Flat panel monitor combining direct view with overhead projection capability

A display subsystem for displaying video information, said display subsystem comprising:

• (a) a display assembly comprising:
• (i) a flat panel display having a first surface for viewing during direct monitoring and an opposite surface for viewing during overhead projection monitoring;
• (ii) a light source positioned adjacent to said flat panel display for providing back-light for said flat panel display, said light source positioned along two opposite edges of said flat panel display;
• (iii) a sensor for detecting the presence of a removable door within said display assembly and for generating a control signal indicative thereof;
• (b) said removable door assembly adapted for insertion into and removal from said display assembly and comprising a light pipe for optically coupling with said light source for illuminating said flat panel display with said back-light, and wherein said light source remains within said display assembly upon removal of said removable door assembly;
• and
• (c) a control circuit responsive to said sensor for turning said light source on and providing said video information to said flat panel display to generate a first image in a first orientation when said control signal is at a first state and for turning said light source off and providing said video information to said flat panel display in a second direction to generate a second image in second orientation when said control signal is at a second state.

A method of displaying an image for direct viewing and for overhead projection viewing, said method comprising the steps of:

• sensing whether or not a removable back-lighting assembly is present within a display assembly and generating a first signal indicative thereof, said display assembly containing a flat panel display and a pair of light sources mounted on opposite sides of said flat panel display;
• in response to said first signal being at a first state, automatically turning on said pair of light sources and also displaying said image on a viewing surface of said flat panel display from left to right;
• and
• in response to said first signal being at a second state, automatically turning off said pair of light sources and also displaying said image on said viewing surface from right to left.

In a flat panel display assembly having a flat panel display matrix and a removable back-lighting assembly, a method of displaying an image for direct viewing and for overhead projection viewing, said method comprising the steps of:

• sensing whether or not said removable back-lighting assembly is present within said display assembly and generating a first signal indicative thereof, said flat panel display matrix being illuminated by a source of light mounted within said flat panel display assembly;
• in response to said first signal being at a first state, automatically turning on said source of light and also displaying said image on a viewing surface of said flat panel display matrix in a first orientation;
• and
• in response to said first signal being at a second state, automatically turning off said source of light and also displaying said image on said viewing surface in a second orientation.