Computer with a pen or touch sensitive display

• US 7,355,843 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Issued: 04/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Psion Digital Limited (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Riddiford, Martin Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/984,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20050083311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 345/905
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• 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 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display is disclosed in which the position of the fully opened display has been designed in order that the torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis. The computer is therefore stable even when the display is being touched by pen or finger, unlike conventional clam shell designs.

Claims

1. A computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display, wherein

the position of the fully opened display is such that the maximum torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis, but would be sufficient to cause such tipping if the display were hinged in a conventional clam shell arrangement at the rear of the computer;

the torque is less than that needed to cause tipping because the length of the moment arm, i.e. the length of the distance from the point of application of the turning force to the rotational axis, is less than the length of the moment arm would be if the display were hinged at a fixed point at the rear of the computer in a conventional clam shell arrangement; and

the length of the moment arm is reduced by extending the rear of the computer.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the extension is achieved using rearward feet which are permanent.

3. The computer of claim 1, wherein the extension is achieved using rearward feet which extend back as the display opens up.

4. The computer of claim 1, wherein the extension is achieved using rearward feet which are manually extendible.

5. A computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display, wherein the position of the fully opened display is such that the maximum torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis, but would be sufficient to cause such tipping if the display were hinged in a conventional clam shell arrangement at the rear of the computer;

the computer comprising a keyboard which extends forward as the display is raised and which tilts slightly towards the user during its extension.

6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the torque typically applied to the part of the keyboard closest to the user, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip forwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip forward about that rotational axis.

7. A microprocessor controlled device comprising:

a base having a front edge and a back edge;

a touch or pen sensitive screen having a top and a bottom, said screen mounted to said base when in a viewing position at an angle which is tilted with respect to the base; and

wherein at least a portion of the screen is positioned inward from a rotational axis of the base when in a viewing position, the equivalent torque of the portion of the screen positioned inward from a rotational axis of the base combined with the equivalent torque of the base being at least 30 percent greater than the equivalent torque of the portion of the screen positioned outward of the back edge combined with the torque from a typical force applied perpendicular to the screen at a top most touch sensitive portion of the screen, thereby preventing the screen and base from tipping over when the base is on a flat surface and the base is not permitted to slide rearwardly, and wherein any force of more than 220 percent of the typical force applied perpendicular to the screen at a top most touch sensitive portion of the screen causes the screen and base to tip.

8. The microprocessor controlled device of claim 7, wherein the typical force is approximately 80 g-forces.

9. The microprocessor controlled device of claim 7, wherein the device is a palmtop computer.

10. The microprocessor controlled device of claim 7, wherein the device is a sub-notebook computer.

11. A microprocessor controlled device comprising:

a base having a front edge and a back edge, said base having a first weight;

a touch or pen sensitive screen having a top and a bottom, said screen mounted when in a viewing position to said base at an angle which is tilted with respect to the base, the screen having a second weight being no less than 33 percent of the first weight;

wherein the bottom of the screen is positioned between the front edge and the back edge of the base, and said screen further positioned such that when any force of up to 220 percent of a typical force is applied perpendicular to the screen at a top most touch sensitive portion of the screen the base and the screen do not tip over when the base is on a flat surface and the base is not permitted to slide rearwardly; and

wherein the typical force is approximately 80 g-forces.

12. A microprocessor controlled device comprising:

a base having a front edge and a back edge, said base having a first weight;

a touch or pen sensitive screen having a top and a bottom, said screen mounted when in a viewing position to said base at an angle which is tilted with respect to the base, the screen having a second weight being no less than 33 percent of the first weight;

wherein the bottom of the screen is positioned between the front edge and the back edge of the base, and said screen further positioned such that when any force of up to 220 percent of a typical force is applied perpendicular to the screen at a top most touch sensitive portion of the screen the base and the screen do not tip over when the base is on a flat surface and the base is not permitted to slide rearwardly; and

wherein the first weight is approximately 245 grams.

13. A microprocessor controlled device comprising:

a base having a front edge and a back edge, said base having a first weight;

a touch or pen sensitive screen having a top and a bottom, said screen mounted when in a viewing position to said base at an angle which is tilted with respect to the base, the screen having a second weight being no less than 33 percent of the first weight;

wherein the bottom of the screen is positioned between the front edge and the back edge of the base, and said screen further positioned such that when any force of up to 220 percent of a typical force is applied perpendicular to the screen at a top most touch sensitive portion of the screen the base and the screen do not tip over when the base is on a flat surface and the base is not permitted to slide rearwardly; and

wherein the second weight is approximately 107 grams.

14. A method of designing a computer with a touch sensitive or pen sensitive display, comprising the steps of arranging the position of the fully opened display such that the maximum torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display, in relation to a rotational axis about which the computer would rotate if it were to tip backwards, is less than that needed to cause the computer to tip backwards about that rotational axis, but, if the display were hinged in a conventional clam shell arrangement at the rear of the computer would be sufficient either to cause such tipping or to cause the display to be rotated away from a normal viewing position;

and wherein the computer is a palm top computer and the force associated with the torque typically applied to the top most pen or touch sensitive part of the display is 80 g-force.