the LEDs 12a and
`l2b.
`In summary, it will be seen that the present invention
`provides a data display radio pager having at least one alert 45
`LED disposed in a backlight together with at least one
`backlight LED and causes the alert LED to effect an alert via
`an LCD. Hence, when the LCD is mounted on the front of
`the casing of the pager, it is not necessary for the alert LED
`to be positioned beside the LCD. This provides the pager 50
`with a miniature configuration. Moreover, the alert LED
`does not have to be mounted on one side of the casing and,
`therefore, alerts the user to an incoming call without fail.
`The backlight LED emits bright light while the alert LED 55
`emits light of red or similar striking color. This, coupled with
`the fact that the backlight LED glows continuously in the
`event of LCD display while the alert LED flashes, allows the
`flashing of the LED, i.e., an alert to be clearly recognized via
`the LCD.
`Various modifications will become possible for those
`skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present
`disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A data display radio pager comprising:
`a liquid crystal display screen mounted at a periphery of
`one side of a pager housing;
`
`4
`at least one backlight light emitting diode mounted adja(cid:173)
`cent to and for providing illumination visible through
`said liquid crystal display screen; and
`at least one alert light emitting diode mounted adjacent to
`and for providing illumination visible through said
`liquid crystal display screen for alerting a user of said
`radio pager to an incoming call; wherein
`said at least one backlight light emitting diode and said
`at least one alert light emitting diode are both located
`within said pager housing and between said liquid
`crystal display screen and a housing side opposite
`said one side so that each of said at least one
`backlight light emitting diode and said at least one
`backlight light emitting diode illuminates said liquid
`crystal display.
`2. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`a backlight structure for supporting said at least one back(cid:173)
`light light emitting diode and said at least one alert light
`emitting diode within said liquid crystal display, the back-
`light structure including:
`a printed circuit board supporting said backlight light
`emitting diode and said alert light emitting diode
`thereon;
`a light reflection frame formed with windows through a
`bottom thereof for causing said backlight light emitting
`diode and said alert light emitting diode to appear
`therethrough;
`a light conducting plate for conducting light emitted from
`each of said backlight light emitting diode and said
`alert light emitting diode; and
`a diffusion sheet for diffusing light emanating from said
`light conducting plate.
`3. A radio pager as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
`backlight light emitting diode emits bright light continu(cid:173)
`ously to display a message on the liquid crystal display and
`said alert light emitting diode emits light of striking color
`intermittently to alert the user to an incoming call.
`4. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`a backlight structure for supporting said at least one back(cid:173)
`light light emitting diode and said at least one alert light
`emitting diode within said liquid crystal display, the back-
`light structure including:
`a reflection frame;
`a light conducting plate formed integrally with said reflec(cid:173)
`tion frame and provided with openings at opposite ends
`thereof for receiving said backlight light emitting diode
`and said alert light emitting diode, respectively; and
`a diffusion sheet for diffusing light emanating from said
`light conducting plate.
`5. A radio pager as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
`backlight light emitting diode emits bright light continu(cid:173)
`ously to display a message on the liquid crystal display and
`said alert light emitting diode emits light of striking color
`intermittently to alert the user to an incoming call.
`6. A radio pager as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
`reflection frame has a rectangular shape and includes a
`cavity for receiving said light conducting plate and said
`diffusion sheet.
`7. A radio pager as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
`reflection frame has a rectangular shape and includes a
`cavity for receiving said light conducting plate and said
`diffusion sheet.
`8. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`65 a casing and a support member received in the casing and
`supporting the backlight light emitting diode and the alert
`light emitting.
`
`60
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`5,548,271
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`5
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`5
`9. A radio pager as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
`support member comprises a printed circuit board.
`10. A radio pager of claim 8, further comprising a reflec(cid:173)
`tion frame received in the casing and having a plurality of
`windows, the backlight light emitting diode and the alert
`light emitting diode each being positioned to protrude
`through one of the windows in the reflection frame.
`11. A radio pager of claim 10, further comprising a light
`conducting plate for conducting light emitted from each of
`the backlight light emitting diode and the alert light emitting 10
`diode, and a diffusion sheet for diffusing light emanating
`from the light conducting plate.
`12. A radio pager of claim 11, wherein the reflection frame
`has a rectangular shape and includes a cavity for receiving
`the light conducting plate and the diffusion sheet.
`13. A radio pager of claim 10, further comprising a light
`conducting plate formed integrally with the reflection frame
`
`6
`and provided with openings at opposite ends thereof of the
`light conducting plate for receiving the backlight light
`emitting diode and the alert light emitting diode, respec-
`tively, and a diffusion sheet for diffusing light emanating
`from the light conducting plate.
`14. A radio pager of claim 13, wherein the reflection frame
`has a rectangular shape and includes a cavity for receiving
`the light conducting plate and the diffusion sheet.
`15. A radio pager as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`backlight light emitting emits a bright light continuously to
`illuminate a message on the display and the alert light
`emitting diode emits light of striking color intermittently to
`15 signal an incoming call.
`
`* * * * *
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`Page 8 of 8
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