Multi-layered displays providing different focal lengths with optically shiftable viewing formats and terminals incorporating the same

Abstract

Wireless terminals with layered displays that provide different focal lengths and allow a user to view data presented on different layered displays by optically shifting his/her focus.

1 . A portable communications device with a dual layered display, comprising: 
 a top display;    a bottom display positioned adjacent to and under the top display;    a portable terminal housing holding the top and bottom displays; and    a portable terminal circuit in the housing to provide a portable computer terminal in the portable communications device,    wherein the top display is a monochromatic display and the bottom display is configured as a color graphic display, and wherein the top monochromatic display varies in transmissivity during operation with up and down lighted pixels.    
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom display is configured to present an operating interface desktop with user selectable menu items.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the portable terminal circuit comprises wireless terminal circuit components in the housing to provide a wireless computer terminal.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured so that content within an application on the bottom display can be navigated by electronically selecting a feature, text or indicia using the top display.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom displays are aligned and positioned to be substantially coextensive with each other, and wherein the top and bottom displays are configured to cooperate to provide contrast and three dimensional effect to a user so that certain features, text or objects optically project outward toward the user.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein, when in use and positioned relative to the eye(s) of a user, the bottom display has a focal length that is longer than the focal length of the top display, and wherein, in operation, a user is able to selectively view data on the top and/or bottom display by optically shifting his/her focus.  
   
   
       7 . A portable communications device with a dual layered display, comprising: 
 a top display;    a bottom display positioned adjacent to and under the top display;    a portable terminal housing holding the top and bottom displays; and    a portable terminal circuit in the housing to provide a portable computer terminal in the portable communications device,    wherein the top and bottom displays are configured so that an icon or other feature can optically pop-up or out in the Z-direction to be visually acknowledged as being active, highlighted or in active mode.    
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the top display can activate to communicate with the bottom display responsive to and/or dependent on data on the bottom display.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the top or bottom displays is configured to present an operating interface desktop with user selectable menu items.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the top display is a monochromatic display and the bottom display is configured as a color graphic display, and wherein the top monochromatic display varies in transmissivity during operation with up and down lighted pixels.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 7 , wherein the portable terminal circuit comprises wireless terminal circuit components in the housing to provide a wireless computer terminal.  
   
   
       12 . A wireless terminal, comprising: 
 a housing configured to enclose a transceiver that transmits and receives wireless communications signals;    an upper display in communication with the transceiver and held in the housing so that a corresponding upper viewing surface is externally viewable; and    a lower display in communication with the transceiver and held in the housing beneath the upper display so that a corresponding lower viewing surface is externally viewable,    wherein the wireless terminal is configured to concurrently present text and/or visual data on the upper and lower displays, wherein the lower display is configured to present an operating interface desktop with user selectable menu items, and wherein the device is configured to allow a user to electronically select a feature, text or indicia using the upper display within content of an application on the lower display to navigate.    
   
   
       13 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower displays are configured to interactively engage each other during operation, thereby allowing operational cooperation to manipulate data between the upper and lower displays.  
   
   
       14 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the wireless terminal is configured to review an incoming communication signal and parse the signal into related visual and text data segments and then present selected text data segments on one of the upper and lower displays and selected related visual data segments on the other display.  
   
   
       15 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper display is configured as a monochromatic, substantially transparent display and the lower display is configured as a color graphic display.  
   
   
       16 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper display is configured to provide incoming and/or outgoing text messages while the lower display provides the interface desktop with a menu of icons of application programs and/or services.  
   
   
       17 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 16 , wherein the text message comprises an auto-scrolling text message.  
   
   
       18 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper and lower displays communicate to save updates or inputs made on the upper display with data on the lower display.  
   
   
       19 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 18 , wherein the upper and/or lower display includes a save grid location.  
   
   
       20 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper display can highlight a target function selectable on the lower display by marking an object using a symbol displayable on the upper display to select the option or object on the second display.  
   
   
       21 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper display is configured to enlarge text/font or an image on the lower display to improve readability or clarity.  
   
   
       22 . A wireless terminal according to  claim 13 , wherein the upper and lower displays interactive engagement include allowing a user to electronically select a feature, text or indicia using the upper display to electronically carry out on the lower display at least one of the following: emphasize, edit, save, send or write to, content of the application.