DE102005010916A1 - communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device with a pivotable carrier element, which is pivotable in a plurality of projection states. On the support element, a projector for displaying control elements on a projection surface is arranged. A process device is provided for controlling the representation of the operating elements, such that the size of the projection area and the number of operating elements shown are varied as a function of the state of projection.

Description

The The invention relates to a communication device, in particular a communication device with a through a projector realized display unit.

The rapid technological development in the field of communication devices, such as For example, mobile phones, portable computers, portable consumer electronics devices or Photo / video cameras, was characterized in recent years by a constantly increasing miniaturization while increasing the variety of functions.

These Increase in functionality often requires high quality and large display units. This desire for larger display units, such as LCD displays, is in contradiction to the desire after a further miniaturization of the communication devices.

Out For this reason, various paths have already been taken, small ones communications equipment with high-quality display options equip.

there One direction of development is aimed at by skilful housing designs, such as folding housing, Although possible for transport compact communication device to disposal to ask, but during the use nevertheless the display of information on one possible huge To enable display.

The Another direction of development is aimed at the display devices even further to improve, d. H. brighter, more contrasty or colored or to provide a higher resolution. So far it has not been able to develop a communications device satisfying all needs, which is both small in size and one for all applications sufficient representation of information allows.

Even if creating a communication device with one for many Applications sufficient representation possible, so would be in one another step, the operation of the communication device, in particular the way of displaying information on the display, so comfortable, practical, clear and intuitive as possible to design.

Of the Invention is based on the object of specifying a communication device, This gives a user an intuitive capture of displayed controls allows.

The Invention is based in a first step on the idea a communication device with a pivotable support element, in particular a pivot arm, which is about a pivot axis in a variety of projection states is pivotal to equip. Is on the support element a projector arranged to display controls on a projection screen. It is therefore a display device known per se projector in a communication device integrated or connected to a communication device). The projector is so on a support element arranged and the carrier element pivoted or pivoted so formed that controls, such as For example, a display panel, menu icons, characters, etc., from the projector can be projected onto a projection screen.

Around the display of the controls now easily detectable for a user to design, the invention teaches in a second step, a Processor for controlling the representation of the controls in such a way set up that the size of the screen and the number of displayed controls in dependence be varied from the projection state.

It is a property inherent in the projected representations, that the projection screen dependent on from the distance between the projector and the projection plane and depending on varies from the angle between the projector and the projection plane becomes. This realization uses the invention now by that the number of controls displayed on the screen is also varied, for example, that the number of shown Controls with the size of the screen automatically increases. This will allow that the user is independent from the projection screen always a good overview of all has shown controls, as with a small screen only few controls are displayed and many with large projection screen Controls are displayed.

Especially the invention is advantageous if, with the projection state automatically also the type of application realized with the communication device is varied. For example, with a change to a projection state, to a big one projection leads, automatically launched an editor application program that, for example a big Character display panel and many other controls, such as a control for every character that can be entered requires.

Particularly easy to grasp are operators Lemente for the user of a communication device when, despite different projection states the same controls are displayed at the same or corresponding positions. For example, in a projection state, which is connected to only a small projection surface, a total of five controls are shown, four of them distributed on the corners of the screen, and one of them in the center of the screen. If now the projection state is changed, so that the projection surface is enlarged, the said five control elements are automatically displayed again at the four corners and the center of the now larger projection surface. In addition, for example, at the four edge centers in each case a further control element, that is, a total of four further controls are shown. If, on the other hand, a projection state is selected which is linked to a smaller projection surface compared to the first-mentioned projection state, then, for example, only one control element in the center of the now smaller projection surface can be displayed. In this case, correspondingly positioned operating elements in different projection states are at least partially assigned the same meaning or the same function. As a result, once learned operations can be used in different projection states.

The Maintaining identical projected controls on identical Of course, positions in different projection states can also be used only partially done.

Preferably the projection state automatically becomes dependent on a tilt angle determined, for example, by an angle detection device in the carrier element can be realized.

Especially is preferred depending on the current projection state automatically an application program started. For example, a transition to a projection state, to the largest possible Projection surface introduces Editor application program to be started, as above described both the representation of a character display panel, as well as the presentation of enterable characters requires.

Especially Preferably, the plurality of projection states comprises one Projection state "normal state" in which the swiveling support element not from the communication device is pivoted away, and thus the user only the "normal" or haptic controls, such as Input keyboard and / or LCD display, are available.

