Multi-positionable portable computer

• US 8,649,166 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Wu, Chun-Ting, Chuang, Chen-Pang
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Adrian S
• Application Number:
  US13/004,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20120176741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.06, 36167921-6793, 361/679.55, 361/679.59
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• 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 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera

Abstract

A multi positionable portable computer is able to be set in a variety of form factors. A user display portion comprising a screen is movably coupled to a processing portion having processing circuitry by a hinge having two pivot points. The two pivot points allow for the portable computer to be placed upright for presentations and the like or flat on a surface with the user display angled toward a user for interfacing with the portable computer. A movable optics module is provided that is positionable on a top surface of the display portion whether the display portion is in a landscape position or a portrait position.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a. a user display member having a top portion and a bottom portion;

b. a support member having a recessed area, a top portion and a bottom portion; and

c. a hinge assembly for coupling the user display member to the support member, the hinge comprising;

i. a first pivot point having a first end anchored to the user display member and a second end protruding at a distance away from the user display member;

ii. a second pivot point having a first end anchored to the support member and a second end protruding at a distance away from the support member; and

iii. a link member movably coupling the second ends of the first pivot point and the second pivot point, such that the portable computer can be in a form ranging from the top portion of the user display member and the top portion of the support member being closer together than the bottom portion of the user display member and the bottom portion of the support member, to the bottom portion of the user display member and the bottom portion of the support member being closer together than the top portion of the user display member and the top portion of the support member,

wherein the recessed area of the support member is configured to receive the hinge assembly in a travel position.

2. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises processing circuitry.

3. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises input/output ports.

4. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a disc drive.

5. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the user display member comprises a keyboard.

6. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the user display member comprises a touch screen.

7. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the user display member is settable in one of a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation.

8. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member is settable in a support position or a travel position.

9. The portable computer of claim 1 further comprising a camera module, wherein the camera is mountable to the user display member in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation.

10. The portable computer of claim 9 further comprising a receptacle for receiving the camera module in a travel position.

11. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises at least one extending prop member slidably coupled to the support member for providing additional length to the support member.

12. The portable computer of claim 1 wherein the support member comprises at least one extending handle member slidably coupled to the support member.

13. A multi positionable portable computer comprising:

a. a user display portion;

b. a processing portion;

c. a hinge assembly for movably coupling the user display portion to the processing portion, the hinge assembly having;

i. a first pivot point anchored to the user display portion;

ii. a second pivot point anchored to the processing portion;

iii. a link member connecting the first pivot point to the second pivot point;

d. a recessed area in one of the user display portion and the processing portion for receiving the link member in a traveling form factor;

e. an optics module, wherein the optics module is detachable and positionable such that it can be mounted to a top side of the user display module, the optics module comprising;

i. a projector for projecting images onto a screen; and

ii. a camera;

f. an extendable prop member slidably coupled to the processing portion for providing additional length to the processing portion; and

g. an extendable handle member slidably coupled to the processing portion for enhanced portability, wherein the extendable prop member and the extendable handle member are slidably coupled to the processing portion at opposite sides of the processing portion.

14. The multi positionable portable computer of claim 13 wherein the first pivot point enables an angular motion of the link member relative to a plane defined by a surface of the display portion, and a rotational motion with respect to an axis at the first pivot point perpendicular to the plane defined by the back surface of the display portion.

15. The multi positionable portable computer of claim 13 wherein the second pivot point enables an angular motion of the link member with respect to a plane defined by a surface of the support member, and a rotational motion with respect to an axis at the second pivot point perpendicular to the plane defined by the surface of the support member.

16. The multi positionable portable member of claim 13 wherein at least one of the extendable prop member and the extendable handle member is adjusted by extending or retracting to set the portable computer at a desired angle.

17. The multi positionable portable computer of claim 13 wherein extension direction of the extendable prop member is opposite of extension direction of the extendable handle member.