Laptop computer

A laptop computer is constructed having a case including a keyboard and containing traditional computer components. A display screen is hingedly secured to the computer case and may be pivoted about the hinge to an operative position wherein an operator can observe the information displayed on the display screen. A second display screen is hingedly secured to the first display screen and is also connected to the computer components within the computer case. The second display screen, when hinged to its operative position displays the same information displayed on the first display screen, but is directed in an opposite direction to permit an operator and an observer to observe the same information viewable on the first and second display screens, respectively.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates to laptop computers, and more particularly to
 portable computers for use in the presentation of information to selected
 observers in addition to the operator of the computer.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Computers, particularly laptop computers, in combination with selected
 peripheral equipment have been designed in the past for utilization by the
 computer operators to make presentations to groups of observers such as
 pupils and the like. The techniques utilized when operating such computers
 are intended for the presentation of selected materials, viewable by the
 operator on the computer display screen, to several individuals or groups
 on secondary or supplemental display screens that are large enough for the
 entire group to observe. Such techniques are common for the presentation
 of materials in seminars, sales meetings, or similar gatherings wherein it
 is the intention of the computer operator to display the information
 available to him on the display screen to a group.
 Such computers, and the implementing software together with the necessary
 peripheral equipment are usually relatively bulky and very expensive.
 Further, such apparatus and presentation techniques are inappropriate when
 the presentation is to be made to only one or two observers in addition to
 the operator. For example, when an operator wishes to display the contents
 of his computer display screen to another person or observer seated at the
 same table, it is necessary for the observer to either look over the
 operator's shoulder or to sit adjacent to the operator so that both
 individuals may share the same view of the display screen This situation
 is not entirely acceptable in most sales-type presentations wherein the
 operator and the observer are not working together or are in an
 relationship of salesperson/prospective purchaser.
 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
 It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laptop
 computer system for use in the presentation of information to observers in
 addition to the operator of the computer.
 It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laptop
 computer having a duplicate display positioned to permit both an operator
 and an observer to simultaneously view the same information while seated
 in a conventional opposing position at a common table or desk.
 It is still another object of the present invention to provide a laptop
 computer incorporating a duplicate display constructed to permit the
 positioning of the displays in opposite directions to thereby permit
 simultaneous viewing of the displayed information by the operator and
 observer.
 These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to
 those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a laptop computer
 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is
 shown. The computer includes a case 10 enclosing the usual portable
 computer components such as processors, memories, including RAM, and hard
 disk, floppy disk drives, modem cards and similar components presently
 available in conventional laptop computers. Laptop computers are portable,
 usually self-powerable computers, having usual desktop computer functions,
 but in lightweight compact form to facilitate carrying.
 The laptop computer of FIG. 1 includes a keyboard 12 providing the usual
 alpha-numeric and command data entry keys 14 as well as function keys 16
 and provision for a mouse or its equivalent such as an "eraser pointer" 18
 with the right 20 and left mouse 22 button keys. In the conventional prior
 art laptop computer, a display screen is hinged to the computer case and
 may be folded into a storage position such that the display covers the
 keyboard to thus close the laptop computer to protect both the display and
 the keyboard for transport. In the present invention, a similar display
 screen 30 is hinged to the case of the laptop and is connected to the
 computer components within the case to provide a means for displaying
 information to the operator. The display screen 30 may form any of the
 well known monitor or display types but is usually of the liquid crystal
 type in view of the compact construction provided by such structure. The
 display screen 30 is rectangular and includes a bottom edge and a top edge
 31 and 32, respectively, connected by side edges 34.
 In the laptop of the present invention a second display screen 35 is hinged
 to the first display along the top edges thereof. That is, the first
 display is hinged along its bottom edge 31 to the computer case 10 while
 the first display's top edge 32 is hingedly secured to the top edge 40 of
 the second display screen 35. When the laptop of the present invention is
 opened for use and is in its operative position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
 the operator faces the first display screen 30 in the conventional manner
 and operates the keyboards in accordance with the usual techniques for
 entering and retrieving information to and from the computer. The
 information displayed on the display screen 30 is readily available to the
 operator; however, since the display screen is usually small to provide
 the necessary lightweight and portability of the laptop, it is difficult
 when making a presentation to be discussing the contents of the display
 screen information with an observer if the observer or observers have to
 look over the shoulder or crowd next to the operator to view the display
 screen. Thus, the second display screen 35 is connected to the computer
 components within the computer case 10 in a manner similar to the first
 display screen wherein the information on the second display screen 35 is
 identical to that contained in the first display screen 30. Thus, when
 certain information is entered on the keyboard or is called up from memory
 to be displayed on the first display screen 30, that same information is
 also simultaneously displayed on the second display screen 35. Similarly,
 when a pointer or cursor (not shown) on the first display screen is moved,
 such as by the use of a mouse or the "eraser pointer" 18, to point to a
 particular portion of the information on the first display screen 30, that
 same pointer is viewed on the second display screen 35 for the observer.
