Reconfigurable Computer

• US 20100321877A1
• Filed: 12/09/2009
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: George Moser
• Original Assignee: George Moser
• Inventors: Moser, George
• Granted Patent: US 8,264,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.29
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033

Abstract

A portable computer system is provided having a base unit and a detachable display unit. The display unit can be oriented in landscape and portrait orientations, or can be replaced by display units having different physical characteristics. A support structure can be deployed to provide increased physical stability when desired.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

a base unit;

one or more base connectors associated with the base unit;

a first detachable display unit comprising a first display having a first set of physical characteristics, the first detachable display unit having one or more connectors capable of engaging the one or more base connectors such that the first detachable display unit can be alternatively attached in a landscape or portrait orientation; and

a second detachable display unit comprising a second display having a second set of physical characteristics differing from said first set of physical characteristics, the second detachable display unit having one or more connectors capable of engaging the one or more base connectors such that the second detachable display unit can be alternatively attached in a landscape or portrait orientation.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1, in which said first and second sets of display physical characteristics comprise one or more of the following characteristics:

display size, display aspect ratio, and display technology.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1, in which said second detachable display has physical characteristics comprising a height and width, and in which said second detachable display height is at least two times the height of said second detachable display, when configured in a landscape orientation.

4. The portable computer system of claim 3, in which said second detachable display width is at least 2.5 times the height of said second detachable display, when configured in a landscape orientation.

5. A portable computer system comprising:

a base unit;

a base connector associated with the base unit;

a detachable display unit capable of attachment to the base unit; and

a support structure movably attached to the base unit for extension and retraction from the rear of the base unit.

6. The portable computer system of claim 5, in which the support structure consists of a plurality of support beams.

7. The portable computer system of claim 5, in which the support structure consists of a tray extendable from the rear of the base unit, the tray being positioned in an orientation that is approximately coplanar with the underside of the base unit.

8. A portable computer system comprising:

a base unit;

a display unit; and

a tray configured to extend laterally from the side of the base unit, said tray having a top surface adapted for contact with a computer pointing device.

9. The portable computer of claim 8, further comprising:

a computer pointing device, said computer pointing device comprising a mouse, said mouse comprising a magnet; and

in which

said tray is comprised of ferromagnetic material;

whereby said mouse is magnetically attracted to said tray when in close proximity thereto.

10. The portable computer of claim 8, further comprising:

a computer pointing device; and

a mechanical linkage movably connecting said computer pointing device to said base unit in the proximity of said tray.