Dual display type portable computer and control method for the same

• US 7,127,776 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2004
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Jun-Hyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Glessner, Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US10/786,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20040244146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 162/39, 162/23, 162/31, 162/35, 162/36, 162/49, 248/276.1, 248/287.1, 248/278.1 X, 248/279.1 X, 248/282.1, 248/283.1, 248/917, 248/920, 248921-923, 493/39, 361/683, 361/682, 361/681, 361/680, 361/814, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/223.3, 455/575.3, 379/433.12, 379/433.13, 348/373, 348/376
• US Class Current: 16/239
• 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 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls

Abstract

A dual display type portable computer can include a first unit having a first display module and a second unit rotatably coupled to the first unit having a second display module. At least one hinge unit can couple the first unit and the second unit with each other. The hinge unit can be coupled to corresponding positions of the first unit and the second unit to enable the first display module and the second display module to overlap each other or to be unfolded until they are placed in an equal plane. Preferably, at least one of the first display module and the second display module has a touch screen function. Preferably, the touch screen function can selectively change a language of a keyboard image. The first display module and the second display module can display different images or divided portions of one integrated image.

Claims

1. A hinge unit of a portable electronic device, the hinge unit comprising:

a fixed hinge plate fixed to a first unit having a first display module, the fixed hinge plate having a first hinge cylinder;

a hinge link having a first hinge shaft rotatably inserted in the first hinge cylinder, the hinge link connecting the first unit with a second unit having a second display module;

a movable hinge bracket assembled with the second unit and configured to be rotated about a second hinge shaft, the movable hinge bracket having a guide section for guiding the hinge link that is movably inserted through the movable hinge bracket; and

a stopper disposed at a corresponding portion between the hinge link and the guide section of the movable hinge bracket to control the hinge link movement with respect to the movable hinge bracket, wherein the hinge link extends through hinge slots formed through rear ends of the first and second units to couple the first and second units with each other.

2. The hinge unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first unit is one of a main body and a display body, and the second unit is the other of the main body and the display body.

3. The hinge unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge link has an engagement protuberance formed at a distal end of the hinge link, and the movable hinge bracket has an engagement protuberance channel, in which the engagement protuberance is located and guided, and wherein the engagement protuberance prevents the hinge link from being separated from the movable hinge bracket when the engagement protuberance is engaged with a lower end of the engagement protuberance channel.

4. The hinge unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge unit is positioned along a lateral area between the second display module and an outer lateral edge of the second unit.

5. The hinge unit of claim 4, wherein the hinge unit is coupled to tear ends of corresponding sides of the first unit and the second unit to enable the first display module and the second display module to overlap each other or to be unfolded until they are placed in an equal plane.

6. A portable computer, comprising:

a first unit having a first display module;

a second unit being capable of being folded on and unfolded from the first unit; and

a hinge mechanism configured to support reciprocal folding movements of the first and second units, wherein the hinge mechanism is positioned along a lateral area between the first display module and an outer lateral edge of the first unit, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises,

a fixed hinge plate fixed to the first unit, the fixed hinge plate having a first hinge cylinder through which a hinge hole is formed,

a hinge link having a first hinge shaft rotatably inserted in the hinge hole, the hinge link assembled with the first unit and the second unit to connect the first unit and the second unit with each other,

a movable hinge bracket assembled with the second unit in such a manner that the movable hinge bracket can be rotated about a second hinge shaft, the movable hinge bracket having a guide section for guiding the hinge link that is movably inserted through the movable hinge bracket, and

a stopper configured to resistively prevent the hinge link from relatively moving with respect to the movable hinge bracket, wherein the hinge link extends through hinge slots formed through rear ends of the first and second units to connect the first and second units with each other.

7. The portable computer of claim 6, wherein the second unit has a second display module and the hinge mechanism is positioned along a lateral area between the second display module and an outer lateral edge of the second unit.

8. The portable computer of claim 7, wherein the first and second units have top surfaces respectively containing the display modules, and wherein when the second unit moves from the folded to an unfolded position, the hinge mechanism extends though corresponding removed portions of facing adjacent sides of the rear ends of the first and second units.

9. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein a rear edge of the top surface of the first unit adjacent the first display module and a lower edge of the top surface of the second unit adjacent the second display module has a reduced width relative to side edges adjacent the display modules.

10. The portable computer of claim 7, wherein at least one hinge unit connecting the first unit and the second unit with each other, the hinge unit being coupled to said rear ends of the first unit and the second unit so as to enable the first display module and the second display module to overlap each other or to be unfolded until they are placed in an equal plane, and wherein at least one of the first display module and the second display module has a touch screen function, and the first display module and the second display module display different images or divided portions of one integrated image.

11. The portable computer of claim 6, wherein the hinge link has an engagement protuberance formed at a distal end of the hinge link, and the movable hinge bracket has an engagement protuberance channel, in which the engagement protuberance is located and guided, and wherein the engagement protuberance prevents the hinge link from being separated from the movable hinge bracket when the engagement protuberance is engaged with a lower end of the engagement protuberance channel.

12. The portable computer of claim 11, wherein the hinge link has a hinge link connector extending between the first and second units and a plurality of stopper grooves along opposing lengthwise sides thereof, wherein the movable hinge bracket includes a guide section having an opening thereof in which is arranged guide rails for guiding said opposing lengthwise sides of the hinge link connector and at least one stopper hole in which the stopper is attached, and wherein the stopper is affixed to the movable hinge bracket and has a resilient protrusion projecting inward of the guide section through the stopper hole to engage the stopper grooves.

13. A hinge unit of a portable electronic device, the hinge unit comprising:

a fixed hinge plate fixed to a first unit having a first display module, the fixed hinge plate having a first hinge connector;

a hinge link having a first hinge shaft rotatably coupled to the first hinge connector, the hinge link connecting the first unit with a second unit having a second display module;

a movable hinge bracket assembled with the second unit and configured to be rotated about a second hinge shaft, the movable hinge bracket having a guide section for guiding the hinge link that is movably coupled to the movable hinge bracket; and

a stopper disposed at a corresponding portion between the hinge link and the guide section of the movable hinge bracket to control the hinge link movement with respect to the movable hinge bracket, wherein the hinge unit is positioned along a lateral area between the second display module and an outer lateral edge of the second unit, and wherein the hinge unit is coupled to rear ends of corresponding sides of the first unit and the second unit to enable the first display module and the second display module to overlap each other or to be unfolded until they are placed in an equal plane.

14. A portable computer, comprising:

a first unit having a first display module;

a second unit being capable of being folded on and unfolded from the first unit; and

a hinge mechanism configured to support reciprocal folding movements of the first and second units, wherein the hinge mechanism is positioned along a lateral area between the first display module and an outer lateral edge of the first unit, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises,

a fixed hinge plate fixed to the first unit, the fixed hinge plate having a first hinge connector through which a hinge connection is formed,

a hinge link rotatably coupled about a first hinge shaft to the first hinge connector, the hinge link assembled with the first unit and the second unit to connect the first unit and the second unit with each other,

a movable hinge bracket assembled with the second unit in such a manner that the movable hinge bracket can be rotated about a second hinge shaft, the movable hinge bracket having a guide section for guiding the hinge link that is movably coupled to the movable hinge bracket, and

a stopper configured to resistively control the hinge link from relatively moving with respect to the movable hinge bracket, wherein the hinge link extends through hinge slots formed through rear ends of the first and second units to connect the first and second units with each other.