Docking solution for a tablet notebook computer

• US 7,068,496 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tahoe Research Limited (f/k/a Learndale Limited) (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Wong, Hong W., Phan, Truong V., Ghosh, Prosenjit
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAPE, ZACHARY
• Application Number:
  US10/838,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20050243504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/116, 307/119, 307/125, 307/134, 307/139, 307/149, 307/154, 312/223.1, 345/173, 345/905, 345/169, 710/303, 162/23, 439/65, 439/67, 439/188, 361/681, 248/917, 248921-923
• US Class Current: 361/679.28
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/922 Angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/923 Tilting

Abstract

A docking solution for a tablet notebook computer is described. Specifically, the docking solution provides a way to adjust the tilt angle of the tablet screen while conserving area. Further, a main connector and an auxiliary connector is provided to provide an electrical contact between the base unit and the tablet screen when the tablet notebook computer is in a convertible mode.

Claims

1. A tablet notebook computer, comprising:

a tablet screen;

a base unit coupled to the tablet screen, wherein the base unit includes

a first connector,

a second connector, wherein the second connector provides an electrical contact between the tablet screen and the base unit if the tablet screen is placed flat on the base unit in a convertible mode, and

a printed circuit board to supply electrical signals to the tablet screen, detect whether there is a docking connector presence at the first and second connectors, and enable a switch to transmit signals to the first connector if the docking connector presence is detected at the first connector; and

a docking connector having a friction controlled surface coupled to the base unit, wherein the docking connector includes a slider bar that slides along the friction controlled surface to adjust a tilt angle of the tablet screen, wherein if the tablet screen is coupled to a connector block then the first connector provides an electrical contact between the tablet screen and the base unit.

2. The tablet notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the slider bar is coupled below the friction controlled surface, wherein the friction controlled surface defines a range of travel of the slider bar.

3. The tablet notebook computer of claim 1, wherein the docking connector includes the connector block, wherein the connector block is coupled to the slider bar by a connector attachment plate.

4. The tablet notebook computer of claim 3, wherein a circuit electrically couples the connector block to the printed circuit board assembly.

5. The tablet notebook computer of claim 4, wherein a pivot point is coupled to the connector block to allow the connector block to rotate when the tilt angle of the tablet screen is adjusted.

6. The tablet notebook computer of claim 3, wherein the docking connector comprises a guide pin coupled to the connector block to attach the tablet screen to the connector block.

7. The tablet notebook computer of claim 1, further comprising a tilt support coupled to the tablet screen to support the tablet screen if the tablet screen is tilted at an angle.

8. A method, comprising:

placing a tablet notebook computer in a tilt mode, a tablet mode, or a convertible mode;

attaching a tablet screen of the tablet notebook computer to a docking connector if the tablet notebook computer is in the tilt mode;

providing an electrical contact by an auxiliary connector between the tablet screen and the base unit if the tablet screen is placed flat on the base unit in the convertible mode;

detecting a connector presence;

supplying a first docking connector selection signal to a switch to enable transmission of signals from a printed circuit board assembly to the auxiliary connector; and

supplying a second docking connector selection signal to the switch to enable transmission of signals from the printed circuit board assembly to a main connector if the tablet notebook computer is placed in the tilt mode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

adjusting a slider bar about a friction controlled surface that is coupled to the base unit of the tablet notebook computer to adjust a viewing angle of the tablet screen in the tilt mode.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing a tilt support if the tablet notebook computer is in the tilt mode.