CN1910935A - A portable electronic device with a laser projection display - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable electronic device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is coupled with a foldable keyboard and a laser projection device (LPD). The LPD may be controllable to display in a first format or size on a back lit screen contained with the PDA or in a second format or size on an external screen or wall.

Description

Portable electric appts with laser projection display

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electronic console, relate in particular to the multicolor laser projection display (LPD), this multicolor laser projection display (LPD) can be used on the portable electric appts such as picture PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phone.

Background technology

In the field of portable electric appts, general total contradictory between instrument size and its purposes.That is, on the one hand, equipment is more little, and it is portable just good more.On the other hand, equipment is more little, and its function is generally also few more.This situation is particularly true for the general electronic console that uses in the portable electric appts.Small displays enhance portability, but they are difficult to watch and limited the amount of the useful information that can show.Yet big display has reduced portable and has usually caused battery to reduce service time.

For example, PDA generally can move word processor, but so limited the making of their display sizes only can show that several styles of writing originally.This limited display capabilities has weakened the practicality of PDA as word processor.Similar is, mobile phone and PDA are furnished with and receive and the function of send Email message, yet it is all very difficult that their small displays makes read and write grow message.

The present invention is intended to overcome or reduces one or more caused influence in the described problems at least.

Summary of the invention

In one aspect of the invention, provide a kind of electronic equipment.The keyboard that this electronic equipment comprises laser projection display and is coupled to this laser projection display.

In another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of personal digital assistant.The keyboard that this personal digital assistant comprises laser projection display and is coupled to this personal digital assistant.

Description of drawings

Can understand the present invention with reference to following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein identical label refers to components identical, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the style block diagram of the top view of a embodiment that can laser projection device used in this invention (LPD);

Fig. 2 is the style figure that observes the surface shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 A and 3B have described scanning device at each top view constantly of its operating period;

Fig. 4 is to use the style figure of portable electric appts of the LPD of type shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is that the portable electric appts of Fig. 4 is in the style figure among the part deployed configuration;

Fig. 6 is that the portable electric appts of Fig. 4 is in basically the style figure among the deployed configuration fully; And

Fig. 7 has described to use an optional embodiment of the portable electric appts of LPD.

Although the present invention has been easy to various modifications and optional form, in the accompanying drawing certain embodiments be illustrate as example and given detailed description in this article.Yet, should be appreciated that, this paper is not intended to limit the present invention to the particular form that is disclosed about the description of specific embodiment, on the contrary, the present invention is intended to contain all modifications, equivalence and possibility, as long as they drop among the defined the spirit and scope of the present invention of appending claims.

Embodiment

A plurality of illustrative embodiment of the present invention has hereinafter been described.For clear, this specification is not described features all in the actual implementation procedure.Should be appreciated that, in the development process of the embodiment of any this reality, must make a large amount of specially at the decision of implementation procedure realizing developer's specific purpose, such as with the compatibility of system's relevant limit and business-related constraints, this difference with each implementation procedure changes.In addition, should be appreciated that this development effort may be complicated and consuming time, but for will being a routine mission for those those skilled in the art that benefit the present invention.

Below these applications of awaiting the reply jointly be incorporated herein as a reference with its whole content: people's such as MikStern " Method and Apparatus for Aligning a Plurality of Lasers in anElectronic Display Device "; People's such as Mik Stern " Method and Apparatus forControllably Reducing Power Delivered by a Laser Projection Display "; People's such as NarayanNambudiri " Method and apparatus for Displaying Information inAutomotive Applications Using a Laser Projection Display "; People's such as Narayan Nambudiri " Method and Apparatus for Providing an Interface Between a LiquidCrystal Display Controller and a Laser Projection Display "; People's such as Paul Dvorkis " A Color Laser Projection Display "; People's such as Chinh Tan " Method and Apparatusfor Capturing Images Using A Color Laser Projection Display "; People's such as Ron Goldman " A Laser Projection Display "; People's such as Carl Wittenberg " Method and Apparatusfor Controllably Compensating for Distortions in a Laser Projection Display "; And people such as Dmitriy Yavid " Method and Apparatus for Controllably Modulating aLaser in a Laser Projection Display ".

See accompanying drawing now,,, show the style block diagram of laser projection display (LPD) 100 according to one embodiment of the invention especially with reference to Fig. 1.In an illustrated embodiment, LPD 100 comprises three lasers 102,104,106, and each laser can send a branch of light 108,110,112, and this three-beam comprises unique color respectively, such as red, green or blue.Those skilled in the art should be appreciated that under the situation that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention the color of the light that send the number of laser and they can change to some extent.

Laser 102,104,106 is arranged in the common plane 114, its light beam 108,110,112 leave certain angle each other in case drop on first scanning device (such as, first scanning mirror 118) go up substantially the same 116 places, position, these light beams are reflected into light beam 120,122,124 therefrom.In an illustrated embodiment, first scanning mirror 118 vibrates with high relatively speed (for example, about 20-30KHz) on axle 120.The rotation of first scanning mirror 118 or vibration are moved light beam 108,110,112.That is,, also change from the angle of reflection of the folded light beam 120,122,124 of first scanning mirror 118 along with the variation of the position, angle of first scanning mirror 118.Therefore, along with the vibration of mirror, folded light beam 120,122,124 scans, so that light beam 120,122,124 moves along the dimension component that two dimension shows.

Second dimension component that two dimension shows produced by second scanning device (such as, mirror 126).In an illustrated embodiment, second mirror 126 is coupled to motor 128 at pivoting point 130 places so that produce rotation or vibration around axle, this rotation or vibration around axle basically with the rotating shaft direct cross of first mirror 118.Light beam 120,122,124 is become light beam 132,134,136 by 126 reflections of second mirror, and is directed to observation surface 138.Under the situation that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, observe surface 138 and can adopt any form.For example, observing surface 138 can be fixed mask, this fixed mask can be undertaken that the front is illuminated or the back side is illuminated by laser 102,104,106, and this observation surface 138 can be contained in a shared shell (not shown) of LPD 100 in, perhaps, observe surface 138 and can adopt 100 separated any planes easily, such as wall or screen with LPD.

Compare with the speed (for example, about 60Hz) of first mirror 118, second mirror 126 is with rate oscillation or rotation relatively slowly.Therefore, should be appreciated that as shown in Figure 2 that light beam 132,134,136 is generally followed the path 140 on the display surface 138.Those skilled in the art should be appreciated that, path 140 aspect shape and notion to cathode ray tube television receiver and computer monitor in employed raster scan very similar.

Although describe when of the present invention with reference to using first and second scanning mirrors, 118,126 such an embodiment separately, those skilled in the art will be understood that, also can produce similar path 140 by using single mirror.Single mirror can move around two rotating shafts, to produce along the fast and slow vibration of two mutually orthogonal axles.

As shown in Figure 1, because laser 102,104,106 has position, angle separately, even light beam 108,110,112 is in the identical plane 114 and (rotating shaft 120 on the mirror 118) identical some place so laser 102,104,106 has been arranged in, but each light beam still has different angles of reflection, and this disperses light beam 120,122,124.A controller 142 is provided, so that controllably give laser 102,104,106 making alives, thereby make light beam 120,122,124 conllinear effectively, make them by second mirror 126 reflection and arrive and observe identical some place on the surface 138, when arriving identical point and do not rely on the distance of observing 138 to second mirrors 126 in surface.

Turn back Fig. 3 A and 3B now, the operating process that controller 142 makes light beam 120,122,124 conllinear has been discussed.In order to simplify this discussion, Fig. 3 only shows two lasers 102 and 104, but those skilled in the art should be appreciated that notion discussed in this article can expand to three or more lasers under the situation that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention.As shown in Figure 3A, if give laser 102,104 making alive simultaneously, then folded light beam 120,122 is dispersed.Yet, shown in Fig. 3 B,, can make light beam 120,122 along single common path (that is light beam 120,122 conllinear) if give laser 102,104 making alives in the slightly different moment.For example, if first constantly t1 give laser 102 making alives, the then mirror 118 primary importance place that will be represented by solid line in the drawings, and light beam 108 will be reflected by mirror 118, becomes light beam 120.Next, if second constantly t2 give laser 104 making alives, then mirror 118 will be positioned at the represented second place place of dotted line, and light beam 110 will reflect by mirror 118, become light beam 122.By accurate control t2 constantly, mirror 118 will be positioned at a certain position, accurately make folded light beam 122 along the path substantially the same with light beam 120.

Therefore, by the operation of controller 142, light beam 120,122 is conllinear basically, but has slightly in time at interval.That is, light beam 120,122 can be projected on the point substantially the same on the display surface 138 now, but the time is slightly different.Yet, because the continuation of human eye is ND so should change the time.That is, for described three laser systems of Fig. 1, each in the laser 102,104,106 will controllably send to substantially the same some place on the observation surface 132 to color and all single laser of intensity in short relatively time window.Human eye will can not be perceived three kinds of independent colors, but can perceive the mixing of three light beams, make observing the consistent and tone that want of lip-deep that some place appearance.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art, may repeatedly repeat this process along path 140 on observation surface 132, to produce image.

