DE10053790A1 - Laptop computer for mobile use has a main display panel and a second display that can be viewed by a second person - Google Patents

Abstract

The laptop computer has a base (20) with a keyboard. Hinged to the base is a cover (12) that has a display that is used by the operator. Hinged to this is a second display (14) that is set at an angle so that it may be viewed by a second person.

Description

The invention relates to a display arrangement, in particular for a mobile or stationary communication and / or data processing device, such as laptop, handheld, Mobile phone, video / photo camera, game console u. Ä., comprising a first, preferably for a Operator viewable display unit and at least one other, preferably for one or more people viewable display unit on which at least a section of the information displayed on the first display unit can be displayed.

A display arrangement of the aforementioned type is known from DE 44 19 130 A1. The portable data processing device in the manner of a laptop has in addition to a keyboard part Display part on, for the purpose of simultaneously informing a larger group of people on its front facing the operator also on its back with a Display is provided. A disadvantage of the known device has been found that the viewing of the display arranged on the back of the display part for one larger group of people is insufficient if the display part related to the Keyboard part is pivoted at an angle of greater than 90 °. As a result, the point of view for the wider group of people is deteriorated in such a way that insight on the display becomes almost impossible.  

Based on this, the present invention addresses the problem of displaying to further develop the order in such a way that its functionality expands with a simple structure becomes. In particular, it should be ensured that the other group of people on the other Display unit displayed information regardless of the position of the first display unity can see.

According to the invention, the problem is solved in that the at least one further type show unit is pivotable relative to the first display unit. Preferably one is on the horizontal related angle of inclination of the at least one further display unit relative to a horizontal angle of inclination of the first display unit adjustable. The embodiment according to the invention achieves the advantage that both the first display unit optimal for the operator and the at least one additional display unit optimal for one or more people independently of each other can be adjusted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one further display unit connected to the first display unit in an articulated manner. They are over the joint two display units firmly connected to each other so that they form a unit. The at least one further display unit can also be detachable or pluggable or slidable with the be connected to the first display unit.

A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the joint is a swivel joint is formed, wherein the at least one further display unit around a long side is pivotable, which is parallel or substantially parallel to a long side of the first Display unit runs and / or is pivotable about a second axis, which is parallel or runs essentially parallel to a transverse side of the display unit and / or around one third axis is pivotable, which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to one of the first display unit spanned level. In other words, on this The at least one further display unit can be moved in three lines of freedom.  

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the joint as Ball joint or universal joint is formed so that the at least one additional display unit can be pivoted into any angular position.

As a special advantage it should be mentioned that the articulated connection of the display is made possible that the at least one further display unit in one of the first display unit spanned level is pivotable and together with the first Display unit forms a common display unit for the information to be displayed. In addition, the at least one further display unit is also in one of the first Display unit spanned plane pivotable.

There is also the possibility that the at least one further display unit is parallel or is arranged displaceably essentially parallel to the first display unit. In a In the first operating position, the display units can be arranged one inside the other or next to one another be net, a Ver. by moving the at least one further display unit pivot and / or turning the other display unit is made possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the Communication and / or data processing device a sensor for detecting a Relative angle between the planes spanned by the display units. This enables that according to the relative angular position of the display units different display modes can be set. For example, in one level Display units can be set a portrait display, with a graphics card in Dependency of the sensor data can be controlled in such a way that the information on both inputs Show units is displayed as soon as they are in one level or approximately in one level. Depending on the set format such as portrait or landscape the information is automatically adapted to the set display format.

There is, for example, an adaptation of the format A4 or General X1 × Y1 (length × width) information displayed on an A3 or DIN A2 format or generally X2 × Y2 (length × width) with X1 × Y1 (X2 × Y2, where the  Information itself cannot be changed. On the other hand, there is also the possibility speed that the image section previously shown on the first display unit on the ver Larger display unit or the enlarged display is displaceable, so that on the enlarged display unit, for example, does not display on the first display unit information can be made visible. Prove to be particularly advantageous these display modes when spreadsheets are represented by spreadsheet programs. Depending on the screen resolution and controlling depth, for example, a maximum of 20 Columns and 15 rows can be shown simultaneously on an A4 display. From one certain number of columns or rows must then be viewed using a scroll bar tion range, with the disadvantage that previously shown columns and Lines are no longer displayed on the display unit. A comparison of different ones Columns that are far apart in the table are made possible by the invention.

