Portable computer system

• US 6,982,702 B1
• Filed: 06/12/1998
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Frame, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAO, LUNYI
• Application Number:
  US09/096,684
• Time in Patent Office: 2,762 Days
• Field of Search: 434/317, 434/365, 345168-179, 345/901, 345/1.2, 345/156, 345/905, 361680-681, 361/683, 361/686, 248/917, 248/918, 248/916, 348 12- 13
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A portable computer system includes one or more battery connectors, a portable base computer, and a portable user interface module. The base computer includes a wireless receiver, and a processor having a data input operatively connected to the receiver and a power input operatively connected to at least one of the connectors. The base computer also includes mass storage operatively connected to the processor, and a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the processor. The user interface module includes a wireless receiver and a two-dimensional display having a data input operatively connected to the receiver and a power input operatively connected to at least one of the connectors. The user interface device further includes a user interface device and a wireless transmitter operatively connected to the user interface device.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a portable base computer comprising;

a first wireless receiver,

a processor having a data input operatively connected to the first wireless receiver, and

a first wireless transmitter operatively connected to the processor, and

a processor-less portable user interface module being detachably coupleable to the portable base computer, the portable user interface module comprising;

a second wireless receiver,

a two-dimensional display having a data input operatively connected to the second wireless receiver of the portable user interface module,

a user input device, and

a second wireless transmitter operatively connected to the user input device.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1 comprising a mechanical connector operative to hold the base computer in contact with the processor-less user interface module.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1 comprising an electrical connector operative to electrically connect the base computer to the processor-less user interface module.

4. The portable computer system of claim 3 wherein the electrical connector comprises bypass contacts operative to bypass the wireless transmitters and receivers of the base computer and the processor-less user interface module.

5. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the base computer comprises a display primitive generator operatively connected between the processor and the wireless transmitter of the base computer, and wherein the display primitive generator is operative to send display primitives to the processor-less user interface module that are capable of displaying a pointing-device-driven, general-purpose, window-based operating system screen on the display of the processor-less user interface module.

6. The portable computer system of claim 1 comprising at least a portion of a local area network operatively connected between the processor and the display, and wherein the base computer system is operative to communicate with the processor-less user interface module using packet traffic on the local area network.

7. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the display has a resolution of at least 640×

480 pixels.

8. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the processor-less user interface device comprises a keyboard that comprises separate keys for all of the letters of the alphabet and the ten decimal digits.

9. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the user input device comprises a pointing device.

10. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the portable base computer comprises a rectangular housing for supporting its processor, receiver and transmitter, wherein the processor-less user interface module comprises a rectangular housing for supporting its display device, user input device, receiver and transmitter, and wherein one of the two largest faces of the housing of the base computer is of substantially the same size and shape as one of the two largest faces of the housing of the processor-less user interface module.

11. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the portable base computer system comprises at least one battery connector that is operatively connected to the processor and wherein the processor-less user interface module includes at least one battery connector operatively connected to the display.

12. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitters are obstacle-tolerant transmitters and the wireless receivers are obstacle-tolerant receivers.

13. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the portable base computer comprises:

one or more battery connectors,

a power input operative connected to at least one of the battery connectors, and

a mass storage operatively connected to the processor.

14. A portable base computer system for use with a mobile user interface module that comprises a two-dimensional display, a first wireless receiver, a first wireless transmitter, a user input device, and a housing, the portable base computer comprising:

a second wireless receiver constructed and adapted to communicate with the first wireless transmitter of the user interface module,

a processor responsive to commands received from the second wireless receiver, the processor configured to execute an application program and generate results therefrom,

a second wireless transmitter responsive to the processor and constructed and adapted to communicate with the wireless receiver of the user interface module, and

a housing for holding the processor, the second wireless receiver, and the second wireless transmitter,

wherein the portable base computer system does not comprise a display device operatively connected to the processor to display graphical information based on the results generated by the processor.

15. The portable base computer system of claim 14 comprising at least one mechanical docking connector mounted relative to the housing and operative to hold the base computer in contact with the user interface module.

