WO2006097865A2

WO2006097865A2 - Device for and method of displaying information

Info

Publication number: WO2006097865A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/050684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guofu Zhou
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-03-15
Filing date: 2006-03-06
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: WO2006097865A3

Abstract

A device (10; 20) for displaying information (VRI1, VRI2) comprises firstly first displaying means (11) for displaying first visually recognisable information (VRI1) in a displaying direction (DD) and secondly second displaying means (12), which are designed for converting data signals (D2) in a second visually recognisable information (VRI2) and for displaying said second visually recognisable information (VRI2) and which are arranged to at least partly cover a displaying area of the first displaying means (11).

Description

Device for and method of displaying information

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for displaying information. The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a device for displaying information.

The invention further relates to a method of displaying information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An arrangement according to the second opening paragraph comprising a device according to the first opening paragraph for performing a method according to the third opening paragraph is disclosed in the document WO 02/19703 Al and therefore known. The known arrangement being realized as a projection television apparatus (PTV). In said document there is disclosed the transformation of the PTV into an aesthetically pleasing decorative furniture/means when in the "OFF" mode. Therefore, the PTV includes said device for displaying information that is realized by a primary projection system and a secondary projection system. The primary projection system that realizes first displaying means comprises a primary projection unit for projecting a TV program on a display screen. The secondary projection system that realizes second displaying means comprises a secondary projection unit for displaying a picture on the same display screen.

The secondary projection system comprises the said secondary projection unit that is optically coupled to the screen of the PTV and further comprises an auxiliary image source coupled to the secondary projection unit. A program logic unit of the PTV directs the projection of an image from the secondary projection unit onto the display screen when the primary projection unit of the PTV is in the "OFF" mode.

With the known arrangement, however, a disadvantage is that the arrangement cannot be used in a combined mode, as the primary projection unit must be switched off to prevent it from optically affecting the picture quality of the secondary projection unit in an unwanted manner. For example, mixing of images from the primary projection unit and the secondary projection unit has to be prevented by keeping the primary projection unit in the "OFF" mode while the secondary projection unit is in operation, and vice versa. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the type mentioned above in the first paragraph, an arrangement of the type mentioned above in the second paragraph, and a method of the type mentioned above in the third paragraph, which obviate the drawbacks described hereinbefore.

To achieve the object defined above, characteristic features according to the invention are provided with a device according to the invention, so that a device according to the invention can be characterised as follows:

A device for displaying information, said device comprising first displaying means with a displaying area, which first displaying means are designed for displaying first visually recognizable information within the displaying area and in a displaying direction, and second displaying means which second displaying means are designed for converting data signals in second visually recognizable information and for displaying said second visually recognizable information and which second displaying means seen in the display direction are arranged in front of the first displaying means and are arranged and designed to at least partly cover the displaying area of the first displaying means.

To achieve the object defined above, characteristic features according to the invention are provided with an arrangement according to the invention, so that an arrangement according to the invention comprises a device for displaying information according to the invention.

To achieve the object defined above, characteristic features according to the invention are provided with a method according to the invention so that a method according to the invention can be characterised as follows:

A method of displaying information comprising the following steps, namely converting data signals in second visually recognisable information by means of second displaying means and displaying second visually recognisable information by means of second displaying means in front of a display area of first displaying means.

The provision of the characteristic features according to the invention creates the advantages that the device can be operated in a combined mode, where the displaying of visual information is still on the first displaying means or screen, while second displaying means is simultaneously displaying images over at least a part of the viewing area of the first displaying means or screen. In this way, the images from the two displaying means are not interferring with each other because the displaying of the visibly recognisable information is performed on two independent displaying means. Hence, this gives the added advantage that the device can be operated in both the "OFF" and "ON" modes of the primary displaying means.

Some solutions according to measures as claimed in Claim 13 provide the advantages that first visually recognisable information and second visually recognisable information can be displayed simultaneously, as well as independently.

Some solutions according to measures as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 14, respectively, provide the advantages that the invention can be applied to a TV receiver, a computer monitor, an advertising billboard display, and other display applications. Other solutions according to measures as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 15, respectively, creates the advantages that low power or no power is required by the first displaying means while the second displaying means in the apparatus is functioning in a stable state as an aesthetically pleasing decorative means, because the first displaying means can be either in a "standby" mode or an "off' mode while the second displaying means can be operated in a stable mode where no or relatively low power consumption is needed for displaying second visually recognisable information by the second displaying means.

