Light sensitive illuminated exhibitor

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a light sensitive illuminated exhibitor that assists in providing illumination for reading and viewing objects in low-light situations, such as restaurants and any other places where low light conditions make it difficult to read printed matter without additional lighting. The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor includes at least one illuminatable panel as well as a light source and battery. A microprocessor and light sensor, such as a photocell, may be included to adjust the intensity of the light source based on the lighting conditions present. When the microprocessor and light sensor are included, the life of the battery is extended because the battery is not used when the exterior lighting is sufficient by which to read. The battery may also be rechargeable. One or more illuminatable panels may be provided. An audio circuit, static or programmable, may be provided to play an audio message under certain circumstances.

1 . A light sensitive illuminated exhibitor that selectively illuminates to facilitate viewing of printed matter temporarily resting thereon, the exhibitor comprising: 
 a first cover having a front side and a back side, a portion of the front side of the first cover being adapted for placement of the printed matter thereon;    a second cover having a front side and a back side, the back side of the second cover being positionable over the front side of the first cover;    a first illuminatable panel associated with the portion of the front side of the first cover and arranged such that the printed matter may be placed thereover;    a light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the first illuminatable panel responsive to a control signal;    a light sensor operable to detect a level of ambient light; and    a processor coupled to the light source and the light sensor, the processor operable to generate the control signal based on an output of the light sensor.    
   
   
       2 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a first intensity into the first illuminatable panel in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light.  
   
   
       3 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 2 , wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a second intensity into the first illuminatable panel in the event that the light sensor detects little or no ambient light, the second intensity being substantially more than the first intensity.  
   
   
       4 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the light sensor comprises a photocell.  
   
   
       5 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least a second illuminatable panel associated with the back side of the second cover; and    at least a second light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the at least a second illuminatable panel responsive to at least a second control signal from the processor.    
   
   
       6 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least a second illuminatable panel associated with the front side of the second cover; and    at least a second light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the at least a second illuminatable panel responsive to at least a second control signal from the processor.    
   
   
       7 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a battery coupled to at least the processor.    
   
   
       8 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a battery charging circuit operable to facilitate charging of the battery.    
   
   
       9 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , wherein the first illuminatable panel includes a front surface and a back surface, and wherein the light source is positioned so as to selectively project light into the first illuminatable panel responsive to the control signal of the processor such that the light emanates from the first illuminatable panel and illuminates an underside of the printed matter.  
   
   
       10 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an audio circuit, coupled to the processor, operable to produce at least one audible output responsive to one or more audio control signals from the processor.    
   
   
       11 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 10 , wherein the audio circuit is responsive to the processor to produce at least a first audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light and at least a second audible output in the event that the light sensor detects little or no ambient light.  
   
   
       12 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 10 , wherein the audible output is an audible message.  
   
   
       13 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 10 , wherein the audio circuit is responsive to the processor to produce at least a first audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light during a first time frame and at least a second audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light in a subsequent time frame.  
   
   
       14 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 13 , further comprising memory coupled to the processor and operable to store a plurality of audible messages, wherein the first audible output is a first of the plurality of audible messages and the second audible output is a second of the plurality of audible messages.  
   
   
       15 . A light sensitive illuminated exhibitor that selectively illuminates to facilitate viewing of printed matter temporarily resting thereon, the exhibitor comprising: 
 a first cover having a front side and a back side, a portion of the front side of the first cover being adapted for placement of the printed matter thereon;    a second cover having a front side and a back side, the back side of the second cover being positionable over the front side of the first cover;    a first illuminatable panel associated with the portion of the front side of the first cover and arranged such that the printed matter may be placed thereover;    a light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the first illuminatable panel responsive to a control signal;    a light sensor operable to detect a level of ambient light;    a processor coupled to the light source and the light sensor, the processor operable to generate the control signal based on an output of the light sensor,    wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a first intensity into the first illuminatableanel in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light;    wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a second intensity into the first illuminatable panel in the event that the light sensor detects little or no ambient light, the second intensity being substantially more than the first intensity;    at least a second illuminatable panel associated with the front side of the second cover;    at least a second light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the at least a second illuminatable panel responsive to at least a second control signal from the processor;    a battery coupled to at least the processor;    a battery charging circuit operable to facilitate charging of the battery;    an audio circuit, coupled to the processor, operable to produce at least one audible output responsive to one or more audio control signals from the processor;    wherein the audio circuit is responsive to the processor to produce at least a first audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light during a first time frame and at least a second audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light in a subsequent time frame; and    memory coupled to the processor and operable to store a plurality of audible messages, wherein the first audible output is a first of the plurality of audible messages and the second audible output is a second of the plurality of audible messages.    
   
   
       16 . A light sensitive illuminated exhibitor that selectively illuminates to facilitate viewing of printed matter temporarily resting thereon, the exhibitor comprising: 
 a support panel having a predetermined portion thereof adaptable for placement of the printed matter thereon;    an illuminatable panel associated with the support panel and arranged such that the printed matter may be placed thereover;    a light source positioned so as to selectively project light into the illuminatable panel responsive to a control signal;    a light sensor operable to detect a level of ambient light;    a processor coupled to the light source and the light sensor, the processor operable to generate the control signal based on an output of the light sensor.    
   
   
       17 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 16 , wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a first intensity into the first illuminatable panel in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light.  
   
   
       18 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 17 , wherein the control signal causes the light source to project light at a second intensity into the first illuminatable panel in the event that the light sensor detects little or no ambient light, the second intensity being substantially more than the first intensity.  
   
   
       19 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 16 , wherein the light sensor comprises a photocell.  
   
   
       20 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a battery coupled to at least the processor.    
   
   
       21 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 16 , wherein the first illuminatable panel includes a front surface and a back surface, and wherein the light source is positioned so as to selectively project light into the first illuminatable panel responsive to the control signal of the processor such that the light emanates from the first illuminatable panel and illuminates an underside of the printed matter.  
   
   
       22 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 an audio circuit, coupled to the processor, operable to produce at least one audible output responsive to one or more audio control signals from the processor.    
   
   
       23 . The light sensitive illuminated exhibitor of  claim 22 , wherein the audio circuit is responsive to the processor to produce at least a first audible output in the event that the light sensor detects at least some ambient light and at least a second audible output in the event that the light sensor detects little or no ambient light.