Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a shaft, a member and a lever coupled with the member, wherein a sloped portion of the lever is in contact with a first end of the shaft. A second end of the shaft receives applied pressure and, as a result of the applied pressure, moves along the sloped portion of the lever to apply a force to the lever. The sloped portion of the lever receives the force and, as a result of the force, the lever deflects to pull the member a distance along the axis of the member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Embodiments of the invention are generally related to the field of computer systems and, in particular, to a tablet computer system with a detachable base.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In general, a laptop computer, sometimes referred to as a notebook computer, is a lightweight, battery-powered or AC-powered computer system. A laptop computer can be transported and used by a user whose opportunity to operate the laptop and/or work environments, e.g., on an airplane, in a library or lecture hall or at a meeting, change.  
           [0003]    A laptop computer generally includes a display screen enclosed in a casing, the bottom edge of which is coupled in a hinged manner with a top edge of another casing that includes a keyboard. The keyboard casing typically houses the laptop&#39;s internal components, e.g., one or more processors, static and dynamic memory, buses, and disc drives, as well as connections for peripheral devices such as a printer, and a battery.  
           [0004]    Because of the hinged coupling, the laptop computer&#39;s display screen casing can be folded down over the keyboard casing, and latched to keep the laptop closed. This makes the laptop relatively thin and compact, and thus transportable. The latching mechanism typically includes one or more latches on the display screen casing, and one or more corresponding slots in the keyboard casing. Inside of a slot in the keyboard casing is a cavity compatible in size with the edge of a hook on the display screen casing. When the display screen casing is folded down over the keyboard casing, a hook slips vertically into a corresponding slot. The edge of the hook then slides horizontally into the cavity on the inside of the slot, thereby latching the laptop shut.  
           [0005]    Typically, when the user wants to open a closed laptop, the user slides horizontally one or more latches on an edge of the display screen casing. The button is connected with a hook, so that when the user slides a button horizontally, the edge of the hook slides horizontally out of the cavity on the inside of the slot. The user then flips open the keyboard casing, thereby removing a hook from a slot and opening the laptop.  
           [0006]    A hook used in the latching mechanism for closing laptop computers are typically thin, sharp and hard. When the laptop computer is open, a hook typically protrudes perpendicular to the surface of the display screen. Consequently, a person&#39;s sleeve or other clothing can get caught in a hook, or worse, the hook can cut a person whose exposed skin comes into contact with the hook. In addition, if a hook is bent, it may not properly align with a slot, making it difficult to close and latch the laptop.  
           [0007]    An alternative latching mechanism utilizes one or more magnets, wherein magnets in the upper comers of the display panel casing align with a corresponding metallic material in the keyboard casing. When the laptop is closed, a metallic surface magnetically couples with a magnet, thereby latching the laptop closed. However, when a person wants to open a magnetically latched laptop, the person must manually apply a force to pull the display panel casing away from the keyboard casing. The amount of force necessary to separate the casings may prevent a person who is not strong enough from opening the laptop, or may prevent a person who lacks the manual dexterity, for example, because of an injured hand(s), arthritis or other condition, from opening the laptop.  
           [0008]    In general, a tablet computer is a computer system that allows a user to input data and commands by moving a digital pen over a display screen, rather than by using a keyboard, thus eliminating the need for a keyboard. The tablet computer uses digital ink and handwriting recognition software to allow a user to write on the display screen as if writing on a piece of paper. Handwritten material can be edited and revised using the digital pen, or can be converted into a text document.  
           [0009]    A tablet computer is generally even more compact and easier to transport than a laptop, because the internal components reside in the display screen casing, since there is no keyboard. In addition, a tablet computer typically provides most of the same functionality as a laptop. Thus, a tablet computer is capable of being a user&#39;s primary personal computer system, as well as a note-taking device. Furthermore, because a tablet computer includes a display screen, but no keyboard, the tablet computer does not close like a laptop, and therefore does not include a magnetic or hook-based latching mechanism. However, a user may be reluctant to rely on a digital pen and handwriting recognition software as the sole option for entering data on a personal computer, especially if the digital pen is ever lost or damaged.  
           [0010]    In addition, the digital pen for a tablet computer typically is stored in a vertical space located in a comer on the top edge of the tablet computer. In order to remove the digital pen from the vertical space, a user typically must slide the user&#39;s finger along the side of the tablet computer, in a small space providing access to the surface of the digital pen. This method of accessing the digital pen can be cumbersome and inconvenient.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 1A, 1B,  1 C and  1 D are illustrations of configurations of one embodiment of a tablet computer system.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an illustration of another configuration of one embodiment of a tablet computer system.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is an illustration of yet another configuration of one embodiment of a tablet computer system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of internal components of a tablet computer system.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrations of one embodiment of portions of a tablet computer system.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations of one embodiment of an opening mechanism of a tablet computer system.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of one embodiment of a pen ejector mechanism of a tablet computer system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    A tablet computer system with a detachable base is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 1A, 1B,  1 C and  1 D are illustrations of configurations of one embodiment of a tablet computer system. Tablet computer system  10  includes tablet component  100  detatchably coupled, via attachment mechanism  105 , with base  200 . In one embodiment, attachment mechanism  105  comprises a connector (not shown) on base  200  inserted into a receptacle (not shown) on tablet component  100 . In another embodiment, the connector is on tablet component  100 , while to receptacle is on base  200 . Attachment mechanism  105  may be any coupling system that allows tablet component  100  to detatchably couple with base  200 , and transmit signals, for example, from a keyboard, mouse or other input device, from base  200  to tablet component  100 . Alternatively, base  200  is not detachable from tablet component  100 .  
         [0021]    Tablet component  100  includes display screen  110 , which receives input from a user via digital pen  300 , commonly referred to as a stylus. Display screen  110  is digital-pen sensitive computer display panel. Display screen  110  allows a user to input data and communicate commands to tablet computer system  10  by writing, as if writing on a piece of paper, or touching pictures or words on display screen  110 . Digital pen  300  is an input device used to write text, draw, and touch pictures or words on display screen  110 . Display screen  110  and digital pen  300  are intended to represent any number of display screens and digital pens, respectively, known in the art, and thus are not described in greater detail herein.  
         [0022]    Tablet component  100  further includes cavities  120 . In one embodiment, tablet component  100  includes two cavities  120 . However, tablet component  100  may include any number of cavities  120 . Cavities  120  include members. An example of a member  140  is shown in FIG. 5A. As explained in more detail below, when tablet component  100  is closed to cover base  200 , as illustrated in FIG. 1D, cavities  120  cover protruding elements, which include magnets. An example of a protruding element is shown in FIG. 5B.  
         [0023]    As a result of tablet component  100  covering base  200 , members  140  magnetically couple with the magnets within protruding elements  220  to hold tablet computer system  10  closed. Members  140  can be any size or shape, for example, a short rod, a thin cube, a small disk. In one embodiment, members  140  are metal rods. In another embodiment, members  140  are magnets with polarities opposite of the polarities of the magnets in protruding element  220 . In one embodiment, cavities  120  and members  140  are located in tablet component  100 , while protruding elements  220  and their magnets are located in base  200 . In an alternative embodiment, protruding elements  220  and their magnets are located in tablet component  100 , while cavities  120  and members  140  are located in base  200 .  
         [0024]    Tablet component  100  further includes button  130 . As explained in more detail below, when tablet component  100  is closed to cover base  200 , a user can press button  130 , to decouple members  140  from magnets in protruding elements  220 , so that the user can open tablet computer system  10 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 is an illustration of another configuration of one embodiment of a tablet computer system. Base  200  includes alphanumeric keyboard  210 , to input data and communicate commands to tablet computer system  10 , for display on display screen  110 . Base  200  may include additional input devices, e.g., a mouse or a trackball.  
         [0026]    Base  200  further includes protruding elements  220 . In one embodiment, base  200  includes two protruding elements  220 . However, base  200  may include any number of protruding elements  220 , each corresponding with a cavity  120  in tablet component  100 , as illustrated in FIG. 2. As stated previously, protruding elements  220  include magnets (not shown).  
         [0027]    Tablet computer system  10  is capable of being used in multiple configurations. As illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, tablet component  100  may be coupled with base  200 , to allow a user to input data and communicate commands via alphanumeric keyboard  210 . In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, base  200  may be folded behind tablet component  100 , to allow a user to input data and communicate commands using digital pen  300 , while still having the option to unfold base  200  to utilize keyboard  210 . Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 3, tablet component  100  may be decoupled from base  200 , to allow a user to input data and communication commands solely via digital pen  300 . The ability to use tablet computer system  10  in these various configurations allows it to be a user&#39;s primary personal computer system, as well as a note-taking device, even for users who want the features of a tablet computer, without losing the ability to input data and communicate commands via an alphanumeric keyboard.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one embodiment of various internal components of tablet computer system  10 . For purposes of illustration and ease of explanation, tablet computer system  10  includes the components described below. However, other embodiments of tablet computer system  10  can include more, fewer and/or different components.  
         [0029]    Tablet computer system  10  includes a bus  410  or other communication device to communicate information, and processor  420  coupled to bus  410  to process information. While tablet computer system  10  is illustrated with a single processor, tablet computer system  10  can include multiple processors and/or co-processors.  
         [0030]    Tablet computer system  10  further includes random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device  430  (referred to as memory), coupled to bus  410  to store information and instructions to be executed by processor  420 . Memory  430  also can be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor  420  is executing instructions. Tablet computer system  10  also includes read-only memory (ROM) and/or other static storage device  440  coupled to bus  410  to store static information and instructions for processor  420 , such as handwriting recognition software.  
         [0031]    In addition, data storage device  450  is coupled to bus  410  to store information and instructions. Data storage device  450  may comprise a magnetic disk (e.g., a hard disk), optical disc (e.g., a CD-ROM) and/or digital versatile disc (DVD), and corresponding drive. Tablet computer system  10  further includes one or more antennae  460  and/or network interface  470 , to provide via wireless and/or wireless connections, respectively, access to a network, such as a personal area network, local area network and/or wide area network.  
         [0032]    Instructions are provided to memory from a machine-accessible medium, or an external storage device accessible via a remote connection (e.g., over a network via antenna  460  and/or network interface  470 ) providing access to one or more electronically-accessible media, etc. A machine-accessible medium includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a machine-accessible medium includes RAM; ROM; magnetic or optical storage medium; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals); etc.  
         [0033]    In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions in embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software instructions.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 6A and 6B are illustrations of one embodiment of an opening mechanism of a tablet computer system. Opening mechanism  20  includes button  130 , located on the outer end of a shaft (not shown). Inner end  132  of the shaft is in contact with upward slope  135  of lever  134 . For purposes of illustration and ease of explanation, inner end  132  of the shaft is described as being in contact with lever  134 . However, inner end  132  of the shaft may be initially not in contact with lever  134 , and come into contact with lever  134  as the shaft moves. Another portion (not shown) of lever  134  is coupled with member  140 .  
         [0035]    As explained previously, when tablet computer system  10  is closed, as shown in FIG. 1D, cavities  120  cover protruding elements  220 . Consequently, magnetic forces couples members  140  with magnets in protruding elements  220 . When a user wants to open tablet computer system  10 , the user presses button  130 . As a result, the shaft moves a certain distance linearly inward along its axis, the distance being at least a portion of the distance, referred to herein as slope length  136 , from where upward slope  135  begins to where upward slope  135  ends. As the shaft moves inward, inner end  132  slides along upward slope  135 . As a result of inner end  132  sliding along upward slope  135 , the shaft causes lever  134  to deflect a certain distance downward, the distance downward being at a portion of the height, referred to herein as slope height  138 , from the bottom of lever  134  to the top edge of upward slope  135 . This is the reason for sloping the surface of lever  134  upward, i.e., to allow the shaft to, in effect, press lever  134  downward.  
         [0036]    As lever  134  deflects downward, the portion of lever  134  coupled with member  140  pulls member  140  linearly along the axis of member  140 , with sufficient force to overcome the magnetic force coupling member  140  with the magnet within protruding element  220 , and for a sufficient distance, corresponding to at least a portion of slope height  138 , to decouple members  140  from the magnets. As a result, a user is able to open tablet computer system  10 .  
         [0037]    Opening mechanism  20  further may include a shaft spring (not shown), a lever spring (not shown) and a member spring (not shown). The shaft spring, coupled with the shaft, compresses as a result of a user pressing button  130 , and decompresses, when the user releases button  130 , to cause the shaft to move a distance corresponding to at least a portion of slope length  136  linearly outward along the axis of the shaft. The lever spring, coupled with lever  134 , compresses as a result of lever  134  deflecting downward, and decompresses, when the shaft moves linearly outward, to cause lever  134  to move a distance corresponding to at least a portion of the slope height  138  upward. Finally, the member spring, coupled with a member  140 , compresses as a result of lever  134  pulling member  140 , and decompresses, when lever  134  moves upward, to cause member  140  to move back a distance corresponding to at least a portion of the slope height  138 , along the axis of members  140  in the opposite direction lever  134  pulled members  140  to decouple members  140  from the magnets.  
         [0038]    Opening mechanism  20  does not utilize a hook-based latching mechanism to keep tablet computer system  10  closed, and thus avoids the potential of damage or injury caused by a hook, or damage to the hook itself. Furthermore, although opening mechanism  20  utilizes a magnet latch to keep tablet computer system  10  closed, a person who wants to open tablet computer system  10  can use button  130  to decouple members  140  from the magnets in protruding elements  220 , rather than manually applying a force to decouple members  140  from the magnets.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of one embodiment of a pen ejector mechanism of a tablet computer system. Tablet component  100  includes cavity  150 , to receive digital pen  300 , and a pen eject mechanism, to release digital pen  300  from cavity  150 . In particular the pen eject mechanism includes spring  160  at the inner end of cavity  150 . Spring  160  compresses when digital pen  300  is inserted into cavity  150 .  
         [0040]    The pen eject mechanism further includes latch  170 , which rests against latch-stop  180 . Latch end  175  of latch  170  holds digital pen  300  in cavity  150 , once digital pen  300  is inserted into cavity  150 . When a user wants to eject digital pen  300  from cavity  150 , the user applies a force to latch  170 , away from cavity  150 . As a result of the applied force, latch end  175  slides away from cavity  150 , which allows spring  160  to decompress, thereby ejecting digital pen  300  from cavity  150 .  
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the pen eject mechanism further may include a latch spring (not shown), which compresses when the user applies the force, and decompresses, when application of the ceases, to cause latch  170  to slide back towards cavity  150  until latch  170  hits latch-stop  180 . Therefore, the pen ejector mechanism allows a user to remove digital pen  300  from cavity  150  without the user having to slide the user&#39;s finger upward along the side of tablet component  100 , in a small space providing access to the surface of digital pen  300 .  
         [0042]    In an alternative embodiment, cavity  150  includes one or more magnets at its inner end, or some other location, and digital pen  300  also includes one or more magnets with the same polarity as the magnet at the end of cavity  150 . Latch  170  holds digital pen  300  in cavity  150  as described previously. When a user slides latch  170  away from cavity  150 , digital pen  300  repels the magnetic force of the magnet at the end of cavity  150 , thereby causing digital pen  300  to move out of cavity  150 . Alternatively, latch  170  may be used to eject a digital pen  300  by reversing the polarity of a magnet in cavity  150 , wherein the magnet in cavity  150  couples with a magnet included in digital pen  300  to hold digital pen  300  in cavity  150 .  
         [0043]    Reference in the foregoing specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.  
         [0044]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.