Portable Computer With Reconfigurable Display
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer system is provided having a base unit and a detachable display unit. The display unit can be attached to and supported by the base unit in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation via one or more connectors provided on two different sides of the display unit. The base unit may include support pins providing physical support to the display unit. Alternatively, the base unit may include a support arm which attaches to and slides within a slot extending along two sides of the display unit, such that the display unit can be moved between landscape and portrait orientations.
89 Citations
59 Claims
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1-39. -39. (canceled)
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40. A portable computer system comprising:
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a base unit; an engagement tab comprising electrical contacts, the engagement tab being supported by one or more frictional hinges that are attached to the base unit, the hinges aligned to permit rotation of the tab about a predetermined axis through the application of at least a threshold level of torque to the tab; a detachable display unit, the display unit comprising a display panel contained in a unitary display housing in a predetermined position with respect to said housing; a first receptacle proximate a first side of the display unit adapted to removably engage the engagement tab to mechanically secure the base unit to the display unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto, when the display unit is positioned in a first orientation with respect to the base unit; the first receptable comprising electrical contacts positioned for interconnection with the engagement tab electrical contacts when the engagement tab is engaged with the first receptacle; a second receptacle proximate a second side of the display unit adapted to removably engage the engagement tab to mechanically secure the base unit to the display unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto, when the display unit is positioned in a second orientation with respect to the base unit; and the second receptacle comprising electrical contacts positioned for interconnection with the engagement tab electrical contacts when the engagement tab is engaged with the second receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 55)
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49. A portable computer system comprising:
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a base unit; a detachable display unit, the display unit comprising a display panel contained in a unitary display housing in a predetermined position with respect to said housing; a receptacle in the base unit comprising electrical contacts; a first engagement tab supported by one or more frictional hinges that are attached to the display unit proximate a first side of said display unit, the hinges aligned to permit rotation of the tab about a predetermined axis through the application of at least a threshold level of torque to the tab, the first engagement tab being adapted to removably engage the receptacle to mechanically secure the display unit to the base unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto, when the display unit is positioned in a first orientation with respect to the base unit; a second engagement tab supported by one or more frictional hinges that are attached to the display unit proximate a second side of said display unit, the hinges aligned to permit rotation of the tab about a predetermined axis through the application of at least a threshold level of torque to the tab, the second engagement tab being adapted to removably engage the receptacle to mechanically secure the display unit to the base unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto, when the display unit is positioned in a second orientation with respect to the base unit; the first engagement tab comprising electrical contacts positioned for interconnection with the receptacle electrical contacts when the first engagement tab is engaged with the receptacle; the second engagement tab comprising electrical contacts positioned for interconnection with the receptacle electrical contacts when the second engagement tab is engaged with the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56)
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57. A portable computer system comprising:
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a base unit; a detachable display unit comprising a display panel contained in a unitary display housing in a predetermined position with respect to said housing; one or more frictional hinges mounted to the base unit which tiltably support the detachable display unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto; a first set of display electrical contacts positioned on a first side of the display unit; a second set of display electrical contacts positioned on a second side of the display unit; a cylindrical connector attached to the base unit and having a plurality of base electrical contacts extending around at least a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical connector; said base electrical contacts positioned for contact with the first set of display electrical contacts when the display unit is attached to the base unit in a first orientation, and positioned for contact with the second set of display electrical contacts when the display unit is attached to the base unit in a second orientation.
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58. A portable computer comprising:
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a base unit having a keyboard and a base connector; a detachable display unit comprising a display panel contained in a unitary display housing in a predetermined position with respect to said housing; said display unit further comprising a first display connector for removable engagement with the base connector to mechanically secure the base unit to the display unit in a predetermined spatial relationship thereto; wherein the engagement of the base connector with the display connector provides physical support for the display unit; the base unit further comprising an integrated display panel; whereby the integrated display panel provides a display output for the base unit when the detachable display unit is detached from the base unit. - View Dependent Claims (59)
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Specification