Camera latch

• US 20060268505A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Krah, Christoph H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,570,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.410
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera

Abstract

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or a translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. IN yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.

Claims

1. A computing device comprising:

a housing of a computing device; and

a detachable data capture module that is integrated with the housing of the computing device, the detachable data capture module including a data capture device, the data capture device capturing data when the data capture module is coupled to the housing of the computing device and when the data capture module is decoupled from the housing of the computing device.

2. The computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the data capture device is a camera.

3. The computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the data capture device is a microphone.

4. The computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a docking station for receiving the data capture module.

5. The computing device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism between the docking station and the data capture module, the locking mechanism enabling the lock and release of the data capture module relative to the housing.

6. The computing device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a display, a memory module, a battery or a transceiver.

7. A portable computer, comprising:

a base;

a lid that pivots relative to the base; and

a data capture module movably attached to the lid and including a data capture device, the movement of the data capture module relative to the lid including at least one of a swivel and a translation.

8. The portable computer as recited in claim 7 wherein the data capture device is a camera.

9. The portable computer as recited in claim 7 wherein the data capture device is a microphone.

10. A portable computer, comprising:

a base;

a lid that pivots relative to the base, the lid moving between a closed position and an open position; and

a data capture module that automatically moves to an operable position from an inoperable position when the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position, the data capture module including a data capture device.

11. The portable computer as recited in claim 10 wherein the data capture device is a camera.

12. The portable computer as recited in claim 10 wherein the data capture device is a microphone.

13. The portable computer as recited in claim 10 wherein the data capture device includes multiple data capture devices.

14. The portable computer as recited in claim 10 wherein the data capture module moves simultaneously with the movement of the lid relative to the base.

15. The portable computer as recited in claim 10 further comprising an electronic actuator for moving the data capture module.

16. A portable computer, comprising:

a base containing a processor;

a lid pivotally coupled to the base, the lid containing a display operatively coupled the processor;

a latch pivotally coupled to the lid, the latch containing a locking feature for lockably engaging the base, the latch being automatically positioned in a home position when the lid is positioned in an open position, and wherein the latch is automatically positioned in a lock position when the lid is positioned in a closed position.

17. The portable computer as recited in claim 16 further comprising a positioning device for controlling the rotation of the latch about its axis, wherein the positioning device causes the latch to pivot simultaneously with a pivoting action of the lid.

18. The portable computer as recited in claim 16 wherein the latch is configured to nest within a cut-out portion in the base when the lid is closed relative to the base.

19. The portable computer as recited in claim 16 wherein the locking feature is a hook that is configured to capture a plunger attached to the base.

20. A portable computer, comprising:

a base containing a processor;

a lid pivotally coupled to the base, the lid containing a display operatively coupled the processor;

a data capture module movably coupled to the lid, the data capture device including a data capture device; and

a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture module relative to the lid.

21. The portable computer as recited in claim 20 wherein the positioning device converts the rotation of the lid about its axis to movement of the data capture module relative to the lid.

22. The portable computer as recited in claim 21 wherein the data capture device is pivotally coupled to the lid, and wherein the positioning device converts the rotation of the lid about its axis to rotation of the data capture module relative to the lid.

23. The portable computer as recited in claim 20 wherein the positioning device causes the data capture module to move simultaneously with a pivoting action of the lid.