# US 7,466,306 B2 · Multi-display computer system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,466,306 B2 - Document ID: US7466306B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/834,148 - Filed: 2004-04-27 - Published: 2005-10-27 - Granted: 2008-12-16 - Earliest claimed: 2004-04-27 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: Thomas J. Connor; David B. Hanson; Charles R. Shilling - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466306B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1616: {with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position} - G06F 1/1649: {the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user} - G06F 2200/1634: Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A multi-display computer system comprises a display member rotatably coupled to a base member. The display member has a first display device disposed on an interior surface thereof and a second display device disposed on an exterior surface thereof. The computer system also comprises a display manager executable by a processor and adapted to enable a user to automatically control a display mode of the second display device independent of a display mode of the first display device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-display computer system, comprising: a display member rotatably coupled to a base member, the display member having a first display device disposed on an interior surface thereof, the display member having a second display device disposed in a recessed area of an exterior surface of the display member, the recessed area configured with a depth to accommodate placement of the second display device in the recessed area such that an exterior surface of the second display device is disposed below the exterior surface of the display member; and a display manager executable by a processor and adapted to enable a user to automatically control a display mode of the second display device independent of a display mode of the first display device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display mode of the second display device comprises an inactive display mode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the display manager is adapted to enable the user to control the display mode of the second display device via a function key of a keyboard of the computer system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the display manager is adapted to display an interface on the first display device to enable the user to control the display mode of the second display device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the display manager is adapted to change the display mode of the second display device from an active mode to an inactive mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the display manager is adapted to change the display mode of the second display device from an inactive mode to an active mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second display device is rotatably coupled to the exterior surface of the display member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second display device is coupled to the display member to enable a plurality of viewing orientations of the second display device relative to the display member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover coupled to the display member and adapted to be disposed over the second display device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the display manager is adapted to enable an inactive display mode for the second display device during an active display mode for the first display device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a retractable cover slidably coupled to the display member and adapted to be disposed over the second display device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a recessed area formed in the display member for receiving the second display device. ### Claim 13 A multi-display computer system, comprising: a first display means disposed on an interior surface of a display member, the display member rotatably coupled to a base member; a second display means disposed in a recessed area of an exterior surface of the display member, the recessed area configured with a depth to accommodate placement of the second display means in the recessed area such that an exterior surface of the second display means is disposed below the exterior surface of the display member; and means for automatically controlling a display mode of the second display means independently of a display mode of the first display means. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the means for controlling the display mode comprises means for enabling an inactive display mode for the second display means during an active display mode for the first display means. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the means for controlling the display mode comprises means for changing the display mode of the second display means from an active mode to an inactive mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising means for enabling the user to control the display mode of the second display means via a function key of a keyboard of the computer system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising means for displaying an interface on the first display device to enable the user to control the display mode of the second display device. ### Claim 18 A computer display method, comprising: controlling a display mode associated with a first display device, the first display device disposed on an interior surface of a display member; and enabling automatic control of a display mode associated with a second display device disposed in a recessed area of an exterior surface of the display member, the recessed area configured with a depth to accommodate placement of the second display device in the recessed area such that an exterior surface of the second display device is disposed below the exterior surface of the display member, the automatic control of the display mode associated with the second device being independent of the display mode of the first display device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining an inactive display mode for the second display device during an active mode of the first display device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising changing the display mode of the second display device from an active mode to an inactive mode in response to a user request. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising changing the display mode of the second, display device in response to a user request received via a function key of a keyboard. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying an interface on the first display device to enable a user to select the display mode for the second display device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising displaying an interface on the second display device to enable a user to select the display mode for the first display device. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, further comprising maintaining an inactive display mode for the first display device during an active mode of the second display device. ### Claim 25 A display device protection system for a computer system, comprising: a display device disposed within a recessed area of a display member of the computer system; and a retractable cover coupled to the display member and slidable over the display device. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The display device protection system of claim 25, further comprising a channel area formed adjacent to each side of the display device, the channel area enabling a user to slide the retractable cover over the display device. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The display device protection system of claim 25, further comprising a gripping element coupled to the retractable cover and configured to enable a user to slide the retractable cover relative to the display device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The display protection system of claim 25, wherein the display device is coupled to a display member, the display member including a first surface, the first surface including the recessed area. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The display protection system of claim 28, wherein the recessed area is configured with a depth such that an external surface of the display device is disposed below the first surface. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The display protection system of claim 25, wherein the computer system includes a laptop computer. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The display protection system of claim 25, wherein the display device includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. ### Claim 32 A display device protection system for a computer system, comprising: means for displaying an image, the means for displaying being disposed within a recessed area of a display member of the computer system, wherein the means for displaying is coupled to a display member, the display member including a first surface, the first surface including the recessed area and wherein the recessed area is configured with a depth such that an external surface of the display device is disposed below the first surface; and means for covering the means for displaying, the means for covering being coupled to the means for displaying, the means for covering being slidable over the means for displaying. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The display device protection system of claim 32, further comprising means for enabling a user to slide the means for covering over the means for displaying via a channel area formed adjacent to each side of the means for displaying device. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The display device protection system of claim 32, further comprising means for gripping coupled to the means for covering and configured to enable a user to slide the means for covering relative to the means for displaying. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The display protection system of claim 32, wherein the computer system includes a laptop computer. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The display protection system of claim 32, wherein the means for displaying includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) device.