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 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.    
   
   
       2 . The portable computer of  claim 1 , in which the base portion includes a CPU and a keyboard.  
   
   
       3 . The portable computer of  claim 1 , in which the first panel assembly includes an inner diffuse reflector and an outer protective layer.  
   
   
       4 . The portable computer of  claim 3 , in which the second panel assembly includes an outer diffuser panel which is coupled to an inner display panel.  
   
   
       5 . The portable computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a backlight.  
   
   
       6 . The portable computer of  claim 5 , 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.  
   
   
       7 . The portable computer of  claim 6  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.  
   
   
       8 . The portable computer of  claim 6 , further comprising a second photo sensor coupled to the intensity control circuit.  
   
   
       9 . 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.    
   
   
       10 . The portable computer of  claim 9 , 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.    
   
   
       11 . The portable computer of  claim 10 , 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.