Foldable computer with partially visible display when closed

• US 20070217138A1
• Filed: 03/14/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Langgood, John, Lewis, Thomas, Dwayne Vernon, Kevin, Reinberg, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.270
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

A portable computer has a base supporting a keyboard and a cover with a display screen, with the cover being foldable away from the base to an open configuration to view the entire screen and operate the keyboard. The cover can also be folded flush against the base to a closed configuration. A portion of the screen remains viewable in the closed configuration, either by virtue of a window formed in the base or by virtue of the portion of the cover extending past the base.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a base supporting a key entry device; and

a cover supporting a visual display screen and foldably engaged with the base between an open configuration, wherein the key entry device on the base is exposed for user manipulation and the entire screen is exposed for viewing by a user, and a closed configuration, wherein the cover is folded flush against the base and a portion of the screen can be seen when the computer is oriented with the base closest to a viewing person.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the base defines a periphery and is formed with a window entirely inside the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.

3. The computer of claim 2, comprising a transparent pane disposed in the window.

4. The computer of claim 3, wherein the pane is a magnifying pane.

5. The computer of claim 1, wherein the base defines a periphery and the portion of the screen is viewable in the closed configuration by virtue of extending beyond the periphery.

6. The computer of claim 1, wherein the base defines a periphery and is formed with a window partially defined by a corner of the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.

7. A portable computer, comprising:

a base supporting an input device;

a cover supporting a screen and pivotably engaged with the base between an open configuration, wherein the input device on the base is exposed for user manipulation and the entire screen is exposed for viewing by a user, and a closed configuration, wherein the cover is folded flush against the base; and

means for exposing a portion of the screen for viewing when the computer is in the closed configuration.

8. The computer of claim 7, wherein the base defines a periphery and the means for exposing includes a window formed entirely inside the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.

9. The computer of claim 7, comprising a transparent pane disposed in the window.

10. The computer of claim 8, wherein the pane is a magnifying pane.

11. The computer of claim 7, wherein the base defines a periphery and the means for exposing a portion of the screen for viewing when the computer is in the closed configuration includes the portion extending beyond the periphery.

12. The computer of claim 7, wherein the base defines a periphery and is formed with a window partially defined by a corner of the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.

13. A method for operating a computer, comprising:

folding a cover having a screen flush against a base having an input device to establish a closed configuration; and

viewing a portion of the screen past the base in the closed configuration.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the base defines a periphery and is formed with a window entirely inside the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising a transparent pane disposed in the window.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pane is a magnifying pane.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the base defines a periphery and the portion of the screen is viewable in the closed configuration by virtue of extending beyond the periphery.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the base defines a periphery and is formed with a window partially defined by a corner of the periphery, the portion of the screen being viewable through the window when the computer is in the closed configuration.