Tablet computer palette with extended bezel

• US 7,428,143 B1
• Filed: 02/18/2005
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Collier, David C., Jones, Ronnie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US11/061,700
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-683, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 224/217, 224/218, 224/221, 224/222, 224/929, 224/930
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device

Abstract

A palette for a pen tablet computer that facilitates secure gripping of the computer by the user and operation thereof. One edge of the palette includes a palm swell on one side, function buttons on the opposing side, and a thumb hole extending between the two sides. A support arm engagement region extends from the one edge diagonally to the opposite, parallel edge. In one form, the computer can be selectively attached and detached from the palette.

Claims

1. A pen tablet computer configured for reception on the support arm of a user, comprising:

a rectangular writing area having substantially parallel first and second sides A adjoined by substantially parallel first and second sides B;

a housing coupled to said writing area having;

a support arm engagement region adapted to rest on a user'"'"'s support forearm with the intersection of first side A and first side B juxtaposed towards the user'"'"'s support arm elbow;

a hand engagement region adapted for receiving the hand of a user'"'"'s support arm, wherein the hand engagement region is proximate to said second side A and closer to the intersection of second side A and second side B than to the intersection of second side A and first side B, and wherein the hand engagement region comprises;

an indentation configured for receiving the thumbs;

a finger area proximate to the indentation on one side of the hand engagement region, wherein the finger area includes one or more function buttons; and

a palm receiving swell on the opposing side of the hand engagement region.

2. The pen tablet computer of claim 1, wherein said finger area includes a plurality of function buttons.

3. The pen tablet computer of claim 1, said housing further including an accessory region having a battery port.

4. The pen tablet computer of claim 1, said housing further including a wireless antenna.

5. The pen tablet computer of claim 1, wherein said hand engagement region has a bezel extension adjacent a portion of first side B of the writing area.

6. The pen tablet computer of claim 1, wherein said support arm engagement region includes a concave armrest in the vicinity of the intersection of first side A and first side B.

7. A method of using a rectangular shaped pen tablet computer, comprising:

configuring an arm engagement region proximate one corner of the pen tablet computer;

configuring a hand engagement region diagonally opposed from said arm engagement region, and having a thumb indentation and a finger area, said thumb indentation comprising a rounded tunnel extending from one side of the tablet to the opposed side and adapted for receiving the thumb of the user;

grasping the pen tablet computer with the arm engagement region overlaid a user'"'"'s support arm near the elbow, and the hand engagement region overlaid the palm of the user'"'"'s support hand with the thumb engaging the thumb indentation, and the fingers engaging the finger area;

configuring a bezel extension to the pen tablet computer between the arm and hand engagement regions; and

supporting a portion of the user'"'"'s writing hand on said bezel extension.

8. The method of claim 7, said finger area including a plurality of function buttons, and including the step of periodically operating one or more of the function buttons.

9. The method of claim 7, said grasping step including positioning the rectangular tablet with a corner region abutting the user'"'"'s elbow region.

10. A palette for a pen tablet computer, comprising:

a rectangular slot for receiving a rectangular shaped pen tablet computer;

a bezel extension adjoining one side of the slot and comprising a writing hand rest region approximately flush with the pen tablet computer when received in said slot;

a support arm engagement region on one side of said bezel extension; and

a support hand engagement region on the other side of said bezel extension, including;

a thumb indentation and a finger area adapted for receiving the respective thumb and fingers of a user'"'"'s support hand.

11. The palette of claim 10, wherein the finger area includes a plurality of function buttons.

12. The palette of claim 10, including an accessory region of the palette spaced from said hand engagement region for coupling accessories thereto.

13. The palette of claim 12, wherein said accessory region includes a battery plug-in port.

14. The palette of claim 12, wherein said accessory region includes a GPS plug-in port.

15. The palette of claim 12, wherein said accessory region includes a PCMCIA port.

16. The palette of claim 10, wherein the support hand engagement region includes a palm swell on the side opposite said finger area.

17. The palette of claim 10, wherein said thumb indentation comprises a thumbhole extending from one side of the palette to the other side.

18. A pen tablet computer configured for reception on the support arm of a user, comprising:

a rectangular writing area;

a housing coupled to said rectangular writing area, including;

a support arm engagement region adapted such that the user'"'"'s support forearm extends diagonally underneath the housing;

a support hand engagement region configured opposite the support arm engagement region, including a thumb hole and a finger area adapted for receiving the respective thumb and fingers of a user'"'"'s support hand; and

a bezel extension proximate to the support hand engagement region, including a writing hand rest region approximately flush with the writing area.

19. The pen tablet computer of claim 18, wherein said housing is integrated with said rectangular writing area.

20. The pen tablet computer of claim 18, wherein said housing is removably attached to said rectangular writing area.