16. The portable base computer system of claim 14 comprising at least one electrical docking connector mounted relative to the housing and operative to electrically connect the portable base computer system to the user interface module.

18. The portable base computer system of claim 14 wherein the portable base computer system comprises a display primitive generator to which the wireless transmitter of the base computer system is responsive to send display primitives to the user interface module, and wherein the display primitive generator is operative to send display primitives to display the graphical information on the display of the user interface module.

19. The portable base computer system of claim 18, wherein the graphical information comprises a point-device-driven, general-purpose, window-based operating system.

20. The portable bases computer system of claim 14 comprising at least a portion of a local area network operatively connected between the processor and the display, and wherein the portable base computer system is operative to communicate with the user interface module using packet traffic on the local area network.

21. The computer system of claim 14 comprising:

one or more battery connectors,

a power input operatively connected to at least one of the battery connectors, and

a mass storage operatively connected to the processor.

22. The portable bases computer system of claim 21 wherein the portable base computer system comprises a rectangular housing for supporting its processor, receiver and transmitter, and wherein one of the two largest faces of the housing of the portable base computer system is of substantially the same size and shape as one of two largest faces of a housing of the user interface module.

23. The portable base computer of claim 14 wherein the wireless transmitters are obstacle-tolerant transmitters, and the wireless receivers are obstacle-tolerant receivers.

17. The portable base computer system of claim 17 wherein the electrical connector comprises bypass contacts operative to bypass the wireless transmitters and receivers of the portable base computer system and user interface module.

24. A user interface module for use with a portable base computer system that comprises a processor to execute an application program, an obstacle-tolerant wireless transmitter, an obstacle-tolerant wireless receiver, and a housing bearing at least one docking connector, the user interface module comprising:

an obstacle-tolerant wireless receiver constructed and adapted to communicate with the wireless transmitter of the portable base computer system,

a two-dimensional display responsive to the wireless receiver,

a user input device,

an obstacle-tolerant wireless transmitter responsive to the user input device, and being constructed and adapted to communicate with the wireless receiver to the portable base computer system, and

at least one docking connector constructed and adapted to mate directly to the connector of the portable base computer system,

wherein the user interface module does not comprise a processor to execute an application program.

25. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the docking connector is a mechanical connector operative to hold the portable base computer system in contact with the user interface module.

26. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the docking connector is an electrical connector operative to electrically connect the portable base computer system to the user interface module.

27. The user interface module of claim 26 wherein the electrical connector includes bypass contacts operative to bypass the wireless transmitters and receivers of the portable base computer system and user interface module.

28. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the display has a resolution of at least 640×

480 pixels.

29. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the user interface device comprises a keyboard that includes separate keys for all of the letters of the alphabet and the ten decimal digits.

30. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the user interface device comprises a pointing device.

31. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the user interface module comprises a display primitive decoder responsive to display primitives received solely from the base computer system on the display.

32. The user interface module of claim 31, wherein the display primitive decoder is response to display primitives received solely from the base computer system to display a point-device-driven, general-purpose, window-based operation system screen on the display.

33. The user interface module of claim 24 wherein the user interface module comprises a rectangular housing for supporting its display device, user input device, receiver and transmitter, and wherein one of the two largest faces of the housing of the user interface module is of substantially the same size and shape as one of two largest faces of a housing of the portable base computer system.

34. A portable computer system, comprising:

portable means for processing application programs at a first location in response to user interface signals, the means for processing being readily transportable in hand luggage,

first wireless communication means for transmitting results from the portable means for processing, and the first wireless communications means for relaying received user interface signals to the portable means for processing,

second wireless communication means for receiving the results from the first communication means and for transmitting the user interface signals to the first wireless communication means, and

portable user interface means responsive to the results received by the second wireless communication means to display graphical user interface constructs on a two-dimensional screen, wherein the portable user interface means comprises a first user input device to generate user interface signals, and wherein the portable means for processing does not comprise a second user input device to generate user interface signals.

35. The portable computer system of claim 34 wherein the portable means for processing, the first and second wireless communication means, and the portable user interface together weigh under about nine pounds.

