Computer configuration which allows conversion between multiple operative positions

• US 5,808,862 A
• Filed: 03/30/1994
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Robbins, Daniel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips, Michael W.
• Application Number:
  US08/220,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,630 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 364/709.11, 312/223.2, 345/169, 345/905, 206/305, 206/320, 206/576, 248/917-923, 235/1 D, 235/145 R, 235/146, 361/679-687, 361/724-727, 361/752, 361/755, 361/796, 361/826, 361/827
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/162 changing, e.g. reversing, the face orientation of the screen with a two degrees of freedom mechanism, e.g. for folding into tablet PC like position or orienting towards the direction opposite to the user to show to a second user

Abstract

A convertible computer includes a base portion having an operative side and a rear side. The computer further includes a display portion, pivotally attached to the base portion, having an operative side and a rear side, the rear side of the display portion being positionable substantially adjacent the rear side of the base portion. Moreover, the computer includes a cover positionable over the operative side of the base portion.

Claims

1. A convertible computer, comprising:

a base portion having a keyboard side and a rear side;

a display portion, pivotally attached to said base portion, having a display and input assembly side and a rear side; and

a cover pivotally attached to said base portion,

wherein said cover is positionable at a first position over the keyboard side of said base portion when the rear side of said display portion is positioned substantially adjacent the rear side of said base portion, and at a second position substantially adjacent the rear side of said base portion when both the keyboard side of the base portion and the display and input assembly side of said display portion can simultaneously be viewed by a user.

2. The convertible computer of claim 1, wherein said cover pivots between the first position and the second position.

3. The convertible computer of claim 2, wherein said said cover is attached to a first end of said base portion and said display portion is attached to a second end of said base portion.

4. The convertible computer of claim 3, wherein said cover extends from the first end of said base portion to the second end of said base portion.

5. A convertible computer, comprising:

a base portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, said base portion further having a keyboard side and a rear side;

a display portion pivotally attached to the first end of said base portion, said display portion having a display and input assembly side and a rear side; and

a cover pivotally attached to the second end of said base portion,

wherein said cover is positionable at a first position over the keyboard side of said base portion when the rear side of said display portion is positioned substantially adjacent the rear side of said base portion, and at a second position substantially adjacent the rear side of said base portion when both the keyboard side of the base portion and the display and input side of said display portion can simultaneously be view by a user.

6. The convertible computer of claim 5, wherein said cover extends from the first end of said base portion to the second end of said base portion.

7. The convertible computer of claim 5, wherein said cover pivots between the first position and the second position.

8. A convertible computer, comprising:

a first panel with a display and input sensor, said first panel having a rear side;

a second panel with an input device, said second panel having a rear side; and

a cover flexibly connected to said second panel,

wherein said cover is positionable at a first position over said input device of said second panel when the rear side of the first panel is positioned substantially adjacent the rear side of said second panel, and at a second position substantially adjacent the rear side of said second panel when both the input device of the second panel and the display and input sensor of said first panel can simultaneously be view by a user.

9. The convertible computer of claim 8, wherein said cover is flexibly connected to a first end of said second panel, and said first panel is flexibly connected to a second end of said second panel.

10. The convertible computer of claim 9, wherein said cover extends from the first end of said second panel to the second end of said second panel.