Patent Publication Number: US-2010127954-A1

Title: Display Form Factor Devices and Methods Thereof

Description:
FIELD 
     Disclosed are display form factor devices and methods thereof, and more particularly devices that include a display screen capable of assuming a plurality of positions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A Heads Up Display (HUD) is an automotive informational display which is typically part of a navigation system. Navigation indicia are often exhibited on its display screen. A HUD can be configured to rest on the dashboard of an automobile. The small size of the device allows it to rest in front of the steering wheel without obstructing the view through the windshield from the driver&#39;s seat of the vehicle. Often, a HUD projects navigation information onto a reflective film placed onto the vehicle&#39;s windshield. The display in fact exhibits the indicia in reverse, so that when reflected by the film, a viewer can see it in its normal orientation. When reflected off the reflective film placed onto the windshield, the indicia are substantially transparent and therefore do not obstruct the view through the windshield from the driver&#39;s seat. 
     A HUD may include a receiver to receive a signal from another device, and a processor, for example to process navigation data for display. A HUD can project any type of information, such as velocity direction, time, date and the like, onto the display area of a reflective film. The HUD may also include speakers for audio output, so that it can be a wireless intercom device for communication with other systems. A HUD may be, for example, Bluetooth enabled, FM enabled, or may connect manually to a device transmitting the signal. The device transmitting the signal may be a receiving device such as a mobile communication device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor device; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective of an embodiment of a display form factor; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor similar to the view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor also similar to the view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective of an embodiment of a display form factor; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor similar to the view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates indicia in a reflective mode that is transposed to normal mode upon reflection by a reflective film; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a display form factor device where the screen body has assumed the same position as that shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a view of the display screen of an embodiment of a display form factor device in a position such as that shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 ; and 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the display form factor device  1100  including electronic components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It would be beneficial if indicia exhibited the display of a HUD were viewable not only in a reflective film, but directly as well. It would be further beneficial if the display of the HUD could be manipulated so that it may be viewed from many different orientations. It would be further beneficial if the mode of exhibiting indicia were based upon the position of the screen body. 
     Disclosed are display form factor devices having a first orientation and a second orientation, such a device including a display screen that is viewable from a plurality of positions. The first orientation is for example, a horizontal orientation. The second orientation is for example, a vertical orientation. The display screen can be moved with respect to the first orientation and/or the second orientation. The display screen in accordance with a controller is configured to exhibit indicia having a particular orientation thereon, wherein the indicia having a particular orientation is dependent upon which of a plurality of positions that is assumed by the screen body. For example, a particular orientation may be a reflective mode or a normal mode. A method of the device includes changing the particular orientation of the indicia based upon the position of the screen body. Sensed ambient conditions can provide input to determine the position of the screen body. 
     A display form factor device includes a base body and a screen body. The base body further has a top portion and a lower portion wherein the screen body is coupled to the base body at the top portion of the base body. A hinge movably couples the screen body to the base body, the hinge being configured to allow pivotal movement of the screen body with respect to the base body along the first orientation. The display form factor further includes a pivot member movably coupled to the lower portion of the base body, the pivot member being configured to allow pivotal movement of the base member along the second orientation. A display screen is supported by the screen body, the screen body being configured to assume a plurality of positions with respect to the base body and the pivot member along the first orientation and the second orientation. Accordingly, in adjusting the position of screen body to one of a plurality of positions, viewing from one particular orientation may be better than viewing from another particular orientation. In this way, beneficially the display device of a display form factor device can be manipulated so that it may be viewed from many different orientations. 
     The instant disclosure is provided to explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the invention principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described here, it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. 
     It is understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, up and down, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. 
     Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. In the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts according to the present invention, discussion of such software and ICs, if any, is limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts within the preferred embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor device  100 . The display screen (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) which is supported by the screen body  102 , is facing a reflective member  104 . The reflective member  104  may be supported, for example, by a windscreen  105  of a vehicle and may be attachable to the windscreen in any suitable manner. Indicia  106  are displayed on the display screen of the screen body  102  and are reflected off of the reflective member  104 . The base body  108  has a front side (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a back side  109 . The screen body  102  in  FIG. 1  is depicted adjacent the front side of the base body  108 . The screen body  102  is coupled by the base body  108  by a hinge  110  or other coupling arrangement at the top portion of the base body  108  or another coupling arrangement. The hinge  110  may be any type of suitable coupling arrangement  110  and may include any suitable dimensions. The hinge  110  is configured to allow pivotal movement of the screen body  102  with respect to the base body  108  along a first orientation. A pivot member  112  is coupled to the lower portion of the base body  108 . The pivot member  112  is configured to allow pivotal movement of the base body  108  along a second orientation. The pivot member  112  can attach to a surface in any number of manners, including by velcro tape, screws, or any suitable hardware. 
     As mentioned, the hinge  110  is configured to allow pivotal movement of the screen body with respect to the base body  108  along a first orientation. The pivot member  112  is configured to allow pivotal movement of the base body  108  along a second orientation. The movement along either the first orientation or the second orientation may be made manually by a user moving the device components, by a remote control mechanism where the device components are moved by, for example, a motor, or automatically where sensors of the device can determine ambient conditions and change the orientation of the screen body  102  to optimize the display output of the device. 
     While the display form factor device is described with reference to a use case involving a vehicle, it is understood that a device having the display form factor could be utilized in any number of types of devices. For example, the display form factor could be used to share information with others. For example, the display form factor could be used as a picture viewer, or in a commercial setting such as at a cash register to exhibit information. 
     Exhibition of the indicia  106  can be provided in a plurality of manners. The display form factor device  100  may provide its own navigation circuitry, the controls of which are not shown. The device  100  may otherwise receive information via from another source, for example, a mobile communication device, to process and exhibit on the display screen. The processing, as will be discussed in more detail below. The information can be for example, graphic data, text data, audio data, ambient conditions data. Audio output may be provided by one or more audio output devices  113 -A and  113 -B in accordance with an audio output module  1166  (see  FIG. 11  below). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor  200 . The screen body  202  supports the display screen  214 . The screen body  202  is coupled to the upper portion of the base body  208 . The pivot member  212  is coupled to the lower portion of the base body  212 . The position of the screen body  202  with respect to the base body  208  is similar to that of  FIG. 1 . In this figure, the display screen  214  is depicted as available for viewing from the front side  215  of the base body  208 . In another arrangement discussed below, the display screen  214  can be moved so that viewing of the display screen  214  is viewable from the back side  209  of the base body  208 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor  300  similar to the view of  FIG. 1 . The screen body  302  which supports the display screen  314  is in a raised position with respect to the base body  308  to depict that the hinge member  310  is movably coupled screen body  302  and the base body  308 . The raised position of the screen body  302  is one of a plurality of positions that the screen body  302  can assume with respect to the base body  308  along the first orientation  320 . In this example, the first orientation  320  is a horizontal orientation. The hinge member  310  can allow rotation  322  about the first orientation  320  to allow the screen body  302  to assume one of a plurality of positions with respect to the base body  310 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor  400  also similar to the view of  FIG. 1 . The screen body  402  is in another position with respect to the base body  408  more than that shown in  FIG. 3  to depict that the hinge member  410  is movably coupled screen body  402  and the base body  408 . The position of the screen body  402  is another one of a plurality of positions that the screen body  402  can assume with respect to the base body  408  along the first orientation  420  and in particular a viewing position. In this example, the first orientation  420  is a horizontal orientation. The hinge member  410  can allow rotation  422  about the first orientation  420  to allow the screen body  402  to assume on of a plurality of positions with respect to the base body  408 , in this example adjacent the back side  409  of the base body  408 . As will be discussed below, indicia  106  (see  FIG. 1 ) may be exhibited on the display screen  414  in different orientations dependent upon which of the plurality of positions is assumed by the screen body  402 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side perspective of an embodiment of a display form factor  500 . The screen body  502  supports the display screen  514  and is shown in a position similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 . The screen body  502  is coupled to the base body  508  which as discussed above has a back side  509  and a front side  515 . The pivot member  512  is coupled to the lower portion of the base body  512  and allows pivotal movement of the base body  508  along a second orientation as will be discussed below. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor  600  similar to the view of  FIG. 1 . The screen body  602  is coupled to the base body  608  by the hinge member  610 . The base body  608  can assume a plurality of positions with respect to the pivot member  612  along a second orientation  630 . In this example, the second orientation  630  is a vertical orientation. The pivot member  612  can allow rotation  632  about the second orientation  630  to allow the screen body  602  to assume one of a plurality of positions with respect to the pivot member  612 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of an embodiment of a display form factor  700 . The screen body  702  which is coupled to the base body  708  by the hinge member  710  is in the same position as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  6 . As discussed, the base body  708  can assume a plurality of positions with respect to the pivot member  712  along a second orientation  730 . As depicted, the pivot member  712  can allow rotation  732  about the second orientation  730  to allow the screen body  702  to assume one of a plurality of positions with respect to the pivot member  712 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates indicia in a reflective mode that is transposed to normal mode upon reflection by a reflective film.  FIG. 8  depicts a front view of an embodiment of a display form factor device where the screen body has assumed the same position as that shown in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 8  further depicts an embodiment of the display form factor  800  screen body  802  in the same position as that shown in  FIG. 1  as well as the film  804 -A with indicia  806 -A indicated by “icon &amp; text” that is reflected thereon. The figure shows a front view of the display screen  814  with, at a slightly tilt  838  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  indicating the same indicia  806 -B in a reflective particular orientation, that when reflected in the reflective film  804 -B, is transposed so that it can be normally read as indicated by indicia  806 -A on film  804 -B. The shape of the example base member  804  provides a tilt  838  so that the display screen  814  can project the indicia  806 -B in the direction of the film  804 -B. The pivot member  812  may also include an angle providing device such as a foot or pad that can raise the display form factor  800  farther, or otherwise change tilt of the base body  808 . 
     As discussed above, the display form factor  800  can assume a plurality of positions with respect to two orientations, the first orientation  320  (see  FIG. 3 ) and the second orientation  632  (see  FIG. 6 ). It is understood that the display form factor  800  can be manipulated to assume a position with respect to either one of the orientations, or both of the orientations. The exhibition of the indicia has a particular orientation, in this example, a reflective particular orientation  806 -B. That is, the indicia  806 -B is reversed so that when it is shown upon a reflective film  804 -A, it is shown normally. The particular orientation of the indicia is dependent upon which of the at least one of a plurality of positions is assumed by the screen body  802  with respect to the base body  808  and the pivot member  812 , and can be automatically adjusted. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of an embodiment of a display form factor device  900  where the screen body  902  has assumed the same position as that shown in  FIG. 5 . As mentioned above, the display screen  914  is available for viewing from the back side  911  of the base body  908 . The particular orientation of the indicia  914  is as it would be normally read. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a view of the display screen  1002  of an embodiment of a display form factor device in a position such as that shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , where the display screen  1014  of the screen body  1002  is viewable from the front side of the base body  908  (see  FIG. 9 ). As in  FIG. 9 , the particular orientation of the indicia  914  is the as it would be normally read which is different from the reflective particular orientation of the indicia  814  shown in  FIG. 8 , even though the position of the screen body is the same in both  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the display form factor device  1100  including electronic components. The device can include a controller  1140 , a receiver  1142 , a sensor  1144 , a memory  1146  that may store instruction modules  1150 . The instruction modules  1150  can include modules such as screen position sensor module  1160 , an automatic indicia output mode module  1162 , a user input device module  1164  and an audio output module  1166 . The modules can carry out certain processes of the methods as described herein. Steps of methods may involve modules and modules may be inferred by the methods discussed herein. The modules can be implemented in software, such as in the form of one or more sets of prestored instructions, and/or hardware, which can facilitate the operation of the mobile station or electronic device as discussed below. The modules may be installed at the factory or can be installed after distribution by, for example, a downloading operation. The operations in accordance with the modules will be discussed in more detail below. 
     The controller or processor  1140  is configured to process information to display the exhibited indicia by the display screen  1114 . As discussed above, the information may be received via receiver  1142  that may be for example, a Bluetooth receiver or a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The exhibited indicia may be internally generated, or may be generated by another device, such as a mobile communication device in communication with a source of information. 
     The controller  1140  can be further configured to receive sensor input such as that of position sensor input  1144  to automatically change the mode of the indicia output on the display screen  1114  based on the position of the screen body. As mentioned, the hinge  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) is configured to allow pivotal movement of the screen body  1102  with respect to the base body  1108  along a first orientation, such as the horizontal orientation (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The pivot member  1112  is configured to allow pivotal movement of the base body  1108  along a second orientation (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The movement along either the first orientation or the second orientation may be made manually by a user moving the device components. For example, if a user were to manually move the screen body  1114  from a first position to a second position, the particular orientation of the indicia may be automatically configured to be output in a reflective mode or output in a normal reading mode. A position sensor  1144  can sense the position of the device components, that is, the position of the screen body  1102  with respect to the base body  1108  and/or the pivot member  1112 . Moreover, the position of the display form factor device  1100  may be calibrated to the vision of the user, for example, in the driver&#39;s seat of a vehicle. In any case, the screen position sensor module  1160  can process position sensor data provided by the position sensor  1114  and so the mode of the indicia may be automatically changed in accordance, for example with the automatic indicia output mode module  1162 . 
     Also, an ambient condition sensor  1148  can be configured to determine ambient conditions and generate ambient condition data. For example, the ambient sensor  1148  may detect changing lighting conditions. The controller  1140  can process the ambient condition data to initiate change of the position of the screen body with respect to at least one of the base body and pivot member based ambient condition data. A motor  1152  in the device may automatically move the display body  1102  from a first position (see  FIG. 2 ) to a second position (see  FIG. 5 ) to make accommodations for the ambient lighting conditions. Accordingly, at least one of the hinge  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) and the pivot member  112  can be configured for automated adjustment. The particular orientation of exhibited indicia is determined as well (for example, see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Additionally, the automatic indicia output mode module  1162  can provide instructions that can in addition or in the alternative, change the contrast or any other output characteristic of the indicia on the display screen to optimize the display screen  1114  output based on ambient conditions sensed by the ambient condition sensor  1148 . 
     As discussed above, the position of the screen body  1102  may be manually arranged with respect to the base body  1108  and/or the pivot member  1112 . Alternatively a user input device  1154  may be operated in accordance with a user input device module  1164  by a remote control mechanism where the device components are moved by, for example, a motor  1152 . A motor  1152  in the device may move the display body  1102  from a first position (see  FIG. 2 ) to a second position (see  FIG. 5 ) based on instructions from the user input device module  1164 . Accordingly, at least one of the hinge  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) and the pivot member  112  can be configured for motorized adjustment. 
     The same or a different user input device  1154  (for simplicity a single device  1154  is shown, however, it is understood that different user input functions may be provided by discreet devices), may be used to change the particular orientation or other characteristic of exhibited indicia in accordance with a user input device module  1164 . A user may the position of the display body  1102  with respect to the base body  1108 . That chosen position may automatically provide a particular orientation. However, the user may manually change the orientation or other characteristic of exhibited indicia from a default orientation to a chosen orientation. In this way, the device  1102  may be useful for many different use cases as mentioned above. 
     Disclosed are methods of a device having a display form factor device having a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation is for example, a horizontal orientation. The second orientation is for example, a vertical orientation. The display form factor device includes a base body and a screen body. The base body further has a top portion and a lower portion wherein the screen body is coupled to the base body at the top portion of the base body. A hinge movably couples the screen body to the base body, the hinge configured to allow pivotal movement of the screen body with respect to the base body along the first orientation. The display form factor further includes a pivot member movably coupled to the lower portion of the base body, the pivot member configured to allow pivotal movement of the base member along the second orientation. A display screen is supported by the screen body, the screen body being configured to assume at least one of a plurality of positions with respect to the base body and the pivot member along the first orientation and the second orientation. The display screen is configured to exhibit indicia having a particular orientation thereon, wherein the indicia having a particular orientation is dependent upon which of the at least one of a plurality of positions with respect to the base body and the pivot member that is assumed by the screen body. Accordingly, when adjusting the position of screen body to one of a plurality of positions, a method of the device includes changing the mode of exhibiting indicia based upon the position of the screen body. Ambient conditions, such as ambient lighting, may make viewing from one particular orientation better than another particular orientation. In this way, beneficially the display screen of the display form factor device can be manipulated so that it may be viewed from many different orientations and the indicia displayed thereon will accommodate the screen viewing position. 
     This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the technology rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principle of the described technology and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.