U.S. patent application number 10/313678 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for intelligent multi-media display communication system.
Invention is credited to Hack, Michael G., Hewitt, Richard Hughes, Seligsohn, Scott, Seligsohn, Sherwin I., Weaver, Michael Stuart.
Application Number | 20030144034 10/313678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21798065 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030144034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hack, Michael G. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Intelligent multi-media display communication system
Abstract
Interactive, low power, collapsible, intelligent, multi-media
display systems for use as hand-held, portable communications
devices are disclosed. A display communications device according to
the invention can include a housing that contains a processor,
radio transceiver means for transmitting and receiving radio
signals, and a collapsible display that is mechanically coupled to
the housing and electrically coupled to the processor. The display
can have a surface area that is larger than any cross-sectional
area of the housing. The processor can be adapted to extract
display data from input radio signals, and to provide a
representation of the display data to the display.
Inventors: |
Hack, Michael G.;
(Lambertville, NJ) ; Seligsohn, Scott; (Bala
Cynwyd, PA) ; Seligsohn, Sherwin I.; (Penn Valley,
PA) ; Hewitt, Richard Hughes; (Ewing, NJ) ;
Weaver, Michael Stuart; (Princeton, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
21798065 |
Appl. No.: |
10/313678 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10313678 |
Dec 6, 2002 |
|
|
|
10020336 |
Dec 12, 2001 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
455/344; 455/556.1; 455/575.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/271 20130101;
H04M 1/7243 20210101; H04M 1/72445 20210101; H04M 1/0266 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801; H04M 1/0208 20130101; H04M 2250/02 20130101;
H04M 1/0235 20130101; H04M 1/0285 20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101;
G09F 9/301 20130101; H04M 1/0268 20130101; H04M 2250/22
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
455/556; 455/575; 455/344 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00; H04B
001/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display communications device comprising: a housing; means for
receiving input communications signals; and a collapsible display
for providing a visual display based on the input communications
signals, wherein the collapsible display is coupled to the housing
and has a surface area that is larger than any cross-sectional area
of the housing.
2. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a processor that is adapted to extract display data
from the input communications signals, and to provide a
representation of the display data to the collapsible display.
3. The display communications device of claim 2, wherein the
processor is contained within the housing.
4. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
collapsible display is operable for receiving user input data, the
device further comprising: means for transmitting output
communications signals based on the user input data.
5. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a first power supply attached to the collapsible
display.
6. The display communications device of claim 5, wherein the first
power supply includes a thin film battery.
7. The display communications device of claim 5, wherein the first
power supply includes a photovoltaic cell.
8. The display communications device of claim 5, wherein the first
power supply includes a fuel cell.
9. The display communications device of claim 5, wherein the
housing contains a second power supply.
10. The display communications device of claim 9, wherein at least
one of the first power supply and the second power supply includes
a thin film battery.
11. The display communications device of claim 9, wherein at least
one of the first power supply and the second power supply includes
a photovoltaic cell.
12. The display communications device of claim 9, wherein at least
one of the first power supply and the second power supply includes
a fuel cell.
13. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a removable transparent material disposed on a surface
of the collapsible display.
14. The display communications device of claim 13, wherein the
removable transparent layer includes a plastic film.
15. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
display comprises a pixel, the pixel having an infrared
sub-pixel.
16. The display communications device of claim 15, wherein the
pixel comprises a colored sub-pixel.
17. The display communications device of claim 16, wherein the
pixel comprises red, green, blue, and infrared sub-pixels arranged
in a linear relationship.
18. The display communications device of claim 16, wherein the
pixel comprises red, green, blue, and infrared sub-pixels arranged
in 2.times.2 matrix.
19. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for receiving global positioning signals.
20. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a keypad disposed on an exterior surface of the
housing.
21. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a second display disposed on an exterior surface of the
housing.
22. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: an electrical interface for receiving user input
signals from an external user input device.
23. The display communications device of claim 22, further
comprising: a mechanical interface for connecting the external user
input device to the display communications device.
24. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: an electrical interface for providing display signals
to an external display.
25. The display communications device of claim 24, further
comprising: a mechanical interface for connecting the external
display to the display communications device.
26. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for attaching the collapsible display to the
housing such that the display can be wound around the housing.
27. The display communications device of claim 26, wherein the
collapsible display is a flexible display.
28. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for attaching the collapsible display to an
exterior portion of the housing.
29. The display communications device of claim 28, further
comprising: a rod that is coupled to the exterior portion of the
housing such that the collapsible display can be wound around the
rod.
30. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for attaching the collapsible display to an
interior portion of the housing.
31. The display communications device of claim 30, further
comprising: a rod that is coupled to the interior portion of the
housing such that the collapsible display can be wound around the
rod.
32. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: a fan contained in the housing.
33. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for performing fingerprint recognition of a user
of the device.
34. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for performing eyeprint recognition of a user of
the device.
35. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: means for processing encrypted input communications
signals.
36. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: an antenna that is coupled to an exterior portion of
the housing.
37. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: an antenna that is coupled to an interior portion of
the housing.
38. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising: an antenna interface for coupling the device to an
external antenna.
39. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
display comprises a plurality of organic light emitting devices
(OLEDs).
40. The display communications device of claim 39, wherein the
display comprises a plurality of phosphorescent OLEDs.
41. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
display comprises a plurality of transparent organic light emitting
devices.
42. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
display comprises a plurality of top-emission organic light
emitting devices.
43. The display communications device of claim 1, wherein the
display comprises a plurality of encapsulated organic light
emitting devices.
44. The display communications device of claim 1, further
comprising a video imager that is integrated into the housing.
45. The display communications device of claim 27, wherein the
display is fabricated on a flexible substrate.
46. The display communications device of claim 45, wherein the
flexible substrate comprises plastic.
47. The display communications device of claim 45, wherein the
flexible substrate comprises metal foil.
48. A display communications device comprising: a housing; a
collapsible display that is coupled to the housing and has a
surface area that is larger than any cross-sectional area of the
housing, wherein the collapsible display is operable for receiving
user input data; and means for transmitting output communications
signals based on the user input data.
49. The display communications device of claim 48, wherein the
display includes a touch-responsive display screen.
50. The display communications device of claim 48, wherein the
display includes a fingerprint sensor for detecting a fingerprint
of a user of the device.
51. The display communications device of claim 48, wherein the
display includes a voice-activated display screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/020,336, filed Dec. 12, 2001,
the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to display systems. More
particularly, the invention relates to interactive, low power,
collapsible, intelligent, multi-media display systems for use as
hand-held, portable communications devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As the demand increases for hand-held, portable
communications devices such as telephones, personal digital
assistants (PDAs), and the like, so does the demand that such
devices provide increased capabilities. For example, consumers are
demanding hand-held devices that include telephone capability,
paging, fax, wireless internet access, data storage, and so forth.
At the same time, however, consumers are demanding that
manufacturers continue to decrease the size of such devices.
[0004] Such hand-held devices typically include displays. A problem
manifested by the decreased size of these devices is that the
displays are often too small to provide much information, and the
information that can be provided is usually not provided in a
visually appealing manner. For example, a typical light emitting
diode (LED) display or liquid crystal display (LCD) on a small,
hand-held telephone or PDA can be unclear and might not be able to
display an adequate amount of information. For example, such a
display typically cannot display an entire Web page. Additionally,
such displays are often not full-color displays.
[0005] Typical prior art hand held communications devices include a
housing that contains the processing electronics for the device.
The housing is the part of the device that the user holds in his
hand and, accordingly, is typically designed to fit comfortably
into a human hand. The display is typically integrated into the
housing. Consequently, the size of the display is limited by the
size of the housing. Additionally, the manufacturer's ability to
decrease the size of the device is impeded because such displays
typically require a relatively large amount of electrical energy
and, therefore, that the housing contain a relatively large power
supply.
