DE20117201U1 - Mobile phone with projection device - Google Patents

Description

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Mobile phone with projection device

The invention relates to a mobile telephone, i.e. any autonomous device suitable for making calls via a radio connection, including a device that combines the telephone function with other functions (e.g. functions of a so-called PDA or a music playback function). The invention also relates to an interface device.

Mobile phones usually have a display to show information that can relate to both the telephone function and additional functions such as calendar, calculator and game functions. Since the trend in mobile phones is towards ever smaller devices, even a relatively large display on such a device does not allow for a satisfactory display of extensive information. For example, it is usually not possible to display a phone book entry (name, telephone number, etc.) stored in the mobile phone in full and in a way that is easy to read.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means, in particular to provide a mobile phone, in which the visualization of mobile phone information is more convenient and in which in particular extensive information can be visualized.

This object is achieved by a mobile telephone according to claim 1 or 17 or an interface device according to claim 21. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

The essential feature of the mobile phone according to claim 1 is the arrangement of a projection device for optically projecting information. This makes it possible to project any information, preferably text and/or image information, onto any surface. The size of this projected information is completely independent of the size of the mobile phone. The invention is therefore also suitable for visualizing information that could not be displayed on previous mobile phones due to the volume of information being too large.

Mobile phones, especially mobile phones for comprehensive mobile phone networks of future standards, such as GPRS or UMTS, allow the transmission of any information in digital form and at high data transmission rates. The mobile phone according to the invention has the projection device as an optimal output unit for the visual representation of extensive data, since there are no fundamental limits to the size of the visual representation and only a flat surface is required, which in the simplest case is formed by any room wall. To ensure consistent and high display quality, however, a set comprising a mobile phone with projection device and a projection screen can also be provided within the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the mobile phone comprises a conventional display, wherein at least in one operating mode of the mobile phone at least part of the projected information is identical to at least part of the information shown by the display. This design of the mobile phone can achieve "screen magnification" or an important part of the display information can be projected.

Preferably, the mobile phone is designed in such a way that at least one of the following information can be output to the projection device by a control means for controlling the projection device:

a still or moving image of a conversation partner who uses a so-called videophone,

an incoming mobile phone message (text and/or image), e.g. an SMS message,

an incoming fax,

a plurality of phone book entries stored in the mobile phone, the number of which exceeds the number of entries that can be displayed on the display,

a plurality of phone book entries stored in the mobile phone that correspond to a selected search criterion, for example all phone book entries for names that begin with a certain letter,

one or more of the telephone book entries stored in the mobile phone, each with a scope of information that cannot be shown on the display, for example at least one telephone book entry with a name, one or more addresses, one or more telephone and/or fax numbers, one or more e-mail addresses, etc.

a phone book entry stored in the mobile phone with associated graphic information, for example a business card or a picture of the person concerned.

This list is merely exemplary and not restrictive.

With regard to storing image information (e.g. business card) or transmitting image information (e.g. video telephony), a preferred embodiment provides that the mobile phone has a video camera for capturing still or moving images and a hands-free device. Such a camera, e.g. CCD camera, has in one embodiment an optical axis ("viewing direction") that is essentially opposite to the projection direction. This makes it advantageously possible for the camera to record a user who is simultaneously viewing the projection (e.g. in the case of video telephony).

In a further embodiment, the mobile phone comprises separate optical units for projection on the one hand and for image capture on the other. The term "optical unit" refers to the entirety of the optical beam guidance means (in particular refractive and/or reflective elements such as lenses or mirrors, apertures, etc.) that are arranged in the optical path from a light source to the light exit (projection) or from the light entry to the image sensor (image capture). The separate optical units provide

Different optical paths are available for projection and image capture. This has the advantage that the properties of the two optical units can be optimally and independently adapted to their respective purposes. If, in the case of separate optical units, the possibility is provided to operate projection and image capture simultaneously, it is preferable to provide the optical properties of the optical units so that they can be changed independently of one another. For example, control means operated via the keypad of the mobile phone can change optical parameters. Important parameters for projection include the projection intensity (power) and the image distance (for focusing the projection image at a desired distance from the mobile phone). Important parameters for image capture include the image sensor sensitivity, the aperture diameter and the object distance (for focusing). The change in these parameters can be driven electromechanically, for example. Alternatively, purely mechanical adjustability can also be considered.

Above all, when a flat projection light source is to be realistically imaged on a projection surface at a desired distance from the mobile phone during projection and an object scenario located at a distance from the mobile phone is to be realistically imaged on a flat image sensor of the mobile phone during image capture, it is advisable to provide the optical paths for projection and image capture at least partially together. For this purpose, the mobile phone can have a common optical sub-unit on the image side for projection and on the object side for image capture, through which the light is guided in the area of the common optical path. Such a common optical sub-unit preferably comprises at least one lens (or lens arrangement) arranged on the output side of the mobile phone, which serves as an imaging lens for both projection and image capture. A split into non-common optical paths for projection and for image capture can be implemented, for example, by a semi-transparent mirror, in order to allow light generated for projection to pass to the common optical sub-unit on the one hand and to reflect light passed through the common optical sub-unit for image capture to an image sensor on the other hand (or vice versa; if image sensor and projection

source). It is easily possible to carry out the projection and the image capture simultaneously. Furthermore, within certain limits, namely in the area of the non-common optical subunits, it is possible to change the optical parameters of the projection and the image capture independently of one another. As an alternative to the "static" splitting of the two optical paths explained above, another embodiment provides for the optical beam guidance means to be switchable between a projection mode and an image capture mode, for example by mechanically or electromechanically moving at least one optical element. In one embodiment, the mobile phone comprises a mirror that can be moved between two positions in a controlled manner in order to allow light generated for projection to pass to the common optical subunit in a first mirror position and to reflect light that has passed through the common optical subunit in a second mirror position for image capture to an image sensor (or vice versa).

If the mobile phone has a display, it can be provided that an emission device is provided for the projection device and the display, and the two emission devices are controlled by a common control means to output the respective information. For example, control electronics can output the same image data to the display and the projection device. Alternatively, it can be provided that a common emission device is provided for the projection device and the display, and an optical beam splitter is arranged downstream of this emission device in order to divide the emitted information between the projection device and the display.

All known devices can be used as emission devices for emitting the optical power for the projection. Halogen lamps or semiconductor emitters such as laser diodes can be used as light sources. The information to be visualized can be taken into account in a spatially resolved manner in the area of light generation, e.g. in a TFT device, or downstream of light generation, e.g. in the case of x-y deflection of at least one laser beam or in the case of transmission through an LCD device that is controlled by the control means with the image data.

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In order to ensure the display quality over a larger range of image widths, a preferred embodiment provides a focusing device for focusing the projected information on the desired image width. For example, an adjustment ring can be provided on the outside of a housing of the mobile phone, with which the focal length of an imaging lens can be adjusted in a manner known per se. In a special embodiment, a micromotor is provided for this adjustment, which can be controlled, for example, using the input means commonly used in mobile phones (e.g. keyboard). Automatic adjustment ("autofocus") based on a focus measurement of the projected image and an adjustment of the lens is also conceivable.

The projection device is preferably arranged in such a way that the projection takes place in a direction that is essentially orthogonal to a normal on the front of the mobile phone. This measure ensures that the front of the mobile phone remains accessible during a projection, for example to observe the display and/or to operate the input means. During the projection, the mobile phone can, for example, lie on a flat surface with the front facing upwards. In a preferred embodiment, the projection takes place in a direction that forms an angle of at least 10°, more preferably at least 20°, with this surface. If the shape of the housing of the mobile phone does not ensure this angle, it can be provided that the projection direction is inclined with respect to the plane of the mobile phone and/or a foot part can be folded out on the back of the mobile phone on the side of a projection exit, which distances the back of the mobile phone from the surface in the area of the projection exit.

If the projection direction, viewed from the front of the mobile phone, is essentially upwards, the user can observe both the display of the mobile phone in front of him and the projection image in front of him. If the projection direction, viewed from the front of the mobile phone,

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phone, runs essentially to the left or right, the user can observe the projection display in a normal position while making a call.

In a further preferred embodiment, the projection direction is adjustable, for example by using a deflection mirror whose position can be adjusted inside the mobile phone housing.

It is expedient if at least some of the operating functions of the projection device, in particular switching it on and off, can be operated within the framework of the menu structure usual for mobile phones, i.e. using the usual input means in conjunction with the usual display. However, it is also preferred that automatic activation and/or deactivation of the projection device is provided when predetermined operating states of the mobile phone occur. For example, an operating mode is conceivable in which the projection device is activated when a call is accepted or a mobile phone message is read. It is also within the scope of the invention if an operating mode is provided in which activation is only automatically activated for certain types of connection when a connection is established, e.g. when a video phone call is accepted.

In one embodiment, the mobile phone comprises means for adjusting the optical power of the projection device. This measure advantageously enables operation with reduced energy requirements and thus enables the operating time of a battery to be increased. For example, the light intensity of the projection device can be controlled using the keyboard. Alternatively or additionally, this control can also take place automatically depending on the ambient light, which is detected by a light sensor. If automatic control is possible through the control means, it is expedient to activate or deactivate this automatic function within the framework of the menu structure usual for mobile phones.

