Data processing terminal having support module and portable display module for liquid crystal display

• US 4,720,781 A
• Filed: 11/16/1984
• Issued: 01/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: STC PLC (f/k/a Standard Telephones and Cables)
• Inventors: Peters, Jack R., Astorino, Frank, Smith, Harry J., Crossland, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zache, Raulfe B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Emily Y.
• Application Number:
  US06/672,008
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/518, 364/521, 340/720, 340/798, 340/799, 340/825.35, 340/717
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041

Abstract

The data processing terminal comprises a smectic liquid crystal flat panel display module (2) which is supported by a support module (1). The terminal also includes a keyboard (4). The display module (2) may be removed from the support module (1) and has its own central processor, memory, control means and power source to enable it to operate independently of the support module, which contains its own central processor, memory, control means, and interface means and is mains operated. The display module may incorporate a touch sensitive overlay to permit the manipulation of the contents of the display. The support unit may incorporate a telephone interface unit.

Claims

1. A data processing terminal incorporating a visual display unit (VDU), comprising:

(a) a support module, including;

(i) a first central processor,

(ii) a first memory connected to the first central processor for storing application programs for execution by said terminal,

(iii) first control means for communicating commands to the first central processor, and

(iv) an AC power supply for supplying operating power to the support module;

(b) a portable display module, for use independently of the support module, including;

(i) a second central processor,

(ii) second control means for communicating command to the second central processor,

(iii) a smectic liquid crystal flat panel display, comprising said visual display unit, having a plurality of electrically actuated picture elements, which flat panel display is for displaying a whole page of data at a time as a result of actuation of the corresponding picture elements,

(iv) a touch sensitive overlay disposed over the flat panel display and connected to the second central processor for use in manipulating the contents of the display and for entering data when the display module is not attached to the support module,

(v) a second memory connected to the second central processor for storing a number of said pages of data for presentation on said display,

(vi) display interface means for controlling the actuation of said picture elements and thus the display of said data,

(vii) a battery for supplying operating power to the display module; and

(c) means for detachably connecting the display module to the support module to allow the first central processor to control the contents of the display when the display module is connected to the support module.

2. A data processing terminal incorporating a visual display unit (VDU), comprising:

(a) a support module, including;

(i) a first central processor,

(ii) a first memory connected to the first central processor for storing application programs for execution by said terminal,

(iii) first control means for communicating commands to the first central processor, and

(iv) an AC power supply for supplying operating power to the support module;

(b) a portable display module, for use independently of the support module and in the form of a flat panel element, including;

(i) a second central processor,

(ii) second control means for communicating commands to the second central processor,

(iii) a smectic liquid crystal flat panel display, comorising said visual display unit, the liquid crystal display occupying a major face of said flat panel element and having a plurality of electrically actuated picture elements, which flat panel display is capable of displaying a whole page of data at a time as a result of actuation of the corresponding picture elements,

(iv) a second memory connected to the second central processor for storing a number of said pages of data for presentation on said display,

(v) display interface means connected to the display for controlling the actuation of said picture elements and thus the display of said data,

(vi) a battery for supplying operating power to the display module; and

(c) means for detachably connecting the display module to the support module to allow the first central processor to control the contents of the display when the display module is connected to the support module.

3. A data processing terminal incorporating a visual display unit (VDU), comprising:

(a) a support module, including;

(i) a first central processor,

(ii) a first memory connected to the first central processor for storing application programs for execution by said terminal,

(iii) first control means for communicating commands to the first central processor, and

(iv) an AC power supply for supplying operating power to the support module;

(b) a portable display module, for use independently of the support module, including;

(i) a second central processor,

(ii) second control means for communicating commands to the second central processor,

(iii) a smectic liquid crystal flat panel display, comprising said visual display unit, having a plurality of electrically actuated picture elements, which flat panel display is for displaying a whole page of data at a time as a result of actuation of the corresponding picture elements,

(iv) a second memory connected to the second central processor for storing a number of said pages of data for presentation on said display,

(v) display interface means connected to the display for controlling the actuation of said picture elements and thus the display of said data,

(vi) a battery for supplying operating power to the display module; and

(c) means for detachably connecting the display module to the support module to allow the first central processor to control the contents of the display when the display module is connected to the support module.

4. The data processing terminal of claim 3 in which the display module further includes a touch sensitive overlay disposed over the flat panel display and connected to the second display when the display module is not attached to the support module.

5. The data processing terminal of claim 3 in which the first control means includes a keyboard coupled to the first central processor.

6. The data processing terminal of claim 3 in which the support module include a telephone interface unit coupled to the first central processor.

7. The data processing terminal of claim 3 in which the support module includes an additional smectic liquid crystal flat panel display that is permanently attached thereto, which additional flat panel display comprises another said visual display unit and is for displaying a whole page of data at a time.

8. The data processing terminal of claim 7 in which the display module is pivotally attached to the support module.

9. The data processing terminal of claim 3 in which the display module further includes a touch sensitive overlay disposed over the flat panel display and connected to the second central processor for use in manipulating the contents of the display and for entering data when the display module is not attached to the support module.

10. The data processing terminal of claim 8 in which the support module defines a recess into which the display module will fit when the display module is pivoted into contact with the support module.

11. The data processing terminal of claim 8 in which the displays are adjacent to one another when the display module is pivoted into the desired operating position.