U.S. patent application number 09/777226 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for portable computer system incorporating a rear projection display.
Invention is credited to Sellers, Charles A..
Application Number | 20010019369 09/777226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21754213 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010019369 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sellers, Charles A. |
September 6, 2001 |
Portable computer system incorporating a rear projection
display
Abstract
A portable computer system incorporating a rear projection
display. The rear projection display is housed in a display
enclosure that is movable between an open and closed position, and
incorporates either a pliable or deformable projection surface or a
projection surface formed of multiple rigid components. When the
display enclosure is open, the projection surface is configured to
expand beyond the form factor dimensions of the base portion of the
portable computer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention,
the projection surface is a pliable material that can be safely
deformed or collapsed within the display enclosure when it is
closed. The rear projection display thereby allows the effective
viewing area of a portable computer display to be increased without
negatively impacting the form factor dimensions or weight of the
portable computer.
Inventors: |
Sellers, Charles A.;
(Houston, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN, GUMP, STRAUSS, HAUER & FELD
711 LOUISIANA STREET
SUITE 1900 SOUTH
HOUSTON
TX
77002
US
|
Family ID: |
21754213 |
Appl. No.: |
09/777226 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09777226 |
Feb 5, 2001 |
|
|
|
09012279 |
Jan 23, 1998 |
|
|
|
6184943 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/744 ;
348/838; 348/E5.143 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/133627 20210101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1639 20130101; Y10S 345/905 20130101;
Y10S 353/05 20130101; H04N 9/3141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/744 ;
348/838 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/64; H04N
009/31 |
Claims
1. A portable computer system, comprising: a base portion having a
top surface; and a projection display coupled to the base portion
and movable between an open position and a closed position with
respect to the base portion, the projection display comprising: an
image generator for generating images; a projection surface for
displaying images generated by the image generator; and an optical
system disposed between the image generator and the projection
surface, the optical system configured to discernably focus images
generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.
2. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the projection
surface is formed of a pliable material, the pliable material
capable of being expanded to have a surface area greater than the
display area of the image generator when the projection display is
in an open position.
3. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the projection
surface is formed of a plurality of rigid panels.
4. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein the rigid
panels comprise a main display panel and two ancilliary display
panels, the two ancilliary display panels coupled to the main
display panel and movable with respect to the main display panel
between a folded position and a substantially coplanar
position.
5. The portable computer system of claim 4, further comprising: a
display enclosure, the image generator and optical system being
integral with or rigidly coupled to the display enclosure; and
resilient attachment members, wherein the projection surface is
attached to the display enclosure via the resilient attachment
members.
6. The portable computer system of claim 5, further comprising: a
display enclosure, the image generator and optical system being
integral with or rigidly coupled to the display enclosure; and
hinged attachment members, wherein the projection surface is
attached to the display enclosure via the hinged attachment
members.
7. The portable computer system of claim 1, further comprising
means for collapsing the projection surface when the projection
display is moved to a closed position.
8. The portable computer system of claim 7, wherein the means for
collapsing the projection surface comprise retractable hooking
members.
9. The portable computer system of claim 7, wherein the means for
collapsing the projection surface comprise a roller assembly.
10. The portable computer system of claim 1, further comprising a
polarizing filter disposed between the image generator and the
projection surface.
11. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the image
generator is a field emission display.
12. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the image
generator is a liquid crystal display.
13. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the optical
system is a convex lens.
14. A projection display for attachment to a base portion of a
portable computer system, the projection display comprising: an
image generator for generating images; a projection surface for
displaying images generated by the image generator; and an optical
system disposed between the image generator and the projection
surface, the optical system configured to discernably focus images
generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.
15. The projection display of claim 14, wherein the projection
surface is formed of a pliable material, the pliable material, when
taut, having a surface area greater than the display area of the
image generator.
16. The projection display of claim 14, wherein the projection
surface is formed of a plurality of rigid panels.
17. The projection display of claim 16, wherein the rigid panels
comprise a main display panel and two ancilliary display panels,
the two ancilliary display panels coupled to the main display panel
and movable with respect to the main display panel between a folded
position and a substantially coplanar position.
18. The projection display of claim 14, wherein the image generator
is a field emission display.
19. The projection display of claim 14, wherein the image generator
is a liquid crystal display.
