U.S. patent application number 11/697195 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for pad computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Pepper Computer, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alan Ball, Mary Ellen Heinen, Leonard M. Kawell, Patrick M. McGowan.
Application Number | 20070159466 11/697195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549440 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070159466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kawell; Leonard M. ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Pad Computer
Abstract
A computer can include a high-resolution color display, built-in
keypad, wireless LAN connection, hi-fidelity audio system, and a
multi-gigabyte disk drive. The screen can be formed in a top face
of a computer and a keypad can be a split on opposite sides of the
screen. The computer can also have various other controls and
features, including function keys, scroll wheel, game D-pad,
stylus, and fingerprint reader. Speaker covers for built-in
speakers can be provided in the top face.
Inventors: |
Kawell; Leonard M.;
(Lexington, MA) ; Heinen; Mary Ellen; (Concord,
MA) ; McGowan; Patrick M.; (Princeton, MA) ;
Ball; Alan; (Somerville, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP
60 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Pepper Computer, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34549440 |
Appl. No.: |
11/697195 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10977480 |
Oct 29, 2004 |
7224345 |
|
|
11697195 |
Apr 5, 2007 |
|
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|
60515753 |
Oct 30, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 3/3406 20130101;
G06F 1/1662 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/169 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/02 20060101
G06F003/02 |
Claims
1. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a multi-gigabyte hard
disk drive; a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard
disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right
side, the top face being of unitary construction, wherein the left
and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length
that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and
wherein the housing is less than one inch thick; a display screen
formed in the top face, wherein the top face surrounds the display
screen, the display screen positioned between the left and right
sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen
and the right side and the screen, the display screen having a
landscape orientation and extending for most of the vertical
dimension of the housing, the display screen comprising a touch
screen; a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY keys in the
first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second region; a
plurality of additional input devices, including: function keys for
volume control; a menu button; a joystick; a microphone; and a
stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing; a
plurality of networking devices, including a Bluetooth wireless
radio chip and a Wifi PC card capable of providing 802.11 b
connectivity; a USB 2.0 port; a flash memory card slot; stereo
speakers; and a headphone jack.
2. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint
reader.
3. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a digital
camera.
4. The computer of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises
elastomeric plastic grips.
5. The computer of claim 1, further comprising an interface for a
DVD drive.
6. The computer of claim 1, wherein the top face has an upper half
and a lower half, and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely
located in the upper half of the housing.
7. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a circular area
within the top face and positioned between the QWERTY keys in one
of the first and second regions, the circular area comprising a
user input device.
8. The computer of claim 1, further comprising a fingerprint
reader; a digital camera; elastomeric plastic grips; an interface
for a DVD drive; and a circular area within the top face and
positioned between the QWERTY keys in one of the first and second
regions, the circular area comprising a user input device; and
further wherein the top face has an upper half and a lower half,
and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely located in the upper
half of the housing.
9. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a hard disk drive; a
housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the
housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top
face being of unitary construction; a display screen formed in the
top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define
a first region between the left side and the screen and the right
side and the screen; a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY
keys in the first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second
region; a first circular area within the top face and positioned
beneath the QWERTY keys in the first region, the first circular
area comprising a first user input device; and a second circular
area within the top face and positioned beneath the QWERTY keys in
the second region, second circular area comprising a second user
input device.
10. The computer of claim 9, wherein the hard disk drive has a
multi-gigabyte capacity.
11. The computer of claim 9, wherein the left and right sides have
a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than
the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is
less than one inch thick
12. The computer of claim 9, wherein the display screen has a
landscape orientation, wherein the top face surrounds the display
screen, and wherein the display screen extends for most of the
vertical dimension of the housing.
13. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of the
following additional input devices: function keys for volume
control, a menu button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint
reader, and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in
the housing.
14. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of a
Bluetooth wireless radio chip, a WiFi PC card, a USB 2.0 port, and
a flash memory card slot.
15. The computer of claim 9, further including at least one of
stereo speakers and a headphone jack.
16. The computer of claim 9, wherein the display screen comprises a
touch screen.
