BACK TO BACK REPLICA DISPLAY FACILITY FOR COMPUTER USING LCD FLAT PANEL DISPLAY

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

Field of Invention

This invention relates to the Computers and in particular to Desktop Computers. More specifically, the invention relates to display monitor which is an output device and the invention helps in presentation of documents and materials with ease, convenience and comfort to exchange information when more than one person physically present opposite to each other are involved in usage of output of same computer.

Background of Invention with regard to the drawback associated with known art

Computers are used in particular by Hospitals, Doctors, Marketing Professionals, Billing Counters, Railway/Bus Ticketing counters, Hotel billing and others to present information such as pictorial clinical condition to patient, inputting patient data, billing information, or data to prospective clients in an one to one or one to fewer person situations. The clients or customers (2) are one or more small group of people in an office settings sitting or standing opposite to the presenter (1 ) across the table as shown in typical illustration, Fig (1).

It is customary for the Computers (3) (Fig 1) to have a single display of either CRT based or LCD TFT based flat screen of different sizes. Generally these Computers are single user computers for their individual purposes or work. When exchange of information is required across the table using computers by more than one person or when more than one person has to look at the visuals presented in the computer screen, then at present the person who is using -the screen of the computer has to verbally exchange the content of the screen to the one or more group of customers sitting or standing opposite. This many times results in misunderstanding or typographical error like name mistyping by a character etc. while entering the data. The process takes longer time also inconveniencing both user and customer.

To have the view of the screen, the screen has to be properly positioned«may be at 45 degrees (Fig 1) to both to the customer (2) and himself (1) so that both may view the screen. The customers have to adjust the seating or standing posture by leaning over the table to get a glimpse of the screen on what is presented in the screen or sometimes the presenter finds it

more difficult to view as well as presents the data or he has to memorize the whole screen. Many times customer do not under stand what information the presenter is entering in to or the response he received from the computer like billing information, name etc., and the customer have to get information verbally to take a decision. For example, in an Pharmacy, the buyer will not know the data entered by the seller such as name, doctors name, address etc., and the correctness of such details including the total bill value until the seller tells it verbally to the buyer.

In yet another typical case, a Cardio thoracic surgeon explaining the cardiac block using cine angiography recording to his patient who is sitting opposite across a table, using Desktop computer, the patient will find it difficult to see the screen properly as explained by the surgeon regarding his clinical condition.

There have been many proposals to overcome this presentation and viewing problems but in all cases, at a time either the presenter (1) or the client (2) only will be able to view the data comfortably or else two separate monitors have to be used. That increases the costs, space and operation costs.

To overcome such deficiencies, the Dual display technique of the present invention presents an unique approach to usage of Computers in exchanging information in public places. This will popularize the use of computers in a better way to exchange ideas and enhance collective objectives. Also this invention opens up unlimited possibilities of usage with proper software written to utilize the features in areas such as teaching, clinical meetings, sales presentation, billing to name a few.

Statement of Invention

In the present invention, a Back to back replica display screen for desktop computer is disclosed.

Back to back replica display facility for computers using LCD flat panel display comprising a basic Master display facing one side and a Second Slave display exactly fitting back of the Master Display facing the other side wherein controls are provided to adjust or modify the second slave display having different features like contrast, power off, screen size controls with all sides tilting mechanism.

Summary of the Invention

The heart of the invention is a pair of Display parts to replicate the contents displayed in one to another fixed at back. The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus that overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantages. More specifically, the present invention is directed to providing a method for simultaneous viewing of screen by the presenter (1) as well as client (2) who are sitting or standing quite opposite to each other as illustrated in Fig (2) in a typical example.

A Back to Back Dual Display facility in Desktop Computer having back to back LCD TFT displays is disclosed. Set of Display device (4) is added back to back so that the second Slave display (4) will face the client (2) standing or sitting opposite.

In accordance with one aspect of invention as both the displays are of same type and same size, and also same manufacturer the drive signal are of sjmilar in nature and generally the signals are as listed in Fig (5). These signals are to be buffered by the set of High Speed buffers as shown in Fig (4) and wired to second Slave Display (4).

In accordance with still another aspect of invention, by switching off the power signals 3.3V supply to the TFT LCD along with the Backlight source input supply to the LCD - TFT the second slave display (4) can be selectively switched off. Now the Computer screen can be used as a normal one by an single user. For this a key can be provided in the front of second screen so that the presenter/user can selectively switch-off the second Slave Display (4).

In accordance with yet another aspect of invention one of the displays can be switched off while not in use or when not required either by software or by hardware.

In accordance with another aspect of invention, dual display is a replica of the display parts viz., TFT LCD screen is fixed back to back as illustrated in the fig (3) along with the suitable signal drive mechanisms. Also many tilting mechanisms can be worked out to tilt individual displays. It would be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the scope and sprit of this invention as illustrated in Fig (3).

It will be appreciated that the disclosed method and circuit is advantageous in that it allows another passive viewer (2) to have a replica view of the presenter screen (1). To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show one example of invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig 1 is a illustrative screen in typical application setup where the user - client setting in a public place normally in an prior art.

Fig 2. is a illustrative screen exposing the second slave display which shows the inventive step. Here both the presenter (1) and viewer (2) can see the presentation with ease.

Fig 3 illustrates different views of inventive step for simultaneous viewing ability and tilting methods.

Fig 4. shows how both LCDs are interconnected to have a dual replica of images.

Fig 5. shows all generic TFT LCD input interface signals

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The general operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig (2). Both the LCD Displays are packed back to back mounted on tilt able hinges as illustrated in Fig (3). The mechanical housing is made such that it houses both the LCDs and also it is sleek as far as possible.

Fig (4) illustrates the wiring of the two TFT LCDs together to get a replica image on the screen. The LCD1 is the master LCD (1) which is located on the front side of the screen as shown in

Fig(3). The LCD2 is the slave LCD (2) which is located rear side of the screen as shown in Fig (3). The Colour signals RGB of each 6 bits which are outputted by the VGA Card from the Display driver sub systems of the computer are buffered by three corresponding high speed buffers U2 to U4 and connected to the LCD2. Similarly CLK, HSYNC, and VSYNC - these three vital signals are again buffered by high speed buffers U1 and connected to LCD2. The other signal of LCD1 which are buffered are - DENB (Data Enable Signal), R/L - Horizontal Image Shift Direction select signal and U/D - Vertical Image shift - direction select signal.

It will be appreciated that the high speed buffers U1 to U4 allows another LCD to be wired with the same identical similar LCD to have a replica image on the screen.

Also it will be appreciated that using a semiconductor power switch such as MOSFET power to Slave LCD display can be switched ON and OFF as desired by the user. Also using high speed analog switch across the lines of R/L and V/D the user can switch up side down the whole picture.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various changes can be made therein without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention. For example, dissimilar display devices can be wired as long as the signal conversion or modification is done to suit the requirements of the LCDs. Consequently, within the scope of the appended claims, it will be appreciated that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Also the embodiment of the invention has been described, it will be apparent that instead of using LCD as a display device, CRT type monitor can also be wired according with suitable interface driver and it will be within the scope and spirit of the invention.