In A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is a Projection state defined, in which the projection surface exactly these "normal" controls projected become. In this case, so find the "normal" or haptic controls their 1/1 correspondence in projected controls, resulting in a special intuitive operation of the communication device via the projected controls leads. Of course Is it possible, Although the projected controls according to the haptic Positioning control elements, but overall the projected Representation of the controls over the dimensions of the haptic Increase controls.

The The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to FIGS show:

1 a communication device in various projection states;

2 Representation of two projection surfaces;

3 a communication device in two different projection states;

4 a communication device in three different projection states;

5 a communication device in two different projection states.

1 shows a communication device KE, such as a mobile phone, with a pivotable support member TE, which is designed as a pivot arm and carries a projector P at the upper end of the pivot arm. A projector P as such is well known in the art, which is why at this point its implementation is not discussed in more detail.

In the projection state 1 (marked by 1 in the circle), the swivel arm is not swung out and consequently the projector is not active or no projection surface is visible. The operation of the communication terminal KE via the known from the prior art haptic keyboard elements TAS and also known from the prior art LCD display DPL.

In the projection state 2 (marked by a 2 in the circle), the support element together with the projector is so far swung that a projection surface PF2 is realized, which corresponds approximately to the dimensions of the just described "normal" keypad and display.

In the projection state 3 (marked by a 3 in the circle), in which one either from the projection state 1 or from the projection state 2 can reach, the support member TE is so far swung that a larger projection surface PF3 is realized.

2 again shows the projection surfaces PF2, PF3 of the corresponding projection states 2 . 3 in a superimposed representation to better illustrate the different sizes of the projection surfaces, as this 1 not so clear.

In 3 is shown on the left side again the communication terminal KE with the haptic keyboard TAS and the LCD display DPL. On the right are for the projection state 2 displayed on the corresponding projection surface PF2 as projected controls a display field P_DPL for already entered characters, enterable digits, selectable menu items and input commands P_TAS. The position of the LCD display DPL corresponds to the position of the projected display panel P_DPL and the position of the haptic keyboard elements TAS corresponds to the position of the corresponding projected control elements. The dimension of the projected operating elements is greater than the dimension of the corresponding "normal" operating elements. As a result, the communication terminal KE is in the projection state 2 just as intuitive to use as in the projection state 1 that is, in the state of projection 1 Learned operating processes in the projection state 2 can be used again. It is also achieved that the communication terminal KE in the projection state 2 can be operated more easily due to the larger size of the controls.

In 4 is next to the projection states just explained 1 and 2 in the middle of the projection state 3 shown. In addition to the projected controls character input field P_DPL, digits, menu options and control commands P_TAS are on the projected state 3 belonging to the projection screen PF3 another field with input characters, in particular with letters P_Z, and further controls P_BE projected. These further projected operating elements P_BE can represent, for example, text modules for an SMS message or persons, contacts, appointments or tasks of an electronic organizer.

By this kind of projection of control elements in the projection state 3 is achieved that the user in addition to the conventional, known and frequently used range of functions, a further range of functions can be provided, which can be used easily and in parallel to the conventional scope of use, but in addition the use of the conventional functionality is not complicated, but on can be handled as usual.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is on the right side of 5 shown. This is different than in the previously described projection state 2 instead of projected controls representing digits, a handwriting recognition panel is projected as a control provided on the left side HWR_B for inputting and recognizing letters, and provided on the right side HWR_Z for entering and recognizing numbers. This has the advantage that the basic function, which can be carried out by operating elements in the same position, is not changed (ie the numerical input is still feasible in the lower region of the projection surface), but only the manner of realizing the function changes. As a result, this leads to an intuitive operation for the user. In addition, such a so-called "power user" then, for example, for text input in the projection state 2 Use a handwriting recognition method. This is realized by the input of characters by means of a stylus in the area of the screen PF2, in which digit or character input keys are otherwise positioned.

A Embodiment of the invention provides that the position of the stylus on the projection level and thus the recognition of the user chosen Control element by a triangulation method using runtime difference of ultrasound signals. For this purpose, the stylus carries a optical transmitter and an acoustic transmitter, which in short intervals in Direction of the communication terminal sends. There are also two corresponding optical receiver and two acoustic receivers in front.