If the mobile phone has a video camera, it is also advisable to use this video camera as a light sensor in order to save on a separate light sensor. With the automatic control of the optical power mentioned above, alternatively

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or the charge level of a battery can also be taken into account. The "charge level" can be defined by a predetermined terminal voltage range, or can be determined by whether a charger intended for charging the battery is connected to the mobile phone (mains operation). The charge level can be taken into account in a particularly useful way, for example, in that when the phone is operated from the mains the optical power is 100% (nominal power) or can be increased to 100%, whereas when the phone is operated from the battery the power is limited to a value in the range of 50% to 75%.

In a further embodiment, a radio and/or television receiver part is integrated into the mobile phone. Image data received by means of a television receiver part can then be forwarded in an operating mode of the mobile phone to the control means for controlling the projection device. The projection device can also be used effectively in connection with radio reception. For example, the acoustic information provided by the receiver part can be visualized and projected according to a predetermined method (aesthetic effect), or RDS (radio data system) information can also be projected, as transmitted by many radio stations.

If the mobile phone enables the reception of information from the Internet, the display quality of the mobile phone according to the invention is considerably improved compared to previous display representations due to the projectability of such information.

To avoid mutual interference between the telephone and projection functions, it is generally advantageous if the mobile phone has a hands-free facility, i.e. an operating mode with increased loudspeaker output power and increased microphone sensitivity. As already mentioned above, a hands-free facility is particularly advantageous if the projection direction is substantially orthogonal to a normal on the front of the mobile phone.

According to the further aspects of the invention (according to claims 17 and 21), the provision of an interface device is essential, wherein the interface device is designed to convert information signals present in the area of the mobile phone (e.g. display text/image) into an information projection signal with which an external projection device can be operated. In one embodiment, a mobile phone is provided in which an interface device for outputting an information projection signal is integrated, which is suitable for controlling a commercially available projector. The information projection signal can be, for example, a video signal according to the PAL or NTSC standard or an RGB signal. Digital signal formats such as VGA, SVGA, SXGA and digital compressed video signals according to standards such as MPEG or the like are also possible. The information projection signal can be output via a commercially available connection interface for the signal in question. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile phone has a USB interface for outputting a video signal.

In a further embodiment, an interface device is provided for connection to a mobile phone and for outputting an information projection signal, which is suitable for controlling a commercially available projector. This interface device can be provided as a separate device ("adapter box"), which is connected on the one hand to the mobile phone and on the other hand to the projector to establish a data transmission connection. In contrast to the mobile phone with integrated interface device described above, in this embodiment the interface device is provided separately as an independent device. Otherwise, the interface device can be designed as described above. In a further development of this embodiment, the interface device comprises an infrared receiving unit for receiving information from the mobile phone, which information is received and processed by the interface device to form the information projection signal. This results in the advantage that the infrared interface, which is already provided in many commercially available mobile phones, can now also be used to control a projector within the scope of the invention. This eliminates the need for a cable connection between the mobile phone and the interface device. This infrared connection is comparatively easy to use for transmission.

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simple information such as the display content of a mobile phone. It should be noted in this context that a short-range radio connection (e.g. according to the "Bluetooth" standard) is also conceivable for signal transmission from the mobile phone to the interface device and/or from the interface device to the projector.

Finally, an alternative embodiment consists in integrating the described interface device into a projector. This gives a projector with an interface device for receiving an information signal from a mobile phone, which information signal is processed by the interface device and used to control a projection device.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone with projection device,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of components of a mobile phone that are essential for the projection, with parts of the mobile phone housing cut away,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of components of another mobile phone that are essential for the projection, with parts of the mobile phone housing cut away,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a mobile phone with an integrated projector interface connected to a projector via a cable connection,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile phone, an interface device and a projector, wherein data transmission from the mobile phone to the interface device is realized via the infrared interface of the mobile phone,

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Fig. 6 is a perspective view of essential components of a mobile phone which is suitable for both projection and image capture, with an optical unit being switchable between these functions, and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of essential components of a mobile phone which is suitable for both projection and image capture, wherein the projection and image capture are independent of each other via separate optical units.

In the following description of several embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for analogous components, sometimes supplemented by a lower case letter to distinguish the embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a mobile phone, designated overall by 10, with a housing 12, a listening part or loudspeaker 14, a display 16, an input device (keyboard) 18 and a microphone 20. The arrangement and function of these components is known per se and therefore does not need to be described in more detail.