In the present invention, the use of LPD has improved the availability of portable electric appts such as picture PDA, mobile phone, DVD player.Accompanying drawing shows one embodiment of the present of invention, and it combines LPD and Foldable keyboard to produce a kind of little PDA equipment, and this equipment can serve as the formal computer with I/O function easily.

Fig. 4 shows PDA 400, and its keyboard 402 is folded in the back.In this pattern, Pal that PDA and people are familiar with or iPack unit affinity, its thickness may thicken because of keyboard 402 is folded in thereafter.Folding keyboard 402 can for good and all be attached on the PDA 400, perhaps can be removable attachment.

Folding projection screen 404 can be used as complete device or provides as dismountable unit.Those skilled in the art should be appreciated that the use of LPD can allow to use PDA 400 and keyboard 402 under the situation that does not have projection screen 404.Certainly, LPD can be arranged or be configured in office what show in plane (such as, wall) easily.

Fig. 5 shows keyboard 402 and the projection screen 404 that is in the part expanded position.Keyboard 402 is visible from the top, and PDA 400 is then in the reverse side or the bottom side of one of a plurality of foldings.It above keyboard 402 projection screen 404 that part is launched.

Fig. 6 shows the keyboard 402 that launches fully, and LPD 600 projects to the projection screen 404 that launches equally fully.According to the size requirements of projection screen 404, it can for good and all be attached on this unit.If projection screen 404 is attached on the keyboard 402, then it can be nearer from LPD 600, and therefore shown picture size can be littler on projection screen 404.Should be noted that LPD 600 can be with this Display projector to any available plane.For more convenient, can provide folding projection screen 404.In addition, projection screen 404 can be designed to reflect well the optical maser wavelength that red-green-blue color shows, it can reduce the reflection to other wavelength simultaneously.Therefore, it will reduce therefore to have improved the contrast of display degree to inciding the environment reflection of light on the screen.Therefore, in some applications, what come in handy provides a kind of projection screen, and this projection screen is at the feature of LPD 600 and adjusted especially, and no longer arbitrarily use available plane, because the plane of at will selecting for use may have relatively poor reflection and absorb feature.

Should be noted that as shown in Figure 4, when PDA 400 and keyboard 402 were in the folded state, viewing area 406 can be observed by the user of PDA 400.The form of rear projection screen can be adopted in viewing area 406, and feasible laser from LPD 600 can be scanned the back side and illuminate on the reverse side of projection screen 406, so that the operating personnel of PDA 400 watch.Projection screen is illuminated at the back side can adopt the known any form of those skilled in the art, makes the material comprise rear projection screen allow considerable a part of laser from LPD 600 to pass this material and is seen by the operating personnel of PDA 400.

In the embodiment of PDA 400, LPD 600 can be arranged to move between first and second positions.At the primary importance place, LPD 600 will be arranged to project a laser onto on the reverse side of rear projection screen 406.At second place place, LPD 600 will be arranged to laser to outer projection and arrive projection screen 404 or flat relatively surface that PDA 400 is outside any desired on.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art,,, perhaps, just can realize first and second positions by these two kinds of methods are combined by changing the light path that laser is walked by changing the orientation of LPD 600.By alternately with one or more optical elements (such as, mirror, lens etc.) insert in the light path of laser and from the light path of laser, remove this optical element, just can change light path.Like this, laser can be redirected on the back lighting projection screen 406 or on the projection screen 404, this depends on the selected operator scheme of operating personnel of PDA 400.For example, in certain embodiments, operating personnel may expect input or visit finite information amount.In this operator scheme, PDA400 can be arranged to shown in the image pattern 4 like that, wherein less relatively viewing area is that visible and less relatively button or switch can be used for the data input.Perhaps, to observe bigger amount of information place, but if the limited data of input, then PDA 400 can be configured to the folded state of Fig. 4, but light path may be positioned at second place place, so demonstration bigger, easier reading can be projected on the projection screen 404.In may needing to import the third pattern of big data quantity more, keyboard 402 can be launched into arrangement shown in Figure 6, and wherein operating personnel can be near considerable input equipment, such as the keyboard arrangement of routine.

At the 4th kind is in the hybrid operational mode, and keyboard 402 can be that part is launched, and for example, a part of exposing keyboard 402 is so that operating personnel use.In the pattern that this part is launched, keyboard 402 can be used for limited data input.For example, in the operator scheme that this part is launched, such as in the operating process of PDA 400 as calculator or electrical form, the part that keyboard exposes may be the digital block, like this can input digital data.In the 4th kind of operator scheme, operating personnel can select LPD 600 so that provide demonstration to inner screen 406 or external screen 404.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when LPD 600 projected image onto on the back lighting screen, its picture may be anti-, opposite when projecting image onto on the front illumination screen with LPD 600.It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art,, can make the image upset by the software control of LPD 600 or by changing the light path that laser is walked.This upset can be programmed to automatic generation, and this depends on present employed screen, perhaps by manual selection switch or physically change the optical routing operating personnel that laser walks and control it.

