Compact light weight energy-efficient illumination module for integrated portable applications

Abstract

A compact, light weight and energy-efficient illumination module is described for inclusion into a variety of portable products such as an organizer, a book and a handbag. The illumination module allows for convenient, energy-efficient viewing, reading or writing with the portable products. The illumination module comprises a light source, a standalone electrical power source such as a battery, a switching electrical circuit having an integrated user-operated switch, an enclosure and a mechanically adjustable attachment for including the enclosure into the portable products. Upon activation, the light source of the illumination module emits a locally directed spatial illumination light pattern onto the portable product for reading.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module for inclusion into a wide variety of portable devices to provide illumination for said portable devices, comprising: 
 a light source;    a standalone electrical power source;    a switching electrical circuit having an integrated user-operated switching means for switchably connecting the electrical power source to the light source thereby causing said light source to emit a spatial illumination light pattern;    an enclosure means for holding and protecting the light source, the standalone electrical power source and the switching electrical circuit; and    a mechanically adjustable attachment means for inclusion of the enclosure means into the portable devices whereby the portable devices are locally illuminated with the spatial illumination light pattern for convenient, privately directed, energy-efficient viewing, reading or writing.    
     
     
         2 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein the light source further comprises a set of one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to generate a reflected color image of the portable devices with sufficient intensity and contrast for useful viewing or reading of the said portable products in a dark environment.  
     
     
         3 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein the light source further comprises a set of one or more LED to generate a color spectrum of the spatial illumination light pattern approximating a visual sensation of white light thus producing a reflected image of the portable products with sufficient intensity and natural color for natural viewing or reading of the said portable devices in a dark environment.  
     
     
         4 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein the light source further comprises a set of one or more miniature incandescent lights, each having a selected intensity whereby the resulting intensity of the spatial illumination light pattern from the said light source produces a reflected color image of the portable devices with sufficient intensity and contrast for useful and natural viewing or reading of the said portable products in a dark environment.  
     
     
         5 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein the standalone electrical power source further comprises a set of one or more user-replaceable batteries.  
     
     
         6 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 5  wherein the standalone electrical power source further comprises a set of one or more rechargeable batteries with an optionally integrated recharging circuitry.  
     
     
         7 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure means is selected from a group of structures consisting of a plastic case, a leather case, a foam case, and a sheet metal case.  
     
     
         8 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 1  wherein said wide variety of portable devices include, but not limited to, an organizer, an address book, an accounting book, a notebook, a book, a file holder, a brief case, a hand bag, a purse and a wallet.  
     
     
         9 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 8  wherein the mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a flexible closure and locking dual function arm integrated with a cover of the organizer.  
     
     
         10 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 8  wherein the mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a flexible bookmark tab integrated with a cover of the book.  
     
     
         11 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 8  wherein the mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a multi-axis adjustable and foldable cantilever integrated with an inside cover of the book.  
     
     
         12 . The compact, light-weight and energy-efficient illumination module of  claim 8  wherein the mechanically adjustable attachment means comprises a repositionable valcrel integrated with an inside surface of a handbag.