Portable computer having articulated display

• US 6,005,767 A
• Filed: 11/14/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Pinax Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vadem Limited
• Inventors: Ku, Edmund, Schiefer, Sonja, Morenstein, Joshua, Huang, Richard, Schlee, Jenny
• Primary Examiner(s): Sparks, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reed, John D.
• Application Number:
  US08/970,343
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 364/708.1, 312/223.2, 345/169, 345/905, 70/58
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0393 Flexible materials H05K1/038 takes precedence; specific organic compositions are classified in H05K1/0313 and subgroups
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A portable computer. The computer includes a base, a display member, and an arm assembly coupling the display member to the base. The arm assembly includes a pair of spaced arm portions and a rigid connecting portion extending between the arm portions. The arm portions each have a first end pivotally coupled to the base edge for movement of the arm assembly between a closed position with the arm portion substantially parallel to the base and an open position with the arm portion oriented at an angle relative to the base, and a second end pivotally coupled to the display edge for pivotal movement of the display member relative to the arm portion to move the display member between a plurality of positions relative to the arm member.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a base having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and spaced first and second side edges, a rear end portion, and a front end portion having a front peripheral base edge;

a display member having a front surface having a display screen for displaying information, a back surface, and first and second peripheral display edges joining said front and back surfaces;

a U-shaped frame body mounting said display member to said base, said frame body including;

first and second spaced lateral arm portions positioned outwardly of said side edges of said base and said peripheral display edges when said display member is lowered onto said base; and

a rigid connecting portion extending along said rear end portion of said base between said arm portions having a curved tubular cross section that reinforces the U-shaped frame body to provide stability, rigidity, and reduce torsional stresses during movement of the frame body and forms a concave pocket to receive a substantially conforming convex portion of said base at the rear end portion of said base;

said frame body being pivotally coupled to said first display edge for rotation of said display member relative to said first arm portion, and pivotally coupled to said first side edge of said base at said rear end portion of said base for rotation of said frame body relative to said base, said rigid curved tubular connecting portion of said frame body sliding concentric with and relative to said convex portion of said base during rotation of said frame body relative to said base;

said first arm portion being provided first and second friction hinges and said second arm portion being provided with no hinges, said first spaced lateral arm portion being pivotally coupled to said first peripheral edge of said display member by a first friction hinge and to said base by a second friction hinge; and

said second arm portion being provided with an aperture forming an internal conduit from said base to said second arm portion which houses an electrical connector for coupling said screen housed in said display member to electrical components housed in said base.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard, and wherein said first and second friction hinges are configured for rotation of said frame body between;

(i) a first closed configuration in which said display screen is configured substantially parallel to said base upper surface and facing toward said base upper surface in a closed position to cover said keyboard and said arm portions of said frame body are positioned adjacent said side edges of said base;

(ii) a second configuration in which said display screen is configured substantially parallel to said base upper surface for inputting data to said portable computer and covers said keyboard and said arm portions of said frame body are positioned adjacent said side edges of said base;

(iii) a third configuration in which said keyboard accessible for inputting data to said portable computer and said display screen is configured for viewing by a user while accessing said keyboard; and

(iv) a fourth position in which said display screen is configured at an acute angle relative to said base upper surface for presentation to others and a first portion of said peripheral base edge and a portion of said peripheral display edge are disposed to support said portable computer on a surface with an outwardly directed display screen for presentation.

3. The portable computer of claim 2 in which said hinges include a first locking position in which said frame body is releasably secured in a closed position with said arm portions of said frame body positioned adjacent said side edges of said base.

4. The portable computer of claim 3 in which said hinge device includes a second locking position in which said frame body is releasably secured in an open position with said arm portions oriented at an angle relative to said base.

5. The portable computer in claim 2, wherein said computer is automatically turned on for operation when the display is lifted from the closed position, said automatic turn on being achieved by a plurality of cooperating sensors including a first sensor to identify the position of the display relative to the base, wherein the first sensor is provided on the upper surface of the base to signal when the display member is in a position overlying the base;

and a second sensor to determine when the display is in the closed position with the screen facing the base or in the open position with the screen facing away from the base.

6. The portable computer of claim 1 in which said first and second hinges are configured to retain said display member in a plurality of continuously successive positions relative to said frame body.

7. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein said display member and said frame body are movable to provide a presentation mode configuration in which said display screen is configured at an angle relative to said base upper surface such that a portion of said peripheral base edge and a portion of said front peripheral display edge are disposed to provide two edges serving as legs to support said portable computer on an external horizontal surface with said display screen exposed for viewing and said keyboard disposed between said base and said display back surface.

8. The portable computer of claim 7, wherein said portable computer further comprises an infrared (IrDA) port for receiving external inputs to control operation of said portable computer while operating in said presentation mode configuration.

