Hand-held display device and a method of displaying screen images

• US 6,411,275 B1
• Filed: 12/23/1998
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Hedberg, Anders
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/220,264
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 345/8, 345/121, 345/123, 345/146, 345/156, 345/157, 345/352, 348/36, 348/39, 348/61, 348/115
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• 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: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

In a hand-held display device for use with an electronic device to display a complete or a determined part of a screen image, there are included control circuits, a display screen and control buttons connected to said control circuits. Further, a gyroscope is incorporated in said display device and connected to said control circuits, whereby said display device is responsive to movements in the space for displaying said screen image in different magnification, and/or in different parts. A fixed pointer is arranged on the display screen for controlling applications show on eh display screen.

Claims

1. A hand-held display device for use with an electronic device to display a complete or a determined part of a screen image, the device comprising control circuits, display screen control buttons connected to said control circuits, movement sensitive means in and connected to said control circuits, whereby said display device is responsive to movements in the space for displaying said screen image in different magnifications, and/or in different parts, and a fixed pointer physically arranged on a portion of the display screen, wherein an activation of at least one of the display screen control buttons initiates a task associated with a portion of the magnified and/or part of the screen image aligned with the fixed pointer.

2. A display device according to claim 1, wherein the task associated with the portion of the screen image aligned with the fixed pointer controls applications, selects data, activates windows, or scrolls information in said windows.

3. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising movement sensitive means comprising a micro gyroscope, strain gauge, piezo-electric, or equilibrium of force accelerometer.

4. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising connection means for connection with an electronic device or a network.

5. A display device according to claim 4, wherein said connection means is a light or radio transmitter/receiver, or a connection cable.

6. A display device according to claim 1, wherein it is incorporated in a mobile telephone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assitent), an organizer, data terminal, or a hand-held computer.

7. A display device according to claim 1, further comprising an activation control button provided for activation of said display device to be responsive for movements.

8. A display device according to claim 1, wherein said display screen is an LCD-display, a gas plasma display, an EL (electroluminescent) display, or a TFT (thin film transistor) display.

9. A method of displaying a complete or a determined part of a screen image provided by an electronic device connected to a hand-held display device, the hand-held display device including control circuits, display screen control buttons connected to said control circuits, movement sensitive means incorporated in said display device and connected to said control circuits, whereby said display device is responsive to movements in the space for displaying said screen image in different magnifications, and/or in different parts, and a fixed pointer physically arranged on a portion of the display screen, the method comprising the steps of:

activating said display device;

moving said display device substantially in the plane of said display device, whereby different parts of a complete screen image are shown on said display screen; and

/or

moving said display device substantially in a direction perpendicular to the plane of said display device, whereby the magnification of said screen image changes;

wherein an activation of at least one of the display screen control buttons initiates a task associated with a portion of the magnified and/or part of the screen image aligned with the fixed pointer.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the task associated with the portion of the screen image aligned with the fixed pointer controls applications, selects data, activates windows, or scrolls information in said windows.