PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
First Claim
1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a closed mode, a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
- a display component including a display screen;
a base;
a hinge assembly at least partially housed within the base and configured to pivotably couple the display component to the base;
wherein the display component is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and the base;
wherein, in the closed mode, the display screen is disposed substantially against the base;
wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode; and
wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the easel mode.
6 Assignments
0 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.
274 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A portable computer configurable between a plurality of display modes including a closed mode, a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
-
a display component including a display screen; a base; a hinge assembly at least partially housed within the base and configured to pivotably couple the display component to the base; wherein the display component is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and the base; wherein, in the closed mode, the display screen is disposed substantially against the base; wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis up to approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the laptop mode; and wherein rotating the display component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately 180 degrees from the closed mode configures the portable computer into the easel mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A portable computer comprising:
-
a base; a display component rotatably coupled to the base; and means for rotating the display component in a single direction relative to the base to configure the portable computer between a laptop mode and an easel mode.
-
-
13. A portable computer configurable between a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer comprising:
-
a display component; a base; and a hinge assembly configured to rotatably couple the display component to the base; wherein the hinge assembly is configured to permit rotation of the display component about a single axis to configure the portable computer between the laptop mode and the easel mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of automatically orienting content displayed on a portable computer, the method comprising:
-
rotating a display component of the portable computer about a longitudinal axis running along an interface between the display component and a base of the portable computer; detecting a degree of rotation of the display component relative to the base; providing a signal representative of the degree of rotation of the display component; and automatically configuring an orientation, relative to the longitudinal axis, of the content displayed on the portable computer responsive to the signal. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
-
21. A portable computer comprising:
-
a base unit; a display unit including a display screen configured to display content; an orientation sensor which detects an orientation of the display unit relative to the base unit; and a display orientation module which orients the content displayed on the display screen responsive to the orientation detected by the orientation sensor.
-
Specification