HK1131275B - Portable phone with ergonomic image projection system - Google Patents

Description

Portable telephone with ergonomic image projection system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to portable communication devices, and more particularly to portable telephones, such as wireless telephones and cellular telephones.

Background

In the prior art, portable telephones are widely used to communicate and transfer information between users. Portable telephones include wireless telephones that receive signals from base stations controlled by users over a relatively short range, typically at frequencies of 900MHz, 2.4Ghz, or 5.8 Ghz. Portable telephones also include cellular telephones for larger distances that typically receive signals from a telecommunications network using a variety of platforms, such as ANALOG, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), TDMA (time Division Multiple Access), and GSM (Global System for mobile communications). Portable telephones also include satellite telephones in which the portable telephone transmits directly to and from a communications satellite orbiting the earth, such as the "GLOBAL STAR" system and the "iritorium" system.

Some portable telephones employ a handset (handset) that is configured to be held in one hand and placed against the head of a user. Conventional handsets for portable telephones include a speaker configured to be placed near the ear, and a microphone configured to be placed near the mouth.

The handset may also include a face having a keypad, and a direct view display (direct view display) configured to display a visual image of the data in an alphanumeric or video format. Some types of data that can be displayed in visual form on a direct view display are "caller ID on hold" data. Furthermore, data may be displayed even when the user is conducting a two-way conversation with the handset held against the head. For example, during a two-way conversation, the data may include a phone number of the origination of the incoming call.

One limitation of conventional handsets is that the user cannot see the direct view display when holding the handset against the head. During a two-way conversation, to view the data, the user must remove the handset from the ear and place the direct view display at least several inches in front of the eye. This requires interrupting the two-way conversation in order to read data from a third party during the conversation, such as caller ID data on hold. While this problem can be avoided by speakerphones, this approach has limitations because of reduced privacy and sound fidelity, and increased transmission of ambient noise.

The present invention is directed to a portable telephone having a data projection system configured to generate and project a visual image of data onto a viewing surface that is in close proximity to and easily viewed by a user. This permits the visual image to be ergonomically viewed even if the user holds the handset against the head. Thus, a two-way telephone conversation can be conducted without interruption and without the limitations of a speakerphone.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a portable telephone and a method for displaying data in the portable telephone.

The portable phone includes a handset configured to be held in a user's hand and placed against the head during a two-way conversation. The handset includes a speaker, a microphone, a keypad, and a direct view visual display on its front surface. Further, the handset includes a battery on a bottom end face thereof and a pair of charging contacts for the battery. Further, the handset includes conventional telephone circuitry configured to generate and display a first visual image of data on a direct view visual display.

The handset also includes an image projection system configured to form a second visual image on a viewing surface, such as a body portion of a user, that is readily visible during a telephone conversation with the handset held against the head. Further, the image projection system may be operated by manipulating the handset and by selecting and manipulating the viewing surface so that the second visual image may be focused, enlarged, compressed, moved, or moved to another viewing surface.

The image projection system includes a photovoltaic system configured to generate a pattern corresponding to a second visual image. The image projection system also includes an optical system configured to process the pattern into a mirror image and project the mirror image onto a viewing surface, which is then reflected to a user to form a second visual image. The image projection system is an integral fixed element of the handset, which eliminates the need for additional mechanical elements and allows the easy positioning of the second visual image using subtle and intuitive manipulations of the hand or other body part by the user. In this aspect, the image projection system is optically configured to follow a vector controlled by the handset being manipulated around the user's head so that the second visual image can be projected into the user's field of view while the speaker is near the ear and the microphone is near the mouth. In other words, the handset and viewing surface can be manipulated to provide a focused and readable second visual image in close proximity to the user. However, the handset may also be manipulated to provide a private or unreadable second visual image, if desired, or to make the second visual image available for viewing by a person other than the user.

In a first embodiment, the optoelectronic system includes a light source, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), configured to generate a pattern, in optical communication with a first set of optics and a light valve. In a second embodiment, the optoelectronic system includes an emissive display, such as an addressable patterned LED display, an electroluminescent display, a cathode ray tube, or a field emission display, configured to generate the pattern. The optical system includes a second set of optics, which may include a single optical element (e.g., a positive convex lens, a positive fresnel lens) or multiple optical elements, configured to process the pattern from the optoelectronic system into a mirror image of the second image and project the mirror image onto the viewing surface.

The image projection system may also be configured to orient the second visual image so that it can be read by the user from left to right, regardless of whether the handset is held against the left ear or the right ear. As such, the image projection system may include a sensing device configured to sense an orientation of the handset and orient the second visual image as a function of the orientation of the handset. For example, when the handset is held in the user's left hand against the left ear (i.e., left hand orientation), the second visual image may be oriented for reading from left to right on the user's right hand, wrist, or forearm. Similarly, when the handset is held in the user's right hand against the right ear (i.e., right hand orientation), the second visual image may be oriented for reading from left to right on the user's left hand, arm, or forearm.

The image projection system may also include a pulsing circuit configured to pulse the second visual image from a bright image to a low image or no image. The pulsing circuit reduces power consumption and heat generation of the image projection system. However, because of the way the human eye perceives and processes light, pulse sensing from high to low results in the user perceiving a brightness that is higher than the actual brightness averaged over the pulse.

The method for displaying data comprises the following steps: providing a handset having an image projection system, holding the handset against a user's head, conducting a two-way conversation with the handset held against the head, transmitting data to the image projection system during the two-way conversation, forming a pattern representative of the data using the image projection system, processing the pattern into a mirror image of the second visual image using the image projection system, and then projecting the mirror image from the handset onto a viewing surface using the image projection system.

The method may also include the steps of: the handset is moved around the head during the conversation in order to position the second visual image on the viewing surface or another selected viewing surface. Further, the method may further comprise the steps of: the method includes providing a handset having a sensing system, sensing an orientation of the handset using the sensing system, and then projecting a second visual image onto a viewing surface having an orientation that depends on the sensed orientation of the handset. As an alternative to the sensing system, the user may manually select a left-hand or right-hand orientation for the second visual image.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a cellular telephone having an image projection system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a rear elevational view of a portable telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a bottom end view of a portable telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged rear elevational view of the portable telephone of the embodiment of the present invention taken along line 2A of FIG. 1B, illustrating the portable telephone with the cover removed and the image projection system located in the interior compartment of the compartment;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of components of an image projection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged rear elevational view, equivalent to FIG. 2A, of an image projection system illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of an image projection system shown as projecting a visual image onto a viewing surface, which for purposes of illustration, includes a hand that has been rotated 90 from a normal viewing position;

FIG. 3B is a view taken along line 3B-3B of FIG. 3A and rotated 90, illustrating a visual image on a viewing surface;

FIG. 3C is a view equivalent to FIG. 3B of a visual image of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having curved alphanumeric characters;

FIG. 3D is a bottom end view equivalent to FIG. 1C illustrating the first and second orientations of the mirror image of the visual image after exiting the cellular telephone;

FIG. 3E is an electrical schematic diagram of an orientation sensing system of the image projection system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3F is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of an image projection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a user having an ongoing telephone conversation with an embodiment of the present invention, with the portable telephone held against the head with the left hand and a visual image projected onto the right hand or alternatively the right forearm;

FIG. 4B is a side elevational view of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an enlarged view taken along line 4C-4C of FIG. 4A illustrating a visual image on the user's right hand or alternatively on the user's right front arm;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of a user having an ongoing telephone conversation with an embodiment of the present invention in which the portable telephone is held against the head with the right hand and a visual image is projected onto the left hand or alternatively the left forearm;

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an enlarged view taken along line 5C-5C of FIG. 5A illustrating a visual image on the user's left hand or alternatively on the user's left forearm;

FIG. 6A is a front view of a light valve assembly of an image projection system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the light valve assembly of the present invention illustrating the character box;

FIG. 7A is an electrical block diagram of a control unit for an image projection system and its interface with conventional telephone circuitry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an electrical block diagram of control circuitry for an alternative embodiment of an image projection system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an interface board containing control circuitry for an image projection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a programmable microcontroller of a control circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9D are enlarged portions of a microcontroller according to an embodiment of the present invention taken along lines 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D of FIG. 9, respectively;

FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic of a microcontroller configuration EPROM in a control circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of a microcontroller cable of a control circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic of an Oscillator (OSC) of the control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic of a potentiometer of the control circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic of a decoupling capacitor of a control circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an electrical schematic of a decoupling capacitor of a control circuit of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an electrical schematic of a 2.5V linear regulator for a microcontroller of a control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is an electrical schematic diagram of a pulsing circuit of the image projection system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, and 3A-3F, a portable telephone 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In the following description, the figures of the reference numerals are sometimes indicated in parentheses following the reference numerals. However, each reference number appears several times in the figures and is not only illustrated in the figures with parentheses.

The portable telephone 10 (fig. 1A) may take the form of a wireless telephone or a cellular telephone. In the illustrated embodiment, the portable telephone 10 comprises a friend EXI-976900 mhz-type wireless telephone manufactured by Uniden Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, which has been modified to include an image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B). However, the present invention is not limited to friendly wireless telephones, as the concepts herein can accommodate the construction of any type of wireless telephone or cellular telephone. Also, in the embodiment of the present invention, the portable telephone 10 has a single configuration. However, the concept of the present invention is applicable to a portable phone having a hinge or pivot structure.

The portable telephone 10 (fig. 1A) includes a handset 12 (fig. 1A) formed of a rigid material such as molded plastic. The handset 12 includes a hollow support structure adapted to contain the various components of the portable telephone 10 (fig. 1A), and has a size and shape suitable for holding by the user 14 (fig. 4A). Further, the handset 12 includes a front surface 16 (fig. 1A), a back surface 18 (fig. 1B), a bottom end surface 20 (fig. 1C), and a longitudinal axis 54 (fig. 4B). The handset 12 also includes an interior compartment 22 (fig. 1B) with a removable cover 24 (fig. 1B). The interior compartment 22 is proximate the bottom end 20 (fig. 1C) of the handset 12 and the cover 24 (fig. 1B) forms a portion of the back surface 18 (fig. 1B) of the handset 12. The handset 12 (fig. 1C) may comprise a single assembly, substantially as shown, or alternatively may include one or more separable hinged or pivotal parts.

The portable telephone 10 also includes a speaker 26 (fig. 1A) and a microphone 28 (fig. 1A) having an access opening on the front surface 16 (fig. 1A) of the handset 12. Further, the portable telephone 10 includes an antenna 30 (FIG. 1A) configured to send and receive signals. Further, the portable telephone 10 includes a keypad 32 (FIG. 1A) located on the front surface 16 (FIG. 1A) of the handset 12 (FIG. 1A) that is configured for manipulation by the user 14 (FIG. 4A) for entering data and performing various functions of the portable telephone 10.

The portable telephone 10 further includes: telephone circuitry 38 (fig. 1B) located in the handset 12 configured to generate data, such as caller ID data on hold, and a direct view display 34 (fig. 1A) located on the front surface 16 of the handset 12 configured to display a first visual image 35 (fig. 1A) of the data. The telephone circuitry 38 may comprise conventional wireless or cellular telephone circuitry constructed and operated using protocols known in the art. For example, U.S. patent nos. 6,418,209, 6,125,277, and 5,987,330, which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose representative telephone circuits.

The portable telephone 10 also includes a battery 42 (fig. 1B) in signal communication with the telephone circuitry 38 (fig. 1B), the telephone circuitry 38 being configured to provide power to the various components of the portable telephone 10. A pair of external contacts 36 (fig. 1C) located on the bottom end face 20 (fig. 1C) of the handset 12 are configured for mating electrical engagement with a handset socket (not shown) in order to charge the battery 42 (fig. 1B). Battery 42 (fig. 1B) may comprise a conventional rechargeable power source, such as a nickel-chromium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion battery, or a fuel cell, configured to provide a selected amount of power for a selected period of time. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 42 (FIG. 1B) is configured to provide 3.4 to 4.0 volts and 600 and 900 mAh.

The portable telephone 10 also includes an image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) located in the interior compartment 22 (FIG. 1B) and an on/off button 40 (FIG. 1A) configured to switch the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) on and off. Image projection system 44 (fig. 1B) is configured to generate and project a second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) representative of data, such as caller ID data on hold, onto a viewing surface 48 (fig. 3B). In an embodiment of the present invention, the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) is configured to project the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B) along an optical axis 52 (FIG. 3A), the optical axis 52 being projected from the bottom end face 20 (FIG. 2B) of the handset 12. The present illustrative arrangement moves and focuses the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) while holding the portable telephone 10 against the head 80 (fig. 4A) of the user 14 (fig. 4A), although other arrangements may be used. In use, the portable telephone 10 may be rotated about the ear 92 (FIG. 4A) or 94 (FIG. 5A) of the user 14 (FIG. 4A) so that the second visual image 46 (FIG. 4C) may be conveniently positioned and focused in front of one or both eyes 102, 104 (FIG. 4A) of the user 14 (FIG. 4A).

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, in an embodiment of the present invention, the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) is configured to project a mirror image 46' of the second visual image 46 in an orientation such that the handset 10 is substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to the front surface 16 and the back surface 18 of the handset 12. In this case, the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) also includes an orientation sensing device 106 (FIG. 3E) configured to sense the orientation of the handset 10 (i.e., left or right hand), and to orient the mirror image 46' of the second visual image 46 in either orientation A (FIG. 3D) or orientation B (FIG. 3D) so that the second visual image 46 is read from left to right on the viewing surface 48 (FIG. 3B) in both cases.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B) includes a base 56 (FIG. 1B) configured to mount various components of the system within the interior compartment 22 (FIG. 1B) of the handset 12. The base 56 (fig. 1B) may comprise an electrically insulating material, such as plastic, of a desired size and shape. Further, a plurality of fasteners 62 (fig. 1B), such as threaded screws, plastic welds, snaps, or pins, may be used to attach the base 56 (fig. 1B) to the handset 12.

As also shown in FIG. 1B, the image projection system includes a photovoltaic system 45 configured to generate a pattern 46 "(FIG. 3F) representative of a second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B) in response to a signal from the telephone circuitry 38 (FIG. 1B). The optoelectronic assembly 45 (FIG. 1B) includes a light source 58 (FIG. 1B), which may be a polychromatic or monochromatic light source having a wavelength of 400 to 800 nanometers.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) that protrudes from a sealed enclosure 78 (FIG. 2B) mounted to the base 56 (FIG. 2B). As shown in fig. 3F, the light source 58 also includes a substrate 136, an LED chip 138 surrounded by soft gel 140, a lens 142 that directs light forward for further processing and use in the image projection system 44, and a lens mounting block 144 for mounting the lens 142. The substrate 136 is configured to provide an assembly platform for the light source 58 and electrical feed to the LED chips 138. Further, the substrate 136 provides a heat sink for the LED chips 138 directly from the LED chips 138 and from the LED chips 138 through the gel 140 to the substrate 136.

