PORTABLE TABLET COMPUTING DEVICE WITH A LOW POWER OPERATION MODE AS A MEDIA PLAYER

• US 20110188199A1
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tamiras Per Pte Ltd LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gravitas Applications LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Pan, Yang
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,827 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A portable computing device is disclosed. The device may be based upon a laptop/a netbook computer according to the preferred embodiment. The device comprises a pivotable display screen. The device is operated as a general purpose computing device when the display screen is in a conventional unfolded position. The device is used as a media player when the display is pivoted to be on the top face of the device. The device operated as the media player with a low power processor consumes much less power than as the general purpose computing device.

Claims

1. A portable computing device in a flip form factor, the device comprising:

a. a display part having a display screen;

b. a housing part comprising one or more input devices; and

c. a hinge and pivot part for connecting the display part and the housing part and for pivoting the display part,

wherein said device comprising a low power operation mode as a media player when the display screen is pivoted to be on the top face of the device.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said input devices further comprising a keyboard and/or a pointing device.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprising:

a. a Central Processing Unit for controlling operations of the device;

b. a storage unit for storing data files including media assets;

c. a low power media processor for delivering media assets;

d. a communication unit for connecting said device to a communication network; and

e. a power supply for providing power for the operations of the device.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein said low power media processor comprising a low power operating mode of said Central Processing Unit.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprising a switch for switching operation modes of said device in between the following two modes:

a. a media player; and

b. a general purpose computing device.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said display screen further comprising a touch-screen type of display.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said display screen comprising a means of displaying a hierarchical user interface when the device is operated as the media player with the display screen on the top face of the device.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said portable computing device comprising a netbook.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said media player delivering a media asset from the following group comprising:

a. an audio file;

b. a video file;

c. an e-book file;

d. a multi-media file; and

e. a movie.

10. A portable computing device in a flip form factor with a pivotable display screen, the device comprising two following modes of operation in an exclusive manner:

a. a media player when said display screen is pivoted to be on the top face of the device; and

b. a general purpose computing device when said display screen is pivoted to be in a unfolded position for a typical laptop/netbook computer.

11. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein said device further comprising a housing part and a hinge part.

12. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein said display screen comprising a means of displaying a hierarchical user interface for media assets when the device is operated as said media player.

13. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein said display screen comprising a touch-screen type of display.

14. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein said portable computing device comprising a laptop/a netbook computer.

15. A method of delivering a media asset to a user through the use of a portable computing device in a flip form factor comprising a pivotable display screen and a housing part, the method comprising:

a. pivoting the display screen to be on the top face of the device;

b. switching the device to a low power operation mode as a dedicated media player;

c. displaying a hierarchical user interface in the display screen;

d. selecting a media asset; and

e. playing the selected media asset.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said method further comprising:

a. pivoting the display screen to a conventional position for a laptop or netbook computer; and

b. switching the device to a normal operation mode as a general purpose computing device.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said method further comprising a step of delivering a media asset from another computing device connected to the portable computing device through a communication network.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein said communication network comprising the Internet.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein said communication network comprising an ad hoc communication network.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein said method further comprising a step of purchasing a selected media asset by the user through an on-line facility.