Convertible flat panel display system

Claim 2

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the backing member to be removable with it from the display panel section.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a personal computer.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 in which the nonvolatile memory further stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

Claim 9

The device of claim 1 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

Claim 10

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the backing member to be removable with it from the display panel section.

Claim 11

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the backing member to be removable with it from the display panel section.

Claim 12

The device of claim 9 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

Claim 14

The device of claim 9 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

Claim 15

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; an opaque panel connected and longitudinally extendable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

Claim 16

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; an opaque panel connected and longitudinally extendable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

Claim 17

The device of claim 13 in which the opaque panel encases the modulation control circuitry.

Claim 18

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display, the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

Claim 19

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display, the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

Claim 20

The device of claim 15 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 21

The device of claim 16 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

Claim 22

The device of claim 15 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a personal computer.

Claim 23

The device of claim 18 in which the nonvolatile memory further stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

Claim 24

The device of claim 15 in which the computer circuitry includes nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for operating the device as a projection display panel.

Claim 25

The device of claim 15 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

Claim 26

The device of claim 15 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

Claim 27

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation included in the flat panel display, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 28

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation included in the flat panel display, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 29

The device of claim 23 in which the addressable electro-optical element includes a liquid crystal display.

Claim 30

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

Claim 31

In an information processing device of a unitary configuration having a base section that contains computer circuitry, supports data input keys, and is pivotally coupled to a display panel section with an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation, the display panel section being selectively positionable between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user and a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, the improvement comprising: the pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section allowing the latter to pivot to a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

Claim 32

The device of claim 25 in which the base section includes a bottom surface for supporting the device and the photo-active power source is positioned to receive light from the bottom surface.

Claim 33

The device of claim 25 further comprising a cooling fan control switch positioned to be automatically switched by removal of the backing member from the display panel section for activating the photo-active power source when the backing member is removed.

Claim 34

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

Claim 35

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a light-generating unit included in the display panel section for generating light between the backing member and the flat panel display for direct viewing of it, the light-generating unit being coupled to the flat panel display the backing member being separately removable from the display panel section, and the light-generating unit being transmissive to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display.

Claim 36

The device of claim 28 in which the flat panel display includes an addressable electro-optical element and an associated polarizer in face-to-face relation, the polarizer being positioned between the backing member and the addressable electro-optical element and in spaced-apart relation to the addressable electro-optical element.

Claim 37

The device of claim 28 further comprising an energy storage unit that provides energy for operating the device, the energy storage unit being positioned within the base section adjacent the pivotable coupling.

Claim 38

The device of claim 28 further comprising a remote control unit for controlling the device remotely.

Claim 39

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

Claim 40

An information processing device with a convertible display system, comprising: a base section that contains computer circuitry and supports data input keys, the computer circuitry including nonvolatile memory that stores operating instructions for selectively operating the device as a personal computer and a projection display panel; a display panel section having an addressable flat panel display and an opaque backing member in opposed face-to-face relation; a pivotal coupling between the base section and the panel display section that allows the latter to pivot between a first position in which the flat panel display is directly observable by a user, a second position in which the backing member covers the flat panel display and the data input keys, and a third position that is generally nonoverlapping and co-planar with the base section; a user-operable fastener between the backing member and the panel display section so that the backing member is removable from the panel display section to allow transmissive observation of the flat panel display; and a cooling fan positioned within the base section and a photo-active power source for powering the cooling fan.

Claim 41

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; an opaque panel connected and pivotable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

Claim 42

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the device being operable with an overhead projector to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; an opaque panel connected and pivotable relative to the annular case element and selectively positionable in first and second positions to, respectively, occlude and not occlude the light modulating element, at least one of the annular case element and the extension panel encasing modulation control circuitry of the display panel; and a light source that is positioned between the opaque panel and the light modulating element to illuminate the light modulating element when the opaque panel is in the first position, the opaque panel being in the second position when the information processing device is operated with an overhead projector to form projection display images.

Claim 43

The device of claim 33 in which the opaque panel encases the modulation control circuitry.

Claim 44

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the light modulating element having first and second opposed major surfaces, the device being operable with an overhead projector to receive light at the first major surface and pass light from the second major surface to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; and a removable backing member positionable in opposed face-to-face relation to the first major surface of the light modulating element and having light directing means for directing light through the light modulating element to allow direct viewing of it.

Claim 45

In an information processing device having a light modulating element for modulating light to display information and modulation control circuitry for controlling the light modulating element, the light modulating element having first and second opposed major surfaces, the device being operable with an overhead projector to receive light at the first major surface and pass light from the second major surface to form projection display images, the improvement comprising: an annular case element with an aperture within which the light modulating element is supported; and a removable backing member positionable in opposed face-to-face relation to the first major surface of the light modulating element and having light directing means for directing light through the light modulating element to allow direct viewing of it.

Claim 46

The device of claim 35 in which the light directing means includes a reflective material facing the first major surface for receiving and reflecting through the light modulating element ambient light that strikes the second major surface and propagates to the reflective material.

Claim 47

The device of claim 35 in which the light directing means includes a backlight for generating and directing light through the light modulating element.