The gel 140 directs heat emitted by the LED chips 138 to the mounting block 144 and the submount 136, where the heat is dissipated. In addition, the gel 140 provides a shock pad that resists CTE mismatch cracking of the LED chips 138 and an optical index matching medium for efficient coupling of the light output of the LED chips 138 to the optical train. In use, the gel 140, mounting block 144, and substrate 136 improve the performance of the light source 58. This allows the image projection system 44 to form the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) in a dim or bright setting, with the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3B) having an irregular contour and low reflectivity. For improved performance, the substrate 136 has direct physical/thermal contact with the back surface of the LED chip 138 and includes a metal layer (not shown) on its back surface that serves as a heat sink for the LED chip 138.

The mounting block 144 is made of solid copper treated with a reflective coating. The mounting block 144 also serves as a heat sink for the LED chip 138 with respect to the substrate 136. In addition, to serve as a heat sink and structure for mounting the lens 142, the mounting block 144 also provides a cavity for the gel 140 and a reflective mechanism for transmitting light on a trajectory from the lens 142 back to the gel 140. Also in the present embodiment, a flexible thermally conductive pad (not shown) is placed against the light source 58 to further enhance cooling. Suitable thermally conductive pads are the "WSF 16" and "WSF 32" products manufactured by fisheries electronics (Fisher electronics GmBH) having Sales representatives in the united states by ICS international searchs Sales of Phoenix, arizona (ICS international circus Sales, inc.

One suitable light source 58 includes a high brightness, gel enhanced LED light source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the light source 58 comprises a plurality of heat sinks (a base plate 136 and a mounting block 144), wherein the base plate 136 is in intimate contact with the LED chips 138, and the mounting block 144 is in thermal communication with the LED chips 138 through a translucent gel 140. Further, the LED chip 138 is in intimate contact with a translucent gel 140 disposed between the LED chip 138 and the first set of optics 60. For example, the light source 58 must produce at least about 4 lumens of light, preferably about 6 or more lumens, and in the case of FSTN LCD light valves about 10 or more lumens. Further, the light source 58 should have an optical density of at least 18 lumens per square millimeter of surface area of the LED chip 138.

One suitable light source 58 includes an Xlamp, part number XL 7090-L100-RED, Bin # R2H, manufactured by Krey corporation of Dalem, south Carolina (Cree, Inc., Durham, SC.). It should be understood, however, that such manufacturer and part names, as well as those below, are exemplary only, and may be substituted with other equivalent components. For the light source 58, the LED chips 138 comprise an InGaAlP-based LED die configured to generate red light and having dimensions of 1 millimeter x1 millimeters x0.16 millimeters.

In addition to the above requirements, the light source 58 preferably has a luminous efficacy of greater than about 24 lumens per watt. The aforementioned XL 7090-L100-RED, Bin # R2H light source 58 produces a light output with a Lambertion spatial pattern and a light emission cone angle of about 100 degrees, and produces about 20.8+/-2.7 lumens of light when operated in a 25 ℃ environment and drawing about 330 milliamps of current. In an embodiment of the present invention, the light source 58 has been driven with a current of up to about 500 milliamps.

There are several options for driving the light source 58 (fig. 1B). The first option is to limit the current to an acceptable level using a resistor in series with the light source 58 (fig. 1B). In this case, the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) will have a duty cycle of 100% during the time that the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) is on.

The second option is to pulse the light source 58 (fig. 1B) with a limited duty cycle. In the pulsed mode, the resulting brightness perceived by the human eye is greater than the resulting average value. This may result in a perceived improvement in image quality with reduced power consumption and reduced heat generation relative to operation at constant current. In this case, the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) may be pulsed at a higher current for a brief period of time in order to make the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B) appear brighter to the user 14 (FIG. 4A). Further, the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) appears brighter than the following arrangement: wherein the light source 58 is operated at a current below the peak current of the pulse but above the low point of the pulse during successive periods. As will be further explained, fig. 17 illustrates an exemplary pulse circuit 108 for implementing the second option.

A third option is to use a driver chip for the light source 58 (fig. 1B). Further, the mechanism for driving the light source 58 (fig. 1B) may include user-controlled adjustments for altering the brightness of the second visual image 46 and the power consumption of the light source 58. Further, the mechanism for driving the light source 58 may contain a preset time from the manufacturer or an adjustable time set by the user 14 that determines how long the light source 58 lasts when the call waiting signal is active. For example, an exemplary time period may be about 15 seconds.

As shown in fig. 3A, the light source 58 (fig. 3A) is in signal communication with control circuitry 76 (fig. 3A) contained on the interface board 74 (fig. 3A). In addition, the control circuit 76 (FIG. 3A) is in signal communication with the telephone circuit 38 (FIG. 3A). As will be further explained, the control circuitry 76 (FIG. 3A) is configured to control the elements of the image projection system 44 in response to signals from the phone circuitry 38 (FIG. 3A).

The optoelectronic system 45 (FIG. 1B) also includes a first set of optics 60 (FIG. 1B) configured to collect and process light from the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) in order to improve the brightness, contrast, or image quality of the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B). Further, the first set of optics 60 (fig. 1B) may be configured to process light from the light source 58 (fig. 1B) to improve the collimation of the light, and may be configured to manipulate the light in terms of size, shape, or form factor. The first set of optics 60 (fig. 1B) may include a single optical element or multiple optical elements and may include elements integrated into the light source 58 (fig. 1B). The optical elements of first set of optics 60 may include refractive optical elements, reflective optical elements, diffractive optical elements, light pipe elements, or combinations thereof. An exemplary spacing between the light source 58 (fig. 1B) and the first set of optics 60 (fig. 1B) may be about 8 millimeters. The light source 58 (fig. 1B) may also be treated by light pipes, light channels (light channeling), refractive, reflective, or diffractive elements. In some cases, these elements may provide superior results with respect to a light source having a physically blocked frame at a distance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first set of optics 60 (FIG. 1B) includes refractive optical elements in the form of Fresnel lenses contained on a frame 61 (FIG. 2B) mounted to the mount 56. One suitable Fresnel lens is available from Edmund Optics Inc. of Barrington, N.J., part number Y43-022, has a lens diameter of 0.5 inches, a focal length of 0.4 inches, and a total lens thickness of 0.06 inches, and is formed with a Fresnel pattern of 250 grooves per inch. The lenses were molded acrylic lenses with a refractive index of 1.49. This lens is placed with its smooth side facing the light source 58 and the infinitely conjugate side forming the contour facing the light valve 64.

The electro-optical system 45 (FIG. 1B) also includes a light valve 64 (FIG. 1B), such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) or other display having transparent or translucent pixels. The light valve 64 (fig. 1B) is configured to receive light from the light source 58 (fig. 1B) and the first set of optics 60 (fig. 1B) and generate a pattern 46 "(fig. 3F) that is capable of forming the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) in response to an electronic signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pattern 46 "varies in accordance with the effect of the electronic signal. However, the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) may also be configured to produce a fixed pattern or a pattern having both variable and fixed elements. As shown in fig. 3A, the light valve 64 (fig. 3A) is in signal communication with control circuitry 76 (fig. 3A) contained on the interface board 74 (fig. 3A). Further, a representative spacing between the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) and the first set of optics 60 (FIG. 1B) may be about 5.5 millimeters. When the light exiting the first set of optics 60 has a high degree of collimation, the separation distance between the light valve 64 and the first set of optics 60 may vary significantly without significantly affecting the second visual image 46. Furthermore, assembly misalignment can be more easily overcome with highly collimated light.

In an embodiment of the invention, the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) comprises a Chip On Glass (COG) negative image, a thin film compensated super twisted nematic (FSTN) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) configured for generating the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B) as alphanumeric characters of a desired size, spacing, and shape. Alternatively, rather than alphanumeric characters, the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) may be configured to generate the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B) as a picture, character, picture, symbol, photograph, or video information. Further, the second visual image 46 may represent any type of data including, but not limited to, music, stock, sports, weather, traffic, news, and headline data. Further, data may be presented in a viewable section, the viewable portion scrolled into place using buttons on keypad 32 (FIG. 1A), or the viewable portion streamed automatically in the manner of a ticker.

Referring to fig. 6A-6C, the light valve 64 is shown separately. In an embodiment of the present invention, the light valve 64 comprises a chip-on-glass Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The light valve 64 includes a transparent substrate 120 (fig. 6A) having terminal leads 122 (fig. 6A) in electrical communication with traces (not shown) on the substrate 120 (fig. 6A). Terminal leads 122 (fig. 6A) electrically connect the light valve 64 to the control circuitry 76 (fig. 8) for the image projection system 44 (fig. 1B). The light valve 64 also includes a driver chip 124 (fig. 6A) that is in electrical communication with the terminal leads 122 (fig. 6A). One suitable driver chip 124 (fig. 6A) includes a Novatek NT7605 chip configured to include suitable driver circuitry. Alternatively, instead of the driver chip 124 (fig. 6A), the driving circuit may include a circuit fabricated from an amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon thin film transistor or a single crystal transistor integrated into the substrate 120 (fig. 6A).

The light valve 64 also includes an active area 126 (fig. 6A) that includes an array of blocks 128 of characters (fig. 6A). The active area 126 may have a selected width and length (e.g., 2.07 millimeters by 6.87 millimeters). In addition, polarizers 132, 134 (FIG. 6B) are located on opposite sides of the active area 126.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the active area 126 (FIG. 6A) includes two rows of twelve character blocks 128 (FIG. 6A), where each block consists of a 5 × 7 array of rectangular pixel dots 130 (FIG. 6C). With this arrangement, the active area 126 has approximately 840 pixels. To represent a telephone number, twelve digits are required, including the area code, the space or dash between the prefix and the digit, and the actual ten digits. In one embodiment, the character block 128 includes pixels or pixel segments for generating numbers or letters. Numeric or alphabetic capabilities are required because the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) will become the bottom row with the left hand orientation (fig. 5A-5C) of the phone 10 and the top row will become the bottom row with the right hand orientation (fig. 4A-4C). Even if the less aesthetic option of sixteen field character blocks is used, the display of the two rows of twelve characters will consist of at least 384 pixels. Small light valves having this number of addressable pixels, such as those used in embodiments of the present invention, require circuitry integrated into the light valve substrate via direct patterning or Chip On Glass (COG) techniques.

One suitable light valve 64 is an LCD, part number C10695 Rev 1, which is customized for the phone 10 by Pacific Display Devices of Diamond Bar, CA. The custom LCD comprises a negative image COG FSTN LCD having an active area of 2.07 mm x 6.87 mm and a total substrate 120 (fig. 6A) size of 13 mm x 15 mm. The rectangular pixels in the active area of the C10695LCD are 0.09 mm wide and 0.13 mm high, with a 0.01 mm pitch between pixels within a character block. The character blocks in the active area of the C10695LCD have a vertical spacing of 0.15 mm between the character blocks, and the horizontal spacing between the character blocks in a row is 0.09 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2C, an alternative embodiment of an emissive optoelectronic system 44A includes an addressable emissive display 64A, such as an addressable patterned LED display, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), an electroluminescent display, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display, a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), a Field Emission Display (FED), or other display having light-emitting pixels. In this case, the light source 58 (FIG. 2B) and the first set of optics 60 (FIG. 2B) may be eliminated.

As another alternative, addressable emissive display 64A may be replaced with a reflective display, such as a reflective liquid crystal display, Digital Mirror Display (DMD), reflective LCOS display, reflective electrochromic display, or other display having reflective pixels such that the amount or direction of pixel reflection is variable. In embodiments employing a reflective display, the light source 58 (FIG. 2A) and the first set of optics 60 (FIG. 2A) will be positioned such that light will be applied on the same side of the reflective display as the exiting light.

The image projection system 44 (fig. 2A) also includes an optical system in the form of a second set of optics 66 (fig. 2A) configured to receive the pattern 46 "(fig. 3F) that has been formed by the light valve 64 (fig. 2A), to process the pattern 46" (fig. 3F) into a mirror image 46 '(fig. 3D) of the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B), and to project the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) toward the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3B). The mirrored image 46' is then reflected from the viewing surface 48 to the user 14 (fig. 4B) as a second visual image 46 (fig. 3B).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of optics 66 (FIG. 2B) is included in a stepped tube 68 (FIG. 2B), the stepped tube 68 having a mounting flange 70 (FIG. 2B) attached to the light valve 64 (FIG. 2B) and a mounting flange 72 (FIG. 2B) attached to the base 56 (FIG. 2B). Further, the bottom end face 20 (fig. 2B) of the handset 12 (fig. 2B) includes an opening 114 (fig. 2B) for the second optical system 66 (fig. 2B). Further, as shown in fig. 2B, the second set of optics 66 may be recessed within the handset 12 such that the opening 114 in the bottom end face 20 has a rim 69 that protects the second set of optics 66. The second set of optics 66 is therefore less likely to be scratched or damaged by movement of the handset 12 during use and storage.

The second set of optics 66 (fig. 2A) may include a single optical element (e.g., a positive convex lens) or a plurality of optical elements configured to project the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) toward the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3B). The optical elements for the second set of optics 66 may include refractive optical elements, reflective optical elements, diffractive optical elements, light pipe elements, or combinations thereof. Further, the second set of optics 66 (fig. 2A) may include a focusing mechanism (not shown) configured to manually focus the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) such that the second visual image 46 is within readable focus of at least one of the user's eyes 102, 104 (fig. 4B) when the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3A) is a distance D (fig. 3A) from the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3A). This allows the user 14 to set an offset that accommodates his particular vision and taste. In addition, second set of optics 66 may include lenses having an electrically tunable focal length, such as a PAM-1000 tunable lens produced by Variopic, Leon, France.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second set of optics 66 (FIG. 3A) includes a positive optical lens. One suitable lens for constructing second set of Optics 66 is an achromatic lens available from Edmund Industrial Optics, of Barrington, N.J., part number Y45-092, 9 mm diameter, 27 mm effective focal length, and 24.22 mm back focal length. This lens is configured and positioned in the image projection system 44 to project along an optical axis 52 (FIG. 3A) at a distance D (FIG. 3A) of about 8 to 16 inches from the viewing surface.

A representative height H1 (fig. 3B) of each character on the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) may be 3.5 mm to 21.5 mm, typically 9 mm. Depending on the distance D, the size of the active area 126 (fig. 6A), and the configuration of the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3A), a representative width W (fig. 3B) of the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) may be 25 mm to 152 mm, typically 64 mm. A representative height H2 of second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) may be 7.6 millimeters to 46.2 millimeters, typically 19.3 millimeters. A representative aspect ratio may be greater than 1.5:1, with 3.3:1 for embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a second visual image 46A, formed along a curved line. This arrangement compresses the second visual image 46A such that the width W2 of the second visual image 46A is less than the width W of the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second visual image 46 is read from left to right (FIG. 3B). Further, the portable telephone 10 may include an orientation sensing device 106 (fig. 3E) configured to sense whether the orientation of the portable telephone 10 is "left-handed" or "right-handed" relative to the user 14 (fig. 4A) and orient the second visual image 46 in a left-to-right reading format regardless of whether a left-handed or right-handed orientation of the telephone 10 is used. For example, the portable telephone 10 may be held in a left hand 82 as shown in fig. 4A-4C (left-hand orientation) or in a right hand 84 as shown in fig. 5A-5C (left-hand orientation). In either case, the orientation sensing device 106 (fig. 3E) orients the second visual image 46 for viewing by the user 14 from left to right. In other words, the orientation sensing device 106 (fig. 3E) is configured to rotate the second visual image 46 in the left-hand orientation (fig. 4A-4C) 180 ° relative to the second visual image 46 in the right-hand orientation (fig. 5A-5C).

As shown in FIG. 1B, the orientation sensing device 106 is contained on a circuit board 112 that is mounted within the handset 12 (FIG. 1B). In addition, the orientation sensing device 106 is in electrical communication with a microcontroller U2 (fig. 8) for the control circuitry 76 (fig. 8) of the image projection system 44. As shown in FIG. 3E, the orientation sensing device 106 includes output pins P1 and P2. The outputs from the output pins P1 and P2 vary depending on the orientation of the sensing device 106. In fig. 3E, the orientation sensing device 106 is shown in five different positions relative to the longitudinal axis 54 of the handset 12 and illustrates the corresponding outputs from the output pins P1 and P2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3E, the output of pin PT1/PT2 will be either high or low depending on the orientation of the orientation sensing device 106. Based on input from pins PT1/PT2, microcontroller U2 (FIG. 8) of control circuit 76 (FIG. 8) controls light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) to orient mirror image 46' of second visual image 46 (FIG. 3D) in position A (FIG. 3D) or position B (FIG. 3D). One suitable orientation sensing device 106 is available from Sharp Electronics of the americas of america of campuses, washington, and is designated as a photointerrupter (GP 1S 36) for detecting tilt direction. Alternatively, a manual switch, voice command switch, soft key, or sequence key may be used to change the orientation of the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3B).

Referring to fig. 3F, the operation of the image projection system 44 is illustrated. The image projection system 44 includes an electro-optical system 45 including a light source 58, a first set of optics 60, and a light valve 64 configured to generate the pattern 46 "in response to control signals from a control circuit 76 (fig. 8). Further, the image projection system 44 includes a second set of optics 66 configured to process the pattern 46 "into a mirror image 46 'of the second visual image 46 and project the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) onto the viewing surface 48.

In fig. 3F, there is a dashed line 146 between the second set of optics 66 and the second visual image 46 on the viewing surface 48. Dashed line 146 is needed to show the relative scale and not necessarily the actual length of distance D, which is the distance between second set of optics 66 and viewing surface 48. Further, the second visual image 46 is depicted as it would appear in an edge view, and is illustrated as an arrow, as its size may change as a function of the distance D. The pattern 46 "produced by the light valve 64 is also depicted as an arrow. The arrows provide a comparison of the orientation of the pattern 46 "produced by the light valve 64 relative to the second visual image 46. Further, the arrows show that the size of the second visual image 46 is larger than the pattern 46 "produced by the light valve 64. In accordance with the present invention, the handset 12 and the viewing surface 48 are manipulable by the user 14 (fig. 4A) so as to vary the distance D to provide an ergonomic and readable view of the second visual image 46.

As shown in FIG. 3F, the light source 58 produces an emission cone of light rays 148 having a relatively large angle. In fig. 3F, the light rays 148 emitted by the light source are shown as solid lines with arrows at the point they enter the light valve 64. Dashed optical tracking lines 152 (fig. 3F) and 154 (fig. 3F) are shown as converging from the end of the pattern 46 "toward the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F), with the lines crossing the second set of optics 66, and then shown as diverging from the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) toward the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3F).

Some of the light rays 148 from the light source 58 are dispersed as indicated. The pattern 46 "is created using light rays 148 that are concentrated, collimated, and directed by the first set of optics 60 toward the active area 126 of the light valve 64. The light rays 148 that will become collimated narrow angle light rays after passing through the first set of optics 60 will pass through the light valve 64 more efficiently than wide angle light from the light source 58, resulting in the second visual image 46 having improved brightness, contrast, or image quality, particularly when the light valve 64 comprises an LCD. In addition, collimating the light rays 148 and reducing the spread of light will waste less light. This is because more light will fall on the active area 126 of the light valve 64 (fig. 3F) and less light will fall outside the active area 126. The more nearly the cross-section of the beam of collimated light rays 148 traveling from the first set of optics 66 to the light valve 64 matches the size and shape of the active area 126, the brighter the second visual image 46 will be.

As explained above, the mirror image 46' (fig. 3F) of the second visual image 46 may be reflected from the viewing surface 48 to the eyes 102, 104 (fig. 4A) of the user 14, the viewing surface 48 may be a portion of the body (e.g., hands 82, 84) or other convenient or ergonomically beneficial surface. This arrangement, while effective, suffers from optical performance because the reflectivity of the body part is relatively low and the surface profile of the body part is not straight, smooth and flat. The first set of optics 60 plays a key role in increasing the brightness of the second visual image 46 due to the impairment of optical performance caused by the viewing surface 48 being less than ideal. The control circuitry 76 (fig. 8) may also include circuit elements and external controls on the handset 12 configured to increase or decrease the brightness of the light source 58 and the second visual image 46. The control circuit 76 (fig. 8) may also include circuit elements and external sensors configured to sense ambient brightness and then increase or decrease the brightness of the light source 58 and the second visual image 46 depending on the ambient brightness.

Where the width of the active area 126 (fig. 3F) of the light valve 64 (fig. 3F) is greater than its height, the first set of optics 60 (fig. 3F) may be configured to asymmetrically process the light rays 148 (fig. 3F) from the light source 58 (fig. 3F), expanding the beam more in one dimension than in the other, or alternatively reducing it more in one dimension than in the other. Any number of methods using refractive, diffractive, reflective, and light pipe optical elements may be employed. One such approach would be to employ refractive optical elements or refractive optical surfaces in the first set of optics 60 that have different focal lengths along the width and height axes of the light valve 64. Another such approach would be to use a round to rectangular tapered fiber bundle in the first set of optics 60. An exemplary round to rectangular tapered fiber bundle is available from scott north american corporation of south bridge, massachusetts, and is known as a fused fiber taper (fused optical taper). Other examples are available from Fiber Optics Technology inc (of pomfret, CT), of podellite, connecticut.

Light valve 64 (fig. 3F) using control signals from control circuitry 76 (fig. 8) translates light ray 148 into a pattern 46 "(fig. 3F) that, after processing by second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F), becomes a mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) of second visual image 46. Mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) is projected onto viewing surface 48 by second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) and reflected off viewing surface 48 to become second visual image 46. As described above, the distance D between the viewing surface 48 and the second set of optics 66 may be selected to provide the user 14 with the ergonomically viewable second image 46.

