Patent Publication Number: US-2011050755-A1

Title: Electrical device with selectively reflective display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/238,600 filed Aug. 31, 2010 entitled ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH SELECTIVELY REFLECTIVE DISPLAY and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/304,997 filed Feb. 16, 2010 entitled SMART PROTECTOR CASE, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclose 
     The present disclosure relates to an electrical device including a display device that is selectively usable as a mirror. More particular, the present application relates to an electrical device that includes a display in which reflectivity can be selectively changed such that it may act as a mirror. 
     2. Related Art 
     Portable electrical or electronic devices such as cellular telephones have become almost a required accessory in today&#39;s world. While these devices aid users in various fields such as communication and entertainment, they also present an additional burden in that it is just one more item that the user must carry around with them. Thus, to the extent possible, accessories that are used in everyday life should be combined. 
     Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an electrical device that may also be used as a mirror. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an electrical device with a display that is selectively reflective such that is usable to both display information and as a mirror, when desired. 
     An electrical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a controller configured and operable to control the electrical device and a display configured and operable to display information to the user, wherein reflectivity of the display is increased based on operation of the controller such that the display is usable as a mirror. 
     A method of controlling an electrical device including a display in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes increasing a reflectivity of the display such that the display is usable as a mirror. 
     A display for use in an electrical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a controller to control display of information to a user on the display and to selectively increase reflectivity of the display such that the display is usable as a mirror. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an electrical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of a display of the electrical device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exemplary cross section of a reflective material suitable for use in the electrical device of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary block diagram of a display of the electrical device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an electrical device including an external reflective element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary block diagram of a display of an electrical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5A  is an exemplary cross sectional view of an LCD display; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary cross-section of the display device of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a display of an electrical device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7A  is an illustration of an electrical device in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of an electrical device in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An electrical device  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The device  10  includes a display device  12  that is operable to display information to a user and is selectively adjustable to increase its reflectivity such that it can also be used as a mirror. While illustrated as a cellular telephone in  FIG. 1 , the electrical device  10  may be any electrical device, including but not limited to, a cellular telephone, smart phone, PDA, laptop computer, media playing device or even a monitor of a personal computer system, if desired. The device  10  preferably also includes a speaker  8 , an antenna  1 , a plurality of user input keys or buttons  4  and a microphone  9 . Other elements may also be provided including a camera, for example. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, illustrated in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 , for example, the display  12  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) element  20  which is controlled by a controller  22  to display information to a user as desired. The controller  22  may be the same controller utilized to control the function of the device  10  as a whole, or may be dedicated to control of the display  12 , if desired. A reflecting element  24  is preferably positioned in front of the LCD element  20 , that is, between the LCD element and the user. The reflecting element  24  is preferably also controlled by the controller  22  to selectively change reflectivity such that it is substantially transparent when the LCD element  20  is actively displaying information to the user and is substantially reflective when the LCD element is not displaying information, such that a user can see their own reflection in the display  12 . Alternatively, a separate control circuit may be provided for the element  24 . In a preferred embodiment, the controller  22  will control the device  10 , display  12  and/or the reflecting element  24  based on executable instructions provided in memory or removable memory device. These instructions may be a part of a software application, for example. 
     While the display  12  of  FIG. 1  refers to an LCD element  20 , it is noted that the display need not be limited to an LCD type display. Any suitable display may be used including, but not limited to organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays and e-paper displays. That is, the element  20  may be an OLED element or an e-paper element, if desired. Indeed, the display  12  may utilize any suitable display technology to display information to a user. 
     The reflecting element  24  preferably includes a material that will change reflectivity based upon a voltage, or other signal, applied thereto. Preferably, reflectivity is changed based on a voltage applied via translucent electrodes that apply an electric field across the material. Varying the voltage applied will vary the reflectivity of the reflecting element  24  such that it can operate as a mirror when desired. In one embodiment, when no voltage is applied, the element  24  reflects a large percentage of the light received from the exterior of the device  10 , such that it functions as a mirror. When it is desirable to use the display  12  to view information, a voltage is applied to the element  24  such that it becomes substantially transparent and the information displayed on the LCD element  20  is visible to the user. 
