WO2013156613A1

WO2013156613A1 - A housing for an electronic display screen

Info

Publication number: WO2013156613A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/058211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Jan Jacob MUS; Mark Moore; Muiris Flynn; Neil NAUGHTON
Original assignee: Basic Holdings
Priority date: 2012-04-19
Filing date: 2013-04-19
Publication date: 2013-10-24
Also published as: NL2008660C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing for an electronic display screen and in one configuration to a housing providing a docking station for a portable electronic device such as a smart-phone or tablet computer. The housing comprising a mirror configured to provide for the generation of a virtual images related to background elements within the housing, the virtual and real images being optically merged with images displayed on the display screen.

Description

A housing for an electronic display screen Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a housing for an electronic display screen. The invention particularly relates to a housing that uses optical elements which are configured relative to the display screen to create a compound image comprising elements from the display screen, physical background elements and a virtual representation of these physical background elements. In one preferred arrangement the electronic display screen is integrally formed and is part of a portable electronic device such as a smart-phone or tablet computer. In such an arrangement the housing provides a docking station for the portable electronic device. Background

Within the context of electronic display screens the viewing experience is limited by the display technology used within the display. Recent improvements in technology have allowed the generation of three-dimensional viewing experiences on a 2-dimensional screen. Such 3- dimensional experiences may require the viewer to wear specific glasses to enhance the experience. It is also known to provide such experiences without the need of glasses using techniques such as stereoscopic display, multi-view display, 2D-plus-depth, or any other form of 3D display. Such latter techniques require dedicated technology and it would be useful to provide a 3D viewing experience without having to invest in dedicated display screen technology. Within the context of display screens that are integrated into portable electronic devices such as tablets or smartphones, it is known to provide docking stations for these devices to allow a recharging or provision of additional functionality to the electronic device. A docking station is a housing adapted for receiving, holding and releasing a portable electronic device and that allows the device to be coupled conveniently to common peripherals such as speakers.

Docking stations typically further comprise means to allow charging of a battery of the portable electronic device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a docking station with improved functionality and/or as an alternative with better options in comparison with the docking stations of the prior art. Summary These and other problems are addressed by a housing in accordance with the present teaching. Advantageous features are provided in the dependent claims.

The present teaching will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a docking station with reference to the following Figures. These exemplary embodiments should not be considered as being restrictive as to the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a two-dimensional side-on schematic of a housing configured as a docking station in accordance with the present teaching

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional representation of the docking station of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear of another example of a housing provided in accordance with the present teaching.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from the front of a housing provided in accordance with the present teaching.

Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4 but shows an alternative background being presented into the housing.

Figure 6 is another example of a housing in accordance with the present teaching

incorporating an alternative docking arrangement.

Figure 7 shows one example of how the housing may facilitate the presentation of an electronic device into the housing to accommodate different locations of electrical connectors or couplings.

Figure 8 shows how electronic devices of differing dimensions may be used in combination with a housing provided in accordance with the present teaching.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

In the examples of Figures 1 and 2, a docking station 1 is shown to comprise a housing or box 2 having a port 3 providing a viewer (not shown) with a line of sight L into the box, means for displaying a background 4 and a semi-transparent mirror 5. A portable electronic device 6 is also shown docked in the docking station 1. With the portable electronic device 6 docked in the docking station 1 , at least a portion of a screen 7 of the portable electronic device is in the line of sight of the viewer and behind the semi-transparent mirror 5. The means for displaying a background 4 are in front of the semi- transparent 10 mirror 5 such that a displayed background is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror 5 into the line of sight L of the viewer. The docking station further comprises means for charging 8 the portable electronic device. In this configuration of the electronic device a power connector is provided on a lower surface of the electronic device. The means for charging 8 the portable electronic device 6 is located within the housing such that when the device is presented into the housing in a vertical direction- shown by the double ended arrows- the means for charging 8 makes a positive connection with the device 6. This effects both an electrical connection and also provides tactile feedback to the user of the correction locating of the device 6 within the housing.

Lighting means 9 to illuminate the displayed background is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the lighting means comprises a fibre optic (not shown) configured for directing light from a light source of the portable electronic device but the light source could provide a source of illumination independent of the electronic device 6. An additional feature of the docking station 1 of this example is a privacy filter 10 placed between the semi-transparent mirror 5 and the means for displaying a background 4 arranged to shield from sight the means for displaying a background 4 from the viewer. In the examples of Figure 1 and 2 it will be appreciated that an exemplary arrangement of a docking station for a portable electronic device such as a smart-phone or tablet computer in accordance with the present teaching is described. The docking station comprises a box having a port providing a viewer with a line of sight into the box, means for displaying a background and a semi-transparent mirror, wherein with the portable media player docked in the docking station, at least a portion of a screen of the portable media player is in the line of sight of the viewer and behind the semi-transparent mirror, and wherein the means for displaying a background are in front of the semi-transparent mirror such that a displayed background is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror into the line of sight of the viewer.

The port is a window allowing the viewer to see into the box; the port may simply be embodied as an opening in the box or may be composed of an optically transparent material, such as a material that transmits light e.g. at least 70 % of light incident on the port, wherein the light has a wavelength in the range of 400-700 nm. An example of such a material is glass; plastics such as poly(methyl methacrylate) are an alternative to glass.

A semi-transparent mirror is a mirror that transmits a proportion, e.g. about 50 %, of light incident on the semi-transparent mirror and which reflects a further proportion of the incident light, e.g. about 50 %. An example of such a semi-transparent mirror is a half-silvered mirror or a dichroic mirror.

The means for displaying a background 4 comprise any means that would allow an image of a background to be reflected into the line of sight of the viewer. In a preferred embodiment, the means for displaying a background comprise any means for projecting an image of a background onto the semi-transparent mirror 5 so as to be reflected into the line of sight of the viewer. Such may include physical background elements that may be viewed by a user in addition to a virtual representation of same to form a compound image that is optically presented to the viewer with the imagery being displayed on the screen to create 3- dimensional effects. In the example of Figures 1 and 2 the means for displaying a background are normally hidden from a viewer- they are not in the line of sight L. A viewing of these background elements requires the use of the mirror 5 to reflect the background from its physical horizontal orientation onto a vertical display parallel to the screen 7 of the device 6.

In another configuration, the means for displaying a background comprises a projector.

Examples of suitable portable electronic devices include smart-phones such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy, in addition to tablet computers such as the iPad or equivalents from other manufacturers (iPhone and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.; Galaxy is a registered trademark of Samsung, Korea). The portable electronic device preferably further comprises speakers, although this is not an absolute requirement.

One example of an imaging technique that may be employed within the context of the present teaching and which is shown in Figures 1 and 2 is similar to that known as Pepper's Ghost (see also 20 the Wikipedia-lemma on Pepper's ghost), which is known for the person skilled in the art. A difference between the imaging technique known as Pepper's Ghost and that used in the context of the present teaching is that the positions of the means for displaying a background and a means for displaying a foreground (in this case the portable electronic device) are reversed: the background is reflected into the viewer's line of sight by the semi- transparent mirror rather than being in the line of sight of the viewer and behind the semi- transparent mirror. Advantages of this arrangement are that a box of shallower depth can be used and that a wider viewing angle is made possible.

Such an arrangement has the advantage that images displayed on the screen of the portable electronic device appear to be three-dimensional for the viewer viewing the image through the port.

The docking station may further comprise lighting means to illuminate the displayed background. The lighting means may operate independently from other components of the docking station i.e. providing predefined illumination conditions, or the lighting means may be controlled by a controller, such as the portable electronic device having been provided with appropriate software, to coordinate lighting and background display. The displayed background may be illuminated either by illuminating the semi- transparent mirror, or in certain embodiments, by illuminating the means for displaying a background.

The lighting means advantageously permits the background to be lit so as to give the most convincing experience for the viewer.

In one example of this embodiment, the lighting means comprises a fibre optic configured for directing light from a light source of the portable media player towards the background.

In an alternative example, the lighting means comprise one or more of an LED or an incandescent light bulb.

In another aspect, the box further comprises a privacy filter 10 placed between the semi- transparent mirror and the means for displaying a background 4 arranged to shield from sight the means for displaying a background from the viewer.

A privacy filter decreases the viewing angle of a screen and is known to a person of skill in the art.

To a viewer looking into the box through the port 3, the privacy filter would appear as a, preferably black, non- transparent surface. If one were to look through the privacy filter from the perspective of the means for displaying a background however, one's view would be unimpeded.

The purpose of the privacy filter is to give an impression to the viewer that an image displayed on the screen of a portable electronic device docked in the docking station is simply havering in the air in front of the screen, creating an effect much like the three- dimensional holographic projections familiar to viewers of the Star Wars series of films albeit limited to the confines of the box.

The privacy filter further serves to maintain the mystery of how the three-dimensional images are created. An experience that many users of the device would find intriguing.

In an example of an application of the docking station of Figures 1 or 2, the present teaching provides a character display device comprising the docking station and a portable electronic device docked therein wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a computer program loaded into a memory of the portable electronic device configured for displaying one or more characters on a screen of the portable electronic device.

Advantages of the character display device are manyfold and in different embodiments could provide enjoyment for people of all ages. For example: for young children the one or 10 more characters could be embodied as an elf or elves, still or preferably animated, that read(s) a story or stories to the young children. The elf would appear to be three-dimensional creating the impression that a real elf is reading the story or stories; for older people, the character could be an individual with which they can interact such as a butler or a virtual friend, such could be particularly beneficial for the elderly and could serve to alleviate boredom and/or loneliness. The experienced effects could be further enhanced by embodying the background as a hologram or a lenticular picture. In general the character is an image of a person, animal or other figure, imaginary or real. In a further preferred embodiment, the character is an image of a real person provided by a video- link such as over the internet using the portable electronic device coupled through the internet to a computer of the real person. Such could be used for example in combination with a voice over internet protocol service such as e.g. Skype. The examples described heretofore have been with reference to use of an angularly offset partially reflective mirror within the housing. This offset mirror is typically arranged within the housing so as to be orientated within the range 35 to 50 degrees relative to the horizontal. In another arrangement which will be described with reference to the following figures, the partially reflective mirror may be vertically mounted within the housing so as to be substantially parallel with the plane of the display screen when it is received into the housing. Figures 3 to 5 shows such an example, where the same reference numerals are used to describe similar elements or components. In this arrangement a housing 1 comprises a port 3 through which a viewer is presented with a line of sight L into an interior portion of the housing. A semi-transparent mirror 5 is mounted in a vertical orientation within the housing 1. One or more background elements 4 are provided. Figures 4 and 5 show different examples of such background elements- Figure 4 shows log or fuel bed elements 400 whereas Figure 5 shows shrubbery 500. In accordance with the present teaching the choice of background elements may be selected dependent on what will be presented to the viewer. For example, if the imagery displayed within the housing is that of a fire it is appropriate to provide background elements in the form of fuel bed elements whereas if the imagery relates to a story set in the woods, then it is appropriate to provide shrubbery- per Figure 5. To facilitate this exchange of appropriate background elements in certain aspect of the present teaching the background elements are provided within a cartridge 410.

Desirably these cartridges are provided in a modular form such that the user can select and purchase the cartridges independently of the housing. The housing is configured to allow easy replacement of these cartridges by a user. In the examples of Figures 4 and 5, a port 430 is provided in a side wall 440 of the housing and is dimensioned to slideably receive a cartridge presented from the side of the housing. On receipt of the cartridge within the housing, a side wall 450 of the cartridge is substantially co-planar with the side wall 440 of the housing to provide a smooth surface. To facilitate removal of the cartridge a hand grip 420 may be provided. As shown in Figure 5 the handgrip may be located below the actual background elements coincident with the location of a light 9. In this way the cartridge may be presented in and out of the housing without requiring movement of the light 9. Similarly access to the light for replacement purposes may be provided through the hand grip 420. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the housing provides a support 300 for the display screen of the electronic device 6 - Figures 4 and 5 show the display screen already received into the housing. The support in these configurations comprises first and second channels 310, 320 which extend parallel to the direction of movement of the electronic device in and out of the housing. These channels co-operate with the actual device 6 and constrain its movement relative to the housing. In the arrangement of Figures 3- 5, the device is presented into the housing such that its screen will be viewed in a landscape orientation by a viewer to the front of the housing. This is in contrast to the arrangement of Figures 1 and 2 where the screen is viewed in a portrait configuration.