Other solutions according to measures as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 16, respectively, creates the advantages that second displaying means can cover the whole displaying area of the first displaying means and still be able to selectively define where the first displaying means can or cannot display the first visually recognisable information, so that it can be recognised by a viewer (or user) of the arrangement.

Other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 17, respectively, provide the advantages that the second displaying means can be made to become partly transparent so that the arrangement of the invention iunctions as a Mirror TV in the transparent areas of the second displaying means. This in addition provides the possibility to display any desired information by means of the transparent area of the second displaying means while the visualised information shows the reflective mirror properties. The complementary situation can also be provided in which the transparent areas appear outside of the visualised information that is realized by non transmissive areas of the second displaying means. Still other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 18, respectively, provide the advantages that the second displaying means can be made to display symbols, such as Chinese calligraphy, zodiac sign, etc., without causing visual interference to the information displayed on the first displaying means, like in the prior art. It has to be mentioned that a plurality of symbols can also be displayed to form phrases or sentences, such as verses from the bible or quotable quotes. In addition, no relatively complicated picture-in-picture video processing is required on the side of the first displaying means for establishing the picture-in-picture experience for a user.

Other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 8 provide the advantages that the arrangement can be made to change the displaying of the visually recognisable information displayed by the device by controlling displaying of the first visually recognisable information and/or the second visually recognisable information. This further provides the advantage that the arrangement can be made to show animated effects on the second displaying means, dependent on the operating mode/state of the first displaying means.

Other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 9 provide the advantage that the contents and/or orientation and/or location of the second visually recognisable information displayed by the second displaying means influencing the aesthetical appearance provided by the display can be selectively arranged, for example, according to different aspect ratio of off-air or input signal that is received.

Other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 10 provide the advantage that the aesthetical appearance of the display device or the arrangement can be changed manually by the viewer - for example, by means of remote control or other input means. Other solutions according to the invention as claimed in Claim 11 provide the advantage that the arrangement is arranged to display by means of the displaying means aesthetically decorative pattern or symbol that are factory pre-defined when said arrangement is put to "off state (mode) or "standby" state (mode) and no further user selection is required. The factory pre-defined control mode can also include animated effects. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter, by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows in the form of a block diagram an arrangement having a device with first displaying means and second displaying means according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows in the form of a block diagram an arrangement according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a front view of the second displaying means functioning as a display for displaying text and/or graphic and/or symbol.

Figures 4 shows a front view of the second displaying means functioning as aesthetical decoration means over part of a displaying area of the first displaying means.

Figure 5 shows a front view of the second displaying means that depict a dynamic change of displayed information.

Figure 6 shows a front view of the device having a mirror function when the first displaying means is not active. Figure 7 shows the generic flowchart for describing the different operating modes.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows an arrangement according to the invention that realises a TV receiver (TV) 100 comprising Audio/Video (AV) processing means 1, first driving means 2, a display device 10 realized by first displaying means 11 with a displaying area and second displaying means 12 with a displaying area, second driving means 5, source selection means 4, an external source input 6, and control means 3. The first displaying means 11 are designed for displaying first visually recognisable information VRIl within the displaying area and in a displaying direction which displaying direction is indicated by an arrow DD. The second displaying means 12 are covering the whole displaying area of the first displaying means 11. The second displaying means 12 are located in front of the first displaying means 11, that is between the first displaying means 11 and a viewer 8 of whom only an eye is schematically shown in Fig. 1. The direction in which the viewer 8 views the displaying area is directed opposite to the displaying direction DD assigned to the first displaying means 11 and is named viewing direction. This viewing direction is indicated by an arrow VD. It has to be mentioned that the viewing direction VD has a viewing range determined by the viewing angle and physical structure of the first displaying means 11, and the second displaying means 12.

In the present invention, the first displaying means 11 is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel. The second displaying means 12 is a so called "e-paper" based on transparent electrophoretic display technology. It has to be mentioned that the first displaying means 11 can also be realized by means of a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), an OLED panel, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display, or a Project TV (PTV) display screen. It has further to be mentioned that the second displaying means 12 can be realized by any other bistable display, such as low power bistable LCDs, like cholesteric LCD (CTLC).

The control means 3 are arranged for cooperating with the device for controlling displaying of information on the first displaying means 11 and/or on the second displaying means 12 according to two different control modes. Herein, a first control mode is defined to be a user-determined control mode, and a second control mode is defined to be an operation- determined control mode depending on the present operation mode of the TV 100 and/or on changes between operating modes of the TV 100 as explained hereinafter.

