Removable input mechanisms for a portable computer

• US 20050012711A1
• Filed: 08/16/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Cheri, Yann, Escande, Thierry, Baraban, Matthieu, Paolucci, Frederic
• Granted Patent: US 7,724,235 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards

Abstract

An embodiment of invention includes a handheld computer having a display. The display provides an output to a user-input. A housing includes a front panel that provides access to the display. A plurality of user-interactive mechanisms are provided on the housing. The user-input mechanisms include a first mechanism that is removably coupled to the housing.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a processor;

a housing including a front panel on which a platform is provided;

a plurality of contacts provided on the platform; and

an integrated input mechanism comprising a plurality of components, wherein the input mechanism is configured to be operatively positionable on and removeable from the platform so that, (i) when operatively positioned on the platform, each of the plurality of components overlays at least one of the plurality of contacts, and (ii) when each component in the plurality of components is pressed, the one or more contacts that that component overlays signal a corresponding input that is received by the processor.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein each component is formed from a material that biases when pressed.

3. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein when pressed, each component is directed from an original position to an actuated position, and while in the actuated position, each component is biased to return to the original position.

4. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein each component in the plurality of components is actuatable to signal the user-input as a digital signal.

5. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein each component in the plurality of components is actuatable to signal the user-input as an analog signal.

6. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein one or more components of the integrated input mechanism corresponds to a button.

7. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the integrated input mechanism includes a switch that is pivotal between a first actuating position, a second actuating position, and a neutral position.

8. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the integrated input mechanism includes a multi-directional control.

9. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein when each component is pressed, that component is inserted towards the platform.

10. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the corresponding input of each component in the integrated input mechanism is an alphanumeric entry.

11. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a display provided on the front panel of the housing.

12. The portable computer of claim 11, wherein the display is positioned to be apart from the platform.

13. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the platform is recessed on the front panel in relation to the display.

14. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to provide on the display an output that is based on the corresponding input signaled by one of the components of the integrated input mechanism being pressed.

15. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein one or more of the components of the integrated input mechanism is individually removeable from the platform.

16. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the plurality of contacts include at least a set of four contacts distributed on the platform, wherein the set is distributed linearly in a first direction extending across the platform.

17. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display is contact-sensitive.

18. The portable computer of claim 12, further comprising an input member that extends from the front panel and is moveable in a plurality of directions to cause an input to be processed by the processor, wherein the input of the input member corresponds to a direction in which the member is moved.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the integrated input mechanism overlays at least a portion of the contact-sensitive display.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the integrated input mechanism further comprises a mechanism that overlays the contact-sensitive display and is pressable to cause a contact with the display that signals an analog input to the processor.