U.S. patent application number 11/725294 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for multi-sectioned arm for portable electronic devices.
Invention is credited to Shaofen Chen, Zhaofang Wen.
Application Number | 20070159784 11/725294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37947933 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070159784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Shaofen ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Multi-sectioned arm for portable electronic devices
Abstract
One or more multi-sectioned arms are used as a basic mechanism
to couple the display and the base of a portable electronic device.
With this mechanism, a single portable electronic device can
support all or a selected subset of the following capabilities. The
display unit can move up, down, backward, forward, and left and
right, relative to the base. The viewing angle of the display can
be tilted, up and down, and sideway; and the display can be set to
portrait and landscape viewing orientations. The base can be lifted
and tilted forward for improved heat dispersion and better typing
comfort. When the device is either in a close position, or in a
conventional open position in which the display is not elevated
above the base and is about perpendicular to the base, each arm can
be folded and parked alongside the device in a closed position; and
each folded arm can also be turned away from the side of the
device. Each arm can also be detached from the base and the
display. It is also possible to control how the base and the
display face each other when they are stacked together, enabling
multiple configurations.
Inventors: |
Chen; Shaofen; (Plano,
TX) ; Wen; Zhaofang; (Plano, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Shaofen Chen
4428 Cranwood Drive
Plano
TX
75024
US
|
Family ID: |
37947933 |
Appl. No.: |
11/725294 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11252671 |
Oct 18, 2005 |
7215538 |
|
|
11725294 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.27 ;
361/679.57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1654 20130101;
G06F 1/1679 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/162 20130101;
G06F 1/1681 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/683 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16 |
Claims
1. A portable electronic device comprising: (a) a base having one
or more input surfaces; wherein said base has a predefined usage
orientation; (b) a display having a screen for viewing; (c) one or
more arms, each said arm including a plurality of arm sections
linked together; and (d) at least one said arm having at least one
of its sections connected to said base and at least one of its
sections connected to said display; wherein with the arm support,
said display can open from and fold against said base; and said
base can be tilted forward.
2. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein said display
can be set to a portrait viewing orientation or a landscape viewing
orientation; and optionally said display can be set a slanted
viewing orientation.
3. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further supporting at
least one feature selected from the following group: (a) the
forward tilting angle of said base can be adjusted; and (b) at
least one said arm can be used for preventing said device from
tipping over.
4. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein when said
display is open for viewing, the viewing angle of said display can
be tilted; and wherein with the arm support, said device supports
at least one capability selected from the following group: (a) Said
display can move up and down in elevation relative to said base;
(b) Said display can move left and right relative to said base in
usage orientation; and (c) Said display can move forward and
backward relative to said base in usage orientation.
5. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one
of the following conditions is true: (a) Wiring between said
display and said base runs inside said at least one arm; (b) Said
at least one arm is controllably detachable from said base or said
display; and (c) There is locking mechanism for preventing said arm
sections from leaving their chosen relative positions.
6. The portable electronic device of claim 1, further supporting at
least one feature selected from the following group: (a) when said
base and said display are folded together, each said input surface
of said base can be arranged to face away from said display; (b)
said display is allowed to overly said base, with said screen
facing away from said base; (c) in a conventional open viewing
position in which said display is not elevated above said base and
is about perpendicular to said base, each said input surface of
said base can be arranged to face upward; (d) when said display and
said base are folded together said arm can be folded alongside said
display and base, and optionally said folded arm can be turned away
from said display and base; (e) in a conventional open viewing
position in which said display is not elevated above said base and
is about perpendicular to said base, said arm can be folded
alongside said display and base, and optionally said folded arm can
be turned away from said display and base.
7. A portable electronic device comprising: (a) a base having one
or more input surfaces; wherein said base has a predefined usage
orientation; (b) a display having a screen for viewing; (c) at
least one arm, each said arm including a plurality of arm sections
linked together; and (d) at least one said arm having at least one
of its sections connected to said base and at least one of its
sections connected to said display; wherein with the arm support,
said display can open from and fold against said base, and said
display can be set to a portrait viewing orientation.
8. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein said display
can be set to a landscape viewing orientation, and optionally a
slanted viewing orientation.
9. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein said base can
be tilted forward; and optionally the forward tilting angle can be
adjusted.
10. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein at least one
said arm can be used for preventing said device from tipping
over.
11. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein when said
display is open for viewing, the viewing angle of said display can
be tilted; and wherein with the arm support, said device supports
at least one capability selected from the following group: (a) Said
display can move up and down in elevation relative to said base;
(b) Said display can move left and right relative to said base in
usage orientation; and (c) Said display can move forward and
backward relative to said base in usage orientation.
12. The portable electronic device of claim 7, wherein at least one
of the following conditions is true: (a) Wiring between said
display and said base runs inside said at least one arm; (b) Said
at least one arm is controllably detachable from said base or said
display; and (c) There is locking mechanism for preventing said arm
sections from leaving their chosen relative positions.
