Portable phone having electro optic image projection system and orientation sensing device

• US 8,774,861 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lagoon Point Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lagoon Point Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Cathey, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US13/843,932
• Time in Patent Office: 480 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/550.1, 455/557, 455/556.2, 455/90.2, 455/90.1, 4555751-5759, 455/422.1, 455/500, 455/51, 455/7, 455/90.3, 455418-420, 379/433.01, 379/428.01, 345/2, 345/205, 353/28, 353/29, 353/122
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/00 Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor devices for changing pictures G03B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/005 Projectors using an electronic spatial light modulator but not peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets
• 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 1/0272 for a projector or beamer module assembly constructional features of projectors per se G03B21/00; constructional details of projectors using electronic spatial light modulators per se H04N9/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0279 Improving the user comfort or ergonomics
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor

Abstract

An apparatus may include a device and an image projection system configured to form an image on a surface viewable by a user. The image projection circuit may be configured to receive signals from the device, generate a pattern representative of data, process the pattern into a mirror image of the image, and project the mirror image from the device. The image projection system may include an electro optic system for generating the pattern, and an optics system for projecting the mirror image onto the surface. A method for projecting data may include providing the device with the image, and providing the image to the surface with the image projection system. The method may also include manipulating the device and/or a body part to locate and focus the image, sensing an orientation of the device, and orienting the image based, at least in part, on the sensing step.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a portable hand held electronic device configured to conduct a two-way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone, the portable hand held electronic device comprising;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, a sensing device, and an optics comprising system configured to project an image away from the portable handheld electronic device, the image being viewable with two eyes of a user, wherein the voltage providing power source comprises at least one of a fuel cell or a battery, and wherein the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period, the sensing device configured to detect at least three different orientations or at least three different changes in orientation, wherein the optics comprising system comprises;

a mechanism for driving a light source which provides light comprising at least one wavelength between 400 to 800 nanometers in electrical communication with the light source;

a first set of optics configured to collect and process light from the light source, wherein the first set of optics comprises at least one optical element which is light piping, light channeling, refractive, reflective, diffractive, or a combination thereof; and

a second set of optics configured to project an image, wherein the second set of optics comprises at least one optical element which is light piping, refractive, reflective, diffractive, or a combination thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the voltage providing power source comprises a fuel cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optics comprising system further comprises:

an LED light source including an LED chip, the LED chip comprising a front surface for providing light to the optics comprising system and a back surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back surface of the LED chip is coupled to, on, and in thermal communication with a solid surface, the solid surface having an area larger than an area of the back surface of the LED chip, wherein the optics comprising system further comprises a reflective display, and the optics comprising system is configured to provide light to the image by reflecting light from the LED chip with the reflective display.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the LED chip is configured to provide light from the front surface of the LED chip at a density of at least 18 lumens per square millimeter of a surface area of the front surface of the LED chip and further configured to provide light at an efficiency of greater than 24 lumens per watt, wherein the front surface of the LED chip is coated with a medium configured to couple light from the LED chip to an optical train.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image comprises text, wherein the text comprises a plurality of legible words.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises:

a polychromatic light source including an LED chip, wherein the optics comprising system is configured to couple light to an optical train of the optics comprising system from the LED chip, wherein the LED chip is in contact with an index matching medium.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein light from the light source includes a first portion and a second portion and wherein the optics comprising system and the first set of optics are configured to provide light of increased collimation to the second set of optics, wherein the light of increased collimation does not comprise the second portion of light.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the optics comprising system is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to increase brightness of the image and decrease brightness of the image, wherein the first set of optics is configured to manipulate a form factor of light from the light source.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises:

a board including an oscillator, a plurality of SMT resistors, and a plurality of ceramic capacitors, wherein the board is in electrical communication with the optics comprising system.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to download software.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to receive caller waiting ID signals.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises a board including a microcontroller, a plurality of SMT resistors, and a plurality of ceramic capacitors, wherein the board is in electrical communication with the optics comprising system.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify an image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable hand held electronic device further comprises at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a portable hand held electronic device configured to conduct a two-way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone, the portable hand held electronic device comprising;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, a sensing device, and an optics comprising system, the portable hand held electronic device configured to be in optical communication with a user body part not in physical contact with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the portable electronic hand held device is further configured to modify an image responsive, at least in part to a transition of the user body part from a first position to a second position and detection of an orientation or orientation change of the portable hand held electronic device by the sensing device, wherein the voltage providing power source comprises at least one of a fuel cell or a battery, and the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period, wherein the sensing device is configured to detect at least 3 different orientations or at least three different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device, and the optics comprising system comprises at least one optical element which is light channeling, refractive, reflective, diffractive, light piping, or a combination thereof.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the voltage providing power source comprises a fuel cell.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the voltage providing power source is rechargeable.