[0006] FIGS. 1A-1C depict several typical prior art hand held
communications devices. FIG. 1A depicts a hand held telephone 10
having a housing 12 and a display 14 that is integrated into the
housing 12. As shown, the display 14 is smaller than the housing
12. The telephone 10 includes a keypad 16 that includes a plurality
of buttons that the user can use to operate the device. The keypad
16 is separate from the display 14.
[0007] Similarly, FIG. 1B depicts a personal digital assistant 20
having a housing 22 and a display 24 that is integrated into the
housing 22. Again, the display 24 is smaller than the housing 22.
The PDA 20 includes a keyboard 26 that the user can use to operate
the device 20. The keyboard 26 is separate from the display 24.
[0008] FIG. 1C depicts a so-called flip phone 30 having a housing
32 and a display 34 that is integrated into the housing 32. As
shown, the display 34 is smaller than the housing 32. When the flip
cover 31 is closed, it covers a portion of the display 34. The flip
cover 31 can be opened to reveal the covered portion of the display
34. Alternatively, the display 34 could be integrated into the flip
cover 31 of the phone 30. As the flip cover 31 has a surface area
that is no bigger than the surface area of the housing 32, the
display 34 is smaller than the housing 32 in any event. The flip
phone 30 includes a keypad 36, which is separate from the display
34.
[0009] In each case, the display is merely one of several elements
that is integrated into (or otherwise coupled to) the housing of
the device. In each case, the display is small, rigid, fixed in
size, and generally rectangular in shape. Consequently, the
displays are of limited utility in providing meaningful information
to the user. Thus, there is a need in the art for intelligent
multi-media display communications systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention provides an interactive, low power,
collapsible, intelligent, multi-media display system according to
the invention. Such display systems can be used as hand-held,
portable communications devices. A display communications device
according to the invention can be an interactive, bi-directional
communications device that includes a housing that can contain a
processor; radio transceiver means for transmitting and/or
receiving radio signals; and a collapsible display that is
mechanically coupled to the housing. The display can have a surface
area that is larger than any cross-sectional area of the housing.
The housing can contain a low voltage power supply, such as a thin
film power supply.
[0011] A processor can be contained within the housing and can be
adapted to receive commands from the display and to form the output
radio signals based on the received commands. The display can be
adapted to process touch commands, and the received commands can be
based on the touch commands. A speaker can be coupled to the
processor for transmitting output audio signals, and the processor
can be adapted to extract audio data from the input radio signals,
and to provide to the speaker output audio signals that are
representative of the extracted audio data. A microphone can be
coupled to the processor for receiving input audio signals, and the
processor can be adapted to form output radio signals based on the
input audio signals. The processor can be adapted to form the
output radio signals by modulating a carrier signal with a
representation of the input audio signal.
[0012] The device can be voice activated. The processor can be
adapted to determine whether the input audio signals are telephone
signals or commands. The processor can initiate a connection
between the display communications device and a remote network
device, such as by a connection to the internet. The processor is
adapted to determine whether the device is in a telephone mode or a
command mode. If the device is in command mode, the processor is
adapted to respond to voice activation commands. The display can be
a flexible display. The communications device can include a rod
that is coupled to the housing and to the display such that the
display can be wound around the rod. The rod can be coupled to the
interior or the exterior of the housing. Alternatively, the display
can be wound around the housing itself. The device can include a
locking mechanism for holding the display in an extended position.
The display can be a foldable display.
[0013] The display can be touch responsive. The display can provide
touch signals to the processor and the processor can perform
responsive operations in response to receiving the touch signals.
The display communications device can also include display memory
for storing display data that corresponds to information currently
being displayed. The display memory can be embedded into the
display (e.g., in the pixels themselves), or contained in the
housing.
[0014] The display can include a plurality of organic light
emitting devices (OLEDs). The OLEDs can be ordinary, side-by-side
OLEDs, stacked OLEDs (SOLEDs), or top-emitting or transparent OLEDs
(TOLEDs), for example. Additionally, the OLEDs can be integrated
with organic photodetectors.
[0015] The display can include a plurality of bistable pixels. The
display can include a plurality of self-configurable pixels. Each
pixel can include a local processor and a memory that contains a
pixel address associated with the pixel. The pixels can be adapted
to configure themselves with respect to color, grayscale, and/or
resolution. The pixels can include groups of sub-pixels, where each
sub-pixel includes a number of light emitting devices. The number
of light emitting devices that form a sub-pixel can depend on the
color(s), grayscale, and resolution of the pixel.
[0016] The processor can update the display by providing a data
packet that includes a pixel address and a brightness that
corresponds to a pixel located at the pixel address. The processor
can be adapted to compare a current image with a previous image,
and to identify one or more pixels having a pixel brightness that
needs to be changed to convert the display from the previous image
to the current image. The processor can provide the display with
display data that causes the pixel brightness of the one or more
identified pixels to change. A pixel can include one or more
colored or infrared sub-pixels.
[0017] The display can be removably coupled to the housing, and
adapted to be removably coupled to each of a plurality of external
devices. The display can be adapted to automatically configure to
the external device to which it is coupled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] Other features of the invention are further apparent from
the following detailed description of the embodiments of the
present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing.
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1C depict typical prior art hand-held
communications devices having relatively small displays that are
integrated into their respective housings.
[0020] FIGS. 2A-2E depict preferred embodiments of an intelligent
multi-media display communications system according to the
invention.
[0021] FIGS. 3A-3C depict a preferred embodiment of a display
communications system according to the invention having a
collapsible display.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications system according to the invention having a touch
responsive display with a telephone keypad.
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications system according to the invention a display having a
touch responsive display with a keyboard.
[0024] FIG. 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications system according to the invention a full color
display capable of displaying an entire Web page.
[0025] FIG. 7 depicts a preferred display communications system
according to the invention having a display extension.
[0026] FIG. 8 depicts a carrying case for containing a display
communications device according to the invention.
[0027] FIGS. 9A-9D depict alternative embodiments of pixels that
can be used in a display according to the invention.
[0028] FIGS. 10A-10F depict alternative embodiments of the
invention having collapsible housings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts a preferred embodiment of an intelligent
multi-media display communications device 100 according to the
invention. As shown, the device 100 includes a housing 102 that
contains a processor 103, which includes the primary processing
electronics for operating the device 100. Preferably, the device
100 is a hand-held or pocket-sized device that has an overall shape
similar to that of a pen or pointer, for example, as shown. In such
an embodiment, the housing 102 is an elongated, narrow housing.
Preferably, the device 100 includes a dispenser that contains ink
or solid or liquid graphite so that it can actually be used as a
writing implement as well as a communication device. The housing
102 can be made of plastic, for example.
[0030] The housing 102 can also contain a micro-fan that provides
cooling for internal components, as well as positive pressure
inside the housing to thereby keep particles, such as dust, sand,
and smoke particles, for example, from entering the device and
contaminating the internal components. Additionally, a carrying
case can be provided to protect the device 100 from water, dust,
and the like. Such a carrying case is depicted in FIG. 8.
Preferably, the carrying case 80 is made of metal, plastic, or the
like, with an optional hermetic seal 82 to protect the device from
impact and environmental conditions. Preferably, the carrying case
80 includes a hollow, elongated body portion 81 and a hollow
elongated cap portion 83, and has an overall tubular shape (such as
that of a cigar tube). Preferably, the cap portion 83 is detachably
coupled to the body portion 81. For example, the carrying case can
be designed so that the cap portion 83 can be slid onto and off of
the body portion 81 or threaded onto and off of the body portion
81. Accordingly, the cap portion 83 and the body portion 81 can
each include complementary threads (not shown in FIG. 8) so that
the cap portion 83 can be threaded onto or off of the body portion
81.
