Portable computer with multiple display configurations
DCFirst Claim
1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode and an easel mode wherein transitions between the plurality of display modes allows an operator to interact with a single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising:
- a base including a keyboard;
a main display component rotatably coupled to the base such that the main display component and the base are rotatable with respect to one another about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the main display component and the base to transition between at least the laptop mode and the easel mode, the main display component including the single display screen, wherein the transition between the laptop mode and the easel mode allows the operator to operate the portable computer while viewing the single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, whereinthe laptop mode is configured to display to a user on the main display component a first content mode having a first content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented to receive input from the user;
the easel mode is configured to display to the user on the main display component a second content mode having a second content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented away from the user, wherein the first and second content display orientations are 180 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the portable computer is operable in the easel mode to enable the user to interact with displayed content without interacting with the keyboard; and
a navigation control disposed at least partially within the base and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the navigation control configured to permit a user to control at least one of operating parameters of the portable computer and content displayed on the single display screen wherein the plurality of modes includes a frame in which the main display component is oriented towards the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard faces the substantially horizontal surface.
6 Assignments
Litigations
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer that is configurable between a laptop mode (in which the portable computer has a conventional laptop appearance) and an easel mode in which the base of the computer and its display component stand vertically forming an inverted “V.” The portable computer includes a hinge assembly that couples the display component to the base of the computer, and allows the display component to be rotated about an axis along an interface between the display component and the base to configure the portable computer between a closed position, the laptop mode and the easel mode. The portable computer further comprises a scroll wheel and optional navigation buttons.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode and an easel mode wherein transitions between the plurality of display modes allows an operator to interact with a single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising:
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a base including a keyboard; a main display component rotatably coupled to the base such that the main display component and the base are rotatable with respect to one another about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the main display component and the base to transition between at least the laptop mode and the easel mode, the main display component including the single display screen, wherein the transition between the laptop mode and the easel mode allows the operator to operate the portable computer while viewing the single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, wherein the laptop mode is configured to display to a user on the main display component a first content mode having a first content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented to receive input from the user; the easel mode is configured to display to the user on the main display component a second content mode having a second content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented away from the user, wherein the first and second content display orientations are 180 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the portable computer is operable in the easel mode to enable the user to interact with displayed content without interacting with the keyboard; and a navigation control disposed at least partially within the base and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the navigation control configured to permit a user to control at least one of operating parameters of the portable computer and content displayed on the single display screen wherein the plurality of modes includes a frame in which the main display component is oriented towards the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard faces the substantially horizontal surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode and an easel mode wherein transitions between the plurality of display modes permit an operator to interact with a single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising:
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a base including a keyboard; a main display component rotatably coupled to the base and including the single display screen which displays content; a hinge assembly disposed at least partially within the base and the main display component that defines an axis of rotation about which both the base and the main display component are rotatable to transition the portable computer between at least the laptop mode and the easel mode, wherein the transition between the laptop mode and the easel mode allows the operator to operate the portable computer while viewing the single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, wherein the laptop mode is configured to display to a user on the main display component a first content mode having a first content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented to receive input from the user; the easel mode is configured to display to the user on the main display component a second content mode having a second content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented away from the user, wherein the first and second content display orientations are 180 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the portable computer is operable in the easel mode to enable the user to interact with displayed content without interacting with the keyboard; and a navigation control accessible in each of the plurality of display modes and configured to permit a user to manipulate at least one of operating parameters of the portable computer and the content displayed on the single display screen wherein the plurality of modes includes a frame mode in which the main display component is oriented towards the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard faces the substantially horizontal surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a laptop mode and an easel mode wherein transitions between the plurality of display modes allow an operator to interact with a single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising:
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a base including a keyboard; a main display component including the single display screen configured to display content; a hinge assembly disposed at least partially within the base configured to rotatably couple the main display component to the base, the hinge assembly defining a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable to transition the portable computer between at least the laptop mode and the easel mode, wherein the transition between the laptop mode and the easel mode allows the operator to operate the portable computer while viewing the single display screen in each of the plurality of display modes, wherein the laptop mode is configured to display to a user on the main display component a first content mode having a first content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented to receive input from the user; the easel mode is configured to display to the user on the main display component a second content mode having a second content display orientation with the main display component oriented towards the user and the keyboard oriented away from the user, wherein the first and second content display orientations are 180 degrees relative to each other, and wherein the portable computer is operable in the easel mode to enable the user to interact with displayed content without interacting with the keyboard; and a navigation control disposed at least partially about the longitudinal axis wherein the plurality of modes includes a frame mode in which the main display component is oriented towards the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard faces the substantially horizontal surface. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification