Multipurpose computer display system

Abstract

A computer system is provided that allows a computer user to easily and effectively maximize the value and utility of the computer system's display screen. In a preferred embodiment, a laptop computer system includes a keyboard unit that includes a computer keyboard mounted to (or within) a system base. A flat-panel display is pivotally mounted relative to the system base, i.e., the back wall thereof. The flat panel display provides a display screen for displaying computer-generated images. An advantageous mounting assembly is provided proximate the back wall of the system base to join the flat panel display to the system base and permit rotational and pivotal motion of the flat panel display relative to the system base. A receiver or port for use in connecting the laptop computer's processor to an ancillary processing system is advantageously provided proximate a front wall of the system base. Rotational motion of the flat panel display relative to the system base permits repositioning of the flat panel display to facilitate optimal viewing by the user, either independent of or in combination with the aforementioned pivotal motion. In further preferred embodiments, the display screen is detachable and may be mounted on a system stand.

1 . A computer system comprising: a) a keyboard unit including a computer keyboard and a keyboard base; b) a display screen for displaying computer-generated images, said display screen defining a bottom edge; c) a mounting assembly proximate a back wall of said keyboard base, said mounting assembly including a plurality of spring-loaded extension arms associated with the keyboard base that are adapted to engage annular slots defined in the bottom edge of the display screen, said mounting assembly detachably joining said display screen to said keyboard unit.  
     
     
         2 . A computer system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a central processing unit mounted within said keyboard unit.  
     
     
         3 . A computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein said display screen is a flat screen unit.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . A computer system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a system stand, and wherein said display screen is detachable from said keyboard base and pivotally mountable in said system stand.  
     
     
         6 . A computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting assembly permits angular motion of said display screen relative to said keyboard base of at least one hundred eighty degrees.  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein said computer system is adapted to communicate with an ancillary computer system, and wherein said ancillary computer system is selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a hand-held computer, an electronic book, and a pocket computer.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . A computer system according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said keyboard unit, said ancillary computer system, and said display screen includes a decorative treatment.  
     
     
         13 . A computer system for enhancing the utility of a display screen, comprising: a) a first processing unit positioned within a first system base; b) a second processing unit positioned within a second system base; and c) a display screen for displaying computer-generated images, and wherein said display screen includes a bottom edge that defines a plurality of angular slots, and wherein said display screen is detachably mounted with respect to the first system base that includes a plurality of spring-loaded extension arms that are configured and dimensioned to be received within said angular slots.  
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A computer system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a system stand, said display screen and said system stand configured and dimensioned for detachably mounting said display screen to said system stand.  
     
     
         16 . A computer system according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one of said first system base, said second system base, said display screen and said system stand includes a decorative treatment.  
     
     
         17 . A computer system according to  claim 13 , wherein said first processing unit, said first system base and said display screen define a laptop computer, and said second processing unit and said second system base define an ancillary computer system selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a hand-held computer and a pocket computer.  
     
     
         18 . In combination: 
 (a) a keyboard unit including a computer keyboard and a keyboard base;    (b) a display screen for displaying computer-generated images, said display screen defining a bottom edge, and    (c) a system stand configured and dimensioned to receive the display screen;    wherein each of said keyboard unit and said system stand includes a plurality of spring-loaded extension arms associated that are adapted to engage angular slots defined in the bottom edge of the display screen, said plurality of spring-loaded extension arms functioning to detachably join said display screen to said keyboard unit and said system stand.    
     
     
         19 . A combination according to  claim 18 , wherein each of said keyboard unit and said system stand includes cradles that are adapted to receive rods associated with the display screen.  
     
     
         20 . A combination according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of spring-loaded extension arms associated with the keyboard unit are positioned between spaced cradles.  
     
     
         21 . A combination according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of spring-loaded extension arms associated with the system stand are positioned between spaced cradles.  
     
     
         22 . A combination according to  claim 18 , wherein the system stand defines a geometry selected from the group consisting of a triangular geometry, a trapezoidal geometry, a square geometry and a rectangular geometry.