A projection device 30 for optically projecting information present in the mobile phone is arranged inside the housing 12 (dashed line in Fig. 1). The figure shows a situation in which there is a connection to the Internet (e.g. using the WAP function) and the information shown on the display 16 comes from the Internet.

In the embodiment shown, common control means (hardware and/or software) are provided for controlling the display 16 and the projection device 30, so that, as shown, an operating mode can be set in which a projection display 32 projected onto a wall, for example, is identical to the information displayed on the display 16. However, the input means 18 can be used to set other operating modes in which very extensive visual displays (text, images, videos) can be projected that cannot be clearly displayed on the display 16.

The output of the projection device is advantageously arranged on the upper front side of the housing 12, with a projection direction that is inclined upwards by approximately 20° in the direction of the projection relative to the plane of the mobile phone 10 (= drawing plane of Fig. 1), i.e. is essentially orthogonal to a normal η of the front of the mobile phone. This means that the projection can be conveniently viewed, for example, when the mobile phone is lying on a table on a wall in front of the table. Not shown is a focusing device with which the projection display 32 can be set to a desired image width b by actuating the input means 18 accordingly. This image width b can preferably be adjusted by at least 1 m.

In the description of the following embodiments, essentially only the differences of the embodiment already described are discussed and otherwise explicit reference is made to the preceding description.

Fig. 2 illustrates a projection device 30a comprising an emission device 34a for emitting the projection light (cf. light rays drawn in Fig. 2), which provides the projection image 32a through a projection optics (here: lens 36a). For focusing (setting the image width b), the lens 36a can be axially displaced by an adjustment ring (not shown). In Fig. 2, a base part 39a is shown in dashed lines in the unfolded state for inclining the projection direction relative to a base on which the mobile phone 10a is lying. In this embodiment, the control of the display 16a takes place separately from the control of the emitter 34a.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment in which an emitting device 34b is used to emit light for both the projection device 30b and the display 16b. This emitter 34b forms the projection device 30b together with a semi-transparent mirror 38b and a lens 36b, whereas the same emitter 34b forms the display 16b together with the mirror 38b and a viewing window 40b. The light rays drawn in Fig. 3 illustrate a real image of a luminous point of the emitter 34b on a pixel of the projection.

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tion representation 32b and a virtual image of the same luminous point on a virtual image point (below the mirror 38b). As an alternative to the embodiment shown, it is of course possible to provide a real image with corresponding imaging optics for the display, in which case a viewing projection screen is provided instead of the viewing window 40b, which can be viewed in transmission. The particular advantage of the embodiment is that the emitter is used twice.

For the embodiments according to Fig. 2 and 3, it is equally true that the actual light generation does not have to be carried out by the emitter 34a or 34b itself. Rather, it is conceivable that this device 34a or 34b is a device with spatially resolved controllable transmission, which is arranged downstream of the actual light source. For example, a laser diode or halogen lamp (each with a collimator) can be used as the light source, the light of which passes through one or more (color display) LCD filters.

In an alternative embodiment, the projection representation 32 and, if applicable, the representation on the display 16 are generated by a laser scanner. Corresponding devices for intensity modulation and beam deflection of laser beams are known per se and therefore do not need to be explained in more detail here.

Shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3 is a CCD camera unit 42b with a "viewing direction" k that is essentially opposite to the projection direction ρ. The mutual inclination of the directions ρ and k is preferably approximately 20° to 50°.

Fig. 4 shows a mobile phone 10c in which an interface device (not shown) is integrated, which is designed to output an information projection signal.

This signal is transmitted via a connecting cable 50c to an input socket of a commercially available projector ("beamer") 60c and controls this projector for projection. In the example shown, the format of the

transmitted information projection signal is a video signal according to the PAL standard, which represents the content of the display device (display) of the mobile telephone 10c.

Fig. 5 shows an interface device 7Od in the form of an adapter box, which is supplied with text and/or image information via an infrared connection from a mobile telephone 10d. This infrared connection is indicated in Fig. 5 at 52d. The received signal is converted by the interface box 7Od into an information projection signal with a common video format. This signal, which has been prepared in this way, is transmitted via a cable connection 54d to a commercially available projector 6Od in order to control its projection.

Deviating from Fig. 5, it is also possible to integrate the interface device in the projector itself, so that the resulting projector is suitable for connection to a mobile phone in order to project information generated in the range of the mobile phone.