20. The projection display of claim 14, wherein the optical system
is a convex lens.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to displays and portable computers,
and more particularly to a portable computer system incorporating a
rear projected display apparatus to increase the effective viewing
area of the display without negatively impacting the form factor of
the portable computer.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Portable computers have become an everyday fixture in many
people's personal and professional lives. Due to their mobility and
versatility, portable computers are even beginning to displace
desktop computers in many offices. Despite the fact that the
average display size in portable computers has increased over the
years, however, screen sizes remain too small for many applications
requiring a large viewing area. More specifically, today's portable
computers often include displays ranging from 10.4-inches to
12.1-inches. Many computer users accustomed to working with large
desktop CRT monitors perceive these smaller portable computer
displays as being inadequate.
[0005] Somewhat larger screens for portable computers have been
developed. However, displays cannot be made arbitrarily large. The
effective size limit for today's display technologies is restricted
by numerous practical and technical limitations. For example, the
weight added to a portable computer by increasing its display size
may be undesirable, and is often a major consideration. The form
factor specifications of a portable computer, and particularly the
width and length dimensions of the base portion, may also impose
size limitations on the display. Further, problems in the
manufacturing process, including problems with defects and poor
yields, make larger displays much more expensive to produce. These
manufacturing problems are inherent and arise from basic design of
traditional displays, such as the active-matrix (AM) or
thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
[0006] Such displays may incorporate hundreds of thousands of
transparent transistors driving a grid of electrical traces to
control operation of liquid crystal fluid structure to generate
images. As the size and resolution of a display increases, more
transistors are required. More transistors increases the likelihood
of defects, which often render the display useless. Similar
manufacturing problems plague other imaging technologies, such as
polymer dispersed liquid crystal displays (PDLCDs) and field
emission displays (FEDs). As a result, display manufacturers often
focus on improving image quality and reducing the power-consumption
and weight of portable displays, rather than increasing display
area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A portable computer system according to the present
invention consists of a base portion and a rear projection display.
The rear projection display is housed in a display enclosure that
is movable between an open position and a closed position, and
incorporates a deformable projection surface. When the display
enclosure is opened, the projection surface is configured to expand
beyond the form factor dimensions of the base portion of the
portable computer. Preferably, the projection surface is a pliable
material that can be safely deformed or collapsed within the
projection display enclosure when closed.
[0008] In addition to the projection surface, the rear projection
display is comprised of an image generator/source or display panel
and an optical system for projecting an image from the image
generator onto the projection surface. When the projection display
enclosure is in an open position, its components are separated by a
distance sufficient to allow proper orientation and operation of
the optical system. A rear projected display according to the
invention thereby permits viewing angles and clarity comparable to
that of many traditional display technologies.
[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, expansion of the
projection surface is optional, affording a smaller viewing area
when the portable computer is operated in tight spaces. In another
embodiment of the invention, the projection surface is
approximately the size of a traditional portable computer display,
but the image generator or display panel is smaller, lighter and
less costly.
[0010] Thus, a rear projection display according to the present
invention allows the effective viewing area of a portable computer
display to be increased without negatively impacting the form
factor dimensions, cost or weight of the portable computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable computer
system incorporating a rear projection display according to the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a portable computer system
incorporating a rear projection display in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevation views of alternate
embodiments of a portable computer system incorporating a rear
projection display according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view taken in cross-section of a
rear projection display utilizing a one-piece deformable projection
surface according to the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view taken in cross-section of a
rear projection display according to the invention having a
projection surface formed of a plurality of substantially rigid
portions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Turning now to the drawings, a schematic circuit diagram of
a portable computer system C incorporating a rear projection
display D according to the present invention is shown. In the
preferred embodiment, the computer system C incorporates two
primary buses: a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus P
which includes an address/data portion and a control signal
portion; and an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus I which
includes an address, portion, a data portion, and a control signal
portion. The PCI and ISA buses P and I form the architectural
backbone of the computer system C.
[0018] A CPU/memory subsystem 90 is connected to the PCI bus P. The
CPU 10 and a Level 2 (L2) cache 12 are connected via a processor or
host bus H. The CPU 10 preferably operates with a standard IBM-PC
compatible operating system, such as Windows 95.quadrature.. The L2
cache 12 provides caching capabilities that augment the on-chip
cache of the CPU 10 to improve the overall performance of the
computer system C.