[0031] Though the hermetic seal 82 can be a separate element, it is
preferred that the hermetic seal 82 is attached to either the body
portion 81 or the cap portion 83. In any event, the hermetic seal
82 is disposed between the cap portion 83 and the body portion 81
so that the carrying case 80 is hermetically sealed when the cap
portion 83 is coupled to the body portion 81. It is anticipated
that the device housing will likely be on the order of one inch in
diameter. Consequently, it is anticipated that the carrying case 80
will likely have an interior diameter 80d of about one inch as
well.
[0032] The processor 103 can include, but is not limited to, a
microprocessor. Preferably, the processor 103 is a thin film
"digital radio on a chip." That is, the processor 103 provides the
capability for processing of analog and digital radio signals. Such
processing can include any number of signal processing techniques,
including data encryption to provide communications that are secure
from third party interception, noise reduction, background noise
cancellation, echo cancellation, and other such techniques for the
improvement of sound quality. Data encryption/decryption
capabilities are preferably provided so that the device can
receive, process, and transmit encrypted communications signals.
Thus, the device can be made secure from possible third-party
interception. Any well-known data encryption/decryption techniques
can be employed (e.g. RSA, Diffie-Hellman, DES, Triple-DES,
etc.).
[0033] The processor 103 can also provide compound radio
capabilities (i.e., multiple radios or radio functions on a chip).
For example, the device 100 can be adapted to transmit, process,
and receive short range, infrared signals, or short, intermediate,
or long range radio-frequency (RF) signals, depending on the
particular characteristics of the environment, the application, and
the external device with which the display communications device
100 is communicating. Such radio capabilities can be implemented in
software on the processor 103.
[0034] Preferably, the processor 103 includes control means for
selectively and/or simultaneously controlling the transmission and
receipt of communications signals that contain audio, video, and/or
control data. Additionally, the processor 103 preferably includes
control means for selectively and/or simultaneously controlling the
display or storage of audio, video, and/or control data that the
device receives. A detailed description of the functions that the
processor 103 can perform in a preferred embodiment of the
invention is provided below.
[0035] The device 100 includes radio transceiver means 104, such as
an antenna, for example, for transmitting output radio signals and
receiving input radio signals. The radio signals can be analog or
digital radio signals. The device 100 can operate in one or more of
simplex, half duplex, and full duplex transmission modes. The
device 100 can accommodate access schemes such as time division
multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA),
code division multiple access (CDMA), narrowband CDMA (NCDMA), and
broadband (or wideband) CDMA (BCDMA), ultra wideband orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), for example, or any
combination of such access schemes. The radio transceiver means 104
can be adapted to transmit and receive communications signals via
any electromagnetic carrier, such as radio-frequency (RF),
infrared, ultraviolet, or the like, or optically.
[0036] Preferably, the device is adapted to process, transmit, and
receive packet-switched communications for compatibility with
packet-based mobile communications networks and can be adapted to
conform to any standard, or combination of standards, such as
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), CDMA-2000,
Bluetooth, and WiFi standards 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g. Thus, the
device can provide communication access to a variety of network
systems by adaptively switching to the appropriate access standard
or scheme.
[0037] The device can communicate with (transmits signals to or
receive signals from) a single base station, a plurality of base
stations (i.e., a network), or any number of external devices.
Thus, a communications device 100 according to the invention can be
a node on a telecommunications network, such as a cellular network
or the internet, for example. The device 100 can transmit
communications signals to, and receive communications signals from,
one or more base stations in the network. Similarly, the base
stations can transmit communications signals to, and receive
communications signals from, the device 100. As the device moves
from the proximity of a first base station into the proximity of a
second base station, the first base station can automatically
handoff the current communications link with the device (inbound or
outbound communications; voice or data) to the second base station.
Thus, the device 100 can remain in communication with the base
stations (and, consequently, with the far-end device to which it is
communicating) as the user moves. The device 100 can be an
"always-on" device that provides permanent connections to external
devices or networks.
[0038] Such a base station could be an external device that
includes the communications electronics (e.g., processor 102,
antenna 104, etc.). The display communications device 100 could be
electrically connected in communication with the base station.
Thus, the base station can provide processing power and
communications interfaces for the device 100. Such a base station
could be stored in or integrated into an airplane, an automobile, a
backpack, or the like.
[0039] The antenna 104 is electrically coupled to the processor
103. Preferably, the antenna 104 is coupled to an exterior portion
of the housing 102. For example, the antenna 104 can be embedded
into the housing 102 or affixed to the exterior of the housing 102.
Alternatively, the antenna 104 can be coupled to an interior
portion of the housing 102, and may be contained partially or
completely within the housing 102. The device 100 could also be
electrically connected to an external antenna. The external antenna
could be plugged into the device and coupled to the electronic
components in the device. Such an external antenna could be stored
in a backpack, for example, so that a user could simply plug the
antenna into the device whenever such use of the device is
desired.
[0040] Preferably, the antenna 104 is adapted to transmit and
receive broadband, audio/video signals for internet access and
telephony. That is, the antenna is capable of transmitting and
receiving full duplex data and voice, and provides broadband
internet access. Preferably, the device 100 provides high speed,
mobile access to the internet, and also includes pager and
multi-media text messaging capabilities, such as may be provided
via a multi-media messaging service ("MMS"), for example.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable of
processing, and therefore, the radio transceiver means 104 is
capable of transmitting and receiving, narrowband and/or broadband
signals. Such broadband signals can be compatible with
third-generation (3G) or fourth-generation (4G) digital radio
standards, for example, though it should be understood that a
device according to the invention can be adapted to conform to any
standard or to multiple standards. Final standards for 3G broadband
mobile wireless data transmissions via smart phones have been
formally adopted by the ITU Radiocommunication Assembly by approval
of the so-called IMT-2000 specification. In general, how the device
accesses a wireless carrier is irrelevant. For example, it is
anticipated that multi-network devices will be adapted to connect
to the "right" network at the "right" time. That is, given that
many networks will likely be available to the communications device
at any given time, the device will attempt to connect to the
network that is most appropriate for whatever the device is
attempting to do at that time. For example, the device might seek
the network that will yield the best reception, the most
capability, the greatest bandwidth, or the like.
[0042] Preferably, the radio transceiver means 104 is adapted to
transmit and receive radio signals having bandwidths of about 5 to
30 MHz, though it is anticipated that greater bandwidths might be
used in future communications applications. Additionally, data
rates of up to about 10 Mbps, or more, are anticipated.
[0043] The radio transceiver means 104 can include processing
(either in the antenna itself or in the processor 103) for
providing diversity. That is, the transmitting device can transmit
the same signal a number of times (e.g., three), and the receiving
device can use the best of the signals that it receives.
Additionally, the radio transceiver means 104 can be a smart
antenna that includes processing (either in the antenna itself or
in the processor 103) to measure, amplify, and otherwise optimize
the input and output signals depending on the characteristics of
the environment in which the signal is being transmitted or
received.
[0044] The device 100 can also include ultra wideband software
defined radio (SDR) capabilities, such as simultaneous use of
airways, or spectrum shifting according to use, for example,
computing power to further sub-divide radio signals based on their
electrical or magnetic polarization, and can share national
resources of the available radio spectrum. The device can also
communicate using adaptive techniques, such as frequency-agile or
hybrid communications techniques, for example.
[0045] The communications device 100 can also include a microphone
for receiving input audio signals and one or more speakers for
transmitting output audio signals. The speaker can be used to
provide, for example, output audio signals that are received as
part of a telephone conversation, output audio that is downloaded
from the internet as part of a web page, or synthesized human
speech produced by the device itself as a form of communication
with the user. The speaker can also be used to provide identifiable
sounds, such as, for example, a ringing sound if a call is
incoming, or a tone (or series of tones) to indicate that a certain
action has been taken (e.g., the device has successfully connected
to (or failed to connect to) an internet service provider). Such
sounds could be synthesized.
