Transformer case for notebook slate computer with wireless keyboard

• US 8,730,669 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Locker, Howard, Cromer, Daryl, Feng, Liu Jun, Wang, Qian Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Wagner, Jenny L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US12/263,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,027 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.08, 361/679.09, 361/679.3, 36167955-67959, 361/681, 361/683, 361/679.21, 345/156, 345/157, 345/168, 345/169, 455/575.1, 312/223.1
• US Class Current: 361/681
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/04 Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0442 Handling or displaying different aspect ratios, or changing the aspect ratio
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0492 Change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/14 Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/02 Graphics controller able to handle multiple formats, e.g. input or output formats
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/04 Exchange of auxiliary data, i.e. other than image data, between monitor and graphics controller

Abstract

An approach is provided that uses a foldable transformable display case that includes two panels. The two panels are attached using a hinge. Two components are attachable to at least one of the panels. One of the two components is an integrated display screen. Another component is a keyboard unit. At least one of the components can be removed from the panels.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a foldable transformable display case that includes two panels hingeably attached and two components attachable to at least one of the panels, wherein one of the components is an integrated display screen and one of the components is a keyboard unit, and wherein at least one of the components is removable from one of the panels;

a desktop mode where the integrated display screen is included in one of the panels and a hinge that hingeably attaches the two panels is on to of the integrated display screen, wherein the foldable transformable display case is supported on the two sides of the two panels that are opposite from the hinged side of the panels;

a first visual orientation of data displayed on the integrated display screen where the top of the visual display is towards the hinged side of the panel that includes the integrated display screen when in desktop mode;

a notebook mode where the integrated display screen is included in one of the panels that is angled at a viewing angle with the other panel supporting the foldable transformable display case on an essentially horizontal surface with the hinge being below the integrated display screen; and

an second visual orientation of the data displayed on the integrated display screen where the bottom of the visual display is towards the hinged side of the panel that includes the integrated display screen when in notebook mode.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a keyboard cavity included in one of the panels, wherein the wireless keyboard unit is inserted in the keyboard cavity.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the apparatus further comprising:

one or more system power connection points included in the keyboard cavity and one or more keyboard power connection points are included in the wireless keyboard unit; and

a power connection established between the foldable transformable display case and the wireless keyboard using the system power connection points and the keyboard power connection points when the wireless keyboard unit is inserted in the keyboard cavity, the power connection charging one or more batteries included in the wireless keyboard unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated display screen is included in a slate computer system, and wherein the slate computer system is the removable component.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the two panels of the foldable transformable display case form a carrying case when the panels are folded into a clamshell configuration, wherein the integrated display screen is protected in the clamshell configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a handle that is used to carry the foldable transformable display case when the panels are folded into the clamshell configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component, the apparatus further comprising:

a wireless interface connection between the wireless keyboard unit and the foldable transformable display case when in desktop mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery included in the foldable transformable display case;

a power adapter that charges the first battery from a power source;

a second battery included in the keyboard unit, wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component; and

a power connection established between the wireless keyboard unit and one of the panels of the foldable transformable display case, wherein the second battery is charged using the power connection.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first battery included in the foldable transformable display case;

a power adapter that charges the first battery from a power source;

a second battery included in the integrated display screen, wherein the integrated display screen is included in a slate computer system, wherein the slate computer system is the removable component; and

a power connection established between the slate computer system and one of the panels of the foldable transformable display case, wherein the second battery is charged using the power connection.

10. A method comprising:

providing a panel from which one of two components are removably attached, the panel being part of a foldable transformable display case that includes two panels hingeably attached, wherein the two components are attachable to at least one of the panels, wherein one of the components is an integrated display screen and one of the components is a keyboard unit;

providing a desktop mode that is entered when the integrated display screen is included in one of the panels and a hinge that hingeably attaches the two panels is on to of the integrated display screen, wherein the foldable transformable display case is supported on the two sides of the two panels that are opposite from the hinged side of the panels;

in response to entering the desktop mode, displaying an first visual orientation of data displayed on the integrated display screen where the top of the visual display is towards the hinged side of the panel that includes the integrated display screen;

providing a notebook mode that is entered when the integrated display screen is included in one of the panels that is angled at a viewing angle with the other panel supporting the foldable transformable display case on an essentially horizontal surface with the hinge being below the integrated display screen; and

in response to entering the notebook mode, displaying an second visual orientation of the data displayed on the integrated display screen where the bottom of the visual display is towards the hinged side of the panel that includes the integrated display screen.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is removed from the panel, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a keyboard cavity that is included in one of the panels into which the wireless keyboard unit is inserted.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein one or more system power connection points are included in the keyboard cavity and one or more keyboard power connection points are included in the wireless keyboard unit, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a power connection that is established between the foldable transformable display case and the wireless keyboard using the system power connection points and the keyboard power connection points when the wireless keyboard unit is inserted in the keyboard cavity; and

providing a charge to one or more batteries included in the wireless keyboard unit with the power connection.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the integrated display screen is included in a slate computer system, and wherein the slate computer system is the removable component.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

forming a carrying case when the panels are folded into a clamshell configuration by folding the two panels of the transformable display case together, wherein the integrated display screen is protected in the clamshell configuration.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the forming of the carrying case includes forming a handle used to carry the transformable display case when in the clamshell configuration.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component, the method further comprising:

providing a wireless interface connection that is established between the wireless keyboard unit and the foldable transformable display case when in desktop mode.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein a first battery is included in the foldable transformable display case, wherein a second battery is included in the keyboard unit, wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing a charge to the first battery from a power source included in the foldable transformable display case; and

providing a power connection that is established between the wireless keyboard unit and one of the panels of the foldable transformable display case, wherein the second battery is charged using the power connection.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein a first battery is included in the foldable transformable display case, wherein a second battery is included in the keyboard unit, wherein the keyboard unit is a wireless keyboard unit that is the removable component, and wherein the method further comprises:

providing a charge to the first battery from a power source included in the foldable transformable display case; and

providing a power connection that is established between the slate computer system and one of the panels of the foldable transformable display case, wherein the second battery is charged using the power connection.