Information processor and rotation control device therefor
First Claim
1. Apparatus comprising:
- an input device which accepts user input;
a cover;
a hinge which connects the input device to the cover so that the input device and the cover are openable and closeable by rotation about a predetermined rotation axis, wherein the cover covers at least part of the input device while in a closed position;
a restraint which maintains frictional resistance between the input device and the cover to maintain an angle between the cover and the input device;
an operation detector which is coupled to said restraint and which accepts a reduction instruction provided by a user to reduce the frictional resistance; and
a friction controller which is coupled to said restraint and which reduces the frictional resistance in said hinge when the reduction instruction is accepted.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information processor having an input device which accepts an input from a user, and a cover which is connected to the input device so as to be openable and closeable, and which covers at least part of the input device when it is closed. The information processor includes a hinge which connects the input device to the cover so that the input device and the cover are openable and closeable by rotation about a predetermined rotation axis, a frictional resistance maintaining section which maintains frictional resistance between the input device and the cover in the hinge to maintain the angle of the cover from the input device, an operating section which accepts from a user a reduction instruction to reduce the frictional resistance, and a frictional resistance reducing section which reduces the frictional resistance in the hinge when the reduction instruction is accepted.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. Apparatus comprising:
-
an input device which accepts user input;
a cover;
a hinge which connects the input device to the cover so that the input device and the cover are openable and closeable by rotation about a predetermined rotation axis, wherein the cover covers at least part of the input device while in a closed position;
a restraint which maintains frictional resistance between the input device and the cover to maintain an angle between the cover and the input device;
an operation detector which is coupled to said restraint and which accepts a reduction instruction provided by a user to reduce the frictional resistance; and
a friction controller which is coupled to said restraint and which reduces the frictional resistance in said hinge when the reduction instruction is accepted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A rotation control device which connects a first part and a second part so that the first part and the second part are openable and closeable, and which controls the rotation of the second part on a shaft connected to the first part, said rotation control device comprising a coiled spring which has its opposite ends connected to the second part, which is wrapped around the shaft at an ordinary temperature to hold the shaft by a predetermined frictional resistance, which increases in length from its length at the ordinary temperature to reduce the frictional resistance when set at a shape recovery temperature different from the ordinary temperature, and which is made of a shape-memory alloy.
-
14. Apparatus comprising:
-
a hinge which connects a first part to a second part so that the first part and the second part are openable and closeable by rotation about a predetermined rotation axis;
a coiled spring which has its opposite ends connected to the second part, and which is made of a shape-memory alloy; and
a bearing part which is connected to the first part, and which holds the periphery of said coiled spring at an ordinary temperature by a predetermined frictional resistance;
wherein said coiled spring is reduced in length from its length at the ordinary temperature by being set at a shape recovery temperature different from the ordinary temperature to reduce the frictional resistance.
-
-
15. A method comprising:
-
generating a first electrical signal which affects the flow of current through a shape-memory-alloy wire which surrounds a shaft which couples a first and second portion of a device, wherein the first electrical signal causes the shape-memory-alloy wire to have a first length which tends to grasp the shaft and produce a predetermined rotational friction between the first and second portions;
accepting a second signal;
generating a third electrical signal which affects the flow of current through the shape-memory-alloy wire, wherein the third electrical signal causes the shape-memory-alloy wire to have a second length which tends to release the shaft and produce a second predetermined rotational friction which is lower than the first predetermined rotational friction, wherein the third electrical signal is generated in response to accepting the second signal.
-
Specification