U.S. patent application number 10/412042 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for self-orienting display.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Manchester, Scott.
Application Number | 20040201595 10/412042 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33131136 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040201595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manchester, Scott |
October 14, 2004 |
Self-orienting display
Abstract
A self-orienting display senses the characteristics of an object
and automatically rotates and reformats a display image in
accordance with those characteristics. In one embodiment, the
object is the display device, such as a hand held device, that
provides the display image. As the display device is rotated, the
display image is automatically oriented to either a landscape
orientation or a portrait orientation. Characteristics may be
sensed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, optical sensors,
acoustic sensors, gyroscopic sensors, or a combination thereof.
Sensors may be positioned on the display device, a person, or a
combination thereof. The display images may include graphic display
images, textual display images, videos display images, and
functional control buttons (e.g., functional displayed
representations of control buttons such as play, rewind, stop,
scroll). The self-orienting display may also include an
authenticator that authenticates a user.
Inventors: |
Manchester, Scott; (Redmond,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOODCOCK WASHBURN LLP
ONE LIBERTY PLACE, 46TH FLOOR
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Corporation
|
Family ID: |
33131136 |
Appl. No.: |
10/412042 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/649 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1684 20130101;
G09G 2320/0606 20130101; G09G 2340/14 20130101; G06F 2200/1614
20130101; G09G 5/37 20130101; G09G 2340/0492 20130101; G09G 5/32
20130101; G09G 2354/00 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/649 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
1. A method for orienting a display image, said method comprising
the steps of: sensing at least one characteristic of an object;
determining an orientation of said object from at least one of said
at least one sensed characteristic; and orienting said display
image relative to said determined orientation of said object.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step
of: orienting said display image to one of a plurality of
predetermined orientations in response to said determined
orientation of said object.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said predetermined
orientations comprise a landscape orientation and a portrait
orientation.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step
of: generating an initial relative orientation between said display
image and said determined orientation of said object, wherein:
subsequent display image orientation is with respect to said
initial relative orientation.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said object
comprises a display device that provides said display image; and
said image display is oriented to provide an approximately stable
appearance regardless of said determined orientation of said object
and said display image.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said object
comprises an object other than a display device that provides said
display image; and said display image is oriented to maintain an
approximately constant relative orientation between said determined
orientation of said object and said display image.
7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said orientation of
said object is sensed via at least one of a magnetic sensor, a
gyroscopic sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a mechanical sensor.
8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said display image
is oriented by gravity, such that a predetermined portion of said
display image is positioned toward a direction having a strongest
gravitational force.
9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said orientation of
said object is sensed via at least one mercury switch.
10. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said orientation
of said object is sensed via at least one of an optical sensor and
an image sensor.
11. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the
step of: authenticating said object by analyzing said sensed
characteristic.
12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said sensed
characteristic comprises at least one of a retina, a fingerprint,
and voice.
13. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the
steps of: sensing an audio command; and orienting said display
image in response to said audio command.
14. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said display
image comprises display image portions; and each display image
portion is oriented in response to said determined orientation of
said object.
15. A method in accordance claim 14, wherein: said display image
portions comprise at least one of a graphic display portion, a
textual display portion, a video display portion, and a control
portion comprising display representations of functional control
buttons.
16. A system for orienting a display image, said system comprising:
a sensor portion for sensing at least one characteristic of an
object and providing a sensor signal indicative of said at least
one characteristic; and a display processor for: receiving said
sensor signal; determining an orientation of said object from said
sensor signal; and orienting said display image relative to said
determined orientation of said object.
17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said display
processor orients said display image to one of a plurality of
predetermined orientations in response to said sensed orientation
of said object.
18. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said
predetermined orientations comprise a landscape orientation and a
portrait orientation.
19. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said display
processor generates an initial relative orientation between said
display image and said sensed orientation of said object, and
subsequent display image orientation is with respect to said
initial relative orientation.
20. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said object
comprises a display device that provides said display image; and
said display processor orients said image display to provide an
approximately stable appearance regardless of said determined
orientation of said object and said display image.
21. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said object
comprises an object other than a display device that provides said
display image; and said display processor orients said display
image to maintain an approximately constant relative orientation
between said determined orientation of said object and said display
image.
22. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said sensor
portion comprises at least one of a magnetic sensor, a gyroscopic
sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a mechanical sensor.
23. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said display
image is oriented by gravity, such that a predetermined portion of
said display image is positioned toward a direction having a
strongest gravitational force.
24. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said sensor
portion comprises at least one mercury switch.
25. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said sensor
portion comprises at least one of an optical sensor and an image
sensor.
26. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said display
processor authenticates said object by analyzing said sensed
characteristic.
27. A system in accordance with claim 26, wherein said sensed
characteristic comprises at least one of a retina, a fingerprint,
and voice.
28. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said sensor
portion senses an audio command; and said display processor orients
said display image in response to said audio command.
29. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein: said display
image comprises display image portions; and said display processor
orients each display image portion in response to said determined
orientation of said object.
30. A system in accordance claim 29, wherein: said display image
portions comprise at least one of a graphic display portion, a
textual display portion, a video display portion, and a control
portion comprising display representations of functional control
buttons.
31. A computer readable medium encoded with a computer program code
for directing a computer processor to orient a display image said
program code comprising: a sense object code segment that causes
said computer processor to sense at least one characteristic of an
object; a determine orientation code segment that causes said
computer processor to determine an orientation of said object from
at least one of said at least one sensed characteristic; and an
orient code segment that causes said computer processor to orient
said display image relative to said determined orientation of said
object.
32. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: a predetermined orientation code
segment for causing said computer processor to orient said display
image to one of a plurality of predetermined orientations in
response to said determined orientation of said object.
33. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 32, wherein
said predetermined orientations comprise a landscape orientation
and a portrait orientation.
34. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: an initialize code segment for
causing said computer processor to generate an initial relative
orientation between said display image and said determined
orientation of said object, wherein: subsequent display image
orientation is with respect to said initial relative
orientation.
35. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: a stable orientation code segment
for causing said computer processor to orient said display image to
provide an approximately stable appearance regardless of said
determined orientation of said object and said display image,
wherein said object comprises a display device that provides said
display image. a constant relative orientation code segment for
causing said computer processor to orient said display image to
maintain an approximately constant relative orientation between
said determined orientation of said object and said display
image.
36. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: a constant relative orientation
code segment for causing said computer processor to orient said
display image to maintain an approximately constant relative
orientation between said determined orientation of said object and
said display image, wherein said object comprises an object other
than a display device that provides said display image.
37. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, wherein
said orientation of said object is sensed via at least one of a
magnetic sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a
mechanical sensor.
38. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31,
wherein: said display image is oriented by gravity, such that a
predetermined portion of said display image is positioned toward a
direction having a strongest gravitational force.
39. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, wherein
said orientation of said object is sensed via at least one mercury
switch.
40. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, wherein
said orientation of said object is sensed via at least one of an
optical sensor and an image sensor.
41. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: an authenticate code segment for
causing said computer processor to authenticate said object by
analyzing said sensed characteristic.
42. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 41, wherein
said sensed characteristic comprises at least one of a retina, a
fingerprint, and voice.
43. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31, said
program code further comprising: a sense command code segment for
causing said computer processor to sense an audio command; and an
audio orient code segment for causing said computer processor to
orient said display image in response to said audio command.
44. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 31,
wherein: said display image comprises display image portions; and
each display image portion is oriented in response to said
determined orientation of said object.
45. A computer readable medium in accordance with claim 44,
wherein: said display image portions comprise at least one of a
graphic display portion, a textual display portion, a video display
portion, and a control portion comprising display representations
of functional control buttons.
46. A self-orienting display comprising: means for sensing at least
one characteristic of an object; means for determining an
orientation of said object from at least one of said at least one
sensed characteristic; and means for orienting a display image
relative to said determined orientation of said object.
47. A self-orienting display in accordance with claim 46, further
comprising: means for orienting said display image to one of a
plurality of predetermined orientations in response to said
determined orientation of said object.
48. A self-orienting display in accordance with claim 46, further
comprising: means for orienting said display image to provide an
approximately stable appearance regardless of said determined
orientation of said object and said display image, wherein, said
object comprises a display device that provides said display
image.
49. A self-orienting display in accordance with claim 46 filthier
comprising: gravitational means for orienting said display image
such that a predetermined portion of said display image is
positioned toward a direction having a strongest gravitational
force.
50. A self-orienting display in accordance with claim 46, further
comprising: means for generating an initial relative orientation
between said display image and said determined orientation of said
object, wherein: subsequent display image orientation is with
respect to said initial relative orientation.
51. A self-orienting display in accordance with claim 46, further
comprising: means for authenticating said object by analyzing at
least one of said at least one sensed characteristic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to displays and more
specifically relates to systems and methods that automatically
orient displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Display devices are becoming smaller and more portable.
Display devices such as flat liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and
plasma displays are relative thin and light weight. These light
weight, smaller displays are more easily maneuvered than many of
the bulkier cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. Due to the increased
maneuverability of these displays, viewers are more likely to turn
or rotate the display. This is also applicable to the plethora of
available hand held display devices such as personnel digital
assistants (PDAs), cell phones, and games, just to name a few. As
the cost of these display devices continues to decrease, and the
increasing number of smart devices which incorporate these displays
increases, more and more users will be using these products to
accommodate a variety of needs.
[0003] However, a problem with current display devices is that the
display image becomes difficult to read/see when the display device
is turned or rotated. For example, as a hand held PDA is rotated
90.degree., the display image appears tilted and can be difficult
to interpret, or a viewer watching television may decide to lie
down, which also makes the display image on the television appear
tilted. Furthermore, some multipurpose devices are better suited to
display specific display types in specific formats, such as text in
traditional portrait orientation and video in landscape
orientation.
[0004] A display device which overcomes these problems is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A method for orienting a display image includes sensing at
least one characteristic of an object and determining the
orientation of the object from at least one of the sensed
characteristic(s). An image display is oriented relative to the
determined orientation of the object. A system for implementing
this method includes a sensor portion and a display processor. The
sensor portion senses at least one characteristic of an object and
provides a sensor signal indicative of the characteristic(s). The
display processor receives the sensor signal and determines the
orientation of the object from the sensor signal. The display
processor also orients a display image relative to the determined
orientation of the object.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will
be better understood from the following detailed description with
reference to the drawings, in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a self-orienting display
comprising a display device, a display image, a sensor, and
optional control buttons in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a rotated display device not
possessing a self-orienting capability;
[0009] FIG. 2B is an illustration of rotated self-orienting display
device showing the oriented display image portions and control
buttons in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an illustration of rotated self-orienting display
device showing the oriented display image rotated to achieve an
arbitrary orientation in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged illustration of a control button
comprising an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in accordance
with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an illustration of liquid crystal display (LCD)
control buttons in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of a control button that
is automatically oriented by gravity in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is an enlarged illustration of a control button that
is automatically oriented by gravity in accordance with another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a self-orienting display
showing a viewer viewing the display image, and multiple sensors
positioned on the display device, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 an illustration of a self-orienting display showing a
viewer viewing the display image, and multiple sensors positioned
on the viewer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of self-orienting
display system comprising a sensor portion, a display processor, a
display portion, and an authenticator, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for
orienting a display in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A self-orienting display in accordance with the present
invention senses the orientation of an object and automatically
orients a display image in accordance with the orientation of that
object. As described herein, self-orienting includes automatically
rotating, along any number of axes, and formatting. An exemplary
embodiment of this self-orienting display comprises a monitor that
automatically orients the display image provided by the monitor to
either a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation in
response to the orientation of the monitor. However, this is just
one of many envisioned embodiments. For example, the display image
may be rotated in response to an audio command, such as "rotate",
or the display image may be rotated in response to depression of a
switch on the display device. Various embodiments of the
self-orienting display include various embodiments of the object,
the sensors, the format of the display image, and functions
performed by the self-orienting display. For example, objects may
include the display device that provides the display image, a
person viewing the display image, an object within visual and/or
acoustic range of the self-orienting display, or a combination
thereof. The display device may be any appropriate device having
the capability to provide a display image, such as a monitor, a
hand held device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular
telephone having a display, a game device having a display, or a
portable computer, for example. Various embodiments of sensors
include mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, optical sensors,
acoustic sensors, gyroscopic sensors, or a combination thereof.
