U.S. patent application number 10/810994 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-26 for portable computer system including detachable peripheral device and combined mouse/joystick for use with same.
Invention is credited to Yin, Memphis Zhihong.
Application Number | 20040164962 10/810994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25320679 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040164962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yin, Memphis Zhihong |
August 26, 2004 |
Portable computer system including detachable peripheral device and
combined mouse/joystick for use with same
Abstract
A portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of
a present invention includes a portable computer and a peripheral
device adapted to be mechanically connected to one another.
Inventors: |
Yin, Memphis Zhihong;
(Corvallis, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P. O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
25320679 |
Appl. No.: |
10/810994 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10810994 |
Mar 26, 2004 |
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09855229 |
May 14, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1698 20130101;
G06F 3/0338 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1656 20130101;
G06F 3/03543 20130101; G06F 3/038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/163 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A peripheral device for use on a surface, comprising: a housing
defining longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis; a first
movement sensor associated with the housing and adapted to sense
movement of the housing relative to the surface; a movable member,
associated with one of the longitudinal ends of the housing such
that the movable member will engage the surface in response to a
placement of the peripheral device on the surface with the
longitudinal axis perpendicular to the surface, and movable
relative to the housing; and a second movement sensor associated
with the housing and the movable member and adapted to sense
movement of one of the housing and the movable member relative to
the other of the housing and the movable member.
2. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
movement sensor comprises an optical sensor.
3. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable
member comprises a ball and the second movement sensor comprises a
sensor arrangement that monitors rotation of the ball.
4. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing
defines an exterior, the peripheral device further comprising: at
least one button associated with the exterior of the housing.
5. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 1, wherein movement
sensed by the first and second movement sensors is converted into
movement data that is indicative of movement, the peripheral device
further comprising: a wireless movement data transmitter.
6. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing
defines a bottom surface, the first movement sensor is associated
with the bottom surface, and the movable member is positioned in
spaced relation to the bottom surface.
7. A peripheral device for use with a portable computer including a
computer mechanical connector, comprising: a housing defining
longitudinal ends and a longitudinal axis and including a plurality
of ridges configured to augment a user's grip on the housing; a
movement sensor associated with one of the longitudinal ends of the
housing such that the movement sensor will engage a surface in
response to a placement of the peripheral device on the surface
with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the surface; and a
peripheral device mechanical connector configured to mate with the
computer mechanical connector.
8. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
peripheral device mechanical connector comprises at least one
housing aperture.
9. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement
sensor is adapted to sense movement of the housing relative to the
surface.
10. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movement
sensor includes a movable member movable relative to the housing
and is adapted to sense movement of one of the housing and the
movable member relative to the other of the housing and the movable
member.
11. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
movement sensor defines a first movement sensor, the peripheral
device further comprising: a second movement sensor adapted to
sense movement of the housing relative to a surface on which the
peripheral device in located.
12. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 11, wherein movement
sensed by the first and second movement sensors is converted into
movement data that is indicative of movement, the peripheral device
further comprising: a wireless movement data transmitter.
13. A peripheral device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second
movement sensor comprises an optical sensor.
14. A system, comprising: a portable computer including a keyboard,
a touch pad adjacent to the keyboard, a display, a housing, and a
computer mechanical connector; and a peripheral device including a
housing, a movement sensor, and a peripheral device mechanical
connector configured to mate with the computer mechanical
connector.
15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the portable computer
housing includes a handle portion, an open region is defined
between the handle portion and another portion of the portable
computer housing, and the peripheral device mechanical connector
faces away from the open region.
16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer housing
handle portion defines a portion of an overall device handle and
the peripheral device housing defines a remainder of the overall
device handle.
17. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the peripheral device
includes a wireless transmitter and the portable computer includes
a wireless receiver.
18. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the portable computer
housing includes a first housing portion and a second housing
portion pivotable relative to the first housing portion between an
open position and a closed position.
19. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the peripheral device
comprises a mouse.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application
Ser. No. 09/855,229, filed May 14, 2001, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0003] The present inventions are related to portable computers and
peripheral devices for use with portable computers.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Personal computers, which allow people to easily perform
tasks such as word processing, spreadsheet calculations, database
manipulation, drafting, e-mail message transmission, and internet
searches for information, have become ubiquitous in recent years.
They have also become entertainment devices in that they may be
used to play video games and enjoy audio/video material. Although
personal computers were initially desktop devices, the fact that
they have become such an integral portion of the average person's
life has led to the development of portable computers such as
laptop computers and, more recently, notebook computers. Portable
computers have proven to be a significant advance because they are
relatively small (i.e. about 13 inches wide, 10.5 inches long and
1.5 inches high) and lightweight (i.e. about 5 lbs.). As a result,
people are able to easily transport portable computers to remote
locations where they can perform the same tasks and enjoy the same
entertainment that they could with their relatively immobile
desktop computers.
[0006] Personal computers, both desktop and portable, are often
used in conjunction with one or more peripheral devices such as a
mouse, joystick and/or any other device that is moved or otherwise
manipulated in order to control some aspect of the operation of the
computer. Such peripheral devices must be transported with portable
computers. The inventor herein has determined that conventional
methods of transporting peripheral devices, such as carrying them
separately or loading them into a carrying case with the portable
computer, are inconvenient. The inventor herein has also determined
that conventional peripheral devices are themselves susceptible to
improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0007] A portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment
of a present invention includes a portable computer including a
keyboard, a display, and a computer mechanical connector and a
peripheral device including a movement sensor and a peripheral
device mechanical connector configured to mate with the computer
mechanical connector. Such a system avoids, for practical purposes,
the aforementioned problems in the art. Most notably, because the
portable computer and peripheral device may be carried as a single
unit when connected to one another, the present invention allows
users to conveniently transport both without having to carry them
separately or load them into a separate carrying case.
[0008] A peripheral device in accordance with one embodiment of a
present invention includes a housing, a first movement sensor
adapted to sense movement of the housing relative to a surface on
which the device is used, a movable member movable relative to the
housing, and a second movement sensor adapted to sense relative
movement between the housing and the movable member. In one
implementation of the invention, the first sensor will be operable
when the peripheral device is in one orientation relative to the
surface and the second sensor will be operable when the device is
in another orientation relative to the surface. Such a peripheral
device is superior to conventional peripheral devices because it
can take the place of two typically separate peripheral devices,
such as a mouse and a joystick, thereby reducing the number of
peripheral devices that, for example, a person must transport with
a portable computer.
[0009] The above described and many other features and attendant
advantages of the present inventions will become apparent as the
inventions become better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the
inventions will be made with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Certain aspects of the preferred embodiments have been
eliminated from some of the views for clarity.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer system
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer system
illustrated in FIG. 1 with the portable computer cover in the open
position and a peripheral device separated therefrom.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing various operating
components of a portable computer and a peripheral device in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a portable computer handle
and a peripheral device in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of a present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side, partial section view of a peripheral
device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view showing the peripheral device
illustrated in FIG. 5 in use.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a mounting device in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of various portions of the
portable computer system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a latch mechanism in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portable computer handle in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of a present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The following is a detailed description of the best
presently known modes of carrying out the inventions. This
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made
merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of
the inventions. Additionally, it is noted that detailed discussions
of various conventional internal operating components of portable
computers and peripheral devices which are not pertinent to the
present inventions have been omitted for the sake of
simplicity.
[0022] As illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable
computer system in accordance with one embodiment of a present
invention includes a portable computer and a peripheral device that
may be removably mounted on the portable computer. Although not
limited to any particular style of portable computer, the exemplary
portable computer 100 is preferably a notebook style computer
including a main housing 102 that is approximately 13 inches wide,
10.5 inches long and 1.5 inches high. The main housing 102 is
provided with a handle 104 that defines an open region 106 in which
the user's fingers will rest when carrying the computer. Although
not limited to any particular peripheral device, the device may be
a mouse or a joystick. In the illustrated embodiment, the
peripheral device is a combined mouse/joystick device 200. The
mouse/joystick device 200 is removably mounted on the housing
handle 104 in the illustrated embodiment. The mouse/joystick device
200 and handle 104 are also respectively sized and shaped such that
the mouse/joystick device, when attached, will form part of the
overall contour of the portable computer 100 and be relatively
unnoticeable. The exemplary portable computer 100 and
mouse/joystick device 200, as well as the mechanical and signal
connections therebetween, are discussed in greater detail
below.
[0023] Turning first to the portable computer aspects of the
present inventions, the exemplary portable computer 100 illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, with respect to many of the structural and
operating components, substantially similar to conventional
portable computers such as the Hewlett-Packard Omnibook 6000
notebook PC. More specifically, the exemplary portable computer 100
includes structural components such as a display housing 108 that
is pivotably connected to the main housing 102 by a hinge 110. A
keyboard 112 and a dual pointing device 114 (i.e. touch pad and
pointer) are mounted on the exterior of the main housing 102. The
main housing 102 also includes a module bay 116 for optional
modules such as a 3.5 inch disk drive module, a CD-ROM drive module
or a ZIP drive module, and a battery bay 118. In addition to
supporting a display 120, the display housing 108 also acts as a
lid to cover the keyboard 112 and dual pointing device 114 when in
the closed position (FIG. 1). To that end, a conventional latch
arrangement (not shown) may be provided to lock the free end of the
display housing 108 to the main housing 102 and maintain the
display housing in the closed position.
[0024] As illustrated in block diagram form in FIG. 3, the
operating components of the exemplary portable computer 100 include
a processor 122, cache and RAM memory 124, a power adapter and fan
arrangement 126, a hard disk drive 128 and a modem 130. A CD-ROM
drive module 132 is positioned within the module bay 116 and a
battery 134 is positioned within the battery bay 118 in the
exemplary component configuration. The exemplary portable computer
100 may also include other conventional operating components such
as, for example, audio and video cards, headphone and microphone
ports, a serial port, a parallel port, keyboard and mouse ports, a
240-pin PCI connector for docking, an operating system such as
Microsoft.RTM. Windows, and various application programs such a
word processing, spreadsheets and games.
[0025] Turning to the exemplary mouse/joystick device 200, and as
illustrated for example in FIGS. 4-6, the mouse/joystick device
includes a housing 202 which consists of an upper portion 204 that
is removably connected to a lower portion 206. The housing 202 is
also approximately 4.0 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and 1.0 inch
high in the exemplary embodiment.
[0026] The mouse aspects of the mouse/joystick device 200 include a
conventional system for sensing the movement of the device relative
to the surface on which it is being used when in the "mouse
orientation" (FIG. 5). Such systems include a conventional
rotatable ball and sensor arrangement. The exemplary embodiment,
however, includes a conventional optical system 208 that tracks the
movement of the mouse/joystick device as the lower housing portion
206, which rests on small skids 210 and 212, moves over tabletop or
other surface when operating in the "mouse mode." The exemplary
optical system 208 includes a light source 214, such as a pair of
differently angled LEDs, which directs light though an opening 216
in the lower housing portion 206. The light is reflected off of the
tabletop or other surface and passes through a lens assembly 218,
which consists of an x-axis lens and a y-axis lens. This light is
then reflected off of a reflector assembly 220, which consists of
an x-axis reflector and a y-axis reflector, onto an optical sensor
222. Signals from the optical sensor 222 are then processed by
microcontroller 224 and converted into motion data that is
indicative of the movement of the mouse/joystick device 200 over
the surface on which it is moving. Suitable optical systems include
the optical system found in the Microsoft.RTM. IntelliMouse.RTM.
optical mouse.
[0027] The data provided by the optical system is used by software
in the portable computer 100 to perform particular functions, such
as repositioning a cursor on the display 120. The microcontroller
224 is mounted on a circuit board 226 which includes memory and
other conventional devices. Power for the mouse/joystick device 200
is supplied by a battery 227.
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the mouse/joystick device 200
is provided with a depressible and rotatable wheel 228 and a pair
of buttons 230 and 232. The wheel 228 and buttons 230, 232 engage a
contact plate 234 when depressed. The contact plate 234, along with
a rotational motion sensor that is associated with the wheel (e.g.
a displacement encoder--not shown), are connected to the
microcontroller 224 by way of the circuit board 226. Movement of
the wheel and buttons also causes the software in the portable
computer 100 to perform particular functions.
[0029] The exemplary mouse/joystick device 200 illustrated in FIGS.
4-6 is preferably a wireless device that communicates to the
portable computer 100 without being physically connected with a
communication cable. Such communication may take place through the
use of, for example, high frequency, radio frequency (RF), or
infrared communication signals. RF signals are used in the
illustrated embodiment and, to that end, the mouse/joystick device
200 is provided with a RF transmission apparatus 236 that is
suitable for use in a wireless peripheral device. Such RF
transmission apparatus typically include a frequency synthesizer
that is controlled by the microcontroller 224, a RF amplifier and
an antenna. One example of a RF transmission apparatus that is
suitable for use in a wireless peripheral device is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,621. The exemplary portable computer 100 is
provided with a corresponding RF receiver 136 (FIG. 3).
[0030] Although wireless transmission is preferred, the
mouse/joystick device 200 may instead be connected to the portable
computer 100 with a communication cable (not shown). Here, the
cable could be stored in a recess or on a spring biased spool that
automatically rewinds the cable as the mouse/joystick device 200 is
moved toward the portable computer 100. The spool and recess (both
not shown) could be located within handle portion 138 and
accessible through an opening in wall 140 (FIG. 2).
[0031] Turning to the joystick aspects of the exemplary
mouse/joystick device 200 illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, a spherical
ball 238 protrudes slightly through an opening 240 that is located
at the rear of the housing 202 and is smaller than the diameter of
the ball. The ball 238, which is free to spin relative to the
housing 202, is held in place by a conventional ball restraint and
sensor arrangement 242, such as those found in a conventional
ball-type mouse. Rotational movement of the ball 238 relative to
the sensor arrangement 242 is converted into digital signals which
are transmitted to the portable computer 100 by the RF transmission
apparatus 236.
[0032] Preferably, when the exemplary mouse/joystick device 200 is
held in the "joystick orientation" illustrated in FIG. 6, the user
will pivot the housing 202 about the ball 238 while the ball
remains stationary on the tabletop or other surface. To that end,
and as illustrated for example in FIGS. 6 and 7, a separate
mounting device 244 for holding the ball 238 stationary may also be
provided. The exemplary mounting device 244 includes three
protuberances 246 mounted on a base 248. Of course, the user may
elect not to use the mounting device 244 or even to simply push the
entire housing 202 in one direction or the other, thereby causing
the ball 238 to roll along the tabletop or other surface to achieve
the desired amount and direction of ball rotation.
[0033] With respect to storage, the mounting device 244 may be snap
fit into a similarly shaped opening formed in the handle portion
142 (FIG. 2). A small indentation 144 may also be provided in the
handle portion 142 to facilitate removal of the mounting device
244. Alternatively, the mounting device 244 may be incorporated
into the surface of the housing 102 near the dual pointing device
114. The mounting device 244 may also be incorporated into a cap
that covers the ball 238 when the device is not in use.
[0034] The digital signals generated by movement of the ball 238
relative to the housing 202 are used by the portable computer 100
in the same manner that signals generated by pivoting a
conventional joystick are used. Additionally, the
rotatable/depressible wheel 228 and buttons 230, 232 may also be
used when the device is being used in "joystick mode."