 This duplicate information on the second display screen permits the
 operator and the observer to sit across a table or desk and discuss the
 information presented on the display screens while the presentation is
 being controlled by the operator. It is a relatively easy matter to
 provide software programming that may permit the operator to exclude
 certain non-essential display matters on the second display screen while
 leaving those display matters on the first display screen. For example,
 when describing a document that is being displayed on the display screen,
 the operator may not want to permit such non-essential information as
 toolbars, display options, or program information to be displayed on the
 second display screen that would confuse the observer when reading or
 interpreting the information on the document being disclosed or displayed
 on the second display screen. It is also advantageous when using the
 laptop of the present invention for the operator to emphasize a particular
 portion of the information or document being displayed to the observer by
 simply highlighting or underlining that information as the observer is
 watching on his display screen; the underlined or highlighted information
 occurring on the first screen as a result of the operator's actions is
 therefore automatically presented to the observer by the second screen.
 This feature enables the operator to simultaneously emphasize certain
 portions of the information or document to the observer while discussing
 the matter with the observer.
 When the presentation has concluded, the first display screen 30 is folded
 or pivoted about a hinge axis 45 as indicated by arrow 46 in a manner
 identical to that of a conventional laptop; however, the second display
 screen 35 is folded back-to-back about a hinge axis 47 as indicated by
 arrow 48 connecting the two display screens along the top edges thereof. A
 protective top 42 is hinged to the case that can then be pivoted about its
 own hinge axis 49 as indicated by arrow 50 to a closed position such as
 shown in FIG. 3 wherein both screens or displays are protected and the
 laptop is ready to be transported.
 With the laptop construction of the present invention, the information on
 the display screen presented to the observer by the operator is the same
 as the operator's display screen; however, although the information is
 substantially the same, the information can be highlighted, restricted, or
 otherwise modified to assist the operator in making the presentation to
 the observer. The second display screen is hinged to the first display
 screen, although it may be connected in another manner or detachable;
 however, the second display screen is substantially the same size or
 smaller than the first display screen and is connected to the computer
 components contained within the case of the laptop computer.
 Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative embodiment of the laptop
 computer of the present invention is shown. A computer case 60 is shown
 and incorporates the usual keyboard 62 in a manner similar to that
 described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 3. The case 60 encloses the
 usual portable computer components which are appropriately connected to a
 first display screen 64 which is hingedly secured to the case through
 hinges 65 in a manner well known in the art. Entries made through the
 utilization of the keyboard 62 may result in the display of information on
 the first display screen 64, either by directly displaying the entered
 information or calling information from memory facilities located within
 the case 60 or through a removable disk that may be inserted in slot 68
 provided therefor in the side of the case 60.
 A second display screen 64 is mounted for pivotal movement about axis 72.
 The hinge axis 72 extends from the axis of small rollers 73 attached to
 the second display screen 70; the rollers 73 are guided by channels 75
 provided in the sides of the first display screen 64. The rollers,
 attached to the second display screen 70, may thus follow the channels 75
 to permit the second display screen 70 to slide relative to the first
 display screen 64 in a direction indicated by the arrow 77. Thus, the
 second display screen may be extended in the direction indicated by arrow
 77 such that it assumes the position shown in FIG. 4; the second display
 screen 70 may then be pivoted about the axis 72 to thereby assume the
 position shown in FIG. 5 wherein the second display screen 70 faces away
 from the operator of the computer and faces toward an observer positioned
 facing the operator.
 In a manner similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1 through 3,
 the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 provides a means for an operator to
 enter and present information to himself on a first display screen while
 simultaneously displaying that information to an observer on the second
 display screen. The duplicate information on the second display screen 70
 permits the operator and the observer to sit across a table or desk and
 review and discuss the information presented on the display screens while
 the information being displayed (and perhaps being emphasized by
 underlining or highlighting) is being controlled by the operator.
 When the presentation is completed, the laptop computer is turned off in
 the conventional manner and the second display screen pivoted about the
 axis 72 to align it in a parallel plane with the first display screen 64.
 The second display screen 70 is then moved downwardly in a direction
 opposite to that shown by the arrow 77 to thereby "stack" the two screens
 one on top of the other with the second display screen 70 facing the back
 of the first display screen 64. The two screens may then be pivoted about
 the axis 80 to close the laptop computer with both display screens covered
 and protected.
 The laptop computer of the present invention may easily be provided with a
 control switch, either through the utilization of a hardware switch or
 through software programming, wherein the second display screen can be
 turned off to permit the laptop computer of the present invention to be
 used in the conventional manner similar to prior art laptop computers
 having single screens. The second display screen may be provided with a
 disconnectable hinge or connection to the first display screen such that
 the second display screen may be positioned more conveniently for an
 observer; however, it is important that the electrical connection be
 maintained to the computer components within the computer case.
 The present invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment
 incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of
 construction and operation of the invention. Such reference to the
 described embodiment and details thereof is not intended to limit the
 scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled
 in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for
 illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.