Microdisplay for portable communication systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a microdisplay system that utilizes a small high resolution active matrix liquid crystal display with an illumination system and a magnifying optical system to provide a hand held communication display device. The system can employ an LED illumination system and cellular communication or processor circuits within a compact housing to provide communication devices such as pagers, telephones, televisions, and hand held computer devices with a compact high resolution video display.

1 . A method of displaying an image on a wireless telephone, comprising: 
 receiving audio and image data with a transceiver; and    operating a display control circuit connected to the transceiver and a matrix display to display an image on the display, the matrix display including an array of pixel electrodes, the array of pixel electrodes having an active area of less than about 100 mm 2 .    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating image data with a camera.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising selecting whether the image from the camera is seen on the display, transmitted to a remote location, or both.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the array of pixel electrodes with at least about 75,000 pixel electrodes.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising providing each pixel electrode with a width of less than about 10 microns.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising providing each pixel electrode with a width of less than about 8 microns.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising providing the array of pixel electrodes with an active area between about 5 mm 2  and 80 mm 2 .  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing the array of pixel electrodes with at least about 300,000 pixel electrodes.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying the image on an LCD display.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising transmitting light through the array of pixel electrodes with a display light source.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising distributing the light with a diffuser interposed between the display light source and the LCD display.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising focusing the image with a lens for viewing.  
   
   
       13 . A wireless telephone comprising: 
 a transceiver for receiving audio and image data;    a display control circuit connected to the transceiver; and    a matrix display connected to the display control circuit for displaying an image on the display, the matrix display including an array of pixel electrodes, the array of pixel electrodes having an active area of less than about 100 mm 2 .    
   
   
       14 . The telephone of  claim 13  further comprising a camera for generating image data.  
   
   
       15 . The telephone of  claim 14  in which the image from the camera is seen on the display, transmitted to a remote location, or both.  
   
   
       16 . The telephone of  claim 13  in which the array of pixel electrodes has at least about 75,000 pixel electrodes.  
   
   
       17 . The telephone of  claim 16  in which each pixel electrode has a width of less than about 10 microns.  
   
   
       18 . The telephone of  claim 17  in which each pixel electrode has a width of less than about 8 microns.  
   
   
       19 . The telephone of  claim 16  in which the array of pixel electrodes has an active area between about 5 mm 2  and 80 mm 2 .  
   
   
       20 . The telephone of  claim 13  in which the array of pixel electrodes has at least about 300,000 pixel electrodes.  
   
   
       21 . The telephone of  claim 13  in which the display is an LCD display.  
   
   
       22 . The telephone of  claim 21  further comprising a display light source for transmitting light through the array of pixel electrodes.  
   
   
       23 . The telephone of  claim 22  further comprising a diffuser interposed between the display light source and the LCD display for distributing the light.  
   
   
       24 . The telephone of  claim 13  further comprising a lens for focusing the image for viewing.