U.S. patent application number 12/364855 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for integrated input and display device for a mobile computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTEL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Wah Yiu Kwong, Hue V. Lam, Hong W. Wong.
Application Number | 20090135139 12/364855 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36565547 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090135139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong; Hong W. ; et
al. |
May 28, 2009 |
INTEGRATED INPUT AND DISPLAY DEVICE FOR A MOBILE COMPUTER
Abstract
A device and system are disclosed. In one embodiment the device
comprises a primary display unit, a base unit coupled to the
primary display unit, and a touch-sensitive secondary display unit,
coupled to the base unit, operable to receive input from a user and
display information for the user.
Inventors: |
Wong; Hong W.; (Portland,
OR) ; Kwong; Wah Yiu; (Beaverton, OR) ; Lam;
Hue V.; (Portland, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KACVINSKY LLC;C/O INTELLEVATE
P.O. BOX 52050
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Assignee: |
INTEL CORPORATION
Santa Clara
CA
|
Family ID: |
36565547 |
Appl. No.: |
12/364855 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11001359 |
Nov 30, 2004 |
7486279 |
|
|
12364855 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/157 ;
345/168; 345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1649 20130101;
G06F 3/03547 20130101; G06F 1/1692 20130101; G06F 1/1616
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/157 ;
345/173; 345/168 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/033 20060101
G06F003/033; G06F 3/041 20060101 G06F003/041; G06F 3/02 20060101
G06F003/02 |
Claims
1. A device, comprising: a primary display unit; a base unit
coupled to the primary display unit; a touch-sensitive secondary
display unit, coupled to the base unit, operable to receive input
from a user and display information for the user.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base unit further comprises
an opening operable to house at least a portion of the secondary
display unit in a recessed location.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the secondary display unit
further comprises: a touch-sensitive display screen located on the
front side of the unit; and a protective housing located on the
back side of the unit.
4. The device of claim 3, further comprising one or more pivot
shafts, the one or more pivot shafts are operable to couple the
secondary display unit to the base unit at one or more locations in
the opening.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the one or more pivot shafts are
further operable to allow at least a portion of the secondary
display unit to rotate in the opening.
6. The device of claim 5, further comprising one pivot shaft,
wherein the pivot shaft couples the center of the top of the
secondary display unit to the top of the opening.
7. The device of claim 5, further comprising two pivot shafts,
wherein a first pivot shaft couples the center of the left side of
the secondary display unit to the left side of the opening and a
second pivot shaft couples the center of the right side of the
secondary display unit to the right side of the opening.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein the base unit further comprises:
a front side, the front side including a keyboard; and a back
side.
9. The device of claim 8, further operable to allow the secondary
display unit to be operational when the display screen is facing
the same direction as the front side of the base unit and when the
display screen is facing the same direction as the back side of the
base unit.
10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a hinge, the hinge
coupling the bottom of the primary display unit to the top of the
base unit, to allow the primary display unit to close and attach to
the front side of the base unit.
11. The device of claim 10, further operable to allow the secondary
display unit to be operational when the display screen is facing
the same direction as the back side of the base unit only if the
primary display unit is closed and attached to the front side of
the base unit.
12. The device of claim 1, wherein the secondary display unit is
further operable to provide movement input for a mouse cursor on
the primary display unit.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive display
screen is further operable to accept handwriting input.
14. A device, comprising: a keyboard; a touch-sensitive display
screen; and a bus, the bus operable to transmit information keyed
into the keyboard and information input on the touch-sensitive
display to an I/O bus in a computer system.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the touch-sensitive display
screen is operable to provide cursor movement input for
transmission across the bus.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein the touch-sensitive display
screen is operable to provide handwriting input for transmission
across the bus.
17. The device of claim 14, wherein the touch-sensitive display
screen is operable to display information input on the device.
