Lighting techniques for display devices
Techniques are disclosed for lighting displays such as those associated with electrophoretic display (EPD) devices such as e-readers or any other display technologies or applications. In an embodiment, an EPD device is provided with a number of internal LEDs or other suitable light source generally disposed along at least a portion of the display perimeter. The light can be activated in situations where the available ambient light is inadequate for viewing the display. Light from the light source is distributed across the display, and in some embodiments, can be adjusted to provide a desired degree of brightness. The light can be turned on or off via an existing single press-button or otherwise tactile, physical user interface that serves multiple functions. This user interface can be readily found and engaged by the user without the benefit of sight.
1. A computer program product comprising one or more non-transitory machine readable mediums having instructions encoded thereon that when executed by one or more processors cause a process to be carried out in an electronic device having an electrophoretic display and a lighting source that can be switched on to illuminate the electrophoretic display, the process comprising:
in response to a first user input received via a tactile user interface feature for a first time duration, cause a first function to be carried out;
in response to a second user input received via the tactile user interface feature for a second time duration that is longer than the first duration, cause a second function to be carried out but not the first function; and
in response to a third user input received via the tactile user interface feature for a third time duration that is longer than the second duration, cause the second function to either (1) deactivate or (2) activate and then deactivate;
wherein causing the first function to be carried out includes one of causing a menu to be presented for display via the electrophoretic display of the device, or causing illumination of the electrophoretic display to change by switching the lighting source on or off, and
wherein causing the second function to be carried out includes the other one of causing a menu to be presented for display via the electrophoretic display, or causing illumination of the electrophoretic display to change by switching the lighting source on or off.
2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein:
causing the first function to be carried out includes causing a menu to be presented for display via the electrophoretic display; and
causing the second function to be carried out includes causing the lighting source of the device to change from on to off, or from off to on.
3. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein in response to the third user input received via the tactile user interface feature for the third time duration, causing a third function to be carried that is unrelated to the first and second functions.
4. The computer program product of claim 3 , wherein the third function includes engaging a power conservation mode.
5. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein causing the first or second function to be carried out includes one or both of (1) causing the lighting source of the device to be connected to a power source; and (2) causing the lighting source of the device to change in brightness level.
6. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein causing the first or second function to be carried out includes causing an electronic switch to toggle from a first position to a second position thereby causing the lighting source of the device to change from on to off, or from off to on.
7. An electronic device comprising an electrophoretic display a lighting source that can be switched on to illuminate the electrophoretic display, and the computer program product of claim 1 .