It has to be mentioned that first control mode can also be designed to perform the controlling function of the second control mode, or vice versa. The two control mods may also be identical control modes.

The AV processing means 1 are arranged to receive an off-air signal OA that represent first visually recognisable information VRIl. The said AV processing means 1 comprise a tuner and video processing circuits and audio processing circuits, for decoding the received off-air signal OA and will not be described in detail in this present disclosure as they will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. To select a desired TV channel, the viewer sends a user control signal 1-1 (e.g. by operating a remote control that is not shown in Fig. 1) to the control means 3, which in turn on receiving said control signal 1-1 are designed to send a control signal SCl to the AV processing means 1 so as to tune the tuner to the desired TV channel or programme. After decoding the received off-air signal OA by the AV processing means 1, a decoded signal RS is sent to the first driving means 2. For simplicity, the said first driving means 2 are described as a first driver block, which comprises processing circuits like sealer IC, differential signals driver (such as LVDS transmitter and receiver), and row and column drivers. The first driving means 2 supplies driving signals Dl to the first displaying means 11. Such driving signals Dl comprising data signals, timing signals, and driving signals for the row and column electrodes of the first displaying means 11, are needed to enable displaying of the first visually recognisable information VRIl on the displaying area and in the displaying direction DD assigned to the first displaying means 11. In the present description, the first displaying means 11 are realized as LCD panel. For reading the present disclosure, other variations of first driving means 2 for PDP,

OLED panel, CRT display, and PTV display screen will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other driving signals which are already known in the design and use of such displaying means and component parts and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. For the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing decorative solution by concealing at least a part of the displaying area of the first displaying means 11, the TV 100 advantageously comprises the source selection means 4 cooperating with the control means 3 to determine selection of displaying second visually recognisable information VRI2 from either pre-stored data D3 from the memory 7 or external data D4. The pre-stored data D3 or the external data D4 are selectable by the source selection means 4 as the viewer 8 activates the mode for aesthetically pleasing decorative means by means of the user control signal 1-1. The memory 7 may be housed within a microcontroller in said control means 3, and the external data D4 can be provided by various auxiliary sources that are connected to the external source input 6.

Depending on the choice of the viewer 8, the source selection means 4 will receive a switch control signal SC2 from the control means 3 and cause the selected pre-stored data D3 or the external data D4 to be produced as an output data signal D5 of the source selection means 4. The output data signal D5 will then be processed by the second driving means 5, which for simplicity, will be described as a second driver block. The said second driver block is designed for supplying driving signals D2 comprising data signals, timing signals, and driving signals for the row and column electrodes of the second displaying means 12, which is needed for realising displaying of the second visually recognisable information VRI2.

It has to be mentioned that the TV 100 is not only designed to receive an off-air signal OA, but can also be designed to receive input signals via at least one auxiliary input as known in the prior art but not explicitly shown in Fig. 1. The auxiliary input can be used to receive second visually recognisable information VRI2 for being displayed by the second displaying means 12. In this configuration, said input signals received from the auxiliary input are fed, for example, to the source selection means 4. In the present invention, the second displaying means 12 can be arranged to display second visually recognisable information VRI2 in several modes. These modes are determined by the control means 3 and those modes include

(i) a first operating mode where the arrangement (TV 100) functions as a TV receiver in an active state, and (ii) a second operating mode where a TV receiver is in a "OFF" stateor "STANDBY" state.

The TV 100 has a third mode which is not determined by the controlling means 3. The three modes will be described hereinafter.

In the first operating mode of this embodiment, the TV 100 functions as a TV receiver which receives a desired off-air signal OA. This off-air signal OA is processed by the AV processing means 1 and the first driving means 2 before driving the first displaying means 11 of the displaying device 10. The first displaying means 11 is designed for displaying the first visually recognisable information VRIl, like a movie. In this first operating mode, at least part of the second displaying means 12 of the display device 10 is designed for being transmissive so that it is cooperating with the first displaying means 11 to allow the first visually recognisable information VRIl to be displayed for viewing by the viewer 8.

It has to be mentioned that the term transmissive can be taken to include the meaning of transparent and semi-transparent. In the second operating mode of this embodiment, the TV 100 is selected by the user control signal 1-1 to function as a TV receiver in "OFF" state or "STANDBY" state. In this second operating mode, the control means 3 switches off all processing blocks for visualisation of the first visually recognisable information VRIl, namely AV signal processing means 1, first driving means 2, and first displaying means 11, and keeps the processing blocks for visualising the second visually recognisable information VRI2 active or switched on in order to allow the source selection means 4 to receive the selected pre-stored data D3 or the external data D4, and to transmit these data to the second displaying means 12 for displaying them as second visually recognisable information VRI2 on the second displaying means 12. The second visually recognisable information VRI2 is displayed on the second displaying means 12 in the form of texts T, graphics G or symbols S (e.g. Chinese calligraphy) as shown in Fig. 3. In this mode, the TV 100 is transformed into an aesthetically pleasing decorative apparatus or device, respectively, where the second visually recognisable information VRI2 shown on the displaying area of the second displaying means 12 is arranged to be superimposed over the displaying area of the first displaying means 11 and therefore over the first visually recognisable information VRIl .

In a third mode, which third mode is a non-operating mode or power-off mode, the mains supply to the TV 100 is isolated - for example as in the case where the mains power switch is switched off by the viewer 8. In this third mode, both the first displaying means 11 and the second displaying means 12 and all other electrical function units in the TV 100 are powered off. Under such state, the first displaying means 11 are not displaying any visually recognisable information and the second displaying means 12 are also switched off. In its off state, the second displaying means 12 can be either transparent or displays a uniform shade of its natural state. The natural state of the second displaying means 12 may also be arranged to display certain fixed pattern of graphics or symbols in such power-off state, because the second displaying means 12 are of the bistable type that does not require any, or only little, power to hold its information that is actually displayed.

In a variation of the first embodiment, the two displaying means 11, 12 of the display device 10 are arranged to cooperate during the first operating mode such that the operation of the second displaying means 12 is time dependent in relation to the operation of the first displaying means 11 - for example, when the TV 100 is first powered on and/or when the TV 100 is powered off. Displaying of the second visually recognisable information VRI2, which may be in some form of graphical patterns (e.g. of curtains) covering at least part of the displaying area of the first displaying means 11, is factory-programmed such that when the TV 100 is powered on the graphical patterns displayed by the second displaying means 12 starts to scroll outward (see arrows A in Fig. 5) to expose at most the entire displaying area of the first displaying means 11. The said displaying area is progressively exposed for displaying the TV programme TVP when starting up the first operating mode. During powering down/off of the TV 100 or during activation of "STANDBY" mode, the graphical patterns displayed by the second displaying means 12 are arranged to scroll inward (see arrows B in Fig. 5) to cover at most the entire displaying area of the first displaying means 11.

Fig. 5 depicts the second displaying means 12 displaying second visually recognisable information VRI2 in a form of curtains scrolling as shown by the direction of arrows A or B when the first displaying means 11 is powered on in order to display the first visually recognisable information VRIl from a received off-air TV programme, or powered off (or put to "STANDBY" mode), respectively.

It has to be mentioned that instead of scrolling in a horizontal direction, as described in the preceding paragraph, the second displaying means 12 can be designed to display scrolling of second visually recognisable information VRI2 in a vertical direction, or in other form of animation - such as following a curved trajectory, like in a spiral manner (not shown in the drawing).

In such an arrangement, the viewer 8 can experience the effect of the opening and closing of the curtains, like in a cinema, when the TV 100 is powered on and powered off, respectively.

In other variation of the first embodiment, the two displaying means 11, 12 of the display device 10 are arranged to cooperate during the first operating mode of the TV 100, such that the operation of the second displaying means 12 is dependent on the display format of the first visually recognisable information VRIl displayed by the first displaying means 11. The detection of the display format is derivable from the incoming off-air signal source OA by the AV signal processing means 1. The AV signal processing means 1 are arranged to detect a display format automatically by means of an aspect ratio detection method. Upon detection of the presence of a pre-determined format, like 4:3 format, the AV signal processing means 1 are designed to send a first indication signal 1-2 to the control means 3. By means of the control means 3, the first indication signal 1-2 is detectable and accordingly a switch control signal SC2 is sent to the source selection means 4 in order to select pre- stored data D3 of pre-determined graphical arrangement or patterns from the memory 7. These pre-stored data D3 are then sent to the second driving means 5 for processing and deriving the necessary driving signals D2 for displaying the second visually recognisable information VRI2 by means of the second displaying means 12.

In the said example of a first visually recognisable information VRIl with 4:3 display format, where it is to be displayed on the first displaying means 11 of a display device 10 with 16:9 format (i.e., wide screen format), the pre-stored data D3 will be processed by the source selection means 4 and the second driving means 5 so that the second visually recognisable information VRI2 displayed on the second displaying means 12 are being displayed only on the blanked areas not utilised by the first visually recognisable information VRIl having the 4:3 display format. Fig. 4 shows the 4:3 display format of the first visually recognisable information VRIl that is displayed simultaneously with the second visually recognisable information VRI2, which second visually recognisable information VRl 2 represents pre-determined graphical patterns that are stored in the memory 7 incorporated in the control means 3 and are designed to display on the left-hand- side area L and/or right-hand- side area R of the display device 10.

It has to be mentioned that other combination of application is also possible, where the display device 10 can physically be of other display format, (e.g. 4:3 display format, in contrast to 16:9 display format described in preceding paragraph); and the first visually recognisable information VRIl being displayed by means of the first displaying means 11 can also be of different display format in contrast to 4:3 display format as described in the preceding paragraph. In such variation, the second displaying means 12 are arranged to cover the blank displaying area of the first displaying means 11 which is in a different orientation, in contrast to that described in the preceding paragraph regarding Fig. 4.

Taking the example of the case of another displaying device 10 of 4:3 display format arranged for displaying a first visually recognisable information VRIl of 16:9 display format by means of the first displaying means 11, the orientation of the displaying areas left blank by said first visually recognisable information VRIl will be located at the top and bottom sections of said display device 10, as in contrast to left-hand- side L and right-hand-side R locations, as described in the preceding paragraph. Under such case, the orientation of the second visually recognisable information VRI2 covering said blank areas on the first visually recognisable information VRIl of 16: 9 display format will have to be re-arranged accordingly.

It has to be mentioned that the said automatic aspect ratio detection method can be provided by means of the first driving means 2, where a second indication signal 1-3 is available to be sent from the first driving means 2 to the control means 3. It has further to be mentioned that the second visually recognisable information VRI2 can be selected manually by the aid of the user control signal 1-1 so that the display areas left blank by the 4:3 display format on the first display means 11 is covered by the second displaying means 12 according to the example as described in the preceding paragraph. As an advantage, the viewer 8 does not have to experience two black bars on both ends L, R of the display device 10 when viewing a TV programme with 4:3 display format on a 16:9 format display device 10. The viewer 8 can also avoid the experience of having to expand the first visually recognisable information VRIl to cover the lull displaying area of the first displaying means 11 to hide the two black bars, at the left-hand-side area L and/or right-hand-side area R of the display device 10, and experiencing loss of part of the displayed first visually recognisable information VRIl or experiencing distorted display when viewing TV programme TVP with 4:3 display format.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention wherein a display device 20, different from the display device 10 shown in Fig. 1, is used. The display device 20 comprises first displaying means 11 and second displaying means 12 and in contrast to the first embodiment a layer 21 is incorporated, which layer 21 realizes a special so-called "two- way" mirror.

The mirror comprises a reflective polariser metrial known in prior art disclosed in WO 2004/100534 Al which is herewith incorporated by reference. The said mirror is arranged to reflect light incident on its viewing side that can be seen by the viewer 8 (i.e., from the viewing direction VD) and transmit light incident on its non- viewing side in the displaying direction DD. In other words, the mirror can be arranged to perform a reflective function and transmissive function, respectively.

It has to be mentioned that the layer 21 between the first displaying means and the second displaying means can be realized by a polymeric foil which performs the reflective function and/or transmissive function.

According to Fig. 2, the mirror 21 is placed between the first displaying means 11 and the second displaying means 12. The first displaying means 11 are arranged to be on the non- viewing side of the mirror 21 and the second displaying means 12 are arranged to be on the viewing side of the mirror 21. Depending on the operating mode of the TV 100 desired by the viewer 8, or controlled by the control means 3, the mirror 21 can be arranged to perform the reflective function or the transmissive function.

In contrast to the first embodiment according to Fig. 1, the control means 3 shown in Fig. 2 have to be designed to perform additional functions of cooperating with the first displaying means 11 and the second displaying means 12 in order to determine the reflective function and/or the transmissive function of the mirror 21, and these operating/functional modes will be described further hereinafter. In Fig. 2 all components being identical to the ones in Fig. 1 are allocated the same numerals and will not be described further in detail.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the TV 100 shown in Fig. 2 can be designed to realise additional operating modes, namely

(i) operating in a TV receiver mode (fourth operating mode),

(ii) operating as an aesthetically pleasing decorative means/device (fifth operating mode), and

(iii) operating as a mirror (sixth operating mode). The TV 100 has a seventh mode which is not determined by the control means 3.

