Devices and Methods Involving Display Interaction Using Photovoltaic Arrays

Abstract

Devices and methods involving display interaction using photovoltaic arrays are provided. In this regard, a representative device incorporates: a display operative to display images to a user; and a photovoltaic array positioned in an overlying relationship with at least a portion of the display and being operative to detect light incident upon the photovoltaic array; the display being further operative to respond to a sensed localized differential in intensity of the light incident upon the photovoltaic array such that, responsive to the sensed localized differential, operation of the display is altered.

1 . A device comprising:
 a display operative to display images to a user; and   a photovoltaic array positioned in an overlying relationship with at least a portion of the display and being operative to detect light incident upon the photovoltaic array;   the display being further operative to respond to a sensed localized differential in intensity of the light incident upon the photovoltaic array such that, responsive to the sensed localized differential, operation of the display is altered.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the photovoltaic array is configured as a transparent layer. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first of the images displayed is a graphical actuator; and   the display is operative to actuate the graphical actuator responsive to the sensed localized differential.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the images are viewable through the photovoltaic array. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a mobile phone. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is further operative to respond to a change in the sensed localized differential such that, responsive to detecting that the localized differential is increasing in size, the display expands a size of a first of the images being displayed. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is further operative to respond to a change in the sensed localized differential such that, responsive to detecting that the localized differential is decreasing in size, the display shrinks a size of a first of the images being displayed. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is further operative to respond to a change in the sensed localized differential such that, responsive to detecting that the localized differential is increasing in magnitude, the display shrinks a size of a first of the images being displayed. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is further operative to respond to a change in the sensed localized differential such that, responsive to detecting that the localized differential is decreasing in magnitude, the display expands a size of a first of the images being displayed. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display is further operative to respond to a change in the sensed localized differential such that, responsive to detecting movement of the localized differential is across the photovoltaic array, the display scrolls a first of the images being displayed across the display in a direction corresponding to the movement. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first feature of the device is actuated without the user physically contacting a display area of the display. 
     
     
         12 . A method for interacting with a display comprising:
 sensing a localized differential in intensity of incident light, the incident light corresponding to light incident upon the display; and   altering an operation of the display based, at least in part, on the localized differential in sensed incident light.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein altering an operation of the display further comprises altering a configuration of an image displayed on the display. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensing further comprises sensing the localized differential with a photovoltaic array positioned proximate to the display. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the method further comprises correlating the localized differential with a location on the display; and   altering a configuration is performed responsive to the correlating of the location on the display.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration further comprises enlarging the image. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration further comprises reducing the image. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration further comprises moving a position of the image. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein altering an operation of the display further comprises actuating a feature associated with an area of the display corresponding to the sensed localized differential. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein actuating the feature further comprises actuating a graphical actuator associated with the feature.