9. The portable computer of claim 1 further comprising a keyboard disposed on said base upper surface;

and wherein said display member and said frame body are each movable to provide;

(i) a first configuration said display screen is configured substantially parallel to said base upper surface for inputting data to said portable computer and covers said keyboard;

(ii) a second configuration in which said keyboard accessible for inputting data to said portable computer and said display screen is configured for viewing by a user while accessing said keyboard; and

(iii) a third position in which said display screen is configured at an acute angle relative to said base upper surface for presentation to others, a first portion of said front peripheral base edge and a portion of said peripheral display edge are disposed to provide two edges serving as legs to support said portable computer on an external horizontal surface with an outwardly directed display screen for presentation, a first portion of said peripheral base edge and a portion of said peripheral display edge are disposed to provide two edges serving as legs to support said portable computer on an external horizontal surface with an outwardly directed display screen for presentation.

10. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard disposed on said base upper surface;

and wherein said display screen is outwardly disposed to present displayed information in normal up-down and right-left orientation, a first portion of said front peripheral base edge and a portion of said peripheral display edges are disposed to provide two edges serving as legs to support said portable computer on a surface below said portable computer with said base forming an acute angle with said display member, said keyboard disposed between said base and said display member back surface.

11. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein the height and angle of the display relative to said base may be adjusted independent of each other to provide a user selectable viewing position and angle.

12. The portable computer in claim 1, further comprising a keyboard disposed on said base upper surface, and wherein said keyboard is curved about an axis substantially intersecting the center-line of said keyboard so that said keyboard ergonomically positions hands of a user with the elbows extending outwardly from the user'"'"'s body when accessing said keyboard.

13. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein:

the frame body couples said display member to said base such that the display member may be moved to a plurality of different positions, including a plurality of open positions in which the display is tilted at a viewing angle;

both the height and angle of said display member and said screen relative to the base may be adjusted; and

said height and angle adjustment including a position where the display is suspended above an upper surface of said base allowing said display to be oriented at an angle greater than 90° and

extend toward a user and not extend beyond the footprint of said base without increasing overall footprint size.

14. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein:

the frame body couples the display member to the base such that the display member may be moved to a plurality of different positions, including a plurality of open positions in which the display is tilted at a viewing angle;

both the height and angle of the display member and the screen relative to the base may be adjusted; and

said height and angle adjustment including a position where the lower edge of the display rests on an upper surface of the base so that the display does not increase the footprint size of the portable computer.

15. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein:

the frame body couples the display member to the base such that the display member may be moved to a plurality of different positions;

said portable computer further comprises a touch sensitive screen for inputting data and commands; and

both the height and angle of the display member and the screen relative to the base are adjusted so that the screen is exposed when the display is lowered onto said upper surface of the base so that the computer functions as a notepad computer and data is entered entirely through the touch sensitive screen.

16. The portable computer in claim 15, wherein:

said touch sensitive screen is configured to display a virtual keyboard such that areas of said screen display keys, and when touched transmit the letter, number, or other character to a CPU within said portable computer as if an actual keyboard were provided; and

said touch sensitive screen being operable to input graphical (stylus) inputs as well as keyboard inputs without changing said configuration of said portable computer.

17. The portable computer in claim 16, wherein:

the screen display keys are arranged in a standard QWERTY keyboard layout pattern.

18. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein the arm portions are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base ensuring that the center of gravity of the display is always located directly above the base, increasing the stability of the computer and preventing the computer from falling backward.

20. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein:

each said first and second hinge including respective first and second outer sleeves and first and second cylinders;

said first and second outer sleeves being fixedly mounted proximate upper and lower ends of said first arm portion, with an attachment tab projecting from said first cylinder into said display member for attachment thereto, and from said second cylinder into said base for attachment thereto;

said first cylinder attachment tab being mounted to an interior skeletal frame of said display member;

said first cylinder being rotatable within said first sleeve upon application of sufficient force to said first cylinder through said display member and said first attachment tab to overcome first frictional forces between said exterior of said first cylinder and said interior of said first sleeve;

said second cylinder being rotatable within said second sleeve upon application of sufficient force to said second cylinder through said arm portion and said second attachment tab to overcome first frictional forces between said exterior of said second cylinder and said interior of said second sleeve; and

said frictional forces of said first and second hinges between said sleeves and said cylinders being sufficient to retain said display in a desired position once adjusted to that position by a user.

21. The portable computer in claim 20, wherein:

each of the hinges includes a plurality of locking positions, a first one of the locking positions corresponding to a closed position of the display member and a second one of the locking position corresponding to an open position of the display member; and

when the display member is in either of these two locking positions, a greater force must be applied to the display member to move the display member from the locking position.

22. The portable computer in claim 21, wherein between the first and second locking positions, the display member is held in place by friction.

