US008289688B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 8,289,688 B2
`0) Patent No.:
`Oct. 16, 2012
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Beharetal.
`
`(34)
`
`(75)
`
`PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE
`DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
`
`Inventors: Yves Behar, Oakland, CA (US); Joshua
`Morenstein, San Francisco, CA (US):
`Christopher Hibmacronan, Oakland,
`CA (US); Naoya Edahiro, San
`Francisco, CA (US); Matthew David
`Day, San Francisco, CA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: LiTL, LLC, Boston, MA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC. 154(b) by 182 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 12/170,939
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`5,200,913 A
`5,268,817 A
`5,436,954 A
`5,515,345 A
`5,712,760 A
`D391,927 §
`D392,944 §
`D395,868 S
`5,790,371 A *
`5,793,355 A
`5,796,575 A
`
`4/1993 Hawkinsetal.
`12/1993 Miyagawa etal.
`7/1995 Nishiyamaet al.
`5/1996 Barreira
`1/1998 Coulon
`3/1998 Faranda
`3/1998 Issa
`7/1998 Tino
`8/1998 Latochaetal.
`8/1998 Youens
`8/1998 Podwalnyetal.
`(Continued)
`
`.......... 361/679.32
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`19952486
`5/2001
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`http:/laptop.org/en/laptop/start/ebook.shtml accessed on Sep. 29,
`2008.
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(Continued)
`
`US 2009/0244832 Al
`
`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`Primary Examiner — Adrian S Wilson
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(60)
`
`Provisional application No. 61/041,365, filed on Apr.
`1, 2008.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`G1)
`
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 1/16
`(2006.01)
`HOS5K 5/00
`(2006.01)
`HOS5K 7/00
`US. Ch oe. 361/679.3; 361/679.27, 455/575.3
`Field of Classification Search............. 361/679.21,
`361/679.26, 679.27; 455/575.1-575.4; 345/168
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,468.576 A
`4,939,514 A
`D333.636 S
`
`9/1969 Beyeretal.
`7/1990 Miyazaki
`3/1993 Issa
`
`
`
`A portable computerthat is configurable between a plurality
`of display modes including a laptop mode (in which the
`portable computerhas a conventionallaptop appearance) and
`an easel mode in which the base of the computer and its
`display componentstandvertically forming an inverted “V.”
`The portable computer includes a hinge assembly that
`couples the display component to the base of the computer,
`and allowsthe display componentto be rotated about an axis
`along an interface between the display component and the
`base to configure the portable computer between a closed
`position, the laptop mode and the easel mode. The portable
`computer further comprises a scroll wheel andoptional navi-
`gation buttons that permit a user to control or manipulate
`variousaspects ofoperationofthe portable computer(such as
`volumeor display brightness) and/or content displayed the
`computer.
`
`32 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`IPR2021-00786
`
`LiTL Exhibit 2011
`LiTL Exhibit 2011
`Lenovo v. LiTL
`Lenovo v. LiTL
`IPR2021-00786
`
`

`

`US 8,289,688 B2
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`Chaeee
`6,222,507 BL*
`4/2001 Gouko w.scesuseeeee 345/11
`2002/0010707 Al
`1/2002 Chang
`£293393 BL
`5/2001 Knoot
`2002/0021258 AL*
`£62888 BL
`7/2001 Emwnaetal
`2/2002 Koenig vise 345/L.1
`6,266,236 BI*
`7/2001 Kuret al russe 361/679.27 3OOSe eo sien
`_ 361/679.06
`6.275.376 BL*
`8/2001 Moon......
`eR hoo Ml
`oes puppet
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`9/2001 Rebeske.....
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`6,295,038 BL*
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`1/2002 Bisbach et al.
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`al
`6,343.006 BL*
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`5005/0083642 Al
`4/2005. Senpuku et
`6.377.444 BL
`4/2002 Priceetal.
