Computer system with collapsible keyboard and alternate display functions and processing method thereof

• US 20040093449A1
• Filed: 03/12/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Chen, Chin Hsiang
• Granted Patent: US 7,054,973 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

A computer system with collapsible keyboard and alternate display functions. The computer system includes a main body which stores at least one application. A monitor and collapsible keyboard are coupled to the main body, the keyboard disposable in an open operating position and a folded position. A signal generating device is coupled to both the collapsible keyboard and the main body to generate a first signal when the keyboard is folded. A keyboard controller is integrated into the main body to receive the first signal. An interrupt request controller in the main body is coupled to the keyboard controller to send a first interrupt request when in the folded position.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a main body for storing at least an application;

a monitor coupled to the main body;

a collapsible keyboard coupled to the main body, disposable in at least an open operating position and a folded position;

a signal generating device coupled to the collapsible keyboard and the main body to generate a first signal when the system is in folded position;

a keyboard controller integrated into the main body for receiving the first signal, determining that the collapsible keyboard has been folded; and

an interrupt request controller in the main body coupled to the keyboard controller to send an interrupt request when the collapsible keyboard is folded, terminating active applications and displaying new application data on a designated partial area of the system monitor not obscured by the folded keyboard.

2. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generating device comprises a magnet and a magnetic switch, the magnet activating the magnetic switch when the collapsible keyboard is folded, the magnetic switch then generating a first signal.

3. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generating device generates a second signal when the collapsible keyboard is opened, according to the second signal activating the interrupt request controller, which issues a second interrupt request to the application.

4. The computer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a remote controller is used to switch and control applications.

5. A method of processing a collapsible keyboard and alternate display functions, comprising:

providing a computer system with a monitor and a collapsible keyboard, disposable in at least an open operating position and a folded position;

generating a first signal when the collapsible keyboard is folded;

a keyboard controller receiving the first signal;

the keyboard controller starting an interrupt request controller and, according to the first signal, determining that the collapsible keyboard has been folded;

the interrupt request controller sending a first interrupt request to stop any active applications in the computer system; and

executing an application in the computer system, the application data being displayed on a designated partial area of the system monitor not obscured by the folded keyboard.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein generating the first signal further comprises:

a magnet in the collapsible keyboard activating a magnetic switch when the collapsible keyboard is folded; and

the magnetic switch generating the first signal.

7. The method as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:

generating a second signal when the collapsible keyboard is opened;

the keyboard controller starting the interrupt request controller, according to the second signal determining that the collapsible keyboard has been opened; and

sending a second interrupt request to the application.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

displaying a dialogue window on the monitor; and

the dialogue window, according to user input, executing computer system applications.

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a remote controller is used to switch and control applications.