Notebook mountable computer system

• US 4,918,632 A
• Filed: 11/17/1988
• Issued: 04/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: York, Dennis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Long T.
• Application Number:
  US07/272,579
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708, 364/900 MS File, 364/709.12, 235/1 D, 402/4, 402/73, 402/80 R, 402/502
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer

Abstract

A portable computer unit contained within a substantially planar housing a minimal thickness designed for transport in a ring-type notebook binder. Specifically, the housing includes an upper section having a plurality of openings which are sized to receive the binder rings. Once the binder rings are inserted within the openings of the housing, the entire computer unit may be easily transported within the binder. Transport in this manner also obscures the computer from view, diminishing the possibility of theft.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

microprocessor means for receiving, storing, and processing data;

display means for enabling said microprocessor means to produce a readily observable, visual output of information;

input means for providing data to said microprocessor means; and

a housing for containing said microprocessor means, display means, and input means, said housing further comprising attachment means for securing said housing to a notebook binder having rings therein so that said computer system may be retained in said notebook binder, said attachment means comprising a plurality of openings through said housing sized to receive said rings of said binder, said housing further comprising a lower section and an upper section, said upper section comprising said openings for the receipt of said rings of said binder, said lower section containing said display means and said input means therein, said upper section having a thickness less than that of said lower section.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a flat electronic display panel.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said flat electronic display panel is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal panel and a gas plasma panel.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said input means comprises a keyboard.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said lower section of said housing comprises a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, said second longitudinal edge being adjacent said upper section, the thickness of said lower section increasing progressively from said first longitudinal edge to said second longitudinal edge.

6. A portable computer system comprising:

microprocessor means for receiving, storing, and processing data;

display means for enabling said microprocessor means to produce a readily observable, visual output of information, said display means comprising a flat electronic display panel selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal panel and a gas plasma panel;

input means for providing data to said microprocessor means; and

a housing for retaining said microprocessor means, display means, and input means, said housing comprising a lower section, and an upper section, said upper section having a thickness less than that of said lower section, said upper section further comprising attachment means for securing said housing to a notebook binder having rings therein, said attachment means comprising a plurality of openings sized to receive said rings of said binder so that said computer system may be retained therein, said lower section further comprising a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, said second longitudinal edge being adjacent said upper section, the thickness of said lower section increasing progressively from said first longitudinal edge to said second longitudinal edge.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said input means comprises a keyboard.

8. A portable information system comprising:

a notebook binder comprising a plurality of rings therein, said rings being readily opened and closed; and

a portable computer unit sized for receipt within said binder, said computer unit comprising microprocessor means for receiving, storing and processing data, display means for enabling said microprocessor means to produce a readily observable, visual display of information, input means for providing data to said microprocessor means, and a housing for containing said microprocessor means, display means and input means, said housing comprising a plurality of openings therethrough sized to receive said rings of said binder, said housing further comprising a lower section and an upper section, said upper section comprising said openings for the receipt of said rings of said binder, said lower section containing said display means and said input means therein, said upper section having a thickness less than that of said lower section.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said display means comprises a flat electronic display panel.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said flat electronic display panel is selected from the group consisting of a liquid crystal panel and a gas plasma panel.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said input means comprises a keyboard.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said lower section of said housing comprises a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, said second longitudinal edge being adjacent said upper section, the thickness of said lower section increasing progressively from said first longitudinal edge to said second longitudinal edge.

13. A method for storing and transporting a portable computer within a notebook binder having a plurality of rings therein, said rings being readily opened and closed, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a computer unit having a microprocessor, a visual display, input means for providing data to said microprocessor, and a housing, said housing comprising a plurality of openings therethrough, said housing further comprising a lower section and an upper section, said upper section comprising said openings, said lower section containing said display means and said input means therein, said upper section having a thickness less than that of said lower section;

opening said rings of said binder;

aligning said rings of said binder with said openings in said housing;

inserting said rings of said binder within said openings in said housing; and

closing said rings after insertion through said openings in said housing in order to store said computer within said binder.