The four modes of the second embodiment will be described hereinafter.

In the fourth operating mode, the control means 3 of the TV 100 are designed to control such that at least a part of the displaying area of the second displaying means 12 become transmissive. The first displaying means 11 are also activated and display the first visually recognisable information VRIl (e.g. an off-air TV programme) in the displaying direction DD and thus to the second displaying means 12 so that the first visually recognisable information VRIl will be optically transmitted through the mirror 21 and the second displaying means 12 for viewing by the viewer 8. In this operating mode, the mirror 21 is performing the transmissive function by optically letting through the first visually recognisable information VRIl for viewing by the viewer 8. In such an operating mode, the viewer 8 utilises the TV 100 as a TV receiver.

In the fifth operating mode, the TV 100 is arranged such that the first displaying means 11 is not active. That means the first visually recognisable information VRIl is not present, as in the case when the TV 100 is set to "OFF" state or "STANDBY" state by the viewer 8. The control means 3 of the TV 100 are arranged to control the second displaying means 12 such that said second displaying means 12 are displaying the second visually recognisable information VRI2, such as symbols, text, or graphics (as already described in the first embodiment) in a grey scale mode, or in a mode providing at least two colors. In this operating mode, the second displaying means 12 are non transmissive and mirror 21 will become hidden by the second visually recognisable information VRI2. It is advantageous that this operating mode offers the viewer the possibility of turning the TV 100 to function as an aesthetically pleasing decorative means.

In a variation of this fifth operating mode, the second displaying means 12 are designed to display second visually recognisable information VRI2 such that the displaying area occupied by said information in the form of, say, symbols is transmissive and the remaining displaying area which is not occupied by the symbols of the said information is non-transmissive. It has to be mentioned that the complementary of this variation can also be designed where the non symbol displaying area is transmissive and the displaying area with symbols is non transmissive. In such variations, the mirror 21 will perform a reflective function on displaying areas that are arranged to be transmissive on the second displaying means 12, dependent on the contents of the second visually recognisable information VRI2. This provides a variation to the effect of aesthetically pleasing decorative means that is described in the preceding paragraphs. In the sixth operating mode, the TV 100 is designed such that the first displaying means 11 is also not active (like in the second operating mode as described in the preceding paragraphs). The control means 3 of the TV 100 is designed to control the second displaying means 12 such that a first pre-determined displaying area MA of the second displaying means 12 becomes transmissive. This first pre-determined displaying area MA can be surrounded by text or graphic borders which is realized by a second pre-determined displaying area TGA that displays the non-transmissive area of the second displaying means 12. This may be activated by the viewer 8 by means of a remote control. In this operating mode, the light incident on the viewing side of the mirror 21, or from the viewing direction VD of the viewer 8 will be reflected by said mirror 21. For this operating mode, the mirror 21 is performing a reflective function and the viewer 8 can utilise the TV 100 to function as a mirror as shown in Fig. 6.

In the seventh mode, the TV 100 is in a non operating mode, or power-off mode, and the description is the same as for the third mode of the first embodiment and will not be further described here. In contrast to the first embodiment, if the second displaying means 12 is transmissive when TV 100 is in power-off state, then said TV 100 will be utilised to function as a mirror.

As an advantage, the second embodiment of the invention provides the viewer 8 the option of setting the TV 100 to function as a TV receiver, an aesthetically pleasing decorative means, or a mirror.

In a variation to the second mode of the first embodiment, and the fifth mode of the second embodiment, the first displaying means 11 can be arranged to be active to provide the first visually recognisable information VRIl having at least one plain fixed color display. This can be achieved by the activation of the control means 3 at the choice of the viewer 8 so that said first visually recognisable information VRIl is arranged to cooperate with the second visually recognisable information VRI2 (e.g. symbols) on the second displaying means 12 to display said second recognisable information VRI2 having a desired coloring. For example, when the viewer 8 wishes to display symbols (e.g. Chinese calligraphy) in golden color the viewer 8 selects this color with the aid of a remote control. This will cause the first displaying means 11 to become active and display the selected fixed color. The advantage of this variation is that the viewer 8 has an additional option to determine the color of the symbols, texts, or graphics to be displayed when the TV 100 is transformed into an aesthetically pleasing decorative means or device (e.g. for use on special occasion or during feastive seasons). In a business environment, the TV 100 comprising said variation can be utilised for displaying of signage, e.g. for communicating the company's trade name, product brandnames, etc., to potential customers) after business hours, and functioning as TV receiver during working hours.