18. A system, comprising: a bus; a primary display unit; a computer
base unit coupled to the primary display unit and to the bus; and a
touch-sensitive secondary display unit, coupled to the bus,
operable to receive input from a user and display information for
the user.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the base unit further comprises
an opening operable to house at least a portion of the secondary
display unit in a recessed location.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the secondary display unit
further comprises: a touch-sensitive display screen located on the
front side of the unit; and a protective housing located on the
back side of the unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to input and display devices in
computers. More specifically, the invention relates to integrating
an input device with a display device in a mobile computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages have thousands of
characters. A standard keyboard input is impractical to use with
these languages. There are many input devices on the market for
these character sets. Many of the devices are external peripherals
that combine a digitizer with a USB connection to allow for
handwriting input into a computer. These devices have certain
inherent disadvantages. One disadvantage is their extra cost,
partially due to the additional materials involved in building an
external device (i.e. the hard-shell exterior for the digitizer,
the USB cabling, etc). The bulkiness of a separate device is
another disadvantage. For example, if a user has a mobile computer,
she would have to not only carry around the computer wherever she
went, but she would also need to carry the USB digitizer input
device if she wanted to have handwriting input capability.
[0003] Some mobile computer systems have recently been integrating
a second display for additional visual output. These displays have
commonly been used to obtain information when the computer system
otherwise would be powered down. For example, a laptop computer
that has wireless connectivity to a network could notify the user
of a new email even with the laptop's shell closed. The secondary
display may be placed on the outer shell and may notify the user of
such things as wireless network signal strength, incoming emails,
battery life, etc. This benefit would allow a user to always be
connected and aware of information relating to the computer that
she would otherwise not be aware of until she opened up the laptop
shell and viewed the information on the primary display screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
is not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
[0005] FIG. 1A is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device.
[0006] FIG. 1B is a close-up view of one embodiment of the
integrated input and display device in FIG. 1A.
[0007] FIG. 2A describes one embodiment of the components of an
integrated input and display device.
[0008] FIG. 2B describes another embodiment of the components of an
integrated input and display device.
[0009] FIG. 3A describes one embodiment of a digitizer pen used in
combination with the integrated input and display device to write
in script format.
[0010] FIG. 3B describes one embodiment of a digitizer pen used in
combination with the integrated input and display device to write
characters in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or another complex
character-based language.
[0011] FIG. 3C describes one embodiment of a digitizer pen used in
combination with the integrated input and display device to create
drawings.
[0012] FIG. 3D describes one embodiment of a user interacting with
the integrated input and display device with one or more
fingers.
[0013] FIG. 4A displays one embodiment of a rotatable integrated
input and display device coupled to the base unit of a mobile
computing device.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a close-up view of one embodiment of the
rotatable integrated input and display device coupled to the base
unit.
[0015] FIG. 4C is a detailed view of the opening in the base unit
without the integrated input and display device in one
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4D is a view of one embodiment of the rotatable
integrated input and display device without the accompanying base
unit.
[0017] FIG. 5A displays one embodiment of a rotatable integrated
input and display device coupled to the base unit of a mobile
computing device.
[0018] FIG. 5B is a close-up view of another embodiment of the
rotatable integrated input and display device coupled to the base
unit.
[0019] FIG. 5C is a detailed view of the opening in the base unit
without the integrated input and display device in another
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 5D is a view of another embodiment of the rotatable
integrated input and display device without the accompanying base
unit.
[0021] FIG. 6A is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in an open position.
[0022] FIG. 6B is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in a semi-closed
position.
[0023] FIG. 6C is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in a closed position.
[0024] FIG. 6D is another embodiment of a mobile computer system
with an integrated input and display device in a closed
position.
[0025] FIG. 6E is one embodiment of a close-up view of the
integrated input and display device in FIG. 6D.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Embodiments of an integrated input and display device for a
mobile computer are disclosed. In the following description,
numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood
that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
In other instances, well-known elements, specifications, and
protocols have not been discussed in detail in order to avoid
obscuring the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 1A is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device. The mobile computer system
100 includes a base unit 102. Future references in the
specification to base unit locations can be referred to in Table
1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Base Unit Locations Base Unit Location FIG.