13. The portable electronic device of claim 7, further supporting
at least one feature selected from the following group: (a) when
said base and said display are folded together, each said input
surface of said base can be arranged to face away from said
display; (b) said display is allowed to overly said base, with said
screen facing away from said base; (c) in a conventional open
viewing position in which said display is not elevated above said
base and is about perpendicular to said base, each said input
surface of said base can be arranged to face upward; (d) when said
display and said base are folded together said arm can be folded
alongside said display and base, and optionally said folded arm can
be turned away from said display and base; (e) in a conventional
open viewing position in which said display is not elevated above
said base and is about perpendicular to said base, said arm can be
folded alongside said display and base, and optionally said folded
arm can be turned away from said display and base.
14. A portable electronic device comprising: (a) a base having one
or more input surfaces; wherein said base has a predefined usage
orientation; (b) a display having a screen for viewing; (c) at
least one arm, each said arm including a plurality of arm sections
linked together; (d) at least one of said arm sections is
elongated; and (e) at least one of said arm sections is connected
to said base and at least one of said arm sections is connected to
said display; wherein the arm motion is capable of opening and
folding said display from and against said base, moving said
display up and down in elevation relative to said base, and when
said display is open for viewing, the viewing angle of said display
can be tilted.
15. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein said
display can be set to a portrait viewing orientation or a landscape
viewing orientation; and optionally said display can be set a
slanted viewing orientation.
16. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein said base
can be tilted forward; and optionally the forward tilting angle can
be adjusted.
17. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein at least
one said arm can be used for preventing said device from tipping
over.
18. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein when said
display is open for viewing, the viewing angle of said display can
be tilted; and wherein with the arm support, said device supports
at least one capability selected from the following group: (a) Said
display can move left and right relative to said base in usage
orientation; and (b) Said display can move forward and backward
relative to said base in usage orientation.
19. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein at least
one of the following conditions is true: (a) Wiring between said
display and said base runs inside said at least one arm; (b) Said
at least one arm is controllably detachable from said base or said
display; and (c) There is locking mechanism for preventing said arm
sections from leaving their chosen relative positions.
20. The portable electronic device of claim 14, further supporting
at least one feature selected from the following group: (a) when
said base and said display are folded together, each said input
surface of said base can be arranged to face away from said
display; (b) said display is allowed to overly said base, with said
screen facing away from said base; (c) in a conventional open
viewing position in which said display is not elevated above said
base and is about perpendicular to said base, each said input
surface of said base can be arranged to face upward; (d) when said
display and said base are folded together said arm can be folded
alongside said display and base, and optionally said folded arm can
be turned away from said display and base; (e) in a conventional
open viewing position in which said display is not elevated above
said base and is about perpendicular to said base, said arm can be
folded alongside said display and base, and optionally said folded
arm can be turned away from said display and base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/252,671, filed on Oct. 18, 2005 (Oct. 18, 2005),
entitled "Portable Computer with Multi-Sectioned Arms to Support
Display Position Adjustment and Multiple Configurations" which is
incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally relates to a computer and
other electronic devices. More specifically, the invention relates
to a portable computer or a portable electronic device having an
adjustable display, at least one input device, and one or more
configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Technological advancements have enabled portable electronic
devices to be built in various forms such as notebook computers,
tablet PCs, personal digital assistants (PDA), and portable DVD
players. It can be useful to unify some of these forms in one
single portable electronic device with multiple configurations.
[0006] Portable computers or notebooks typically comprise of a
computer base and a display screen. The computer base generally
holds electronic circuitry and other components, such as a
keyboard, a disk drive. Typically, the base is hinged to the
display in a manner in which the display folds down on the base, as
shown by the computer (900) in FIG. 5. This design is referred to
as the clam shell type enclosure. The display screen is typically
connected to the base in such a way that the screen is hidden when
the clam shell is closed. That is, the screen faces the upper side
(typically, the keyboard) of the base.
[0007] There are several disadvantages of the clam shell design.
One disadvantage is that the screen and the keyboard are next to
each other. If the screen is placed at a comfortable viewing
position, it will make the arms and shoulders uncomfortable for
typing. On the other hand, if the computer is placed at a
comfortable typing position, it would make the neck uncomfortable
when looking at the screen. This problem can cause serious
computer-related work injuries. Another disadvantage is that it
requires sufficient room to fully open the clam shell computer and
position the display screen at an angle of about ninety degree
(90.degree.) or more with respect to the base for normal viewing;
and this can be very difficult when operating in tight space, for
example, on the pull-out tray on the back of a declined airplane
seat. Therefore, the clam shell design is insufficient for
comfortable use. Furthermore, in the clam shell design, the display
is mechanically coupled with the base in such a way that it is only
suitable for a landscape viewing orientation. Electronic technology
is now available to enable a screen to support both portrait and
landscape orientations. (In portrait orientation the length of the
display screen is vertically oriented; and in landscape
orientation, the length of the display screen is horizontally
oriented.) Therefore, the conventional mechanical for coupling
display and base is insufficient.
