Message Projector for Wireless Notification Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying notifications on mobile devices are inconvenient when the user is not actively looking at the screen, requiring users to physically access the device to read notifications, which can be time-consuming and disruptive.
Innovation Solution
A message projector that can be electronically coupled to a mobile device to project text, images, and other information onto an ambient surface using DLP, LEDs, or other image/illumination sources, allowing users to read notifications without accessing the device, with features like Bluetooth connectivity, programmability, and a battery for wireless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If notifications are displayed on the mobile device screen, then the notification information is accessible, but the user must physically access the device which is time-consuming and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The notification display function is extracted from the mobile device and transferred to a separate projector device. The projector receives notification data from the mobile device via wireless communication and displays it independently on ambient surfaces, allowing users to view notifications without physically accessing the mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The projector acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the user. It receives notification information from the mobile device through wireless communication protocols and presents it in an accessible format on ambient surfaces, mediating the interaction between the user and the notification system.
2Loss of information
If the user needs to read notifications on the mobile device, then the notification is accessible, but the user must locate and physically interact with the device which causes disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The notification information is extracted from the mobile device context and projected onto ambient surfaces such as walls or ceilings. This allows users to read notifications while maintaining their current activities without interruption or disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification display is moved from the two-dimensional mobile device screen to ambient surfaces in the user's environment, creating a spatially distributed display experience that does not require the user to interact with the mobile device physically.
3Illumination intensity
If notifications are displayed on a small mobile device screen, then the device remains portable, but the notification text is difficult to read from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The notification display transitions from a small, confined mobile device screen to large ambient surfaces in the user's environment. This dimensional expansion allows notification text and images to be displayed at sizes that are easily readable from various distances while maintaining the portability of the mobile device itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to read notifications without disturbing their activities, minimizing the need to physically interact with the device or locate glasses, by projecting information in an enlarged form onto a nearby surface, thus reducing time and effort.
Implementation Method 1
project text, images and other information received by the device onto an ambient display surface... using DLP or other image/illumination sources such as, for example, LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A message projecting device is provided. The device comprises a lens, an optical display having light-modulating capability, a light source, a communication port and circuitry coupled to the communication port and optical display. Light generated by the light source can be directed through the optical display and lens. A communication port can be configured to electronically couple the projecting device to a nearby electronic device. A communication signal received by the electronic device can be relayed to the message projector and be received by the communication port, Information carried on the communication signal can be recovered and conveyed to the optical display via the circuitry. A virtual image embodying the information can be generated by the optical display and projected through the lens onto a nearby display surface.