Hinged cover for computing device

• US 9,532,631 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Gu, Jiawei
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US14/517,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20150293564A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/005 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2200/15 Articles convertible into a stand, e.g. for displaying purposes
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer

Abstract

Techniques including use of a hinged cover for a computing device are described. In one or more implementation, a system includes a computing device having a slate form factor and an input device. The input device has a cover configured to assume a closed configuration in which first and second cover portions of the cover at least partially cover a display device of the computing device and an open configuration in which the display device and input functionality usable to initiate one or more operations of the computing device are exposed. The input device also has a hinge mechanism configured such that when the cover is in the open configuration the first and second members form a support structure, at a rear of the computing device that opposes a side of the computing device having the display device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a connection portion to support a computing device having a slate form factor;

a cover to assume a closed configuration in which the cover at least partially covers a display device of the computing device and an open configuration in which the display device is exposed; and

a hinge mechanism, separate from the cover and secured to an outer surface of the cover, having first and second members that are rotationally secured to each other, and when the cover is in the open configuration the first and second members form a support structure having an angle at a rear of the computing device that opposes a side of the computing device having the display device such that the second member is disposed proximate to the rear of the computing device.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the cover includes first and second cover portions that are rotationally secured to each other, the first cover portion is secured to the connection portion, and the first member of the hinge mechanism is secured to the first cover portion.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the connection portion is physically secured to the computing device in a manner that is removable and securable by one or more hands of a user without the use of tools.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the connection portion supports the physical connection through use of magnetism.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein in the open configuration is the connection portion and the first cover portion are supported on the second cover portion when placed on a surface.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the open configuration is configured such that the first and second cover portions are disposed along approximately different parallel planes, one to another, defined by outer surfaces of the first and second cover portions.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein in the open configuration the first cover portion is disposed between the first member of the hinge mechanism and the second cover portion.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein an angle between a surface of the display device and a surface of the second cover portion, when assuming the open configuration, is greater than ninety degrees.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein an angle between the first and second members of the hinge mechanism, when assuming the open configuration, is less than ninety degrees.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the second cover portion includes input device functionality that supports user interaction when in the open configuration and is not accessible when in the closed configuration, the input device functionality initiates one or more operations of the computing device.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a third member connected to the second member, the third member causes a surface of the third member to contact the rear of the computing device in a flat manner when in the open configuration to support the computing device.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11, wherein the third member is rotationally connected to the second member and positioned generally perpendicular to the second member when in the closed configuration.

13. An input device comprising:

a connection portion to support a computing device having a slate form factor;

a cover having first and second cover portions that are secured to each other, the first cover portion secured to the connection portion and including input functionality to initiate one or more operations of the computing device, the cover assumes a closed configuration in which the first and second cover portions at least partially cover a display device of the computing device and an open configuration in which the display device and the input functionality is exposed; and

a hinge mechanism having first and second members that are rotationally secured to each other, the first member is also secured to the first cover portion, and when the cover is in the open configuration the first and second members form a support structure disposed at a rear of the computing device that opposes a side of the computing device having the display device, and when the cover is in the closed configuration the first and second members of the hinge mechanism are positioned substantially flat along a single plane and rest against an outer surface of the cover.

14. An input device as described in claim 13, wherein the input functionality includes a keyboard or a track pad.

15. An input device as described in claim 13, wherein the open configuration involves disposition of the first cover portion between the first member of the hinge mechanism and the second cover portion.

16. A system comprising:

a computing device having a slate form factor; and

an input device including;

a cover to assume a closed configuration in which first and second cover portions of the cover at least partially cover a display device of the computing device and an open configuration in which the display device and input functionality usable to initiate one or more operations of the computing device are exposed; and

a hinge mechanism such that when the cover is in the open configuration the first and second members form a support structure, at a rear of the computing device that opposes a side of the computing device having the display device, and when the cover is in the closed configuration the first and second members of the hinge mechanism are positioned substantially flat along a single plane and rest against an outer surface of the cover on the side of the computing device that opposes the display device.

17. A system as described in claim 16, wherein the closed configuration causes the input functionality of the second cover portion to be inaccessible to a user of the computing device.

18. A system as described in claim 16, wherein in the open configuration the first and second cover portions are approximately parallel using different planes defined by outer surfaces of the first and second cover portions.

19. A system as described in claim 16, wherein in the open configuration the first cover portion is disposed between the first member of the hinge mechanism and the second cover portion.

20. A system as described in claim 16, wherein the hinge mechanism further comprises a third member connected to the second member, the third member causing a surface of the third member to contact the rear of the computing device in a flat manner when in the open configuration to support the computing device.