Portable computer for one-handed operation

• US 5,388,061 A
• Filed: 09/08/1993
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elmer J. Hankes
• Original Assignee: Elmer J. Hankes
• Inventors: Hankes, Elmer J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Tan V.
• Application Number:
  US08/117,995
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 364/709.12, 400/489, 400/715, 400/488, 235/145 R, 235/146, 341/22
• US Class Current: 708/142
• 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 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A portable computer with at least one reduced-key keypad for one-handed operation is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the portable computer includes two data display screens for displaying data from two programs running simultaneously. It also includes two keypads, both of which are capable of entering the full range of alphanumeric characters and software control commands.

Claims

1. A portable computer having a data processor, comprising:

at least one keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including a generally flat intermediate segment having a lower edge and an upper edge, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from said upper edge of said intermediate segment and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from said lower edge of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment and positioned generally opposably to said first angled segment; and

at least one data display screen for viewing data resulting from the keypad and computing operations of the portable computer.

2. A portable computer having a data processor, comprising:

a base member containing the data processor;

a first keypad mounted to said base member, said first keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including a generally flat intermediate segment having a lower edge and an upper edge, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from said upper edge of said intermediate segment and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from said lower edge of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment and positioned generally opposably to said first angled segment; and

a first data display screen for viewing data resulting from the keypad and computing operations of the portable computer, said first data display screen being connected to said base member.

3. A portable computer as described in claim 2, wherein:

said base member includes a top side and a bottom side, a left side and a right side;

said first keypad projects outwardly from said top side of said base member; and

said first data display screen is mounted on and integral with said bottom side of said base member.

4. A portable computer as described in claim 3, further comprising:

a first indent in said right side of said base member; and

a second indent in said left side of said base member, whereby a user of the portable computer grasp the portable computer by placing the fingertips of their thumb and little finger in said first and second indents for grasping the portable computer during use.

5. A portable computer having a data processor, comprising:

a base member containing the data processor;

a first keypad mounted to said base member, said first keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment;

a first data display screen for viewing data resulting from the computing operations of the portable computer, said first data display screen being connected to said base member;

a second keypad mounted to said base member, said second keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said second keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; and

a second data display screen for viewing data resulting from the computing operations of the portable computer, said second data display screen being connected to said base member.

6. A portable computer as described in claim 5, wherein:

said second data display screen is mounted on and integral with said base member.

7. A portable computer as described in claim 6, further comprising:

a cover member hingedly attached to said base member, said first data display screen being mounted on and integral with said cover member.

8. A portable computer as described in claim 7, wherein:

said base member includes a left side and a right side;

said first keypad projects outwardly from said right side of said base member; and

said second keypad projects outwardly from said left side of said base member.

9. A portable computer as described in claim 5, wherein:

said base member includes a left side and a right side;

said first keypad projects outwardly from said first side of said base member; and

said second keypad projects outwardly from said second side of said base member.

10. A portable computer as described in claim 9, further comprising:

a cover member hingedly attached to said base member, said first data display screen being mounted on and integral with said cover member.

11. A portable computer as described in claim 10, wherein:

said second data display screen is mounted on and integral with said base member.

12. A portable computer having a data processor, comprising:

a base member containing the data processor;

a first keypad mounted to said base member, said first keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment;

a first data display screen for viewing data resulting from the computing operations of the portable computer, said first data display screen being connected to said base member;

said base member includes a top side and a bottom side;

said first keypad projects outwardly from said top side of said base member; and

said first data display screen is mounted on and integral with said top side of said base member.

13. A portable computer as described in claim 12, further comprising:

a second data display screen mounted on and integral with said bottom side of said base member.