Computer peripheral display and communication device providing an adjunct 3D user interface

A system for providing a user with a visual environment corresponding to an application program, the visual environment comprising a primary visual interface and an adjunct visual interface, the primary visual interface providing a main source of visual information for user interaction with the application program, the system comprising:

• an adjunct communication device separate from a primary display device and couplable to a processing unit, the adjunct communication device comprising:
• a housing;
• a base;
• a display unit at least partially residing in the base, the display unit comprising an output surface, the output surface configured to output optical signals relative to a first set of optical travel paths;
• and
• a viewing screen mounted within the housing, the viewing screen comprising a viewing surface, the viewing surface configured to receive the optical signals, and further configured to at least partially direct the optical signals relative to a second set of optical travel paths, wherein the second set of optical travel paths defines a viewing angle;
• wherein the viewing screen is reflective;
• wherein the viewing surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to the output surface;
• wherein the viewing surface is slanted towards the viewing angle;
• and
• wherein the viewing surface is curved;
• and
• an adjunct communication manager configured to manage adjunct communication operations comprising:
• determining whether an adjunct content event has occurred;
• and
• selectively transferring one from the group of an adjunct content notification and adjunct visual content to the adjunct communication device in response to the occurrence of an adjunct content event,
• wherein the adjunct content event corresponds to one of an application program installation sequence, an occurrence of an application program event, an indication of a level of user proficiency in interacting with the application program, a communication session with a remote system, and a predefined visual sequence that includes one of video data and animation data that is automatically selected for presentation to the user during one of application program installation and application program execution.

An adjunct communication device comprising:

• a housing;
• a base;
• a display unit at least partially residing in the base, the display unit comprising an output surface, the output surface configured to output optical signals relative to a first set of optical travel paths;
• and
• a viewing screen mounted within the housing, the viewing screen comprising a viewing surface, the viewing surface configured to receive the optical signals, and further configured to at least partially direct the optical signals relative to a second set of optical travel paths, wherein the viewing screen is reflective;
• wherein the second set of optical travel paths defines a viewing angle;
• wherein the viewing surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to the output surface;
• wherein the viewing surface is slanted towards the viewing angle;
• and
• wherein the viewing surface is curved.

An adjunct communication device comprising:

• a housing;
• a base;
• a display unit at least partially residing in the base, the display unit comprising an output surface, the output surface configured to output optical signals relative to a first set of optical travel paths;
• and
• a viewing screen mounted within the housing, the viewing screen comprising a viewing surface, the viewing surface configured to receive the optical signals, and further configured to at least partially direct the optical signals relative to a second set of optical travel paths,
• wherein the second set of optical travel paths defines a viewing angle;
• wherein the viewing surface is disposed at an acute angle relative to the output surface;
• wherein a first optical travel path of the first set of optical travel paths is at a first angle relative to the viewing surface, wherein a second optical travel path of the first set of optical travel paths is at a second angle relative to the viewing surface, the first optical travel path being nearer to a viewer than the second optical travel path, the first angle being smaller than the second angle;
• wherein the viewing screen is reflective;
• and
• wherein the viewing surface is curved.