Two-way display notebook computer

• US 6,498,721 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2000
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kim, Young S.
• Original Assignee: Kim, Young S.
• Inventors: Kim, Young S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/648,170
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680-687, 361/724-727, 312/223.1, 312/223.6, 345/169, 345/905, 248/917-926
• US Class Current: 361/679.06
• 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 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A notebook computer has a body cover which is hinged to a support rotatably carried by the body. The cover has a main display which in a closed position overlies the body and in an open position pivots and rotates the main display away from the body.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes an auxiliary display which is hinged to the cover on the side opposite the main display. In a first, closed position the auxiliary display lies parallel with the cover and in a second, open position maintains an angle with the cover.

Claims

1. A notebook computer having a body, a cover which is hinged to a support rotatably carried by the body, the cover having a main display which in a closed position overlies the body and in an open position pivots and rotates with said support so that the main display can be positioned for viewing from different angles, and

an auxiliary display secured to the cover on the side opposite the main display and which in a first, closed position lies parallel with the cover and in a second, open position maintains an angle between the auxiliary display and the cover.

2. The notebook computer of claim 1 wherein the cover pivots from a first, closed position over the body to a second, open position perpendicular to the first position and rotates about a joint while remaining perpendicular to the first position.

3. The notebook computer of claim 2 wherein the cover rotates through an angle from 1 to 180 degrees.

4. A notebook computer having a body, a cover which is hinged to a support rotatably carried by the body, the cover having a main display which in a closed position overlies the body and in an open position pivots away from the body and is rotatable with said support so that the display can be positioned for viewing from different directions and an auxiliary display which is secured to the cover on the side opposite the main display and in a first, closed position lies parallel with the cover and in a second, open position maintains an angle between the auxiliary display and the cover.

5. The notebook computer of claim 4 wherein the cover pivots from a first, closed position over the body to a second, open position at an angle with respect to the first position and rotates with said support while maintaining said angle.

6. The notebook computer of claim 5 wherein the cover rotates through an angle from 1 to 180 degrees.