Shortening the distance between the light valve 64 (fig. 3F) and the last element of the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) may be used to provide more available space inside the handset 12 for other components and systems of the portable telephone 10. This may be particularly beneficial in cellular telephones, which are typically the smallest portable telephones. The optical elements of the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) may be configured to achieve a shorter distance between the light valve 64 (fig. 3F) and the last optical element of the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) relative to a single positive lens. Further, the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3F) may be configured to maintain the same dimensions of the second visual image 46 at substantially the same distance D. While this approach may add cost and complexity to the second set of optics 66, overall benefits in terms of space savings may be realized.

One such method is to project a converging image away from the second set of optics 66, as opposed to the diverging image shown in FIG. 3F. The converging image reaches the intersection between the second set of optics 66 and the viewing surface 48 where the image reverses and begins to expand. Another method for reducing the distance from the light valve 64 to the second set of optics 66 is to use a single refractive positive lens with a shorter focal length and a light valve 64 with a smaller effective area. When the width of the pattern 46 "formed by the light valve 64 is greater than its height and a single positive lens is used for the second set of optics 66, the outer circumference of the rectangular or elliptical shape of the lens may be utilized, resulting in a reduction in size relative to a lens having a fixed diameter and substantially no impact on the quality of the second visual image 46.

Referring to fig. 4A-4C, user 14 is illustrated using portable telephone 10 during a telephone conversation when oriented with the left hand. In fig. 4A-4C, the orientation sensing arrangement 106 (fig. 4A) senses the left-hand orientation of the handset 12 and orients the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) of the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C) projected from the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3D) at orientation a (fig. 3D). In this case, the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) is projected from the second set of optics 66 (fig. 3D) toward the surfaces 16, 18 (fig. 3D) with an orientation of approximately 90 °, and the alphanumeric characters are read in a direction extending from the back surface 18 (fig. 3D) toward the front surface 16 (fig. 3D) of the handset 12 (fig. 3D).

Also in fig. 4A-4C, the user 14 holds the handset 12 in the left hand 82, while the speaker 26 is held against or near the left ear 92. In addition, the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) is projected onto the viewing surface 48 (fig. 4C), the viewing surface 48 including the open palm 86 (fig. 4C) of the right hand 84 (fig. 4C). The mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) is orthogonally projected relative to the front surface 16 (fig. 3D) of the handset 12 along a vector 156 (fig. 4A and 4B), the vector 156 extending in a direction from the speaker 26 (fig. 1A) toward the microphone 28 (fig. 1A) of the handset 12. In other words, the vector 156 has a direction that travels away from the bottom of the handset 12. The user 14 controls the direction of the vector 156 by moving the handset 12 around the head 80 and ear 94. At the same time, user 14 may move viewing surface 48 such that the projection of mirror image 46 "(FIG. 3D) intersects viewing surface 48. The unique configuration of the image projection system 44 (fig. 1B) in the handset 12 allows greater flexibility in controlling the position, size, and focus of the second visual image 46. This is because the image projection system 44 (fig. 1B) is fixedly attached to the handset 12, having a fixed orientation in the handset 12, which eliminates the need for additional mechanisms to control the direction of the vector 156. The image projection system 44 is an active part of the handset 12 and is controlled by movement of the handset 12.

The user 14 may control the position, size, and focus of the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C) by manipulating the handset 12 (fig. 4B), such as by rotating the handset 12 (fig. 4B) about the left ear 92 (fig. 4B) and by tilting the longitudinal axis 54 (fig. 4B) of the handset 12 (fig. 4B) relative to the head 80 (fig. 4B). The handset 12 (fig. 4B) may also move a small amount in the X, Y and Z directions and rotate slightly about the longitudinal axis 54 (fig. 4B). Further, the right hand 84 (fig. 4C) of the user 14 may also be moved and rotated in the X, Y and Z directions such that the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C) is positioned and focused in front of the eyes 102, 104 (fig. 4B) and at a distance D (fig. 4A) from the second optical system 66 (fig. 4A), which permits the second visual image 46 (fig. 4A) to be clearly viewed. The configuration of the handset 12 and the image projection system 44 in the handset 12 provides a mechanism for pointing and projecting a mirror image 46 "(fig. 3D) at a viewing surface 48.

For example, the optical axis 52 (FIG. 4B) of the image projection system 44 (FIG. 3A) may be configured at an angle X (FIG. 4B) of 0 to 45, with approximately 0 being preferred, relative to the longitudinal axis 54 (FIG. 4B) of the handset 12 (FIG. 4B). Further, the image projection system 44 (fig. 3A) may be configured such that the angle Y (fig. 4A) of the second visual image 46 may be 5 ° to 75 °, with 11 ° to 28 ° being preferred.

Alternatively, the mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) may be projected onto another body part, such as a wrist 88 (fig. 4C) or forearm 90 (fig. 4C). The mirror image 46' (fig. 3D) may not be projected onto a body part, but may be projected onto another surface, such as clothing or furniture, such as the back of an airplane seat or an articulated dining table attached to the seat. In this regard, the viewing surface 48 (fig. 3A) may comprise any surface that is in close proximity to the user's eyes 102, 104 (fig. 4B) and handset 12 (fig. 4B) when the portable telephone 10 is in use during a telephone conversation. Furthermore, the viewing surface 48 (FIG. 3A) is preferably in direct line of sight with the user's eyes 102, 104 (FIG. 4B) when the speakers 26 (FIG. 1A) are proximate to the user's ears 92 (FIG. 4B).

Further, the handset 12 (fig. 4B) and the image protection system 44 (fig. 3A) may be used while the user 14 (fig. 4B) is seated, standing, lying, or moving. In addition to providing ergonomic viewing of user 14 (fig. 4B) during a telephone conversation, viewing surface 48 (fig. 4C) may also be positioned such that backlighting and flashing may be reduced or substantially eliminated. Further, the handset 12 (FIG. 4B) is under the control of the hand and can be quickly moved and manipulated by the user 14 (FIG. 4B) so that the second visual image 46 (FIG. 4C) is focused and readable. The handset 12 (fig. 4B) becomes another accessory for the user 14 due to the placement and function of the image projection system 44 (fig. 3A) within the handset 12.

Further, the viewing surface 48 (fig. 4C) may be positioned such that the user 14 (fig. 4B) may easily view the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C) while others cannot see the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C). This provides some measure of security, particularly on systems such as voice boxes (voice boxes). Additionally, privacy may be achieved because the user 14 (fig. 4B) may control the viewing surface 48 (fig. 4C) and the focus of the second visual image 46 (fig. 4C). Thus, if user 14 (FIG. 4B) wants another person to view visual image 46 (FIG. 46), viewing surface 48 may be moved, or another viewing surface 48 may be selected, so that data may be shared without interrupting the telephone conversation.

Referring to fig. 5A-5C, the use of the portable telephone 10 during a telephone conversation with the user 14 oriented in the right hand is illustrated. With the right-hand orientation, the user 14 holds the handset 12 (fig. 5B) in the right hand 84 (fig. 5B), while the speaker 26 (fig. 1A) is held against or near the right ear 94 (fig. 5B). In addition, user 14 moves left hand 82 (FIG. 5B) to position and focus image 46 (FIG. 5C) in the direction of vector 156, substantially as described above. With the left-hand orientation (fig. 4A-4C), the second visual image 46 is read from left to right. This requires the orientation sensing device 106 (FIG. 5A) to rotate the mirror image 46' (FIG. 3D) 180 from orientation A (FIG. 3D) to orientation B (FIG. 3D). Further, a mirror image 46' of the second visual image 46 (FIG. 3D) is projected at approximately 90 from the second optical system 66 (FIG. 3D) to the surfaces 16, 18 (FIG. 3D), and a row of alphanumeric characters is read in a direction extending from the front surface 16 (FIG. 3D) toward the back surface 18 (FIG. 3D) of the handset 12 (FIG. 3D).

Referring to fig. 7A, a block diagram illustrates the interface of the control circuit 76 with the conventional telephone circuit 38. In the present embodiment, conventional telephone circuitry 38 includes a direct view LCD and a microcontroller configured to generate visual data for the telephone direct view display 34 (FIG. 1A).

The control circuit 76 is included on the interface board 74 mounted within the portable telephone 10. In addition, as will be further explained, the control circuit 76 includes a programmable microcontroller U2 (fig. 8). The control circuitry 76 is in electrical communication with the conventional telephone circuitry 38 and converts the same signals used to generate visual data for the direct view display 34 (FIG. 1A) into a format suitable for driving the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) of the image projection system 44 (FIG. 1B).

In embodiments of the present invention, the control circuit 76 is required because signals from the conventional telephone circuit 38 cannot directly drive the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) of the image projection system 44 (FIG. 3A). In an embodiment of the present invention, the conventional telephone circuit 38 of the friendly wireless telephone previously identified uses a four-wire serial configuration that is converted by the control circuit 76 into a four-bit parallel interface suitable for driving the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B). However, the control circuit 76 may be constructed to convert signals from any conventional telephone circuit including 2, 3, or 4 wire serial configurations.

Referring to fig. 7B, a block diagram illustrates an alternative interface for directly driving the light valve 64 (fig. 1B) of the image projection system 44 (fig. 1B) using signals from the conventional telephone circuitry 38. In this case, the direct view display 34 (FIG. 1A) and the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B) use the same interface. As another alternative, if the direct view display 34 (FIG. 1A) uses a different interface than the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B), the programmable microcontroller U2 may be programmed to convert the signals required to drive the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B).

Referring to fig. 8, an interface board 74 and control circuitry 76 are illustrated. The control circuit 76 performs several functions during operation of the image projection system 44. The first function of the control circuit 76 is to initialize the light valve 64 (fig. 1B) at startup and load the correct register settings. In this regard, the driver chip 124 (FIG. 6A) of the light valve 64 (FIG. 6A) has different options for displaying the second image 46 (FIG. 3B), and the control circuit 76 is used to select and load these options upon startup.

The second function of the control circuit 76 is to take serial data from the telephony circuit 38 (FIG. 1B) and convert this data into the serial format required by the light valve 64 (FIG. 1B).

A third function of the control circuit 76 is to control the activation of the light source 58 (fig. 1B). If desired, the light source 58 (FIG. 1B) may be activated after a set period of time (e.g., several seconds or more) after the initial receipt of the waiting caller ID signal.

The control circuit 76 includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) microcontroller U2 and support components. EPROM U1 includes a reprogrammable PROM for microcontroller U2. During start-up, software is loaded into EPROM U1 and into microcontroller U2. Oscillator X1 is an oscillator that provides a continuous clock signal and system clock to microcontroller U2. The clock signal from the telephone circuit 38 (fig. 1B) may alternatively be used, but the oscillator X1 provides a known clock signal.

The control circuit 76 also includes a 2.5 volt linear regulator U4 that provides power to the microcontroller U2. The assembly U3 is not used in embodiments of the present invention. There are also six pins on interface board 74 that connect to EPROM U1. These pins allow new software to be downloaded via a cable (not shown) connected to a computer (not shown) that allows the software to be updated. The interface board 74 also contains input pads that are in electrical communication with the telephony circuitry 38 (fig. 1B). The interface board 74 also includes an output pad in electrical communication with the light valve 64 (fig. 1B) and the light source 58 (fig. 1B).

Table I below indicates the components on the interface board 74. In addition, the dashed circuit traces in fig. 8 illustrate the interconnection of components on the interface board 74. In Table I, the supplier "Digi-Key" is Digi-Key Corporation of waterfall, Equish, Minnesota (Digi-Key Corporation, of Thief River Falls, MN).

Table I interface board assembly

Code number description supplier part number

VR 110K ohm 3MM potentiometer Digi-Key 303UC103ECT-ND

R25.6K ohm 0603 SMT resistor Digi-Key 3115.6KGCT-ND

R575.6K ohm 0603 SMT resistor Digi-Key 3115.6KGCT-ND

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C16030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Unused C2

Unused C3

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C46030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C56030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C66030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C76030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C86030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C96030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C106030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C116030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C126030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2314CT-ND of C138051 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2314CT-ND of C148051 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C156030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

Digi-Key PCC2277CT-ND of C166030.1 microfarad ceramic capacitor

J1 telephone connector assembly-less 0.05' pitch pad wire

J2 LCD connector no-component 0.05' spacing pad solder wire

J3 header connector 0.100 "pitch Digi-Key A26508-ND

U1 Xc18V512S020C is provided with PROM Digi-Key 122-

U2 Xilinx Spartan II Digi-Key 122-1219-ND

U3 unused

U42.5V Digi-Key LP39851M5-2.5CT-ND Linear regulator

Digi-Key 300-7204-1-ND of X18.0MHz oscillator

In fig. 9, the microcontroller U2 is illustrated separately. In an embodiment of the present invention, microcontroller U2 includes XilinxSpartan II, manufactured by Xilinxcorporation of San Jose, Calif. The microcontroller U2 is field programmable so that the desired interface with the phone circuitry 38 can be achieved.

In fig. 9A-9C, enlarged views of the microcontroller U2 are illustrated, illustrating pin out and pin in configurations.

In fig. 10, an electrical schematic of microcontroller EPROM U1 is illustrated separately.

In fig. 11, an electrical schematic of microcontroller cable J3 is illustrated separately.

In fig. 12, an electrical schematic of OSC X1 (oscillator) is illustrated separately.

In fig. 13, an electrical schematic of potentiometer VR1 is illustrated separately.

In fig. 14, an electrical schematic of the decoupling capacitor C10 is illustrated.

In fig. 15, an electrical schematic of the decoupling capacitor C6 is illustrated.

In fig. 16, an electrical schematic of a 2.5 volt linear regulator U4 for a microcontroller U2 is illustrated.

Referring to fig. 17, a pulsing circuit 108 for pulsing the light source 58 is illustrated. The pulse circuit 108 is configured to pulse the drive current to the light source 58 such that a high current is followed by a low current or no current. This pulses the second visual image 46 (fig. 3B) from a first intensity (i.e., bright) to a second intensity (i.e., dim). This reduces power consumption and heat generation relative to a constant current. The pulse circuit 108 includes a transistor Q1 configured to circulate current to the light source 58 in response to a control signal. In an embodiment of the present invention, transistor Q1 comprises an N-channel MOSFET for LED control, available from Digi-Key, part number IRLL-2705 CT-ND.