1A Element Number Top 104 Bottom 106 Left 108 Right 110 Front 112
Back 114
The surfaces of the left, top, and back sides are not visible in
FIG. 1A, although the element number arrows referring to those
sides in the Figure do point to an edge of each of their respective
surfaces. For further clarification, the left side of the base unit
is the side that faces the opposite direction as the right side,
the top side of the base unit is the side that faces the opposite
direction as the bottom side, and the back side of the base unit is
the side that faces the opposite direction as the front side. In
one embodiment, a keyboard 116 is coupled to the front side of the
base unit 102. In one embodiment, the base unit 102 also contains a
central processing unit, a motherboard, system memory, a graphics
controller, among other components. In one embodiment, a primary
display 118 is coupled to the base unit 102. Additionally, in one
embodiment, an integrated input and display device 120 is coupled
to the base unit 102.
[0028] FIG. 1B is a close-up view of one embodiment of the
integrated input and display device in FIG. 1A. In one embodiment,
the integrated input and display device (120 in FIG. 1A) has a
touch-sensitive display screen 122 and buttons 124 to function
similarly to computer mouse buttons. In different embodiments,
there may be one, two, three, or any other number of buttons 124.
In another embodiment, there may be no buttons 124 and entering
input can be accomplished by certain finger or pen-based tapping
strokes applied directly to the touch-sensitive display screen
122.
[0029] FIG. 2A describes one embodiment of the components of an
integrated input and display device. In this embodiment, the
exterior surface of the touch-sensitive display screen, the surface
that the user actually comes in contact with, is a transparent
protective layer 204. Immediately below the transparent protective
layer 204 is a digitizer grid layer 202. Then immediately below the
digitizer grid layer 202 is the display screen 200. In this
embodiment, the digitizer grid layer 202 must be transparent to
allow visual data from the display screen to be seen by a user
through both the digitizer grid layer 202 and the transparent
protective layer 204. In different embodiments, the display screen
200 may be an active thin-film transistor (TFT) screen, another
form of liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, an organic light
emitting diode (LED) screen, or one of any number of types of
display screens.
[0030] In one embodiment, the digitizer grid layer 202 is pressure
sensitive. Thus, it senses objects, such as a pen or a finger, that
make contact with the transparent protective layer 204. The
digitizer grid layer 202 converts the point touched on the grid to
digital coordinates. The coordinates are then used in one or more
functions associated with the integrated input and display device.
In one embodiment, the transparent protective layer 204 is flexible
to allow contact pressure to permeate through to the
pressure-sensitive grid layer 202. The buttons 208 associated with
the integrated input and display device provide additional user
input. These buttons 208 function similarly to computer mouse
buttons. In different embodiments, there may be any number of
buttons associated with the integrated input and display device
(including zero).
[0031] Once the digitizer grid layer 202 senses an object applying
pressure at a point on the grid, it sends the digital coordinates
of that point (or points) to the digitizer--touch pad controller
logic and interface (hereafter referred to as the "digitizer
controller") 206. In one embodiment, the digitizer grid layer 202
samples all of its X-Y grid positions at a predetermined time
interval (e.g. 30 times per second) to send any external pressure
input to the digitizer controller 206. In another embodiment, the
digitizer grid layer 202 operates on an interrupt routine and sends
pressure input to the digitizer controller as soon as the input is
available. In one embodiment, input from the buttons 208 is also
sent to the digitizer controller 206 in the same fashion. In one
embodiment, the digitizer controller 206 first converts the
pressure input digital coordinates and the button input into data
that can be sent to bus interface 210. In another embodiment, data
received from the digitizer grid layer 202 and the buttons 208 is
already in a format compatible with the bus interface. Thus, in
this embodiment, the digitizer controller 206 sends the data to the
bus interface 210 when it receives the data.
[0032] The bus interface 210 routes data sent from the digitizer
controller 206 to one or more appropriate destination. The
destination (or destinations) of the data may depend on what is
creating the pressure input. In one embodiment, if the pressure
input is from a finger, the display screen 200 is not used because
the integrated input and display device is being utilized in a
touchpad function mode. In this mode, the integrated input and
display device is substituting for an external mouse peripheral
device and no special display functionality is needed on the
display screen 200. Thus, in this embodiment, the bus interface 210
routes data to the rest of the computer system connected to the
integrated input and display device via bus 214. In different
embodiments, bus 214 may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a 1394 bus, or any
other bus capable of transmitting data from the integrated input
and display device to the connected computer system.
[0033] In another embodiment, if the pressure input is from a
digitizer pen, the display screen 200 is used because the user is
writing on the integrated input and display device and the display
screen 200 will then display the recorded pen strokes (this
function will attempt to closely mimic a person writing with a
normal pen on a piece of paper). In this embodiment, the bus
interface 210 routes data both to the rest of the computer system
connected to the integrated input and display device via bus 214 as
well as to display unit controller logic and interface (hereafter
referred to as the "display controller") 212. The display
controller 212 then interprets the coordinate data sent from
digitizer controller 206 and sends display data to the display
screen 200 to activate the pixels on the display screen 200 that
correspond with the coordinate data.
[0034] In order to function properly, the integrated input and
display device needs to be aware of the instrument being used for
pressure input. In one embodiment, one of the buttons 208 is used
to switch between the touch pad input function and the pen stroke
digitizer input function. In this embodiment, the user can notify
the digitizer controller which type of input (i.e. finger or pen)
is being currently used by pressing the button. In another
embodiment, the digitizer controller 206 dynamically determines
whether a finger or a pen is creating the pressure on the digitizer
grid layer 202. In this embodiment, the digitizer controller
discerns the number of adjacent X-Y grid locations where pressure
is simultaneously applied. If a low number of adjacent grid
locations have simultaneous pressure applied, then the
determination is made that a pen is contacting the grid. Otherwise,
if a high number of adjacent grid locations have simultaneous
pressure applied, then the determination is made that a fingertip
is contacting the grid.
[0035] FIG. 2B describes another embodiment of the components of an
integrated input and display device. Unless specified, each
particular component described in FIG. 2A has the same
functionality as the corresponding component in FIG. 2B. Thus for a
detailed description of the functionality of a component in FIG. 2B
please refer to the respective component discussed in the
specification above referring to FIG. 2A. In this embodiment, the
exterior surface of the touch-sensitive display screen, the surface
that the user actually comes in contact with, is a transparent
protective layer 224. Immediately below the transparent protective
layer 224 is the display screen 222. Then immediately below the
display screen 222 is a digitizer grid layer 220. In this
embodiment, the transparent protective layer 224 and the display
screen 222 allows capacitive or electromagnetic signals be
permeated through to the digitizer grid layer 220. The buttons 228
associated with the integrated input and display device send
additional user input.
[0036] Once the digitizer grid layer 220 senses an object applying
capacitance or electro-magnetic signal at a point on the grid, it
sends the digital coordinates of that point (or points) to the
digitizer controller 226. Additionally, the digitizer controller
226 also receives button input data from the user's interaction
with the buttons 228. The digitizer controller 226 sends the
digital coordinates and the button input data to the bus interface
230. In different embodiments, the digitizer controller 226 may or
may not convert the data received to a certain bus format.
[0037] The bus interface 230 routes data sent from the digitizer
controller 226 to one or more appropriate destinations. In one
embodiment, the data is sent solely to the rest of the computer
system connected to the integrated input and display device via bus
234. In another embodiment, the bus interface 230 routes data both
to the rest of the computer system connected to the integrated
input and display device via bus 234 as well as to the display
controller 232. The display controller 232 then interprets the
coordinate data sent from digitizer controller 226 and sends
display data to the display screen 222 to activate the pixels on
the display screen 222 that correspond with the coordinate
data.
[0038] FIG. 3A-3D display four separate functions of one embodiment
of the integrated input and display device. These functions are
illustrative of some of the capabilities of the integrated input
and display device but they are not an exhaustive list of possible
functions. In FIG. 3A a digitizer pen is used in combination with
the integrated input and display device in one embodiment to write
in script format. In one embodiment, a computer system coupled to
the integrated input and display device is capable of handwriting
recognition. Thus, the user would be able to input words and
sentences in a standard pen-based writing style instead of typing
them in using a keyboard. In one embodiment, the integrated input
and display device inputs the writing into the computer system and
displays the writing in real time on the device's display
screen.
[0039] In FIG. 3B a digitizer pen is used in combination with the
integrated input and display device in one embodiment to write
characters in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or another complex
character-based language. In one embodiment, a computer system
coupled to the integrated input and display device is capable of
complex character language recognition (such as Chinese). Thus, the
user would be able to use a standard pen-based writing style to
input words and sentences of Chinese, Japanese, Korean or another
complex character-based language into the computer system. In one
embodiment, the integrated input and display device inputs the
writing into the computer system and displays the writing in real
time on the device's display screen.
[0040] In FIG. 3C a digitizer pen is used in combination with the
integrated input and display device in one embodiment to create
drawings. In one embodiment, the integrated input and display
device inputs the drawing strokes into the computer system and
displays the drawing strokes in real time on the device's display
screen.
[0041] In FIG. 3D a user interacts with the integrated input and
display device in one embodiment with one or more fingers. In one
embodiment, the integrated input and display device functions the
same as a standard touchpad input device to move a cursor and
interact with the computer system's primary display screen.
[0042] FIG. 4A displays one embodiment of a rotatable integrated
input and display device coupled to the base unit of a mobile
computing device. In one embodiment, the base unit 400 is coupled
to an integrated input and display device 402. In one embodiment,
the integrated input and display device 402 is rotatable in
relationship to the base unit 400.
[0043] FIG. 4B is a close-up view of one embodiment of the
rotatable integrated input and display device coupled to the base
unit. In one embodiment, the integrated input and display device
402 can rotate 404 around an axis 406 in an opening in the base
unit. The axis 406 runs parallel to the bottom side of the base
unit (refer to Table 1 and FIG. 1A for reference to the bottom side
of the base unit).
[0044] FIG. 4C is a detailed view of the opening in the base unit
without the integrated input and display device in one embodiment.
In one embodiment, a left shaft 408 is located in the left side
wall 410 of the opening and a right shaft 412 is located in the
right side wall 414 of the opening. The two shafts are in line with
axis 406.
[0045] FIG. 4D is a view of one embodiment of the rotatable
integrated input and display device without the accompanying base
unit. In one embodiment, a left pin 416 is protruding out of the
left side of the rotatable integrated input and display device 402
and a right pin 418 is protruding out of the right side of the
rotatable integrated input and display device 402. The two pins are
in line with the axis 406 and allow the rotatable integrated input
and display device 402 to rotate 404 around the axis 406.
[0046] In one embodiment, the left and right pins (416 and 418 in
FIG. 4D) are placed into the left and right shafts (408 and 412 in
FIG. 4C) to couple the rotatable integrated input and display
device to the base unit in the opening. The result of this coupling
is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In one embodiment, the diameter of
each pin is slightly less than the diameter of each respective
shaft. In this embodiment, the pins fit securely in the shafts but
also are loose enough to allow for their rotation (404 in FIG. 4B)
around the axis (406 in FIG. 4B). The rotatable integrated input
and display device (402 in FIG. 4A) is additionally coupled to the
base unit (400 in FIG. 4A) with one or more electrical and bus
communication lines. The lines allow the rotatable integrated input
and display device to receive power and communicate with the base
unit. In one embodiment, these one or more lines run from an
internal location within the rotatable integrated input and display
device through one pin and into the base unit through an opening in
the base of the respective shaft (i.e. the deep end of the shaft
away from the opening). In another embodiment, the lines run
through both pins and through openings in the base of both
shafts.
[0047] FIG. 5A displays one embodiment of a rotatable integrated
input and display device coupled to the base unit of a mobile
computing device. In one embodiment, the base unit 500 is coupled
to an integrated input and display device 502. In one embodiment,
the integrated input and display device 502 is rotatable in
relationship to the base unit 500.
[0048] FIG. 5B is a close-up view of another embodiment of the
rotatable integrated input and display device coupled to the base
unit. In one embodiment, the integrated input and display device
502 can rotate 504 around an axis 506 in an opening in the base
unit. The axis 506 runs parallel to the left and right sides of the
base unit (refer to Table 1 and FIG. 1A for reference to the left
and right sides of the base unit).
[0049] FIG. 5C is a detailed view of the opening in the base unit
without the integrated input and display device in another
embodiment. In one embodiment, a top shaft 508 is located in the
top wall 510 of the opening. The shaft is in line with axis
506.
[0050] FIG. 5D is a view of another embodiment of the rotatable
integrated input and display device without the accompanying base
unit. In one embodiment, a top pin 512 is protruding out of the top
side of the rotatable integrated input and display device 502. The
pin is in line with the axis 506 and allows the rotatable
integrated input and display device 502 to rotate 504 around the
axis 506.
[0051] In one embodiment, the top pin (512 in FIG. 5D) is placed
into the top shaft (508 in FIG. 4C) to couple the rotatable
integrated input and display device to the base unit in the
opening. The result of this coupling is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
In one embodiment, the diameter of the pin is slightly less than
the diameter the shaft. In this embodiment, the pin fits securely
in the shaft but is loose enough to allow for its rotation (504 in
FIG. 5B) around the axis (506 in FIG. 5B). The rotatable integrated
input and display device (502 in FIG. 5A) is additionally coupled
to the base unit (500 in FIG. 5A) with one or more electrical and
bus communication lines. The lines allow the rotatable integrated
input and display device to receive power and communicate with the
base unit. In one embodiment, these one or more lines run from an
internal location within the rotatable integrated input and display
device through the pin and into the base unit through an opening in
the base of the shaft (i.e. the deep end of the shaft away from the
opening).
[0052] In some embodiments, the integrated input and display
device, that is coupled to a mobile computing device, may function
when the mobile computing device is closed. FIGS. 6A-6D display one
embodiment of a sequence allowing the integrated input and display
device to be utilized when the mobile computing device is
closed.
[0053] FIG. 6A is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in an open position. The
mobile computer system 600 includes a base unit 602. In one
embodiment, a keyboard 604 is coupled to the front side of the base
unit 602. In one embodiment, a primary display 606 is coupled to
the top side of the base unit 602 with one or more hinges (refer to
Table 1 and FIG. 1A for reference to the top side of the base
unit). Additionally, in one embodiment, an integrated input and
display device 608 is coupled to the base unit 602.
[0054] FIG. 6B is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in a semi-closed position.
The primary display 606 is in a partially closed position in
relationship to the base unit 602. In FIG. 6B the side of the
integrated input and display device (608) with the display screen
and buttons (referred to in FIG. 1B) has been substantially rotated
to a position facing the back side of the base unit (refer to Table
1 and FIG. 1A for reference to the back side of the base unit).
[0055] FIG. 6C is one embodiment of a mobile computer system with
an integrated input and display device in a closed position. The
primary display 606 is in a completely closed position in
relationship to the base unit 602. In FIG. 6C the side of the
integrated input and display device (608) with the display screen
and buttons (referred to in FIG. 1B) has been fully rotated to a
position facing the back side of the base unit (refer to Table 1
and FIG. 1A for reference to the back side of the base unit).
[0056] FIG. 6D is another embodiment of a mobile computer system
with an integrated input and display device in a closed position.
As in FIG. 6C, the primary display 606 is in a completely closed
position in relationship to the base unit 602. Though, in this
embodiment, the entire mobile computing device has been rotated 610
so that the back side of the base unit 602 is visible (refer to
Table 1 and FIG. 1A for reference to the back side of the base
unit). Additionally, the side of the integrated input and display
device (608) with the display screen and buttons (referred to in
FIG. 1B) has been fully rotated to a position facing the back side
of the base unit. Thus, the display screen and buttons of the
integrated input and display device are also visible.
[0057] FIG. 6E is one embodiment of a close-up view of the
integrated input and display device in FIG. 6D. Once the mobile
computer system is closed the integrated input and display device
608 may have many different functionalities. In different
embodiments, the integrated input and display device 608 may be
operable to display information such as wireless network signal
strength, incoming emails, reminders for meetings, and battery life
among many other functions.
[0058] Thus, embodiments of an integrated input and display device
for a mobile computer are disclosed. These embodiments have been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident to persons having the benefit of this
disclosure that various modifications and changes may be made to
these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the embodiments described herein. The specification and
drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather
than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *