Patent Publication Number: US-2005141185-A1

Title: Display enhancement device for wireless communication products

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/480,915, filed on Jun. 24, 2003, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates in general to portable electronic devices, and specifically to a device for magnifying the display of a portable electronic device.  
      As portable electronic devices become capable of performing increasingly complex tasks, the quantity and quality of information that must be presented to users continues to rise. For example, while many prior cellular telephones were primarily required to display telephone numbers, battery status and antennae signal strength to users, modern cellular telephones can be used to send and receive email and digital messaging, take and display photographs, provide datebook functionality, and play video games, amongst other features.  
      Customers also demand increasingly compact form factors to facilitate continuous carrying of cellular telephones and other devices on one&#39;s person. As a result, many portable electronic devices are provided with small displays. The presentation of significant quantities of information on a small display may give users difficulty viewing the display and/or discomfort during use in some circumstances. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a device for enhancing the display of a portable electronic device. It may also be desirable to provide such a device having a relatively lightweight and compact form factor for ease of portability.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An apparatus for enhancing the display of a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone is provided. A magnifying lens, such as a Fresnel-type lens, is supported above the display of an electronic device. The lens can be supported by a positioning arm attached to the electronic device by a mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism may include a mounting base attached to the electronic device, an elongated cavity within the mounting base and open to the exterior surface of the mounting base on at least one end, and an elongated mounting arm which can be partially inserted into the cavity. The mounting arm may be rigid, while the positioning arm may be pliable to allow for adjustment of the magnifying lens position. The mounting arm may further include a slot into which the positioning arm can be inserted.  
      The mounting base cavity can be configured to extend completely through the mounting base, such that the cavity is open to the exterior surface of the mounting base on two ends. In such a configuration, the mounting arm can be inserted into either open end of the cavity to allow for different orientations of the positioning arm. Where the mounting base is attached to the back side of an electronic device, the positioning arm can be positioned to extend around the side of the device, or over the top of the device, to support the lens above the device display.  
      Various means of connecting the lens, positioning arm and mounting base can be employed. The positioning arm can optionally be attached to the lens by a suction cup. A suction cup mounting mechanism can also be used to attach the positioning arm to the electronic device.  
      Rotatable interconnects between the lens, positioning arm and/or mounting base can also be used. The positioning arm may include a rotatable tab adapted for insertion into a slot in the mounting arm. The positioning arm may also include a rotatable interconnect for attachment to the magnifying lens, thereby permitting ready adjustment of the lens orientation. A separable attachment between the magnifying lens and mounting arm can also be employed, whereby the magnifying lens can be interchanged, and the lens can be removed from the positioning arm such as for compact storage. A rotatable and separable attachment can be used, in which the attachment includes a snap connector, and a mounting tab into which the snap connector can be inserted. One of the snap connector and mounting tab can be attached to the magnifying lens, while the other is attached to the positioning arm.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a base plate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the base plate.  
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a rigid mounting arm.  
       FIG. 4  is a broken away side elevation of the rigid mounting arm.  
       FIG. 5  is a plan view of the base plate mounted on the backside of a flip-style cellular telephone.  
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the rigid mounting arm.  
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation of the base plate mounted on the backside of a flip-style cellular telephone.  
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a front elevation view of the display enhancement device mounted on the backside of a cellular telephone.  
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a candy bar style cellular telephone without a display enhancement device attached thereto.  
       FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the cellular telephone of  FIG. 9  having a display enhancement device mounted thereon.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a suction cup mounting device.  
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of a display magnifier.  
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a flip-style cellular telephone in a closed orientation having a suction cup mounting device affixed thereto.  
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a flip-style cellular telephone in an open orientation having a display enhancement device mounted thereto.  
       FIG. 15  is a side elevation of a flip-style cellular telephone in an open orientation having a display enhancement device mounted thereto.  
       FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of a candy bar style cellular telephone having a suction cup mounting device attached thereto.  
       FIG. 17  is a top plan view of a candy bar style cellular telephone having a display enhancement device mounted thereon.  
       FIG. 18  is a side elevation of a candy bar style cellular telephone having a display enhancement device mounted thereon.  
       FIG. 19  is a top plan view of a candy bar style cellular telephone having a display enhancement device mounted thereon.  
       FIG. 20  is a diagram of a further embodiment of the invention having swivel joints.  
       FIG. 21  is a front elevation view of a display enhancement device having swivel joints mounted on the backside of a cellular telephone.  
       FIG. 22  is a side elevation of a flip-style cellular telephone in an open orientation having a display enhancement device with swivel joints mounted thereto.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principle of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
      In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a display enhancement device is provided which serves to magnify the image of a display on a portable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone. The device can be used to provide the user with flexible control over the level of display magnification. The device can also be adapted to facilitate use on a wide variety of cellular telephones and/or portable electronic devices, such that a single device can be used by several users with different products. Also, a user can continue to use the device use even when upgrading or changing the cellular telephone with which the device is used.  
      In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the display enhancement device is comprised of a base unit, a rigid mounting arm, a pliable positioning arm and a display enhancement surface.  FIG. 2  is a top plan view of base plate  100  in accordance with such an embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of base plate  100 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , base plate  100  is approximately frusto-pyramidal in shape, measuring approximately 1″×¾″×⅛″. Base plate  100  further includes cavity  110 . Cavity  110  passes through base plate  100 . Cavity  110  as illustrated is also approximately frusto-pyramidal in shape. Base plate  100  can be mounted to a surface of a cellular telephone or other portable electronic device with which the display enhancement device is intended for use. For example, base plate  100  can be mounted to the back surface of a cellular telephone. Such mounting can be facilitated through the provision of an adhesive substance, such as a glue or a self-stick double-backed tape, on the bottom surface of base plate  100 . Base plate  100  is preferably comprised of a plastic material that resists shattering, is structurally rigid, and withstands exposure to hot and cold temperatures.  
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of rigid mounting arm  200 , which is adapted to be inserted into cavity  110 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , rigid mounting arm  200  is approximately frusto-pyramidal in shape and is approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch in width. The dimensions of rigid mounting arm  200  correspond roughly to the dimensions of cavity  110 , such that rigid mounting arm  200  can be readily inserted and removed from cavity  110 , which friction between arm  200  and the walls of cavity  110  cause mounting arm  200  to maintain its position within cavity  110  during use, once inserted therein. Furthermore, the shapes of cavity  110  and mounting arm  200  prevent arm  200  from twisting within cavity  110  once mounted therein. However, it is understood that other shapes for cavity  110  and mounting arm  200  can readily be employed.  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , Rigid mounting arm  200  further includes slot  210 . Slot  210  is adapted to receive a pliable positioning arm, towards forming an operable connection between rigid mounting arm  200  and the pliable positioning arm. Slot  210  is approximately rectangular in shape, and passes through rigid mounting arm  200  from its top surface to its bottom surface.  FIG. 4  is a broken away side elevation of rigid mounting arm  200 , further revealing slot  210 .  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of base plate  100  mounted on the backside of flip-style cellular telephone  300 .  FIG. 7  is a side elevation of base plate  100  mounted on the backside of flip-style cellular telephone  300 . Base plate  100  is mounted in  FIGS. 5 and 7  such that cavity  110  is oriented to run across the width of cellular telephone  300 . The illustrated orientation facilitates use of the display enhancement device having mounting arms wrapping around either side of cellular telephone  300 , thereby accommodating both left-handed and right-handed users. However, base plate  100  could readily be mounted with a differing orientation. For example, base plate  100  could be mounted such that cavity  110  runs parallel to the length of cellular telephone  300 . Such a lengthwise orientation of cavity  110  would facilitate use of the device with support arms being wrapped around the top or bottom edge of cellular telephone  300 .  FIG. 6  is a top plan view of rigid mounting arm  200 .  
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a display enhancement device mounted on the backside of a cellular telephone  310 . Mounting plate  100  is adhered to the back surface of telephone  310 , with cavity  110  (not shown) being oriented across the width of cellular telephone  310 . The end of rigid mounting arm  200  opposite slot  210  (not shown) is inserted partially into cavity  110 , with the remaining portion of mounting arm  200  extending outward from the side of telephone  310 .  
      Magnifying lens  500  is positioned above the display screen (not shown) of cellular telephone  310 . In the embodiment illustrated, magnifying lens  500  is a Frenzel-type magnifying lens. Thus, the distance between lens  500  and cellular telephone  310  determines the amount by which the appearance of cellular telephone  310  is magnified. For example, lens  500  may be initially positioned 3 inches above the surface of cellular telephone  310 . Lens  500  can then be positioned further away from cellular telephone  310  to provide greater magnification, or closer to cellular telephone  310  to provide a lesser level of magnification. The surface of lens  500  can be entirely transparent, or the surface can be partially printed with text and/or graphics, such as product designation, promotional and/or advertising material. While in the illustrated embodiment, lens  500  is a Frenzel-type magnifier, it is further envisioned that other types of lenses could be employed to enhance the viewing of a cellular telephone display or the like.  
      Magnifying lens  500  is attached to positioning arm  400 , which is in turn attached to rigid mounting arm  200 . Positioning arm  400  is attached to rigid mounting arm  200  via insertion into slot  210 . Positioning arm  400  can be friction-fit into slot  210 , or can be attached through other means such as adhesive. Positioning arm  400  is preferably comprised of a pliable non-elastic material, such as foam-coated or plastic-coated copper wire between 14 and 18 gauge in size, such that a user can orient lens  500  in a desired position above the display screen of cellular telephone  310 .  
       FIG. 9  is a top plan view of cellular telephone  320  having display screen  321 , without a display enhancement device.  FIG. 10  is a top plan view of cellular telephone  320  having a display enhancement device mounted thereon. Positioning arm  400  wraps around the side of cellular telephone  320 , and retains magnifying lens  500  positioned above display screen  321 . Thus, the image of display screen  321  can be viewed at an enlarged size on magnifying lens  500 .  
      In another embodiment of the invention, a display enhancement device is provided which can be attached to a cellular telephone or the like through means other than a base plate.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a suction cup mounting device  250 . Suction cup  250  is provided with protuberance  255 , to which positioning arm  450  is attached. Suction cup mounting bases may be desirable in certain applications, for which a rigid mounting base cannot be easily adhesively attached. For example, a suction cup mounting base can readily be attached to curvilinear surfaces of many cellular telephones, such as the flip-cover portion of many flip-style cellular telephones. Suction cup mounting bases can preferably be between 21 and 26 millimeters in diameter. Suction cup mounting bases may be comprised of transparent material, or can be colored.  
       FIG. 12  is a top plan view of magnifier lens  510 , having a suction cup mounting base (not shown) attached to the back surface of lens  510 . Suction cup mounting bases attached to a lens are preferably transparent. Positioning arm  455  is attached to the suction cup mounting base positioned on the backside of lens  510 .  
       FIG. 13  is a top plan view of flip-style cellular telephone  320  in a closed orientation, having suction cup mounting device  250  affixed to the flip-portion thereof.  
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of flip-style cellular telephone  320  in an open orientation having a display enhancement device mounted thereto.  FIG. 15  is a side elevation of the cellular telephone and display enhancement device of  FIG. 14 . Suction cup  250  is attached to the flip-portion of cellular telephone  320 . Positioning arm  450  is attached to suction cup  250 , as well as suction cup  260 . Suction cup  260  is attached to magnifier lens  510 . Lens  510  is positioned above cellular telephone display screen  321 .  
      The display enhancement device having suction cup mounting bases can also be employed in connection with other styles of cellular telephone.  FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of candy bar style cellular telephone  330  having suction cup mounting device  250  attached thereto.  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate the use of a display enhancement device with suction cup mounting bases attached to cellular telephone  330 . In the top plan view of  FIG. 17 , positioning arm  450  is attached to the backside of cellular telephone  330  via suction cup  250  (not shown), and is oriented to wrap around the side of cellular telephone  330  to connect to suction cup  260  and lens  510 , positioned above the cellular telephone display.  FIG. 18  illustrates a side elevation of the arrangement of  FIG. 17 .  
      Due to the pliable and non-elastic characteristics of positioning arm  450 , as well as the rotatable coupling between positioning arm  450  and suction cup bases  250  and  260 , the position and orientation of the magnifying lens can be adjustably controlled by a user.  FIG. 19  illustrates an alternative orientation for positioning arm  450 . In  FIG. 19 , positioning arm  450  is wrapped over the top of cellular telephone  330 .  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, swivel joints can be used to facilitate adjustment of the orientation of a mounting arm and/or lens.  FIG. 20  illustrates one embodiment of such a swivel joint interconnect. Positioning arm  451  is attached to suction cup mounting bases  251  and  261  via attachment mechanisms providing rotational adjustment between the positioning arm and each mounting base. Fixed connection swivel joint  550  provides a rotatable connection with mounting base  251 , which mounting base can be detachably connected to the housing of a cellular telephone. Swivel joint  560  and snap connector  565  provide an alternative swivel joint mechanism providing detachable interconnection between positioning arm  451  and mounting base  261 . Specifically, swivel joint  560  includes attachment tab  561  which is rotatable relative to positioning arm  451 . Attachment tab  561  can be inserted into a void within snap connector  565  and removably secured thereto via a snap-fit connection. Snap connector  565  is attached to mounting base  261 , which can be removably attached to magnifying lens  500 . The swivel attachments of  FIG. 20  provide increased flexibility with regard to positioning of magnifying lens  500  relative to the body of a cellular telephone. Thus, the magnifying lens can be readily adjusted to the angle of the cellular telephone display. While certain swivel designs are illustrated in the drawings, it is envisioned that alternative swivel joint designs could also be employed in connection with a display enhancement device according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 21  is a diagram of a front elevation view of a display enhancement device having swivel joints, mounted on the backside of a cellular telephone using base plate  100 . Base plate  100  is affixed to the rear surface of cellular telephone  310 . Rigid mounting arm  200  is attached to base plate  100  and extends outward from the edge of cellular telephone  310 . Swivel joint  551  includes mounting tab  552 , which is adapted for removable insertion into slot  210  of arm  200 . Positioning arm  451  is connected to swivel joint  551 , as well as swivel joint  560 . Swivel joint  560  can be removably attached to snap connector  565 , which is attached to magnifying lens  500 . Thus, the arrangement of  FIG. 21  provides for flexible adjustment of magnifying lens  500  relative to the display of cellular telephone  310 , such that viewing of the cellular telephone display is enhanced.  
       FIG. 22  is a side elevation of a flip-style cellular telephone in an open orientation having a display enhancement device with swivel joints mounted thereto. Suction cup mounting base  251  is removably mounted on the rear surface of a flip portion of flip-style cellular telephone  320 . Mounting base  251  is attached to swivel joint  550 . Swivel joint  550  is attached to one end of positioning arm  451 . The other end of positioning arm  451  is attached to swivel joint  560  and, ultimately, suction cup mounting base  261 . Magnifying lens  500  can be removably attached to suction cup mounting base  261 , and positioned over the display of cellular telephone  320 .  
      The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, inasmuch as those skilled in the art, having the present disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention