Method and apparatus for providing projected user interface for computing device

• US 7,173,605 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GlobalFoundries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boivie, Richard H., Fong, Jun Tung
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad; Amr A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERMAN, STEPHEN G
• Application Number:
  US10/622,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20050012721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345168-172, 345/1.1, 345/1.2, 345 4- 6, 341/22, 715/773, 353/39, 359/196, 359/460, 359/443, 359/449, 359/451, 359/453, 359/456, 359/459, 359/454, 352/61, 352/63, 352/114
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT

Abstract

Apparatus and techniques for providing a user interface for a computing device such as a pervasive computing device. The computing device projects a user input display from a projector onto a surface. A user output display is projected from the projector of the computing device onto a surface. The user input display and the user output display may be projected from the same projector. The user input display and user output display may be projected on different surfaces. A single projected image may be split and directed with a mirror system.

Claims

1. A method of providing a user interface for a computing device, comprising the steps of:

projecting a user input display and a user output display as a single image from a single projector;

reflecting a portion of the single image with a mirror system in the computing device, which causes the splitting of the originally projected single image into the user input display and the user output display;

projecting the user input display onto a first surface; and

projecting the user output display onto a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed in different planes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a pervasive computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of reflecting a portion of the originally projected single image, a reflected portion of the image is the user output display and an unreflected portion of the image is the user input display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reflecting a portion of the originally projected single image further comprises:

splitting the user output display from the user input display with a first mirror of the mirror system;

receiving a reflection of the user output display from the first mirror at a second mirror of the mirror system; and

projecting the user output display from the second mirror to the second surface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of projecting the user output display comprises projecting a large image from the mirror system when a short distance exists between the computing device and the second surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the projector is a micro projector.

7. The method of in claim 1, wherein the first surface is in a plane disposed in front of the computing device, the second surface is in a plane disposed behind the computing device, and the second surface is orthogonal to the first surface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input display comprises an image of a keyboard.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a horizontal surface and the second surface is a vertical surface.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing audio feedback from the computing device in response to intercepting sensors of a virtual keystroke detection system, over a virtual key in the user input display.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing visual feedback on the user output display in response to intercepting sensors of a virtual keystroke detection system, over a virtual key of the user input display.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing visual feedback on the user input display in response to intercepting sensors of a virtual keystroke detection system, over a virtual key of the user input display.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input display comprises an image of a scratch pad.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the user input display comprises an image of a pointing device.

15. A computing device, comprising:

a projector that projects an image; and

a mirror system disposed in accordance with the projector, wherein the mirror system reflects a portion of the image from the projector, which causes the splitting of the projected image into a user input display and a user output display, projecting a nonreflected portion of the image to a first surface and a reflected portion of the image to a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are disposed in different planes, and wherein the projected reflected portion of the image and the projected nonreflected portion of the image provide a virtual user interface for the computing device.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the computing device is a pervasive computing device.

17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the mirror system comprises:

a first mirror that intercepts a portion of the image from the projector; and

a second mirror that receives the reflected portion of the image from the first mirror and projects the reflected portion of the image to the second surface.

18. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the projector is a micro projector.

19. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the nonreflected portion of the image is projected in front of the computing device between the computing device and the user.

20. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the reflected portion of the image is projected behind the computing device.

21. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the first surface is perpendicular to the second surface.

22. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the nonreflected portion of the projected image comprises a virtual keyboard image.

23. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the reflected portion of the projected image comprises a user output display.

24. The computing device, of claim 15, further comprising a key feedback mechanism.