Methods and apparatus for implementing transmissive display devices

Abstract

A transmissive display device. The transmissive display device comprises a transmissive display panel positionable in a viewing position by a user and including a viewing front surface and a light-receiving rear surface, a reflective surface that is positionable by a user to receive ambient light and reflect it toward the rear surface and though the transmissive display panel, and an un-grooved transmissive ambient light diffuser, without annular rings, positionable by a user so that ambient light is transmitted through the diffuser to thereby cooperate with the reflective surface to provide diffuse ambient light to the rear surface of the transmissive display panel.

1 . A transmissive display device, comprising: 
 a transmissive display panel positionable in a viewing position by a user and including a viewing front surface and a light-receiving rear surface;    a reflective surface that is positionable by a user to receive ambient light and reflect it toward the rear surface and though the transmissive display panel; and    an un-grooved transmissive ambient light diffuser, without annular rings, positionable by a user so that ambient light is transmitted through the diffuser to thereby cooperate with the reflective surface to provide diffuse ambient light to the rear surface of the transmissive display panel.    
   
   
       2 . The display device of  claim 1 , in which the reflective surface provides diffuse reflection.  
   
   
       3 . The display device of  claim 1 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface so that the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface are pivotable relative to each other, wherein the display panel in the viewing position has a bottom edge and a top edge and the pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface extends along the bottom edge of the display panel.  
   
   
       4 . The display device of  claim 1 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface, so that the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface are pivotable relative to each other, and a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser, so that the transmissive display panel and the diffuser are pivotable relative to each other separate from pivoting between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface.  
   
   
       5 . The display device of  claim 1 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser so that the transmissive display panel and the diffuser are pivotable relative to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The display of  claim 5 , in which the display panel in the viewing position has a bottom edge and a top edge, the pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser extending along the top edge of the display panel.  
   
   
       7 . The display of  claim 1 , further comprising a backlight positioned behind the transmissive display panel to selectively transmit light onto and through the light-receiving rear surface in combination with the ambient light.  
   
   
       8 . A transmissive display device, comprising: 
 a transmissive display panel positioned in a viewing position and including a viewing front surface and a light-receiving rear surface;    a reflective surface that receives ambient light and reflects it toward the rear surface and though the transmissive display panel; and    an un-grooved transmissive ambient light diffuser, without annular rings secured directly to the light receiving rear surface, through which ambient light is transmitted, the diffuser cooperating with the reflective surface to provide diffuse ambient light to the rear surface of the transmissive display panel.    
   
   
       9 . The display device of  claim 8 , in which the reflective surface provides diffuse reflection.  
   
   
       10 . The display device of  claim 8 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface so that the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface are pivotable relative to each other, wherein the display panel in the viewing position has a bottom edge and a top edge and the pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface extends along the bottom edge of the display panel.  
   
   
       11 . The display device of  claim 8 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface so that the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface are pivotable relative to each other, and a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser so that the transmissive display panel and the diffuser are pivotable relative to each other separate from pivoting between the transmissive display panel and the reflective surface.  
   
   
       12 . The display device of  claim 8 , further including a pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser so that the transmissive display panel and the diffuser are pivotable relative to each other.  
   
   
       13 . The display device of  claim 12 , in which the display panel in the viewing position has a bottom edge and a top edge, the pivotal coupling between the transmissive display panel and the diffuser extending along the top edge of the display panel.  
   
   
       14 . The display device of  claim 8 , further comprising a backlight positioned behind the transmissive display panel to selectively transmit light onto and through the light-receiving rear surface in combination with the ambient light.  
   
   
       15 . A portable computer comprising: 
 a base portion;    a lid portion, including; 
 a first panel assembly;  
 a second panel assembly; and  
   a hinge coupling the lid portion to the base portion;    whereby the hinge allows the lid portion to be raised when the device is in use and lowered when the device is not in use.    
   
   
       16 . The portable computer of  claim 15 , in which the base portion includes a CPU and a keyboard.  
   
   
       17 . The portable computer of  claim 15 , in which the first panel assembly includes an inner diffuse reflector and an outer protective layer.  
   
   
       18 . The portable computer of  claim 17 , in which the second panel assembly includes an outer diffuser panel which is coupled to an inner display panel.  
   
   
       19 . The portable computer of  claim 15 , further comprising a backlight.  
   
   
       20 . The portable computer of  claim 19 , further comprising an intensity control circuit coupled to a first photo sensor, and coupled to the backlight, for automatically maintaining a light differential between a front viewing surface of the inner display panel, and an outer surface of the outer diffuser panel.  
   
   
       21 . The portable computer of  claim 20  further comprising a brightness control producing a brightness control signal which is coupled to the intensity control circuit whereby a manual backlight adjustment is provided.  
   
   
       22 . The portable computer of  claim 20 , further comprising a second photo sensor coupled to the intensity control circuit.  
   
   
       23 . A portable computer comprising: 
 a base including a CPU and a keyboard coupled to the CPU;    a transmissive display coupled to the CPU, in which the transmissive display is part of a first panel assembly, and the transmissive display has a first viewing surface, and a second surface;    an outer diffuser panel coupled to the second surface of the transmissive display to form the first panel assembly;    an inner diffuse reflector that is part of a second panel assembly, having a first reflecting surface, and a second surface;    an outer protective layer disposed on the second surface of the inner diffuse reflector that is part of the second assembly; and    a hinge coupling the first panel assembly between the base and the second panel assembly.    
   
   
       24 . The portable computer of  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 a first photo sensor disposed on the first viewing surface of the transmissive display;    a backlight disposed to illuminate the second surface of the transmissive display;    a brightness control outputting brightness control signal;    an intensity control circuit receiving an input from the first photo sensor, and the brightness control signal.    
   
   
       25 . The portable computer of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a second photo sensor disposed on a surface of the outer diffuser panel, and coupled to the intensity control circuit;    whereby a light intensity at the first viewing surface of the transmissive display is compared to a light intensity at the rear viewing surface of the transmissive display.    
   
   
       26 . A method of controlling the backlighting of a transmissive display comprising the steps of: 
 measuring a viewed surface light intensity at a viewing surface of a transmissive display;    measuring a backlight light intensity at a backlit surface of the transmissive display;    comparing the viewed surface light intensity to the backlight light intensity; and    adjusting a backlight to maintain a viewed backlight light intensity greater than the viewing surface light intensity.    
   
   
       27 . The method of controlling the backlighting of a transmissive display of  claim 26 , further comprising the step of: 
 comparing a backlight intensity signal to a preset threshold; and    setting the backlight intensity signal to a minimum value when the backlight intensity signal is less than the preset threshold;    whereby a minimum level of backlighting for display visibility is maintained.