Convertible flat panel display system

• US 5,353,075 A
• Filed: 09/29/1993
• Issued: 10/04/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InFocus Corporation (Lap-Shun Hui, MBA)
• Original Assignee: InFocus Corporation (Lap-Shun Hui, MBA)
• Inventors: Conner, Arlie R., Gulick, Paul E., Biles, Jonathon R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski Jr., William A.
• Application Number:
  US08/128,890
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 353/122, 353/119, 353/DIG. 3, 353/DIG. 5, 358/254, 364/708.1, 364/231.1, 364/231, 364/231.2, 364/231.3, 348/836, 348/838
• US Class Current: 353/122
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133627 Projection-direct viewing
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/132 Overhead projectors, i.e. capable of projecting hand-writing or drawing during action epidiascopic projectors G03B21/08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1645 the display being suitable to be used in combination with an external overhead projector
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 353/05 Transparency holder accessories

Abstract

A flat panel display that is convertible between direct and projection display applications is incorporated in an information processing device of a unitary construction. In preferred embodiment, the information processing device is selectively configurable as a laptop-style personal computer and a projection display panel. The device includes a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation thereto. The display panel section is selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys for storage purposes, and a third position in which the display panel section is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section.

Claims

1. In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising:

the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the backing member to be removable with it from the display panel section.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

4. The device of claim 1 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a personal computer.

5. The device of claim 4 in which the nonvolatile memory further stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

6. The device of claim 1 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

9. An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising:

a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel;

a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation;

a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the backing member to be removable with it from the display panel section.

10. The device of claim 9 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

11. The device of claim 9 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

12. The device of claim 9 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

13. In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising:

an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported;

an opaque panel connected and longitudinally extendable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and

a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

14. The device of claim 13 in which the opaque panel encases the modulation control circuitry.

15. In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising:

the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display, the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

16. The device of claim 15 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

17. The device of claim 16 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

18. The device of claim 15 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a personal computer.

19. The device of claim 18 in which the nonvolatile memory further stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

20. The device of claim 15 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

21. The device of claim 15 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

22. The device of claim 15 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

23. In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising:

the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation included in the flat panel display, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

24. The device of claim 23 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

25. In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising:

the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

26. The device of claim 25 in which the base section includes a bottom surface for supporting the device and the photo-active power source is positioned to receive light from the bottom surface.

27. The device of claim 25 further comprising a cooling fan control switch positioned to be automatically switched by removal of the backing member from the display panel section for activating the photo-active power source when the backing member is removed.

28. An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising:

a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel;

a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation;

a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

29. The device of claim 28 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

30. The device of claim 28 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

31. The device of claim 28 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

32. An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising:

a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel;

a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation;

a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section;

a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and

a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

33. In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising:

an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported;

an opaque panel connected and pivotable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and

a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

34. The device of claim 33 in which the opaque panel encases the modulation control circuitry.

35. In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the light modulating element having first and second opposed major surfaces, the device being operable with an overhead projector to receive light at the first major surface and pass light from the second major surface to form projection display images, the improvement comprising:

an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; and

a removable backing member positionable in opposed face-to-face relation to the first major surface of the light modulating element and having light directing means for directing light through the light modulating element to allow direct viewing of it.

36. The device of claim 35 in which the light directing means includes a reflective material facing the first major surface for receiving and reflecting through the light modulating element ambient light that strikes the second major surface and propagates to the reflective material.

37. The device of claim 35 in which the light directing means includes a backlight for generating and directing light through the light modulating element.