Portable computer with multiple display configurations
First Claim
1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including at least a laptop mode, a frame mode, and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
- a display component;
a base;
an accelerometer configured to generate orientation information indicative of a current display mode among the plurality of display modes of the portable computer;
a display manager configured to display computer content on the display component and vary the computer content displayed responsive to the orientation information indicating a transition between at least the laptop and easel modes, wherein the display manager is further configured to enlarge the computer content displayed on the display component responsive to a transition from the laptop mode to the easel mode;
an interface between the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable;
wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from a closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode, wherein in the laptop mode the display component is oriented towards an operator and a keyboard disposed within the base is oriented to receive input from the operator;
wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 270 degrees from the closed mode transitions the portable computer for viewing in the frame mode or the easel mode, wherein during operation in the frame mode the display component is positioned toward the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard is directed towards the substantially horizontal surface, and wherein during operation in the easel mode the display component is oriented facing the operator with the keyboard oriented away from the operator; and
wherein the portable computer is configured to detect a transition to at least the easel mode and the frame mode based on the orientation information, automatically determine a display orientation of content, and disable the keyboard when the portable computer is in the frame mode.
8 Assignments
2 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer that is configurable between a plurality of display modes including 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 that permit a user to control or manipulate various aspects of operation of the portable computer (such as volume or display brightness) and/or content displayed the computer.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including at least a laptop mode, a frame mode, and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
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a display component; a base; an accelerometer configured to generate orientation information indicative of a current display mode among the plurality of display modes of the portable computer; a display manager configured to display computer content on the display component and vary the computer content displayed responsive to the orientation information indicating a transition between at least the laptop and easel modes, wherein the display manager is further configured to enlarge the computer content displayed on the display component responsive to a transition from the laptop mode to the easel mode; an interface between the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from a closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode, wherein in the laptop mode the display component is oriented towards an operator and a keyboard disposed within the base is oriented to receive input from the operator; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 270 degrees from the closed mode transitions the portable computer for viewing in the frame mode or the easel mode, wherein during operation in the frame mode the display component is positioned toward the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard is directed towards the substantially horizontal surface, and wherein during operation in the easel mode the display component is oriented facing the operator with the keyboard oriented away from the operator; and wherein the portable computer is configured to detect a transition to at least the easel mode and the frame mode based on the orientation information, automatically determine a display orientation of content, and disable the keyboard when the portable computer is in the frame mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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12. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of operating display modes, the portable computer comprising:
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a display component including a single display screen for viewing content; a base; an accelerometer configured to generate orientation information indicative of a current display mode among the plurality of display modes of the portable computer; a display manager configured to display computer content on the display component and vary the computer content displayed responsive to the orientation information indicating a transition between at least two operating display modes of the plurality of operating display modes, wherein the display manager is further configured to enlarge the computer content displayed on the display component responsive to a transition from a first operating display mode of the plurality of operating display modes to a second operating display mode of the plurality of operating display modes; an interface connecting the display component and the base, defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged so that the display component and the base are rotatable with respect to each other about the longitudinal axis; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged so that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis from a closed mode to a first position configures the portable computer into the first operating display mode of the plurality of operating display modes, wherein in the first operating display mode the display component is oriented towards an operator of the portable computer, and the base is disposed on an opposite side of the display, wherein at least a portion of the base is configured to support the display in position when in the first operating display mode; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged so that reorienting the portable computer while the display component and the base are in the first position configures the portable computer into the second operating display mode of the plurality of operating display modes, wherein in the second operating display mode the display component is oriented towards an operator of the portable computer, the base lies flat on a substantially horizontal surface, and a keyboard of the base is disabled and disposed towards the substantially horizontal surface, wherein at least a portion of the base is configured to support the portable computer in position when in the second operating display mode, a display orientation of content is automatically changed when transitioning between the first and second operating display modes. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of managing user interaction with content displayed on a portable computer having a plurality of display modes, the portable computer comprising a display component including a display screen, a base including a keyboard, and an interface connecting the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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rotating at least one of the display component and the base of the portable computer about the longitudinal axis to configure the portable computer in at least one of the plurality of display modes, wherein the longitudinal axis is configured to run along the connection between the display component and the base of the portable computer; positioning at least a portion of the portable computer in a sideways v configuration for operation by a user, responsive to the act of rotating, wherein the act of positioning includes acts of; positioning the display component in an orientation directed towards the user; and positioning the base to lie flat on a surface and support the portable computer in the sideways v configuration; generating, by an accelerometer, orientation information indicative of an orientation of the device; determining a current display mode of the plurality of display modes based on the orientation of the device, including distinguishing between a first display mode and a second display mode of the plurality of display modes where either the display component or the base is rotated about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 270 degrees from a closed state; executing software protection configured to disable the keyboard when the portable computer is in the sideways v configuration; and displaying computer content and varying the computer content displayed responsive to the orientation information indicating a transition between at least two display modes of the plurality of display modes, wherein the act of varying the computer content includes; enlarging the computer content displayed on the display component responsive to detecting a transition from the first display mode to the second display mode. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including at least a laptop mode, a frame mode, and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
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a display component; a base; an accelerometer configured to generate orientation information indicative of a current mode of operation; a display manager configured to display computer content on the display component and vary the computer content displayed responsive to the orientation information indicating a transition between at least the laptop and easel modes, wherein the display manager is further configured to enlarge the computer content displayed on the display component responsive to a transition from the laptop mode to the easel mode; an interface between the display component and the base defining a longitudinal axis running along the display component and the base about which the display component and the base are rotatable; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from a closed mode configures the portable computer into a laptop mode, wherein in the laptop mode the display component is oriented towards an operator and a keyboard disposed within the base is oriented to receive input from the operator; wherein the interface is constructed and arranged such that rotating either the display component or the base about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 270 degrees from the closed mode transitions the portable computer for viewing in the frame mode or the easel mode, wherein during operation in the frame mode the display component is positioned toward the operator, the base contacts a substantially horizontal surface, and the keyboard is directed towards the substantially horizontal surface, and wherein during operation in the easel mode the display component is oriented facing the operator with the keyboard oriented away from the operator; and wherein the portable computer is configured to detect a transition to at least one of the easel mode and the frame mode based on the orientation information, automatically determine a display orientation of content, and disable the keyboard in response to detecting the portable computer is in the frame mode.
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Specification