Notebook computer with reversible cover for external use of membrane switch screen
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A portable computer unit comprising:
- (a) a portable computer housing;
(b) computer means positioned in said housing;
(c) flat panel display means interfaced to said computer means;
(d) a transparent data entry array interfaced to said computer means and overlayed on said display means; and
(e) closure panel means having said display means and said array mounted thereon on one side and reversibly hingedly connected to said housing in such a manner as to enable said closure panel means to be pivotally positioned in a first position in overlying relation to said housing with said display means facing away from said housing for use of said data entry array and alternatively to be pivotally positioned in a second position in overlying relation to said housing with said display means facing toward said housing, said computer housing means and said closure panel means incorporating electrical connecting means adapted to electrically connect said display means and said data entry array to said computer means in both said first and said second positions.
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Litigations
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A notebook computer unit formed by a base housing and a hinged cover panel has a conventional keyboard mounted on the base housing, a flat panel display device mounted on the cover panel, and a transparent membrane switch array overlayed on the display. The unit includes a separable and reversible hinge mechanism and a separable and reversible electrical connector assembly which allow the cover panel to be detached, reversed, and re-attached to place the unit in one of two configurations. In one configuration, the display and tactile membrane switch array face outwardly with the cover panel overlying the base for operation of the unit by viewing the display and touching the membrane switch array to enter data and select options displayed. Alternatively, the cover panel may be oriented with the display generally facing the standard keyboard for use of the unit as a conventional notebook type computer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable computer unit comprising:
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(a) a portable computer housing; (b) computer means positioned in said housing; (c) flat panel display means interfaced to said computer means; (d) a transparent data entry array interfaced to said computer means and overlayed on said display means; and (e) closure panel means having said display means and said array mounted thereon on one side and reversibly hingedly connected to said housing in such a manner as to enable said closure panel means to be pivotally positioned in a first position in overlying relation to said housing with said display means facing away from said housing for use of said data entry array and alternatively to be pivotally positioned in a second position in overlying relation to said housing with said display means facing toward said housing, said computer housing means and said closure panel means incorporating electrical connecting means adapted to electrically connect said display means and said data entry array to said computer means in both said first and said second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable computer unit comprising:
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(a) a portable computer housing; (b) computer means positioned in said housing; (c) a keyboard mounted on said housing and interfaced to said computer means; (d) a computer unit closure panel hingedly connected to said housing and pivotal relative thereto; (e) flat panel display means interfaced to said computer means and mounted on a first side of said closure panel; (f) a transparent data entry array interfaced to said computer means and overlayed on said display means on said first side of said closure panel; and (g) reversible hinge means hingedly connecting said closure panel to said housing and electrical connecting means interfacing said display means and said array to said computer means, said hinge means and connecting means cooperating in such a manner as to enable said closure panel to be pivotally positioned in a first position with said display means generally facing said keyboard to facilitate use of said unit by operation of said keyboard while viewing said display means and, alternatively, to enable pivotally positioning said closure panel in a second position in overlying relation to said housing with said display means and said array facing away from said housing to facilitate use of said unit by operation of said array while viewing said display means, and such that said display means and said data entry array are electrically connected to said computer means in both said first and said second positions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable computer unit comprising:
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(a) a portable computer housing; (b) computer means positioned in said housing; (c) a plurality of key switches interfaced to said computer means and mounted on said housing; (d) flat panel display means interfaced to said computer means; (e) a transparent data entry array interfaced to said computer means and overlayed on said display means; and (f) closure panel means having said display means and said array mounted thereon on an outer side and connected to said housing in such a manner as to enable said closure panel means to be positioned in covering relation to said key switches with said display means and said array facing away from said key switches and to enable pivoting said closure panel means away from said housing to provide access to said key switches, while still leaving said display means and said array interfaced to said computer means.
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Specification