Hinge for a handheld computing device

• US 9,013,867 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2012
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Becze, Charles, O'Connor, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edmonds, Lisa Lea
• Assistant Examiner(s): Morrison, Rashen E
• Application Number:
  US13/627,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20130083466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.27, 361/679.01, 361/679.28, 455/575.1, 455/575.3
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00673 Supports for light guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• 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 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• 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: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 : Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 : Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 : Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 : by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 : Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 : using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 : Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 : Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 : Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 : controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 : using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 : display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 : involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/00 : Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 : Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 1/00 : Hand manipulated computing devices planimeters G01B5/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/00 : Geometric image transformations in the plane of the image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/20 : Linear translation of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 : Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/00 : Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with cathode-ray tube indicators; General aspects or details, e.g. selection emphasis on particular characters, dashed line or dotted line generation; Preprocessing of datacathode-ray oscilloscopes G01R13/20; radar display arrangements G01S7/04; display of digital non-picture data in television systems H04N7/0255
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 : Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 : Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 : Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/12 : Synchronisation between the display unit and other units, e.g. other display units, video-disc players
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/34 : for rolling or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/373 : for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/377 : for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns G09G5/02, G09G5/397 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 : Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0206 : Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 : Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 : for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 : Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 : Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 : of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/046 : Surface mounting surface mounted components H05K3/341
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 : Metal casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/02 : Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1452 : Mounting of connectors; Switching; Reinforcing of back panels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 : Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A handheld computing device may include a first screen having a first display, a second screen having a second display, and a hinge connected to the first and second screens. The hinge may include a plurality of axes to enable the first and second screens to rotate about distinct axes. The hinge may include a hub having an internal passage configured to electrically couple the first and second screens.

Claims

1. A handheld computing device, comprising:

a first screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the first screen;

a second screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the second screen; and

a hinge connected to the first screen so that the first screen is rotatable about a first pivot axis, the hinge connected to the second screen so that the second screen is rotatable about a second pivot axis, wherein the hinge is configured to permit the first and second screens to be rotatable from a closed position in which the rear surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially in contact with each other to a fully open position in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are rotated beyond a planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially coplanar, to a non-planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are transverse to each other, wherein the hinge further comprises a hub and first and second leaves, wherein the planes of the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially transverse to each other in the fully open position, and wherein, when in the fully open position, an angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 10°

.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge has a range of motion of at least about 180 degrees so that the device is foldable between a partially open position in which the first and second screens are juxtaposed in substantially the same plane and the closed position in which the first and second screens are oriented substantially back-to-back in adjacent planes, wherein the front surfaces of the first and second screens each include a display area, and wherein, when the hinge is in the closed position, the display areas face in opposing directions.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge is one of a barrel hinge, pivot hinge, butt/mortise hinge, case hinge, continuous or piano hinge, concealed hinge, butterfly hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, Tee hinge, fraction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing hinge, butt hinge, butler tray hinge, card table hinge, and drop leaf table hinge and wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the side surfaces of each of the first and second screens each comprise an opening, wherein the hinge is at least partially disposed within the openings of the first and second screens, wherein a hub of the hinge includes an internal passage extending between the openings of the first and second screens, the internal passage passing a flexible circuit, and wherein, when in the fully open position, the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than about 5°

.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the first leaf is rotatably connected to the hub about the first pivot axis, wherein the second leaf is rotatably connected to the hub about the second pivot axis, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first screen, wherein the second leaf is connected to the second screen, and wherein, when in the fully open position, the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than about 5°

.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein, when the device is in the fully open position, the openings of the first and second screens substantially oppose each other, wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens, and wherein the gap is no more than 10 mm.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein, when the device is in the fully open position, the hinge is substantially disposed within an outer envelope of the device and wherein the gap is no more than 5 mm.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein, when the device is in the fully open position, the hinge is substantially flush with the rear surfaces of the first and second screens and wherein the gap is no more than 1 mm.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein, when the device is in the closed position, the hinge is substantially disposed within an outer envelope of the device and wherein the gap is no more than 0.5 mm.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein. when the device is in the closed position, the hinge is substantially flush with the side surfaces of the first and second screens and wherein the gap is no more than 0.25 mm.

11. A hinge configured for use in a handheld computing device, comprising:

an elongate hub;

a first leaf rotatably connected to the elongate hub about a first pivot axis; and

a second leaf rotatably connected to the elongate hub about a second pivot axis, wherein the first and second pivot axes are substantially parallel, wherein the hinge is configured to permit first and second screens of a computing device, each of the first and second screens comprising a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces, to be rotatable from a closed position in which the rear surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially in contact with each other to a fully open position in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are rotated beyond a planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially coplanar, to a nonplanar

configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are transverse to each other, wherein the planes of the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially transverse to each other in the fully open position, and wherein, when in the fully open position, an angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 10°

.

12. The hinge of claim 11, wherein the elongate hub includes at least one internal passage extending transversely to the first and second pivot axes, the internal passage passing a flexible circuit and wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens.