The arrangement according to the invention achieves the advantage that, for example, on the first display unit the usual information is displayed and that in addition the additional display unit arranged above or to the side of information or Excerpts of these - such as columns and / or rows - that can be displayed on the first display unit are not shown.

As soon as the display units are in mutually inclined planes, the graphics card controlled in such a way that the preferably identical information on both display units NEN are shown, on the one hand for the view by the operator and on the other hand are prepared for viewing by other people.

The mobile communication and / or data processing device can, for example, as Laptop designed and include an input such as keyboard unit on which the first Display unit is articulated such that the first display unit is at rest position covers the keyboard unit. The first display unit is as described above the at least one further display unit is articulated. It can also be provided that the display units on opposite long sides of a base body of the portable data processing device are pivotally arranged.  

Further details, advantages and features of the invention result not only from the Claims, the features to be extracted from these - individually and / or in combination -, but also one of the drawings can be seen from the following description the preferred embodiment.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile computing device such as a laptop with two mutually adjustable display units,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile data processing device of FIG. 1 in the folded state in view of the two display units by an operator,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mobile data processing device of FIG. 1 in the folded state when viewed a first display unit,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile data processing unit with two mutually adjustable display units in the folded state,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a mobi len data processing apparatus having two display units,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a mobile data processing apparatus having two display units,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a mobile data processing apparatus having two display units,

Fig. 8-10 a fifth embodiment of a mobile data processing device with two display units.

Fig. 11 shows a sixth embodiment of the display arrangement with two Anzeigeanhei th on a laptop, horizontal and vertical flaps,

Fig. 12 shows a display unit with connecting elements,

Fig. 13, the display unit shown in FIG. 12, in a swiveled operating position

Fig. 14, a system of assembled by means of the connecting elements on display units in a plane,

Fig. 15 is a display device comprising two display units,

Fig. 16 is a display device comprising three display units,

Fig. 17 shows a display arrangement comprising four display units and

Fig. 18 exceeds a display device comprising in a plane and adjacent to one another and plugged together angeord Neten display units.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a display device 10, preferably for a mobile data processing device, which is hereinafter referred to as laptop. The display arrangement 10 comprises a first display unit 12 , preferably viewable for an operator, and at least one further display unit 14 , preferably viewable for one or more people, on which at least a section of the information displayed on the first display unit 12 can be displayed. According to the invention, it is provided that the at least one further display unit 14 is articulatedly connected to the first display unit via a joint 16 , so that an inclination angle α of the at least one further display unit 14 related to the horizontal relative to an inclination angle β of the first display unit related to the horizontal 12 is adjustable. Compared to the prior art, the advantage is achieved that the display units 12 , 14 can be adjusted independently of one another to the respective visibility conditions for the viewer.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the first display unit 12 is articulated via a second joint 18 to an input unit such as the keyboard unit 20 . The joints 16 , 20 are designed as rotary joints, a first pivot axis 24 running parallel or essentially parallel to the upper longitudinal sides 26 , 28 of the first and further display units 12 , 14 , and a second pivot axis 30 parallel or substantially parallel to a lower one Long side 32 of the first display unit runs. In other words, the first pivot axis 24 corresponds to an intersection line of the planes that are spanned by the display units 12 , 14 . The second pivot axis 30 corresponds to an intersection of the planes that are spanned by the display unit 12 and the keyboard unit 20 .

The use of the at least one further display unit 14 is assigned the following alternative functions in so-called multi-user operation. Optionally, the information displayed on the display unit 12 can be reproduced identically, a sectional view of the information displayed and / or an enlargement of a section of the information displayed on the first display unit. Of course, there is also the possibility to switch off the at least one additional display unit 14 if the view by other persons is not desired.

Because of the display units 12 , 14 which can be pivoted relative to one another, there is the possibility of pivoting the display unit 14 with a display 34 integrated therein into a plane spanned by the display unit 12 or an angle γ spanned by the display units 22 , 34 between 0 ≦ γ ≦ 360 ° set.

