Multifunctional portable computing device with special housing

• US 6,697,055 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward Bullister
• Original Assignee: Edward Bullister
• Inventors: Bullister, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOW, DOON Y
• Application Number:
  US09/716,754
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/166, 400/680, 400/682, 400/691, 400/692, 400/693, 361/679, 361/680, 361/681, 361/683
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2202/01 Packaging for light-curable material
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/04 Level indicators see also B65D25/56, B65D33/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/02 by gauge glasses or other apparatus involving a window or transparent tube for directly observing the level to be measured or the level of a liquid column in free communication with the main body of the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/64 of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/76 characterised by the construction of the float
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections

Abstract

A portable computing device includes pivoting and hinging mechanisms which enable its housing to reconfigure to function in multiple modes. In one configuration the device functions as a laptop computer with keyboard input. In another configuration the device folds into a compact, hand-held, pen-based computer. In another configuration the device folds around the display for protection during transport. A set of adjustable stops enable easy and repeatable transitions between the different configurations.

Claims

1. A device for portable electronic computing, including:

a) a first keyboard section, said first keyboard section having a first top surface and a plurality of keys protruding from said first top surface,

b) a second keyboard section, said second keyboard section having a second top surface and a plurality of keys protruding from said second top surface,

c) a first hinge attached to each of said first and second keyboard sections, said first hinge having a first axis of rotation with respect to said first keyboard section,

d) a second hinge, said second hinge attached to said first keyboard section, said second hinge having an axis of rotation with respect to said first keyboard section perpendicular to said first axis of said first hinge,

e) a third hinge, said third and hinge attached to said first keyboard section, said third hinge having an axis of rotation with respect to said first keyboard section perpendicular to said first axis of said first hinge, and,

f) a substantially planar display having a front surface for display of information from a digital computer and a rear surface, said display pivotally connected to said first keyboard section through said second hinge and said third hinge,

whereby through a sequence of pivoting actions around said first and second axes, said display can pivot about said first axis such that its front surface faces said first top surface, and said second keyboard section can pivot about said second perpendicular second axis such that said second top surface faces said display rear surface such that said device forms a collapsed condition in which said display is sandwiched between said first and second keyboard sections.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

said second and third hinges share a common axis of rotation.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

said common axis of rotation is perpendicular to said first axis of rotation.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth hinge attached to each of said first and second keyboard sections.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein:

said first and fourth hinges share a common axis of rotation.