`Sin)
`eeOs
`epee
`B462.060 S
`8/2002 Gat
`2005/0128695 Al
`6/2005 Han
`361/679.27
`6.437074 BI*
`8/2002 Li °
`2005/0146845 AL*
`7/2005 Moscovitch vce 361/681
`463707 §
`10/2000 Andre Ot
`2005/0210399 Al
`9/2005. Filner
`6464195 BL
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`20050257900 AL
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`-6/2003. Tan
`2006/0126284 Al*
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`9/2003 Hwang
`2006/0238439 Al
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`345/168
`£60867 B2*
`9/2003 Koridie tal
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`6647009 Bl
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`2006/0268500 A1* 11/2006 KUAM vases 361/683
`6.650516 B2# 12/2003 Wane et al
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`2007/0138806 Al
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`1404162 §
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`2008/0042987 Al
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`canes °
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`DS534,531 S
`1/2007 Ogasawara
`.
`.
`D535,292 $
`1/2007 Shi
`* cited by examiner
`
`EP
`EP
`KR
`
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`4100
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`Power & Audio
`Connectors
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`/
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`212
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`Screen facing out
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`102
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`Keyboard facing down
`into surface
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`
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`FIG. 26
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`US 8,289,688 B2
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`2
`along an interface betweenthe base andthe display compo-
`nent. Unlike the computers discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,
`236 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,494 above, the portable computer
`according to embodimentsof the invention does not require
`an arm assembly, nor multiple, different hinge assemblies to
`be configured into the different modes. Furthermore, the por-
`table computer according to embodiments ofthe invention is
`capable of different display modes and different functionality
`in the different configurations, as discussed below.
`Further aspects and embodimentsare directed to a portable
`computer having an embeddedscroll wheel that can be con-
`figured to allowa user to control various features and func-
`tionalityof the portable computer. For example, as discussed
`further below the scroll wheel can be used to navigate among
`information displayed on the portable computer’s display
`and/or to alter operating modes of the portable computer,
`and/orto control features such as volume, display brightness,
`etc.
`
`
`
`
`
`The presentinventionrelates generallyto portable comput-
`ers and, more particularly, to a portable computer that is
`configurable into different functional and positional modes.
`2. Discussion of Related Art
`According to one embodiment, a portable computer is
`Portable computers, such as laptop computers or notebook
`configurable between various modes,
`including a closed
`computers, have becomeincreasingly popular and ubiquitous
`mode, a laptop mode,an easel mode, a flat mode andaframe
`in the home and workplace. Conventional portable computers
`mode. The portable computer may comprise a display com-
`most commonly have a “clam-shell” configuration, with a
`ponent includinga display screen,a base, and a hinge assem-
`base including the keyboard, variousports, connectors and/or
`blyat least partially housed within the base and configured to
`inputs (e.g., for power and connecting peripheral devices),
`pivotably couple the display component to the base. The
`and the majority ofthe electrical components(e.g., the central
`display component mayberotatable about a longitudinal axis
`processing unit and memory), anda display componentpiv-
`running along an interface between the display component
`otably coupledto the base bya hinge. The display component
`and thebase.In the closed mode, the display screen may be
`is movable about the hinge between a closed position, with
`disposed substantially against the base, and rotating the dis-
`the display screen positioned adjacent the keyboard, and an
`play component about the longitudinal axis up to approxi-
`open position, with the display screen inclined at a desired
`mately 180 degrees from the closed mode may configure the
`viewing angle.
`portable computerinto the laptop mode. Rotating the display
`Someportable computers are able to accept user inputs via
`component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately
`a touch screen in addition to via conventionaltools. such as a
`180 degrees axis from the closed mode may configure the
`keyboard or mouse. Theuse of a touch screen to input datais
`portable computerinto the easel mode.
`sometimes referred to as operating in “tablet mode” because
`In one example ofthe portable computer, the display com-
`the computer is being used in a mannersimilar to a tablet of
`ponentis rotatable about the longitudinal axis up to approxi-
`paper. U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,494 discloses a hybrid tablet-type
`mately 320 degrees from the closed mode.
`In another
`portable computer that is capable of operating either as a
`example, the portable computer comprises a display orienta-
`normal laptop computer receiving user input via a keyboard
`tion modulethat displays content on the displayscreen in one
`(“laptop mode”), or as a tablet computerreceiving user input
`ofa pluralityof orientations relative to the longitudinalaxis.
`via a touch screen. The *494 patent further discloses that the
`Theorientation ofthe displayed content may be dependent on
`display componentof the computeris attached to the base of
`the current display modeofthe portable computer, or may be
`the computer by hinges that allow the display to betilted
`configurable responsive to a user input. The portable com-
`relative to the base (for laptop mode), and to be rotated and
`puter may further comprise a mode sensor which detects a
`folded againstthe base to configure the computerinto tablet
`mode.
`current display mode of the portable computer, andthe dis-
`play orientation module may display content on the display
`Anothervariation of a portable computer with a moveable
`screen in an orientation dependent on the current display
`display is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,236. The °236
`mode detected by the mode sensor. Depending on the hinge
`patentdiscloses a computer including a base,a display mem-
`assembly used, the longitudinal axis may comprises multiple
`ber and an arm assemblycoupling the display memberto the
`parallel axes, and the hinge assembly may be configured to
`base. According to the *236 patent, the arm assemblyallows
`permit rotation of the display component about any of the
`pivotable movementofthe display member between a plu-
`multiple parallel axes to configure the portable computer
`rality ofpositions, including a notebook modeconfiguration,
`betweenthe pluralityof display modes.
`a tablet mode configuration, a presentation mode configura-
`Another embodiment is directed to a portable computer
`tion, and a closed mode.
`comprising a base, a display componentrotatably coupled to
`the base, and meansforrotating the display component in a
`single direction relative to the base to configure the portable
`computer between a laptop mode and aneasel mode.
`In another embodiment of a portable computer config-
`urable between multiple modes including a laptop mode and
`an easel mode, the portable computer comprises a display
`component, a base, and a hinge assembly configuredto rotat-
`ably couple the display component to the base. The hinge
`assembly may be configured to permit rotation of the display
`component about a single axis to configure the portable com-
`puter between the laptop mode and the easel mode. In one
`
`1
`PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE
`DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
`
`
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to
`US. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/041,365filed Apr.
`1, 2008, entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MUL-
`TIPLE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS,”which is incorpo-
`rated herein by referencein its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Field of Invention
`
`me wn
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are
`directed to a portable computerthatis configurable between a
`laptop mode (in which the portable computer has a conven-
`tional laptop appearance) and an easel mode in whichthe base
`of the computer and its display component stand upright
`forming an inverted “V,’ as discussed further below. The
`display component is pivotably coupled to the base of the
`portable computer by a hingethat allows the display compo-
`nent to be rotated ortilted about a longitudinal axis running
`
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`example, the single axis is a longitudinalaxis running along
`an interface betweenthe display componentandthe base. The
`portable computer may further comprise a scroll wheel dis-
`posed at least partially about the longitudinal axis. In one
`example, the display component comprises a display screen,
`and the scroll wheel is configured to permit a user to manipu-
`late content displayed on the display screen.
`Another embodimentis directed to a method of automati-
`cally orienting content displayed on a portable computer. The
`method comprises rotating a display component ofthe por-
`table computer about a longitudinal axis running along an
`interface between the display component and a base of the
`portable computer, detecting a degree ofrotation of the dis-
`play componentrelative to the base, providing a signal rep-
`resentative ofthe degree ofrotation ofthe display component,
`and automatically configuring an orientation, relative to the
`longitudinal axis, of the content displayed on the portable
`computerresponsiveto the signal.
`According to another embodiment, a portable computer
`comprises a base unit, a display unit including a display
`screen configured to display content, an orientation sensor
`whichdetects an orientation ofthe display unit relative to the
`base unit, and a displayorientation module which orients the
`content displayed on the display screen responsive to the
`orientation detected by the orientation sensor.
`Another embodimentof a portable computer comprises a
`base, a display componentrotatably coupledto the base such
`that the display component andthe base are rotatable with
`respect to one anotherabout a longitudinal axis running along
`an interface betweenthe display component andthebase, the
`display component including a display screen, anda scroll
`wheeldisposedat least partially within the base and rotatable
`about the longitudinal axis, the scroll wheel configured to
`permita userto controlat least one of operating parameters of
`the portable computer and content displayed on the display
`screen. In one example, the scroll wheel is configured to
`permit the user to adjust a volumeof sound produced by the
`portable computer. In another example, the screen is config-
`ured to displayat least one ofa plurality ofmodesof content,
`and the scroll wheel is configured to permit the user to select
`a modeof content for display by the portable computer. The
`portable computer may further comprise one or more navi-
`gation buttons that maybe used in conjunction withthe scroll
`wheel to control aspects of the portable computer anddis-
`played content.
`According to another embodiment, a portable computeris
`configurable between a plurality of display modes including
`a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer
`comprising a base, a display componentrotatably coupled to
`ct.
`e base and including a screen which displays content, and a
`scroll wheel accessible in each of the plurality of display
`modes and configured to permit a user to manipulateat least
`oneof operating parameters of the portable computer and the
`oO
`ontent displayed on the screen. In one example, the scroll
`wheelis disposedatleas partially about an axis ofrotation of
`ct.
`e display componentrelative to the base.
`In another embodiment, a portable computer comprises a
`base, a display component including a screen configured to
`display content, a hinge assembly configured to rotatably
`couple the display componentto the base and to permitrota-
`ot
`ion of the display component about a longitudinal axis run-
`ing along an interface between the display component and
`e base, and a scroll wheel disposed at least partially about
`e longitudinal axis.
`Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these
`exemplary aspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail
`below. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing
`
`4
`informationandthe followingdetailed description are merely
`illustrative examples of various aspects and embodiments,
`and are intended to provide an overviewor framework for
`understanding the nature and character ofthe claimed aspects
`and embodiments. Any embodimentdisclosed herein may be
`combined with any other embodiment in any mannerconsis-
`29
`66
`tent with the objects, aims, and needs disclosed herein, and
`references to “an embodiment,’ “some embodiments,”
`“an
`alternate
`embodiment.”
`“various
`embodiments,”
`‘one
`embodiment”orthe like are not necessarily mutually exclu-
`sive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature,
`structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
`embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment.
`The appearances of such termsherein are not necessarily all
`referring to the same embodiment. The accompanying draw-
`ings are included to provide illustration and a further under-
`standing of the various aspects and embodiments, and are
`incorporatedin and constitute a part ofthis specification. The
`drawings, together with the remainder of the specification,
`serve to explain principles and operations of the described
`and claimed aspects and embodiments.
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`Various aspects of at least one embodimentare discussed
`below with reference to the accompanyingfigures, which are
`not intended to be drawn to scale. Where technical features in
`the figures, detailed description or any claim are followed by
`references signs, the reference signs have been included for
`the sole purposeof increasingtheintelligibility ofthe figures,
`detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neithertheref-
`erence signs nor their absence are intended to have anylim-
`iting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In thefigures,
`each identical or nearly identical componentthatisillustrated
`in variousfigures is represented by a like numeral. For pur-
`poses ofclarity, not every component maybe labeled in every
`figure. The figures are provided for the purposes ofillustra-
`tion and explanation andare not intendedas a definition of
`the
`limits of the invention. Inthe figures:
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of one example of a portable
`computer, accordingto aspects of the invention, in a “laptop”
`configuration;
`TI
`G. 2 is a view ofthe portable computer of FIG. 1 in the
`closed position;
`FIG. 3 is a plan view ofthe exterior of the bottom ofthe
`po. mW
`able computer of FIG. 1;
`G. 4 1s a perspective view of the portable computer of
`FIWO
`. 1 in the easel mode;
`G. 5 is a side view of the portable computer of FIG.4,
`illustrating the adjustable angle of the easel mode;
`FIGS. 6A-C are diagramsillustrating different positions of
`the portable computer of FIG. 4 in easel mode;
`TI
`G. 7A is an illustration of a portion of the portable
`computer of FIG. 1 in the laptop mode,illustrating a hinge
`assembly according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 7B is an in illustration of a portion of the portable
`computer of FIG. 1 in the easel mode,illustrating the hinge
`assembly according to aspects of the invention;
`G. 8 is a diagram of one example ofthe hinge assembly
`IGS. 7A and 7B;
`G. 91s across-sectional diagram ofa portion ofthe hinge
`as:nQ
`mbly of FIG.8, taken along line 9-9 in FIG.8;
`TI
`G. 10 is an exploded viewof the hinge assembly of FIG.
`
` TI
`
`ofToo
`
`8;
`
`
`
`
`
`G. 11 is a block diagram of one exampleofa portable
`computeruser interface architecture, according to aspects of
`the invention;
`
`

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`5
`FIG. 12 is a screen shot illustrating one example of a
`raphical user interface, according to aspectsofthe invention;
`FIG. 13 is a screen shotillustrating another example of a
`raphical user interface according to aspectsofthe invention;
`FIG. 14 is an illustration ofa user adjusting the scroll wheel
`n a portable computer in the easel mode, according to
`aspects of the invention;
`FIG.15 is an illustration ofa user pressing the scroll wheel
`ona portable computer, according to aspectsofthe invention;
`FIG. 16 is an illustration of a user pressing a navigation
`button on the portable computer, according to aspects ofthe
`_.
`vention;
`FIG. 17 is an illustration of an example of the portable
`computer in the laptop mode, according to aspects of the
`_.
`vention;
`FIG. 18 is a viewof a portion of the portable computer
`illustrating a wireless signal indicator feature, according to
`aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 19 is a view of a portion of the portable computer in
`the closed position, according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 20 is a plan view of one example of a power adaptor,
`according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG.21 is a side view of the poweradaptor of FIG.20;
`FIG. 22A is anotherside view ofthe power adaptorof FIG.
`20, illustrating the power cord would around a cord spool,
`according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 22Bis a plan viewof the power adaptor of FIG. 224
`FIG.23 is an illustration of the portable computer coupled
`to a dockingstation, accordingto aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 24is anillustration ofthe portable computer showing
`one example of a docking connector, according to aspects of
`the invention;
`FIG. 25is an illustration of a hinge assembly coupled to a
`computer frame, according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG.26 is an illustration of the portable computer config-
`ured into a “frame” mode, accordingto aspects of the inven-
`tion; and
`FIG.27is an illustration of the portable computer config-
`uredinto a “flat” mode, according to aspects ofthe invention.
`
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`US 8,289,688 B2
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`6
`capable of implementation in other embodiments and of
`being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
`Examplesofspecific implementationsare provided herein for
`illustrative purposes onlyandare not intendedto be limiting.
`Inparticular, acts, elements and features discussed in connec-
`tion with any one or more embodimentsare not intended to be
`excluded from a similarrole in any other embodiments. Also,
`the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the pur-
`pose of description and should not be regarded aslimiting.
`Any references to embodiments or elements or acts of the
`systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may
`also embrace embodiments including a plurality of these
`elements, and any references in plural to any embodimentor
`elementoract herein may also embrace embodiments includ-
`ing only a single element. Referencesin the singular orplural
`form are not intendedto limit the presently disclosed systems
`29 66
`or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use
`herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,”
`“containing,”
`““nvolving,” and variations thereofis meant to encompass the
`itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as addi-
`tional items. Referencesto “or” may be construedas inclusive
`so that any terms described using “or” mayindicate any of a
`single, more than one, andall of the described terms.
`Referring to FIG.1, there is illustrated one example of a
`portable computer according to aspects of the invention. In
`FIG.1, the portable computer100 is illustrated in the “laptop”
`mode, with the display component 102 inclined at a viewing
`angle from the base 104. The display component 102is piv-
`otably coupled to the base 104 by a hinge assembly(not
`shown)that allowsthe display componentto be rotated with
`respect to the base. The hinge assembly may include a single
`or multiple hinges, which maybe anyof a variety of hinge
`types, including, but not limited, to single-axis hinges, mul-
`tiple-axis hinges, geared hinges, etc. In one example, the
`hinge assembly allows the display component 102 to be
`rotated (ortilted) about a longitudinal axis 101 running along
`an interface betweenthe display componentandthe base 104,
`asillustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed further below. The base
`
`104 includes a keyboard 106 and internal electronic compo-
`nents (not shown), such as a central processing unit, memory,
`and other components necessary to operate the portable com-
`puter, as knownto those skilled in the art. In some embodi-
`ments, the base 104 may also include a touch pad 108 or
`trackball (not shown) for receiving user commands, as known
`to those skilled in theart.
`
`the display component 102
`Still referring to FIG. 1,
`includes a display screen 110, and may also include a camera
`112, microphone 114, and infrared receiver 116, as discussed
`further below.It is to be appreciatedthat the locationsof the
`camera 112, microphone 114 and infrared receiver 114 are
`not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 1, and may be
`placed in other locations on the display component 102 and/
`or base 104, as would be recognized bythoseskilled in theart.
`The display component 102 mayalso include cushions 118
`that provide soft contact points between the base 104 andthe
`display component 102 whenthe portable computer1s closed.
`In one example, the cushions 118 are made of rubber. How-
`ever, itis to be appreciatedthat the inventionis not so limited,
`and the cushions 118 may comprise materials other than
`rubber, including, for example, a polymer,felt, or other suit-
`able materials as would be recognized bythose skilled in the
`art.
`
`Referring to FIG.2, thereis illustrated a side viewof the
`portable computer 100 of FIG.1 in the closed configuration.
`Asis the case for conventional clam-shell type portable com-
`puters, whenthe portable computer100 is closed, the display
`screen is disposed “face down” against the keyboard of the
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Aspects and embodiments are directed to a portable com-
`puterthat is configurable between different operating modes,
`including a laptop mode(in which the portable computer has
`a conventional laptop appearance),a flat mode, a frame mode,
`and an easel mode in which the base of the computerandits
`display componentstand vertically forming an inverted “V,”
`as discussed further below. The portable computeris capable
`ofdifferent display formats and functionalityin the different
`modes, andincludesa graphicaluser interface that may work
`seamlessly with the computer hardwareto provide a unified,
`comfortable, holistic user experience. In particular, the por-
`table computer mayprovide access to a wide array of func-
`tions, both those traditionally provided by computing devices
`and thosetraditionally provided byother passive information
`devices. For example, the hardware and software, including
`the graphical user interface, of the portable computer may be
`focused toward providing access to entertainment media,
`such as audio and video (e.g., playing music, streaming video,
`viewing photographs, etc.), email, and internet, while also
`providing state-of-the-art computer processing capability.
`Itis to be appreciated that embodiments ofthe methods and
`apparatusesdiscussed herein are not limited in application to
`the details of construction and the arrangement of compo-
`nents set forth in the following descriptionorillustrated in the
`accompanying drawings. The methods and apparatuses are
`
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`US 8,289,688 B2
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`ee 0
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`the base 104
`In the illustrated embodiment,
`base 104.
`includes a rounded portion 120 that houses the hinge (not
`shown) that pivotably couples the display component 102 to
`the base,as discussed further below.Itis to be appreciated that
`the rounded portion 120 is not limited to having a round
`shape, but mayinstead have another shape, which may be
`dependent on the type of hinge used. In one embodiment, a
`power button 122, configured to turn the portable computer
`ON and OFF, mayalso be provided on the rounded portion
`120, as illustrated in FIG. 2. However,it is to be appreciated
`that the invention is not so limited, and the power button 122
`maybe located elsewhere on the base 104. In one example,
`the power button 122 maybeslightly recessed relative to the
`surface of the base 104, so as decrease the potential for the
`powerbutton to be accidentallypressed.
`An exterior viewof the bottom of the base 104 (the under-
`side ofthe portable computer 100)is illustrated in FIG. 3. As
`can be seen in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the base 104
`includesa plurality of feet 124. In one example, the feet 124
`are made of rubber; however,it is to be ap