Abstract:
In one embodiment, a computer device comprises a back cover in the shape of a plate and a basic module where the back cover is removably attachable to and detachable from a basic module of the computing device by the user by an attachment portion. In this manner designs of and on the back cover may be easily customized to the individual tastes of consumers. Another embodiment of the invention is directed to the back cover and the attachment portion of the type described above. An optional front cover may be added and connected to the back cover about a hinge. The front cover can serve as a stand for the computer display when rotated about the hinge away from the display screen. The optional front cover may also be connected to the back cover by a side cover to form a device resembling a hard bound book.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates in general to computing devices and in particular to computing devices with detachable back covers. 
         [0002]    Portable computing devices are used by consumers for many different functions, such as word processing, spreadsheets, managing photographs and videos, emails and for accessing the internet. Most designs for such computing devices, however, are not personalized for the tastes of the individual consumer. As a result, from the appearance of the devices alone, it is difficult to distinguish between the devices used by different individuals. It is therefore desirable to provide portable computing devices that are designed to be personalized to the tastes of each individual consumer. 
         [0003]    Tablet computers have been very popular with consumers. However, in its present form, tablet computers are not the most convenient for users. It is therefore desirable to provide tablet computers that are more user friendly and convenient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    One embodiment of the invention is a computer device comprising a back cover preferably in the shape of a plate and a basic module comprising a circuit performing one or more computing operations, a front side with a display panel with at least one dimension exceeding 7 inches for displaying images visible to a user in response to said computing operations, and a back side adapted to be connected to the back cover. The computer device further includes an attachment portion configured to enable the back cover to be removably attachable to and detachable from the basic module of the computing device by the user, so that when the back side is connected to the back cover by means of said attachment portion, a complete computing device is formed that is substantially in the shape of a square or rectangular plate. 
         [0005]    Another embodiment of the invention is directed to the back cover and the attachment portion of the type described above. 
         [0006]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a housing cover for a computing device comprising a back cover preferably in the shape of a plate and a front cover in the shape of a plate mechanically connected to the back cover about a hinge. The housing cover farther includes an attachment portion configured to enable the back cover to be removably attachable to and detachable from a basic module of the computing device by a user, said basic module comprising a circuit performing one or more computing operations, a front side with a display panel with at least one dimension exceeding 7 inches for displaying images visible to the user in response to said computing operations, and a back side adapted to be connected to the back cover by means of said attachment portion, so that when the back side is connected to the back cover by means of said attachment portion, a complete computing device is formed, said front cover being rotatable about said hinge so that when the front cover is rotated towards the basic module to cover the display panel, the computing device is substantially in the shape of a square or rectangular plate. 
         [0007]    All patents, patent applications, articles, books, specifications, other publications, documents and things referenced herein are hereby incorporated herein by this reference in their entirety for all purposes. To the extent of any inconsistency or conflict in the definition or use of a term between any of the incorporated publications, documents or things and the text of the present document, the definition or use of the term in the present document shall prevail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front and rear views of a tablet computer to illustrate one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 2A-2E  are schematic views of the interchangeable back covers of a tablet computer to illustrate the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the different parts of a tablet computer to illustrate another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of some of the parts of the tablet computer in  FIG. 3A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views a tablet computer, where  FIG. 4A  illustrates the tablet computer in a closed position and  FIG. 4B  illustrates the same tablet computer in an open position to illustrate still another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tablet computer in an open position to illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views a tablet computer, where  FIG. 6A  illustrates the tablet computer in an open position and  FIG. 6B  illustrates the same tablet computer in a closed position to illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views a tablet computer, where  FIG. 7A  illustrates the tablet computer in a closed position and.