Similarly to that described with reference to Figure 1, in these configurations a power connector 8 is provided and is located within the housing to positively engage with a presented electronic device on receipt of the device within the housing. It will be appreciated that certain electronic devices require specific connectors and to facilitate the use of the housing with devices provided by different manufacturers, adapters could be provided. The housing could also be configured to provide USB connector 340 or other power connectros 330 that could be used to provide power to a received electronic device. Inspection of the examples of Figures 3 to 5 show how the components are arranged relative to one another such that the semi-transparent mirror 5 is provided between the support 310, 320 for the display screen and the background elements 4 such that, operably, on locating the display screen within the housing an image displayed on the display screen is in the line of sight of the viewer and will optically appear to the user to be located between the background elements and a reflection of the background elements generated by the semi-transparent mirror.

In these examples the semi-transparent mirror may also be removable through a side wall 440 of the housing- shown in Figure 4 and 5. This will facilitate the cleaning or replacement of the mirror should that be necessitated.The mirror heretofore described has been described as a passive element through which the actual display screen of the electronic device is viewed.

The present teaching also provides for a viewing of a replicated version of the actual display screen. In one example this may be achieved by projecting the actual display onto a secondary display screen within the housing. Such projection may be achieved in one of a number of different ways including use of physical connectors such as VGA or HDMI type connectors to electronically couple the received device to a screen provided within the housing. In another configuration it is possible to wirelessly couple the received device to a screen within the housing to replicate the images on the screen of the device onto the screen of the housing. The use of a replicated version-sometimes referred to in the art as mirroring the display- onto a screen within the housing facilitates the generation of a larger display than possible using the standard displays of the electronic devices. While it is also possible within the context of the present teaching to provide optical elements within the housing to magnify the display onto a larger display, the use of electronics provides an easier and preferred solution.

In the examples just described of a secondary screen on which a replicated image is displayed, the secondary screen was described was being separate to the semi-reflective mirror. It is also possible within the context of the present teaching to provide the mirror as an active element on which a display may be generated- effectively the mirror may be coupled to a graphical driver which is used to electronically replicate images from the electronic device onto the mirror. In this way the mirror may provide a dual function, both generating the virtual image of the background elements and also providing a replicated display of the screen of the received electronic device. It will be appreciated that in both these latter examples the received electronic device does not have to be coupled to the housing in a way that presents its screen to a viewer looking through the port 3. In an example of such a configuration- shown in Figure 5, a device 6 is docked with the housing through a port 600 provided on an upper 610 surface of the housing. In this example, docking does not require a complete receipt of the device into the housing- Figure 6 shows how the device while docked still projects above the upper surface 610. In this configuration the screen 7 is located substantially perpendicular to the line of sight of the user through the port 3 and a housing per this example will require a screen within the housing within which the display of the device 6 is replicated. As was discussed above, in the arrangements of Figures 3 to 5, the housing comprises a channel which is cooperable with the display screen so as to allow a slideable receipt of the electronic device 6 into the housing. In these illustrated configurations the channel is orientated to allow a horizontal sliding of the display screen into the housing, i.e. the display screen is presented from the left or right hand side of the housing into the housing. In another arrangement the channels may be orientated to allow a vertical sliding of the display screen into the housing. Figure 7 shows how the housing may comprise a moveable element 700 whose movement is used to allow an introduction of the display screen into the housing. This is particularly advantageous in an arrangement which provides for a vertical introduction of the display screen into the housing. It will be appreciated that while the exemplary arrangement of Figure 1 and its IPHONE™ example of a smart phone has a power interface in a lower surface of the electronic device, other examples such as IPADs and similar tablets have the power interface on a side surface. When inserting such devices vertically downwardly into the housing it is preferable to do so in a landscape orientation. This unfortunately provides the power interface on a side of the device. In the example of Figure 7 the moveable element 700 comprises the power connector 8 that is ultimately coupled to a received device 6. By having a moveable elementt, the elementcould be orientated initially to allow an introduction of the device into the housing- Figure 7 shows this configuration where the element 700 is moved transverse to the direction of introduction of the device 6 to ease its entry into the housing 1. Once received, the element could be moved to a locked position which would bring a power interface 8 of the housing into contact with a power connector 710 provided on a side 720 of the electronic device so as to provide an electrical inter-engagement.