The present invention thus provides an improved portable telephone and an improved method for displaying data in a portable telephone. Although the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (25)

1. A portable telephone, comprising:

a handset configured for holding proximate to a user's ear for conducting a two-way conversation;

a projection system on said handset, said projection system having a light valve and being configured to project a mirror image of a visual image from a handset on a viewing surface, the user-viewable viewing surface being completely separated from a handset without interrupting said conversation with said user holding said handset proximate said ear, said projected visual image being viewed by both eyes of said user;

an orientation sensing device on the handset, the orientation sensing device configured to sense a change in orientation of the handset in five different positions; and

a projection control circuit configured to be in electrical communication with the projection system on the handset and in electrical communication with the orientation sensing device on the handset,

wherein the projection control circuitry is configured in response to an output from the orientation sensing device and the projection system is configured in response to the projection control circuitry,

wherein the handset and the projection system are configured to position and control a position, a size, and a focal length of the mirror image of the visual image viewed by a user by manipulating the handset around the user's ear, an

Wherein the projection control circuitry controls the light valve to orient the mirror image of the visual image based on the output from the orientation sensing device, and the projection system is fixedly attached to and has a fixed orientation in the handset.

2. The phone of claim 1, wherein the projection system includes a set of optics fixedly attached to the handset and configured to move with the handset so as to project a visual image at a selected distance extending along a vector from the handset toward a viewing surface.

3. The phone of claim 1, wherein the light valve of the projection system is a liquid crystal display and is configured to receive light from a light emitting diode light source, wherein the light emitting diode light source is configured to be in signal communication with the projection control circuitry, wherein the five different positions are relative to a longitudinal axis of the handset such that the angle at which the projection system is constructed to produce the projected mirror image is 11-28 degrees.

4. The telephone of claim 1, wherein the light valve is configured to generate a pattern representative of the visual image; and at least one set of optics comprising a light pipe element configured to process the pattern into a mirror image of the visual image and project the mirror image onto the viewing surface.

5. The phone of claim 1, wherein the viewing surface comprises a body part, clothing, or furniture.

6. The phone of claim 1, wherein the handset has a speaker, a microphone, and a front surface, and the projection system is configured to project the visual image substantially orthogonal to the front surface and substantially along an optical axis extending in a direction from the speaker toward the microphone.

7. The telephone of claim 1, further comprising a pulsing circuit configured to pulse a brightness of the visual image.

8. The phone of claim 1, wherein the viewing surface is 8-16 inches from the handset, and wherein the projection system is configured to form an image having a width of 25-152 millimeters and a height of 7.6-46.2 millimeters.

9. A portable telephone, comprising:

a handset configured for holding proximate to a user's head;

a sensing device on the handset, the sensing device configured to provide an output that changes in response to a change in orientation of the handset;

a control circuit on the handset comprising a microcontroller configured to process signals representative of data;

a reflective display on the handset in signal communication with the control circuit, the reflective display having a plurality of reflective pixels configured to form a pattern in response to the signal; and

a set of optics on the handset in optical communication with the reflective display configured to process the pattern into a mirror image and project the mirror image from the handset onto a viewing surface, the viewing surface being completely separated from the handset, the projected mirror images being viewed by both eyes of the user,

wherein the reflective display is controlled by the control circuitry to orient the mirror image based on the output from the sensing device,

wherein the sensing device and the handset provide the output in response to each of five different changes in the orientation of the handset, an

Wherein the set of optics has a fixed orientation in the handset.

10. The phone of claim 9, wherein the projection system includes a light source configured to generate at least 10 lumens of light; and at least one optical element configured to collimate and direct light onto the reflective pixels.

11. The phone of claim 9, wherein each of the reflective pixels is configured to form a letter or a number.

12. The phone of claim 9, wherein the reflective pixels form an active area on the reflective display having at least 840 pixels.

13. The phone of claim 10, wherein the light source provides light to the reflective display and comprises a substrate configured as a heat sink, an LED covered by a soft gel on the substrate chip, and a lens in physical contact with the gel.

14. The phone of claim 9, wherein the reflective display comprises a chip on glass display.

15. The phone of claim 9, further comprising a light source in optical communication with the reflective display, and wherein control circuitry includes pulsing circuitry configured to pulse the light source.

16. A method for displaying data in a portable phone, comprising:

providing a handset configured for holding proximate to a user's ear for conducting a two-way conversation;

providing a projection system on the handset, the projection system having a light valve and configured to project a mirror image of a visual image of the data on a viewing surface, the viewing surface viewable by a user being completely separated from the handset without interrupting the conversation with the user having a straight line of sight holding the handset near the ear;

providing a sensor on the handset, the sensor configured to sense a change in orientation of the handset in five different positions;

providing a projection control circuit configured to be in electrical communication with the projection system on the handset and in electrical communication with the sensor on the handset; and

projecting the visual image on the viewing surface using the projection system during the two-way conversation,

wherein the projection control circuitry is configured in response to an output from the sensor on the handset and the projection system is configured in response to the projection control circuitry, an

Wherein the projection control circuitry controls the light valve to orient the mirror image of the visual image based on the output from the sensor, and the projection system is fixedly attached to and has a fixed orientation in the handset.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the projection system comprises: a light valve configured to generate a pattern representative of the visual image; and at least one set of optics configured to process the pattern into the mirror image of the visual image and project the mirror image onto the viewing surface.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the handset includes a front surface, a microphone, and a speaker, and the visual image is projected substantially orthogonal to the front surface and in a direction extending from the speaker toward the microphone during the projecting step.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the handset includes an opening through which the visual image is projected.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the viewing surface comprises a body part, clothing, or furniture.

21. A method for displaying data in a portable phone, comprising:

providing the portable phone with a data projection system having a light valve and configured to project a mirror image of an image representative of the data onto a viewing surface that is completely separate from a handset having a viewable, readable image during a telephone conversation in which a user uses the portable phone;

holding the portable telephone proximate to a user's ear;

sensing a change in orientation of the portable telephone at five different positions during holding;

conducting a two-way conversation during the holding step;

during the performing of the holding and performing steps, extending along a vector from the portable telephone to a viewing surface controlled by movement of the portable telephone around the ear, while projecting the image onto the viewing surface from the portable telephone having a second orientation dependent on the sensing step; and

controlling the projection of the mirrored imagery from the portable phone by orienting the mirrored image in response to an output from the sensing step,

the data projection system is fixedly attached to the handset and has a fixed orientation in the handset.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the viewing surface comprises a body part of a user, and further comprising moving the body part or the phone during the projecting step to focus or position an image on the body part.

23. An image projection system configured to attach to a portable phone having a handset, comprising:

an optoelectronic system attached to a handset comprising a diode-based light source in thermal communication with a heat sink, a light valve in optical communication with the light source, the light valve configured to generate a pattern representative of data, and a set of optics configured to process the pattern into a mirror image of a visual image and project the mirror image onto a viewing surface remote from the image projection system, the viewing surface being completely separate from the image projection system,

wherein the image projection system is configured such that the mirror images projected onto the fully separated viewing surfaces are viewed by both eyes of a user, the handset having a speaker, a microphone, and a sensing device configured to sense a change in orientation of the handset at five different positions, and

wherein the light valve is configured to orient the mirrored image based on an output from the sensing device and the image projection system has a fixed orientation in the handset.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the light valve comprises a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) having an active area of at least 840 pixels.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the light source comprises an LED chip with an integral heat sink, the LED chip configured to generate light having a density of at least 18 lumens per square millimeter of surface area of the LED chip and having a luminous efficacy of greater than 24 lumens per watt;

the light source further comprises an index matching medium configured to couple the light from the LED chip to a first set of optics;

the image projection system further includes a reflective display including a plurality of reflective pixels.