`
`aa JK Patent Application «GB «2321982 wA
`
`(43) Date of A Publication 12.08.1998
`
`
`
` (51)
`(21) Application No 9702544.9
`INTCLE
`GOGF 1/16
`
`(22) Date of Filing 07.02.1997
`
`
`
`
`(71) Applicant(s)
`Fujitsu ICL Computers Oy
`(Incorporated in Finland)
`Po Box 10, Karaportti 8, FIN-02610 Espoo, Finland
`
`(52) UK CL(Edition P}
`G4A ADT
`
`(56) Documents Cited
`EP 0394879 A1
`
`US 5544005 A
`
`US 4903221 A
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor(s)
`Sakari Valikangas
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(58)
`
`Field of Search
`UK CL (Edition 0) G4A ADT
`INT CL° GO6F 1/16
`On-line: WPI
`
`(74) Agent and/or Addressfor Service
`S M Dupuy
`International Computers Limited, Cavendish Road,
`STEVENAGE, Hertfordshire, SG1 2DY,
`United Kingdom
`
`
`(54) Abstract Title
`Positioning notebook computerscreen to facilitate use with external keyboard
`
`
`
`(57) When using an external keyboard with a notebook computer, the integral keyboard prevents the screen
`from being located at the optimum distance from the user. So that the external keyboard can be placed nearer
`to the notebook's screen, said screen may be capable of rotating through 270° aboutits hinge from the closed
`position, allowing the notebook to be placed withits integral keyboard face down on a work surface thereby
`permitting location of the external keyboard nearerthe screen. Alternatively, with the screen opento an angle
`of 270° the notebook can be stood onits ends in an "A" shaped configuration. In this mode the screen display
`needsinverting. In a further mode the screen is detachable and mayberelocated at the end of the integral
`keyboard which is nearest the user. Alternatively, the screen can rotate about an axis perpendicular to its
`hinge.
`Fig.2.
`
`
`
`Vc86LcEcaD
`
`At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproducedhere is taken fromalaterfiled formal copy.
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 1
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 1
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`1/2
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`Fig.1.
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`Fig.2.
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 2
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 2
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`2/2
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 3
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 3
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`

`

`-l-
`
`NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS
`
`This invention relates to notebook computers and in
`particular to notebook computers which,
`in addition to being
`usable in the portable, or free-standing, mode, facilitate
`use in a primary workstation arrangement at a workplace.
`
`in
`
`The technological advances in notebook screen technology,
`particular the increased screen sizes which have become
`possible, mean that a notebook’s own screen can be used as a
`primary display at a workstation,
`instead of for example a
`CRT monitor or another form of substantially non-portable
`display. However,
`the keyboard and mouse solutions of the
`notebook do not meet the current requirements for primary
`workstation input devices. When a notebook screen is used in
`a primary workstation context, external input devices must be
`used. Thus for example,
`the notebook computer is opened up
`in order to be able to view its screen and a separate primary
`workstation keyboard is employed as illustrated schematically
`in Figure 1.
`The keyboard may be connected to the notebook
`and/or other elements comprising the primary workstation by,
`for example, cables,
`infrared links, or the like. However,
`when the separate keyboard is disposed in front of the
`notebook in this manner,
`the distance between the user and
`the notebook screen is longer than is desirable for optimum
`viewing of the screen.
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a means
`of achieving the optimum view distance between a notebook
`screen and a user employing a separate keyboard.
`
`According to one aspect of the present invention there is
`provided a notebook computer comprising a body portion with a
`screen portion operatively connected thereto, wherein the
`screen portion is positionable relative to the body portion
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 4
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 4
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`

`

`a
`
`such that it can be used in conjunction with a separate
`keyboard disposed at a distance from the screen portion
`corresponding to the optimum viewing distance for a user of
`the separate keyboard and closer to the screen portion than
`the depth of the body portion.
`
`According to another aspect of the present invention there is
`provided a notebook computer comprising a body portion with a
`screen portion operatively connected thereto, wherein the
`screen portion is pivotable between a first position in which
`the notebook computer is closed, a second position in which
`the screen portion has been rotated through an angle of the
`order of 90° relative to the first position, and a third
`position in which the screen has been rotated through an
`angle of the order of 270° relative to the first position.
`
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a notebook computer comprising a body
`portion with a screen portion operatively connected thereto,
`wherein the screen is disconnectibly mounted to a back edge
`of the body portion and pivotable thereat between a first
`position in which the notebook computer is closed and a
`second position in which the screen has been rotated through
`an angle of the order of 90° relative to the first position,
`and wherein the screen is alternatively mountable to a front
`edge of the body portion in an orientation such that it
`extends substantially parallel to the second position.
`
`Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
`
`reference to the accompanying drawings,
`
`in which:
`
`Figure 1 illustrates, schematically a conventional notebook
`computer being used in combination with a separate keyboard;
`
`Figure 2 illustrates schematically a notebook computer
`according to one embodiment of the present invention being
`used in combination with a separate keyboard;
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 5
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 5
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`

`

`~~
`
`-3-
`
`Figure 3 illustrates highly schematically and not to scale a
`partial end view of a notebook computer according to the one
`embodiment of the present invention with the screen in the
`closed position; the normal (portable) open position (dashed
`lines) and the fully open position (dotted lines);
`
`Figure 4 illustrates the notebook of Figure 3 with the screen
`in the fully open position and orientated for use (integral
`keyboard facing downwards) with an external keyboard;
`
`Figure 4A illustrates another possible arrangement of the
`notebook of Figure 3, and
`
`Figure 5 illustrates highly schematically and not to scale an
`end view of another embodiment of the invention in which the
`
`screen is normally hinged to the back of the computer body
`but is movable from that position to an alternative position
`(dashed lines) at the front of the computer body for use with
`an external keyboard.
`
`illustrates a
`Referring firstly to Figure 1, which
`conventional notebook computer 1 being used with a primary
`workstation keyboard 2,
`the screen 3 of the notebook computer
`1 is being used as the primary workstation display.
`In this
`set-up,
`the body 4 of the notebook computer can prevent the
`keyboard 2 being positioned close enough to the screen so
`that the user 5 is at the optimum viewing distance from the
`screen.
`The screen 3 is hinged to the back edge of body 4 in
`such a manner that when the notebook computer is opened for
`use there is an angle between them that will be referred to
`as of the order of 90°, although in practice it can be
`somewhat greater and will be such as to provide an optimum
`view of the screen.
`
`In order to enable the keyboard 2 to be positioned closer to
`the screen 3 than previously possible, that is closer to the
`screen than the distance between the front and back edges of
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 6
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 6
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`

`

`the body ie its depth, it is proposed to arrange that the
`relative positions of the screen 3 and the body 4 of the
`notebook computer be changeable. One possible means of
`achieving this is to provide a hinge arrangement between the
`screen 3 and the body 4 at the back edge thereof that enables
`the notebook computer to be opened to such an extent that
`there is an angle between them which will be referred to as
`of the order of 270°, although in practice it can be somewhat
`greater in order to provide an optimum view of the screen.
`Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2,
`in which the
`notebook computer has been opened up to the order of 270° and
`the body has been positioned on a work top with the integral
`keyboard facing downwards. Figure 3 illustrates very
`schematically,
`in order to indicate the principle, a partial
`end view of a notebook computer having a screen able to pivot
`about an axis 4A and open to such an extent, and indicating
`the closed position of the screen 3 relative to the body 4 in
`a solid line,
`the normal of the order of 90° viewing position
`of the screen in a dashed line 3A, and the order of 270°
`viewing position of the screen in a dotted line 3B.
`To
`enable the screen to be viewed with the image the right way
`up in the order of 270° orientation the body 4 must be
`disposed with the integral keyboard 4B downwards, as
`indicated in Figure 4.
`
`In the order of 270° orientation illustrated in Figure 3 the
`image on the screen is the wrong way up when the body is
`disposed with the integral keyboard uppermost.
`If the image
`could be reversed (top to bottom) this order of 270°
`orientation could also be employed by, for example, disposing
`the body 4 at a higher level than the keyboard 2, for
`example, on some form of shelf, and with the integral
`keyboard uppermost.
`In such a case the orientation would be
`somewhat less than 270° for optimum viewing.
`Such an
`arrangement might be preferable in certain circumstances,
`particularly in connection with CD Roms or floppy disks,
`drives for which may not operate in an upside down
`
`the
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 7
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 7
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`

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`-5-
`
`configuration, as well as possibly being difficult to use
`when upside down.
`Instead of disposing the body on a shelf
`and angling the screen as appropriate,
`the opened out
`notebook computer could just be stood up as illustrated
`schematically in Figure 4A,
`in which the angle will be
`greater than 270° and the image will need reversing,
`top to
`bottom. Locking means could be provided to ensure that this
`angle is maintained.
`
`In the arrangements illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, a
`docking connection 6 can be disposed at the front of the body
`4 in order to be accessible when the order of 270°
`
`the docking connection
`orientation is employed (Figure 4),
`being required when the screen is to be used as a primary
`workstation display. Connections 7 which are required when
`the notebook computer is to be used in the normal order of
`90° orientation can be disposed at the back of the body as
`illustrated, these include parallel and serial ports.
`Locking means (not shown) are preferably provided in order to
`lock the screen into the desired orientation (90 or 270°).
`
`An alternative possibility which permits the screen 3 and
`external keyboard 2 to be positioned closer together, and
`with the body the right way up, is to arrange that the screen
`3 and body 4 are operatively connectible to one another both
`at the front and back edges of the body 4, as illustrated in
`Figure 5. At the back of the body is a hinge arrangement 8
`permitting the screen to be closed down onto the keyboard 4B
`(as indicated by the dotted line) and disposed at the order
`of 90° orientation 3A (solid lines), and also to be
`disconnected therefrom, whereas at the front of the body
`there is an alternative hinge or other connection arrangement
`9 permitting the screen to be operatively connected thereat
`and disposed in an orientation 3C equivalent to the order of
`270° orientation referred to above, but which is actually an
`order of 90° orientation and parallel to orientation 3A, but
`which will be closer to the external keyboard, as indicated
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 8
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 8
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`

`

`-6-
`
`In this arrangement the docking and
`by the dotted lines.
`other connections will not be covered by the screen in any
`orientation thereof and can thus be disposed in positions
`determined by other criteria.
`
`A variant of the Figure 5 arrangement is as follows. As will
`be appreciated, such as from Figure 1,
`the screen portion 3
`can be attached to the body portion 4 by means of two hinge
`arrangements.
`The screen portion is disconnectibly mounted
`to the back edge of the body portion, but instead of the
`alternative mounting position being at the front edge of the
`portion as in Figure 5,
`in a variant the alternative mounting
`position is also at the back edge, but with the left and
`right hinge connection positions interchanged, so that the
`picture side of the screen portion is then at the back, ie
`when regarding Figure 5 the image on the screen portion (in
`position 3A) is viewed from the right, rather than the left.
`If the wire connection between the screen and body portions
`is, say,
`in the middle of the bottom side of the screen, it
`need not be disconnected, rather "twisted" through 180°.
`If
`the wire connection is through one hinge and both hinge and
`wire are pivotable through 180°,
`the other hinge being
`disconnectible,
`the screen portion can readily be turned
`around.
`A separate support for the other hinge can be
`provided for such a variant. Alternatively,
`there can be a
`single hinge which is centrally disposed at the bottom side
`of the screen portion and with the wire connection extending
`through it, the whole hinge/wire arrangement being pivotable
`through 180° to present the image on the opposite side of the
`screen portion to the usual notebook configuration.
`
`The arrangements proposed by the invention thus permit the
`screen of a notebook computer to be used as a primary
`workstation display, saving the cost of purchasing a CRT
`monitor or other display for the workstation, whilst allowing
`an external keyboard to be positioned close enough to the
`screen for optimum viewing thereof by a keyboard user.
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 9
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 9
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`

`

`-7-
`
`CLAIMS
`
`1.
`
`A notebook computer comprising a body portion with a
`screen portion operatively connected thereto, wherein
`the screen portion is positionable relative to the body
`portion such that it can be used in conjunction with a
`separate keyboard disposed at a distance from the screen
`portion corresponding to the optimum viewing distance
`for a user of the separate keyboard and closer to the
`screen portion than the depth of the body portion.
`
`A notebook computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the
`screen portion is pivotable between a first position in
`which the notebook computer is closed, a second position
`in which the screen portion has been rotated through an
`angle of the order of 90° relative to the first
`position, and a third position in which the screen
`portion has been rotated through an angle of the order
`of 270° relative to the first position.
`
`A notebook computer as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the
`screen portion is pivotably connected to a back edge of
`the body portion, wherein a docking connection is
`disposed at a front edge of the body portion,
`the depth
`of the body portion corresponding to the distance
`between the front and back edges of the body portion,
`and wherein in use with the external keyboard the screen
`portion is disposed in the third position.
`
`A notebook computer as claimed in Claim 3, and wherein
`in use the body portion is disposed upside down on a
`work surface.
`
`including
`A notebook computer is claimed in Claim 3,
`means for reversing the image top-to-bottom on the
`screen.
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 10
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 10
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`

`

`-8-
`
`A notebook computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the
`screen portion is disconnectively mounted to a back edge
`of the body portion and pivotable thereat between a
`first position in which the notebook computer is closed
`and a second position in which the screen portion has
`been rotated through an angle of the order of 90°
`relative to the first position, and wherein the screen
`portion is alternatively mountable to a front edge of
`the body portion in an orientation such that it extends
`substantially parallel to the second position,
`the depth
`of the body portion corresponding to the distance
`between the front and back edges.
`
`A notebook computer comprising a body portion with a
`screen portion operatively connected thereto, wherein
`the screen portion is pivotable between a first position
`in which the notebook computer is closed, a second
`position in which the screen portion has been rotated
`through an angle of the order of 90° relative to the
`first position, and a third position in which the screen
`has been rotated through an angle of the order of 270°
`relative to the first position.
`
`A notebook computer comprising a body portion with a
`screen portion operatively connected thereto, wherein
`the screen is disconnectibly mounted to a back edge of
`the body portion and pivotable thereat between a first
`position in which the notebook computer is closed and a
`second position in which the screen has been rotated
`through an angle of the order of 90° relative to the
`first position, and wherein the screen is alternatively
`mountable to a front edge of the body portion in an
`orientation such that it extends substantially parallel
`to the second position.
`
`A notebook computer substantially as herein described
`with reference to and as illustrated in any one of
`Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 11
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`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 11
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`

`

`P jibeOffice
`
`g
`
`
`
`Application No:
`Claims searched:
`
`GB 9702544.9
`All
`
`Examiner:
`Date of search:
`
`Matthew Gillard
`13 April 1997
`
`Patents Act 1977
`Search Report under Section 17
`
`Databases searched:
`
`UK Patent Office collections, including GB, EP, WO & USpatent specifications, in:
`
`UK Cl (Ed.O): G4A ADT
`
`Int Cl (Ed.6): GO6F 1/16
`
`Other:
`
`On-line: WPI
`1 at least
`
`Documents considered to be relevant:
`
`Identity of document and relevant passage
`
`Relevant
`to claims
`
`(SANYO). See figs 3, 4 & 11.
`EP 0394879 Al
` 1 at least
`
`(I. B. M.). See fig 1.
`US 5544005
` 1 at least
`US 4903221
`(ZENITH). See fig 1.
`
`
`
` Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step
`
`
`A_ Document indicating technological background and/or state of the art.
`Y
`Documentindicating lack of inventive step if combined
`P Document published on orafter the declared priority date but before
`
`
`with one or more other documents of same category.
`the filing date of this invention.
`Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier
` & Memberofthe same patent family
`
`than, the filing date of this application.
`
`
`
`
`An Executive Agency ofthe Department ofTrade and Indubl? Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 12
`
`HP Inc. - Exhibit 1016 - Page 12
`
`