[0019] The CPU 10 and the L2 cache 12 are connected to a Host/PCI
bridge 14. Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) 16 is also connected to the
Host/PCI bridge 14. The host/PCI bridge 14 functions to couple the
CPU/memory subsystem 90 to the PCI bus P. A PCMCIA/CardBus
controller 18 is coupled to the PCI bus P, providing connection
capabilities for a PCMCIA cards 22. The PCMCIA cards 22 can
incorporate a variety of peripheral devices, expanding the
versatility of the portable computer system C.
[0020] A PCI/ISA bridge 24 is used to connect the PCI bus P and an
ISA bus I. The PCI/ISA bride 24 is used to convert signals between
the PCI bus P and the ISA bus I. The PCI/ISA bridge 24 includes:
address and data buffers, arbitration and bus master control logic
for the PCI bus P, ISA arbitration circuitry, an ISA bus controller
as conventionally used in ISA systems, an IDE (intelligent drive
electronics) interface 26, and a DMA controller. A hard disk drive
30 and a CD-ROM drive 28 are connected to the IDE interface 26 of
the PCI/ISA bridge 24. Tape drives or other peripheral devices (not
shown) can be similarly connected. The IDE interface 26 is an
IDE/ATA interface capable of being a busmaster and incorporating
enhanced IDE features. The CD-ROM drive 28 is preferably compliant
with ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface), the IDE standard for
CD-ROM drives.
[0021] The PCI/ISA bridge 24 contains a set of programmable
interrupt controllers (PICs) 15 for managing hardware interrupts
according to their priority. The PICs 15 preferably include two
cascaded PICs for enabling interrupts IRQO/IRQ15. In the disclosed
embodiment, the PCI/ISA bridge 24 also includes miscellaneous
system logic. This miscellaneous system logic contains counters and
activity timers as conventionally present in personal computer
systems, an interrupt controller for both the PCI and ISA buses P
and I, and power management logic. Additionally, the miscellaneous
system logic may include circuitry for a security management system
used for password verification and to allow access to protected
resources. Preferably, the PCI/ISA bridge 24 is a single integrated
circuit, but other combinations are possible.
[0022] Numerous other devices are coupled to the ISA bus I. These
devices include a modem 32 and an audio chip 34. The audio chip 34
is further coupled to a device 36 for outputting analog signals,
such as a set of speakers of the computer system C or an external
stereo system. In the case of speakers, they are preferably
configured to be audible while the rear projection display D of the
computer system C is in a closed state. Also, a combination
input/output (S-IO) chip 38 is coupled to the ISA bus I. The S-IO
chip 38 incorporates various functions, such as a real-time clock,
UARTs, a floppy disk controller for controlling a floppy disk drive
44, various address decode logic and security logic to control
access to an internal or external CMOS/NVRAM memory (not shown) and
stored password values. Further, the S-IO chip 38 provides a
parallel port 40 and a serial port 42. To more clearly illustrate
the features and operation of the present invention, certain other
conventional computer devices and systems have been omitted from
FIG. 1.
[0023] A keyboard controller 46 is also coupled to the ISA bus I.
The keyboard controller 46 provides connections for a keyboard 48,
a PS/2 port 50 and a power switch 58. The keyboard controller 46
also generates a data signal LCD_DATA and a clock signal LCD_CLK
for use by LCD control circuitry 55. The LCD control circuitry 55
provides control signals for the LCD status display 54.
[0024] The portable computer system C is capable of both receiving
power from and supplying power to a battery pack 64. A battery
microcontroller (not shown) is incorporated in the battery pack 64
to provide supervisory functions for controlling the charging and
discharging of the battery pack.quadrature.s power cells.
Preferably, the keyboard controller 46 communicates with the
battery microcontroller via a standard I2C-bus. The
inter-integrated circuit (IC) or I2C-busis a simple bi-directional
two wire bus developed for efficient inter-IC control. Details of
the I2C-bus can be found in .quadrature.The I2C-bus and How to Use
It (Including Specification), .quadrature. published by Phillips
Semiconductor.