When the pen touches the projection surface, it emits an optical signal, in particular an infrared signal, and an acoustic signal, in particular an ultrasonic signal. When the optical signal is received by an optical receiver (eg infrared receiver) or both optical receivers, the start time of the measurement is determined. With the receipt of the acoustic signal by the acoustic receiver (eg ultrasonic receiver), the duration of the acoustic signal relative to the optical signal can be determined. The resulting transit time difference is used to calculate the distance of the stylus from each ultrasound receiver (sensor). These distances form, so to speak, distance circles on the projection plane around each ultrasonic sensor. These circles intersect in two points. The point of in Sensor direction or pin direction is the solution of the exact position determination of the pin.

An embodiment of the invention provides that in addition to the pure operation of the communication terminal by a triangulation pin in the projection state 2 In addition, a capacitive touchpad is used, ie, the operation between the projection state 1 and 2 Although different in feel, but not in the operation by the fingers.

An embodiment of the invention provides that with the help of the stylus in the projection state 2 and 3 Character input can be done by handwriting recognition (HWR). This character input is similar to that used today PDAs: the pen writes eg a small "a", the track traversed thereby is updated in the smallest possible intervals in the projection, so the user sees the written character during input.

Next The input of characters by HWR can also be done by typing of a projected character as done on a touch keyboard: the user sees e.g. a projected QWERTY keyboard and touches with the triangulation pen its projection surface at the point where the character "q" lies, then this character becomes inserted in the text.

• 1) der Benutzer bewegt den Projektions-Arm (Trägerelement) mit der rechten Hand und interagiert gleichzeitig mit der linken Hand auf der Tastatur des mobilen Eingabegerätes. So kann z.B. mit dem Schwenken des Armes die Telefonbuchapplikation (TBA) aus einer Liste von Applikationen (Anwendungsprogrammen) angewählt werden, daraufhin durch Drücken der zentralen Navigationstaste (Center-Click) die TBA selektiert werden und durch weiteres Schwenken eine daraufhin erscheinende Liste von Telefonbucheinträgen „gescrollt" werden. Durch erneuten Center-Click wird ein Eintrag ausgewählt und durch erneutes Center-Click angerufen.
• 2) Der Benutzer bewegt den Arm mit der linken Hand und hält bzw. interagiert mit der rechten Hand auf der sich eventuell dabei verändernden projizierten Bedienoberfläche. So kann z.B. mit dem Stift ein Bedienobjekt (Bedienelement) bzw. -inhalt aus einer Applikation 1 „gepackt" bzw. „festgehalten" werden, während durch Schwenken des Armes eine andere Applikation 2 angewählt und hier durch Loslassen des projizierten Bedienobjektes in eben diese eingefügt und dort weiterverarbeitet werden kann (z.B. ein Stück Text aus einem Dokument X in ein Dokument Y)

An embodiment of the invention provides that the previously described states of the user interface in the projection state 3 , which are caused by pivoting the projection arm with one hand, combined with an interaction of the other hand. Here are two cases:

• 1) The user moves the projection arm (support member) with the right hand and simultaneously interacts with the left hand on the keyboard of the mobile input device. For example, with the swiveling of the arm, the telephone book application (TBA) can be selected from a list of applications (application programs), then the TBA can be selected by pressing the central navigation key (center click) and, by further panning, a list of telephone book entries appearing " By clicking Center-Click an entry is selected and called by a new Center-Click.
• 2) The user moves the arm with his left hand and holds or interacts with the right hand on the projected user interface that may be changing. Thus, for example, with the pen an operating object (control) or content from an application 1 "packed" or "held" while swung by the arm another application 2 selected and inserted here by releasing the projected operating object in just this and can be further processed there (eg a piece of text from a document X into a document Y)

Claims (8)

communication device with a swiveling Support element, which is pivotable into a plurality of projection states, With one on the support element arranged projector for displaying controls on a projection screen, and With a processor device for controlling the representation of the operating elements such that the size of the screen and the number of displayed controls in dependence be varied from the projection state. communication device according to claim 1, wherein the representation of the controls in such a way that controls the number of controls shown increases with the size of the screen. communication device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the representation the controls is controlled so that in different projection states the same controls are shown in appropriate positions become. communication device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection state in dependence is determined by a pivot angle of the pivotable carrier element. communication device according to claim 4, with a detection device for detecting the pivot angle. communication device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an application program dependent on is automatically started from the projection state. communication device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an application program dependent on is automatically selected from the projection state, and the selected application program by operation an actuating element is started. communication device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a control element, that in a first projection state on the projection plane is projected, selected by one user, and in a second one Projection state after appropriate user input on the projection plane is projected.