Computer with integrated light

• US 9,022,592 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2008
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Tracy, Mark S., Moore, Earl W., Sauer, Keith A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAYNE, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US13/056,853
• Publication Number:
  US 20110128719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,448 Days
• Field of Search: 362/85, 362/655, 362/656, 362/652, 362/657, 362/647, 362/271, 362/284, 362/324, 362/428
• US Class Current: 362/85
• 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675

Abstract

A computer system is described herein. An embodiment of the computer system comprises a first portion comprising a keyboard and a second portion comprising a display. A light source is affixed to the computer, wherein the light source is maintainable in at least a first position and a second position. When the light source is in the first position, light emitted by the light source illuminates the keyboard, and when the light source is in the second position, light emitted by the light source illuminates a spatial region occupied by a user of the computer.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

a first portion comprising a keyboard;

a second portion comprising a display and an exterior wall; and

a light source pivotally mounted inside the second portion within the exterior wall, wherein said light source is pivotally adjustable between at least a first position and a second position, wherein when said light source is in said first position, light emitted by said light source illuminates said keyboard, and wherein when said light source is in said second position, light emitted by said light source illuminates a spatial region occupied by a user of said computer,

wherein when said light source is in said second position, said light source does not protrude from the exterior wall of the second portion, and when said light source is in said first position, said light source protrudes through an opening of the exterior wall.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein said light source is further pivotally adjustable to a third position.

3. The computer of claim 1, wherein said light source is pivotally adjustable between said first position and said second position by way of a push-push mechanism.

4. The computer of claim 1, wherein said light source is maintainable in said first position and said second position by way of friction.

5. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a camera attached in said second portion, wherein said camera is focused to capture an image in a region of space, and where said region of space is illuminatable by said light source.

6. The computer of claim 5, wherein said region of space is illuminatable by said light source when said light source is in said second position.

7. The computer of claim 1, wherein the second portion further comprises an interior wall, and wherein said light source is in a chamber between the interior and exterior walls, and wherein said light source is pivotally mounted in the chamber.

8. The computer of claim 7, further comprising a mechanism in the chamber, the mechanism to maintain said light source at each respective one of said first and second positions.

9. The computer of claim 8, wherein the mechanism is a detent mechanism including a plurality of detents corresponding to at least said first and second positions.

10. The computer of claim 9, wherein said light source has at least one member that is receivable into said detents.

11. The computer of claim 1, wherein said first portion is pivotally attached to said second portion.

12. A method comprising:

providing a first portion of a computer, the first portion including a keyboard;

pivotally attaching the first portion to a second portion of the computer, the second portion including a display and an exterior wall with an opening;

pivotally mounting a light source inside the second portion within the exterior wall, the light source pivotable between at least a first position and a second position, wherein when the light source is in the first position, light emitted by the light source illuminates the keyboard, and wherein when the light source is in the second position, light emitted by the light source illuminates a region in front of the computer occupied by a user of the computer, wherein when the light source is in the second position, the light source does not protrude from the exterior wall of the second portion, and wherein when the light source is in the first position, the light source protrudes through the opening of the exterior wall.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein pivotally mounting the light source inside the second portion comprises pivotally mounting the light source within a chamber between the exterior wall and an interior wall of the second portion.