[0025] A video controller circuitry 20 is also connected to the PCI
bus P. The video controller 20 controller circuitry incorporates
video memory and the necessary analog circuitry for controlling an
image generator or display panel 70 in the rear projection display
D. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the image
generator 70 generates images for display on a projection surface
74. An optical system 72 is disposed between the image generator 70
and the projection surface 74 to focus images generated by the
image generator 70 onto the projection surface 74. Depending on the
configuration of the optical system 72, the video controller
circuitry 20 may need to perform pre-processing steps on control
signals to the image generator 70 to account for any issues arising
due to image quality and distortions.
[0026] It is contemplated that the image generator 70 could be
implemented in a variety of technologies. Such technologies include
certain liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and field emission displays
(FEDs), or other display devices using emissive image generating
techniques. Other suitable projection display technologies could
also be used. Further, the optical system 72 contains optical
component(s) that are preferably constructed of a lightweight
material having suitable optical properties.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 2, an isometric view of a portable
computer system C incorporating a rear projection display D in
accordance with the present invention is shown. The disclosed
portable computer system C includes a base portion B pivotally
coupled to the rear projection display D portion. As noted, the
rear projection display D includes the image generator 70, the
optical system 72, the projection surface 74. The various
components of the rear projection display D are integral with or
attached to a display enclosure 68. The display enclosure 68 is
movable between an open position (as shown in FIG. 2) and a closed
position (FIG. 5).
[0028] In the disclosed embodiments of the invention, the optical
system 72 is comprised of a convex lens disposed between the image
generator 70 and the projection surface 74 (as is seen more clearly
in FIGS. 3 and 4). Any such lens components of the optical system
72 are preferably formed of a lightweight material having the
necessary refraction and magnification properties.
[0029] The projection surface 74 is attached to the display
enclosure 68 via a top pair of hinged or resilient attachment arms
or mounting members 76 and a bottom pair of hinged or resilient
attachment arms or mounting members 78. When the display enclosure
68 is in an open position as shown in FIG. 2, the projection
surface 74 is configured to have an expanded surface area that
exceeds the effective display area of the image generator 70.
Preferably, the projection surface 74 is formed of a pliable
material that can be safely deformed or collapsed within the
projection display enclosure 68 when it is in a closed position. By
expanding in this manner, the projection surface 74 allows the
effective viewing area of the rear projection display D to exceed
the viewing area of prior displays without negatively impacting the
overall size of the portable computer system C.
[0030] The top and bottom pair of hinged or resilient attachment
arms or mounting members 76 and 78 are preferably spring-loaded or
otherwise biased to unfold or expand the deformable projection
surface 74 when the display enclosure 68 is in an open position.
When the display enclosure 68 is closed, a pair of retractable
hooking members 80 operates to cause mounting members 76 to move
from an extended position and to collapse the top portion of the
projection surface 74, while a pair of rear stubs 86 are utilized
cause mounting members 78 to retract to facilitate collapsing of
the bottom portion of the projection surface 74. The projection
surface 74 can also function to protect the optical system 72 from
abrasions when the rear projection display D is in a closed
position. It is noted that the manner of collapsing the projection
surface 74 when the display enclosure 68 is in a closed position is
not considered critical to the invention, and many alternate
embodiments are suitable for use with the present invention.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, a side elevation view of the
portable computer system C of FIG. 2 is shown. As more clearly
illustrated, when the display enclosure 68 is in an open position,
the various components of the rear projection display D are
separated by distances sufficient to allow the proper orientation
and operation of the optical system 72. More particularly, the
distance .times. separating the image generator 68 and the
projection surface 74 depends to a large extent on the desired size
of the viewing area provided by the rear projection display D, as
well as the configuration of the optical system 72. As can be
appreciated, image quality may also be affected by the distance
separating the optical system 72 and the projection surface 74, and
may need enhancement (e.g., a higher resolution and/or brighter
image generator 68) if the distance becomes too large.
[0032] The display enclosure 68 includes a bottom portion or base
84 containing a connector or pivot member (not shown) used to
pivotally couple the rear projection display to the base portion B
of the portable computer system C. In addition to providing support
for the remaining portions of the display enclosure 68 and the
integral image generator 70, the base 84 of the display enclosure
68 also includes attachment points 82 for rigidly supporting the
lens of the optical system 72. An optional polarizing filter (not
illustrated) may also be disposed either between the image
generator 70 and the optical system 72 or between the optical
system 72 and the projection surface 74. The polarizing filter may
improve the image quality of the rear projection display under
certain ambient conditions.