Example sensors include mercury switches, infrared detectors,
motion detectors, ultrasonic detectors, cameras, and microphones.
Furthermore, sensors may be positioned on the display device, a
person, or a combination thereof (e.g., mercury switches attached
to the display device and gyroscopic sensor attached to a headset
of a viewer of the display image). Various embodiments of the
display image include graphic display images, textual display
images, videos display images, and functional control buttons
(e.g., functional displayed representations of control buttons such
as play, rewind, stop, scroll), for example. A more detailed
description of these various embodiments is provided below.
[0020] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a self-orienting display 100
comprising a display device 12, a display image 14, a sensor 16,
and optional control buttons 18. The self-orienting display 12 may
be in the form of any appropriate display device capable of
providing the display image 14. Examples of appropriate display
devices 12 include cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, plasma
displays, light emitting diode (LED) displays, flat panel displays,
projection displays, wireless devices (e.g., cellular devices
including telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable
computers; and devices communicating via an optical link, such as
an infrared link), hand held devices (e.g., hand held games or game
controllers), televisions, radios, or alarm clocks, just to name a
few.
[0021] The sensor 16 may comprise any type of sensor capable of
sensing the orientation of the display device 12 and/or another
object (e.g., a person viewing the display image 14). Examples of
appropriate sensors include mechanical sensors, electrical sensors,
optical sensors, acoustic sensors, gyroscopic sensors, or a
combination thereof. Some specific types of sensors 16 include
mercury switches, infrared detectors, motion detectors, ultrasonic
detectors, cameras, and microphones, or a combination thereof. Note
some types of sensors fall into more than one category. For
example, a mercury switch may be considered a mechanical sensor and
an electrical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor may be considered an
acoustic sensor and an electrical sensor. The sensor 16 may include
a single sensor or a plurality of sensors. The sensor 16 may be
positioned at various locations on the display device 12 or may be
positioned at a single location. For example, sensors 16 may be
placed at the corners of the display device 12. Furthermore,
sensors 16 may be positioned on the display device, a person, or a
combination thereof.
[0022] The display image 14 may be in the form of a graphic display
image, a textual display image, a video display image, and a
functional control button 18, or a combination thereof. The display
image 14 may comprise display image portions, such as display image
portions 14a and 14b. As depicted in FIG. 1, a graphic/video
display type is provided by the display image portion 14a and a
text display type is provided by the display image portion 14b. For
example, the display image portion 14a may depict a video and the
display image portion 14b may depict email headers/text. It is to
be understood that this depiction is exemplary, and not intended to
be limited thereto. For example, the display image 14 may not be
partitioned into portions, the display image 14 may be portioned
into a plurality of portions, the display image portions may
overlap, the display image portions may provide any combination of
display types, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the
self-orientating display, the control buttons are implemented as
display image portions (described in more detail below). It is to
be understood, therefore, that reference to display image 14,
display image portion 14a, and/or display image portion 14b, may
also be appropriately interpreted to refer to the control buttons
18 when implemented as display portions. For example, a description
of rotation and formatting techniques to be applied to the display
image 14 also applies to the control buttons 18 implemented as
display portions.
[0023] The control buttons 18 may comprise any appropriate type of
control device capable of controlling functions related to the
display image 14 and/or the display device 12. In one embodiment,
the control buttons 18 comprise liquid crystal display (LCD)
buttons with a protective overlay (e.g., a touch switch). In
another embodiment, each control button 18 comprises an array of
light emitting diodes (LEDs). In yet another embodiment, each
control button 18 comprises a thin disc or the like, formed in a
desired shape (e.g., triangle) contained within the liquid. In
still another embodiment, the control buttons 18 are weighted such
that a portion of each button is always oriented towards the
greatest gravitation force. The control buttons 18 control various
aspects of the display image 14 and/or the display device 12.
