Abstract:
Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for which include support members having a port disposed thereon. The port may be accessible while the support member is an extended position. The port may be inaccessible or isolated while the support member is a stowed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Computing devices such as, but not limited to, slate computers, tablet computers, mobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, and desktop computers generally include displays. The displays of the computing devices are often utilized by consumers as a means of displaying and interacting with data. This interaction is often facilitated when the display is supported in an elevated and generally vertical position, i.e., the surface of the display is in a plane perpendicular to a line of sight of the user. While the display may provide visual indications of data, peripheral devices may enable the consumer to virtually interact with data. Peripheral devices may interface with the computing devices via one or more ports and/or components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  illustrate perspective views of a tablet computing device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a tablet computing device including support member in a closed position in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a computing device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another perspective view of a computing device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a modular computing device in accordance with an example of the present disclosures; and 
         FIGS. 6-7  illustrate flow diagrams in accordance with examples of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Computing devices such as tablet computers, slate computers, mobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, desktop computers, and others include displays which may be utilized in a variety of positions. For example, a tablet computer may be placed on a horizontal surface with a display facing up. Alternatively, the tablet computer may be held by a user such that the display is substantially vertical, or positioned at an angle other than horizontal. These various angles may facilitate interaction by a user. Interaction by a user may include peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, and touchpads, or touchscreens. As the devices become smaller and more portable to accommodate travel and use by consumers, areas for ports to facilitate use of various peripheral devices become more competitive and lease feasible. This leads to a restricted selection of possible ports and may lead to various housings and computing devices becoming outdated or useless in the ever-changing technological world. 
     In the present disclosure, a computing device is disclosed with a support member capable of supporting the computing device in a plurality of positions. The support member may be extended to support the computing device in plurality of substantially vertical positions. In addition, the support member while extended, may enable access to one or more ports. The one or more ports may enable coupling of various devices to the computing device. While in a closed position, the support member may be moved into a recess of the computing device such that the computing device appears to have a substantially solid housing. This may increase aesthetics of the computing device. In addition, while in the retracted state, the one or more ports on the support member may be enclosed within the housing thereby preventing entry of contaminants such as dust, debris, and water, among others. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a computing device is illustrated in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The computing device is illustrated as a tablet device, but the teachings herein are not so limited. Rather, it is expressly intended that the present disclosure may be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of computing devices, including but not limited to, slate computers, notebook computers, mobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, and netbook computers among others. The computing device  100  may include a housing  102 , a support member  104 , and one or more ports  108 , among other components. 
     The housing  102  may comprise a variety of materials and forms configured for use with various components, for example a touchscreen display and docking stations. The housing  102  may be fabricated in a plurality of manners. In one example, the housing is made of plastics formed via an injection molding process. In another example, the housing  102  is made of aluminum and may be formed via a milling process such as a computer numeric control (CNC) process. Other materials and form factors are contemplated. The housing  102  may include a recess  106 . The recess  106  may be formed via the injection molding or CNC process. The recess  106  may be configured to house a support member  104 . 
     In various examples, the support member  104  may be configured to support the computing device  100  at a desired angle, for example an angle other than horizontal. The support member  104  may be coupled to the housing  102  and is to support the housing  102  in a plurality of orientations while in an extended position and occupy the recess  106  in a stowed position. An orientation, as used herein, may be for example, either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. This will be discussed in more detail herein. Support member  104  may comprise a plurality of materials that may be similar to or different from the materials of the housing  102 . 
     In a stowed position, the support member  104  may reside within recess  106 . A surface of the support member  104  may form a portion of the surface of housing  102  such that the computing device  100  appears to have a substantially solid enclosure. In an extended position, the support member  104  may be angled away from the housing  102  such that it may support the housing  102 . In the extended position, the support member  104  may provide access to a port, such as port  108 . 
     Port  108  may be a port configured to enable attachment of a peripheral device or component. The port  108  may be any of a plurality of ports including but not limited to, a High Definition Multi-media (HDMI) port, a Secure Digital (SD) port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a printer port, a headphone/microphone jack, or another type of port. The port  108  may be accessible when the support member  104  supports the housing  102  in the plurality of orientations and may be inaccessible when the support member  102  is in the stowed position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the computing device  100  is illustrated in a first orientation and a second orientation, respectively. In the first orientation of  FIG. 1A , the computing device is illustrated in a landscape orientation. A landscape orientation may coincide with a length of the display in a first axis and a width of the display in a second axis. In the second orientation of  FIG. 1B , the computing device  100  is illustrated in a portrait orientation. A portrait orientation may coincide with the length of the display in the second axis and the width of the display in the first axis. In other words, the second orientation may be rotated ninety degrees with respect to the first orientation. 
     The support member  104  may be configured to support the housing  102  in the first orientation and the second orientation while in an extended position. An extended position, as used herein is any position capable of supporting the housing  102 . As illustrated, a range of angles would enable the support member  104  to support the housing  102  and provide access to the port  108 . Further, as illustrated, the port  108  is disposed on one side of the support member  104 . The position of the port  108  enables a user or component access to the port regardless of the orientation of the housing  102 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , port  108  remains accessible. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another example of a computing device is illustrated in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The computing device  200  includes a touch sensitive display  204  mounted within a housing  202 , and a support member  206  coupled to the housing  202 . The support member  206  includes a port (not illustrated) and is to support the touch sensitive display in a plurality of orientations while in an extended position and isolate the port in a stowed position. 
     Similar to the support member of  FIGS. 1A-1B , the support member  206  may comprise a plurality of materials and shapes to support the housing in a variety of orientations. As illustrated, the support member  206  is in a stowed position. In the stowed position, the support member  206  occupies a recess within the housing  202  and effectively forms a portion of the housing  202 , such that the housing  202  appears as a solid surface. While in the stowed position, a port of the support member  206  is isolated by the housing  202  and the support member  206 . Isolated, as used herein, is defined as being inaccessible to a user. In the stowed position, the port may additionally be isolated from debris, dust, and other contaminants that could otherwise damage the port or components coupled thereto. In one example, while in a stowed position, the port may remain coupled to a device such as a wireless dongle, wireless communicator, or other device. This may enable, for example, association of a wireless mouse while the support member is in a stowed position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example of a computing device in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The computing device  300  includes a housing  302  comprising a recess  306  and a support member  304  comprising a port  308 . The computing device  300  may be any device as described with reference to the preceding Figures. As illustrated, the support member  304  may be coupled to the housing  302  via a hinge  314 . The hinge  314  may enable the support member  304  to rotate through various degrees of extension to enable support in variety of positions and orientations. 
     As illustrated, the support member includes a port  308 . The port  308  may enable attachment of a peripheral device to the computing device  300  such that the peripheral device may interact with one or more components within the housing  302 . As such, the port  308  may be electrically coupled to the one or more components within the housing  302 . For example, the port  308  may be coupled to an electrical wire  310  that is routed to another component within the housing  302 . The electrical wire  310  may be routed through one or more channels  312  located within or external to the hinge  314 . 
     In one example, the port  308  is a USB 3.0 port that operates at approximately 5 Gbits/s. The port  308  may be coupled to one or more components within the housing  302  and may be accessible when the support member  304  is an extended position and inaccessible or isolated when the support member  304  is in a stowed position. Incorporating the port  308  into the support member  304  may serve to reduce interference generated by components within the housing  302 , for example, antennas and wireless network cards. This may improve characteristics and usability of port  308 . This reduction in interference may be increased by utilizing various types of material for the housing  302  and the support member  304 , for example electrically isolating materials. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , another example of a computing device is illustrated. Computing device  400  may be any computing device discussed with reference to the preceding Figures. Computing device  400  may include a housing  402  comprising a recess  406  and a support member  404  including a port  408 . The support member  404  may be coupled to the housing  402  via a hinge  414 . 
     In the illustrated example, the port  408  may be configured to communicate with a component within housing  402 . To communicate, the port  408  may be coupled to a wireless component  412  such as, but not limited to, a Near Field Communication (NFC) component. The NFC component may be a high speed NFC component in various examples. The wireless component  412  may be wirelessly coupled to another component within housing  402  and enable communication from a device coupled to the port  408  to a corresponding component within housing  402 . 
     In various examples, utilizing a wireless component  412  as a manner of coupling port  408  to a corresponding device within housing  402  may enable the housing  402  to be hermetically sealed. Hermetically sealing housing  402  may provide a water-tight environment and a more robust computing device  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another computing device is illustrated in accordance with the present disclosure. The computing device  500  includes a housing  502  comprising a recess  506 . The housing  502  is configured to couple to a plurality of support members illustrated as  504 A and  504 B. The various support members  504 A,  504 B may include one or more ports and/or various configurations of ports. 
     In the illustrated example, the housing  502  of computing device  500  may be configured to couple to a first support member  504 A. The first support member  504 A may be configured to move between an extended position and a stowed position. The support member  504 A may include a port  508  which is to be accessible while the support member  504 A is in an extended position and inaccessible or isolated while support member  504 A is in a stowed position. The first support member  504 A may also include a hinge  514 A and a channel  512 A, which enable the first support member  504 A to couple to the housing  502  and route and electrical wire from the port  508  to a component internal to the housing  502 . 
     The housing  502  of computing device  500  may also be configured to couple to a second support member  5043 . Similar to the first support member  504 A, the second support member  504 B may be configured to move between an extended position and a stowed position. The support member  504 B may include a plurality of ports  510  which are to be accessible while the support member  504 B is in an extended position and inaccessible or isolated while support member  504 B is in a stowed position. The support member  504 B may include a hinge  514 B and a channel  512 B to route electrical wires from the plurality of ports  510  to one or more components within housing  502 . 
     In the illustrated example, computing device  500  may be configured to utilize both the first support member  504 A and the second support member  504 B. This may enable interchangeability ports and associated functionality with the computing device  500 . In one example, a first customer may utilize a computing device  500  with a first support member  504 A providing access to a USB port  508 , while a second customer may utilize a computing device  500  with a second support member  504 B providing access to a SD port, a 3 mm port, and a HDMI port. The use of multiple support members  504 A-B may allow greater customization of the computing device  500 . Greater customization may enable cost savings, increased functionality, and accessibility to upgrades and future innovations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-7  various flow diagrams are illustrated in accordance with the present disclosure. The flow diagrams illustrate elements in a particular order, but the order is not intended to limit the disclosure. Rather, it is expressly intended that the elements of the flow diagrams may occur in other orders. Additionally, the flow diagrams are not to be construed as requiring all the illustrated elements in all examples. Rather, those of ordinary skill will understand that variations may be utilized as defined by the claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the flow diagram may begin at  602  where a housing for a tablet computing device may be provided. The housing may include a recess to stow a support member. The housing may be a housing as discussed with respect to the preceding figures. 
     The flow diagram may then progress to  604  where a support member may be attached to the housing. The support member may include a plurality of ports that are inaccessible while the support member is in the extended position and inaccessible while the support member is in a stowed position. In one example, attaching the support member may comprise utilizing a hinge to couple the support member to the housing and relying on a wireless device, such as an NFC device to communicate signals received via the port to the internal components of the housing. In another example, attaching the support member may comprise utilizing a hinge to couple to the support member to the housing and routing one or more electrical wires from the support member into the housing of the computing device. The method may then end. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , another flow diagram is illustrated. The flow diagram may begin at  702  where a shape for a recess may be determined. The shape of the recess may be determined such that a corresponding support member remains substantially hidden when in a stowed position. Once determined, a housing for a tablet computing device may be provided at  704 . The housing may include the determined recess to stow a support member. The housing may be hermetically sealed around a display to provide an isolated environment to the components housed therein. 
     The flow diagram may then progress to  706  where a support member may be attached to the housing. The support member may include a plurality of ports that are inaccessible while the support member is in the extended position and inaccessible while the support member is in a stowed position. In this example, attaching the support member may comprise utilizing a hinge to couple the support member to the housing and relying on a wireless device, such as an NFC device to communicate signals received via the port to the internal components of the housing. 
     At  708 , the process may continue where a second support member is attached to the housing, wherein the second support member includes at least one port that is not included on the first support member. In various examples, the second support member may also include a wireless device such as an NFC device to enable communication from the at least one port to a component within the housing. After attaching the second support member in the place of the first support member, the flow diagram may end 
     Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in a wide variety of ways. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.