Keyboard sled with rotating screen

• US 7,733,637 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2005
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US11/200,519
• Time in Patent Office: 1,765 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-683, 361/686, 361724-727, 710/303, 710/304, 400/88, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 708139-142, D14/399, D14/340
• US Class Current: 361/679.11
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A keyboard sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system. In one embodiment, the keyboard sled is comprised of an integral receiving portion adapted to mechanically and electronically receive a portable computer system. An interface connector is disposed within the receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link between the keyboard sled and a portable computer system, when a portable computer system has been inserted in the receiving portion. The keyboard sled further has at least one mounting hook disposed within the receiving portion for providing positive retention of a portable computer system when coupled with the keyboard sled. A keyboard portion also present on the keyboard sled and also coupled with the interface connector provides input keys. The keyboard sled is also comprised of an integral data storage access slot which is adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of the portable computer system. The keyboard sled also adds input functionality to the portable computer system.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

a processor;

an alphanumeric input device coupled to said processor;

a display coupled to said processor; and

an orientation controller coupled to said display, said orientation controller is for changing the viewing orientation of said display from a first orientation to a second orientation based on an orientation of said portable computer system;

wherein said portable computer system for coupling to a keyboard sled that comprises a data storage access slot for enabling access to a data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system, wherein said keyboard sled comprises a receiving portion for receiving said portable computer in a landscape orientation.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein said orientation controller comprises an automatic sensing controller.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein said orientation controller comprises a switch activated controller.

4. The portable computer system of claim 3 further comprising a dedicated button for activating said orientation controller.

5. The portable computer system of claim 3 further comprising a programmable button for activating said orientation controller.

6. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein said data storage access slot is a pass through channel.

7. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein said keyboard sled comprises an interface connector disposed within a receiving portion and for providing a communicative link with said portable computer system.

8. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein said keyboard sled comprises a mounting mechanism disposed within a receiving portion, said mounting mechanism for providing positive retention on said portable computer system.

9. A portable computer system comprising:

a keyboard having a first orientation and a second orientation;

a display movably coupled to said keyboard, said display aligned with said keyboard; and

an orientation controller coupled to said display, said orientation controller for changing the viewing orientation of said display from a first orientation to a second orientation based on the orientation of said portable computer system.

10. The portable computer system of claim 9 further comprising a processor coupled to said display and said orientation controller.

11. The portable computer system of claim 10 wherein said orientation controller comprises an automatic sensing controller.

12. The portable computer system of claim 10 wherein said orientation controller comprises a switch activated controller.

13. The portable computer system of claim 10 further comprising a programmable button for activating said orientation controller.

14. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said keyboard comprises a QWERTY keyboard.

15. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said keyboard comprises a first portion and a second portion that are separated by said display.

16. The portable computer system of claim 9 further comprising a data storage device receptacle.

17. The portable computer system of claim 9 wherein said display is vertically aligned with said keyboard.