IP Library Patent Application 11594030
Patent Application
App. No. 11/594,030

Reflectors for display pixels

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/594,030
Abstract

An apparatus comprises an arrangement of display pixels and reflectors arranged to reflect ambient light passing through the display pixels. The reflectors are electrically controllable, in order to enable an optimization of the portion of the ambient light that is reflected by the reflectors. A required adjustment of such electrically controllable reflectors can be determined, and the reflectors can then be controlled accordingly.

Claims (55)

1 . An apparatus comprising:

an arrangement of display pixels; and

electrically controllable reflectors arranged to reflect ambient light passing through said display pixels.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflectors are electrically controllable in that they comprise an effective reflective area, the size of which is electrically controllable.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflectors comprise an electrically controllable reflection capability.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflectors comprise electrically controllable mirrors.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflectors comprise an electrically controllable liquid.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said reflectors comprise an electrically controllable substrate.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising color filters arranged to color filter light passing through said display pixels.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a control component configured to electrically control said reflectors.

9 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising an evaluation component arranged to receive from a light sensor an indication of an intensity of ambient light, wherein said evaluation component is configured to cause said control component to electrically control said reflectors depending on said indication of an intensity of ambient light.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising an evaluation component arranged to receive information on a user input, wherein said evaluation component is configured to cause said control component to electrically control said reflectors depending on said information on a user input.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a light sensor arranged to detect an intensity of ambient light.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a backlight source, said backlight source being configured to provide a backlight for transmission in direction of said display pixels.

13 . The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said backlight source is electrically controllable.

14 . An electronic device comprising:

an apparatus according to claim 1 ; and

a user interface.

15 . A method comprising:

determining a required adjustment of electrically controllable reflectors, which reflectors are arranged to reflect ambient light passing through display pixels; and

controlling said reflectors accordingly.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein determining a required adjustment comprises determining a required adjustment of an effective reflective area of said reflectors.

17 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein determining a required adjustment comprises determining a required adjustment of a reflection capability of said reflectors.

18 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein controlling said reflectors comprises on of:

controlling electrically controllable mirrors forming a part of said reflectors;

controlling an electrically controllable liquid forming a part of said reflectors;

controlling an electrically controllable substrate forming a part of said reflectors.

19 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising receiving an indication of an intensity of ambient light, wherein a required adjustment of said reflectors is determined depending on said indication of an intensity of ambient light.

20 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising receiving information on a user input, wherein a required adjustment of said reflectors is determined depending on said information on a user input.

21 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising measuring an intensity of ambient light.

22 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

determining a required amount of backlight, said backlight being provided by an electrically controllable backlight source for transmission in direction of said display pixels; and

controlling said backlight source according to said required amount of backlight.

23 . A computer program product in which a program code is stored in a computer readable medium, said program code realizing the following when executed by a processor:

determining a required adjustment of electrically controllable reflectors, which reflectors are arranged to reflect ambient light passing through display pixels; and

causing a corresponding control of said reflectors.

24 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , wherein determining a required adjustment comprises determining a required adjustment of an effective reflective area of said reflectors.

25 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , wherein determining a required adjustment comprises determining a required adjustment of a reflection capability of said reflectors.

26 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , wherein causing said control of said reflectors comprises one of:

causing a control of electrically controllable mirrors forming a part of said reflectors;

causing a control of an electrically controllable liquid forming a part of said reflectors;

causing a control of an electrically controllable substrate forming a part of said reflectors.

27 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , further comprising receiving an indication of an intensity of ambient light, wherein a required adjustment of said reflectors is determined depending on said indication of an intensity of ambient light.

28 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , further comprising receiving information on a user input, wherein a required adjustment of said reflectors is determined depending on said information on a user input.

29 . The computer program product according to claim 23 , further comprising:

determining a required amount of backlight, said backlight being provided by an electrically controllable backlight source for transmission in direction of said display pixels; and

causing said backlight source to be controlled according to said required amount of backlight.

30 . An apparatus comprising:

first means for allowing a controllable amount of light passing through them; and

second means for reflecting ambient light passing through said first means, wherein said second means are electrically controllable.

31 . The apparatus according to claim 30 , further comprising:

third means for determining a required adjustment of said second means; and

fourth means for controlling said second means accordingly.

32 . The apparatus according to claim 30 , further comprising:

fifth means for providing a backlight for transmission in direction of said first means.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2015
From: NOKIA CORPORATION
To: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
Reel/Frame 035564/0861 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2007
From: NURMI, JUHA; SAARINEN, KAJ; HYYTIAINEN, ILKKA
To: NOKIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018801/0532 →