[0046] Preferably, the communications device 100 includes a
microtransceiver 108 having both a speaker (audio signal
transmitter) and a microphone (audio signal receiver). The
microtransceiver 108 is electrically coupled to the processor 103
and can be integrated/ embedded into the housing 102 or attached
externally thereto. The processor 103 is adapted to extract audio
data from the input radio signals, and to provide to the speaker
output audio signals that are representative of the extracted audio
data. The processor 103 is also adapted to form output radio
signals based on input audio signals received from the
microphone.
[0047] The device 100 can also include a wireless inductive
transceiver 112 that provides audio to, and receives audio from,
the user of the device. The wireless transceiver 112 can be a
wireless earpiece, for example, that communicates with the
processor via a wireless link 114. Preferably, the transceiver is
an inductive transceiver that forms audio signals representing the
user's speech based on the transceiver's detection of vibrations
caused by the user's speech, for example. Thus, the processor 103
can convey audio signals to the transceiver 112, and the
transceiver 112 can convey audio signals to the processor 103.
[0048] The display communications device 100 can include an A/D
converter (as part of the processor 103 or external thereto), to
which the microphone (or transceiver) is coupled. Analog audio
signals from the microphone or transceiver are input to the A/D
converter. The digitized output of the A/D converter is provided to
the processor 103. The processor 103 then determines whether the
device is in telephone mode (in which case the audio should be sent
via the radio transceiver means 104), or in command mode (in which
case the audio should be interpreted and an action taken in
response). Thus, the microphone can be coupled to the processor
103, and used as an audio input means for both telephonic
communications and to issue voice commands to the device 100.
[0049] Preferably, the processor 103 has the capability to
understand and recognize human speech. Speech recognition
techniques are fairly well known, and are becoming more and more
common as computational power and the amount of available memory
continues to increase. The user can speak to the device 100 either
to transmit speech to a third party, or to give the device 100 a
command. Preferably, a display communications device 100 according
to the invention includes established verbal commands or keyboard
actions to tell the processor 103 whether it is to transmit the
input speech (i.e., that the device is in telephone mode) or to
interpret the input speech as a command (i.e., that the device is
in command mode).
[0050] Such voice commands can include voice dialing capability,
where the user can simply speak the telephone number he wishes to
call, and the device will initiate a call to that number.
Alternatively, the user can speak a code word (such as the name of
the party he wishes to call). A list of such code words can be
stored in memory, and associated with a respective telephone number
or action. If the spoken code word is in the list, the device will
initiate a call to the number associated with that code word.
Similarly, the device 100 can use speech recognition as a security
measure by permitting access to (any or all of) its functionality
only if it detects that the voice of the user is the voice of an
authorized user of the device.
[0051] If the processor 103 determines that the device 100 is in
telephone mode, then the digitized audio signal can be compressed
and encrypted, if desired, and input to a D/A converter and a
modulator where an RF signal is modulated with the audio signal.
The modulated RF signal is then passed to the antenna 104 where it
is transmitted out of the device 100. If the processor 103
determines that the device 100 is in command mode, then the
processor 103 performs speech recognition on the digitized audio
input signal using well known speech processing techniques. The
processor 103 can also include a command controller for causing an
action to be taken in response to receiving a voice command. The
device can also be coupled, preferably via a wireless link, to a
central server or server pool that provides additional processing
power for the device. Thus, more sophisticated and computationally
intensive processing can be performed, without the need for
increased processing power in the device itself.
[0052] Received radio signals can be passed from the antenna 104
through a demodulator, A/D converter, decryptor, and decompressor.
Digital audio signals can be extracted from the received radio
signals, and provided to the speaker for audio output.
[0053] Preferably, the housing 102 also contains a low voltage
power supply 107, such as a rechargeable thin film battery. Such
batteries are typically less than 10 microns thick, and can have
open circuit voltages of about 2-5 V. The batteries can be cycled
thousands of times, and can typically be operated at any
temperature up to the melting point of lithium (180.degree. C.).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,731, entitled "Thin-Film Lithium Battery and
Process" describes thin film lithium batteries and processes for
making them. These batteries can be constructed in either prismatic
or cylindrical configuration.
[0054] Alternatively, the device 100 can include a power generator,
such as a methanol/hydrogen powered micro fuel cell, direct liquid
micro ethanol fuel cell, or other such fuel cell technology. Such
fuel cells typically use hydrogen to react with oxygen and produce
an electrical current. Methanol is typically used in such fuel
cells as it is known to be a good carrier fuel for the hydrogen
that fuel cells need. Methanol-only micro fuel cells are being
developed (by Motorola, for example) and it is anticipated that the
use of such fuel cells might be advantageous in a display
communications device according to the invention.
[0055] A solar power supply, such as a solar battery, for example,
or any photovoltaic material that can convert sunlight into
electricity, can also be used to provide electrical power to the
device 100. Such a solar power supply may allow the device to
operate on solar power alone. Preferably, a flexible, organic
photovoltaic cell can be used. When the device is operating,
additional power generated (by the solar power supply or micro fuel
cell, for example) can be used to charge the battery. When the
device is off, all power generated can be used to charge the
battery.
[0056] According to the invention, an intelligent display system
106 can be coupled to the housing 102. The display system 106,
which can be electrically coupled to the processor 103, can operate
in conventional mode or intelligent mode. In conventional mode, the
whole displayed is refreshed periodically (e.g., 60-100 times per
second for video applications; fewer for non-video graphical
applications). In such an embodiment, conventional video processing
electronics can be used to connect the display system 106 to the
processor 103 (or other, external video source). If the display
system 106 is operating in an "intelligent mode," then only updated
information needs to be supplied to the display. In such an
embodiment, the processor 103 can control the display 106 directly.
The processor 103 can take the video input, process the information
so as to detect changes in the display image from frame to frame,
and then send out the appropriate video information to the display
system 106.
[0057] The processing power for the display system 106 can be
provided by the processor 103. In such an embodiment, the processor
103 can be adapted to compare the most recently received image
(i.e., the image to be displayed) with the previously received
image (i.e., the image that is currently being displayed). The
processor 103 can then update individual pixels 109 as
necessary.
[0058] An exemplary application in which a communications device
according to the invention could be coupled to an external video
source includes an application in which the device is used in
conjunction with a security system (such as might be used in a
department store, for example). One or more remote cameras (i.e.,
remote to the communications device) could capture images at
respective remote locations. The images could be transmitted
(preferably wirelessly) to the communications device. The display
system 106 could then provide to the user of the communications
device, a video display that includes the images captured at the
remote locations. The images could be provided full screen and
automatically update from one camera to the next, or a number of
such images could be displayed at the same time in separate windows
on the display.
[0059] Alternatively, processing power could be provided locally to
each pixel 109. For example, each pixel 109 could be programmed (or
initialized) to know where it is relative to other pixels in the
display. Unique addressing codes can be provided so that each pixel
109 knows what to display. Thus, the pixels 109 in an intelligent
display system 106 can be viewed as nodes on a network. In such an
embodiment, the processor 103 can provide display signals to the
pixels 109. Preferably, a display signal includes an address that
corresponds to a particular pixel (or group of pixels) and content
that indicates what the addressed pixel (group) is to display. The
pixel receives the signal and determines from the signal what it is
to display. It is also contemplated that the processor can provide
higher level information to the pixels. In such an embodiment, each
pixel 109 can perform calculations on the higher level information
to determine what it has to display.
[0060] A power system comprising one or more thin-film batteries or
photovoltaic cells (or some combination of both) can also be
attached to the display system 106. Such a power system could be
attached to or directly deposited onto the backside of the display
so that it does not interfere will the visual display provided
thereon. Flexible thin film batteries or photovoltaic cells, for
example, can be laminated onto the display. Thus, the device 100
can be powered by a first power system when the display system 106
is not extended, and also by a second power system that provides
additional power or takes over for the first power system when the
display system 106 is extended. Examples of flexible photovoltaic
cells include organic, amorphous silicon, or copper indium
diselenide. Preferably, where first and second power systems are
provided, the power system attached to the display may not generate
power unless the display is extended.
[0061] In a conventional display, driver electronics can provide
the necessary information to each pixel 109 as to its brightness
state. In an intelligent display, the pixels can be interconnected
via a common data bus that carries data packets to the pixels. The
data packets can include fields that have values that represent
pixel location, color, and brightness. The data packet can provide
either the physical or logical address of the pixel it is
addressing, as well as the brightness state of that pixel. In such
an embodiment, each pixel 109 can include circuitry to decode the
address and brightness information.
[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, the display screen
110 can have a surface area that is larger than any cross-sectional
area of the housing 102. Though the display screen can have a
generally rectangular overall shape as shown, it should be
understood that, in general, a display system 106 according to the
invention has an unconstrained form factor. That is, the substrate
onto which an intelligent display is formed can take on any
shape.
[0063] Preferably, the display 106 is a high efficiency,
interactive, multi-media display system. The display 106 should
emit as much brightness as possible, with as little power
consumption as possible, and can be a light transmissive or light
reflective display. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
display screen 110 comprises a plurality of pixels 109. Each pixel
109 comprises one or more light emitting elements. The pixels 109
can include organic materials, inorganic materials, or a
combination of organic and inorganic materials. Preferably, the
light emitting elements are high efficiency, organic light emitting
devices (OLEDs) that use phosphorescent emitters such as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,238 B1, which is hereby incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety. Fluorescent emitters, such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,539,507, 4,769,292, and 5,294,870 can
also be used. The organic layers of the OLEDs can include small
molecular (i.e., nonpolymeric, unlinked) materials or large
molecular (i.e., polymeric, linked) materials. The OLEDs can be
ordinary, side by side OLEDs, or stacked (i.e., multiple
resolution) OLEDs (SOLEDs). TOLEDs, which can be either transparent
OLEDS or top-emission OLEDs, can also be used. Examples of TOLEDs
are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,436, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference. Examples of SOLEDs are
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,745, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0064] OLED devices are generally (but not always) intended to emit
light through at least one of the electrodes, and one or more
transparent electrodes may be useful in organic opto-electronic
devices. For example, a transparent electrode material, such as
indium tin oxide (ITO), may be used as the bottom electrode. A
transparent top emission electrode, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,703,436 and 5,707,745, which are incorporated by reference
in their entireties, may also be used. For a device intended to
emit light only through the bottom electrode, the top electrode
does not need to be transparent, and may be comprised of a thick
and reflective metal layer having a high electrical conductivity.
Similarly, for a device intended to emit light only through the top
electrode, the bottom electrode may be opaque and/or reflective.
Where an electrode does not need to be transparent, using a thicker
layer may provide better conductivity, and using a reflective
electrode may increase the amount of light emitted through the
other electrode, by reflecting light back towards the transparent
electrode. Fully transparent devices may also be fabricated, where
both electrodes are transparent. Side emitting OLEDs may also be
fabricated, and one or both electrodes may be opaque or reflective
in such devices.
[0065] The anode may be any suitable anode that is sufficiently
conductive to transport holes to the organic layers. Preferred
anode materials include conductive metal oxides, such as indium tin
oxide (ITO) and zinc tin oxide (ZnTO), and metals. The anode (and
substrate) may be sufficiently transparent to create a
bottom-emitting device. A preferred transparent substrate and anode
combination is commercially available ITO (anode) deposited on
glass or plastic (substrate). A flexible and transparent
substrate-anode combination is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,844,363, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The
anode may be opaque and/or reflective. A reflective anode may be
preferred for some top-emitting devices, to increase the amount of
light emitted from the top of the device. The material and
thickness of the anode may be chosen to obtain desired conductive
and optical properties. Where the anode is transparent, there may
be a range of thickness for a particular material that is thick
enough to provide the desired conductivity, yet thin enough to
provide the desired degree of transparency. Other anode materials
and structures may be used.
[0066] The substrate onto which the OLEDs are deposited may be any
suitable substrate that provides desired structural properties. The
substrate may be flexible or rigid. Plastic and glass are examples
of preferred rigid substrate materials. Plastic and metal foils are
examples of preferred flexible substrate materials. The substrate
may be a semiconductor material in order to facilitate the
fabrication of circuitry. For example, the substrate may be a
silicon wafer upon which circuits are fabricated, adapted to
control OLEDs subsequently deposited on the substrate. Other
substrates may be used. The material and thickness of the substrate
may be chosen to obtain desired structural and optical
properties.
[0067] The display system 106 may also include a detachable
protective layer disposed over the display screen to provide
mechanical and environmental protection. Preferably, the protective
layer is made of a thin, transparent material, such as plastic, for
example, and can be easily replaced. Thus, such a protective layer
can be disposable.
[0068] As depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, the display 106 can be
collapsible. That is, the display 106 can be formed on a
collapsible substrate, and coupled to the housing 102 in such a
manner that the display 106 can be pushed or pulled onto or into
the housing 102. FIG. 3A shows the display 106 fully collapsed;
FIG. 3B shows the display 106 partially extended; FIG. 3C shows the
display 106 fully extended. It is contemplated that the display
substrate can be formed from a smart material that is flexible when
the display 106 is retracted, but becomes rigid when the display
106 is extended.
[0069] Thin film deposition processes can be used for depositing
the pixels onto a collapsible substrate to form a collapsible
display. Preferably, the display 106 is fabricated on a flexible
substrate, such as plastic or thin metal foil.
[0070] Active-matrix backplanes that are compatible with plastic
substrates can be fabricated, and deposited into the flexible
substrate. The pixels can then be deposited thereon. Though
active-matrix displays are preferred, it should be understood that
passive-matrix displays can also be used in accordance with the
principles of the invention. Active-matrix displays typically use
transistors to keep their diodes in an on or off state.
Passive-matrix displays, on the other hand, apply current to the
diodes at a specific refresh rate to maintain an image.
[0071] OLED display technology is preferred for use on such
flexible substrates because of, among other reasons, its very low
substrate temperature during deposition, as well as its high
brightness at low power levels. Small molecule OLEDs can be used,
such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,363, for example.
Encapsulation to prevent moisture and oxygen from permeating
through the plastic films and degrading the OLED performance is
also preferably provided, for example, such as disclosed on U.S.
Pat. No. 5,771,562.
[0072] Flexible liquid crystal or field emission displays can also
be used. For example, a flexible OLED backlight can be used to
illuminate a flexible LCD to provide a flexible backlit LCD.
Additionally, a flexible electrophoretic display medium, such as
"Electronic ink," for example, that is processed into a film for
integration into electronic displays can also be used. ("Electronic
ink" is proprietary to E Ink Corporation.)
[0073] The display 106 can be formed as a flexible display that can
be rolled around a rod 113, for example, such as shown in FIGS.
2A-2C. To extend the display 106, the user can simply unwind the
display 106 from around the rod 113 (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).
To collapse the display 106, the user can simply wind the display
106 around the rod 113 (as shown in FIG. 2C).
[0074] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A, the rod 113 is
mounted inside the housing 102. In such an embodiment, one or both
ends of the rod 113 can be rotationally coupled to interior ends of
the housing 102. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the
rod 113 is mounted on the exterior of the housing 102. In such an
embodiment, the rod 113 can be rotationally coupled to each of one
or more coupling members 117. Each coupling member 117 can be
attached (fixedly or rotationally) to the housing 102. The rod 113
can be fixedly or rotationally coupled to each of the one or more
the coupling members 117. The display 106 can include an interface
119 for physically coupling the display 106 to the rod 113. The
interface 119 can also provide a path for transporting electrical
information between the display 106 and the rest of the device
100.
