Lightweight, energy-efficient, detachable computer light

Abstract

A computer light for illuminating the computer keyboard or other items in low light environments includes a super bright white LED and a USB plug that enables it to be powered from USB connection ports. The computer light, when connected to a computer, is used by the computer to visually signal the occurrence of certain events selected by the computer, including sensing of an incoming e-mail message, an incoming internet telephone call, an incoming facsimile, and a certain network traffic level.

1 . In a computer having a processing unit, an input device coupled to the processing unit; an output device coupled to the processing unit, and an LED device coupled to the processing unit through a computer port, a method of visually signaling a user of the computer, said method comprising the steps of: 
 sensing an event; and    in response to the sensing of the event, powering ON the LED device to signal the user of the computer.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing includes the step of sensing an incoming e-mail message.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing includes the step of sensing an incoming internet telephone call.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing includes the step of sensing an incoming facsimile.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sensing includes the step of sensing a level of network traffic.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of powering includes the step of alternatively powering the LED device ON and OFF.  
   
   
       7 . A computing device comprising: 
 a processing unit;    a computer port;    a power supply; and    an LED device coupled to the processing unit and the power supply through the computer port,    wherein the processing unit is programmed to sense an event and, in response to the sensing of the event, powers ON the LED device to visually signal the user of the computing device of the event.    
   
   
       8 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the computer port is a USB port.  
   
   
       9 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the computer port is an IEEE1394 port.  
   
   
       10 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is programmed to sense an incoming e-mail message.  
   
   
       11 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is programmed to sense an incoming internet telephone call.  
   
   
       12 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is programmed to sense an incoming facsimile.  
   
   
       13 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is programmed to sense a level of network traffic.  
   
   
       14 . The computing device according to  claim 7 , wherein the processing unit is programmed to power the LED device ON and OFF in an alternate manner.