21. An apparatus, comprising:

an optics comprising system configured to project an image viewable with two eyes of a user, the optics comprising system further configured to project the image away from the apparatus onto a viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus when the apparatus is used with a portable hand held electronic device, the apparatus further configured for electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is configured to conduct a two way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone, the portable hand held electronic device comprising;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, and a sensing device, wherein the voltage providing power source is one of a fuel cell or battery, and the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period, and the sensing device is configured to detect at least 3 different orientations or at least 3 different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is configured to be in optical communication with a user body part not in physical contact with the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is further configured to enable the modification of an image responsive, at least in part, to each of a transition of the user body part from a first position to a second position and a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position, while in use with and in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the image is modified responsive, at least in part, to detection of an orientation or orientation change of the portable hand held electronic device by the sensing device.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify another image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

an LED light source including an LED chip, the LED chip comprising a front surface for providing light to the optics comprising system and a back surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back surface of the LED chip is coupled to, on, and in full communication with a solid surface, the solid surface having an area larger than an area of the back surface of the LED chip,

wherein the optics comprising system further comprises a reflective display, the optics comprising system configured to provide light to the image by reflecting light from the LED chip with the reflective display.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus is configured to electrically couple to, attach to, and mount on the portable hand held electronic device, the apparatus being separable from the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises a cellular phone having a handset shape, and wherein the cellular phone is configured to conduct a two way conversation when the cellular phone is held against an ear of the user and the apparatus is mounted on the cellular phone.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the LED chip is coupled to and in thermal communication with a heat sink.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the heat sink comprises copper, and the apparatus further comprises a flexible heat conductive matting.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus further comprises an LED light source including an LED chip, the LED chip comprising a front surface for providing light to the optics comprising system and a back surface opposite the front surface, wherein the back surface of the LED chip is coupled to, on, and in communication with a solid surface, the solid surface having an area larger than an area of the back surface of the LED chip, wherein the optics comprising system further comprises a reflective display, and the optics comprising system is configured to provide light to the image by reflecting light from the LED chip with the reflective display.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a cellular phone having a handset shape.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the image can be modified in response, at least in part, to detection of at least one of an orientation or an orientation change of the portable hand held electronic device by the sensing device.

32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the LED chip is configured to provide light from the front surface of the LED chip at a density of at least 18 lumens per square millimeter of a surface area of the front surface of the LED chip, and further configured to provide light at an efficiency of greater than 24 lumens per watt, and wherein the front surface of the LED chip is coated with a medium configured to couple light from the LED chip to an optical train.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is included in a system, the system further comprising the portable hand held electronic device.

34. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the image comprises text, wherein the text comprises a plurality of legible words.

35. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the optics comprising system further comprises:

a polychromatic light source including an LED chip, wherein the optics comprising system is configured to couple light to an optical train of the optics comprising system from the LED chip, wherein the LED chip is in contact with an index matching medium.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

37. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the optics comprising system comprises a first set of optics, a second set of optics, and a light source configured to provide light including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the optics comprising system and the first set of optics are configured to provide light of increased collimation to the second set of optics, wherein the light of increased collimation provided to the second set of optics does not comprise the second portion of light.

38. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the optics comprising system comprises a set of optics and a light source configured to provide light, wherein the apparatus is configured to increase brightness of the image and decrease brightness of the image, and wherein the set of optics is configured to manipulate a form factor of light provided by the light source.

39. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a board including an oscillator, a plurality of SMT resistors, and a plurality of ceramic capacitors, wherein the board is in electrical communication with the optics comprising system.

40. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to download software.

41. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to receive caller waiting ID signals.

42. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a board including a microcontroller, a plurality of SMT resistors, and a plurality of ceramic capacitors, wherein the board is in electrical communication with the optics comprising system.

43. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify an image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of a user.

44. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is further configured to download software.

45. A method, comprising:

electrically communicating, using an apparatus, with a portable hand held electronic device, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is configured to conduct a two way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone, and wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, and a sensing device, wherein the voltage providing power source is one of a fuel cell or battery, and the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period and the sensing device is configured to detect at least 3 different orientations or at least 3 different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device; and

projecting, using an optics comprising system of the apparatus, an image viewable with two eyes of a user, wherein the optics comprising system is configured to project the image away from the apparatus onto a viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus when the apparatus is used with the portable hand held electronic device.

