Methods and systems for a portable, interactive display device for use with a computer

• US 7,183,999 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Matthews, Joseph H., Stoakley, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): DHARIA, PRABODH M
• Application Number:
  US10/869,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20040235532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.3, 345/156, 345/179, 345/2, 345/169, 345/905, 345/173, 345/1.1, 363/59, 709/227, 455/1, 455/63, 455/67.3, 455/517, 455/524, 701/33
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information

Abstract

An interactive display device provides a user an interface to a host computer, allowing the user to interface with the host computer through capabilities of a wireless communications channel to the host, where the display device provides processing necessary to communicate with the host, run client side software, and provide security functions.

Claims

1. A method for a computing device with a local display screen to communicate with a portable display system, the portable display system dockable in a docking station of the computing device, the method comprising:

detecting whether the portable display system is in contact with the docking station; and

if the portable computing system is in contact with the docking station, sending display signals to the portable display system and to the local display screen treating them as a multiple monitor system;

else turning off output to the local display screen.

2. A computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

3. A method for a portable display system, dockable in a docking station, to set parameters of its display, the method comprising:

detecting whether the portable display system is in contact with the docking station; and

if the portable display system is in contact with the docking station, then setting the display parameters to a predefined set of parameters optimized for a particular type of input;

else setting the display parameters to a predefined set of parameters optimized for pen input.

4. A computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the method of claim 3.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the is particular type of input is one of a mouse, pen and human touch.