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the same tablet computer in an open position to illustrate one more embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8A  is an exploded view of the different parts of a tablet computer to illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention to that in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8B  is a block diagram to illustrate the functions of some of the components in the back cover of the tablet computer in  FIG. 8A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8C  is a schematic view of some of the parts of the tablet computer in  FIG. 8A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    For simplicity in description, identical parts or components are labeled by the same numerals in the figures of this document. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are front and rear views respectively of a tablet computer to illustrate one embodiment of the invention. The front side of computer  30  includes a bezel  31  which holds in place a cover glass plate  33 , through which users may view a display of computer  30 . The glass plate  33  may also be held without bezel  31  by a different mechanism so that the front side of the computer  30  has a flush surface. The back side of computer  30  includes a back cover  32 , which is attached to the chassis (not shown) of computer  30  by attachment portion or means such as a quarter turn locking mechanism  34 . This arrangement makes it easy for consumers to remove the back cover of computer  30  and install another alternative back cover amongst a plurality of back covers. This feature enables the user to personalize the tablet computer as illustrated by the back covers in  FIGS. 2A-2E . The quarter turn locking mechanism  34  may be spring loaded, and locking is accomplished by turning the mechanism (such as by means of a coin) by about 90 degrees while pushing against the spring until a latch locks the back cover in position. Unlocking is accomplished by turning in the opposite direction by a quarter turn. Such quarter turn locking mechanisms are known to those skilled in the art and need not be disclosed herein in detail. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2A-2E  are schematic views of the interchangeable custom back covers of a tablet computer  30  to illustrate the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 1 . When used in a corporate environment, the back cover  32   a  used in computer  30  may show the corporate name  36   a  on it as shown in  FIG. 2A . This design enables a business to customize their computers used by all employees. As an alternative, the back cover  32   b  may show a picture, such as that of the user&#39;s daughter  36   b  on it as shown in  FIG. 2B . This picture may be uploaded to a service that creates an imprint of the picture on the back cover. As another alternative, the back cover  32   c  may show a brand name  36   c   1  together with a logo  36   c   2  on it as shown in  FIG. 2C , where the brand name and logo are imprinted onto the back cover  32   c.  As yet other alternatives, desired and personalized designs of the type shown in  FIGS. 2D and 2E  may be imprinted onto the respective back covers  32   d  and  32   e  as shown. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E , each of the back covers  32   a - 32   e  is attached to the chassis or another part or frame (not shown) of computer  30  by means of locking mechanism  34 . 
         [0022]    The back covers  32   a  through  32   e  are interchangeable custom back covers of a tablet computer  30 . Depending on the occasion, a different back cover may be used by the consumer. When used in the work place, for example, the customer may use the back cover  32   a.  However, when used at home, the customer may remove back cover  32   a  by unlocking locking mechanism  34  and replace back cover  32   a  with back cover  32   b  with his or her daughter&#39;s picture thereon, by attaching it to the rest of the computer using locking mechanism  34 . Back cover  32   c  may be used instead by replacing another back cover is the manner described above when targeting a specific brand and logo. This may be useful when the customer is starting a business using certain brands and logos. As yet other alternatives, back covers such as  32   d  or  32   e  may be used to match the attire of the customer or simply according to personal preferences or tastes. Each of these back covers may be attached to or detached from the rest of the computer  30  using locking mechanism  34  at a location of the back cover that is away from all edges of the back cover. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the different parts of tablet computer  30  to illustrate another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3B  is a partly schematic and partly cross-sectional view of some of the parts of the tablet computer in  FIG. 3A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . Computer  30  includes a back cover  32 , locking mechanism  34  and chassis  36 . Chassis  36  has a hole  36   a  (not shown in  FIG. 3A  but shown in  FIG. 3B ) therein with features such as a latch (not shown) at or near the hole surface that cooperate with locking mechanism  34  for locking the back cover to the chassis, and for unlocking the back cover from the chassis. Locking mechanism  34  may be used to attach the back cover  32  to chassis  36  by inserting mechanism  34  into the hole and making a quarter turn so that the mechanism  34  is locked onto the chassis by means of features such as the latch. To remove the back cover  32 , locking mechanism  34  is unlocked from the hole in chassis  36  by making a quarter turn in a direction opposite to that for locking. A printed circuit hoard  38  with electronic circuits and components  40  attached thereon may be attached to chassis  36 . Electronic circuits and components  40  such as one or more microprocessors and other circuitry perform the computing operations of the computer  30 . A front side of computer  30  includes a liquid crystal display  42 , cover glass  44  and preferably also bezel  46 . The front side of the computer  30 , the chassis  36 , and the printed circuit board  38  with electronic circuits and components  40  attached thereon form a basic module of computer  30 . 
