Bi-directional presentation display

• US 5,856,819 A
• Filed: 04/29/1996
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway 2000, Inc. (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vossler, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/639,702
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1, 345/5, 345/87, 345/905, 345/901, 345/102, 345/168, 345/169, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 345/102
• 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 1/1616 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 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13

Abstract

A bi-directional presentation display device for displaying an image visible to an audience on both sides of the display device. The display device has a pair of screens, each defining an image surface which face in generally opposite directions relative to one another. The display includes a power means for providing power to the pair of screens. A reflective element is disposed between the screens for aiding in illuminating the screens. A single light source concurrently illuminates the screens for displaying an image on the pair of image surfaces.

Claims

1. A presentation display device comprising:

a front and a rear display screen,

a front image surface defined by said front display screen and a rear image surface defined by said rear display screen, said front and rear display screens being positioned such that said front and rear image surfaces face in generally opposite directions relative to one another,

a power supply to provide power to said display device,

a reflective element disposed between said front and rear display screens, said reflective element having a front reflective surface on one side adjacent said front display screen and a rear reflective surface on the other side adjacent said rear display screen, and

a light source for concurrently illuminating said front and rear display screens for displaying a front and rear image on said front and rear image surfaces, respectively.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein said front and rear display screens are liquid crystal display screens.

3. The display device of claim 1 wherein said light source is a single fluorescent light tube.

4. The display device of claim 1 further comprising a light distribution medium disposed between said front display screen and said front reflective surface and a light distribution medium disposed between said rear display screen and said rear reflective surface, wherein said light distribution mediums communicate with said light source.

5. The display device of claim 4 wherein each of said light distribution mediums comprises a plurality of light pipes.

6. The display device of claim 1 wherein said front and rear display screens are supported substantially perpendicular to a support surface on which said display device rests.

7. The display device of claim 6 wherein said front and rear display screens are supported substantially back to back relative to one another such that said front and rear image surfaces display said front and rear images back to back relative to one another.

8. The display device of claim 7 wherein said front and rear display screens are adjustable on an axis parallel to said support surface such that said front and rear display screens may be selectively oriented between a position perpendicular to said support surface and a position generally parallel to said support surface.

9. The display device of claim 1 further comprising a first and a second protective cover, said first cover removably covering said first image surface when in a closed position and said second cover removably covering said second image surface when in a closed position.

10. The display device of claim 9 wherein said first and second covers are pivotally rotatable relative to said front and rear display screens from said closed position to an open position, said first cover exposing said first image surface when in said open position and said second cover exposing said second image surface when in said open position.

11. The display device of claim 1 wherein said power supply comprises a power connector adapted to connect said display device to an external power source.

12. The display device of claim 1 further comprising an input interface for receiving an image signal from an image source.

13. The display device of claim 12 wherein said power supply comprises a power connector adapted to connect said display device to an external power source.

14. The display device of claim 12 wherein said image source is a computer.

15. The display device of claim 1 wherein said power supply comprises a power connector adapted to receive therein a DC power supply.

16. The display device of claim 15 wherein said power connector is adapted to receive therein an on-board DC power supply.

17. The display device of claim 15 wherein said power connector is adapted to connect to an external DC power supply.

18. The display device of claim 1 wherein said power supply comprises a first solar panel.

19. The display device of claim 18 wherein said power supply further comprises a second solar panel, said first solar panel removably covering said first image surface when in a closed position and said second panel covering said second image surface when in a closed position.

20. The display device of claim 19 wherein said first and second solar panels are pivotally rotatable relative to said front and rear display screens from said closed position to an open position, said first solar panel exposing said first image surface when in said open position and said second solar panel exposing said second image surface when in said open position.

21. A laptop computer comprising:

a keyboard,

a frame pivotally carried by said keyboard,

a front and a rear display screen each supported by said frame,

a front image surface generally facing said keyboard defined by said front display screen and a rear image surface defined by said rear display screen, said rear display screen being positioned such that said rear image surfaces face generally opposite said front image surface,

a reflective element carried by said frame for said front and rear display screens disposed between said display screens said reflective element having a front reflective surface on one side adjacent said front display screen and a rear reflective surface on the other side adjacent said rear display screen, and

a light source carried by said frame for concurrently illuminating said front and rear display screens for displaying a front and rear image on said front and rear image surfaces, respectively.

22. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein said front and rear display screens are liquid crystal display screens.

23. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein said display screens are operable such that said rear image surface can be activated or deactivated to selectively display an image thereon while said front image surface displays an image thereon.

24. The laptop computer of claim 21 wherein said light source is a single fluorescent light tube.

25. A liquid crystal display device comprising:

a frame,

a front and a rear liquid crystal display screen each supported by said frame,

a front image surface defined by said front display screen and a rear image surface defined by said rear display screen, said display screens being positioned such that said image surfaces face in generally opposite directions relative to one another,

an input interface adapted to connect said display device to an image source and for receiving image signals therefrom,

a power supply adapted to provide power to said front and rear display screens,

a reflective element carried by said frame for said front and rear display screens disposed between said display screens, said reflective element having a front reflective surface on one side adjacent said front display screen and a rear reflective surface on the other side adjacent said rear display screen, and

a light source carried by said frame for concurrently illuminating said front and rear display screens for displaying a front and rear image on said front and rear image surfaces, respectively.

26. The liquid crystal display device of claim 25 wherein said light source is a single fluorescent light tube.