PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
First Claim
1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including at least a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
- a display component;
a base;
an interface between the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable;
wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from a closed mode configures the portable computer into a laptop mode, wherein in the laptop mode the display component is oriented towards an operator and a keyboard disposed within the base is oriented to receive input from the operator; and
wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode transitions the portable computer for viewing in the easel mode having a content display orientation 180 degrees from a content display orientation of the laptop mode, and wherein during operation in the easel mode the display component is positioned toward the operator with the keyboard directed away from the operator.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer that is configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode (in which the portable computer has a conventional laptop appearance) and an easel mode in which the base of the computer and its display component stand vertically forming an inverted “V.” The portable computer includes a hinge assembly that couples the display component to the base of the computer, and allows the display component to be rotated about an axis along an interface between the display component and the base to configure the portable computer between a closed position, the laptop mode and the easel mode. The portable computer further comprises a scroll wheel and optional navigation buttons that permit a user to control or manipulate various aspects of operation of the portable computer (such as volume or display brightness) and/or content displayed the computer.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including at least a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
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a display component; a base; an interface between the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from a closed mode configures the portable computer into a laptop mode, wherein in the laptop mode the display component is oriented towards an operator and a keyboard disposed within the base is oriented to receive input from the operator; and wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode transitions the portable computer for viewing in the easel mode having a content display orientation 180 degrees from a content display orientation of the laptop mode, and wherein during operation in the easel mode the display component is positioned toward the operator with the keyboard directed away from the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising:
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a display component including a single display screen for viewing content; a base; an interface connecting the display component and the base, defining a single longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged so that the display component and the base are rotatable with respect to each other only about the single longitudinal axis; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged so that rotating either the display component or the base about the single longitudinal axis configures the portable computer into an operating display mode, wherein in the operating display mode the display component is oriented towards an operator of the portable computer, and the base is disposed on an opposite side of the display, wherein at least a portion of the base is configured to support the display in position when in the operating display mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of managing user interaction with content displayed on a portable computer having a plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising a display component including a display screen, a base, and a interface connecting the display component and the base defining a single longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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rotating at least one of the display component and the base of the portable computer about the single longitudinal axis to configure the portable computer in one of the plurality of display modes, wherein the single longitudinal axis is configured to run along the connection between the display component and the base of the portable computer; and positioning at least a portion of the portable computer in an inverted v configuration for operation by a user, responsive to the act of rotating, wherein the act of positioning includes acts of; positioning the display component in an orientation directed towards the user; and positioning the base on an opposite side of the display component to support the portable computer in the inverted v configuration. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification