Computer having detachable wireless independently operable computer

• US 20030198008A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Reindl, James A., Leapman, Scott D.
• Application Number:
  US10/126,082
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198008A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.29
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266

Abstract

A mobile computer has a base with a keyboard and one or more storage devices. A touch screen display is removably coupled to the base to form a clamshell like structure. The touch screen display has a processor and memory for receiving and processing input from the touch screen display. The base and touch screen display communicate without wires in either the coupled or uncoupled states. The touch screen display also operates as a tablet PC in one embodiment. Each of the base and touch screen contain transceivers for communicating in a wireless manner. The touch screen display comprises an LCD display and optional keys for use by a user to select or enter data.

Claims

1. A mobile computer comprising:

a base having a keyboard and storage devices; and

a touch screen display removably coupled to the base, the touch screen display having a processor and memory for receiving and processing input from the touch screen display, wherein the base and touch screen display communicate without wires.

2. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein each of the base and touch screen comprise transceivers for communicating in a wireless manner.

3. The mobile computer of claim 2 wherein the transceivers communicate utilizing one of Bluetooth and wireless Ethernet.

4. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the touch screen display comprises an LCD display.

5. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the touch screen display comprises keys for use by a user to select or enter data.

6. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the storage devices in the base comprise removable disk drives.

7. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a touch pad input device.

8. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the base and touch screen comprise mating hinges having power connections therein.

25. The mobile computer of claim 1 wherein the host and removable display comprise mating hinges having power connections therein.

9. A touch screen for a mobile computer, the touch screen comprising:

a processor and memory;

a display area;

a data input portion of the display area;

a wireless transceiver for remotely communicating with a base; and

a hinge for coupling to a mating hinge in the base

10. The touch screen of claim 9 wherein the touch screen comprises a tablet PC.

11. The touch screen of claim 9 wherein the touch screen display area comprises an LCD display.

12. The touch screen of claim 9 and further comprising keys for use by a user to select or enter data.

13. The touch screen of claim 9 wherein the hinge enables the touch screen and base to operate in a clam shell manner.

14. The touch screen of claim 9 wherein the hinge provides a power connection to the base.

15. A method of operating a mobile computer, the method comprising:

using a keyboard on a base to enter user input;

using a storage device on the base to provide data;

transmitting the user input and data to a wireless tablet PC for use and display; and

detaching the tablet PC from the base and using the tablet PC as a stand alone computing device.

16. The method of claim 15 and further comprising receiving data from the base when the tablet PC is detached from the base.

17. The method of claim 15 and further comprising:

reading a movie from the storage device; and

transmitting data to the detached tablet PC for display of the movie.

18. A mobile computer comprising:

a first processor disposed in a removable display device suitable for independent touch screen input computing;

a second processor disposed in a host device with a housing suitable for removably receiving the removable display device, wherein the host device is capable of wireless communication with the removable display device.

19. The mobile computer of claim 18 wherein the first processor is disabled upon connection of the removable display device to the host device.

20. The mobile computer of claim 18 wherein each of the host device and removable display device comprise transceivers for communicating in a wireless manner.

21. The mobile computer of claim 20 wherein the transceivers communicate utilizing one of Bluetooth and wireless Ethernet.

22. The mobile computer of claim 18 wherein the removable display comprises an LCD display with touch screen capabilities.

23. The mobile computer of claim 18 wherein the host device comprises data storage devices.

24. The mobile computer of claim 18 wherein the host device comprises a touch pad input device.