13. The hinge of claim 12, wherein the hinge is one of a barrel hinge, pivot hinge, butt/mortise hinge, case hinge, continuous or piano hinge, concealed hinge, butterfly hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, Tee hinge, fraction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing hinge, butt hinge, butler tray hinge, card table hinge, and drop leaf table hinge and wherein, when in the fully open position, the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 5°

.

14. The hinge of claim 11, wherein the first and second leaves each have a range of motion of at least about 90 degrees between a fully open position and a closed position and wherein, when in the fully open position, an the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 5°

.

15. A method of assembling a handheld computing device, the method comprising:

providing;

a first screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the first screen, wherein the side surface of the first screen includes an opening;

a second screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the second screen, wherein the side surface of the second screen includes an opening; and

a hinge having a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis and a hub and first and second leaves;

positioning the hinge at least partially within the opening of the first screen;

positioning the hinge at least partially within the opening of the second screen;

connecting the hinge to the first screen so that the first screen is rotatable about the first pivot axis; and

connecting the hinge to the second screen so that the second screen is rotatable about the second pivot axis, wherein, when connected to the first and second screens, the hinge is configured to permit the first and second screens to be rotatable from a closed position in which the rear surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially in contact with each other to a fully open position in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are rotated beyond a planar configuration, the planar configuration being a configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially coplanar, to a non-planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are transverse to each other, wherein the planes of the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially transverse to each other in the fully open position, and wherein, when in the fully open position, an angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 10°

.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hinge is one of a barrel hinge, pivot hinge, butt/mortise hinge, case hinge, continuous or piano hinge, concealed hinge, butterfly hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, Tee hinge, fraction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing hinge, butt hinge, butler tray hinge, card table hinge, and drop leaf table hinge and wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the hub includes an internal passage extending between the openings of the first and second screens, the internal passage passing a flexible circuit, and wherein, when in the fully open position, the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 5°

.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first leaf is rotatably connected to the hub about the first pivot axis, wherein the second leaf is rotatably connected to the hub about the second pivot axis, wherein the first leaf is connected to the first screen, wherein the second leaf is connected to the second screen, and wherein, when in the fully open position, the δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 5°

.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein when the device is in the fully open position, the openings of the first and second screens substantially oppose each other, wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens, and wherein the gap is no more than 10 mm.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein when the device is in the fully open position, the hinge is substantially disposed within an outer envelope of the device, and wherein the gap is no more than 5 mm.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein when the device is in the fully open position, the hinge is substantially flush with the rear surfaces of the first and second screens and wherein the gap is no more than 1 mm.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein when the device is in the closed position, the hinge is substantially disposed within an outer envelope of the device and wherein the gap is no more than 0.5 mm.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein when the device is in the closed position, the hinge is substantially flush with the side surfaces of the first and second screens and wherein the gap is no more than 0.25 mm.

24. A method for using a handheld computing device, comprising:

providing a handheld computing device comprising;

a first screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the first screen, a second screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a side surface extending between a periphery of the front and rear surfaces of the second screen, and a hinge rotatably connecting the first and second screens, wherein the hinge is configured to permit the first and second screens to be rotatable from a closed position in which the rear surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially in contact with each other to a fully open position in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are rotated beyond a planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially coplanar, to a non-planar configuration, in which the front surfaces of the first and second screens are transverse to each other, wherein the hinge further comprises a hub and first and second leaves, wherein the planes of the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially transverse to each other in the fully open position, and wherein, when in the fully open position, an angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 10°

.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the hinge has a range of motion of more than 180 degrees so that the device is foldable between a partially open position in which the first and second screens are juxtaposed in substantially the same plane and the closed position in which the first and second screens are oriented substantially back-to-back in adjacent planes, wherein the front surfaces of the first and second screens each include a display area, and wherein, when the hinge is in the closed position, the display areas face in opposing directions.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the hinge is one of a barrel hinge, pivot hinge, butt/mortise hinge, case hinge, continuous or piano hinge, concealed hinge, butterfly hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, Tee hinge, fraction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing hinge, butt hinge, butler tray hinge, card table hinge, and drop leaf table hinge and wherein, when the first and second screens are in the fully open position, the front surface of the first screen is positioned adjacent to an opposing edge of the second screen in a substantially abutting relationship to substantially close any gap between the first and second screens.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first screen is rotatable about a first pivot axis and the second screen is rotatable about a second pivot axis, wherein the side surfaces of each of the first and second screens each comprise an opening, wherein the hinge is at least partially disposed within the openings of the first and second screens, wherein a hub of the hinge includes an internal passage extending between the openings of the first and second screens, the internal passage passing a flexible circuit, wherein the planes of the front surfaces of the first and second screens are substantially transverse to each other in the fully open position, and wherein, when in the fully open position, the angle δ

defined between the rear surface of each of the first and second leaves and a horizontal plane is no more than 5°

.