Flexible monitor/display on mobile device

• US 6,532,147 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1999
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Christ, Arthur R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/404,960
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/682, 361/686, 361/683, 248/917-924, 349/57, 349/58, 345/156, 345/173, 345/905, 312/223--22, 312/7.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• 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 1/1679 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: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular

Abstract

A portable computer is provided which has a display screen mounted to a base by one or more flexible hinges, such as scissors type hinges or telescoping hinges, to provide flexibility of the operable positions of the display screen in relation to the base. The display screen is rotatably connected to the hinges to enable the display screen to be positioned above the base or on the base in either a face-up or face-down position. Electrical connections are provided between the base and the display screen through the scissors hinges.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a base having a CPU disposed therein;

a display screen;

a first scissors type hinge rotatably connected to the base at a first pivot connection and to the display at a second pivot connection; and

a second scissors type hinge rotatably connected to the base at a third pivot connection and to the display at a fourth pivot connection;

wherein the first and second scissors type hinges rotate parallel to one another and wherein the display screen is allowed to rotate at least 360 degrees about the second and fourth pivot connections.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein in a first closed position a viewing area of the display screen and an upper surface of the base face in a common direction and in a second closed position the viewing area and the upper surface of the base face one another.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first and third pivot connections are at opposite sides of the base and the second and fourth pivot connections are at opposite sides of the display.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 3, wherein in a first closed position the display screen and an upper surface of the base face in a common direction and in a second closed position the display screen and the upper surface of the base face one another.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first and second scissors type hinges comprise a links assembly.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a slot formed on each side wall of the base to slidably accommodate the first and third pivot connections.