Electronic device with auto-positioning virtual image display and associated method

• US 6,334,063 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1998
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walczak, Thomas J., Davis, Scott B., Charlier, Michael L., Schellinger, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US09/213,566
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/568, 455/569, 455/575, 455/90, 455/556, 379/88.13, 379/433, 379/429, 379/434, 345/7-9
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

A gravity switch and a microprocessor are disposed in an electronic device having a virtual image display. The gravity switch provides a determination of the electronic device'"'"'s orientation to the microprocessor. The microprocessor provides a display signal to the virtual image display based on the orientation of the electronic device. The microprocessor rotates the input from a display interface based on the orientation of the electronic device. The microprocessor includes a time hysteresis to prevent inadvertent changes to the image orientation due to momentary movements of the electronic device.

Claims

1. A radiotelephone, comprising:

a housing forming a chamber;

a virtual image module pivotally mounted on the housing and capable of storage inside the chamber when in a closed position, the virtual image module comprising,

a virtual image display mounted inside the virtual image module for viewing when the virtual image module is in the open position,

a focal adjustment connected to the virtual image display for adjusting the focus of the virtual image display;

a viewing angle adjustment connected to the virtual image module for adjusting the viewing angle of the virtual image display;

sensing means disposed inside the housing to provide a determination of the orientation of the portable electronic device;

a display interface positioned on the housing to provide a control signal; and

a microprocessor disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to receive the determination of the orientation of the portable electronic device from the sensing means, the microprocessor operatively connected to receive the control signal from the display interface, and the microprocessor operatively connected to provide a display signal to the virtual image display in response to the determination of the orientation of the portable electronic device and in response to the control signal, the microprocessor rotates the virtual image display based on the orientation of the electronic device and includes a time hysteresis to stabilize the virtual image display;

a button release catch connected to the virtual display module; and

a release button positioned on the housing for linking with the button release catch to hold the virtual image module in a closed position.

2. A radio telephone according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means is a gravity switch.

3. A radio telephone according to claim 1, wherein the focal adjustment comprises a rack workably connected to a pinion.

4. A radio telephone according to claim 1, wherein the viewing angle adjustment comprises:

a worm screw connected to the virtual image module;

a stop movably mounted on the worm screw; and

a thumb wheel movably mounted adjacent to the stop on the worm screw.

5. A portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising:

biasing means disposed between the housing and the virtual image module for holding the virtual image module in an open position.

6. A radio telephone according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means is a spring.