The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 06, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 09, 2010
Michael Cortopassi, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Eric Fuhs, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Wayne Hile, Round Lake Park, IL (US);
Thomas Robinson, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Edward Endejan, Gurnee, IL (US);
Michael Cortopassi, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Eric Fuhs, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Wayne Hile, Round Lake Park, IL (US);
Thomas Robinson, Crystal Lake, IL (US);
Edward Endejan, Gurnee, IL (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method thereof wherein a portable computer system or personal digital assistant generates a visual signal in response to an occurrence of a programmed event. For example, the portable computer system can use a light emitting diode to visually signal an alarm at a specified time. The visual signal can be varied in order to indicate the type of event associated with the alarm. In one implementation, the visual signal blinks at a particular rate depending on the type of event. In another implementation, the visual signal blinks a prescribed number of times or according to a particular pattern depending on the type of event. When enabled, the visual signal is generated in lieu of an audible signal, thus providing to the user a silent alarm that does not disturb other people in proximity, such as in a meeting, a theater, or some other gathering.