Fig. 6 shows a mobile phone 10e with a lens arrangement 36e, which serves as an optical subunit for beam guidance both during projection and during image capture. The lens arrangement 36e forms a projection device 30e together with a planar light source (here: TFT device) 34e. On the other hand, the lens arrangement 36e forms an image capture device together with a planar image sensor (CCD unit) 80e. Switching between the functions of projection and image capture is carried out by pivoting a mirror 82e, which, in the mirror position shown in Fig. 6, deflects the light incident in the direction of the optical axis k to the image sensor 80e and is pivoted in a mirror position shown in dashed lines in Fig. 6 in order to allow light generated by the emission device 34e for the projection to pass to the common lens arrangement 36e. Switching between these two operating modes is done via the mobile phone keypad, with the mirror being swiveled electromechanically.

Fig. 7 shows a mobile phone 10f with separate optical units for projection and image capture. A projection device 3Of is formed by a projection

lens 36f and an emission device 34f. In the example shown, the emission device 34f is formed by a light source 84f and an LCD matrix 86f operated in transmission. Independently of this projection optics unit, an image capture optics unit is formed in the mobile phone 1Of with imaging lenses 88f, 9Of, which images light incident in the camera viewing direction k onto an image sensor 8Of.

The mobile phones according to Fig. 6 and 7 not only offer the possibility of projecting text and image information, but also the possibility of image capture, e.g. for use as a photo or video camera.

Claims (26)

1. Mobile phone, characterized by a projection device ( 30 ) for the optical projection of information. 2. Mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the information is text and/or image information. 3. Mobile telephone according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a display device ( 16 ) conventional for mobile telephones, wherein at least a part of the projected information ( 32 ) is identical to at least a part of information displayed by the display device ( 16 ). 4. Mobile telephone according to claim 3, wherein an emission device ( 34a , 16a ) is provided for each of the projection device ( 30a ) and the display device ( 16a ), and the two emission devices ( 34a , 16a ) are controlled by a common control means to output the respective information. 5. Mobile telephone according to claim 3, wherein a common emission device ( 34 b) is provided for the projection device ( 30 b) and the display device ( 16 b) and a beam splitter ( 38 b) is arranged downstream of this emission device in order to divide the emitted information between the projection device ( 30 b) and the display device ( 16 b). 6. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a focusing device for manually or automatically focusing the projected information ( 32 ) to a desired image distance (b). 7. Mobile telephone according to claim 6, wherein the focusing device can be actuated by means of input means ( 18 ) which are also provided for actuating telephone functions. 8. Mobile phone according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection device ( 30 ) projects in a direction (p) which is substantially orthogonal to a normal (n) on a front side of the mobile phone. 9. A mobile phone according to claim 8, wherein the projection direction (p), viewed with respect to the front of the mobile phone, extends substantially upwards or substantially to the left or right. 10. Mobile phone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a video camera ( 42b ) for capturing still and/or moving images. 11. Mobile telephone according to claim 10, wherein the optical axis (k) of the camera ( 42b ) points in a direction which is substantially opposite to the projection direction (p). 12. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a fold-out foot part ( 39a ) on the back of a housing ( 12a ) of the mobile telephone. 13. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an automatic activation/deactivation of the projection device ( 30 ) is provided upon occurrence of predetermined operating states of the mobile telephone. 14. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for adjusting the optical power of the projection device ( 30 ). 15. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a radio and/or television receiver part. 16. Mobile telephone according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a hands-free device. 17. Mobile telephone, characterized by an interface device for outputting an information projection signal which is suitable for controlling a commercially available projector. 18. A mobile phone according to claim 17, wherein the information projection signal represents text and/or image information. 19. A mobile phone according to claim 17 or 18, wherein at least a part of the information represented by the information projection signal is identical to at least a part of information displayed by a display device of the mobile phone. 20. A mobile telephone according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein a common information signal generating means is provided for the interface device and the display device. 21. Interface device for connection to a mobile phone and for outputting an information projection signal which is suitable for controlling a commercially available projector. 22. Interface device according to claim 21, comprising an infrared receiving unit for receiving information from a mobile phone, which information is received by the interface unit to form the information projection signal. 23. A mobile phone according to claim 10, comprising separate optical units for projection and for image capture. 24. Mobile phone according to claim 10, comprising a common optical sub-unit for the projection side and for the object side for the image capture. 25. A mobile telephone according to claim 24, comprising a semi-transparent mirror for, on the one hand, allowing light generated for projection to pass to the common optical sub-unit and, on the other hand, for reflecting light passed through the common optical sub-unit for image capture to an image sensor, or vice versa. 26. Mobile telephone according to claim 24, comprising a mirror which can be moved in a controlled manner between two positions in order to allow light generated for projection to pass to the common optical sub-unit in a first mirror position and to reflect light passed through the common optical sub-unit to an image sensor in a second mirror position for image capture, or vice versa.