If the display units are almost in one plane, there is the possibility that a viewer can view information both on the display 22 and on the display 34 . If the laptop is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 36 integrated in the laptop, preferably in the swivel joint 16 , ensures that a first display mode, in which the on the display units 12 , 14 are identical or nearly identical information is switched to a second display mode as soon as the angle γ spanned between the display units 12 , 14 falls below a predefined angle, preferably γ = 180 °. In this display mode - in the case of the vertical format display that is then set - a graphic control unit contained in the operating unit 20 is controlled as a function of the sensor data in such a way that the information previously displayed on the first display unit 12 is displayed in vertical format on both display units. In other words, by pivoting the at least one further display unit 14 into a plane spanned by the first display unit 12, the information shown is adapted.

This function is particularly useful when displaying tables of a spreadsheet program if more rows are to be displayed than can be shown on the original display 22 of the first display unit 12 . For example, a maximum of 20 columns and 50 rows can be displayed simultaneously on the display unit 12 if the size is A4. If there are more than 20 columns or 15 rows, they are initially shown hidden and can only be moved to the viewing area with a scroll bar, but the columns and rows previously shown are then shown hidden. With the aforementioned functionality, the same image section can be viewed, for example, on the display unit 12 and, in addition, a specific area of the information that is not shown on the display unit 12 can be displayed on the display unit 14 .

When the at least one further display unit 14 is folded up, the information shown on the display 34 is rotated through 180 ° from a tilting or folding angle γ with preferably γ ≦ 250 ° or a suitable tilting / folding angle, controlled by the sensor 36 the information can be viewed by the operator. First, the operator recognizes the identical information on each of the now visible displays 22 , 34 . In this operating mode, the working area can be enlarged overall, as described above. On the other hand, there is also the possibility of enlarging sections of the information shown on the display 22 on the display 34 , for example to make details visible or to simplify the work as a whole when entering values of a table. Furthermore, there is the possibility of automatically or manually displaying the information of the first display unit on the further display unit, the first display unit representing further or additional information.

Fig. 3 shows the laptop in an operating position, only the first display unit 12 is active in the. The second display unit 14 is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane spanned by the first display unit 12 plane, said plane defined between the display units 12, 14 angle γ = 360 °. Of course, also in this embodiment, the first display unit 12 can be pivoted to the control unit 20 so that the angle of inclination α can be adjusted. In the use shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 36 can be set such that the display 34 integrated in the display unit 14 is switched off at a predetermined inclination angle for reasons of energy saving.

Fig. 4 shows the laptop in a collapsed position, wherein the display is covered 34 by a cover 38.

In Fig. 5 a further embodiment is a mobile data processing device 40 as shown laptop, wherein the display unit further joint means of a ball 42 is connected to the first display unit 12 at least 14th In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ball joint is arranged at a corner point 44 of the first display unit 12 and a corner point 46 of the at least one further display unit 14 . The articulated connection by means of a ball joint 42 enables the at least one further display unit 14 to be moved in different lines of freedom. As a result, an optimal view of the display 34 of the display unit 14 can also be made available to the other persons who are not directly opposite the operator. The display unit can also be arranged next to the first display unit.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment 48 of a mobile data processing device such as a game console, which only comprises two display units 50 , 52 which are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a swivel joint 54 . It is provided that the first and further display units 50 , 52 can simultaneously be used as an operating unit, such as a touchscreen. A fourth embodiment 56 is shown in FIG. 7, the display units 50 , 52 according to FIG. 6 being connected to one another via a swivel joint 58 , so that further straight lines of freedom can also be set.

Finally, a fifth embodiment 60 of a mobile data processing device is shown in FIGS . 8 to 10, which also has two display units 62 , 64 , each of which contains displays 66 , 68 opposite one another, which are arranged in parallel or essentially parallel to one another. In this embodiment as well, the display units 60 , 62 , 64 are connected to one another via a joint 70 and can be pivoted along a pivot axis 72 which runs vertically. The mobile data processing device 60 can contain information processing control units or can also receive information for display from an external data processing device by means of wireless data transmission such as radio, optics, infrared or wired data transmission.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of a laptop 74 , consisting of the operating part 20 , the first display unit 12 articulated thereon and the further display unit 14 articulated to the first display unit 12 , which, however, are not opposite to the embodiment according to FIGS a pivot axis parallel to the horizontal, but about an essentially vertical pivot axis 76 which runs along a transverse side 78 of the first display unit. When the further display unit 14 is rotated or swiveled via the vertical axis 76 , the user has further functions available, such as, for example, enlarging the work area by making the double screen width available, or alternatively the identical depiction of the information displayed on the display unit 12 , section wise presentation of the information or presentation of an enlarged section of the original information displayed on the display unit 12 . Of course, the additional display unit 14 can also be switched off in this operating mode.

