U.S. patent application number 11/717341 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for multiple-position docking station for a tablet personal computer.
Invention is credited to Mark Baerenstecher, Peter D. Hunt, Pablo Salazar.
Application Number | 20070171239 11/717341 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31494722 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070171239 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunt; Peter D. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Multiple-position docking station for a tablet personal
computer
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for operating
a computing device. One method comprises determining if a screen of
the computing device is oriented facing upward, and implementing a
first software configuration in response to a determination that
the screen is oriented facing upward. Another embodiment provides a
computer system having a portable computing device, and a gravity
sensor coupled to the portable computing device, wherein the
gravity sensor may be configured to output a signal that is
indicative of the orientation of the portable computing device with
respect to the force of gravity.
Inventors: |
Hunt; Peter D.; (Spring,
TX) ; Salazar; Pablo; (Spring, TX) ;
Baerenstecher; Mark; (Tomball, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
31494722 |
Appl. No.: |
11/717341 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10214827 |
Aug 8, 2002 |
7209124 |
|
|
11717341 |
Mar 13, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/649 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 2340/0492 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; G06F 3/147 20130101; G06F 1/1632
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/649 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a computing device, comprising:
determining if a screen of the computing device is oriented facing
upward; and implementing a first software configuration in response
to a determination that the screen is oriented facing upward.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is a tablet
personal computer (pc).
3. The method of claim 1, comprising launching a software
application as part of the first software configuration.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the software application is a
personal information manager application.
5. The method of claim 1, comprising implementing a second software
configuration in response to a determination that the screen is not
facing upward, wherein the second software configuration is
different from the first software configuration.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein implementing the second software
configuration comprises configuring a display setting of the
screen.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising configuring the operation of
at least one soft key as part of the first software
configuration.
8. The method of claim 5, comprising configuring the operation of
at least one soft key as part of the second software
configuration.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device remains in
the same relative position with respect to the multiple-position
docking station both when the screen is facing upward and when the
screen is not facing upward.
10. The method of claim 1, comprising determining whether the
screen is oriented generally facing horizontally.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if a screen of the
computing device is oriented facing upward comprises determining
whether a mercury switch is open or closed.
12. A computer system, comprising: a portable computing device; and
a gravity sensor coupled to the portable computing device, wherein
the gravity sensor is configured to output a signal that is
indicative of the orientation of the portable computing device with
respect to the force of gravity.
13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the portable computing
device comprises a tablet pc.
14. The computer system of claim 12, comprising a docking station,
wherein the gravity sensor is coupled to the portable computing
device via the docking station.
15. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the gravity sensor
comprises a mercury switch.
16. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the portable computing
device comprises software stored on memory, and wherein the
software is configured to orient an image displayed by a screen of
the portable computing device in response to the output of the
gravity sensor.
17. A device, comprising: a handheld electronic device that
comprises: a touch sensitive screen; and a tangible machine
readable medium storing code configured to receive a signal
indicative of the orientation of the handheld electronic device and
initiate the execution of a program in response to the signal.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the program is configured to
assign a function to a soft key of the handheld electronic
device.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the program is configured to
change an input mode of the handheld electronic device.
20. The device of claim 17, wherein the handheld electronic device
comprises a tablet personal computer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/214,827, filed Aug. 8, 2002, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The tablet PC is designed to incorporate the power of
traditional desktop or notebook computers while offering many of
the portability and simplicity features available in handheld PCs.
Tablet PCs may additionally incorporate these powerful features
while providing the user with the natural simplicity of a pen- or
stylus-based interface, such as the interface typically found on a
handheld PC. The combination of power and simplicity afforded by
tablet PCs will allow support of handwriting recognition, which
will make it possible for users to take handwritten notes, create
drawings or annotate documents then wirelessly share the
information with others. The combination of features potentially
available in a tablet PC may facilitate a number of different
operational modes. For example, a user may take advantage of the
sophisticated graphical capabilities of the tablet PC by using the
display of the tablet PC as a normal computer display or as a
companion display in conjunction with a desktop monitor. In other
circumstances, the user may use the pen-based capabilities of the
tablet PC to perform tasks such as keeping notes in a meeting or
performing handwriting recognition. A docking station that allows
users to take full advantage of the benefits provided by a tablet
PC device is desirable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the front of a tablet
personal computing device;
[0005] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the tablet personal
computing device shown in FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a computer workstation that
includes a multiple-position docking station for a tablet personal
computing device;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of an example of detection
circuitry that may be contained in a multiple-position docking
station according to the present invention; and
[0008] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating the operation
of an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0009] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention
will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise
description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual
implementation are described in the specification. It should be
appreciated that in the development of any such actual
implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous
implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related
and business-related constraints, which may vary from one
implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that
such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but
would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication,
and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of
this disclosure.
[0010] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view
showing the front of a tablet personal computing device. The tablet
PC is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. An
.times.86 compatible processor and a full-function operating
system, such as Windows XP (available from Microsoft Corporation of
Redmond, Wash.) may be included in the tablet PC 10. In addition,
the tablet PC 10 may include sophisticated graphics capability, a
large amount of RAM and a large hard drive.
[0011] A video display screen 12 extends to cover a significant
portion of the front of the tablet PC 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, the video display 12 is touch-sensitive to facilitate
handwriting recognition. The tablet PC 10 may include application
software which supports handwriting recognition.
[0012] The tablet PC 10 and control panel 14, which may include an
on-off switch and other control buttons. In addition, the control
panel 14 is provided with a plurality of soft keys 16. The soft
keys 16 may be programmed to support a wide variety of functions of
the tablet PC 10. For example, the soft keys 16 may be programmed
to allow a user to change the display mode of the tablet PC 10 or
to access menus or other features associated with the operation of
the tablet PC 10. As described below, the soft keys 16 may be used
to enhance the operation of the tablet PC 10 when it is used in
conjunction with a traditional desktop or notebook PC. The soft
keys 16 may be programmable by the user or they may be
pre-programmed by the manufacturer of the tablet PC 10. The
specific functions performed by the soft keys 16 are not crucial
aspects of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the tablet personal
computing device shown in FIG. 1. The tablet PC 10 has a top edge
18, which may include a variety of different device connectors. For
example, the top edge may provide access to a modem connector or an
Ethernet connector.
[0014] In the disclosed embodiment, a docking connector 22 is
disposed on the bottom edge of the tablet PC 10. The docking
connector 20 includes electrical connections to the internal
circuitry of the tablet PC 10. These electrical connections allow
the exchange of information with another computing device such as a
desktop or notebook PC when the tablet PC 10 is engaged in a
docking station. The specific construction of the docking connector
22, including the signals carried thereon, is not a crucial aspect
of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is perspective views of a computer workstation
including a multiple-position docking station for the tablet PC 10.
The workstation is generally disposed on a work surface 24. The
tablet PC 10 is disposed in a multi-position docking station 32.
The docking station 32 is connected to a video display 28 by a
video cable 30. The docking station 32 may additionally be used to
connect the tablet PC 10 to other peripherals such as a keyboard or
mouse, if desired.
[0016] The multiple-position docking station 32 is designed to
allow a user to dock the tablet PC 10 in a first position, in which
the tablet PC 10 extends in a generally perpendicular direction
with respect to the work surface 24. The first position may be used
to take advantage of the graphics capabilities of the tablet PC 10.
Accordingly, the first position may be referred to as the "viewing
position." The tablet PC 10 may automatically implement a first
software configuration when it is docked in the first position in
the docking station 32. That first software configuration may
include, for example, setting configuration settings of the tablet
PC 10, launching software applications, arranging the order in
which data is displayed on the tablet PC 10 (or an associated
display), designating the display of the tablet PC 10 (or an
associated display) as the primary display device and/or the
programming of functionality associated with the soft keys 16 (FIG.
2). The user is thus spared the task of having to manually
configure the software settings corresponding to the first software
configuration when the tablet PC 10 is placed in the docking
station 32.
[0017] To dock the tablet PC in the viewing position, the tablet PC
10 is inserted into a docking cavity 34, which facilitates
engagement of the docking connector 22 (FIG. 2) with a
corresponding connector disposed within the first docking cavity
34. The docking station 32 includes a switch (described below with
reference to FIG. 4) or other mechanism that detects insertion of
the tablet PC 10 into the docking cavity 34. The state of this
switch or other mechanism may be monitored by the OS of the tablet
PC 10 and used to automatically initiate the first software
configuration referred to above.
[0018] Even though the tablet PC 10 extends in a generally
perpendicular direction from the work surface 24 in the first
position, the angle between the tablet PC 10 and the work surface
24 may be greater or less than 90 degrees to facilitate easy
viewing of the display 12. The angle at which the tablet PC 10 is
disposed relative to the work surface 24 when docked in the first
position is not a crucial aspect of the present invention.
[0019] When docked in the first position, the user is able to take
full advantage of the sophisticated display capabilities of the
tablet PC 10. Nonetheless, a user might find it difficult to take
advantage of other features that rely extensively on the use of a
pen or stylus, such as note taking or handwriting recognition, when
the tablet PC 10 is disposed in the docking station 32 in the first
position.
[0020] To take advantage of operational features that make use of a
pen or stylus, a user may desire to move the tablet PC 10 and the
multiple-position docking station 32 into a second position. In the
illustrated embodiment, the user moves the tablet PC 10 into the
second position by sliding the tablet PC 10 (still engaged in the
docking station 32) into a position such that the table PC 10 is
more or less parallel to and supported by the work surface 24. This
second position is more comfortable for employing the pen- or
stylus-based interface capabilities of the tablet PC 10.
Accordingly, the second position may be referred to as the "inking
position." The inking position is illustrated by the dashed lines
shown in FIG. 3, with the tablet PC being referred to by the
reference numeral 10a.
[0021] The tablet PC 10 may automatically implement a second
software configuration when it is moved from the first position to
the second position. That second software configuration may
include, for example, setting configuration settings of the tablet
PC 10, launching software applications, arranging the order in
which data is displayed on the tablet PC 10 (or an associated
display), designating the display of the tablet PC 10 (or an
associated display) as the primary display device and/or the
programming of functionality associated with the soft keys 16 (FIG.
2). The user is thus spared the task of having to manually
configure the software settings corresponding to the second
software configuration when the tablet PC 10 is moved from the
first position into the second position.
[0022] The docking station 32 includes a mechanical switch
(described below with reference to FIG. 4) or other mechanism that
detects when the tablet PC 10 is slid into the second position
(which may be referred to as an "inking position"). The state of
this switch or other mechanism may be monitored by the OS of the
tablet PC 10 and may be used to automatically initiate the second
software configuration referred to above. The OS of the tablet PC
10 may monitor the switch to determine when the tablet PC 10 is
returned from the second (or inking) position to the first (or
viewing) position. The tablet PC 10 may be programmed to perform
additional configuration actions, such as returning the software
configuration of the tablet PC 10 to the first software
configuration upon the return of the tablet PC 10 to the first
(viewing) position.
[0023] In the inking position, the tablet PC 10a is substantially
parallel to the work surface 24. Nonetheless there may be some
angle other than 0 degrees between the work surface 24 and the
tablet PC 10 when disposed in the inking position. The angle at
which the tablet PC 10 is disposed relative to the work surface 24
in the inking position is not a crucial aspect of the present
invention.
