Control apparatus for portable computer

• US 20040030412A1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First International Computer Incorporated (FIC Global Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: First International Computer Incorporated (FIC Global Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huang, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,785,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/1
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence

Abstract

A control apparatus comprises a control unit, a portable computer, a receiving module and a controller. The control unit includes a connector, a laser-pointer transmission circuit, a control circuit, a transmission module and a chargeable battery. A power switch button and a set of operating buttons are provided on the control unit and respectively connect the control circuit. In the portable computer, a connection socket is internally mounted to engage with the connector of the control unit when the control unit is inserted in the portable computer. The connection socket is connected to a circuit control unit of the portable computer that controls the execution of a user'"'"'s command. When the control unit is detached from the portable computer, the portable computer can be remotely controlled directly by means of the control unit.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a portable computer that has a main body, the control apparatus comprising:

a control unit, having a connector and a laser-pointer transmission circuit, wherein the connector electrically connects a chargeable battery;

a power switch button, provided on the control unit for selectively switching on/off the portable computer or achieving laser pointing;

a plurality of operating buttons, provided on the control unit and attributed with specific functions;

a control circuit, mounted in the control unit and respectively connecting the connector, the power switch button and the operating buttons, wherein a plurality of output terminals of the control circuit are respectively connected to the laser-pointer transmission circuit and a transmission module, and according to states of the power switch button and the operating buttons, the control circuit performs at least a specific function, and then the transmission module outputs a corresponding signal or drives the laser-pointer transmission circuit to emit a light beam;

a receiving module, mounted in the portable computer for receiving a signal emitted from the transmission module of the control unit; and

a controller, mounted inside the portable computer and respectively connecting the receiving module and a circuit control unit, the controller decoding the signal received by the receiving module and sending an output to the circuit control unit after decoding;

wherein a side of the main body is provided with a receiving slot and a connection socket in the receiving slot so that the connection socket engages with the connector after the control unit is inserted in the receiving slot, the connection socket further connecting the circuit control unit that controls the execution of a user'"'"'s command, and

wherein a power key and two hot keys are provided on a top surface of the main body corresponding to the respective locations of the power switch button and the operating buttons of the control unit inserted in the receiving slot.

2. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating buttons are attributed with various functions for multi-media or browser.

3. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hot keys are attributed with the functions of going on line or receiving/sending e-mail.

4. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission module is a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) transmission module.