IE20030805U1

IE20030805U1 - Mobile communication device

Info

Publication number: IE20030805U1
Application number: IE2003/0805A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Byrne Laurence
Original assignee: Byrne Laurence
Filing date: 2003-10-24
Publication date: 2005-04-20

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present invention provides a mobile communication device (10) comprising a communication means (22): a display screen (18) mounted inside a housing (12) of the device (10); an image magnifying means (16) for optically magnifying data information displayed on the display screen (18) so as to form a magnified virtual image of the display screen (18), wherein the image magnifying means (16 and the communication means (22) are positioned on the device so as to allow a user to view the magnified virtual image and to simultaneously send and/or receive audio information.

Description

Mobile communication device Field of the Invention This invention relates to mobile communication devices in particular to an apparatus and method for the magnification of screens and receiving both audio and data information for mobile communication devices.

Background to the Invention Mobile communication devices with liquid crystal display" screens are well known in the art. In recent years, it has become desirable to provide mobile telephone handsets that are small, light and compact for portability and as handsets have decreased in size, the display screens used therein have also decreased in size. The increasing functionality of the devices allows many of these devices to access the Internet.

With the advent of WAP, GPRS and G technologies, it has become desirable to display a much greater amount of information. to a user on the smaller screenr This has led to the problen1 that information received or accessed remotely is difficult to view.

Furthermore, these devices do not facilitate viewing the information while at the same time allowing the user to conduct a telephone conversation. Another problem with the display of this information on these devices is privacy.

The typical arrangement of the screens in these devices allows the information displayed on the screen to be viewed by" other‘ persons. Another‘ problenl with. these types of devices is that the provision of a larger screen in order to display" more information. results in a larger power

Claims

1.l.A mobile communication device comprising: a communication means; a display screen mounted inside a housing of the device; an image magnifying means for optically magnifying data information displayed on the display screen, so as to form a magnified virtual image of the display screen, wherein the image magnifying means and the communication means are positioned on the device so as to allow a user to view the magnified virtual image and to simultaneously send and/or receive audio information.

2.A mobile communication device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communication means comprises a microphone, mounted at a location within the device so as to allow the send audio user to information while viewing the magnified virtual image.

3.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the communication means comprises a speaker, mounted at a location within the device so as to allow the user to receive audio information while viewing the magnified virtual image.

4.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a touch pad control means for controlling the content of the data information, wherein said touch pad is positioned on the device so as to allow the user to control the data information while viewing the magnified virtual image.

5.IE 0308.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the magnifying means comprises an aperture defined. by the external housing of the device and a magnifying lens accommodated in the aperture.

6.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the image magnifying means is positioned on the device so as to allow only the user to view the magnified data information.

7.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding clainp wherein the display’ screen. is a liquid crystal display screen.

8.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display screen is a real image display

9.SCIGGH.

10.A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a second display screen viewable by the user, having control means separate from the first display screen. lO..A mobile communication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second display screen is positioned inside the housing of the device, and magnified. by a second image magnifying means.

11. A mobile communication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second display screen is accommodated in a second aperture defined by the housing, and is visible without magnification from the exterior of the device.

12. A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a keypad for controlling the magnified data information.

13. A mobile communication device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said keypad is positioned on the device so as to allow the user to control the data information. while viewing the magnified virtual image.

14. A mobile communication device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a smoke alarm.

15. A rnethod. of displaying data information in a Inobile communication device comprising the steps of: displaying data information on an internal screen in the device; magnifying the data information to provide a magnified virtual image; viewing the magnified virtual image; and receiving and/or sending audio information while viewing the magnified virtual image.

16. A mobile communication device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.