Convertible flat panel display system

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.