USOO862484.4B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Behar et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
`*Jan. 7, 2014
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE
`DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`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)
`
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`(73)
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`Assignee: LITL LLC, Boston, MA (US)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 494 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`CN
`DE
`EP
`EP
`JP
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 12/170,951
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 10, 2008
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2009/0244012A1
`Oct. 1, 2009
`
`(60)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Provisional application No. 61/041,365, filed on Apr.
`1, 2008.
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. C.
`G06F 3/02
`U.S. C.
`USPC ........... 345/169; 34.5/168; 34.5/173: 345/184:
`361/679.27:455/575.3
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC ......................... 345/184, 168-169, 156, 173:
`361/679.3, 679.21, 679.26–679.27;
`455/575.3
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`http://laptop.org/en/laptop? start/ebook.shtml accessed on Sep. 29.
`2008.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Lun-Yi Lao
`Assistant Examiner — Sosina Abebe
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Lando & Anastasi, LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A portable computer that is configurable between a laptop
`mode (in which the portable computer has a conventional
`laptop appearance) and an easel mode in which the base of the
`computer and its display component stand vertically forming
`an inverted “V” The portable computer includes a hinge
`assembly that couples the display component to the base of
`the computer, and allows the display component to be rotated
`about an axis along an interface between the display compo
`nent 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 and
`optional navigation buttons.
`
`22 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`102
`
`Screen facing out
`
`Keyboard facing down
`into surface
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 001
`IPR2021-00822 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`US 8,624,844 B2
`Page 2
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 002
`IPR2021-00822 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
`
`

`

`US 8,624,844 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
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`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 003
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 004
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 2 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`S
`
`s
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 005
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 3 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`130
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 006
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`freewarts
`
`ma
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 007
`IPR2021-00822 (Lenovo Inc. v. LiTL LLC.)
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 5 Of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`F.G. 5
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 008
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 6 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 6C
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 009
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 7 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`S.
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 010
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 8 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 011
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 9 Of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
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`152
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 10 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`154
`
`156
`
`158
`
`FIG 10
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 013
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 11 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`;-------—~~^????????????????????????º
`
`Z/, \,
`
`| ||
`
`OZ/ |
`
`TLIT
`
`EINOH
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 014
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
`
`Sheet 12 of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
`
`N
`
`SIÐuue?O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9/ |
`
`?ŽI?
`
`õZITŒŽIT
`
`Q?NW | ?O?uuOO
`
`(ILIT)
`
`<1
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 015
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`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
`
`
`
`92
`Aepunyes
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 016
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 14 of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
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`161
`
`
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 017
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 15 Of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 15
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 018
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 16 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`FIG. 16
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 019
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 17 Of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 020
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 18 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 021
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 19 Of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`yer
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 022
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 20 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`188 190
`
`186
`
`FIG 21
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 023
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 21 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`190
`
`186
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`
`
`192
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`194
`
`FIG. 22B
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 024
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 22 of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 23 Of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 026
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 7, 2014
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`Sheet 24 of 25
`
`US 8,624,844 B2
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`
`
`102
`
`Screen facing out
`
`Keyboard facing down
`into Surface
`
`FIG. 26
`
`Lenovo EX-1001, Page 027
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`U.S. Patent
`
`7, 2014
`Jan.
`
`Sheet 25 Of 25
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`US 8,624,844 B2
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`US 8,624,844 B2
`
`1.
`PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MULTIPLE
`DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. S 119(e) to
`U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/041,365 filed Apr.
`1, 2008, entitled “PORTABLE COMPUTER WITH MUL
`TIPLE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS, which is incorpo
`rated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`along an interface between the base and the display compo
`nent. Unlike the computers discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,266,
`236 and 6,771,494 above, the portable computer according to
`embodiments of the invention does not require an arm assem
`bly, nor multiple, different hinge assemblies to be configured
`into the different modes. Furthermore, the portable computer
`according to embodiments of the invention is capable of
`different display modes and different functionality in the
`different configurations, as discussed below.
`Further aspects and embodiments are directed to a portable
`computer having an embedded scroll wheel that can be con
`figured to allow a user to control various features and func
`tionality of 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/or to control features such as Volume, display brightness,
`etc.
`According to one embodiment, a portable computer is
`configurable between various modes, including a closed
`mode, a laptop mode, an easel mode, a flat mode and a frame
`mode. The portable computer may comprise a display com
`ponent including a display screen, a base, and a hinge assem
`bly at least partially housed within the base and configured to
`pivotably couple the display component to the base. The
`display component may be rotatable about alongitudinal axis
`running along an interface between the display component
`and the base. In the closed mode, the display screen may be
`disposed Substantially against the base, and rotating the dis
`play component about the longitudinal axis up to approxi
`mately 180 degrees from the closed mode may configure the
`portable computer into the laptop mode. Rotating the display
`component about the longitudinal axis beyond approximately
`180 degrees axis from the closed mode may configure the
`portable computer into the easel mode.