[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the docking station 32 may be
equipped with a second docking cavity to be used to dispose the
tablet PC 10 in the inking position. In this alternative
embodiment, the tablet PC 10 may be removed from the first docking
cavity and inserted into the second docking cavity to place the
tablet PC 10 into inking position. In this embodiment, mechanical
switches may be disposed in both docking cavities to detect the
position of the tablet PC 10 and pass the position to the OS of the
tablet PC 10.
[0025] When the tablet PC 10 is docked in the first (or viewing)
position, the display 12 (FIG. 1) of the tablet PC 10 may be used
in conjunction with the display 28, which is connected to the
docking station 32. When the OS detects that the tablet PC 10 has
been docked, the first software configuration is automatically
initiated. The configuration settings invoked as part of the first
software configuration may be customizable by the user of the
tablet PC 10 or they may be programmed to be part of the operation
of the tablet PC 10 by its manufacturer.
[0026] As an example of a set of actions that may comprise the
first software configuration, the tablet PC 10 may be designated as
the primary display and configured so that the applications that
had been displayed on the display 12 are displayed on the display
28. Additionally, the tablet PC may launch an application to
display a user's personal information when the tablet PC 10 is
docked. Such applications are sometimes referred to as Personal
Information Manager applications or "PIMs."
[0027] If the tablet PC 10 is operating a Windows operating system
such as Windows XP and the display 28, a Windows Start menu may be
displayed on the display 28 as part of the first software
configuration. In this case, the display 12 may be referred to as
the "current tablet view." The user of the tablet PC 10 may be able
to mouse between the primary display 28 and the current tablet view
on the display 12. Also, the user may employ a pen or stylus to
operate the tablet PC 10 regardless of whether it is the primary
display device or not.
[0028] The soft keys 16 (FIG. 1) may be programmed as part of the
first soft configuration to allow the user to switch the contents
of the display 12 with the contents of the display 28.
[0029] Additionally, the soft keys 16 (FIG. 1) may be programmed to
invoke a menu display on the tablet PC 10. Examples of menu
functions that may be invoked or controlled by the soft keys 16 are
as follows: Set Current Tablet View, Go to Current Tablet View,
Change Primary Display or Select Application Program. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that numerous other
functions may be invoked or controlled by the soft keys 16. The
specific definition of features invoked or controlled by the soft
keys 16 is not a crucial aspect of the present invention.
[0030] When the user desires to use the tablet PC 10 for a function
that takes full advantage of its pen- or stylus-based features, the
tablet PC 10 may be moved to the second (or inking) position by
sliding the tablet PC 10 and the docking station 32 to allow the
tablet PC 10 to rest in a more or less parallel orientation and to
be supported by the work surface 24. In the inking position, the
tablet PC 10 is comfortably disposed for use of a pen or stylus,
which may be used to facilitate handwriting recognition.
[0031] As described above, the tablet PC 10 may be programmed to
automatically invoke a second software configuration when moved
into the inking position. As part of that second software
configuration, for example, the display 12 of the tablet PC 10 may
automatically become the primary display. In a Windows environment,
a Windows Start menu may automatically be invoked on the tablet PC
10 when it is moved into the inking position. Additionally,
software applications on the tablet PC 10 may be launched or
brought to the foreground and other configuration settings may be
automatically invoked as part of the second software configuration
when the tablet PC 10 is moved into the inking position.
[0032] If so desired, the user can move the tablet PC 10 from the
inking position and return it to the viewing position. When this is
done, the application currently running on the tablet PC may remain
open and the display 28 may automatically be designated as the
primary display. In a Windows environment, a Windows start menu may
automatically be invoked on the display 28. The tablet PC 10 may
be, for example, configured to assume another software
configuration or to invoke the first software configuration when
moved from the inking position to the viewing position.
[0033] When the tablet PC 10 is removed from the docking station
32, the application programs running on the tablet PC 10 may remain
open. Additionally, the display of the tablet PC 10 may
automatically be designated as the primary display.
[0034] In addition, the tablet PC 10 may be used as a companion to
a traditional PC (not shown). If the tablet PC is used as a
companion to a traditional PC, it may synchronize data with the
traditional PC in a manner similar to a handheld computing
device.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of an example of detection
circuitry that may be contained in a multiple-position docking
station according to the present invention. The circuitry is
generally referred to by the reference numeral 56. A first switch
element 58 is positioned in the docking cavity 34 so that it is
activated by the insertion of the tablet PC 10 within the docking
cavity 34. A detection circuit 62 is connected to the switch 58 to
detect when the switch 58 has closed. A second element 60 is
disposed in the multiple-position docking station 32 in such a
manner as to detect when the docking station has been moved from a
first position (which may correspond to the viewing position
discussed above) to a second position (which may correspond to the
inking position discussed above). The switch element 60 may be a
mercury switch or any other switch that is capable of detecting
when the position of the docking station 32 has changed from a
first position to a second position.
[0036] The detection circuit 62 may be constructed to automatically
pass information it has detected about the status of the switches
58, 60 to the OS of the tablet PC 10. Alternatively, the OS of the
tablet PC 10 may monitor the detection circuit 62 to detect when a
switch has closed. The details of the switches 58, 60 and the
detection circuit 62, including the switch types, are not crucial
aspects of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating the operation
of an embodiment of the present invention. The process is generally
illustrated by the reference numeral 40. At 42, the process is
initiated.
[0038] As set forth previously, the docking station 32 (FIG. 3) is
equipped with a mechanical switch that is activated when the tablet
PC 10 is docked in the docking cavity 34 of the docking station 32.
The operating system of the tablet PC 10 is notified when the
status of the mechanical switch indicates that the tablet PC 10 has
been docked in the first (viewing) position. Alternatively, the
operating system of the tablet PC 10 may be programmed to monitor
the status of the switch to determine in of the tablet PC 10 has
been docked in the docking station 32.
[0039] At decision 44, the operating system of the tablet PC 10
determines whether the tablet PC 10 has been docked in a first
position. If so, the tablet PC 10 implements a predefined software
configuration that is specifically designed for the operation of
the tablet PC 10 in the first position at 46. For example, the
first position may correspond to the viewing position previously
discussed. In this case, the tablet PC may invoke a personal
information manager (or PIM) or bring the PIM to the foreground of
the display of the tablet PC 10 if the PIM is already running. The
tablet PC may also configure its display settings to optimize the
display 12 for viewing mode.
[0040] As previously set forth, the docking station 32 (FIG. 3)
includes a mechanical switch that indicates when the tablet PC is
moved into a second position such as the inking position previously
discussed. The operating system of the tablet PC 10 is notified
when the status of the mechanical switch indicates that the tablet
PC 10 has been moved into a second position. Alternatively, the
operating system of the tablet PC 10 may be programmed to monitor
the status of the switch to determine if the tablet PC 10 has been
moved into the second position.
[0041] At decision 46, the operating system of the tablet PC 10
determines whether the tablet PC 10 has been moved into the second
position. If so, the tablet PC 10 implements a predefined software
configuration that is specifically designed for the operation of
the tablet PC 10 in the second position at 50. For example, the
second position may correspond to the inking position previously
discussed. In that case, the tablet PC may invoke a note taking
program or a handwriting recognition program or bring one of those
programs to the foreground of the display of the tablet PC 10 if
the desired application is already running.
[0042] The tablet PC 10 need not be placed in the first position
before transitioning to the second position. For example, the
tablet PC 10 may be inserted into the docking cavity 34 of the
docking station 32 in such a manner that the tablet PC 10 is
initially detected in the second (inking) position. The order in
which the positions are entered is not a crucial aspect of the
present invention.
[0043] When the software configuration for the second position of
the docking station 32 has concluded, normal operation of the
tablet PC 10 continues, as shown at 52. The process concludes at
54.
[0044] While the invention may be susceptible to various
modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been
shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention
is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following appended claims.
* * * * *