Portable electronic device with an integrated switchable mirror

Abstract

Electronic devices with displays having switchable mirrors are described. The switchable mirror covers the display and is capable of switching from a transparent state to a reflecting state responsive to a switch in the electronic device. In one embodiment, the display is switched off when the switchable mirror switches to its reflecting state. In another embodiment, the switchable mirror is switched to its reflecting state when the electronic device is switched off.

1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing sized so that the electronic device is portable;   a display mounted in the housing; and   a switchable mirror covering the display and operable to switch from a transparent state to a reflecting state responsive to a switch in the portable electronic device,   wherein the switchable mirror covers a center of the display, and a margin of the display extends around the switchable minor.   
   
   
       2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is sized to be held in a person's hand. 
   
   
       3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the display is switched off when the switchable mirror switches to the reflecting state. 
   
   
       4 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the switchable mirror is switched to the reflecting state when the portable electronic device is switched off. 
   
   
       5 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group comprising cellular telephones, PDAs, music players, and GPS devices. 
   
   
       6 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the switchable mirror is flat. 
   
   
       7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a laptop computer. 
   
   
       8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the display is switched off when the switchable mirror switches to the reflecting state. 
   
   
       9 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the switchable mirror is switched to the reflecting state when the portable electronic device is switched off. 
   
   
       10 . The electronic device system of  claim 7 , wherein the switchable minor is flat. 
   
   
       11 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the switchable mirror includes a concave surface facing away from the display. 
   
   
       12 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a backlight comprising light-emitting diodes. 
   
   
       13 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising a backlight comprising light-emitting diodes. 
   
   
       14 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the switchable mirror includes a concave surface facing away from the display. 
   
   
       15 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the switchable mirror comprises a polarizing filter sheet and a glass sheet 
   
   
       16 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing sized so that the electronic device is portable;   a display mounted in the housing; and   a switchable mirror covering the display and operable to switch from a transparent state to a reflecting state responsive to a switch in the portable electronic device when the switch is activated via a dedicated key;   wherein the switchable minor covers the entire surface of the display.   
   
   
       17 . The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the switchable minor comprises a polarizing filter sheet and a glass sheet 
   
   
       18 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing sized so that the electronic device is portable;   a display mounted in the housing; and   a switchable mirror covering the display and operable to switch from a transparent state to a reflecting state responsive to a switch in the portable electronic device when the display of the device is turned off,   wherein the switchable minor covers the entire surface of the display.   
   
   
       19 . The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the switchable mirror comprises a polarizing filter sheet and a glass sheet.