Tablet accessory for personal electronics devices

• US 20040217992A1
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Oskulak, Ray M., Bradley, Chris
• Application Number:
  US10/427,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20040217992A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A portable display device to increase the screen size of portable display sources such as PDAs (including but not limited to Palms, iPAQs, PDA/Cellular Phones, PocketPCs, etc.), portable phones, DVD players, or any other display device known to persons skilled in the art. The device comprises an interconnect module configured to couple with a specific display source. The interconnect module couples with a display screen housing comprising a display screen. The interconnect module and the display screen housing removably interlock to form a single continuous housing. The portable display device comprises electronic circuitry such that the display output from the display source is displayed on the display screen.

Claims

1. A portable display device configured for attachment to any one of a plurality of different display sources, comprising:

a) a display screen having a display screen housing which substantially encloses the display screen, said housing further comprising an interconnect module docking port;

b) display electronic circuitry configured to electronically couple the interconnect module docking port to the display screen; and

c) an interconnect module having;

1) an interconnect module housing with an output receptacle configured to couple with the interconnect module docking port such that the display screen and the interconnect module removeably interlock to form a single continuous housing;

2) an input receptacle which couples with the display source;

3) module electronic circuitry to electronically couple the input receptacle to the output receptacle, wherein display output from the display source is electronically transmitted via the module electronic circuitry to the interconnect module docking port.

2. A portable display device as in claim 1, wherein a power source coupled to the display screen to provide power to the device.

3. A portable display device as in claim 2, wherein the power source is coupled to the interconnect module to provide power to the display source.

4. A portable display device as in claim 1, wherein the display screen is an LCD screen.

5. A portable display device as in claim 1, wherein the display screen is a touch screen, allowing the user to interact with the display source by touching the display screen.

6. A portable display device as in claim 1, further comprising a keyboard removeably coupled to the display screen and electronically coupled to the interconnect module to allow interaction with the display source.

7. A portable display device as in claim 6, wherein the keyboard can fold across the surface of the display screen to protect the display screen when not in use.

8. A portable display device as in claim 1, further comprising a speaker electronically coupled to the display screen housing to receive and play an audio signal accompanying a display signal.

9. A portable display device as in claim 8, wherein the speaker is a flat panel speaker that is integrated with the display screen.

10. A portable display device as in claim 1, further comprising a stand configured to removably couple with the portable display device, such that the portable display device will stand upright.

11. A portable display device as in claim 1, further comprising a kick stand coupled to opposing side locations of the portable display device, where in the kick stand extends from the portable display device to support the portable display device in an upright position.

12. A method for displaying data on a tablet display using multiple display sources, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a display source for supplying display information;

b) coupling the display source with a first housing;

c) coupling a tablet display including a display housing to the first housing to form a substantial enclosure representing an integrated housing; and

d) activating the display source to supply a display signal to the tablet display.

13. A method for manufacturing a tablet display for using multiple display sources, comprising the steps of:

a) constructing a display housing to accept a display source;

b) constructing a tablet display configured to receive the display housing;

c) configuring electronic circuitry within the display housing such that a display signal from the display source can be transmitted to the tablet display; and

d) configuring electronic circuitry within the tablet display such that a display signal may be received from the display housing and displayed on the tablet display.

14. A portable display device configured for attachment to any one of a plurality of different display sources, comprising:

a) a display screen having a display screen housing which substantially encloses the display screen;

b) a docking port coupled to the display screen housing;

c) an interconnect module configured for coupling to the display source, the interconnect module being configured to removably couple to the docking port; and

d) display electronic circuitry configured to electronically couple the docking port to the display screen, wherein display output from the display source is received by the docking port and electronically transmitted via the display electronic circuitry to the display screen.

15. A portable display device as in claim 14, wherein a power source coupled to the display screen to provide power to the device.

16. A portable display device as in claim 14, further comprising a keyboard removeably coupled to the display screen and electronically coupled to the interconnect module to allow interaction with the display source.

17. A portable display device as in claim 14, wherein the display screen is an LCD screen.

18. A portable display device as in claim 14, wherein the display screen is a touch screen, allowing the user to interact with the display source by touching the display screen.

19. A portable display device as in claim 14, further comprising a speaker electronically coupled to the display screen housing to receive and play an audio signal accompanying a display signal.

20. A portable display device as in claim 19, wherein the speaker is a flat panel speaker that is integrated with the display screen.