Removable computer display interface

A method for replacing a first modular flat panel display attached to a portable computer with a second modular flat panel display of a different type, and of identifying and driving the second modular flat panel display, comprising steps of:

• (a) disengaging the first modular flat panel display physically at a mechanical attachment apparatus and electrically at a multi-pin electrical connector;
• (b) engaging the second modular flat panel display physically at the mechanical attachment apparatus and electrically at the multi-pin electrical connector;
• (c) accessing a code stored in a first memory device in the second modular flat panel display from operating circuitry in the portable computer, the code unique to the type of the second modular flat panel display;
• (d) matching the code with a driver code routine associated with the code and stored in a second memory device in the portable computer;
• and
• (e) executing the driver code routine in the portable computer to operate the second modular flat panel display from the operating circuitry in the portable computer.

In a computer having a flat panel display module hinged to close over the computer case to provide a compact package for transport and storage, wherein the display module and the computer allow for interchanging different types of displays, a system for recognizing the display type attached and selecting an appropriate driver protocol, the system comprising:

• a non-volatile memory device in the flat panel display module, the non-volatile memory device containing a code unique to the type of the flat panel display module;
• a plurality of drive routines stored in a memory of the computer, each drive routine associated with a unique code;
• and
• control circuitry in the computer;
• wherein the control circuitry in the computer retrieves the code in the flat panel display module, matches the code from the display module with one of the unique codes associated with a drive routine stored in the memory of the computer, and loads and executes the associated drive routine to drive the attached display module.