TRANSPARENT ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20180047320A1
• Filed: 10/24/2017
• Published: 02/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pance, Aleksandar
• Granted Patent: US 10,657,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/20 for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters

Abstract

A method and system for displaying images on a transparent display of an electronic device. The display may include one or more display screens as well as a flexible circuit for connecting the display screens with internal circuitry of the electronic device. Furthermore, the display screens may allow for overlaying of images over real world viewable objects, as well as a visible window to be present on an otherwise opaque display screen. Additionally, the display may include active and passive display screens that may be utilized based on images to be displayed.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

an adjustable opacity layer;

a processor configured to adjust the adjustable opacity layer to have a transparent portion and an opaque portion; and

a display configured to display content that overlaps the opaque portion of the adjustable opacity layer.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1, wherein external objects behind the electronic device are viewable through the transparent portion of the adjustable opacity layer.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 2, wherein the display is a transparent display that overlaps the adjustable opacity layer.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor that generates sensor data, wherein the processor is configured to position the opaque portion of the adjustable opacity layer based on the sensor data.

5. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a motion sensor that generates motion sensor data, wherein the processor is configured to position the opaque portion of the adjustable opacity layer based on the motion sensor data.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a touch sensor configured to receive touch input, wherein the processor is configured to position the opaque portion of the adjustable opacity layer based on the touch input.

7. The electronic device defined in claim 1, wherein the display comprises an organic light emitting diode display.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

an adjustable opacity layer;

a transparent display that overlaps the adjustable opacity layer; and

a processor configured to adjust the adjustable opacity layer to have first and second regions having different opacities and display content on the transparent display that overlaps the first region of the adjustable opacity layer.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 8, wherein the first region of the adjustable opacity layer is transparent and the second region of the adjustable opacity layer is opaque.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 9, wherein external objects behind the electronic device are viewable through the first region of the adjustable opacity layer.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 8, wherein the first region of the adjustable opacity layer is opaque and the second region of the adjustable opacity layer is transparent.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 11, wherein external objects behind the electronic device are viewable through the second region of the adjustable opacity layer.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 8, wherein the transparent display is an organic light emitting diode display.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 8, wherein the transparent display is a liquid crystal display.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a sensor that generates sensor data, wherein the processor is configured to adjust a position of the first region of the adjustable opacity layer based on the sensor data.

16. The electronic device defined in claim 8, further comprising:

a motion sensor that generates motion sensor data, wherein the processor is configured to adjust a position of the first region of the adjustable opacity layer based on the motion sensor data.

17. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a first display in the housing, wherein the first display is transparent;

a second display in the housing, wherein the first and second displays are overlapping; and

a processor that generates a movable transparent window on the second display that is surrounded by an opaque portion of the second display.

18. The electronic device defined in claim 17, further comprising:

a sensor that generates sensor data, wherein the processor is configured to position the movable transparent window on the second display based on the sensor data.

19. The electronic device defined in claim 18, wherein external objects behind the electronic device are viewable through the movable transparent window.

20. The electronic device defined in claim 19, wherein the first display is configured to display content that overlaps the opaque portion of the second display.