[0075] In still another embodiment, the display 106 can be rolled
around the housing 102. As shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, the display
106 can include an interface 120 for physically coupling the
display 106 to the housing 102. The interface 120 can also provide
a path for transporting electrical information between the display
106 and the rest of the device 100. To extend the display 106, the
user can simply unwind the display 106 from around the housing 102
(as shown in FIG. 2D). To collapse the display 106, the user can
simply wind the display 106 around the housing 102 (as shown in
FIG. 2E).
[0076] Preferably, the display 106 is fabricated from materials
that provide a display having as small a radius of curvature as
possible. For example, the display 106 could be thin and flexible
enough to roll or fold into a housing 102 that is about the size of
an ordinary pen or pointer, or onto a rod that is connected to the
housing, as discussed above. For example, the substrate should be
thin enough so that the display, while retracted into the housing,
for example, has as small a cross-sectional area as possible
(transverse to the long direction of the rod). Similarly, the
components that are deposited onto the substrate should be small
enough and flexible enough to provide for a sufficiently small
radius of curvature. OLED technology is preferred because of the
very small pixel size that can be attained (such as the so-called
"nanopixels," for example).
[0077] Preferably, the display 106 is auto-collapsible (much like a
tape measure). For example, like a tape measure, tension can be
placed on the rod 113 so that the display 106 will be wound around
the rod 113 automatically unless the display 106 is locked into an
extended position. The display 106 can also include an auto lock
feature so that when the display 106 is fully extended, the locking
mechanism is automatically latched. While the display 106 is
locked, the user can cause the display 106 to wind around the rod
113 or housing 102 by unlatching the locking mechanism. For
example, the locking mechanism can be a latch that can be set at
any point, or which is automatically set when the display 106 is
fully extended, or at any of a number of points while the display
106 is being extended. The display 106 can include an auto-collapse
button 111 that, when pressed, causes the display 106 to collapse.
For example, in an embodiment wherein the display 106 winds around
a rod 113, the auto-collapse button 111 can cause the rod 113 to
rotate and the display 106 to be wound around the rod 113.
Alternatively, the auto-collapse button can release the locking
mechanism, thereby causing the display to wind around the rod 113
or housing 102. The device 100 can also include a motor (not shown)
that causes the display 106 to spool onto or off of the rod 113 or
housing 102. Preferably, the motor is sized and shaped such that it
can be contained within the housing 102.
[0078] The processor 103 is adapted to extract display data from
the input radio signals, and to provide a representation of the
display data to the display 106. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the protocol for communications between the
communications device 100 and external devices provides for a
significant reduction in the required communications bandwidth
relative to current communications protocols. For example, in a
system according to the invention, information for every pixel 109
need not be transmitted continuously. Rather, each pixel 109 can be
provided with enough "intelligence" to determine what it is
expected to display based on higher level information that is
provided via the communications from the outside world.
Additionally, the display 106 can be updated by changing only those
pixels 109 that need to be changed as the image changes. For
backward compatibility, however, the device 100 preferably includes
the capability to operate using existing protocols (i.e., to
translate from the old protocol to the new).
[0079] The display communications device 100 can also include a
memory 105, which can be contained in the housing 102 or embedded
into the display 106. Alternatively or additionally, the device 100
can include a removable memory, such as a memory card, and a
miniature drive for reading from and writing data to the memory
card. The memory can be used for temporary or permanent storage of
audio, video, or other data that the communications device 100
receives, transmits, or uses during its operation. Such a memory
could include, for example, a multi-mode memory card or "memory
stick" that includes logic that provides multiple functionality for
interfacing the communications device with different external
devices.
[0080] Such a memory can also reduce the bandwidth requirement
between the display system 106 and an external device by storing
information about the current display. As a result, the processor
103 can pass only information that updates the display 106. In a
preferred embodiment of an intelligent display, the display system
106 can include individual memory in each pixel 109. Basic memory
cells, such as a few transistors, could be used to provide the
required memory. The use of a few transistors at each pixel 109
reduces or eliminates the need to keep moving information from the
outside to the pixel. Alternatively, an external chip could be used
to make it easy for pixel memories to talk to one another.
[0081] The memory could be implemented as a large area electronic
backplane, such as an active matrix display. For example, a pixel
matrix could be overlaid on a backplane such that a number of
transistors would be associated with each pixel. Currently, the
display backplane is built first, and then the light emitting
elements are deposited onto it. Typically, the display backplane
includes electronics. In an intelligent display system according to
the invention, additional electronics could be added for
pixel-specific memory. Preferably, amorphous silicon, polysilicon,
organic thin film technologies (TFTs), or other TFTs are used.
Processing and logic could also be integrated into such a large
area electronic backplane.
[0082] Preferably, a display communications device 100 according to
the invention can be voice activated. For example, a user might
want to display email or a flight schedule, to zoom into an image,
or to move an image from one part of the screen to another. The
user desiring to view his emails, for example, can simply command
the device to show emails by speaking a command such as "show
email" into the microphone. The processor 103 determines that the
input audio is a voice command (rather than part of a telephone
conversation). The processor 103 can include logic to receive the
voice command, interpret it, and respond accordingly. For example,
the processor 103 might retrieve the user's email from the user's
email box, which can be stored in memory 105 in the communications
device 100. Alternatively, however, the processor 103 can initiate
an Internet connection to retrieve the user's email. In any event,
the processor 103 causes the display 106 to display the user's
email as a result of the user's voice activation command. In
general, voice activation technology can be employed to cause the
device 100 to perform any function that the device 100 can
otherwise perform.
[0083] Additionally, voice activation may be used to actively
configure the display device 106. For example, the user may speak
"make call" or "type e-mail" and the display device 106 may
auto-configure to display a phone keypad 132 or keyboard 134.
Auto-configuration may be initiated by a using an engaging means
located either on device 100 or display device 106.
[0084] The display 106 can have a display border 115, as shown,
that can include a microphone 121, a speaker 123, and a digital
imager 125. The imager 125 can include a thin film device that is
integrated or embedded into the display screen 110. The imager 125
can be an organic or a small molecule polymer or hybrid inorganic
detector. For example, each pixel 109 (or some subset of pixels)
could have a sensing element to receive light within its field of
view. Alternatively, through the use of large area imaging
technologies, which can be implemented in software as part of the
imager 125, the display screen 110 can, as a whole, be a combined
video transmitted/receiver. In another embodiment of the invention,
the imager 125 is separate from the display screen 110. For
example, the imager 125 can be embedded into or attached onto the
display border 115 or the device housing 102. In a preferred
embodiment, the imager 125 is a thin film device that is thin
enough and flexible enough so that the collapsible nature of the
display 106 is unaffected. The imager can produce digital data
corresponding to still photos or video. The digital data can be
stored to memory (either to fixed memory in the housing 102 or to a
removable memory card), and retrieved for later display. In this
context, the device 100 can act like a digital camera or video
camera.
[0085] A display communications device that includes such a digital
imager can be used, for example, to provide gesture tracking. Such
a device could capture images of a user gesticulating. A sequence
of such images could then be compared to certain known commands
(the mapping for which is stored in the device's memory or some
remote memory location). For example, a user in distress could
provide a sequence of gestures that, when translated, indicates the
user's current location. The device could capture the sequence of
images and translate the sequence into a message that includes the
location of the user. Gesture tracking techniques, and software to
perform them, are well known in the art.
[0086] The display 106 can include a speaker 123, if desired, so
that a stereo effect can be achieved. When the display 106 is
collapsed, the speaker 108 on the housing 102 provides output
audio. When the display 106 is extended, however, the speaker 123
on the display 106 is automatically activated. As with the video
imager, it is preferred that the speaker 123 is a thin film speaker
that is thin enough and flexible enough so that the collapsible
nature of the display 106 is unaffected.