Functions controlled by the control buttons 18 may include, for
example, playback, pause, stop, rewind, enable/disable back
lighting, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the control
buttons 18 may include an orientation button that, when activated,
orients the display image 14. For example, one of the control
buttons 18 may switch the display image 14 between landscape
orientation and portrait orientation each time the button is
depressed/touched. In another example, the orientation control
button may rotate the display image 14 a predetermined number of
degrees each time it is depressed/touched. The control buttons 18
are optional. Thus, various embodiments of the self-orienting
display in accordance with the present invention may or may not
comprise control buttons.
[0024] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a rotated display device not
possessing a self-orienting capability. FIG. 2B is an illustration
of rotated self-orienting display device 12 showing the oriented
display image portions 14a, 14b, and control buttons 18. The
display devices shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are rotated 90 degrees
with respect to the display device 12 shown in FIG. 1. Comparing
FIG. 2A with FIG. 2B, the display image portion 14a of FIG. 2B is
rotated by 90.degree. with respect to the equivalent display image
portion shown in FIG. 2A. The display image portion 14b of FIG. 2B
is also rotated by 90.degree. with respect to the equivalent
display image portion shown in FIG. 2A. The control buttons 18 of
FIG. 2B are also rotated by 90.degree. with respect to the
equivalent control buttons of FIG. 2A. The rotation of the control
buttons 18 is most clearly illustrated by comparing buttons 18a and
18b of FIG. 2B with the equivalent control buttons of FIG. 2A.
Portions of the display image 14, such as display image portions
14a and 14b, along with the control buttons 18, which may also be a
display image portion, are rotated and reformatted to conform to
the rotated image space of the display device 12. Rotation and
formatting may be accomplished by any appropriate technique. For
example, a raster scan display image may be rotated by simply
transposing the horizontal and vertical deflection values.
Formatting may then be accomplished to fit the rotated image within
the available display image space to reduce any distortion. For a
display utilizing pixels, each array of pixels may be transposed
and formatted. Examples of algorithms/techniques for reformatting
displays include scaling, stretching, and the ability to
dynamically update resolution.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the display
image 14 is oriented with respect to the orientation of the display
device 12. As the display device 12 oriented as shown in FIG. 1 is
rotated, the display image 14 is automatically oriented, such that
the appearance of the display image 14 appears to remain
approximately stable regardless of the orientation of the display
device 12. Thus, if a viewer prefers landscape mode, she can rotate
the display device 12 to achieve the orientation shown in FIG. 1.
If the viewer prefers portrait mode, she can rotate the display
device 12 to achieve the orientation shown in FIG. 2B. Note that
even though the appearance of the display image 14, relative to a
viewer, remains approximately constant, the display image 14 is
actually oriented (rotated and formatted) in response to the
orientation of the display device 12.
[0026] In another embodiment, the relative orientation between the
display image 14 and a viewer (See FIG. 8 for depiction of a viewer
36) is approximately constant. Thus, if a viewer tilts her head,
the display image 14 is tilted in the same direction, such that the
orientation between the viewer and the display image 14 is
approximately constant (fixed). As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, the
display image 14 is rotated to achieve a landscape orientation or a
portrait orientation. However, orientation of the display image 14
is not limited thereto.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of rotated self-orienting display
device 12 showing the oriented display image 14 rotated to achieve
an arbitrary orientation. The display image 14 of FIG. 3 is
automatically rotated such that the relative orientation between a
viewer is approximately constant, regardless of the amount by which
the display device 12 is rotated. Orientation of the display image
14 and/or the control buttons 18 is not limited to rotation in a
single dimension (e.g., plane). The display image 14 may be
oriented in one, two, or three dimensions, as indicated by the
three dimensional set of axes 15. For example, a three dimensional
depiction on the display image 14 may be rotated horizontally,
vertically, or a combination thereof as the display device 12 is
rotated, such that the relative orientation between a viewer and
the display image 14 remains approximately the same.
[0028] In another embodiment, the three dimensional display image
14 is oriented to provide a desired perspective to the viewer. This
may be accomplished by the viewer simply turning and/or shifting
her head to view the desired perspective, turning the display
device 12 to view the desired perspective, or a combination thereof
As explained in more detail below, sensors 16 can be positioned on
the viewer 36 and/or on the display device 12 to sense the
orientation of the viewer and/or display device 12. For example,
assume the three dimensional display image 14 is a cube and the
display device 12 is a hand held display device. Also assume the
viewer is viewing a front side of the cube. If the viewer desires
to view the left side of the cube, she may simply rotate the hand
held display device (e.g., to the right) to view the left side of
the cube. She may also turn her head (e.g., to the right and/or
shift her head to the left), as if the cube were physically in
front of her and she positioned herself to look at the left
side.
[0029] As mentioned above, various embodiments of the control
buttons 18 are envisioned. FIG. 4 is an enlarged illustration of a
control button 18b comprising an array of light emitting diodes
(LEDs). An exemplary control button 18b is expanded to show the
array of LEDs utilized to display the shape corresponding to the
control function performed by the button. The control button 18b
comprises a triangle shaped image, which may signify play, for
example. The LEDs may be various colors. Upon the orientation of
the display device 12 being sensed, the image of control buttons
18, including 18b, are rotated accordingly. In one embodiment, the
array of LEDs is symmetric, thus allowing the control button image
to be rotated between landscape and portrait mode by transposing
the array of LEDs.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an illustration of liquid crystal display (LCD)
control buttons 18. The control buttons 18 in FIG. 5 comprise LCD
portions for displaying the shape corresponding to the control
function performed by the button. As shown in FIG. 5, the LCD
portions are covered with an appropriate overlay 20 to protect the
LCD portions and to provide a surface which can be
touched/depressed to utilize the control buttons 18. Upon the
orientation of the display device 12 being sensed, the LCD image of
control buttons 18 are rotated accordingly.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an enlarged illustration of a control button 18b
that is automatically oriented by gravity, wherein the control
button comprises a liquid portion 22 having a shaped disc 24
contained therein. The exemplary control button 18b is
automatically oriented by gravity when the display device 12 is
rotated. The control button 18b of FIG. 6 comprises a liquid
portion 22 contained within the control button 18b. Within the
liquid portion 22 is contained disc 24 formed in a shape
corresponding to the control function performed by the button. The
disc 24 is triangular shaped, indicating the play function, for
example. The disc 24 is suspended in the liquid portion 22. As the
display device 12 is rotated the disc 24 automatically rotates,
thus resulting in self-orientation of the control button 18b. In
one embodiment, the disc 24 is weighted such that a specific
portion 28 of the disc 24 is always pointed in the direction of the
strongest gravitational pull (e.g., down). The arrow 28 depicts a
portion of the disc 24 that is heavier (more mass) such that the
portion 28 is always facing "down" (toward the strongest
gravitational attractive force). In another embodiment, the disc 24
contains an air bubble 26 (or other appropriate gas of liquid
portion) such that the portion with the lesser mass is always
facing "up" (away from the direction of the strongest gravitation
pull). The bubble 26 may be any portion comprising a gas or a
liquid that is less dense than the liquid in the liquid portion 22.
Other types of control buttons 18 that are automatically oriented
by gravity are envisioned.
[0032] FIG. 7 is an enlarged illustration of a control button 18b
that is automatically oriented by gravity, wherein the control
button 18b comprises bearing 34. Self-orientation of the control
button 18b of FIG. 7 is achieved via gravity in a similar manner as
described above with respect to FIG. 6. However, the disc 24 is
contained within the control button 18b by bearings, or the like,
which allow the disc 24 to freely rotate. Again the control button
18b shown in FIG. 7 may comprise a weighted portion 28, a less
dense portion 26, or a combination, similar to the control button
18b shown in FIG. 6. Also, other mechanisms for providing a
self-orienting display that is automatically oriented via gravity.
For example, the control buttons 18 may be attached to spindles or
axles that allow the control buttons 18 to freely rotate.
[0033] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a self-orienting display
showing a viewer 36 viewing the display image 14, and multiple
sensors 16a, 16b, and 16c positioned on the display device 12. As
mentioned above, the sensors 16 may comprise any appropriate type
and combination of sensors capable of sensing the orientation of an
object. Examples of which include known types of devices such as
mercury switches, gyroscopic sensors/devices, gravity
switches/devices, optical detectors (e.g., infrared detectors),
acoustic sensors/devices (e.g., ultrasonic devices, acoustic
microphones), electrical sensors/devices, magnetic devices/sensors,
and cameras. The sensors 16 may be positioned on the display device
12 and/or on the viewer 36. Thus, the sensors 16 may be positioned
on an object, wherein the object may comprise the display device
12, the viewer 36, another object within sensing range of the
sensors 16, or a combination thereof.
[0034] For purposes of explaining the following exemplary
embodiment, the sensors 16 positioned on the display device 12 in
FIG. 8 are a camera 16a, an acoustic sensor (e.g., microphone) 16b,
and mercury switches 16c. The camera 16a may comprise any
appropriate type of camera, such as a camera utilizing a charge
coupled device (CCD), or an infrared camera (e.g., night vision),
for example. The camera 16a senses the orientation of the viewer's
36 head. In response to the sensed orientation of the viewer's 36
head, the display image 14 is automatically oriented by any of the
techniques/devices described herein.
[0035] To facilitate automatic self-orientation, in one embodiment,
the relative orientation between the display image 14 and the
object is initialized. This may include initialization of the
relative orientation between the display image 14 and the display
device 12, the relative orientation between the display image 14
and the viewer 36, or a combination thereof. For example, the
relative orientation between the viewer 36 and the display image 14
is initialized. To generate the initial relative orientation, the
viewer 36 may position herself in front of the display image 14,
such that she is within sensing range of the sensors 16 (e.g.,
optical range of the camera 16a and/or audio range of the
microphone 16b). While observing her depiction on the display image
14, the viewer may position her head to align the depiction to be
centered in the display image 14, for example. Once the viewer is
satisfied that the relative orientation is as desired, she may
initialize this relative orientation. All subsequent automatic
orientation will be with respect to the initial relative
orientation. Initialization may be accomplished by any appropriate
means, such as activating a switch, depressing a button (e.g., a
control button 18), giving an audible command, waiting a period of
time, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the
viewer gives an audio command, such as "align". The microphone 16b
receives this audio command, and transduces the audio command into
a sense signal. This sense signal is utilized to establish the
baseline relative orientation between the display image 14 and the
viewer 36. Thus, the viewer 36 may rotate the display device 12 to
either landscape of portrait orientation. The mercury switches 16c
senses the orientation of the display device 12, also providing a
sense signal. The sense signal provided by the mercury switches 16c
and the sense signal provided by the camera 16b during
initialization are utilized to establish the baseline relative
orientation. The sense signals are also utilized to orient the
display image 14 as the display device 12 and/or the viewer 36
change orientation. Also, the display image 14 may be oriented via
an audio command, such as "rotate", in response to which the
display image 14 is rotated (e.g., 90.degree.). It is to be
understood that various combinations of sensors 16, and placements
thereof are envisioned. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, sensors 16
may be positioned on the viewer 36.
[0036] In yet another embodiment, the viewer 36 is authenticated.
Authentication may be accomplished by analyzing the sensed image,
which is sensed by the camera 16b, to determine if the viewer is
authorized to use the display device 12. The sensed image may
include a retinal scan, a finger print scan, or the like. The
sensed image is analyzed to determine if authorization is
appropriate. Any appropriate technique may be utilized to analyze
the sensed image. For example, the sensed image may be compared to
a stored representation of an authorized image, or the sensed image
may be analyzed for key features which distinguish an authorized
sensed image, or a combination thereof. In another embodiment, the
viewer is authenticated by analyzing a sensed acoustic signal
received by the acoustic sensor 16c. The acoustic signal may
include a key phrase, such as the viewer's 36 name or a password.
The sensed acoustic signal is analyzed to determine if
authorization is appropriate. Any appropriate technique may be
utilized to analyze the sensed acoustic signal. For example, the
sensed acoustic signal may be compared to a stored representation
of an authorized acoustic signal, or the sensed acoustic signal may
be analyzed for key features which distinguish an authorized sensed
acoustic (e.g., acoustic signature), or a combination thereof.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of self-orienting
display system comprising a sensor portion 40, a display processor
42, a display portion 44, and an optional authenticator 44. The
sensor portion 40 may comprise any combination of the sensors
described above. The sensor portion 40 senses at least one
characteristic of an object. For example, the object may be the
display device (e.g., display device 12) and characteristics may
include orientation of the display device; the object may be a user
(e.g., viewer 36) and the characteristic may include an image of a
portion of the user's body (e.g., retina, finger print); the object
may be a user and the characteristic may include a acoustic signal
provided by the user (e.g., voice), or a combination thereof. The
sensor portion 40 provides a sensor signal 48 indicative of the
sensed characteristic (or characteristics) of the object. The
display processor 42 receives the sensor signal 48 and processes
the sensor signal 48 to determine the orientation of the sensed
characteristic(s). The display processor 42 provides an orientation
signal 50 indicative of the sensed characteristic(s). The display
portion 44 (e.g., the display device 12) receives the orientation
signal 50 and orients a display image (e.g., display image 14) in
accordance with the determined orientation. In one embodiment, the
self-orienting display system comprises the authenticator 46 for
authenticating the object by analyzing the sensed characteristic(s)
of the object. The authenticator 46 receives the sensor signal 48
and analyzes the sensed characteristic(s) using any of the analysis
techniques described above. This sense signal 48 and the
orientation signal 50 may be provided by any appropriate means,
such as electrically, acoustically, optically, electromagnetically,
or a combination thereof.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for
self-orienting a display. The object is sensed at step 54. As
described above, the object may be a person, the display device, or
a combination thereof. The characteristic may include orientation
of the object, an image of a portion of the object (e.g., retina or
fingerprint), an acoustic signal (e.g., voice or clap), or a
combination thereof. The object may be sensed by any combination of
the sensors described above, such as optical sensors, mechanical
sensors, gravity sensors, gyroscopic sensors, electromagnetic
sensors, acoustic sensors, touch sensitive sensors (e.g., control
buttons 18), for example. At step 56, the object is authenticated
as described above. The step of authentication is optional. The
relative orientation between the object and the display image is
initialized at step 58. The step of initialization is also
optional. Initialization may be accomplished described above. At
step 60, the orientation of the object is determined utilizing the
sensed characteristic (or characteristics) of the object. The
display image is oriented with respect to the determined
orientation of the object at step 62. As described above, the
display image may be oriented to predetermined orientations, such
as portrait, landscape, rotation in a predetermined number of
degrees, or a combination thereof. The display image may also be
oriented such that the orientation of the display image appears
approximately constant (e.g., fixed) regardless of the orientation
of the object. For example, a display image will appear to rotate
and/or tilt in the opposite direction of the rotation and/or tilt
of the display device.
[0039] A method for self-orienting a display image as described
herein may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented
processes and system for practicing those processes. A method for
self-orienting a display image as described herein may also be
embodied in the form of computer program code embodied in tangible
media, such as floppy diskettes, read only memories (ROMs),
CD-ROMs, hard drives, high density disk, or any other
computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer
program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the
computer becomes a system for practicing the invention. The method
for self-orienting a display image as described herein may also be
embodied in the form of computer program code, for example, whether
stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a
computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as
over the electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via
electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code
is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a
system for practicing the invention. When implemented on a
general-purpose processor, the computer program code segments
configure the processor to create specific logic circuits.
[0040] Although illustrated and described herein with reference to
certain specific embodiments, the system and method for orienting a
display as described herein are nevertheless not intended to be
limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be
made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of
the claims and without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
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