46. A cellular phone:

wherein the cellular phone is a handheld cellular phone comprising a rechargeable power source, configured to be employed by a user;

the cellular phone configured to conduct a 2-way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and by employing a speaker and a microphone, the cellular phone configured to modify an image responsive, at least in part to a transition of a body part of the user which is not in direct physical contact with the cellular phone from a first position to a second position, the cellular phone further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part to detection of an orientation or change of orientation of the cellular phone by a sensing device on the cellular phone;

the sensing device capable of detecting one or more of at least 3 different orientations or at least 3 different changes in orientation of the cellular phone;

wherein the rechargeable power source comprises a fuel cell or a battery.

47. The cellular phone of claim 46, wherein the cellular phone is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position.

48. The cellular phone of claim 47, wherein the cellular phone is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

49. The cellular phone of claim 48, further comprising:

at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

50. The cellular phone of claim 47, further comprising:

at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

51. The cellular phone of claim 46, wherein the cellular phone is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

52. An apparatus comprising:

a portable hand held electronic device configured to be employed by a user, further configured to conduct a two way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and by employing a speaker and a microphone, the portable hand held electronic device comprising;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, a sensing device, and an optics comprising system, the portable hand held electronic device configured to be in optical communication with a body part of the user which is not in physical contact with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is configured to modify an image responsive, at least in part to a transition of the body part from a first position to a second position, the portable hand held electronic device further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part to detection of an orientation or change of orientation of the portable hand held electronic device by a sensing device on the portable hand held electronic device;

the sensing device capable of detecting one or more of at least three different orientations or at least three different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the voltage providing power source comprises at least one of a fuel cell or a battery, and the optics comprising system comprises at least one optical element which is light channeling, refractive, reflective, diffractive, light piping, or a combination thereof.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising:

at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

57. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to a voice of the user.

58. The apparatus of claim 52, further comprising:

at least one of a manual switch or a soft key, the apparatus further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to operation of the at least one of the manual switch or the soft key.

59. A method of projecting an image viewable with two eyes of a user, comprising:

placing an apparatus in electrical communication with a portable hand held electronic device, wherein the apparatus comprises;

an optics comprising system configured to project an image viewable with two eyes of a user, the optics comprising system further configured to project the image away from the apparatus onto a viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus when the apparatus is used with the portable hand held electronic device, the apparatus further configured for electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device; and

wherein the portable hand held electronic device is configured to conduct a two way voice conversation by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone and wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, and a sensing device, wherein the voltage providing power source is one of a fuel cell or battery, and the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period, and the sensing device is configured to detect at least 3 different orientations or at least 3 different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein placing an apparatus in electrical communication with a portable hand held electronic device comprises:

placing the apparatus in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the apparatus is configured to be in optical communication with a user body part not in physical contact with the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is further configured to enable the modification of an image responsive, at least in part, to each of a transition of the user body part from a first position to a second position and a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position, while in use with and in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device; and

projecting the image away from the apparatus onto the viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein placing the apparatus in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device comprises:

placing the apparatus in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the apparatus is configured to be in optical communication with a user body part not in physical contact with the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is further configured to enable the modification of an image responsive, at least in part, to each of a transition of the user body part from a first position to a second position and a transition of the user body part from the second position to a third position, while in use with and in electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device, wherein the apparatus is further configured to modify the image responsive, at least in part, to detection of an orientation or orientation change of the portable hand held electronic device by the sensing device; and

projecting the image away from the apparatus onto the viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify an image responsive at least in part to a voice of a user.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the portable hand held electronic device is further configured to modify an image responsive at least in part by operation of at least one of a manual switch or a soft key.

64. A method, comprising:

electrically coupling and attaching an apparatus to a portable hand held electronic device;

mounting the apparatus on the portable hand held electronic device; and

projecting an image viewable with two eyes of a user away from the apparatus onto a viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus,

wherein the apparatus comprises;

an optics comprising system configured to project an image viewable with two eyes of a user, the optics comprising system further configured to project the image away from the apparatus onto a viewing surface physically separate from the apparatus when the apparatus is used with the portable hand held electronic device, the apparatus further configured for electrical communication with the portable hand held electronic device;

wherein the apparatus is configured to electrically couple to, attach to, and mount on the portable hand held electronic device, the apparatus being separable from the portable hand held electronic device; and

wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises a cellular phone having a handset shape and is configured to conduct a two way voice conversation when held against an ear of the user and by sending and receiving airborne electrical signals and employing a speaker and a microphone and wherein the portable hand held electronic device comprises a cellular phone having a handset shape and includes;

a voltage providing power source, a direct view display, the speaker, the microphone, and a sensing device, wherein the voltage providing power source is one of a fuel cell or battery, and the voltage providing power source is configured to provide an amount of power for a time period, and the sensing device is configured to detect at least 3 different orientations or at least 3 different changes in orientation of the portable hand held electronic device.