`In one example of the portable computer, the display com
`ponent is rotatable about the longitudinal axis up to approxi
`mately 320 degrees from the closed mode. In another
`example, the portable computer comprises a display orienta
`tion module that displays content on the display Screen in one
`of a plurality of orientations relative to the longitudinal axis.
`The orientation of the displayed content may be dependent on
`the current display mode of the portable computer, or may be
`configurable responsive to a user input. The portable com
`puter may further comprise a mode sensor which detects a
`current display mode of the portable computer, and the dis
`play orientation module may display content on the display
`screen in an orientation dependent on the current display
`mode detected by the mode sensor. Depending on the hinge
`assembly used, the longitudinal axis may comprises multiple
`parallel axes, and the hinge assembly may be configured to
`permit rotation of the display component about any of the
`multiple parallel axes to configure the portable computer
`between the plurality of display modes.
`Another embodiment is directed to a portable computer
`comprising a base, a display component rotatably coupled to
`the base, and means for rotating the display component in a
`single direction relative to the base to configure the portable
`computer between a laptop mode and an easel 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 configured to 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
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`1. Field of Invention
`The present invention relates generally to portable comput
`ers and, more particularly, to a portable computer that is
`configurable into different functional and positional modes.
`2. Discussion of Related Art
`Portable computers, such as laptop computers or notebook
`computers, have become increasingly popular and ubiquitous
`in the home and workplace. Conventional portable computers
`most commonly have a “clam-shell’ configuration, with a
`base including the keyboard, various ports, connectors and/or
`inputs (e.g., for power and connecting peripheral devices),
`and the majority of the electrical components (e.g., the central
`processing unit and memory), and a display component piv
`otably coupled to the base by a hinge. The display component
`is movable about the hinge between a closed position, with
`the display screen positioned adjacent the keyboard, and an
`open position, with the display Screen inclined at a desired
`Viewing angle.
`Some portable computers are able to accept user inputs via
`a touch screen in addition to via conventional tools, such as a
`keyboard or mouse. The use of a touch screen to input data is
`sometimes referred to as operating in “tablet mode” because
`the computer is being used in a manner similar to a tablet of
`paper. U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,494 discloses a hybrid tablet-type
`portable computer that is capable of operating either as a
`normal laptop computer receiving user input via a keyboard
`("laptop mode'), or as a tablet computer receiving user input
`via a touch screen. The 494 patent further discloses that the
`display component of the computer is attached to the base of
`the computer by hinges that allow the display to be tilted
`relative to the base (for laptop mode), and to be rotated and
`folded against the base to configure the computer into tablet
`mode.
`Another variation of a portable computer with a moveable
`display is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,236. The 236
`patent discloses a computer including a base, a display mem
`ber and an arm assembly coupling the display member to the
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`base. According to the 236 patent, the arm assembly allows
`pivotable movement of the display member between a plu
`rality of positions, including a notebook mode configuration,
`a tablet mode configuration, a presentation mode configura
`tion, and a closed mode.
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`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are
`directed to a portable computer that is configurable between a
`laptop mode (in which the portable computer has a conven
`tional laptop appearance) and an easel mode in which the 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 hinge that allows the display compo
`nent to be rotated or tilted about a longitudinal axis running
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`example, the single axis is a longitudinal axis running along
`an interface between the display component and the 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 embodiment is directed to a method of automati
`cally orienting content displayed on a portable computer. The
`method comprises rotating a display component of the 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 of rotation of the dis
`play component relative to the base, providing a signal rep
`resentative of the degree of rotation of the display component,
`and automatically configuring an orientation, relative to the
`longitudinal axis, of the content displayed on the portable
`computer responsive to 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
`which detects an orientation of the display unit relative to the
`base unit, and a display orientation module which orients the
`content displayed on the display Screen responsive to the
`orientation detected by the orientation sensor.
`Another embodiment of a portable computer comprises a
`base, a display component rotatably coupled to the base Such
`that the display component and the base are rotatable with
`respect to one another about alongitudinal axis running along
`an interface between the display component and the base, the
`display component including a display screen, and a scroll
`wheel disposed at least partially within the base and rotatable
`about the longitudinal axis, the Scroll wheel configured to
`permit a user to control at 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 Volume of Sound produced by the
`portable computer. In another example, the screen is config
`ured to display at least one of a plurality of modes of content,
`and the scroll wheel is configured to permit the user to select
`a mode of content for display by the portable computer. The
`portable computer may further comprise one or more navi
`gation buttons that may be used in conjunction with the scroll
`wheel to control aspects of the portable computer and dis
`played content.
`According to another embodiment, a portable computer is
`configurable between a plurality of display modes including
`a laptop mode and an easel mode, the portable computer
`comprising a base, a display component rotatably coupled to
`the 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 manipulate at least
`one of operating parameters of the portable computer and the
`content displayed on the screen. In one example, the scroll
`wheel is disposed at leas partially about an axis of rotation of
`the display component relative 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 component to the base and to permit rota
`tion of the display component about a longitudinal axis run
`ning along an interface between the display component and
`the base, and a scroll wheel disposed at least partially about
`the 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
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`information and the following detailed description are merely
`illustrative examples of various aspects and embodiments,
`and are intended to provide an overview or framework for
`understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects
`and embodiments. Any embodiment disclosed herein may be
`combined with any other embodiment in any manner consis
`tent with the objects, aims, and needs disclosed herein, and
`references to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,
`al
`alternate embodiment,” “various embodiments.” “one
`embodiment' or the 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 terms herein 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
`incorporated in and constitute a part of this 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 embodiment are discussed
`below with reference to the accompanying figures, 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 purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the figures,
`detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the ref
`erence signs nor their absence are intended to have any lim
`iting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In the figures,
`each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated
`in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For pur
`poses of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every
`figure. The figures are provided for the purposes of illustra
`tion and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the
`limits of the invention. In the figures:
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of one example of a portable
`computer, according to aspects of the invention, in a "laptop'
`configuration;
`FIG. 2 is a view of the portable computer of FIG. 1 in the
`closed position;
`FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exterior of the bottom of the
`portable computer of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the portable computer of
`FIG. 1 in the easel mode:
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the portable computer of FIG. 4,
`illustrating the adjustable angle of the easel mode;
`FIGS. 6A-C are diagrams illustrating different positions of
`the portable computer of FIG. 4 in easel mode:
`FIG. 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;
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of one example of the hinge assembly
`of FIGS. 7A and 7B;
`FIG.9 is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion of the hinge
`assembly of FIG. 8, taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8:
`FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the hinge assembly of FIG.
`8:
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of one example of a portable
`computer user interface architecture, according to aspects of
`the invention;
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`5
`FIG. 12 is a screen shot illustrating one example of a
`graphical user interface, according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 13 is a screen shot illustrating another example of a
`graphical user interface according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 14 is an illustration of a user adjusting the scroll wheel
`on a portable computer in the easel mode, according to
`aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 15 is an illustration of a user pressing the scroll wheel
`on a portable computer, according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 16 is an illustration of a user pressing a navigation
`button on the portable computer, according to aspects of the
`invention;
`FIG. 17 is an illustration of an example of the portable
`computer in the laptop mode, according to aspects of the
`invention;
`FIG. 18 is a view of 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 power adaptor of FIG. 20;
`FIG.22A is another side view of the power adaptor of FIG.
`20, illustrating the power cord would around a cord spool,
`according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG.22B is a plan view of the power adaptor of FIG.22A
`FIG. 23 is an illustration of the portable computer coupled
`to a docking station, according to aspects of the invention;
`FIG. 24 is an illustration of the portable computer showing
`one example of a docking connector, according to aspects of
`the invention:
`FIG. 24 is 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, according to aspects of the inven
`tion; and
`FIG. 27 is an illustration of the portable computer config
`ured into a “flat mode, according to aspects of the invention.
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`capable of implementation in other embodiments and of
`being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
`Examples of specific implementations are provided hereinfor
`illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.
`In particular, acts, elements and features discussed in connec
`tion with any one or more embodiments are not intended to be
`excluded from a similar role in any other embodiments. Also,
`the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the pur
`pose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
`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 embodiment or
`element or act herein may also embrace embodiments includ
`ing only a single element. References in the singular or plural
`form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems
`or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use
`herein of “including.” “comprising.” “having.” “containing.”
`“involving, and variations thereof is meant to encompass the
`items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as addi
`tional items. References to “or may be construed as inclusive
`so that any terms described using 'or' may indicate any of a
`single, more than one, and all 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 computer 100 is illustrated in the “laptop'
`mode, with the display component 102 inclined at a viewing
`angle from the base 104. The display component 102 is piv
`otably coupled to the base 104 by a hinge assembly (not
`shown) that allows the display component to be rotated with
`respect to the base. The hinge assembly may include a single
`or multiple hinges, which may be any of 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 (or tilted) about alongitudinal axis 101 running along
`an interface between the display component and the base 104,
`as illustrated 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
`