[0087] Preferably, the display system 106 includes a touch
responsive screen 110. In a touch responsive screen, components can
be added into the screen itself, or overlaid on top of the screen
110, so that the device 100 can detect the presence and position of
any touch input. For example, the user can use such a touch
responsive screen, in conjunction with a stylus (or the user's
finger) to write on the screen. The screen detects the touch of the
stylus, and displays a contrasting color (or grayscale) where the
stylus has met the screen. Additionally, the display system 106 can
detect the writing and convey to the processor 103 coordinate data
that corresponds to the pixels that have been "touched." The
processor can then cause the coordinate data to be transmitted to a
far-end communications device. The far-end device can then process
the received coordinate data, and display the same writing on its
screen as that displayed on the user's screen. Thus, the device can
be used as an "electronic pen," via which a user of the device can
transmit written information from his device to a far-end
device.
[0088] Similarly, a set of several communication devices according
to the invention can be communicatively linked and thereby used as
a "team tool" that enables a group of users of the several devices
to share information among the group. In a first such
configuration, communications output from any device in the set can
be provided to each of the other devices in the set, such that each
of the users experiences the same information at his respective
device. Alternatively, each of the devices in the set can be
communicatively coupled to a single display, such that
communications output from any device can be provided to the
display. Preferably, the device is capable of providing
three-dimensional images moving in real time. For example,
holographic images can be provided for video conferencing and the
like. Such a device can also include video game software.
[0089] A touch responsive screen also enables the display system
106 to detect and process user entered touch commands. This
information can be used, for example, to activate switches
displayed on the screen 110, or to highlight specific points on the
display 106 (for example, as a zoom reference point).
[0090] The device 100 can also include fingerprint (including
thumbprint) recognition as a security measure by permitting access
to (any or all of) its functionality only if it detects that the
user's fingerprint is that of an approved user. For such a purpose,
the device can include a receptor (on the housing or the display
system) that scans the user's fingerprint. The receptor
communicates the fingerprint pattern to the processor, which
includes processing for comparing the fingerprint pattern to one or
more fingerprint patterns stored in memory. If the fingerprint
pattern matches one of the stored patterns, then the user is
authorized, and the device's functionality (or secure
functionality) is enabled.
[0091] Similarly, the device can include retinal, iris, or other
such eye-print recognition as a security measure by permitting
access to (any or all of) its functionality only if it detects that
the user's eye is the eye of an approved user. For such a purpose,
the device can include a receptor (on the housing or the display
system) that scans the user's eyeprint. The receptor communicates
the eyeprint pattern to the processor, which includes processing
for comparing the eyeprint pattern to one or more eyeprint patterns
stored in memory. If the eyeprint pattern matches one of the stored
patterns, then the user is authorized, and the device's
functionality (or secure functionality) is enabled.
[0092] FIG. 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications device 100 according to the invention having a touch
responsive display 106 with a telephone keypad 132. The user can
use the telephone keypad 132 on the display 106 just as one would
use the telephone keypad buttons of an ordinary telephone. The
display system 106 detects the user's touch, determines which
portion of the screen the user has touched, and communicates to the
processor 103 a representation that indicates that the user has
touched that portion of the screen. For example, each pixel can be
assigned a coordinate representation (in the x-y plane, for
example). When the user touches the display screen, the display
system detects that certain pixels have been touched, and relays
the corresponding coordinates to the processor. The processor 103
processes the touch commands according to which portion(s) of the
screen the user has touched. For example, if the screen is
currently displaying telephone keypad buttons, the processor can be
programmed to initiate a telephone call to the "touched" telephone
number.
[0093] Similarly, FIG. 5 depicts a preferred embodiment of a
display communications device 100 according to the invention having
a touch responsive display 106 with a keyboard 134, such as one
might find on a personal digital assistant or pager for example.
The user can use the screen 110 as a keyboard for accessing the
Internet, communicating via email, paging, etc. Again, the display
system 106 detects the user's touch, determines which portion of
the screen the user has touched, and communicates to the processor
103 a representation that indicates that the user has touched that
portion of the screen. The processor 103 processes the touch
commands according to which portion(s) of the screen the user has
touched.
[0094] FIG. 6 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications device 100 according to the invention having a
display screen 110 that is capable of displaying an entire Web
page. Preferably, the display screen 110 provides full color
display and is sized and shaped to display a Web page in a visually
appealing format. The device can include browser software that
enables the user to browse the Internet and download such web
pages. The download technology can be applet or Java based, for
example, or any other download technology can be used.
[0095] Preferably, the display system 106 can display multiple
images on the display screen 110. That is, the display system 106
can provide split screen displays, such as those that might be
downloaded from a web site, or can provide multiple active areas at
the same time. For example, the display screen 110 can include a
first sub-display (or window) that displays web pages as the user
downloads them from the internet, and a second sub-display (or
window) that displays the user's email at the same time. The user
can move from window to window to interact alternatively with the
internet or his email. Thus, a display communications device 100
according to the invention can be used to perform multiple
functions concurrently.
[0096] Preferably, the display system 106 is self-configurable. In
one configuration, the sub-display might change grayscale by
changing the number of the 16 pixels that are on (or off) at a
given time. The display can reconfigure itself as a matter of
grayscale versus resolution based on to the needs of the image to
be displayed. That is, the sub-display can reconfigure itself,
based on whether a more precise grayscale or more resolution is
desired for the current display. For example, for a particular
image, four gray levels might be adequate but more resolution is
desirable. In such an application, the 4.times.4 sub-display could
reconfigure itself as four 2.times.2 sub-displays, each having four
gray levels. Similarly, four 4.times.4 sub-displays could work
together to form an 8.times.8 display having less resolution, but
64 gray levels.
[0097] In one embodiment, the display can include bistable pixels.
A bistable pixel operates in a binary mode (i.e., each pixel is
either on or off), and stays in its current state until told to
change. The pixels can include TFTs, or other electrical
components, which can be connected to provide memory. The TFTs can
be used to form conventional memory elements, which store data such
as the associated pixel's location or brightness. If the
information being displayed on the display is such that any
specific pixel's brightness state does not need to change, then no
information needs to be supplied to that pixel, and the internal
local memory can retain the brightness information stored in the
pixel memory. The local memory can then provide to the pixel
circuit the information necessary to control the pixel
brightness.
[0098] The bistable pixels can include organic or inorganic
photodetectors as part of the bistable circuit. Additionally, the
bistable pixels can be made using purely electrical feedback.
Examples of bistable pixels for use in such a display are provided
in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/219,760, filed Aug. 16,
2002, entitled "An Organic Photonic Integrated Circuit Using An
Organic Photodetector An A Transparent Organic Light Emitting
Device," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0099] In such a display, gray-scale can be achieved by defining
each pixel as a group of sub-pixels (for example, 4, 8, 16, or 64),
and turning on or off the appropriate number of sub-pixels. Thus,
the display can be used at maximum resolution, with each pixel
either on or off, or at lower resolutions, with each pixel
displaying gray scale information.
[0100] In a color display, each pixel can include three
sub-pixels--one for each of the primary colors (i.e., red, blue and
green). As shown in FIG. 9A, a pixel 90 can be arranged as a
1.times.3 matrix of sub-pixels 92R, 92G, 92B. That is, the three
colored sub-pixels 92R, 92G, 92B can be arranged linearly. Thus,
each sub-pixel 92R, 92G, 92B on the display 106 can be addressed
using the same number of row lines, for example, as if each pixel
90 had a single address (e.g., in a monochrome display), with three
times the number of column lines.
[0101] Another well-known pixel arrangement is the so-called
"quad-green" architecture. In this embodiment, which is depicted in
FIG. 9B, the pixel 90 includes a second green sub-pixel 94G in
addition to the other primary colored sub-pixels 92R, 92B, 92G. The
sub-pixels 92, 94 are arranged in a 2.times.2 matrix as shown.
