Control apparatus for portable computer

• US 6,785,580 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Issued: 08/31/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: First International Computer Incorporated (FIC Global Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: First International Computer Incorporated (FIC Global Incorporated)
• Inventors: Huang, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Knight, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ DAPLE, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US10/212,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20040030412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/169, 345/163, 345/168, 345/180, 700/65, 700/83, 710/73, 710/36
• US Class Current: 700/83
• 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence

Abstract

A control apparatus comprises a control unit, a portable computer, a receiving module and a controller. The control unit includes a connector, a laser-pointer transmission circuit, a control circuit, a transmission module and a chargeable battery. A power switch button and a set of operating buttons are provided on the control unit and respectively connect the control circuit. In the portable computer, a connection socket is internally mounted to engage with the connector of the control unit when the control unit is inserted in the portable computer. The connection socket is connected to a circuit control unit of the portable computer that controls the execution of a user'"'"'s command. When the control unit is detached from the portable computer, the portable computer can be remotely controlled directly by means of the control unit.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for remote controlling a portable computer having a main body, the control apparatus comprising:

a control unit, having a connector and a laser-pointer transmission circuit, wherein the connector electrically connects a chargeable battery;

a power switch button, provided on the control unit for switching on/off the portable computer;

a plurality of operating buttons, provided on the control unit and attributed with specific functions;

a control circuit, mounted in the control unit and respectively connecting the connector, the power switch button and the operating buttons, wherein a plurality of output terminals of the control circuit are respectively connected to the laser-pointer transmission circuit and a transmission module, and according to states of the power switch button and the operating buttons, the control circuit performs at least a specific function, and then the transmission module outputs a corresponding signal or drives the laser-pointer transmission circuit to emit a light beam;

a receiving module, mounted in the portable computer for receiving a signal emitted from the transmission module of the control unit; and

a controller, mounted inside the portable computer and respectively connecting the receiving module and a circuit control unit, the controller decoding the signal received by the receiving module and sending an output to the circuit control unit after decoding;

wherein a side of the main body is provided with a receiving slot and a connection socket in the receiving slot so that the connection socket is able to engage with the connector after the control unit is inserted in the receiving slot, the connection socket further connects with the circuit control unit, which controls an operation of the portable computer,

the main body has a power key and hot keys, the power key and hot keys are capable of being controlled by a user only when the control unit is engaged with the portable computer via the connector and the connection socket.

2. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operating buttons are attributed with various functions for multi-media or browser.

3. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hot keys are attributed with the functions of going on line or receiving/sending e-mail.

4. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmission module is a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) transmission module.

5. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the control unit is detached from the main body, depression of the power switch button causes the laser-pointer transmission module to emit a light beam.

6. The control apparatus of claim 1, wherein locations of the power key and hot keys on the main body corresponds to locations of the power switch button and the operating buttons, respectively, on the control unit inserted in the recieving slot such that depression of the power key and hot keys causes operation of the control circuit via the power switch button and the operating buttons, respectively.