36. The portable computer system of claim 35 wherein the portable means for processing, the first and second wireless communication means, and the portable user interface together fit within a space of less than about two inches thick by about nine inches by about twelve inches.

37. The portable computer system of claim 34 comprising means for together transporting the portable means of processing, the first and second wireless communication means, and the portable user interface in a mechanically and electrically docked state.

38. The portable computer system of claim 34 comprising means for housing the portable means for processing, comprising means for housing the user interface means, and wherein one of the two largest faces of the means for housing the portable means for processing is of substantially the same size and shape as one of the two largest faces of the means for housing the user interface means.

39. The portable computer system of claim 34 comprising means included in the portable means for processing to generate display primitives and send the display primitives to the user interface means via the first and second communication means.

40. A computing method, comprising the steps of:

processing application programs in a base computer system at a first location,

communicating results from the application programs by a wireless communication method to a user interface module comprising a portable user input device, the user interface module being disposed remote from the base computer system,

displaying results of the step of communication on a screen of the user interface module,

together transporting the base computer system and the user interface module to a second location,

processing application programs in the base station at the second location,

again communicating results from the application programs to the user interface module, and

displaying results of the step of again communicating on a screen of the user interface module,

wherein, at both the first location and the second location, the steps of processing application programs in the base station are performed in response only to user input signals generated via the portable user input device.

41. The computing method of claim 40 wherein the step of together transporting transports the base station and the user interface module in a mechanically and electrically docked state.

42. The computing method of claim 40 wherein the step of communicating results communicates display primitives.

43. A portable computer system, comprising:

a base unit;

a portable user interface module detachably coupleable to the base unit, the portable user interface module comprising a user input device and a display device; and

only one processor responsive to user input signals input from the user input device,

wherein the only one processor is disposed within the base unit and is configured to respond to the user input signals input from the user input device regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

44. The portable computer system as recited in claim 43, wherein the user input device is the only user input device.

45. The portable computer system as recited in claim 43, wherein the display device is the only display device, wherein the processor is configured to execute program code and produce results therefrom, and wherein the display device is configured to display visible indicia corresponding to the results regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

46. The computer system as recited in claim 43, wherein the base unit comprises a first wireless receiver operatively coupled to the processor and a first wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the portable user interface module comprises a second wireless receiver operatively coupled to the display device and a second wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the user input device.

47. A portable computer system, comprising:

a base unit comprising a processor to execute an application program and to produce results therefrom;

only one display device to display visible indicia based on the results produced by the processor; and

a portable user interface module detachably coupleable to the base unit, the portable user interface module comprising the only one display device,

wherein the only one display device displays the visible indicia regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

48. The portable computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the portable user interface module comprises a user input device.

49. The portable computer system as recited in claim 48, wherein the user input device is the only user input device, and wherein the processor is configured to respond only to user input signals input via the only user input device regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

50. The portable computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the display device is the only display device, wherein the processor is configured to execute program code and produce results therefrom, and wherein the display device is configured to display visible indicia corresponding to the results regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

51. The computer system as recited in claim 47, wherein the base unit comprises a first wireless receiver operatively coupled to the processor and a first wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the portable user interface module comprises a second wireless receiver operatively coupled to the display device and a second wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the user input device.

52. A portable computer system, comprising:

only one user input device;

a base unit comprising a processor responsive to user input signals from the only one user input device; and

a portable user interface module detachably coupleable to the base unit, the portable user interface module comprising a display and the user input device,

wherein the processor is responsive only to user input signals that are input from the only one user input device regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

53. The portable computer system as recited in claim 52, wherein the display device is the only display device, wherein the processor is configured to execute program code and produce results therefrom, and wherein the display device is configured to display visible indicia corresponding to the results regardless of whether the base unit is coupled to the portable user interface module or is detached from the portable user interface module.

54. The portable computer system as recited in claim 52, wherein the processor is the only processor.

55. The computer system as recited in claim 52, wherein the base unit comprises a first wireless receiver operatively coupled to the processor and a first wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the processor, and wherein the portable user interface module comprises a second wireless receiver operatively coupled to the display device and a second wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the user input device.