17. The computer of claim 9, wherein the hard disk drive has a
multi-gigabyte capacity; wherein the left and right sides have a
length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the
length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less
than one inch thick; wherein the display screen has a landscape
orientation, and wherein the top face surrounds the display screen;
wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical
dimension of the housing; further including the following
additional input devices: function keys for volume control, a menu
button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, and a
stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing;
further including a Bluetooth wireless radio chip and a Wifi PC
card; further including a USB 2.0 port; further including a flash
memory card slot; further including at least one of stereo speakers
and a headphone jack; and wherein the display screen comprises a
touch screen.
18. A computer, comprising: a microprocessor; a hard disk drive; a
housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the
housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top
face being of unitary construction; a display screen formed in the
top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define
a first region between the left side and the screen and the right
side and the screen; keys for user input in the first region; keys
for user input in the second region; and movable user controls
other than keys in the top face.
19. The computer of claim 18, wherein the keys for user input in
the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY
keyboard.
20. The computer of claim 18, wherein the display screen extends
for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.
21. The computer of claim 18, wherein the keys for user input in
the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY keyboard,
and wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical
dimension of the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority
under 35 U.S.C., .sctn.120 U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/977,480, filed Oct. 29, 2004 and entitled PAD COMPUTER, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference,
which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/515,753, filed Oct. 30, 2003, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Computers can come in a variety of sizes and configurations,
from large desktop units to laptops to smaller sizes. Personal
digital assistants (PDAs) and other smaller devices also can have
much of the functionality of computers. Computers have various
configurations of screens, keys, and other features.
SUMMARY
[0003] The computers described here can be smaller than a currently
conventional laptop computers, but can have about any size. They
can also include many useful features, including a high-resolution
color display, built-in keypad, wireless LAN connection,
hi-fidelity audio system, and a multi-gigabyte disk drive. The
keypad can be a split keypad on opposite sides of a screen formed
in a top face of a computer. The computer can also have various
other controls and features, including function keys, scroll wheel,
game D-pad, stylus, and fingerprint reader. Speakers can also be
built into the top face.
[0004] The computers as described can be self-contained and could
be a user's only computer, usable for processes such as for
researching and writing school assignments, drawing, painting,
online shopping, reading news, chatting, e-mail, listening to
music, and watching movies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the computer of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIGS. 3 and 4 are close-up views of portions of the computer
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, a computer 10 has a housing 12 with
bumpers 14, 16 around the edges to give the housing a rugged look
and to provide shock protection. The housing has a top face and an
LCD screen 18 formed in the top face. LCD screen 18 can be provided
in portrait orientation as shown here and in application Ser. No.
29/192,829, filed Oct. 30, 2003, or in a landscape orientation, as
also shown in application Ser. No. 29/209,316, filed Jul. 14, 2004
(both of these design patent applications are incorporated herein
by reference). The screen has a cold cathode fluorescent lamp
(CCFL) backlight with an inverter. Screen 18 can be laterally
centered in the housing and can extend for most of the vertical
dimension of the housing. The screen can be a resistive 4-wire
touch screen. The housing can be made of smooth bright-colored
plastic and/or metal.
[0009] The computer can have a fold-over cover (not shown) to
protect the LCD screen. The cover can screw onto the housing but is
customer-replaceable. The cover can be made with a user's choice of
materials: metal, plastic, rubber, spandex, leather, etc. The cover
is convenient to use, ensuring it is used regularly to protect the
LCD. Users can have a whole collection of covers that they pop on
and off to suit their mood or fashion.
[0010] As also shown in FIG. 2, the computer is balanced so it
rests easily in the user's hands when using a built-in keyboard or
and does not readily tip when using a stand. The keypad is in the
top face of the housing and preferably has a full QWERTY keyboard
plus function keys. As also shown in FIGS. 2-4, the keypad can be
split to include a left keypad 20 between a left edge of the screen
and a left edge of the housing, and a right keypad 22 between the
right edge of the screen and the right edge of the housing, and
thus on opposite sides of the screen. General purpose function keys
24, 26 can be provided on one or both sides, and specific function
keys 28 and 30 can be provided on each side for music control,
screen brightness, volume control, or other controls.
[0011] The computer controls can also include a game
controller-style direction pad (D-Pad) 36, a thumbwheel 38 that is
easily accessible when using the built-in keyboard, and can include
a fingerprint reader 40 (including, for example, a thumbprint), or
may have some other biological detector for detecting the presence
of a particular user to allow use of the computer by that user.
Such a detector is not necessary, and other protections, such as
password protection, could be used. The computer could also be
shared among multiple users, such as in an educational environment,
in which case the computer can sense the user biologically and
automatically configure itself for the particular sensed user, or
configure in one of a number of ways for one of a group of
users.
[0012] The computer housing can be designed to be water and grit
resistant, meaning that an occasional splash of water or soft drink
will not seep into the case and ruin the electronics. Using it at
the beach or pool is possible, though it may not necessarily
survive a full dunking. The LCD and keyboard have basic rubber
gaskets and any external openings for jacks are covered with rubber
plugs.
[0013] While a keypad and touch screen are preferably built-in, an
optional full-size keyboard and mouse can connect wirelessly via
Bluetooth technology. Internet and LAN connectivity is preferably
wireless via built-in WiFi (802.11b). Printers can also be
connected wirelessly via either Bluetooth or WiFi. For
compatibility with existing wired devices, such as cameras,
scanners, and printers, a USB port (e.g., 1.1) is also
provided.
[0014] The top face of the housing can also include one or more
covers for speakers 42, 44. Additional outlets can be provided for
a card slot 46 and a headphone jack 48.
[0015] A stylus holder 50 for holding a stylus can also be provided
in the top face of the computer.
[0016] The computer preferably does not have any external antennas
or other dangling parts that can break off if treated roughly.
[0017] One set of exemplary dimensions is approximately 10'' in
length, 9.3'' wide, and less than 1'' thick, e.g., about 0.8''
thick. It is designed to be durable, and able to survive being
dropped on the floor, tossed in a backpack, and splashed. Other
dimensions are possible, but it is preferably smaller than a
typical current laptop, but larger than a PDA.
[0018] The computer preferably runs on the Linux operating system
and Java, and should be reliable and secure. The Java run-time
environment is designed to allow users to download and run dozens
of programs.
[0019] The environment should also be private--the information on
the computer can be encrypted and it is preferably unlocked only
when a test is met, such as the owner's thumbprint.
[0020] The computer is designed to use low-cost, low-power
components. Since long battery life (at least 8 hours) is desired,
the system is designed to power on and off components as
needed.
[0021] The system can include a WiFi/802.11 b PC card with
housing-mounted diversity antennas, Bluetooth wireless radio chip
with embedded ROM connected via dedicated interface, a
shock-mounted PC card disk drive, audio CODEC, audio amp, built-in
stereo speakers and microphone, mini stereo headphone, and
microphone jacks (some of which are shown above).
[0022] Further components that can be added or provided include FM
Radio, WiFi wireless LAN chipset, disk drive, digital camera module
and connector with custom FPGA controller, built-in or snap-in
power adapter/charger, compact Flash Card slot, V.90 modem and
RJ-11 jack, analog joystick, and additional function buttons (e.g.,
more game controller buttons).
[0023] A slot-loading CD-RW/DVD that optionally snaps on the back
of the computer can be provided. The CD/DVD backpack can be added
or removed without powering down the computer, so it should use a
plug & play interface, such as USB. The backpack may also
require an additional internal battery to ensure at least 2 hours
of DVD playing time.
[0024] The angle and curve of the housing and the angle of the
keypads relative to the edges of the housing are useful for the
feel and ergonomics of the computer, in addition to providing an
attractive and ornamental appearance. The lateral sides are
preferable bowed outwardly (concave) and the top and bottom sides
are bowed inwardly (convex). By splitting the keypad and locating
it in the upper half of the housing at the proper position in the
curve, the computer remains balanced in the user's hands while the
user is typing, scrolling, or gaming.
[0025] The computer is preferably built from a two-piece injection
molded and machined plastic housing. The two front side panels are
covered with customer-replaceable and customizable faceplates. The
edges of the housing can include soft elastomeric plastic grips
that also protect the edges of the housing. The LCD is also
protected with an elastomeric bezel.
[0026] Many details are provided but numerous modifications can be
made. It is expected that improvements will be made with future
hardware as it becomes available. In addition, not all the
components set out above are needed; for example, the keyboard
could have fewer keys, certain interfaces and ports could be
omitted, and other changes could be made that could add features,
or reduce features and cost.
* * * * *