[0008] In general, it is useful to be able to arrange a single
portable computer into various configurations as follows. [0009]
(1) Improved Notebook configuration: The display screen can be
adjusted to a desirable viewing angle, and to a position by height
(up or down relative to the base) and optionally also by depth
(forward or backward relative to the base's usage orientation).
[0010] (2) Shared viewing configuration: This is configuration (1)
plus display adjustment by width (left or right of the space above
the keyboard). (This can be useful when more than one people are
looking at the screen at the same time.) [0011] (3) Tablet PC
configuration: The portable computer is closed with the base
stacked underneath the upward-facing screen to be used as an input
pad. (The keyboard in this configuration can either be facing down
or up. But it does not matter.) [0012] (4) Stylus input
configuration: The portable computer is open with screen up in
normal viewing position; but the bottom side (opposite to the
keyboard) of the base is up and used as an input pad. [0013] (5)
Space saving configuration: The portable computer is closed with
the display stacked underneath the base, so that the base can be
used as a desktop machine together with a desktop display unit,
typically with a bigger and better screen. [0014] (6) Desk note
configuration: The display is completely detached from the base so
that the base can be used as a desktop machine together with a
desktop display unit. (Both this configuration and the Space saving
configuration can get the built-in display out of the way of the
desktop monitor screen.) [0015] (7) Flexible display orientation
configuration: The display screen supports both portrait and
landscape viewing orientations. [0016] (8) Base tilting
configuration: The base can be tilted forward.
[0017] There have been numerous attempts to address various subsets
of these configurations. Many of them are focused on the screen
viewing position adjustment using various approaches, which are all
different from the multi-sectioned arm approach in the present
invention. Some others are focused on mode transitioning between
conventional notebook and tablet PC. There has been no single
invention until now that can solve all configurations in a single
portable computing device.
[0018] The purpose of the present invention is to devise a basic
mechanism for supporting all or a selected subset of configurations
(1)-(8) in one single portable computer. The invention also has
some additional features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention is capable of supporting, in one
single portable computer, all or a selected subset of
configurations (1)-(8) as specified in the Background Section. The
invention also supports some additional features.
[0020] A portable computer according to the present invention
generally includes a computer base and a display, which are
connected by one or more multi-sectioned arms. Electronic and
electrical wiring runs inside the arms. There are attachment
mechanisms on both the computer base and the display for connecting
with the arms. The arm sections are linked together by flexible
joints, which allow the attached sections to rotate or turn around
them.
[0021] The arms can be folded and park alongside the portable
computer in closed positions. At the conventional screen viewing
position in which the display is not lifted and about perpendicular
to the base, the arms can be turned away so that they do not block
the computer base's edges for other uses, such as DVD and other
outlets.
[0022] The arms can also be flexibly stretched to allow continuous
adjustment of the screen's spatial position by height (up or down
relative to the base), depth (forward or backward relative to the
base's user edge), and width (left or right away from space above
the base). (See configurations (1) and (2) in the Background
section.)
[0023] To see the range of screen position adjustment, consider the
middle point at the lower edge of the display. In the conventional
clam shell enclosure design (as shown in FIG. 5), this mid-point
travels along a pre-determined curve with a semi-diameter about the
height of the hinge connection between the base and the display. In
contrast, a portable computer of the present invention allows such
a mid-point to be position at any location in a 3-dimensional range
with a diameter about the height of the fully stretched
multi-sectioned arm.
[0024] The arms are connected to the attachment mechanisms on the
base and the display. The screen's viewing angle can be adjusted;
furthermore, the portable computer can be set to various
configurations by arranging how the display and the base face each
other.
[0025] With the support of the multi-sectioned arm extension(s),
the screen can be lifted and tilted forward for better heat
dispersion and typing comfort. The flexibility of the arms and the
attachment mechanisms on the base and the display allow for the
display to be set to both landscape and portrait viewing
orientations.
[0026] The arms can be detached completely from both the computer
base and the display. This not only allows for the computer to be
set for the desk note configuration (6), but also makes the arms
substitutable (for damage repair, or for alternative arms of
varying shapes and sizes). Alternatively, many of the
configurations can be obtained by detaching the arms, rearranging
the display and the base, and then re-attaching the arms (if
necessary).
[0027] Friction or locking mechanisms at the joints can maintain
selected spatial positions of the arms and the display. There are
mechanisms at the joints to limit how much the attached arm
sections can rotate or turn. (This can prevent potential wiring and
other damages from unlimited rotating and turning.) There are also
locking mechanisms to prevent the arms from unintentional
detachment from the connection pivots.
[0028] For illustration, three embodiments of the present invention
are presented, based on the number of arms. For simplicity of
presentation, drawings of the embodiments are done using several
notations representing basic parts such as basic arm section
joints. These parts can be implemented mechanically based on
current mechanical manufacturing capabilities in the field.
[0029] In the preferred embodiments, the base has two sides and
four edges: the keyboard side, the bottom side (opposite to the
keyboard), the left edge, right edge, the front edge (user edge),
and the back edge. The display also has two sides and four edges:
the screen side, the back side (opposite to the screen), the left
and right edges, and the upper and lower edges (from the user's
point of view).
[0030] In the first embodiment, one single multi-sectioned arm is
connected to the back edge of the base and the back side of the
display, respectively. In the second embodiment, two arms connect
the base and the display by their side edges, with one on the left
and the other on the right. The third embodiment is an extension of
the second embodiment by replacing the two-sectioned side arms with
side arms using combo-joints, thus enabling the display to move
sideway.
[0031] In summary, a portable electronic device according to the
present invention is capable of supporting all or a selected subset
of the configurations listed in Background Section. These
configurations are implemented by relative rotation and turning of
arm sections, the display, and the base; and alternatively, the
portable electronic device can switch among some of the
configurations by arm detachment and re-attachment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Drawing Notations: Basic Building Blocks
[0032] FIG. 1 is a list of notations used in the drawings to
represent one of the sections in a multi-sectioned arm in various
scenarios.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a list of notations used in the drawings to
represent a joint connecting two arm sections. They show how the
attached arm sections can rotate relatively to the joint. (By
relative, we mean that it can also been seen as the joint rotating
while the arm section remain still.)
[0034] FIG. 3 is a list of notations in various scenarios an arm
can be attached to and detached from the base and the display.
[0035] FIG. 4 lists the base and the display of a portable
computer. In the drawings of all the embodiments, the base and the
display will always use the same labels. (FIG. 4A denotes the
display of a portable computer. FIG. 4B denotes the base of a
portable computer.)
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional clam shell
enclosure design of a portable computer, in an open position for
viewing.
First Embodiment
[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
computer (4100) of the present invention with a single back
multi-sectioned arm, in a partially open position.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a position
in which the display is lifted and set to a horizontal position
with screen facing down.
[0039] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in an opened
position, in which the display is lifted and set to portrait
orientation.
[0040] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of computer 4100 in an opened
position, in which the display is lifted and set to an orientation
between landscape and portrait orientations.
[0041] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a closed
position.
[0042] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a closed
position.
[0043] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm and
parked alongside the base's back edge 82.
[0044] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm
placed away from the base's back edge 82.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a position
where the display is up, screen facing the opposite direction from
the keyboard's usage orientation, with the folded arm parked
alongside the base's back edge 82.
[0046] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
position, in which the display faces upward and overlays the base,
with the folded arm parked alongside the base's back edge 82.
[0047] FIG. 12B is a split view of the display in FIG. 12A, in
which some legs are added on the back side 97 of the display.
[0048] FIG. 12C is a split view of the display in FIG. 12B, in
which the foldable legs can be used as alternatives.
[0049] FIG. 12D is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
position, in which the display faces upward and overlays the base,
with the folded arm parked alongside the base's back edge 82. Legs
on the back side 97 keep the display stable on top of the base, and
provide room for the arm sections 4131 and 4132 underneath the
display.
[0050] FIG. 13A is a perspective back view of computer 4100 in an
opened, screen-up-lifted position, in which the base is lifted and
tilted forward by the arm extension.
[0051] FIG. 13B is a split back view of the base which uses a
separate multi-sectioned arm to replace arm extension 4122 as an
alternative base tilting mechanism.
[0052] FIG. 13C is a split back view of the base which uses two
separate multi-sectioned arms to replace arm extension 4122 as an
alternative base tilting mechanism.
[0053] FIG. 14A is a perspective side view of computer 4100 in an
opened, screen-up position, in which the base is tilted forward by
the arm extension.
[0054] FIG. 14B is a split view of the display, where the L-shaped
end section of the arm in FIG. 14A is substituted with two sections
linked by a joint.
[0055] FIG. 15 is a perspective side view of computer 4100 in an
open position, in which screen is lifted; the base is tilted
forward by the arm extension; and the screen is tilted to the
left-side (relative to the conventional pre-defined usage
orientation.)
[0056] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in an open
position in which the viewing screen 98 is facing the front, and
the whole display is lifted and positioned towards to the right
edge of the user (suitable for view sharing.)
[0057] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a closed
position with the base sitting on top of the display (for the
space-saving configuration).
Second Embodiment
[0058] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the portable computer
(4200) of the second embodiment of the present invention with two
side arms. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and
facing the user.
[0059] FIG. 18B is a perspective back view of portable computer
4200 in an open position, in which the screen is lifted and facing
the user; and the base is tilted forward by the arm extensions.
[0060] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of computer 4200 in a closed,
arms folded position. It also shows how the arms can be
detached.
[0061] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of computer 4200 in
conventional open position.
[0062] FIG. 21 is perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
position, in which the screen is up-lifted and facing the user; and
the base is tilted forward by the arm extensions.
[0063] FIG. 22 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
conventional open position, in which the arms are folded and lifted
up to avoid blocking side edge 84 of the base for other uses such
as a DVD player and other outlets; and the base is tilted forward
by the arm extensions.
[0064] FIG. 23 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in an
unconventional open position with arms partially stretched to reach
behind the back edge of the base. (This is to show how flexible the
display's viewing position can be.) In this position, the arm
extensions also reach behind the back edge of the base to prevent
the computer from tipping over.
[0065] FIG. 24 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in an
open position with display 90 up-lifted and the keyboard faced down
(for the stylus configuration (4)).
[0066] FIG. 25 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
conventional closed position with arms folded and screen facing the
keyboard.
[0067] FIG. 26 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
closed position with arms folded, screen facing up, and the base
stacked underneath the display. (This is a version of the tablet PC
configuration.)
[0068] FIG. 27 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
closed position with arms folded and screen facing up. (This is an
alternative design to support the tablet PC configuration.)
Third Embodiment
[0069] FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a portable computer (4300)
of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] FIG. 28B is a split view of arms 4231 and 4232 of computer
4200 and an alternative pair of arms. Substituting the arms leads
to the third embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG.
28A.
[0071] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in a
closed position, with the arms folded.
[0072] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in a
conventional open position, with arms folded and parked alongside
the edges of the base (80).
[0073] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms folded and reached out from the back of
the computer.
[0074] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms folded, reached out from the back of
the computer, and also turned sideway away from the computer. Base
80 is tilted forward by arm extensions 4323 and 4324. The arm
extensions 4323 and 4324 respectively bend backward at joint 4347
and 4348 to help prevent the computer from tipping over.
[0075] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms partially stretched, and with the
display partially up-lifted and reached out towards the right hand
side of the computer (from the user's point of view.) Base 80 is
tilted forward by arm extensions 4323 and 4324. The arm extensions
4323 and 4324 respectively bend backward at joint 4347 and 4348 to
help prevent the computer from tipping over.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE
EMBODIMENTS
Drawing Notations: Basic Building Blocks
[0076] FIG. 2 is a list of notations used in the drawings to
represent a joint connecting two arm sections. They show how the
attached arm sections can rotate relatively to the joint.
("relative" means that it can also been seen as the joint rotating
while the arm section remain still.)
[0077] FIG. 2A denotes a joint which allows the two attached
sections to rotate around the joint; and they rotate on two
parallel planes.
[0078] FIG. 2B denotes a joint which allows the two attached
sections to rotate around the same axis; and they rotate on the
same plane. (The point of view dictates which one of the two
pictures to use in the drawings.)
[0079] FIG. 2C denotes a joint which allows the two attached
sections to independently rotate around the joint on a common
plane; and the sections will not overlap in a folded position. (The
point of view dictates which one of the two pictures to use in the
drawings.)
[0080] FIG. 2D denotes a joint which allows the two attached
sections to turn independently in relatively opposite
direction.
[0081] FIG. 2E is perspective view of a combination of two joints
and three arm sections. The purpose is to show how simple joints
can be combined to allow more flexible rotations of the end
sections. Around joint 841, arm section 831 can rotate in any
selected plane; and the selected plane can change when arm section
832 turns (relative to arm section 833) around joint 842. If we
look at the combination as a whole, the end sections 831 and 833
can turn independently on separate planes. That is, even when arm
section 833 stays still, arm section 831 can turn on its own on a
selected plane; and furthermore, this selected plane can change
even when section 833 does not move. (In engineering
implementation, if the middle section 832 is short, it may help to
think of such a joint combination as just one combo-joint mechanism
which allows the two attached end sections 831 and 833 to rotate
independently. Therefore, we also have the notation of FIG.
2F.)
[0082] FIG. 2F denotes a joint which allows the two attached
sections to rotate independently around two separate axes, and they
rotate on two separate planes. There is more than one variation
(two being shown here). The point of view dictates which variation
to use in a drawing. In general, this type of joint is marked by a
block circle containing two of the three symbols: a white vertical
bar, a white horizontal bar, and a white circle, which are used to
indicate the planes for the associated arm sections to rotate on.
We generally use the white horizontal bar to indicate the
associated arm section that can rotate on a plane parallel to the
base of the portable computer. We use the white vertical bar to
indicate the associated arm section that can rotate on a plane that
is perpendicular to the base of the computer, and that the plane is
invisible or reduced to a line from the perspective view point of
the drawing. And we the white circle to indicate the plane that is
also perpendicular to the base of the computer, but the plane is at
least partially visible from the perspective view point of the
drawing. (This notation is somewhat analogous to the 3D
coordinates. But it is not the same because the three planes here
do not have to be perpendicular to one another. In engineering
implementation, this type of joint can be substituted with a
combo-joint such as FIG. 2E.)
[0083] FIG. 2G denotes a joint that allows arm section 821 to
rotation around section 834.
[0084] FIG. 2H denotes a joint that allows arm section 822 to
rotation around section 835.
[0085] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the display of a portable
computer in an upward position. Display 90 generally has two sides
and four edges: viewing screen side 98, back side 97, upper edge
91, lower edge 92, left edge 93, and right edge 94 (from the user's
normal view point).
[0086] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the base of a portable
computer. Base 80 preferably includes electronic components and at
least one data entry member, such as a keyboard. Base 80 generally
has two sides and four edges: upper side (keyboard) 87, bottom side
88, front or user edge 81, back edge 82, left edge 83, and right
edge 84 (from the user's normal view point). The bottom side 88 can
sometimes be used by an alternative data entry member, such as
stylus input. Base 80 has a predefined usage orientation, for
example, the usage orientation of the keyboard.
First Embodiment
[0087] Figures FIG. 6 to FIG. 17 show a portable computer (4100)
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Computer
4100 has one single back arm.
[0088] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portable computer (4100)
of the first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment
includes a display 90, a base 80, and a multi-sectioned arm 4130.
One end section 4131 of the arm is connected to the display at
pivot 4151; and the other end section 4135 is connected to the
based at pivot 4152. Pivot 4151 allows the display to rotate in
order to adjust its orientations, such as portrait and landscape
orientations, and even some slanted orientation; and pivot 4152
allows base 80 to rotate relatively to arm section 4135, so that
the bottom side 88 (not shown in the figure) of base 80 can be set
to face up (for stylus input configuration, see Background
Section). Sections 4131 and 4132 can rotate relative to each other
around joint 4141, so that the display can tilt horizontally
(turning the screen left and right). One of the functions in
combo-joint 4142 (denoted by the white vertical bar inside the
block circle) allows arm section 4132 to rotate vertically, so that
the display can be turned vertically in order to close (in a
horizontal position), to open for viewing, and to adjust viewing
angle. When the display is positioned horizontally, the portable
computer can be arranged into various configurations by controlling
how display 90 and base 80 face each other. (Alternatively, such
configurations can be obtained by simply detaching the arms,
setting up the display and the base to the desired configurations,
and re-attaching the arms again.) Arm sections 4133 and 4134 can be
adjusted independently around joint 4144, as assisted by joint 4143
and joint 4145 (a function denoted as a white circle in the black
circle), respectively. Together they allow the arm to control
directly the continuous movement of joint 4143 (and indirectly the
screen) within a selected plane. Besides, this selected plane can
be changed continuously using a function of joint 4142 (denoted as
a horizontal white bar inside the black circle) together with its
counterpart in joint 4145. Therefore, as measured by the mid point
on its lower edge 92 relative to base 80, the display's viewing
position can be adjusted continuously within a three dimensional
space of semi-diameter about total length of arm sections 4133 and
4134. There are locks to prevent the end sections 4131 and 4135
from unintentional detachment. There are also mechanisms to control
how much the end sections of the arm can rotate at pivots 4151 and
4152, respectively. Arm 4130 has an extension 4122, which can
rotate around section 4135 at joint 4146 to an almost vertical
position to support forward tilting of base 80; extension 4122 has
multiple sections used to adjust the forward tilting angle of base
80; and in such a position, some end sections of extension 4122 may
bend backward, to a predefined horizontal level, so as to prevent
the computer from tipping over when the display leans backward, as
shown in FIG. 14A. There can be many ways to maintain extension
4122 in a position to provide stable support for the forward
tilting of base 80. One preferred implementation is to make joint
4146 in such a way that it allows extension 4122 to rotate in only
one predefined direction; and in such an implementation, extension
4122 can support the forward tilting of the base by rotating to and
stopping at an almost vertical position.
[0089] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a position
in which the display is lifted and set to a horizontal position
with screen facing down. This position can be reached from a
position in FIG. 6 by turning arm section 4132 around joint 4142
(using a function denoted as the vertical bar inside the black
circle).
[0090] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in an opened
position, in which the display is lifted and set to portrait
orientation. From a position in FIG. 6, turning display 80 at pivot
4151 can reach the portrait orientation in FIG. 8A and slanted
orientation in FIG. 8B.
[0091] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a closed
position with the arm folded. This position can be reached from a
position in FIG. 7 by folding arm sections 4133 and 4134, and then
turning arm extension 4122 around joint 4146.
[0092] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of computer 4100 in another
closed position with the arm folded; and this position can be
reached from a position in FIG. 9A as follows. A function of joint
4142 (denoted as the horizontal white bar inside the black circle)
together with its counterpart in joint 4145 can turn arm 4130
horizontally, to the left side (from the keyboard usage
orientation), or to a position away from the back of the computer
(as shown in FIG. 10B).
[0093] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm
placed alongside the base's back edge 82. This position can be
reached from a position in FIG. 9B by turning arm section 4132
around combo-joint 4142.
[0094] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
conventionally opened, screen-up position, with the folded arm
placed away from the base's back edge 82 (to avoid blocking the
back edge 82 of the base for other uses, such as various cable
outlets.)
[0095] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a position
where the display is up, screen facing the opposite direction from
the keyboard's usage orientation, with the folded arm parked
alongside the base's back edge 82. This position can be reached
from a position in FIG. 10A by rotating arm section 4131 around
joint 4132.