[0033] It is also contemplated that the projection surface 74 can
be optionally configured to collapse when the display enclosure 68
is in the opened position, thereby affording a smaller viewing area
when the portable computer system C is operated in tight spaces
that do not permit an increased viewing area. Further, it is
contemplated that the image generator 70, the optical system 72 and
the projection surface 74 can be reduced in size such that the
viewing area provided by the projection surface 74 is comparable to
that of existing portable computer displays. This embodiment of the
invention has the advantage of allowing use of a smaller image
generator 70, which may function to reduce both overall cost and
weight of the portable computer system C.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 4, a side elevation view of an
alternate embodiment of a rear projection display according to the
present invention is shown. In this embodiment of the invention,
the retractable hooking members 80 and rear stubs 86 are replaced
by a roller assembly comprised of the guide roller 90 and a primary
roller 92. The guide roller 90 is secured to the base portion B via
a pin 94, while the primary roller 92 is secured to the base
portion B via a pin 96. The primary roller 92 is preferably
spring-loaded, such that it stores a retractable spool or portion
of the projection surface 74 when the display enclosure 68 is in a
closed position. Preferably, the spring tension of the primary
roller 92 can be selectively applied such that closure of the
display enclosure 68 activates the primary roller 92 in a manner
sufficient to overcome the tension provided by the top pair of
hinged or resilient attachment members 76. The tension provided by
the primary roller 92 can be relaxed when the display enclosure 68
is moved to an open position as shown in FIG. 4, such that the
tension provided by the top pair of hinged or resilient attachment
members 76 is sufficient to expand the projection surface 74 into
an extended or taut position. Again, many other mechanical
apparatus for expanding and retracting the deformable projection
surface 74 are suitable for use with the present invention.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 5, a front elevation view taken in
cross-section of a rear projection display utilizing a one-piece
deformable projection surface 74 in accordance with the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment of the invention, the
projection surface 74 is shown in a compressed (i.e., the rear
projection display D is in a closed state). The projection surface
74 roughly conforms to the contour of the base portion B of the
portable computer system C via pressure applied by the hinged or
resilient attachment members 76 (and 78). Alternatively, the
projection surface 74 could be expanded and contracted
manually.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, front elevation view taken in
cross-section of another embodiment of a rear projection display
according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment of
the invention, the projection surface is formed of a substantially
rigid main display panel 100, as well as two substantially rigid
ancillary display panels 102. The ancillary panels 102 are
connected to the main display panel by hinges 104. The ancillary
display panels 102 are shown in a folded or collapsed state, and
are rotatable about hinges 104 to become substantially co-planar
with the main display panel 100, thereby forming a larger display
area when the rear projection display D is in an opened state. The
hinges 104 may be spring-loaded, or may operate manually.
Preferably, the hinge(s) 104 attaching an individual one of the
ancillary display panels 102 are located near the top and bottom
edges of the ancillary display panels 102 such that they do not
substantially impair the images provided on the display panels 100
and 102.
[0037] Further, in order to maintain proper spacing between the
various components of the rear projection display D of FIG. 6, the
display enclosure 68 may incorporate compressible portions 106
which attach to the main display panel 100 at its top and/or bottom
edges. The compressible portions 106 function to extend the main
display panel 100 and the ancillary display panels 102 away from
the optical system 72 when the rear projection display D is in an
open and operable position.
[0038] As evident from the foregoing, a portable computer system
display according to the present invention may take the form of
various embodiments of a rear projection display. The rear
projection display is housed in a display enclosure that is movable
between an open and closed position, and incorporates either a
pliable or deformable projection surface or a projection surface
formed of multiple rigid components. When the display enclosure is
open, the projection surface is configured to expand beyond the
form factor dimensions of the base portion of the portable
computer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
projection surface is a pliable material that can be safely
deformed or collapsed within the display enclosure when it is
closed.
[0039] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention
are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in
the size, shape, materials, components, circuit elements, wiring
connections and contacts, as well as in the details of the
illustrated circuitry and construction and method of operation may
be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *