Notepad computer having an integrated video camera

• US 5,748,441 A
• Filed: 06/07/1996
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Hillenmayer, Stefan, Loritz, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/660,428
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 361/681, 361/683, 361/686, 345/169, 345/173, 345/174, 345/179, 345/905, 345/901, 364/708.1, 16/386, 348/552
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A stylus-oriented small notepad computer is provided. The notepad computer has a flat input/output display screen that can be operated by an electrical input stylus. The screen is fastened on the cover surface of a flat rectangular computer housing inside a flat frame. A hinged cover that covers the flat display screen is pivotably connected with an edge of the computer housing. A video camera is also housed inside the notepad computer. For this purpose, the pivot axle is constructed as a tube-shaped articulated axle having an interior to accept the video camera. The video camera is connected with a gooseneck to allow different positions of the camera to acquire various video images.

Claims

1. A notepad computer comprising:

a housing having a flat surface arranged inside a flat frame;

a processor in said housing;

a flat input/output display screen arranged on the flat surface of the housing;

a cover constructed and arranged to cover the display screen when closed;

an articulated pivot axle connecting the cover to the housing along an edge of the housing, the axle having a cavity therein; and

a video camera retractably mounted in the cavity of the articulated pivot axle, for when removed from said cavity, generating video signals comprising an image of an object in a filed of view of said video camera for supply to said processor.

2. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible gooseneck connected to the video camera.

3. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a magnetic lens cover for the video camera.

4. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical input stylus to operate the display screen.

5. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a paper guide strip located laterally adjacent to the display screen along an edge of the flat frame.

6. The notepad computer according to claim 5, further comprising:

a scanner device located in the housing at said guide strip for scanning documents to produce input information to said processor.

7. The notepad computer according to claim 5, further comprising:

a printing device located in the housing at said guide strip for printing documents compiled by said processor.

8. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

an on/off switch having a button head;

means for scanning a fingerprint as an access control to the computer connected to the button head.

9. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

an access control means incorporated in the housing.

10. The notepad computer according to claim 9, wherein the access control means is a chip card and an associated card reader integrated into the housing.

11. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and a speaker connected to the housing for audio inputs, and outputs respectively to and from said processor.

12. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

an infrared transmitter/receiver means for wireless data transmission to and from said processor integrated into the computer housing.

13. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a mobile telephone connected to the housing for entering information into said processor.

14. The notepad computer according to claim 1, further comprising:

a solar cell surface located on an inner surface of the cover for generating power for all components of said notepad computer.

15. The notepad computer according to claim 4, further comprising:

means for holding the electrical input stylus connected to the housing.