Hybrid thermal foot and pen storage well

• US 10,031,557 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2017
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Morrison, John Trevor, North, Travis
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US15/415,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20180210507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus

Abstract

Embodiments provide the ability to store a pen device within an integrated docking compartment of an IHS (Information Handling System) that utilizes a touch-sensitive display, such as certain laptops and tablet devices. The pen device is stored within a docking compartment provided partially within a cooling structure that protrudes from the bottom of the enclosure of the IHS, thus creating an air gap below the IHS that allows heated air to be vented from underneath the IHS. The docking compartment may include charging contacts that interface with charging contacts on the pen device when docked in order to charge internal batteries that power sensors integrated into the pen device. By integrating the docking compartment into the cooling structure, a pen device may be protected from damage and loss while still supporting the thin applications.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a pen device; and

an Information Handling System (IHS) enclosure comprising a thermal foot that protrudes from the bottom of the IHS enclosure and creates an air gap that allows heated air to escape from vents underneath the IHS enclosure, wherein the thermal foot comprises a cavity that includes a compartment for docking the pen device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pen device comprises a battery and further comprises one or more sensors that are powered by the battery.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the pen docking compartment includes one or more charging contacts that interface with corresponding charging contacts on the surface of the pen device in order to charge the battery.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pen device is approximately 9.5 mm in diameter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the advertised thickness of the IHS is less than or equal to 11 mm.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pen device is secured within the pen docking compartment via a magnet coupling.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the magnet coupling is generated by a magnet located within the pen device and a metal slug located within the pen docking compartment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal foot maintains an air gap underneath the IHS.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal foot obscures a portion of the pen docking compartment such that the tip of the pen device is covered when docked in the pen docking compartment.

10. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:

an enclosure; and

a thermal foot coupled to the enclosure, wherein the thermal foot protrudes from the bottom of the enclosure and creates an air gap that allows heated air to escape from vents underneath the enclosure, and wherein the thermal foot comprises a cavity that includes a compartment for docking the pen device.

11. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the pen device comprises a battery and wherein the pen docking compartment includes one or more charging contacts that interface with corresponding charging contacts on the surface of the pen device in order to charge the battery.

12. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the pen device is approximately 9.5 mm in diameter and wherein the advertised thickness of the IHS is less than or equal to 11 mm.

13. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the pen device is secured within the pen docking compartment via a magnet coupling generated by a magnet located within the pen device and a metal slug located within the pen docking compartment.

14. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the thermal foot maintains an air gap underneath the IHS.

15. The IHS of claim 10, wherein the thermal foot obscures a portion of the pen docking compartment such that the tip of the pen device is covered when docked in the pen docking compartment.

16. A pen device, comprising:

a battery;

one or more sensors powered by the battery; and

one or more charging contacts on the surface of the pen device, wherein the charging contacts interface with corresponding charging contacts provided within a cavity of a thermal foot coupled to an enclosure of an Information Handling System (IHS), wherein the thermal foot protrudes from the bottom of the enclosure and creates an air gap that allows heated air to escape from vents underneath the enclosure, and wherein the thermal foot comprises a cavity that includes a compartment for docking the pen device.

17. The pen device of claim 16, wherein the pen device is approximately 9.5 mm in diameter.

18. The pen device of claim 17, wherein the advertised thickness of the IHS is less than or equal to 11 mm.

19. The pen device of claim 16, further comprising a magnet for magnetically coupling the pen device within the pen docking compartment.

20. The pen device of claim 19, wherein the magnet coupling is generated between the magnet located within the pen device and a metal slug located within the pen docking compartment.