Thus, each sub-pixel 92, 94 on the display 106 can be addressed
with twice the number of row lines and twice the number of column
lines as if each pixel 90 had a single address.
[0102] Normally, it will be desirable for the display 106 to be a
visible as possible. However, there certain applications in which
it might be desirable for the display 106 not to be seen by the
unaided human eye. To accomodate such applications, the display
system 106 can also include the use of infrared (IR) pixels so that
at night, the display 106 can only be seen using infrared sensing
equipments, such as night vision goggles, for example. The display
system 106 can include a pixel architecture, such as depicted in
FIGS. 9C and 9D, for example, that includes four sub-pixels: one
green 92G, one red 92R, one blue 92B, and one infrared 92I. In such
an embodiment, power can be supplied to all sub-pixels all the time
or, to reduce power consumption, only to the colored sub-pixels
92G, 92R, 92B when color is desired, and only to the infrared
sub-pixels 92I when color is not desired. As shown in FIG. 9C, the
sub-pixels 92, 94 could be arranged linearly, or, as shown in FIG.
9D, the sub-pixels 92, 94 could be arranged in a 2.times.2
matrix.
[0103] It is also contemplated that a display system 106 according
to the invention can be detachably coupled or removably connected
to the housing 102, as well as to any number of external devices,
such as portable phones, laptop or personal computers, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), internet appliances, televisions, or the
like. In this context, the display system 106 can be coupled to an
external device in any fashion that provides for the transfer of
information, either directly or remotely, between the display
system 106 and the external device. Examples of wireless
connectivity that could be used for this purpose include, without
limitation, radio, optical, infra-red, or other such communications
carriers. In such an implementation, the display system 106 can be
adapted to determine an identity of the external device to which it
is communicating, and to respond accordingly. For example, the user
of an intelligent display system according to the invention can
connect the display system 106 to a cellular phone (or other such
external device). Thereafter, the display system 106 assumes the
attributes of the display included with the external device, and
thus can provide a better display than the display included with
the external device.
[0104] In these cases the display system 106 recognizes the display
characteristics of the system to which it is connecting. For
example, if the display system 106 were connected to a cell phone,
it could determine the resolution and gray scale content, for
example, of the cell phone display. The display system 106 could
then adjust the image of the cell phone display so that it could be
viewed appropriately at different sizes. Each pixel of the cell
phone display could be mapped onto a corresponding pixel 109 in the
display system 106. Alternatively, if a larger or more resolute
image is desired, each pixel from the cell phone could map onto a
plurality of pixels of the display system 106.
[0105] Similarly, the display could be detachably coupled to the
housing so that any of a number of displays could be coupled to the
housing at a given time. For example, a user of the device might
wish to use a certain display (having a first display resolution,
say) under certain circumstances, but a different display (having a
better resolution) under different circumstances.
[0106] The display communications device 100 can also include
location finding capabilities, such as global positioning. For
example, the antenna 104 can receive global positioning signals
from one or more global positioning satellites. The processor 103
can then determine the location of the device 100 from the global
positioning signals. The processor 103 can pass data to the display
system 106 so that the display system 106 can provide a visual
representation of the location of the device 100 based on the
received global positioning signals.
[0107] FIG. 7 depicts a preferred embodiment of a display
communications device 100 according to the invention that includes
a display system extension 140. As shown, the display extension can
also be collapsible. Preferably, the display system extension 140
includes a collapsible display screen extension 144. The display
screen extension 144 can be made as described above in connection
with display system 106. Preferably, the display screen extension
144 can be wound around a rod (not shown) that is contained within
an extension housing 142. Thus, a display communications device 100
having a display system extension 140 can take the form of a "pen
and pencil" set.
[0108] The display system 106 and the display system extension 140
are coupled to one another via a display extension interface 146.
When the display system extension 140 is coupled to the display
system 106, the device 100 detects that the display system
extension 140 is present. Thereafter, the processor 103 can provide
display data for both the display system 106 and the display system
extension 140. For example, a display data bus can extend through
the display system 106, culminating at the display extension
interface 146. Similarly, the display system extension 140 can
include a display data bus that also culminates at the display
extension interface. Thus, the processor can communicate display
data to both the display system 106 and the display system
extension 140 via a common bus. The display extension 140 can also
include additional memory.
[0109] Information input/output to/from the device could be
accomplished by way of the extendable display system described
above, and also by way of a low-information display system that is
disposed on the exterior surface of housing 100. The display system
could be communicatively coupled to the processor 103, and be sized
and shaped such that it can display telephone numbers, names, and
the like.
[0110] The device 100 may also be removably connected to a
micro-display, which can be incorporated into a user's headset,
eyeglasses, etc., or to a wrist-wearable device, such as a watch,
for example, to thereby provide greater privacy for the user while
the device is in use. The device 100 may also be connected to an
automobile's heads-up display (HUD) or a Transparent Organic Light
Emitting Device (TOLED) display, to display information onto an
automobile windshield, for example.
[0111] The device can also include a keypad disposed on the
housing. The keypad could be communicatively coupled to the
processor 103, and be sized and shaped such that the user can enter
telephone numbers, text, data, or the like (perhaps with the aid of
a pin or pencil point). Thus, the device can be operated without
the need for the main display system 106 to be extended. Similarly,
the device 100 may be coupled to an external input or output
device, such as a keyboard, mouse, display, etc., in any fashion
that provides for the transfer of information, either directly or
remotely, between the display system 101 and the external input or
output device.
[0112] It is also anticipated that the device can be used as a
remote control device to control external devices such as lighting,
stereo, televisions, appliances, and the like. The device can be
programmed (either pre-programmed or by the user) such that the
user can press the appropriate button(s) on the device and thereby
cause the device to transit the appropriate signal, preferably
infrared, to control the external device.
[0113] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the
communications device can also include a collapsible housing. Using
any of the techniques described above, the display could be coupled
to the exterior of the housing and wound around a rod or the
housing itself, or the display could be coupled to the interior of
the housing so that the display can be retracted into the housing
and the housing wound on itself.
[0114] As depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the display system 206 can
be integrated into or onto a collapsible housing 202. In such an
embodiment, the device 200 could be made to resemble a conventional
PDA, as shown in FIG. 10A for example. However, according to the
invention, both the housing 202 and the display 206 could be
collapsible such that a user can roll the entire device 200 onto
itself (as shown in FIG. 10B).
[0115] As depicted in FIGS. 10C-10E, a communications device 210
can include a collapsible housing 212 and a collapsible display 216
that can be stored at least partially within the housing 212 (as
shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D) or extended out of the housing 212 (as
shown in FIG. 10E). The collapsible display 216 can be coupled to
the collapsible housing 212 via a rod 213 which can be rotationally
coupled to an interior portion of the housing (as shown in FIGS.
10C-10E) or to an exterior portion of the housing (such as depicted
in FIGS. 2B and 2C, for example).
[0116] As shown in FIG. 10C, the housing 212 can be collapsed with
the display 216 stored at least partially inside the housing 212.
The housing 212 could be unfurled, as shown in FIG. 10D, while the
display 216 remains at least partially inside the housing 212. The
display 216 could then be extended out of the housing 212 as shown
in FIG. 10E.
[0117] As depicted in FIG. 10F, a communications device 220 can
include a collapsible housing 222 and a collapsible display 226
that is attached to the collapsible housing 222 such that each of
the collapsible display 226 and the collapsible housing 222 can be
wound onto itself.
[0118] Thus, there have been described interactive, low power,
collapsible, intelligent, multi-media display systems for use as
hand-held, portable communications devices. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be
made to the preferred embodiments of the invention, and that such
changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the
appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within
the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *