Multi-display electronic devices having open and closed configurations
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- (a) an image generator adapted to generate image signals;
(b) one or more display drivers, connected to the image generator and adapted to receive the image signals from the image generator; and
(c) at least three distinct display devices, connected to the one or more display drivers, wherein the electronic device has (1) an open configuration in which first and second and third display devices are deployed for displaying different subsets of the image signals and (2) a closed configuration in which a third first display device is deployed for displaying image signals and the first and second and third display devices are stowed away and unavailable for displaying image signals, wherein the first and third second display devices are mounted back-to-back with a single backlighting device located between the first and third display devices behind the third display device to illuminate (a) the third first display device when the electronic device is in the closed configuration and (b) the first third display device when the electronic device is in the open configuration.
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Abstract
A portable or other electronic device has two or more display devices or screens that can be used to display different subsets of image signals. The effect is that the device simulates the display capabilities of devices having much larger screens. The device has an open or active configuration, in which the multiple screens are available for displaying image signals, and a closed or inactive configuration, in which some or all of the multiple screens are folded together or otherwise stowed away to reduce the size of the device for storage and/or carrying. By simulating large-display operations, electronic devices according to the present invention are capable of presenting more useable information to the user than is otherwise possible using prior art devices having a single small screen.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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(a) an image generator adapted to generate image signals;
(b) one or more display drivers, connected to the image generator and adapted to receive the image signals from the image generator; and
(c) at least three distinct display devices, connected to the one or more display drivers, wherein the electronic device has (1) an open configuration in which first and second and third display devices are deployed for displaying different subsets of the image signals and (2) a closed configuration in which a third first display device is deployed for displaying image signals and the first and second and third display devices are stowed away and unavailable for displaying image signals, wherein the first and third second display devices are mounted back-to-back with a single backlighting device located between the first and third display devices behind the third display device to illuminate (a) the third first display device when the electronic device is in the closed configuration and (b) the first third display device when the electronic device is in the open configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic device comprising first, second, and third displays, wherein the first and third second displays are mounted back-to-back, such that:
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when the device is in a closed configuration, the third first display is visible to a user and the first and second and third displaysare hidden from view; and
when the device is in an open configuration, the first and second and third displays are visible to the user and display different subsets of image signals; and
further comprising a backlighting device located behind the first third display to illuminate the first third display when the device is in the open configuration, such that, when the device is in the closed configuration, the backlighting means illuminates the third first display. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification