FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an input device for a computing system and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a touchpad or an electronic writing surface for a computing system.

Touch sensitive display screens are widely available and are typically integrated into mobile devices such as personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet PCs and smart phones. Touch sensitive display screens are also known to be used with clamshell computing devices such as laptop computers and the like. Laptops that are integrated with a touch sensitive display screen may include a flip around or rotate feature that allows a user to lay the display screen flat against a keyboard of the laptop while providing input to the touch sensitive screen. Typically, a touch sensitive display screen can be operated with one or more fingers and/or a stylus. The finger or stylus can be used for selecting objects displayed on the screen, opening a document or scrolling within a window, entering data such as hand-written text and drawings, performing graphical operations such as moving or otherwise manipulating objects, or the like.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0277422 entitled "Touchpad Display," the content of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a computing system, comprising: a primary display; a touchpad having an operative surface that is distinct from a display surface of the primary display; and an interface subsystem, including: a touchpad input module responsive to touch inputs applied to the operative surface of the touchpad to provide cursor control over data represented on the primary display; and a touchpad output module operative to drive the touchpad to display visual effects on the operative surface of the touchpad based on the touch inputs.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0155153 entitled "Digitizer, Stylus and Method of Synchronization Therewith" which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a method for operating a digitizer with an autonomous asynchronous stylus. Typically the stylus is self-powered, e.g. battery operated that transmits signal bursts at a defined rate. It is described that the signal burst transmitted by the stylus can be modulated to encode identification data for identifying the stylus. US Patent No. 7,843,439, entitled "Touch Detection for a Digitizer" assigned to N-trig Ltd., the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a detector for detecting both an electromagnetic stylus emitting a signal and interaction with finger touch. The detector typically includes a digitizer sensor with a grid of sensing conductive lines for sensing location of an electromagnetic stylus and a finger. The detector is capable of detecting simultaneous occurrences of multiple styluses and/or multiple finger touches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computing device including a primary and secondary display screen that are physically displaced from each other, wherein at least the secondary display screen is touch sensitive. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the secondary display screen can be integrated with a touchpad of the computing device. Optionally, the computing device is a clamshell computer with the primary display screen positioned on a first surface of the clamshell computer, e.g. a first inner surface and the secondary display screen positioned on the second surface of the clamshell computer, e.g. a first inner surface. Optionally, the secondary display screen is positioned on a same surface with a keyboard and/or other input device, e.g. a trackball of the clamshell computer.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention provides for a computing system with first and second surfaces comprising: a first display screen positioned on the first surface of the computing system; a keyboard positioned on the second surface of the computing system; a second display screen also positioned on the second surface of the computing system, wherein the second display screen is touch sensitive; and a controller operable to concurrently display content on the first and second display screen, wherein at least a portion of content displayed on the first display screen is also displayed on the second display screen.

Optionally, the second display screen extends over substantially an entire width of the second surface.

Optionally, the second display screen is shaped as an elongated rectangle and is smaller than the first display screen. Optionally, the second display screen supports detection of a stylus but does not support finger touch detection.

Optionally, the second display screen supports finger touch detection.

Optionally, the first display screen is a touch sensitive screen.

Optionally, the first display screen supports multi-touch and the second display screen only supports stylus detection and single finger touch detection.

Optionally, the touch detection resolution of the first display screen is other than the touch detection resolution of the second display screen.

Optionally, at least a part of the second display screen supports multi-touch detection.

Optionally, at least a part of the second display screen functions as a touchpad.

Optionally, the second surface includes a plurality of touch sensitive display screens, wherein each of the plurality is defined to have a dedicated functionality.

Optionally, at least one of the touch sensitive display screens is operable to display one or more virtual keys and/or buttons that can be selected by a user to update content displayed on the first display screen positioned on the first surface.

Optionally, the computing system includes a clamshell structure with the first surface including the primary display screen is designed to be positioned generally perpendicular to a working surface on which the computing system is supported and the second surface including the second display screen is designed to be positioned parallel to the working surface.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention provides for a computing system with a first and second surface, the computing system comprising: a first display screen positioned on the first surface of the computing system; and a second display screen substantially covering the second surface of the computing system, wherein the second display screen is a touch sensitive display screen that is adapted to operate interchangeably as each of a virtual keyboard, a touchpad and a tablet computer screen.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention provides for a standalone input device for a computer, the input device comprising: a keyboard; and a touch sensitive display screen, wherein the input device is operable to receive display information and commands from an associated computer. An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention provides for a method for operating a computing system having with a first touch sensitive display screen positioned on a first surface and a second touch sensitive display screen positioned on a second surface, the method comprising: receiving input from the first touch sensitive display screen, the input defining a selected portion of content displayed on the first touch sensitive display screen; and displaying the selected portion of content on the second display screen responsive to the input received from the first display screen.

Optionally, the method includes receiving input from the second touch sensitive display screen and updating content of the second touch sensitive display screen responsive to the input received.

Optionally, the method includes updating content of the first touch sensitive display screen in accordance with input received from the second touch sensitive display screen.

Optionally the method includes dynamically disabling touch detection on the second touch sensitive display screen responsive to receiving input from a keyboard that is also positioned on the second surface.

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention provides for a method for operating a computing system having a first display screen positioned on a first surface and a second touch sensitive display screen positioned on a second surface, the method comprising: receiving input from a software program running the computing system; displaying content from the software program on the first display screen; displaying on the second touch sensitive display screen one or more functional buttons and/or keys related to the software program; receiving input from the second touch sensitive display screen; and updating the first display screen responsive to the input received.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary prior art laptop computer; FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a plurality of secondary display screens in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGs. 4A and 4B are a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display in place of a keyboard in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display in place of a keyboard and as well as additional secondary display screens in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computing system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for operating a computing system including a primary and secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for operating a secondary display screen for keying and/or button selection in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for controlling operation of a secondary display screen of a computing system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a computer with a standalone keyboard that includes a secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an input device for a computing system and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a touchpad or an electronic writing surface for a computing system.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computing device including a primary (or first) and secondary (or second) display screen that are physically displaced from each other, wherein at least the secondary display screen is touch sensitive. As used herein, the phrase display screen that is touch sensitive means a touchscreen and/or a flat panel display integrated with (or positioned under) a transparent digitizer sensor. The touchscreen and/or digitizer sensor can include any one or more of a capacitive touch sensor, e.g. mutual capacitance sensor and self-capacitance sensor, a resistive touch sensor and/or a pressure sensor. Furthermore, the touchscreen and/or digitizer sensor can optionally support any one or more of fingertip touch detection, stylus detection, e.g. detection of a signal emitting stylus and the like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the secondary display screen is operated to display a selected portion of what is displayed on the primary display screen, e.g. the content displayed on the secondary display screen is redundant with respect to the content displayed on the primary display screen. Typically the portion displayed is a window that is currently active, and/or a portion that is currently selected or pointed at by a user. Optionally, the content displayed on the secondary display is the same content displayed on the primary display, but is "zoomed in" or "zoomed out." According to some embodiments of the present invention, a user provides input to the secondary display screen with one or more fingers and/or stylus, and the secondary display screen provides and/or displays real-time feedback responsive to the input provided, e.g. inking. Optionally, the secondary display screen can support one of the following: multi-touch finger detection and stylus detection, stylus only detection, multi-touch only detection. Typically, the secondary display screen is smaller in dimension than the primary display screen and is integrated into a computing device so that it is parallel to a working surface on which the computing device is positioned. Typically, the secondary display screen is positioned on a same surface with a keyboard and overlaps an area that is typically occupied by a touchpad. Typically, the secondary display screen occupies a larger area than is typically occupied by known touchpads that are integrated into clamshell computers. Optionally, the secondary display screen has an oblong shape that substantially extends over a width typically occupied by the keyboard. Optionally, the secondary display screen has an aspect ratio of between 1:3 and 1:8, e.g. 1:6. The larger space allows as user to use the secondary display screen to provide input in the form of free style writing or drawing with a stylus and/or finger as well as for pointing and selecting. Optionally, the secondary display screen is selectively operated when applicable and is deactivated in response to receiving input from a keyboard. In this manner touch input to the secondary display screen due to a palm resting on the screen while a user types is avoided. The secondary display screen may also be deactivated in response to specific user command expressed for example by a specific gesture, vocal command, keystroke, or the like, and in other situations, such as when the computer assumed a power saving mode.

The present inventor has found that clamshell computer that includes a secondary display screen as described herein can be more ergonomic than known clamshell computers that include only vertically positioned touchscreens. Since the secondary display screen is designed to be used when in parallel to a working surface instead of the traditional vertically positioned touchscreen, writing on the secondary display screen can provide a more natural feel that is similar to writing on paper. With the emergence of thinner computers such as for example Ultrabooks®, the ergonomic feel of providing input on the secondary display screen may be even more pronounced. Since the touch input is provided on a display screen, a user obtains real-time visual feedback without having to look away from the surface used to provide input. In addition, when the secondary display screen is positioned on the same surface as a keyboard as described herein, a user can also easily switch between keying with the keyboard and providing touch input with the secondary display screen. Although some known laptops include a flip over feature that allows a user to convert the laptop to a tablet type computer that can be positioned parallel to a working surface, this flip over feature does not provide the convenient versatility of switching between providing input to the touchscreen and keying with the keyboard. Some laptops include a flip over feature that converts the display to an elevated writing surface, e.g. elevated above the working surface on which the device is positioned, which is less comfortable for a user.

In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary display screen displays content concurrently displayed on the primary display screen and also displays a scroll bar for scrolling the content displayed on the secondary display screen, e.g. to another portion of the primary display. Optionally, the content of the secondary display screen is scrolled automatically as a user provides free style input to the secondary display screen. Optionally, the secondary display screen is programmed to display a continuation of what is displayed on the primary display, e.g. the next paragraph or previous paragraph in a textual editor.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the secondary display screen is operated to display content other than the content that is concurrently displayed on the primary display screen, e.g. additional content. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the secondary display screen is used to display one or more virtual keys and/or buttons that a user can select. Optionally, the one or more keys and/or buttons are additional keys for keyboard, e.g. keys for mathematical symbols and/or Chinese characters. Optionally, the variety of keys displayed is dynamic and responsive to a user keying specified keys on the keyboard.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, both the primary and secondary touchscreens of the computing device are touch sensitive display screens.

Optionally, a user can interact with the primary display screen to select and/or point to a portion of the primary display screen that is to be displayed on the secondary display screen. In some exemplary embodiments, the primary display screen detects touch with a different resolution, refresh rate or other parameters than the secondary display screen.

Optionally, a higher resolution digitizer sensor is used with the secondary display screen.

In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary display screen is specifically geared toward and/or supports stylus detection while the primary display screen is specifically geared toward and/or supports finger touch detection and/or conductive object detection.

Optionally, the primary display screen supports multi-touch detection while the secondary display screen supports only single finger touch detection. Optionally, the secondary display screen supports detection of simultaneous touch of a finger and a stylus. Optionally, the detection method used by one or more of the primary and secondary display screen is dynamically configured based on requirements of a program or application running on the computer system, user commands, battery status or other factors. Optionally, the primary and secondary display screens use same technology, e.g. LCD screen. Alternatively, the secondary display screen may use different technology, e.g. e-ink as compared to the primary display screen.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a computing device includes a plurality of secondary display screens, e.g. two or more secondary display screens. Optionally, each of the secondary display screens has a dedicated functionality. For example, one secondary display screen can be used for displaying a scroll bar that can be used for scrolling and/or for displaying buttons that can be selected, while another display screen may be dedicated for displaying a portion of an image and/or text and/or web page displayed on the primary display screen and for receiving free style input from a stylus. Optionally, the functionality of each of the plurality of secondary display screens is dynamically configured based on requirements of a program running on the computer system.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the secondary display screen is substantially the same size as the primary display screen and is sized to display a virtual keyboard for typing. Optionally, the secondary display screen replaces the keyboard, e.g. the keyboard in clamshell computers, and occupies the space typically used by a keyboard. In some exemplary embodiments, the secondary display screen can switch between operating as a virtual keyboard and operating as a tablet computer. Optionally, while the secondary display screen is being used as a tablet computer, the primary display screen is turned off. Alternatively, each of the primary and secondary display screens can be individually controlled to display different documents and/or different content.

For purposes of better understanding some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-8 of the drawings, reference is first made to a known layout of a typical clamshell computer as illustrated in FIG. 1. Known clamshell type computers, e.g. computer 100 typically include a display screen 120 on a first surface 108 of the clamshell layout and a keyboard 112 with touchpad 116 on a second surface 104 of the clamshell layout. During operation, computer 100 is typically positioned on a working surface 102 so that second surface 104 is parallel to working surface 102, e.g. is laid horizontally on working surface 102 and display screen 120 is positioned generally perpendicular to working surface 102, e.g. in a vertical or inclined position. In many known clamshell type computers, display screen 120 is touch sensitive and can detect and track fingertip touch and/or finer pointing devices such as a stylus. Input to computer 100 is also provided with keyboard 112 and touchpad 116. Typically, touchpad 116 can also track fingertip touch and/or finer pointing devices such as a stylus and is used as a pointing device, e.g. a replacement for a mouse. Clamshell computers are typically designed to be compact in size while still providing an adequately sized display screen and keyboard that is comfortable for use. For this reason, keyboard 112 is typically designed to occupy substantially an entire width 'W of second surface 104. Touchpad 116, on the other hand is typically designed to occupy only a small portion of width 'W typically leaving areas 124 on either side of touchpad 116 without any functional use. A user typically positions his/her palms over areas 124 while typing. Typically, touchpad 116 is sized and positioned to avoid touch input by a palm while a user types with the keyboard.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 showing a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a clamshell computer 200 includes a primary display screen 120 on a first surface 108, e.g. as is typically included in known clamshell computers and includes a secondary display screen 250 on a second surface 104 of clamshell computer 200. According to some embodiments of the present invention, secondary display screen 250 is positioned on a same surface as a keyboard 112. Typically, secondary display screen 250 is positioned in an area of second inner surface 104 that would otherwise be occupied, at least partially, by a touchpad, e.g. touchpad 116 (FIG. 1). Typically, secondary display screen 250 extends over a larger area than known touchpad 116, e.g. across substantially most of width 'W of computer 200. According to some embodiments of the present invention, secondary display screen 250 is a touch sensitive screen that detects input by a stylus 204, e.g. a signal emitting stylus. Optionally, secondary display screen 250 is also operable to detect fingertip touch, e.g. single touch or multi-touch. In some exemplary embodiments, primary display screen 120 is also a touch sensitive screen. Optionally, primary display screen 120 is operable to detect multi-touch input by more than one finger 208 and/or other capacitive type objects while secondary display screen is operable to detect stylus and single fingertip touch detection.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or more palm rejection algorithms are used to reject palm input that may be detected while a user is typing on keyboard 112, resting a palm on secondary display screen 250, and/or providing input with a stylus. Optionally, finger touch input is disabled while a user is typing with keyboard 112 and/or while a user is providing input with a stylus. Optionally, the secondary display screen can be dynamically split into touch sensitive areas and stylus sensitive areas depending on the application and/or user activity. Optionally, touch input is supported only in designated areas on secondary display screen 250, e.g. in the vicinity of a displayed scroll bar close to an edge of secondary display screen 250.

In some exemplary embodiments, secondary display screen 250 is controlled to display a selected portion of what is concurrently displayed on primary display 120. Optionally, the selected portion that is displayed on secondary display 250 is an area 212 that a user selects by touch interaction with primary display screen 120, e.g. with fingers 208. Optionally, the portion that is displayed on secondary display 250 is a portion that a user selects by performing a pointing and/or selection command with secondary display 250, e.g. when using secondary display 250 to control a cursor displayed on primary display screen.

In some exemplary embodiments, input provided with secondary display 250 is also displayed, e.g. as inking 214 on secondary display 250 in real time, so that a user can see the effect of the input provided without having to look away from surface 104 that he/she is interacting with to provide the input. Typically, the display of the input, e.g. inking 214 is also displayed on primary display 120. Optionally, secondary display screen 250 is integrated with a high resolution digitizer sensor and detects and tracks position of stylus 204 with high resolution, e.g. high resolution as compared to touch detection of primary display screen 120. Optionally, secondary display screen 250 is also operable to detect finger touch and/or touch of a conductive object.

Optionally, secondary display screen 250 is also operable to receive gesture input that can be recognized. Optionally, gestures for scrolling, zooming and/or pan as well as any gesture that would have been detected by a touch pad can be detected and recognized.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 showing a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a plurality of secondary display screens in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a clamshell type computer 201 includes a primary display screen 120 on a first surface 108 as is typically included in a clamshell computer, a secondary display screen 250 on the second surface 104 of clamshell computer 250, and also one or more additional secondary display screen 252. Typically, secondary display screen 250 is positioned in an area typically occupied by a touchpad, e.g. touchpad 116 (FIG. 1) but extends over a larger area, across substantially most of the width 'W of computer 200 and the one or more additional display screens 252 are smaller display screens positioned near a border of second surface 104. In some exemplary embodiments, secondary display screen 250 provides for receiving free style input while displaying relevant portions of primary display 120 that is being interacted with by the user, and additional secondary display screen 252 is controlled to display one or more virtual buttons 186 for selection. Optionally, the one or more virtual buttons 186 are also displayed on primary display screen 120. Typically, the virtual buttons 186 displayed are specific for a program or application running on the computer and are dynamically altered to provide different functionalities. In some exemplary embodiments, additional secondary display screens 252 are designed to be both finger touch sensitive, e.g. operated or designed to detect touch finger 208 and stylus touch sensitive, .g. operated or designed to detect a signal emitted by a stylus. Optionally, additional secondary display screens 252 are designed to be finger touch sensitive, while secondary display screen 250 is stylus touch sensitive.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B showing a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display screen in place of a keyboard in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In some exemplary embodiments, clamshell computer 202 includes a primary display screen 120 positioned on a first surface 108 of the clamshell layout that is typically positioned vertically with respect to a working surface, and a secondary display screen 251 positioned on a second surface 104 of the clamshell layout that is typically known to be used for a keyboard. According to some embodiments of the present invention, secondary display screen 251 covers substantially an entire inner surface 104 and is adapted to be used interchangeably as a virtual keyboard 312, a touchpad and/or a tablet computer screen. In some exemplary embodiments, virtual keyboard 312 is displayed on secondary display screen responsive to a user activating a word processing application.

Typically, secondary display screen 251 is a touchscreen and/or is integrated with a digitizer sensor that senses both fingertip touch and stylus, e.g. signals emitted by a stylus. Optionally, primary display screen 120 of computer 202 is also touch sensitive. Optionally, primary display screen detects touch, e.g. by finger 208 and/or stylus 204 at a lower resolution than secondary display screen 251. In some exemplary embodiments, a user selects what is displayed on secondary display screen 251 by interacting with primary display screen 120. Optionally, touch detection for the primary display screen is disabled while computer 202 receives input from the secondary display screen 251. Optionally, touch detection is resumed after detecting a pre-defined period of inactivity with secondary display screen 251. Optionally, primary display screen 120 is programmed to turn off while a user operates the secondary display screen 251 as a tablet computer.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 showing a schematic illustration of a clamshell computer including a secondary display in place of a keyboard, as well as additional secondary display screens in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a clamshell type computer 203 includes a primary display screen 120 on a first surface 108 as is typically included in known clamshell computers, a secondary display screen 251 that can be used interchangeably as a virtual keyboard and a tablet computer, and also one or more additional secondary display screens 252. In some exemplary embodiments, additional secondary display screens 252 display one or more virtual buttons 186 for selection. Optionally, the one or more virtual buttons 186 are also displayed on primary display screen 120. Typically, the virtual buttons 186 displayed are specific for a program running on the computer and are dynamically altered to update their functionality to the current needs.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 showing a simplified block diagram of an exemplary computing system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a controller of a computing system receives input from a user via one or more of a digitizer sensor 13 of primary display screen 12, one or more digitizer sensors 24 of one or more secondary display screens 25 and a keyboard 11. According to some embodiments of the present invention, based on the input received, controller 10 controls the content displayed on one or more of primary display screen 12 and secondary display screens 25. Optionally, the computing system includes more than one secondary display screens including digitizer sensors and/or additional input devices, e.g. a mouse, a trackball, joystick, and touchpad. Optionally input to digitizer sensor 13 and 24 can be responsive to finger touch or hovering, stylus touch or hovering and touch or hovering of other conductive objects and/or signal emitting objects.

It will be appreciated that controller 10 may be implemented as two or more collaborative controllers adapted to controller the display of primary display screen 12 and secondary display screens 25.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 showing a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for operating a computing system including a primary and secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a controller of a computing system receives information, e.g. from a digitizer sensor of its primary display screen that an area for viewing on the secondary display screen has been selected (block 605). In response, the controller directs a command to display the selected portion on the secondary display screen (block 610). In some exemplary embodiments, the controller is also operable to receive information from a digitizer sensor of its secondary display screen (block 615) and to update one or more of the primary and secondary display screen based on the input (block 620).

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 showing a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for operating a secondary display screen for typing and/or feature selection in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a controller of a computer system detects activation of a program, e.g. activation in response to a user command (block 705) and in response directs a command to display relevant content, e.g. functional buttons and/or keys on the secondary display screen of the system (block 710). According to some embodiments of the present invention, the controller receives input from the digitizer sensor of the secondary display screen, e.g. regarding selection of one or more of the display buttons and/or keys (block 715) and updates contents of the primary display screen responsive to the input received (block 720).

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 showing a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for controlling operation of a secondary display screen of a computing system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a controller of a computing system receives input to activate the secondary display screen (block 805). Optionally, the input is provided in response to a user command and/or in response to activation of a software program that is adapted to receive input from the secondary display screen. In some exemplary embodiments, only in response to activation of the secondary display screen, the controller monitors input received by the digitizer sensor of the secondary display screen (block 810) and directs commands to update one or more of the primary and secondary display screen based on the input received (block 815). Optionally, while the secondary display screen is not activated and/or the controller detects input from the keyboard, input received by the digitizer sensor of the secondary display screen is ignored. In this manner, touch input due to a palm resting on the secondary display screen during typing is not confused with input that a user intends to provide with the secondary display screen.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 showing is a schematic illustration of a computer with a standalone keyboard that includes a secondary display screen in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, secondary display screen 250 is integrated into a standalone keyboard 400. Optionally, secondary display screen 250 is controlled to display a portion what is being displayed on a primary display 120 of a standalone monitor 350.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.