It can be mentioned that the data representing the second visually recognisable information VRI2 (e.g. symbols) can be updated into the TV 100 by means of an interface for data communication, which can be a serial, parallel, or wireless interface, or a card reader.

The entire disclosure in the present invention describes the application of the display device 10, 20 in a TV receiver (TV 100). It has to be mentioned that the display device 10, 20 can also be applied in a computer monitor, or billboard display.

Although in the embodiments described above the second displaying means 12 covers the whole displaying area of the first displaying means 11 , it has to be mentioned that a dedicated or defined part of the displaying area of the first displaying means 11 can be covered by the second displaying means 12. The dedicated or defined part of said displaying area can be the left/right bars as in Fig. 4, or the outer frame as in Fig. 6.

In the following the operation of the TV 100 is described. The TV 100 operates in three power conditions. These power conditions include:

(i) first power condition where the TV 100 is in a fully powered condition and operating as a TV receiver for viewing TV programmes;

(ii) second power condition where TV 100 is in a standby condition - that is, the mains supply is still connected to the arrangement and at least part of the TV

100 is powered in order to allow a change from this power condition to the first power condition; and (iii) third power condition where TV 100 is switched off- that is, with the mains supply isolated from the arrangement. The TV 100 is arranged to perform a method of displaying information that starts with the block 200 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7. The method comprises the step of using first displaying means 11 which are designed for displaying a first visually recognisable information VRIl within a displaying area of said first displaying means 11 and in a displaying direction DD assigned to said first displaying means 11, which is indicated by block 210.

The method further comprises the step of displaying on the second displaying means 12 a second visually recognisable information VRI2 in front of the displaying area of said first displaying means 11. The second displaying means 12 are arranged or positioned such that they at least partly cover the displaying area of the first displaying means 11. The second displaying means 12 are further designed for converting a data signal D5 into the second visually recognisable information VRI2. This step is represented by block 220.

The representations/scenarios of the blocks 210 and 220 in relation with the different power conditions of the TV 100 are described further hereinafter. In all situations, the method ends in block 230 that represents one of the operating modes mentioned in the preceding descriptions.

In the first power condition, the block 210 represents a state or step where the first displaying means 11 are active, and the block 220 represents a state or step where the second displaying means 12 are active and transmissive in at least a part of the displaying area of said second displaying means 12. In this situation, block 230 represents either the first operating mode according to the description of the first embodiment, or the fourth operating mode according to the description of the second embodiment.

In a variation to the first power condition, the block 210 represents a state or step where the first displaying means 11 are active and provides the first visually recognisable information VRIl in the form of at least one plain fixed color display. The block 220 represents a state or step where the second displaying means 12 are also active and transmissive in at least a part of the displaying area of said second displaying means 12. In this situation, block 230 represents either the second operating mode according to the description of the first embodiment, or the fifth operating mode according to the description of the second embodiment, wherein the TV 100 performs as an aesthetically pleasing decorative means providing the possibility for the viewer 8 to select the color of the displayed first recognisable information VRIl according to his choice.

In the second power condition, the block 210 represents a state or step where the first displaying means 11 are not active and the block 220 represents a state or step where the second displaying means 12 are active and selectively transmissive in at least a part of its displaying area. In this situation, block 230 represents the second operating mode according to the description of the first embodiment in which the TV 100 performs as an aesthetically pleasing decorative means. In this situation, block 230 also represents the sixth operating mode in the second embodiment in which the TV 100 performs as an aesthetically pleasing decorative mirror.

In the third power condition, the block 210 represents a state or step where the first displaying means 11 are not active and the block 220 represents a state or step where the second displaying means 12 are also not active. In this situation, block 230 also represents the third mode of the first embodiment, or the seventh mode of the second embodiment, in which modes the TV 100 is in a totally power-off state.

Elements of various embodiments can be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

Expressions such as "comprise", "include", "incorporate", "contain", "is" and "have" are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner when interpreting the description and its associated claims, namely construed to allow for other items or components which are not explicitly defined also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed as a reference to the plural and vice versa.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. The invention may just as well be embodied using more elements than described here, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims. It is to mention that converting of data or data signals does not necessarily needs to be performed by means of the first displaying means 11 or the second displaying means 12 or in said displaying means 11, 12 but can be performed by means of stages, which stages are located external with respect to said displaying means 11, 12 and coupled with said displaying means 11, 12.

It can be explicitly mentioned that the first displaying means 11 perform the function of main displaying means and that the first visually recognisable information VRIl is a main information displayed by the main displaying means. Furthermore, the second displaying means 12 perform the function of auxiliary displaying means and that the second visually recognisable information VRI2 is an auxiliary information displayed by the auxiliary displaying means.

Claims

1. A device ( 10; 20) for displaying information (VRI 1 , VRI2), said device (10, 20) comprising first displaying means (11) with a displaying area, which first displaying means (11) are designed for displaying first visually recognizable information (VRIl) within the displaying area and in a displaying direction (DD), and second displaying means (12) which second displaying means (12) are designed for converting data signals (D2) in second visually recognizable information (VRI2) and for displaying said second visually recognisable information (VRI2) and which second displaying means (12) seen in the display direction (DD) are arranged in front of the first displaying means (11) and are arranged and designed to at least partly cover the displaying area of the first displaying means (11).

2. A device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first displaying means (11) are realized by one means of a group of means, said group of means comprising a

Cathode Ray Tube and a Liquid Crystal Display panel and a Plasma Display panel and an Organic Light Emitting Diode panel and a Project Television screen.

3. A device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second displaying means (12) are realized as a bistable display.

4. A device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second displaying means (12) are designed to be operated in a transmissive operating mode and/or a non- transmissive operating mode.

5. A device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 4, wherein a layer (21) is located between the first displaying means (11) and the second displaying means (12) and wherein said layer (21) is designed for reflecting visually recognisable light having passed the second displaying means (12) operated in the transmissive operating mode in a direction directed towards the first displaying means (11) and said layer (21) is designed for transmitting visually recognisable light from the first displaying means (11) to the second displaying means (12).

6. A device (10, 20) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second displaying means (12) are designed for displaying at least a symbol.

7. An arrangement (100) comprising a device (10; 20) for displaying information (VRIl, VRI2) according to one of the claims 1 to 6.

8. An arrangement (100) as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the arrangement (100) comprises control means (3), said control means (3) are designed for being operated according to at least one control mode for cooperating with the device (10; 20) and for controlling according to the at least one control mode the first displaying means (11) and/or the second displaying means (12).

9. An arrangement (100) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the control means (3) are designed to receive at least one indication signal (1-2, 1-3) indicating a display mode of the first displaying means (11) and depending on the at least one indication signal (1-2, 1-3) to activate a first dependent control mode enabling influencing of the second visually recognisable information (VRI2) to be displayed on the second displaying means (12).

10. An arrangement (100) as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the control means (3) are designed to receive a user control signal (1-1) indicating a user interaction and depending also on the user control signal (1-1) to activate a second dependent control mode enabling influencing of the first visually recognisable information (VRIl) to be displayed on the first displaying means (11) and/or the second visually recognisable information (VRI2) to be displayed on the second displaying means (12).

11. An arrangement (100) as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the control means (3) are realized by factory pre-programmed control means and are suitable to activate a factory pre-defined control mode enabling influencing of the first visually recognisable information (VRIl) to be displayed on the first displaying means (11) and/or the second visually recognisable information (VRI2) to be displayed on the second displaying means (12).

12. A method of displaying information (VRIl, VRI2) comprising the following steps, namely converting data signals (D2) in second visually recognisable information (VRI2) by means of second displaying means (12) and displaying second visually recognisable information (VRI2) by means of second displaying means (12) in front of a display area of first displaying means (11).

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein a first visually recognisable information (VRIl) is displayed by the first displaying means (11).

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein displaying of the first visually recognisable information (VRIl) is performed by one means of a group of means, said group of means comprising a Cathode Ray Tube and a Liquid Crystal Display panel and a Plasma Display panel and an Organic Light Emitting Diode panel and a Project Television screen.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein displaying of the second visually recognisable information (VRI2) is performed by means of a bistable display.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein displaing of visually recognisable information (VRIl, VRI2) is influenced by the displayed second visually recognisable information (VRI2) which is displayed by the second displaying means (12) that are designed to be operated in a transmissive operating mode and/or a non-transmissive operating mode.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 16, wherein displaying of visually recognisable information (VRIl, VRI2) is influenced by a layer (21) located between the first displaying means (11) and the second displaying means (12) which layer (21) reflects visually recognisable light having passed the second displaying means (12) operated in the transmissive operating mode in a direction directed towards the second displaying means (12) and which layer (21) transmits visually recognisable light from the first displaying means (11) to the second displaying means (12).

18. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein displaying of visually recognisable information (VRIl, VRI2) is influenced by means of the second displaying means (12) displaying at least a symbol.