Methods and systems for a portable, interactive display device for use with a computer

• US 20040235532A1
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Matthews, Joseph H., Stoakley, Richard W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,183,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information

Abstract

A portable, interactive display device is disclosed. The device presents to a user the graphical interface of a host computer. The host is separate from the display device and sits in a fixed location. The invention allows a user to carry with him the user interface capability of the host, limited only by the capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host. The host provides processing, storage, and access to its own peripheral devices. The display device need only provide the amount of processing necessary to communicate with the host, to run the client side of the hosting software, and to provide security functions. The host provides a docking station that accommodates the display device. When in the docking station, the display device continues to operate but communicates with the host through the docking station rather than through the wireless channel. This allows for a higher quality video connection.

Claims

1-19. -19. (Cancelled)

20. A method for a computing device with a local display screen to communicate with a portable display system, the portable display system dockable in a docking station of the computing device, the method comprising:

detecting whether the portable display system is in contact with the docking station; and

if the portable computing system is in contact with the docking station, sending display signals to the portable display system and to the local display screen treating them as a multiple monitor system;

else turning off output to the local display screen.

21. A computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the method of claim 20.

22. A method for a portable display system, dockable in a docking station, to set parameters of its display, the method comprising:

detecting whether the portable display system is in contact with the docking station; and

if the portable display system is in contact with the docking station, then setting the display parameters to a predefined set of parameters optimized for mouse input;

else setting the display parameters to a predefined set of parameters optimized for pen input.

23. A computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the method of claim 22.

24-25. -25. (Cancelled)