Hand held tablet computer having external mechanisms for facilitating positioning and operation

• US 6,016,248 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 01/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Mieki, Nariaki, Anzai, Masato, Toyosato, Yoshinari
• Primary Examiner(s): Oen, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, JAGDISH C
• Application Number:
  US08/891,925
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/681, 361/680, 248/688, 248/463, 248/465, 248/188.6, 248/188.9, 248/922, 248/923, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.59
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer

Abstract

An information processing apparatus which comprises a main body in a flat, plane box shape, a flat input section provided on the front surface of the main body, a stand, provided on the rear surface of the main body, having two or more tilting positions relative to the main body where it is preferable that the stand has a retracted position wherein the stand falls down into the rear surface of the main body, a first tilt position where the main body in-clines at a relatively small angle to a desk surface, and a second tilt position where the main body inclines at a relatively large angle to the desk surface. In the first tilting position, the main body is inclined slightly toward the front relative to the desk surface. With the main body thus positioned, it is easy to manipulate a pen held against the input face of the input section. In the second tilt position, the main body is held almost upright relative to the desk surface. When an external keyboard, for example, is attached to the main body for data input with the input section being used only as a display, and the main body is in the second tilt position, an operator can see the display easily while using the keyboard, and the computer'"'"'s usability is enhanced. In the retracted position, the stand is fully retained in the rear surface of the main body, and the thickness of the main body is not expanded with the stand in this position, so that the computer can be carried or stored.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising:

a main body in a flat plane box shape;

a flat input section provided on the front surface of the main body;

a stand, provided on the rear surface of the main body, having two or more tilting positions relative to the main body and including a handle, formed of a U shaped rod;

a pair of shafts, one formed at either end of the handle;

bearings formed at the rear surface of the main body, for rotatively supporting the pair of shafts;

a tongue piece, rotatively attached to the handle at approximately the center of the U shape of the rod; and

an engagement portion formed at the rear surface of the main body, for engaging a tip of the tongue piece in the first tilt position.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bearings formed at the rear surface of the main body generate a friction having a resistive force relative to the rotation of the handle.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the main body includes a pen attachment portion on one side of the main body.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main body has a PC card slot on top of the main body.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main body includes battery storage sections in substantially lower portions on both sides of the main body.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flat input section serves also as a display.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a PC card slot on top of the main body.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes battery storage sections in substantially lower portions on both sides of the main body.