[0096] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
position, in which the display faces upward and overlays the base,
with the folded arm parked alongside the base's back edge 82.
[0097] FIG. 12B is a split view of the display in FIG. 12A, in
which some legs 4171, 4172, 4173, and 4174 are added on the back
side 97 of the display.
[0098] FIG. 12C is a split view of the display in FIG. 12B, in
which the foldable legs can be used as alternatives.
[0099] FIG. 12D is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a
position, in which the display faces upward and overlays the base,
with the folded arm parked alongside the base's back edge 82. Legs
on the back side 97 keep the display stable on top of the base, and
provide room for the arm sections 4131 and 4132 underneath the
display.
[0100] FIG. 13A is a perspective back view of computer 4100 in an
opened, screen-up-lifted position, in which the base is lifted and
tilted forward by arm extension 4122. Extension 4122 bends backward
to a predefined horizontal position at joint 4148; this not only
controls the tilting angle of base 80, but also provides support
for computer 4100 against tipping over. Alternatively, we can make
extension 4122 separate from the arm, as in FIG. 13B and FIG.
13C.
[0101] FIG. 14A is a perspective side view of computer 4100 in an
opened, screen-up-lifted position, in which the base is tilted
forward by the arm extension. Extension 4122 bends backward to a
predefined horizontal position at joint 4148, to control the
tilting angle of base 80, and to support computer 4100 against
tipping over.
[0102] FIG. 14B is a split view of the display, where the L-shaped
end section of the arm in FIG. 14A is substituted with two sections
linked by joint 4149. This allows for even more flexible tilting of
display viewing angle.
[0103] FIG. 15 is a perspective side view of computer 4100 in an
open position, in which screen is lifted; the base is tilted
forward by the arm extension; and the screen is tilted to the
left-side (relative to the keyboard's pre-defined usage
orientation.)
[0104] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in an open
position in which the viewing screen 98 is facing the front, and
the whole display is lifted and positioned towards to the right
side of the user (suitable for view sharing.) This position can be
obtained by moving display 90 towards the right side of the user in
FIG. 13A, and by turning extension 4122 to a horizontal
position.
[0105] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of computer 4100 in a closed
position with the base sitting on top of the display (Space-saving
Configuration, see Background Section). This position can be
obtained by from FIG. 13A in the following steps: turn extension
4122 to a horizontal position; rotate base 180 around arm section
4135 (connected at pivot 4152) to let the keyboard face down; close
the computer; and turn the computer down-side-up.
Second Embodiment
[0106] Figures FIG. 18 to FIG. 27 show a portable computer (4200)
of a second embodiment of the present invention. Computer 4200 has
two side arms.
[0107] FIG. 18A is a perspective view of the portable computer
(4200) of the second embodiment of the invention. The computer has
two side arms. It is in a position where the screen is lifted and
facing the user. The portable computer 4200 generally includes a
display 90, a base 80, and two side arms 4231 and 4232. The left
arm 4231 is connected to the display at pivot 4251, and to the base
at pivot 4253. The right arm 4232 is connected to the display at
pivot 4252, and to the base at pivot 4254. The viewing angle of the
screen can be tilted by rotating the display around pivot 4251 and
pivot 4252. The arms can be adjusted synchronously through joints
4241 and 4242, thus allowing continuous adjustment of the display's
position by height and depth (see Configuration (1) in the
Background section). The range of adjustment can be as far as the
length of the fully stretched arms. The portable computer can be
arranged into various configurations by setting how the screen 98
and the keyboard 87 face each other; and this can be achieved by
turning the base and display around the connection pivots (at 4251,
4252, 4253, and 4254). There are locks to prevent the arms from
unintentional detachment from the base and the display. There are
also mechanisms to control how much the end sections of the arm can
turn at pivots 4251, 4252, 4253, and 4254. Arm 4231 has extension
4223 linked by joint 4243; and arm 4232 has extension 4224 linked
by joint 4244. The design and usage of the arm extensions is
similar to that in computer 4100. Therefore, we will not repeat the
details here.
[0108] FIG. 18B is a prospective back view of computer 4200 in an
open, screen-up-lifted position in which base 80 is forward tilted
by arm extensions 4223 and 4224, both of which bend backward to
predefined horizontal positions at joints 4247 and 4248,
respectively; this not only controls the tilting angle of base 80,
but also provides support for computer 4200 against tipping
over.
[0109] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of computer 4200 in a closed,
arms folded position. It also shows how the arms can be detached.
This position can be obtained by turning the screen face down and
then folding the arms.
[0110] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of computer 4200 in
conventional open position, in which display is up but not
lifted.
[0111] FIG. 21 is perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
position with the screen up-lifted and facing the user. It shows
how the upper and lower sections of arm 4232 can turn independently
around joint 4242. It also shows how the display can rotate around
arm at 4252. (The left arm is not shown in this view.) These
mechanisms allow the portable computer to transition from its
current position to any of the configurations as shown in FIG.
