Hand held internet browser with folding keyboard

• US 20020063690A1
• Filed: 11/30/2000
• Published: 05/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seamless Global Limited
• Original Assignee: Vercel Development, Inc.
• Inventors: Imai, Stuart K., Valenti, Victor J., Hubbell, Chris L., Chung, Caleb
• Granted Patent: US 6,825,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/166 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 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• 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: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved hand held computer arrangement wherein data input is facilitated through a full function, folding keyboard, that is suitable for touch typing. In addition, the present invention utilizes an open architecture, embedded technology system design in conjunction with web based content to provide a full function affordable portal to the Internet.

Claims

1. A hand held computer, comprising:

a housing having a display mounted in a lower surface of said housing;

a folding keyboard, comprising first and second keyboard sections, pivotally coupled to said housing for pivotal movement about a housing axis, wherein said folding keyboard couples to said lower housing surface, substantially covering said display when in a closed position; and

a hinge mechanism pivotally coupling said first and second keyboard sections for pivotal movement one relative to the other about a keyboard axis.

2. The hand held computer of claim 1 further comprising an embedded processor mounted in said housing for processing information, wherein said processor is electrically coupled to said keyboard and said display.

3. The hand held computer of claim 2 further comprising a data storage device coupled to said embedded processor, wherein said data storage device stores both control routines for applications and data files.

4. The hand held computer of claims 3 wherein said data storage device stores a real time operating system for execution by said embedded processor.

5. The hand held computer of claims 3 wherein said data storage device stores a thin Internet browser for accessing the Internet real time operating system for execution by said embedded processor.

6. The hand held computer of claim 2 further comprising an expansion port coupled to said processor.

7. The hand held computer of claim 6 wherein said expansion port comprises a compact flash socket and compact flash interface.

8. The hand held computer of claim 7 further comprising one or more MP3 controls mounted to the lower surface of said housing, wherein said MP3 controls are accessible when said folding keyboard is coupled to said housing.

9. The hand held computer of claim 8 wherein said hand held computer provides video game capability via said compact flash interface and wherein said MP3 controls may be reprogrammed to provide video game control functions.

10. The hand held computer of claim 7 further comprising a mono-speaker and microphone for use as an Internet phone.

11. The hand held computer of claim 7 further comprising a digital phone card coupled to said compact flash interface and a cellular phone, for wireless Internet access.

12. The hand held computer of claim 1 further comprising one or more universal serial bus connectors coupled to said processor.

13. The hand held computer of claim 1 wherein a first flex ribbon electrically couples said first and second keyboard sections.

14. The hand held computer of claim 13 further comprising two or more flex ribbon sleeves that enclose at least a portion of said first flex ribbon to protect it from mechanical damage.

15. The hand held computer of claim 2 wherein a second flex ribbon electrically couples said folding keyboard and said processor.

16. The hand held computer of claim 1 wherein said folding keyboard comprises a plurality of low profile depressable keys.

17. The hand held computer of claim 16 wherein each of said plurality of low profile depressable keys comprise a molded layer of flexible material forming a finger pad and a contact closure element for contacting electrically conductive traces on a circuit board.

18. The hand held computer of claim 17 wherein contact closure element comprises a conductive coating on an underside of said finger pad.

19. The hand held computer of claim 18 wherein said conductive coating is a carbon ink.

20. The hand held computer of claim 1 wherein said display comprises a touch screen.

21. The hand held computer of claim 1 further comprising one or more display controls mounted to the lower surface of said housing.

22. The hand held computer of claim 21 wherein said display controls comprise a cursor control.

23. The hand held computer of claim 2 further comprising an internal modem coupled to said processor and an external data port for communication over a telephone line.

25. The hand held Internet browser of claim 24 further comprising an expansion port coupled to said processor.

26. The hand held Internet browser of claim 25 wherein said expansion port comprises a compact flash socket and compact flash interface.

27. The hand held Internet browser of claim 26 further comprising a mono-speaker and microphone for use as an Internet phone.

28. The hand held Internet browser of claim 26 further comprising a digital phone card coupled to said compact flash interface for wireless Internet access.

29. The hand held Internet browser of claim 24 further comprising one or more universal serial bus connectors coupled to said processor.

30. The hand held Internet browser of claim 24 further comprising an internal modem coupled to said processor and an external data port for communication over a telephone line.

31. The hand held Internet browser of claim 24 wherein a flex ribbon electrically couples said first and second keyboard sections.

32. The hand held Internet browser of claim 24 further comprising two or more flex ribbon sleeves that enclose at least a portion of said flex ribbon to protect it from mechanical damage.

33. The hand held Internet browser of claim 32 wherein said flex ribbon sleeves are preferably formed from soft shore PVC to flex in both x axis and y axis.

24. A hand held Internet browser, comprising:

an embedded computer comprising a microprocessor, and a data storage device coupled to said microprocessor for storing a real-time operating system and a thin Internet browser for execution by the microprocessor;

a housing having a display mounted in a lower surface of said housing, wherein said microprocessor is coupled to said display;

a folding keyboard, comprising first and second keyboard sections, pivotally coupled to said housing for pivotal movement about a housing axis, wherein said folding keyboard couples to said lower housing surface, substantially overlaying said display when in a closed position; and

a hinge mechanism pivotally coupling said first and second keyboard sections for pivotal movement one relative to the other about a keyboard axis.