[0035] The mouse/joystick device 200 may be switched between the
"mouse mode," where signals corresponding to the movement sensed by
the optical system 208 are transmitted to the portable computer
100, and "joystick mode," where signals corresponding to the
movement sensed by the ball sensor arrangement 242 are sent to the
personal computer, in a variety of ways. For example, a
mouse-joystick button may be provided that allows the user to
switch between modes. Alternatively, the microcontroller 224 may be
used to automatically determine whether the mouse/joystick device
200 is being used as a mouse or a joystick. This determination may
be made by analyzing the signals from the optical system 208 (e.g.
is any light being reflected) and/or the ball sensor arrangement
242 (e.g. is the ball moving relative to the housing 202). [Note
that the ball 238 will not engage the surface on which the
mouse/joystick device 200 is resting when the device is in the
"mouse orientation" shown in FIG. 5.] A rotary position sensor (not
shown) may also be provided to determine the angular orientation
(that shown in FIG. 5 or that shown in FIG. 6) of the
mouse/joystick device 200.
[0036] As noted above, the exemplary portable computer 100 and
mouse/joystick device 200 may be removably connected to one another
and, in the illustrated embodiment, the portable computer housing
102 may be removably connected to the mouse/joystick device housing
202. As illustrated for example in FIGS. 8-10, the surface of the
portable computer handle portion 142 is shaped and sized so as to
correspond to the bottom surface of the mouse/joystick device 200.
The mouse/joystick device 200 is secured to the handle portion 142
in the exemplary implementation with a pair of handle latch
mechanisms 146 that mate with apertures 250 on the housing lower
portion 206 of the mouse/joystick device. Each latch mechanism 146
consists of a button 148 which is connected to a latch 150 having a
hook 152 with a cam surface 154. The latch 150 is biased into the
lock position by a pair of springs 156 that are held by slots 158.
The handle 104 is also provided with an alignment pin 160 that
mates with an alignment aperture 252 on the lower portion 206 of
the mouse/joystick device housing 202.
[0037] When the mouse/joystick device 200 is placed against the
handle 104, the cam surfaces 154 will cause each latch 150 to move
against the biasing force of the springs 156 to their respective
unlock positions, thereby aligning the hooks 152 with the
corresponding housing apertures 250. The hooks 152 will then enter
the housing apertures 250 and, once inside, each of the latches 150
will be urged by the springs 154 to their respective lock
positions. The mouse/joystick device 200 may be released from the
handle 104 by simply depressing the buttons 148 with enough force
to overcome the biasing force of the springs 156 and align the
hooks 152 with the apertures 250.
[0038] As illustrated for example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6, the
exemplary portable computer handle portion 138 and mouse/joystick
device housing 202 may each be provided with a series of ridges 254
that help the user grip the computer handle 104 when carrying the
portable computer 100. The ridges 254 also help the user grip the
mouse/joystick device 200 when it is separated from the portable
computer 100.
[0039] Although the present inventions have been described in terms
of the preferred embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or
additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art.
[0040] By way of example, but not limitation, the mouse/joystick
device and portable computer may be configured such that the
mouse/joystick device can be mounted on a portion of the computer
housing other than the handle. In such an embodiment, the portable
computer may be provided without a handle if desired.
[0041] The mouse/joystick device may also be provided with a
built-in rechargeable battery and the portable computer may be
provided with a charging power supply and connectors that will mate
with corresponding connectors on the mouse/joystick device and
recharge the rechargeable battery when the mouse/joystick device is
mounted on the portable computer.
[0042] The mouse/joystick device is not limited to use with
portable computers and may, for example, be used in conjunction
with other host devices such as desktop computers and video game
consoles.
[0043] The above-described latch arrangement may be rearranged such
that the latch is associated with the mouse/joystick device and the
apertures are associated with the computer. Other types of
connection devices may also be employed in place of, or in
combination with, the latch arrangement.
[0044] It is intended that the scope of the present inventions
extend to all such modifications and/or additions.
* * * * *