FIG. 12 shows a display unit 80 , which is designed as a flat screen and has a base 82 , which can be used as a single device for wireless and / or wired connection to a computer, a television or video device or the like. According to the invention, the display unit comprises a preferably T-shaped support element 82 with a removable foot 84 . The carrier element 82 has connecting elements 86 , 88 , which are preferably angeord net on the end face of a horizontally extending holding element 90 . Starting from the horizontally running holding element 90, there runs a vertical stand element 92 , to the bottom end of which the foot 84 is fastened. The holding element 90 can accommodate a stand element of a further carrier element. In a preferred embodiment, the display arrangement 80 can be pivoted relative to the horizontal, as is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 using the arrows 94 .

FIG. 14 shows, for example, a possible arrangement of flat screens 80 which are plugged together in a row, the connecting elements 86 , 88 being designed as plug connectors. The plug connectors 86 , 88 are designed such that the display units 80 can be pivoted relative to one another about a vertical axis. The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 also enables the display of tables with many columns, the display of details of a display unit on various other screens, the simultaneous display of enlarged individual units and the overall display of information while working in one detail.

FIG. 15 shows a further display arrangement 96 , which comprises two display units 98 , 100 , each with a display 102 and 104 , which are arranged on opposite sides of a plane spanned by the display units 98 , 100 . In this embodiment, the display units 98 , 100 each have a peripheral frame 106 , 108 , on which the connecting elements 86 , 88 are arranged, so that the display units form a unit. A preferably removable stand or foot 110 is also attached to the frame. In a preferred embodiment, the display 102 , 104 is each pivotably arranged in the frame 106 or 108 , so that the display 102 can be pivoted, for example, in the direction of the arrow 112 .

Finally, there is the possibility of arranging a plurality of screens 80 of the aforementioned type via the connecting elements 86 , 88 to form a polygon, preferably a triangle according to FIG. 16 or a square according to FIG. 17. The maximum extension to a spherical body as an all-round display arrangement for representing a globe (geography) or a molecule (chemistry) or a three-dimensional image is also possible. There is also the possibility here that the display units have a circumferential frame in which the display is arranged so as to be pivotable with respect to the horizontal and / or vertical.

Fig. 18 shows a display device, wherein the display units 80 may be arranged in a plane next to and / or above one another, in order to enlarge the display area as a whole. According to an independent idea of the invention, an image section of a first display unit can be moved by a graphics controller to one or more further display units in the format 1: 1, that is to say with an identical image section, which can also be referred to as a base display mover. The other display units then become a common "large" display unit, on which then many / all numbers / letters / pictures / characters can be displayed, which "surround" the moving image section. The image sections can be controlled manually and / or automatically.

The display arrangement shown in FIG. 18 consists of individual display units 80 which have been put together by means of the connecting elements 86 , 88 . According to a further inventive concept, when the display units are plugged together, information is exchanged between the display units 80 in such a way that the information to be displayed on the supplementary display unit is automatically recognized by graphics card software (wireless or wired pulse transmission) and adapted appropriately for pulse transmission, and already displayed information is shown within the overall picture. Each screen has a coding of the screen content, which is exchanged with one another when the screens are networked, so that connected screens adequately represent the section assigned via the coding in the overall picture. When a further display unit is added in the vertical direction, the additional image information is shown in the vertical direction, for example, or the corresponding image information is shifted. The same thing happens when the display arrangement is supplemented in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, you can control the screen content manually.

In summary, it should be noted that the embodiments according to the invention mobile data processing devices are provided, which are compared to those from the Devices known in the prior art have increased functionality. In particular enables the information displayed on a display unit to be multiple People, preferably people sitting opposite, by means of a horizontal line His tilt angle can thus be pivoted to the point of view of the other person is also adjustable to the perspective of the person. There is also the possibility that display units arranged on the data processing device preferably in such a way Arrange level that the information displayed on a display unit is optional enlarged and / or changed and / or reduced and / or sections or sections can be displayed on the other display unit.

Claims (23)

1. Display arrangement ( 10 , 48 , 56 , 60 , 96 ), in particular for a mobile or stationary communication and / or data processing device such as laptop, handheld, cell phone, video / photo camera, game console and the like. Ä., comprising a first, preferably for an operator viewable display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) and at least one further, preferably for one or more people viewable display unit ( 14 , 52 , 64 , 104 ) on the at least a section of the information displayed on the first display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) can be displayed, characterized in that the at least one further display unit ( 14 , 52 , 64 , 104 ) relative to the first display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) is pivotable. 2. Display arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a horizontal angle of inclination α of the at least one further ren display unit ( 14 , 52 , 64 , 104 ) relative to a horizontal angle of inclination β of the first display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) is adjustable. 3. Display arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one further display unit ( 14 , 52 , 64 , 104 ) via a joint ( 16 , 42 , 54 , 58 , 70 ) with the first display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) is articulated. 4. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one further display unit ( 14 ) is detachably and pluggably connected to the first display unit ( 12 ). 5. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint ( 16 ) is designed as a rotary joint, the at least one further display unit ( 14 ) being pivotable about a pivot axis ( 24 ) which is parallel or substantially parallel to one The longitudinal side ( 26 ) of the first display unit ( 12 ) runs and / or can be pivoted about a second pivot axis ( 72 ) that runs parallel or essentially parallel to a transverse side of the display unit and / or can be pivoted about a third pivot axis that is vertical or in the Runs essentially perpendicular to a plane spanned by the first display unit. 6. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint ( 42 , 58 ) is designed as a ball joint ( 42 , 58 ). 7. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one further display unit ( 14 , 52 , 64 , 104 ) can be pivoted into a plane spanned by the first display unit ( 12 ) and together with the first display unit ( 12 , 50 , 62 , 102 ) forms a common display unit for the information to be displayed. 8. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the at least one further display unit is parallel or substantially parallel is arranged displaceably to the first display unit. 9. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display arrangement ( 10 , 40 , 48 , 56 , 60 , 96 ) has a sensor ( 36 ) for detecting a relative angle γ between those of the display units ( 12 , 14 ) has strained levels. 10. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display arrangement as part of a mobile or stationary com communication and / or data processing device such as laptop, notebook, handheld, cell phone, game console, video / photo camera and. Ä. Is formed, wherein the communication and / or data processing device includes an input such as keyboard unit ( 20 ) voice input or touch screen, on which the first display unit ( 12 ) is articulated such that the first display unit ( 12 ) in a rest position covers the keyboard unit ( 20 ) and the at least one further display unit ( 14 ) can be pivoted parallel or essentially parallel to a plane spanned by the first display unit. 11. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display arrangement ( 10 , 40 , 48 , 56 , 60 , 96 ) comprises a plurality of further display units. 12. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and at least one further display unit ( 12 , 14 , 50 , 52 , 98 , 100 ) is designed as a flat screen, preferably with a touchscreen function. 13. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display units ( 98 , 100 ) have connecting elements ( 86 , 88 ) such as plug connection elements and are pivotable from one plane, preferably horizontally and / or vertically. 14. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display unit has a support element ( 82 ), preferably T-shaped support element, with a horizontal holding element ( 90 ) which runs parallel to an upper longitudinal side of the display unit ( 80 ) and a vertical control element ( 92 ) on which a foot ( 84 ) is detachably connected. 15. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal holding element ( 90 ) has the connecting elements ( 86 , 88 ) at its ends. 16. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the horizontal holding element ( 90 ) has a receptacle for a stand element ( 92 ) of a further carrier element ( 82 ). 17. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a plurality of further display units ( 80 ), wherein the display units can be coupled in such a way that the long sides span a polygon, preferably triangle, quadrangle, etc. 18. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of display units ( 80 , 98 , 100 ) can be plugged together in one plane. 19. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting elements ( 86 , 88 ) on the longitudinal and / or transverse sides of a holder for vertical and / or horizontal pivotability, preferably peripheral frame mens ( 106 , 108 ) of the display unit are. 20. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display arrangement ( 10 , 40 , 48 , 56 , 60 , 80 , 96 ) can be switched over to different display modes, with information displayed on the further display unit depending on the inclination at least a further display unit and / or a control command of the operator contains the content of the information of the first display unit or further information. 21. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized, that a display area of the information to be displayed by the at least one further display unit is enlarged. 22. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized, that a defined image area of the first display unit into an image area of a or several other display units can be moved. 23. Display arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display units ( 80 ) are arranged in a sphere-like manner, the display units being rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, diamond-shaped, round and / or curved.