It will be appreciated that any example discussed above with regard to the providing of an electrical inter-engagement could be used to both provide power and/or electrical signals to the device or to extract power and/or electrical signals from the device. This latter

arrangement could be used to provide power to the device and/or to draw power from the device to allow batteries of the device provide power for ancillary features of the housing such as lights etc.

As discussed above power interface if provided may be specific to the type of device being mated with. Alternatively generic power interfaces such as USB or the like could be used.

In the examples of Figures 4 to 5 the background elements are provided on a horizontal platform within the housing. The platform was described as being removable from the housing so as to allow a replacement of the background elements. This could be particularly advantageous for applications where a changing of scenery as provided by the background elements may be provided dependent on the intended imagery being displayed on the display screen. Such provision of a modular background could also be facilitated by providing an access door in the side of the housing to assist in the easy replacement of the background as necessary. Of course it will be appreciated that this is an advantageous configuration but it is not necessary within the overall context of the present teaching to provide such module interchange facility.

The background elements may be electrically coupled to a power source within the housing to providing lighting or sound through these background elements and if so configured would enhance the visual experience provide by a user. Activation of such electrical elements could be coordinated through use of control logic coupled to an interface for the portable electronic device, the control logic being configured, on sensing an introduction of the portable electronic device into the housing, to effect an execution of predetermined programs on the portable electronic device and/or predetermined effects within the housing. in the arrangement described heretofore the housing has been described for use with electronic devices of specific dimensions. It is also possible to use a housing in accordance with the present teaching with devices of differing dimensions. Figure 8 shows how a housing per the teaching of a Figure 3-5 which was previously described with reference to a tablet dimensioned electronic device such as an IP AD™ In this example the housing provides a support template 800 which is dimensioned to be received within the channels 310, 320 but also is dimensioned to receive a smaller device such as an IPHONE™ 820.The template comprises an electrical connector 810 that on receipt of the template 800 within the housing will mate electrically with the connector 8 provided in the housing 1. The template includes a mating surface 830 for receiving the IPHONE™820. On a mating of the two, the template may then be introduced into the housing. It will be appreciated that the present teaching is not restricted to the exemplary arrangement as discussed with reference to the Figures. There may be numerous modifications in the form of options added or options deleted without departing from the essence of the present teaching. The scope of protection that merits the present teaching is therefore determined only by reference to the appended claims whereas the above exemplary teaching is provided to clarify any possible ambiguity and to assist in an understanding of the instant teaching.

The words comprises/comprising when used in this specification are to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A housing for an electronic display screen, the housing comprising: a port (3) providing a viewer with a line of sight (L) into the housing; a semi-transparent mirror; background elements; a support for the display screen; and wherein the semi-transparent mirror is provided between the support for the display screen and the background elements such that, operably, on locating the display screen within the housing an image displayed on the display screen is in the line of sight of the viewer and will optically appear to the user to be located between the background elements and a reflection of the background elements generated by the semi-transparent mirror.

2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the electronic display screen is removable from the housing.

3. The housing of any preceding claim comprising a power socket configured to mate with and provide power to the electronic display screen.

4. The housing of claim 3 wherein the power socket is located relative to the support such that on locating the display screen within the housing on its support a positive coupling of the power socket to the electronic display screen is effected.

5. The housing of any preceding claim wherein the electronic display screen is integrally formed with a portable electronic device such as a smart phone or tablet.

6. The housing of claim 5 comprising a power interface for coupling to the portable electronic device to extract power from batteries of the portable electronic device for providing power within the housing.

7. The housing of claim 5 or 6 configured as a docking station for the portable electronic device.

8. The housing of any preceding claim further comprising lighting means (9) to illuminate the background elements.

9. The housing of claim 8 when dependent on claim 5, wherein the lighting means (9) comprises a fibre optic configured for directing light from a light source of the portable electronic device (6) towards the background elements(4).

10. The housing of any preceding claim further comprising a privacy filter (10) placed between the semi-transparent mirror (5) and the background elements and arranged to shield from sight the background elements (4) from the viewer.

11. The housing of any preceding claim characterized in that the background elements are provided by a hologram or a lenticular picture.

12. The housing of any one of claim 1 to 9 wherein the background elements are provided on a horizontal platform within the housing.

13. The housing of claim 12 wherein the platform is removable from the housing so as to allow a replacement of the background elements.

14. The housing of any preceding claim wherein the background elements are electrically coupled to a power source within the housing.

15. The housing of any preceding claim wherein the semi-transparent mirror is vertically orientated within the housing.

16. The housing of claim 15 wherein on locating the display screen within the housing, the display screen and semi-transparent mirror are substantially parallel.

17. The housing of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the semi-transparent mirror comprises a dichroic mirror.

18. The housing of any one of claim 1 to 14 wherein the semi-transparent mirror extends from a front portion of the housing to a rear portion of the housing.

19. The housing of claim 18 wherein the semi-transparent mirror is orientated within the range 35 to 50 degrees relative to the horizontal.

20. The housing of any preceding claim comprising a channel, the display screen being slideably engageable with the channel to allow a slideable receipt of the display screen into the housing.

21. The housing of claim 20 wherein the channel is orientated to allow a horizontal sliding of the display screen into the housing.

22. The housing of claim 20 wherein the channel is orientated to allow a vertical sliding of the display screen into the housing.

23. The housing of any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the support defines the channel.

24. The housing of any preceding claim comprising a moveable element to allow an introduction of the display screen into the housing.

25. The housing of any preceding claim comprising a user interface configured to allow a user effect changes in the display on the display screen.

26. The housing of claim 5 comprising control logic coupled to an interface for the portable electronic device, the control logic being configured, on sensing an introduction of the portable electronic device into the housing, to effect an execution of predetermined programs on the portable electronic device.

27. The housing of any preceding claim comprising a second display screen, the housing being configured to replicate images displayed on the electronic display screen onto the second display screen.

28. The housing of claim 27 wherein the dimensions of the second display screen are greater than the dimensions of the electronic display screen.

29. The housing of claim 27 or 28 wherein the replicated images are electronically replicated onto the second display screen.

30. The housing of claim 29 comprising a wired connection to the second display screen.

31. The housing of claim 29 configured to wirelessly replicate the images onto the second display screen.

32. The housing of any one of claims 27 to 31 wherein the second display screen provides a primary display screen of the housing.

33. The housing of claim 27 or 28 comprising optical elements configured to optically replicate images displayed on the electronic display screen onto the second display screen.

34. A portable electronic device docking station comprising a housing as claimed in any preceding claim.

35. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising a housing, the housing comprising: a port (3) providing a viewer with a line of sight (L) into the housing; a semi-transparent mirror; background elements; a display screen; and wherein the semi-transparent mirror is provided between the display screen and the background elements, the docking station being configured such that on receipt of the portable electronic device within the housing images from the portable electronic device are replicated and displayed on the display screen, the images displayed on the display screen being in the line of sight of the viewer optically appearing to the user to be located between the background elements and a reflection of the background elements generated by the semi- transparent mirror.

36. The docking station of claim 35 wherein the images from the portable electronic device are wirelessly replicated onto the display screen.

37. The docking station of claim 35 or 36 comprising a wired connection between a received portable electronic device and the display screen.

38. A character display device (1 , 6) comprising a docking station (1) according to any one of claims 34 to 37 and a portable electronic device (6) docked therein, characterised in that the portable electronic device (6) further comprises a computer program loaded into a memory of the portable electronic device (6) configured for displaying one or more characters on a screen (7) of the portable electronic device (6).

39. A character display device (1, 6) according to claim 38, characterized in that the portable electronic device (6) is video- and/or audio-linked through Internet to a predefined website and/or to a mechanical or human audio source via a VOIP connection.

40. A docking station (1) for a portable electronic device (6) such as a smart-phone or tablet computer, characterised in that the docking station (1) comprises a box (2) having a port (3) providing a viewer with a line of sight (L) into the box, means for displaying a background

(4) and a semi-transparent mirror (5), wherein with the portable electronic device (6) docked in the docking station (1), at least a portion of a screen (7) of the portable electronic device (6) is in the line of sight (L) of the viewer and behind the semi-transparent mirror (5), and wherein the means for displaying a background (4) are in front of the semi-transparent mirror

(5) such that a displayed background is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror (5) into the line of sight (L) of the viewer.