Prism Light Guide for Dual-Surface Radio Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-way portable radios require users to remove the device from a holster or disengage a belt clip to view displayed information, which is inconvenient for public safety personnel wearing gloves or safety equipment.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a display system that includes a first portion on the front surface and a second portion on the top surface, using a prism-structure light guide to reflect the second image onto the top surface, allowing users to view the image without removing the device from the holster or belt clip, while minimizing design complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional single display on the front panel is used, then the device maintains simple structure and low cost, but the user cannot view information without removing the radio from the holster or belt clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single front-panel display to a dual-display configuration where the second display is positioned on the top surface of the device. This spatial reconfiguration allows users to view information from above without removing the radio from its holster or belt clip, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary optical component that couples the second display on the top surface to the front panel. This light guide enables the top display to be viewed through the front panel without requiring additional external displays or complex optical paths, thus improving ease of operation while controlling device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a second display is added on the top surface for viewing without removing from holster, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional interconnects and processor control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two displays into a single integrated display unit. The first and second displays share common control circuits and processor interfaces, eliminating the need for separate control hardware for each display. This consolidation reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the dual-display capability for convenient viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The single display unit serves multiple functions by displaying information for both the front panel view and the top surface view through the light guide coupling. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate display control systems, reducing device complexity while enabling users to view information in multiple positions without removing the radio from its holster or belt clip.
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 quick and convenient viewing of information without removing the device, reducing design complexity and cost by eliminating the need for additional interconnects and processor control for the second display.
Implementation Method 1
The communication device reflects the second image onto a second surface of the communication device by positioning a reflecting surface between the second portion of the display and the second surface of the communication device
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for displaying an image on a communication device are provided. The communication device is formed of a housing (305) having a plurality of surfaces and includes an electronically controlled display (310) coupled to one of the surfaces. The housing further includes a reflecting device (345) for reflecting an image from the display (310) onto another, non-electronic, display (320) located on another surface of the housing. The image is thus viewable on both surfaces of the housing.