         [0024]    Preferably a protective sheet  50  is employed that covers the printed circuit board  38  with electronic circuits and components  40  and the side of chassis that faces the back cover. Thus, when the back cover  32  is removed from computer  30  by unlocking locking mechanism  34  as described above, the printed circuit board  38  with electronic circuits and components  40  will be protected from the environment and accidental damage by the protective sheet  50 . Protective sheet  50  has a hole  50   a  therein through which the locking mechanism  34  passes for attachment to the chassis  36 . An optional battery  52  may be included as part of the basic module of computer as well, which battery may be replaced through a removable section  50   b  of sheet  50 . Additional optional bezels  54  may be employed between the chassis, liquid crystal display  42  and cover glass  44 . 
         [0025]    The front side of the computer  30  has at least one dimension, such as a diagonal of the front side, that exceeds 7 inches. This will enable a display screen of larger size to be employed at the front side of computer  30  for better viewing by consumers. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A- 2 E and  3 A,  3 B, computer  30  when fully assembled from the parts of  FIG. 3A  are substantially in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, which may or may not be of uniform thickness. In other words, the plate shape may or may not be totally flat. In some embodiments, it may be preferable for the plate to have chamfered, or beveled edges. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a tablet computer  70 , where  FIG. 4A  illustrates the tablet computer in a closed position and  FIG. 4B  illustrates the same tablet computer in an open position with display screen visible to illustrate still another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  3 ,  4 A and  4 B, tablet computer  70  differs from computer  30  in that it has a front cover  72  which is not present in computer  30 . Front cover  72  is attached to back cover  74  about two hinge  76  and  78 , and back cover  74  is also attached to the rest of the computer  70 , such as to a chassis (not shown) in the manner shown in  FIG. 3A  for computer  30 , by means of locking mechanism  34 . Other than this difference, the basic module  82  of computer  70  may be the same as the basic module of  FIG. 3A  described above. 
         [0027]    By setting the computer  70  in a face down position as shown in  FIG. 4A  with the front cover  72  in a horizontal position, and rotating the basic module  82  including display screen  80  of computer  70 , together with back cover  74 , about hinges  76  and  78 , the display screen  80  and the basic module will be in an upright position and the display screen become visible as shown in  FIG. 4B . The inside surface of front cover  72  has ridges  72   a  thereon, which define valleys  72   b  between the ridges. The valleys  72   b  define positions where the bottom edge of the display screen  80  and basic module  82  of the computer  70  may rest and be supported and held, for adjusting the substantially upright viewing position of the display screen at different angles to a vertical plane. The front cover  72  then serves as a stand for the basic module  82 . The hinge  78  is connected to the back cover  74  at a location of the back cover that is away from all edges of the back cover. To close the computer  70 , the back cover  74  together with basic module  82  including display screen  80  are rotated towards the front cover  72  until the front side of the basic module  82  faces and is protected by the front cover, in the position shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a tablet computer  70 ′ in an open position to illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention. Tablet computer  70 ′ differs from computer  70  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  in that the inside surface of the front cover  72 ′ also has a keyboard  72 ′ c  thereon to enable users to input information to the computer for inputting information and for controlling desired computer operations. As in  FIG. 4B , the inside surface of the front cover  72 ′ also has ridges and valleys (not shown) between the ridges. The valleys define positions where the bottom edge of the basic module of the computer  70 ′ may rest and be supported and held, for adjusting the substantially upright viewing position of the display screen. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of a tablet computer  100 , where  FIG. 6A  illustrates the tablet computer in an open position and  FIG. 6B  illustrates the same tablet computer in a closed position to illustrate an additional embodiment of the invention. Computer  100  differs from computer  70 ′ of  FIG. 5  in that the front cover  104  with keyboard  104   c  thereon is connected to the back cover  102  at a hinge  106  that is near an edge of the back cover, and not at a location away from all edges of the back cover as in  FIG. 5 . In an alternative embodiment, hinge  106  may be located at an edge of the back cover  102 . Computer  100  also differs from computers  70  and  70 ′ of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5  in that the front cover  104  is connected to the back cover  102  by only a single hinge  106  instead of two hinges  76  and  78  in computers  70  and  70 ′. Thus, the back cover  102  together with basic module  112  of computer  100  may be supported in a substantially upright position by friction at the hinge  106 , and by front cover  104  and handle  110 , and requires no valleys such as valleys  72   b  of  FIG. 4B  for holding and supporting basic module  112 . As shown in  FIG. 6B  handle  110  allows computer  100  to be easily carried in one hand. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective views a tablet computer  130 , where  FIG. 7A  illustrates the tablet computer in a closed position and  FIG. 7B  illustrates the same tablet computer in an open position to illustrate one more embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 7B , computer  130  includes a front side that has a bezel  31  and cover glass plate  33  for a display screen, back cover  32  and front cover  132 . Back cover  32  and front cover  132  are connected together by a strip  134  of flexible material that functions as a side cover of computer  130 . In the closed position shown in  FIG. 7A , front cover  132  covers the bezel  31  and cover glass plate  33 . To open the computer  130 , front cover  132  is rotated about the strip  134  away from the cover glass plate  33  until it contacts the back cover  32 , in a position as shown in  FIG. 7B . Computer  130  of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  thus resembles a hard cover book in appearance and in the way it is opened and closed. An elastic band  144  anchored to the back cover  32  may be used to hold the front cover in the respective open or closed positions of computer  130 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8A  is an exploded view of the different parts of a tablet computer  200  to illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention to that in  FIG. 3A . In this embodiment, back cover  32 ′ includes one or more electrical components  202  (not shown in  FIG. 8A ) that supply power to or cooperate with the electronic circuits and components  40  on printed circuit board  38  to perform computing and other desired functions performed by computers. The one or more electrical components in back cover  32 ′ may include for example, a battery, a wireless transceiver, a charging circuit for charging battery  52  in the basic module, or a controller that controls one or more of operation of the electronic circuits and components  40  on printed circuit board  38 . 
         [0032]    To connect the one or more electrical components in back cover  32 ′ to the electronic circuits and components  40  on printed circuit board  38 , an electrical connector  32 ′ a  shown in  FIG. 8A  is used for connection to a matching connector  203  (not shown in  FIG. 8A , but shown in  FIG. 8B ) on the printed circuit board  38 . This connector  32 ′ a  passes through a hole  50 ′ c  in protective sheet  50 ′ to reach the matching connector  203  on the printed circuit board  38 .  FIG. 8C  is a schematic view of some of the parts of the tablet computer  200  in  FIG. 8A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . As shown in  FIG. 8C , protective sheet  50 ′ also has a hole  50 ′ a  for passage of a locking mechanism comprising a screw  190  for insertion into hole  192  in chassis  35  and attachment to matching grooves of the hole  192  in the chassis  35  when the screw is rotated into the hole, and a removable section  50 ′ b  through which battery  52  may be replaced. Where back cover  32 ′ includes a battery, this battery may be a backup battery to battery  52  in the basic module. The screw  190  and hole  192  with matching grooves locking mechanism may also be used in the embodiment of  FIG. 3  instead of the quarter turn locking mechanism  34 . Also, instead of the screw  190  and hole  192  with matching grooves locking mechanism, computer  200  of  FIG. 8A  may employ instead the quarter turn locking mechanism  34  of  FIG. 3B . 
         [0033]      FIG. 8B  is a block diagram to illustrate the functions of some of the components in the back cover of the tablet computer in  FIG. 8A  to illustrate the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . As shown in  FIG. 8B , connector  32 ′ a  of back cover  32 ′ is electrically connected to connector  203  of printed circuit board  38  along arrow  201 , where connectors  32 ′ a  and  203  may be a male/female connector pair known to those skilled in the art. Electrical connections such as metal lines (not shown in  FIG. 8B ) connect connector  203  to the electronic circuits and components  40  on printed circuit board  38 . Connector  32 ′ a  of back cover  32 ′ is in turn electrically connected to the one or more electrical components  202  in back cover  32 ′ by connector  204 . In this manner the one or more electrical components  202  in back cover  32 ′ may be used to supply power, or cooperate with the electronic circuits and components  40  on printed circuit board  38  to perform computer operations. Where the one or more electrical components  202  includes a wireless transceiver, this transceiver also is equipped with an antennae  206  shown in  FIG. 8B . 
         [0034]    While the invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is to be defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, while the back cover is preferably in the shape of a plate, back covers of other shapes may also be used, such as ones with more complex contours or curves on the corners and around the back. Other fastening devices such as clips or snaps may be used in addition to the locking mechanisms  34  or screw  190  for locking (and unlocking) the back cover to the basic module of computer  30 .