Portable computer system incorporating a rear projection display

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, wherein the projection surface area is greater than the top surface area when the projection display is in the open position and wherein the projection surface area is less than or equal to the top surface area when the projection display is in the closed position;
• a focusing optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to discernibly focus images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface;
• and
• means for collapsing the projection surface when the projection display is moved to a closed position.

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, wherein the projection surface is formed of a plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels, and wherein each of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels is coupled to another of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels by a hinge;
• and
• a focusing optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to discernibly focus images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

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, wherein the projection surface is formed of a plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels, and wherein each of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels is coupled to another of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels by a hinge;
• and
• an optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to receive from the image generator images generated by the image generator and to discernibly focus the images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

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, wherein the projection surface is formed of a plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels, and wherein each of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels is coupled to another of the plurality of substantially coplanar rigid panels by a hinge;
• and
• an optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to receive from the image generator images generated by the image generator and to discernibly focus the images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

A portable computer system, comprising:

• a base portion having a top surface;
• and
• a projection display coupled to the base portion and movable between and 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, wherein the projection surface area is greater than the top surface area when the projection display is in the open position and wherein the projection surface area is less than or equal to the top surface area when the projection display is in the closed position;
• and
• a focusing optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to discernibly focus images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

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, wherein the projection surface area is greater than the surface area of the base portion of the portable computer system when the projection display is in an open position and wherein the projection surface area is less than or equal to the surface area of the base portion of the portable computer system when the projection display is in a closed position;
• and
• a focusing optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to discernibly focus images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

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 potion 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, wherein the projection surface area is greater than the top surface area when the projection display is in the open position and wherein the projection surface area is less than or equal to the top surface area when the projection display is in the closed position;
• and
• an optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to receive from the image generator images generated by the image generator and to discernibly focus the images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.

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, wherein the projection surface area is greater than the surface area of the base portion of the portable computer system when the projection display is in an open position and wherein the projection surface area is less than or equal to the surface area of the base portion of the portable computer system when the projection display is in a closed position;
• and
• an optical system disposed between the image generator and the projection surface, the optical system adapted to receive from the image generator images generated by the image generator and to discernibly focus the images generated by the image generator onto the projection surface.