     In one embodiment, the reflecting element  24  may be made of a material whose reflective and transmissive properties are varied based on application of an electric field. The reflector, may be a transition-metal switchable mirror, for example. One example of such a transition metal switchable mirror is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,166 entitled ELECTROCHROMIC MATERIALS, DEVICES AND METHOD OF MAKING, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross sectional view of an exemplary reflecting element  24  suitable for use in the electric device  10 . As illustrated, two glass substrates  200  are used to sandwich two transparent electrode panels  202  that surround a material  204  that reacts to the application of an electric field to modify its transmissive and reflective properties. Translucent plastic or another polymer may be used in place of glass in the substrates  200 , if desired. The material  204  is preferably bistable and electrochromic such that its reflectivity changes based on exposure to electricity or an electric field and then remains in the changed state even after the electric field is removed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the material  204  is an electrochromic material in that it exhibits a reversible change of color when placed in an electric field. In one embodiment, the material  204  is a film including a transition metal composition that includes magnesium and generally at least one transition metal chosen from the group including Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Go, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and Hg. The material  204  is preferably bistable such that once it changes from substantially reflective material to a substantially transparent material based on application of voltage via the electrodes  202  it will remain reflective even after the voltage is removed. Similarly, the material will change from substantially transparent material to a substantially translucent material upon application of voltage via the electrodes  202  and will remain translucent thereafter even when the voltage is removed. In one embodiment, the reflecting element  24  is built into the display  12  by the manufacturer. In another embodiment, the reflecting element may be included as an external element, as is explained below with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     While the material  204  preferably includes magnesium and another transition metal, the present application is not necessarily limited to this particular embodiment, and any suitable combination of transition metals may be used. 
     In this manner, the display  12  can be controlled to act as both a display for information and as a mirror when information is not being displayed. 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the LCD element  20  itself is controlled by the controller  22  to selectively alter the reflectivity thereof. As noted above, the LCD element  20  may be replaced by an OLED element or any other suitable display element. Specifically, the controller  22  will control the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) pixels of the LCD element  20  to provide a substantially reflective surface when desired. In this case, the reflecting element  24  need not be included. 
     In another embodiment, the LCD element  20  may include an additional pixel, preferably a silver pixel, in order to allow the controller  22  to provide a silvery reflective background on the LCD element  20  when desired. In this case, the reflecting element  24  also need not be included. As noted above, the LCD element  20  may be replaced by an OLED element, or any other suitable display element. 
     In another embodiment, the material used in the LCD element  20  is preferably of a type that allows for the smoothness of the material to be adjusted, for example by application of a voltage or perhaps a magnetic field. In this case, when a mirror type response is desired, the controller  22  will provide a signal that provides a smooth surface such that incoming light is reflected back out at the same angle as it arrives to provide a mirror effect. When a different signal is applied, the reflective properties will be lost and the display  12  will act as a standard LCD display. As noted above, the LCD element  20  may be replaced by an OLED element or any other suitable display element. 
     In yet another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the display  12  may be altered via application of an external reflective element  30 . This external reflective element  30  is preferably in the form of a film, however, may include a strip or multiple strips of glass or plastic, if desired. 
     The external reflective element  30  is also preferably selectively alterable to provide either high reflectivity or substantial transparency, as desired. The reflectivity may be altered based on the application of an electric field, a magnetic field, heat or even based on an acoustic signal, as suggested above with reference to  FIG. 2 . The transition may be triggered by manual input of the user or based on other conditions, such as temperature, or lighting conditions, for example. A sensor (not shown) may be provided to detect lighting condition, for example, and then trigger application of the voltage or other signal that is used to alter reflectivity of the element  30 . Since the external reflective element  30  is provided for external attachment to the display  12 , it can be used to retrofit existing electrical devices. 
     While preferably provided on the outside of the display  12 , the element  30  may be provided on an inner surface of the outer glass of the display  12 , if desired. 
