Computer system having a detachable display

• US 5,347,630 A
• Filed: 03/25/1992
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Ishizawa, Shoichi, Ideno, Kyoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHARDSON, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US07/860,738
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 395/162, 395/164, 364/708, 364/708.1, 345/185, 345/203, 361/681
• US Class Current: 345/538
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• 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 1/3218 of display devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display

Abstract

An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a word processor is disclosed. A main unit includes at least processing means for processing input data, and main unit memory means connected to the processing means. A display device is attachable to and detachable from the main unit case and includes at least display device memory means for storing data of the main unit supplied through a connector to be connected to a main unit connector when attached, display means for displaying the stored content, control means for controlling the display and power supply means for supplying powers to the display device memory means, the display device and the control means when detached.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a main body having;

a processor for processing input data received from a source external to the main body;

a first memory for storing display data processed by said processor; and

a first connector for transferring said display data to a source external to the main body;

a display device attachable to and detachable from said main body, said display device having;

a display panel;

a second connector, connected to said first connector when said display device is attached to said main body, for transferring said display data to a source internal to the main body;

a second memory storing said display data received through said second connector;

a display controller for controlling the display; and

a power supply means for supplying power to each of said display panels, said second memory and said display controller.

2. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said display device further includes first detection means for detecting whether the display device is attached to and the detached from said main unit.

3. A computer system according to claim 2 wherein said display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including a backlight device for back illumination and a liquid crystal display driver for performing the display control.

4. A computer system according to claim 3 wherein said liquid crystal display panel includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal display panel.

5. A computer system according to claim 2 wherein said display device further includes management means for managing the on-off control of said backlight device or said liquid crystal display device.

6. A computer system according to claim 2 wherein said first detection means detects whether the display device is attached to or detached from said main body by detecting the presence or absence of a predetermined voltage on said second connector.

7. A computer system according to claim 2 wherein said display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including a backlight device for back illumination and a liquid crystal display driver for performing the display control.

8. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said main body further includes second detection means for detecting whether said main body is attached to or detached from said display device.

9. A computer system according to claim 8 wherein said second detection mans detects whether said main body is attached to or detached from said display device by detecting the presence or absence of a predetermined voltage on the second connector.

10. A computer system according to claim 8 wherein said main body further includes switching means for changing the speed of an operation clock associated with the processor when said second detection means detects a detachment of said main body from said display device.

11. A computer system according to claim 10 wherein said main body further includes keyboard means for inputting data to said processor.

12. A computer system according to claim 11 wherein said main body further includes inhibit means for inhibiting input data from said key board, wherein said inhibit means inhibits said input data and said switching means changes said operation clock speed from a relatively high speed to a relatively low speed when said second detection means detects that said main body is detached from said display means.

13. A computer system according to claim 11 wherein said main body transfers display data to said display when said second detection means detects that said main body is attached to said display device, thereafter said inhibit means permits data input from said keyboard means and said switching means changes the operation clock speed of said processor from a relatively low speed to a relatively high speed.

14. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said first memory is a video memory for storing display data processed by said processor, and said second memory is a video memory for storing the display data in said first memory transferred through said first and second connectors.

15. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said power supply means includes a rechargeable battery and charge means for recharging said power supplied from a source external to the display device when said display device is attached to said main body.

16. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said main body is essentially rectangular and thin, and has a cover pivotably coupled to an edge thereof by a hinge, said cover being attachable to and detachable from said display device.

17. A computer System according to claim 1 wherein said display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including a backlight for back illumination and an LCD driver for controlling the display.

18. A computer system according to claim 1 wherein said second memory is capable of storing a plurality of screen data to be displayed on said display panel, and said display controller selectively displays one of the plurality of screen data on said display means.