In optional embodiment of the present invention, in some applications, it may be useful that PDA 400 switches between a plurality of display modes, and this depends on that LPD 600 is configured to showing on the less relatively screen 406 or showing on relatively large screen 404.That is, when PDA 400 " knew " that LPD 600 shows on the small screen 406, it can be programmed to use bigger font and icon to show and/or be limited in the data volume that is presented on the screen 406.Yet when PDA 400 " knew " that LPD 600 is configured to show on relatively large screen 404, it can be programmed to use less font or icon and/or present more data volume on screen 404.

Fig. 7 shows some additional embodiment and the multiple possible mode that is used to hold folded projection screen.

Unless otherwise indicated, perhaps from discuss, can know understanding, otherwise term " processing " or " calculate (computing) " or " calculating (calculating) " or " determining " or " demonstration " etc. refer to the action and the processing procedure of computer system or similar electronic computing device, the physical quantity that the RS of this electronic computing device operational computations machine system is interior, data that electric weight is represented and be memory or register or other this information stores of computer system with these data conversions, other represented data of physical quantity in transmission or the display device.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various system layer, routine or the module shown in the various embodiment of this paper may all be executable control unit.These control units can comprise microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, processor card (comprising one or more microprocessors and controller) or other control or computing equipment.The memory device of being mentioned can comprise one or more machine-readable storage mediums that are used to store data and instruction herein.This storage medium can comprise multi-form memory, comprising: semiconductor memory, such as, dynamic or static random access memory (DRAM or SRAM), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) (EPROM), erasable removing and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory; Disk is such as hard disk, floppy disk, removable disk; Other magnetizing mediums comprises tape; And optical medium, such as CD (CD) or Digital video disc (DVD).The instruction that is used for constituting various software layers, routine or module in the various systems can be stored in each memory device.When the Be Controlled unit was carried out, these instructions made corresponding system carry out the good action of programming.

Above the specific embodiment that is disclosed is exemplary, because for for the those skilled in the art that benefit herein, clearly the present invention can revise and realizes according to mode different but of equal value.In addition, except claims are described, the details of construction or design shown in this article is not imposed any restrictions.Therefore, what benefit from the present invention it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that realization and uses the necessary treatment circuit of said system may be implemented among the arrangement of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), software-driven formula treatment circuit, firmware, programmable logic device, hardware, discrete component or said elements.Therefore, clearly can change or revise, and all these variations all be regarded as dropping within the spirit and scope of the present invention specific embodiment disclosed herein.Therefore, the protection looked for of this paper is as illustrated in claims.

Claims (20)

1. electronic equipment comprises:

Laser projection display; And

Be coupled to the keyboard of described laser projection display.

2. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is configured to optionally project a laser onto at least one zone in first and second viewing areas.

3. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the back lighting screen that projects a laser onto in described first viewing area.

4. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the front illumination screen that projects a laser onto in described second viewing area.

5. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the screen that projects a laser onto in the described electronic equipment.

6. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that described laser projection display is adjusted on the screen that projects a laser onto described electronic device exterior.

7. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described keyboard has at least two operating positions.

8. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that, described keyboard can be operable in described primary importance data or control signal are input to described electronic equipment.

9. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, described keyboard can be operable in the described second place that a data or control signal are limited to be input to described electronic equipment.

10. electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described keyboard can move between folding and expanded position.

11. a personal digital assistant comprises:

Laser projection display; And

Be coupled to the keyboard of described laser projection display.

12. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is configured to optionally project a laser onto at least one zone in first and second viewing areas.

13. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the back lighting screen that projects a laser onto in described first viewing area.

14. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the front illumination screen that projects a laser onto in described second viewing area.

15. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the screen that projects a laser onto in the described personal digital assistant.

16. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 15 is characterized in that, described laser projection display is adjusted on the screen that projects a laser onto described personal digital assistant outside.

17. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described keyboard has at least two operating positions.

18. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 17 is characterized in that, described keyboard can be operable in described primary importance data or control signal are input to described personal digital assistant.

19. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described keyboard can be operable in the described second place that a data or control signal are limited to be input to described personal digital assistant.

20. personal digital assistant as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described keyboard can move between folding and expanded position.

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