     In one embodiment, the external reflective element  30  may include a partially silvered mirror, or other beam splitting element. In this case, the mirror is partially coated such that it reflects approximately 70% of light received from the exterior of the device. The coating on the mirror may be increased or decreased, however, as desired, to provide the desired level of reflection. In this case, transmission of light from the LCD element  20  through the partially silvered mirror out of the device  10  is reduced to approximately 30%. Thus, in order to ensure that users can see the information displayed on the LCD element  20 , the luminosity of the LCD element  20  should be substantially increased, perhaps as much as three times that of that used in a conventional device. The controller  22  may be used to direct such an increase in luminosity when needed. For example, the user may indicate that the element  30  is present and additional luminosity is preferred via the input buttons  4 , for example. As noted above, the LCD element  20  may be replaced by an OLED element or any other suitable display element. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another example of a display  12  that may be used in an electrical device  10  similar to that described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , for example. The display  12  preferably includes a first LCD element  20  and a second LCD element  20   a  with a partially silvered mirror  40  positioned between the two (see  FIG. 6 , for example). Both elements  20  and  20   a , respectively, may be replaced by an OLED element, or any other suitable display element. The partially silvered mirror  40  is preferably a passive element, and therefore is not subject to direct control by the controller  22 , however, the controller  22  controls the LCD elements  20  and  20   a.    
     The partially silvered mirror  40  may be similar to that described above with respect to the element  30 . The first LCD element  20  is preferably a color LCD typically used to display information to users in electrical devices such as cell phones, laptop computers and the like. The partially silvered mirror  40  is preferably positioned in front of (closer to the user) than the first LCD element  20 . The mirror  40  is coated to provide a desired amount of reflection of light received from the user side thereof, that is, from the direction indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 6 . As noted above, the amount of light that passes through the partially silvered mirror from the first LCD element  20  will be limited, and thus, the first LCD element may need to have an increased light output, or luminosity, to ensure that displayed information is visible to the user. The reflectivity and the translucence of the partially silvered mirror  40  may be adjusted as desired based on the amount of coating provided, for example. A second outer LCD element  20   a  is provided in front of the partially coated the mirror  40  and is closest to the user. This element  20   a  is similar to the simple LCD&#39;s used in calculators, for example, that are substantially translucent when no voltage is applied, and block light to give a black appearance when active. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of such a simple LCD, which typically includes a front, outward-facing panel  50 , which provides horizontal polarization. A front glass element  52  includes segmented electrodes  51  on a rear surface thereof. A rear glass element  54  is positioned behind the front glass element and includes backplane electrodes  54   a . A liquid crystal material  56  is provided between the segmented electrodes  51  and the backplane electrodes  54   a . Each segment  51  is selectively connectable to a voltage source  57  via a switch S, for example. A rear polarizing panel  58  is provided behind the rear glass and provides vertical polarization. A reflector element  59  is provided behind the rear polarizer  58 . The LCD is essentially transparent when not energized. That is, light enters and passes through the polarizers  50 ,  58 , the liquid crystal material  56  and the glass elements  52 , 54  and reflects off the reflector  59  essentially undisturbed. 
     When energized, the voltage applied to each segment  51  causes the liquid crystals in the energized segment  51  to align. The crystals then block reflected light from the reflector  59  to provide a black appearance in that segment. Side A of  FIG. 5A  illustrates an LCD is which no segments are energized, and thus, is translucent. Side B illustrates a single segment  51  connected to voltage source  57  via switch S which results in that segment appearing black since it blocks reflectance from the reflector  59 . 
     The simple LCD illustrated in  FIG. 5A  is typically thermochromic, meaning that it is temperature sensitive. It is the heat of the electrical signal provided to the energized segment  51  that results in crystal alignment. The LCD illustrated in  FIG. 5A  is merely exemplary and the present disclosure in not limited to use therewith. 
     While  FIG. 5A  explicitly illustrates an LCD element, as is note above, the elements  20   20   a  may be replaced with any suitable display element, such as an OLED element or an e-paper element. 
     The controller  22  preferably controls the two LCD elements  20 ,  20   a , or other suitable display elements, to provide for three different modes of operation for the display  12 . In a reflective mode, the user can use the display  12  as a mirror. In this mode, the first and second LCD elements  20 ,  20   a  are both off, or inactive, such that the reflective surface of the partially coated mirror  40  acts as a mirror for the user. In a second mode, a display mode, the first LCD element  20  is active to display information to the user and the second LCD element  20   a  is off such that it is substantially translucent. Thus, the information from the first LCD element  20  is visible through the partially silvered mirror  40  and the second LCD element  20   a . In a blackout mode, the second LCD element  20   a  is active such that the display  12  appears substantially blacked out. The first LCD element  20  is preferably off. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the second LCD element  20   a , or other display element, may be modified such that it is blacked out when no voltage is applied and is translucent when the voltage is provided. In this case, blackout mode could be provided with little to no energy consumption. In reflective mode, a voltage would be provided to the element  20   a  but not the element  20  such that the user can see their reflection through the element  22   a  from the mirror  40 . In display mode, both the elements  20 ,  20   a  would be powered such that information is visible on the element  20  through the mirror  40  and the element  20   a.    
     While not specifically shown, the electrical device  10  preferably includes a power source which provides power for the various LCD elements and reflecting or reflective elements as desired. Delivery of power may be controlled by the controller  22 , or by a separate power supply controller, or both, if desired. 
     In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , for example, the display  12  may simply be a conventional color LCD display as is commonly used in devices such as cellular telephones. The reflectivity of the front surface, however, may be modified based on control of the display  12  by the controller  22 , for example. In this embodiment, when a more reflective surface is desired, a center, or main part  112   a  of the display  12  will be controlled by the controller  22  to be substantially black. A peripheral area  112   b , around the periphery of this blacked out area  112   a , will be lit up by the backlight of the LCD element very brightly. As a result, a user will be able to see their reflection in the blacked out area  112   a  of the display  12 . This is much the same concept as used in conventional vanity mirrors, which are surrounded by light bulbs to increase the clarity of the individual&#39;s reflection. 
     In another embodiment, a plurality of additional LEDs, or other light producing elements may be provided around the periphery of display  12  in order to increase the light that shines out onto the user. This, in turn, increases the clarity of the reflection in the blacked out portion  112   a  of the display  12 . The LEDs may be built into the device  10  during manufacture, or may be added after manufacture. In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the additional LEDs  116  may be provided in a case or cover  101  that the device  10  may be fitted into. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a case or skin,  101  accommodates the electric device  10 . A skin generally refers to a case that is made of a flexible and elastic material that tightly fits on the device  10 . As used herein, the terms “case” and “skin” are interchangeable. The case  101  is preferably shaped to cover the sides and rear of the device  10  while including an open front so that users can see the display  12  of the device  10  when it is in the case  101 . Openings may also be formed in the sides and back of the case to allow access to various input buttons  4  or ports in the device  10 . The device  10  illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is an iPhone (iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.), however, the present application is applicable to any desired portable electronic device or other electronic device. When other devices are used, minor variations to the back and sidewalls of the case  101  may be made in order to accommodate varying configurations of input button and ports on the different devices. The LEDs  116  are preferably powered by the device  10  via a port or connector provided in the case  101 . For example, a mini USB plug or port may be provided for connecting to the device  10  and providing power to the LEDs. Any suitable connector, however, may be used. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment in which the device  10  is received in a case or skin  201 . The case or skin  201  is similar to that of  FIG. 7A , however, may not include the LEDs  116 . The case  201 , preferably includes reflecting element  224 , which is similar to reflecting element  24  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 2-2A . The reflecting element  224  is preferably mounted in the open front of the case  201  over the display  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting element  224  is powered and controlled by the device  10 , for example, by the controller  22 , via a mini USB plug or port that connects the case  201  to the device  10 . Any suitable connection between the case and the device  10 , however, may be used. In another embodiment, the reflecting element  24  may include one or more transparent solar cells formed therein which may be used to provide power. In this embodiment, the reflecting element  224  is still preferably controlled by the device  10 , and preferably via controller  22  discussed above. The solar cells may be used to provide power to the device  10 , if desired. 
     Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.