23. The portable computer in claim 20, wherein:

said second hinge includes an outer sleeve mounted to said base, and an attachment tab projecting from the cylinder mounted to the arm portion;

said sleeve is mounted to the base by a metal band which is mounted at one end to the base; and

said band extends around said sleeve and another end of the band engages said rear edge of said base, with the band applying a compressive force to secure said sleeve in a fixed position.

24. The portable computer in claim 23, wherein as said U-shaped frame body and said display member approaches a closed position said friction hinge includes a detent mechanism that tends to rotate said second hinge and structures attached thereto toward the closed position such that said display member is snapped toward said base, facilitating closure of said portable computer so that a separate locking mechanism is not required, yet said portable computer is maintained in a closed position.

25. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein:

said electrical connectors being carried by a ribbon;

said ribbon being threaded through a path in said second arm portion which minimizes stresses exerted on said ribbon during rotation of said frame body relative to said base, and rotation of said display member relative to said arm member;

said stress minimizing path including providing a complete first loop formed in said ribbon as said ribbon enters said arm portion from said display member, said first loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said display is pivoted relative to said arm portion, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping; and

said stress minimizing path further including providing a second loop before said ribbon enters said base, said second loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said arm portion is pivoted relative to said base, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping;

said second loop reducing stresses on said ribbon during manipulation of said frame body.

26. The portable computer in claim 1, further comprising a battery and wherein said battery is positioned in a rounded portion of said base such that a pivot axis of said U-shaped frame body extends through said battery so that the overall size of the computer is reduced.

27. The portable computer in claim 1, wherein said portable computer further comprises a memory access door and a battery access door, and each of said memory access door and said battery access door includes at least one sensor which senses a state indicating whether or not a respective door is open or closed, the state of each of the doors identifying one of predetermined operating modes depending upon said sensed door state.

19. A portable computer comprising:

a base having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and spaced first and second side edges, a rear end portion, and a front end portion;

a display member having a front surface having a screen for displaying information, a back surface, and first and second peripheral display edges joining said front and back surfaces;

a keyboard disposed on said base upper surface;

an infrared wireless communication device for communicating between a processor internal to said portable computer and an external infrared transmitter;

a U-shaped frame body mounting said display member to said base, said frame body including;

first and second spaced lateral arm portions positioned outwardly of said side edges of said base and said peripheral display edges when said display member is lowered onto said base; and

a rigid connecting portion extending along said rear end portion of said base between said arm portions having a curved tubular cross section that reinforces the U-shaped frame body to provide stability, rigidity, and reduce torsional stresses during movement of the frame body and forms a concave pocket to receive a substantially conforming convex portion of said base at the rear end portion of said base;

said frame body being pivotally coupled to said first display edge for rotation of said display member relative to said first arm portion, and pivotally coupled to said first side edge of said base at said rear end portion of said base for rotation of said frame body relative to said base, said rigid curved tubular connecting portion of said frame body sliding concentric with and relative to said convex portion of said base during rotation of said frame body relative to said base;

said first arm portion being provided first and second friction hinges and said second arm portion being provided with no hinges, said first spaced lateral arm portion being pivotally coupled to said first peripheral edge of said display member by a first friction hinge and to said base by a second friction hinge; and

said second arm portion being provided with an aperture forming an internal conduit from said base to said second arm portion which houses an electrical connector for coupling said screen housed in said display member to electrical components housed in said base;

said electrical connectors being carried by a ribbon;

said ribbon being threaded through a path in said second arm portion which minimizes stresses exerted on said ribbon during rotation of said frame body relative to said base, and rotation of said display member relative to said arm member;

said stress minimizing path including providing a complete first loop formed in said ribbon as said ribbon enters said arm portion from said display member, said first loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said display is pivoted relative to said arm portion, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping; and

said stress minimizing path further including providing a second loop before said ribbon enters said base, said second loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said arm portion is pivoted relative to said base, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping;

said second loop reducing stresses on said ribbon during manipulation of said frame body;

said first and second friction hinges are configured for rotation of said frame body between a plurality of configurations including;

(i) a first closed configuration in which said display screen is configured substantially parallel to said base upper surface and facing toward said base upper surface in a closed position to cover said keyboard and said arm portions of said frame body are positioned adjacent said side edges of said base;

(ii) a second configuration in which said display screen is configured substantially parallel to said base upper surface for inputting data to said portable computer and covers said keyboard and said arm portions of said frame body are positioned adjacent said side edges of said base;

(iii) a third configuration in which said keyboard accessible for inputting data to said portable computer and said display screen is configured for viewing by a user while accessing said keyboard; and

(iv) a fourth position in which said display screen is configured at an acute angle relative to said base upper surface for presentation to others and a first portion of said peripheral base edge and a portion of said peripheral display edges are disposed to support said portable computer on a surface with an outwardly directed display screen for presentation.