Tablet laptop and interactive conferencing station system

• US 7,136,282 B1
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carlton Rebeske
• Original Assignee: Carlton Rebeske
• Inventors: Rebeske, Carlton
• Primary Examiner(s): Lea-Edmonds, Lisa
• Application Number:
  US10/753,021
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 361/681, 361/683, 345/1.1, 345/58, 345/905
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence

Abstract

A laptop computer is constructed having a case including a keyboard and containing traditional computer components. A display screen is pivotally secured to the computer case and may be pivoted about the hinge to an operative position wherein an operator can observe the information displayed on the display screen. A second display screen is pivotally secured to the first display screen and is also connected to the computer components within the computer case. The second display screen, when hinged to its operative position displays the same information displayed on the first display screen, but is directed in an opposite direction to permit an operator and an observer to observe the same information viewable on the first and second display screens, respectively.

Claims

1. A laptop computer comprising:

a touch sensitive first display screen pivotally attached to a laptop computer housing the laptop computer having at least a keyboard, a microprocessor and computer memory; and

a touch sensitive second display screen receiving input from an observer through the touch sensitive second display screen, the touch sensitive second display screen coupled to the first display screen, the touch sensitive second display screen adjustably held in a first position facing generally opposite to the touch sensitive first touch screen, in which first position a first person utilizing the touch sensitive first display screen and the observer who is a second person will be facing each other and will also be facing the touch sensitive first display screen and the touch sensitive second display screen, respectively.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1, wherein the second display screen is hingedly attached to the first display screen.

3. The laptop computer of claim 2, wherein the second display screen has a back surface that faces a back surface of the first display screen in storage, the first display screen having a front, viewing surface that faces the keyboard in storage such that the front, viewing surface of the second display screen is exposed when the first display screen is in storage.

4. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a snap fit, protective cover removably covering the second display screen in a storage condition.

5. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover detachably snap fitted on the second display screen.

6. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a touch screen pen coupled to the second display screen.

7. The laptop computer of claim 1, further comprising a cord connector configured to supply both electrical power and data signals to a separate computer display.

8. A laptop computer comprising:

a base housing at least a keyboard, a microprocessor and computer memory;

a first display screen hingedly attached to the base;

a second display screen pivotally attached to the first display screen, the second display screen being pivoted from a first position in which the second display screen is adjacent the first display screen, to a second position in which a bottom edge of the second display screen is spaced from a bottom edge of the first display screen, the first and second display screens facing different directions when the second display screen is pivoted to its second position;

wherein;

the second display screen is a touch sensitive display screen and receives input from an observer through the second display screen;

the second display screen has a power connection and a display signal connection with the laptop computer and receives power and display signals therefrom;

the first display screen displays the same matter as is displayed on the second display screen; and

a stylus coupled to the second display screen.

9. The laptop computer of claim 8, wherein the first display screen is also a touch sensitive display screen.

10. The laptop computer of claim 8, wherein the second display screen has a back surface that faces a back surface of the first display screen in the first position, the first display screen having a front, viewing surface that faces the keyboard in storage such that the front, viewing surface of the second display screen is exposed when the first display screen is in storage.

11. The laptop computer of claim 8, further comprising a snag fit, protective cover removably covering the second display screen in a storage condition.

12. The laptop computer of claim 8, further comprising a protective cover detachably snap fitted on the second display screen.

13. The laptop computer of claim 8, further comprising a cord connector configured to supply both electrical power and data signals to a separate computer display.

14. A laptop computer conferencing system comprising:

a laptop computer having at least a keyboard, a microprocessor, computer memory, and a laptop display screen;

a touch sensitive first supplemental display screen;

the laptop computer further comprising a cord connector supplying both electrical power and a display signal to the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen; and

matter displayed on the laptop display screen, the matter receivingly connected to the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen, the matter being modified via input through the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen.

15. The laptop computer conferencing system of claim 14, wherein:

the laptop display screen is a touch sensitive laptop display screen; and

the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen displays the same matter as the matter displayed on the touch sensitive laptop display screen, and the matter on the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen is modified via input through the touch sensitive laptop display screen.

16. The laptop computer conferencing system of claim 14, wherein the touch sensitive first supplemental display screen comprises a video camera and a microphone.

17. The laptop computer conferencing system of claim 14, further comprising a second supplemental display screen coupled to the laptop computer by an integrated cable that supplies both electrical power and display signals to the second supplemental display screen, wherein the second supplemental display screen is a touch sensitive display screen displaying the same matter as is displayed on the touch sensitive laptop and first display screens.

18. A method of using a laptop computer, the method comprising:

utilizing a first touch sensitive screen and a second touch sensitive screen operably connected to a laptop computer;

displaying the same matter on the second touch sensitive screen as on the first touch sensitive screen;

a first viewer viewing the first touch sensitive screen and a second viewer viewing the second touch sensitive screen;

inputting modifications to the matter via the first touch sensitive screen and the second touch sensitive screen; and

displaying the modifications on each of the first and second touch sensitive screens.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

utilizing a camera and a microphone integral with each screen; and

transmitting a video image and a voice from one of the screens to the other of the screens via the laptop computer.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

locating at least one additional screen remotely; and

operatively connecting the at least one additional screen to the laptop computer via a wireless connection.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

utilizing a plurality of screens including the at least one additional screen; and

operatively connecting the plurality of screens to the laptop computer.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of inputting comprises inputting to at least one of the touch screens with a stylus.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of inputting modifications to the first and second touch screens comprises inputting to the first and second touch screens with first and second respective styluses.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising holding the second screen in a predetermined position, wherein the step of holding comprises utilizing friction increasing feet on a lower edge of the second screen.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising selectively holding the second screen in each of two positions during two respective in-use applications, the two positions comprising a first position facing generally opposite to the first screen and a second position above the first screen and facing generally in the same direction as the first screen, thus expanding a display area for the user of the first screen;

and

displaying different matter on each of the first and second screens when the second screen is in the second position.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising protecting the second screen in a non-use position, wherein the step of protecting comprises snap locking a snap lock cover onto the second screen in a covering relation.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising latching the second screen to the first screen and latching the first screen to the laptop computer in a non-use position.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising forming a tablet laptop by latching the second screen to the first screen and latching the first screen to the laptop computer in a use position as a tablet laptop.

29. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of utilizing comprises supporting the first touch screen directly on the laptop computer, the method further comprising the second viewer operating a processor in the laptop computer through the second screen.

30. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the second screen is one of a plurality of supplemental display screens;

the step of utilizing further comprises utilizing the plurality of supplemental display screens operably connected to the laptop computer; and

the method further comprises controlling displays on the first screen and the second screen via input through another of the supplemental display screens.