Electronic device having a movable input assembly with multiple input sides

• US 20060098403A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Originatic LLC
• Original Assignee: Originatic LLC
• Inventors: Smith, Renato L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,826,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.08
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/00 Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism healthcare informatics G16H
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A device having at least one processor, at least one memory device accessible by the processor, a display device, a housing and a support. The support is rotatably coupled to the housing. One side of the support carries a data entry device and the other side of the support carries at least one other input device. By rotating the support between different positions, users can interchangeably operate the data entry device and the input device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory device accessible by the processor;

a display device controllable by the processor;

a housing supporting the display device;

a support rotatably coupled to the housing, the support having a first side and a second side;

a data input device carried on the first side of the support; and

at least one input device carried on the second side of the support.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first side of the support has a position substantially opposite of the second side of the support.

3. The device of claim 1, which includes at least one coupling member which couples the support to the housing, the coupling member having an axis, the support being rotatable about the axis.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the data input device includes a plurality of keys, each of the keys having a typing function.

5. The device of claim 1, which includes an audio device controllable by the processor, the display device and the audio device each being operable to produce at least one output, wherein the input device carried on the second side of the support includes at least one control device, the control device being operable to control the output of the display device or audio device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a rear side, the housing including a securing device carried on the rear side of the housing.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the securing member includes at least one wall mount.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the securing member includes at least one magnetic device.

9. The device of claim 1, which includes a support holder rotatably coupled to the housing, the support holder holding the support, wherein:

(a) the support holder is rotatable relative to the housing about one axis; and

(b) the support is rotatable relative to the support holder about another axis.

10. An electronic device comprising:

a display device;

a housing supporting the display device;

an input assembly rotatably coupled to the housing, the input assembly having;

(a) a plurality of sides;

(b) a keyboard coupled to a first one of the sides; and

(c) at least one input device coupled to a second one of the sides.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, which includes at least one coupling member which couples the input assembly to the housing, the coupling member having an axis, the input assembly being rotatable about the axis.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, which includes an audio device supported by the housing, the display device and the audio device each operable to produce at least one output, wherein the input device coupled to the second side includes at least one control device, the control device operable to control the output of the display device or audio device.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the housing has a rear side, the housing including a securing device carried on the rear side of the housing.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the securing member includes at least one wall hang device.

15. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the securing member includes at least one magnetic device.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, which includes a position control device operatively coupled to the input assembly.

17. An electronic device comprising:

means for producing a visual output;

means for supporting the visual output means; and

rotatable means for;

(a) supporting one input device on one side of the rotatable means; and

(b) supporting another input device on a substantially opposite side of the rotatable means.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the rotatable means is rotatable between:

(a) one position providing access to the one input device; and

(b) another position providing access to the another input device.

19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the one input device includes a data entry device and the another input device includes an output control device.

20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein:

(a) the rotatable means has a substantially flat shape;

(b) the one input device includes a keyboard; and

(c) the another input device includes an audio or visual control device, the electronic device including a position setting device operatively coupled to the rotatable means.