Computer system having remotely operated interactive display

• US 5,850,209 A
• Filed: 05/19/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Szolyga, Thomas H., Arjomand, Hossein, Lemke, Gilbert, Santacroce, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US08/858,288
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 345/2, 345/87, 345/169, 345/179, 345/905, 345/156, 395/161, 395/156, 395/147, 364/424.01, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/500, 364/501.01, 364/514 R, 340/439, 340/459, 340/825.44, 371/29.1, 73/116, 73/117.2, 73/117.3, 248/917-923, 701/33, 701/99
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• 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 1/18 Packaging or power distribution

Abstract

A computer-based apparatus provides access to complex technical information needed, for example, to maintain and repair complicated equipment, such as a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a processor unit and a selectively detachable remotely operated interactive display for accessing information from the processor unit and displaying the information, as well as controlling the functions of the processor unit. The processor unit and display unit communicate over a bi-directional communications cable or, alternatively, over a wireless communication link.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a portable computer processor unit for providing access to a technical database comprised of stored information records, with migration capability between related records, and further to provide selective access to particular portions of information within the database said process or unit having a housing comprising planar, substantially rectangular front and back surfaces spaced apart by adjoining, contiguous edges to define a substantially cubic volume; and

an interactive display unit removably joined to said portable computer processor unit and in communication therewith, said display unit comprising a screen to display information communicated by said processor unit, said display unit further comprising a user interface responsive to operation by a user to provide commands to said processor unit;

wherein, in a first configuration, said display unit is operably joined to said processor unit and in a second configuration said display unit is operably detached from said processor unit, such that said display unit provides remote and in situ communication with said portable computer processor unit; and

wherein said processor unit comprises a storage location for said display unit when said display unit is in said first configuration, said processor unit further comprising a hinge assembly for mechanically attaching said display unit to said processor unit said hinge assembly comprising two points of attachment to said housing at coaxial locations substantially along one housing edge, said points of attachment spaced apart from each other substantially at either extreme of said housing edge, said hinge assembly being operable to alternatively position said display unit at a first position in which said display unit is retained in said hinge assembly with the face of said display unit facing inward relative to said processor and with said display unit folded backwards, allowing said display unit to be angled for normal use as with a conventional notebook computer, a second position in which said display unit is mounted on top of said processor unit with the face of said display unit facing outward relative to said processor, wherein said processor may be carried with one hand with said display exposed; and

a third position in which said display unit is folded flat against said processor unit with the face of said display facing inward for transporting.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for selectively detachably mounting the display unit to the processor unit.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein a hinge assembly provides selectable detachability.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor unit and the display unit communicate over a bi-directional communications cable.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the bi-directional communications cable extends from a pivot attachment on the display unit.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the processor unit comprises mass storage and measurement devices, and connections to the measurement devices are provided on the processor unit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor unit and the display unit communicate over a wireless transmission link.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor unit comprises mass storage and measurement devices, and connections to the measurement devices are provided on the processor unit.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the display unit further comprises an audio transducer.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor unit comprises mass storage and measurement devices, and connections to the measurement devices are provided on the processor unit.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the measurement devices comprise a digital volt-ohm meter.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising elastomeric bumpers on the processor unit and the display unit.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor unit is a portable personal computer to facilitate use of the system in a service bay as well as during a road test of a motor vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is a motor vehicle maintenance and repair system.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises a backplane having at least one expansion slot defined therein.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said expansion slot is adapted for connection to either of a measurement instrument or an expansion card.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said expansion slot is adapted for connection to a video display controller card configured to provide an interface between said portable computer processor unit and said display unit.

18. A computer-implemented method for providing information to maintain and repair equipment or provide services, comprising the steps of:

supplying a portable computer processor unit for providing access to a technical database comprised of stored information records, with migration capability between related records, and further providing selective access to particular portions of information within said database said process or unit having a housing comprising planar, substantially rectangular front and back surfaces spaced apart by adjoining, contiguous edges to define a substantially cubic volume; and

removably joining an interactive display unit to said portable computer processor unit, such that said interactive display unit is in communication with said processor unit, said display unit comprising a screen to display information communicated by said processor unit, said display unit further comprising a user interface responsive to operation by a user to provide commands to said processor unit;

wherein, in a first configuration, said display unit is operably joined to said processor unit and in a second configuration said display unit is operably detached from said processor unit, such that said display unit provides remote and in situ communication with said portable computer processor unit; and

wherein said processor unit comprises a storage location for said display unit when said display unit is in said first configuration, said processor unit further comprising a hinge assembly for mechanically attaching said display unit to said processor unit, said hinge assembly comprising two points of attachment to said housing at coaxial locations substantially along one housing edge, said points of attachment spaced apart from each other substantially at either extreme of said housing edge said hinge assembly being operable to alternatively position said display unit at a first position in which said display unit is retained in said hinge assembly with the face of said display unit facing inward relative to said processor and with said display unit folded backwards, allowing said display unit to be angled for normal use as with a conventional notebook computer, a second position in which said display unit is mounted on top of said processor unit with the face of said display unit facing outward relative to said processor, wherein said processor may be carried with one hand with said display exposed; and

a third position in which said display unit is folded flat against said processor unit with the face of said display facing inward for transporting.