24-FIG. 26.
[0112] FIG. 22 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in an
open position with arms folded and lifted up to avoid blocking the
edge 84 of the base for other uses (such as a DVD player). The
computer base is forward tilted by the arm extensions (only
extension 4224 is shown in this view).
[0113] FIG. 23 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in an
unconventional open position with arms partially stretched to reach
behind the back edge of the base. (This is to show how flexible the
display's viewing position can be.) In this position, the arm
extensions also reach behind the back edge of the base to prevent
the computer from tipping over.
[0114] FIG. 24 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in an
open position with the display up-lifted and the keyboard faced
down (for the stylus configuration (4)). This position can be
obtained from FIG. 21 by two steps: turn the base around pivot 4254
to a face-down position; and then adjust arm 4232. (Corresponding
adjustment of left arm 4231 is not shown in this view.)
[0115] FIG. 25 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
conventional closed position with arms folded and screen facing the
keyboard.
[0116] FIG. 26 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
closed position with arms folded, screen facing up, and the base
stacked underneath the display. (This is for the tablet PC
configuration.) This is position can be obtained from FIG. 21 in
the following steps: flip the base to make the keyboard face down
(by rotating the base around pivot 4254); fold the arm towards the
right hand side in FIG. 21 (i.e. in the opposite direction to how
the arm is normally opened and closed in the notebook
configuration); and close down display (with screen facing up); and
park extension 4224 alongside edge 84 of the computer base.
[0117] FIG. 27 is a perspective side view of computer 4200 in a
closed position with arms folded and screen facing up. (This is an
alternative design to support the tablet PC configuration.)
Third Embodiment
[0118] FIGS. 28 to 33 show a portable computer (4300) of a third
embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is an
enhancement of the second embodiment by substituting the side arms
in computer 4200 with an enhanced pair of arms, in order to allow
the display to move left or right relative to the base.
[0119] FIG. 28A is a perspective view of a portable computer (4300)
of the third embodiment of the present invention. The third
embodiment enhances the second embodiment by substituting the side
arms (4231 and 4232) in computer 4200 with a different pair of arms
as shown in FIG. 28B. The left and right arms have extensions 4324
and 4323, respectively. The design and usage of the arm extensions
is similar to that in computer 4100. Therefore, we will not repeat
the details here. The left arm has two additional combo-joints 4341
and 4345; and the right arm has two additional combo-joints 4342
and 4346. These additional combo-joints allow the middle sections
of the arms to swing away from the side edges of the computer
(4300), and consequently enabling the display to move sideway, as
shown in FIG. 33. This swinging movement uses the functions of the
joints denoted by white horizontal bars inside the black circles
(joints 4341, 4345, 4342, and 4346). And the white circles inside
the black circles are for cooperation with middle joints 4343 and
4344 in folding and stretching of the long sections (4333, 4335,
4334, and 4336). In addition to sideway movement for the display
(or adjustment by width as specified in Configuration (2) of the
Background Section), computer 4300 of the third embodiment retains
all the allowable positions and configurations of computer 4200 the
second embodiment.
[0120] FIG. 28B is a split view of arms 4231 and 4232 of computer
4200 (as shown in FIG. 18A) and an alternative pair of arms.
Substituting the arms leads to the third embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 28A.
[0121] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in a
closed position, with the arms folded.
[0122] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in a
conventional open position, with arms folded and parked alongside
the edges of the base (80).
[0123] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms folded and reached out from the back of
the computer. This position can be obtained from FIG. 28A by
respectively folding the arms around joints 4343 and 4344 in the
opposite direction from the way they are normally folded when the
computer is in a conventional close position as shown in FIG.
29.
[0124] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms folded, reached out from the back of
the computer, and also turned sideway away from the computer.
Besides, base 80 is tilted forward by arm extensions 4323 and 4324.
The arm extensions 4323 and 4324 respectively bend backward at
joint 4347 and 4348 to help prevent the computer from tipping over.
This position can be obtained from FIG. 31 by turning the middle
sections 4333 and 4335 around joints 4341 and 4345 on one arm,
respectively (and also sections 4334 and 4334 around joints 4342
and 4346 on the other arm, respectively) This position places the
sections 4333 and 4335, and 4334 and 4336 all on the same plane.
This is a preparation for the position in FIG. 33.
[0125] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of portable computer 4300 in
an open position, with arms partially stretched, and with the
display partially up-lifted and reached out towards the right hand
side of the computer (from the user's point of view.) Besides, base
80 is tilted forward by arm extensions 4323 and 4324. The arm
extensions 4323 and 4324 respectively backward at joint 4347 and
4348 to help prevent the computer from tipping over. This position
can be obtained from FIG. 32 by moving the arms sections
simultaneously, 4333 and 4345 on one arm, and 4344 and 4346 on the
other; and this simultaneous movement is possible when these four
arm sections are on the same plane, a condition set up in FIG.
32.
[0126] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
Claims in subsequent patent application(s).
* * * * *