Abstract:
Display screen position adjusting mechanisms are provided for use in portable computers and other like devices. Certain mechanisms allow for the height of the display screen to be slidably adjusted with respect to the base unit of the device. Further mechanisms are provided that allow for the angle of display screen to be further adjusted with respect to the plane of the base unit. Such height and angular adjusting mechanisms may also allow for the display screen to be rotated, thereby changing the orientation of the display screen. These various mechanisms can be employed to improve the user ergonomics of the portable device.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to portable computers and like devices, and more particularly to apparatuses for adjusting the position of the display screen of the portable computing device.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    Conventional portable computers, such as, for example, notebook or laptop computers, usually consist of a bi-folding two-part configuration having a base unit and a display unit. The base unit typically includes a keyboard and a touchpad or like pointing input device. The display unit includes a display screen, such as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an active matrix thin-film transistor (TFT) display, etc.  
           [0003]    An exemplary conventional portable computer  100  is depicted in FIG. 1. Here, portable computer  100  is a notebook computer. When in use, the base unit  102  would typically rest on a desk or table, or on top of the user legs when seated. This way the user is able to reach the keyboard  104  with their hands. Portable computer  100  is opened/closed by folding up/down a display unit  106 , which is connected to base unit  102  by a pivoting mechanism  108 , e.g. a hinge, etc. When opened, the user can adjust the angle  110  of display unit  106 , as needed, to provide a clear view of screen  112 .  
           [0004]    One drawback to this type of configuration is that the distance  114  between the plane of base unit  102  and the center of screen  112  is usually not sufficient to allow for proper ergonomic positioning of both the user&#39;s arms and head. For example, preferably, the user should have their upper arms about parallel to their torso and their elbows bent at about a ninety-degree angle such that their lower arms are about perpendicular to their torso. In reaching keyboard  104 , the user&#39;s wrists should not be bent too much either. The user&#39;s neck and back should not be bent too much, nor should the user be required to strain their eyes downward to view screen  112 .  
           [0005]    Unfortunately, the distance  114  provided by a typical bi-folding portable computer does not provide the required separation for both the arms and head to be properly positioned. Thus, after some time, the user may become fatigued from not being able to better ergonomically position portable computer  100 .  
           [0006]    Consequently, there is a need for improved mechanisms that allow the parts of a portable computer or like device to be selectively positioned in a manner that is more ergonomic with respect to the user&#39;s body.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    Improved mechanisms are provided that allow the parts of a portable computer or like device to be selectively positioned in a manner that is more ergonomic with respect to the user&#39;s body.  
           [0008]    In accordance with certain exemplary implementations of the present invention, a portable computing device is provided in which the positioning of the display screen can be adjusted to provide for improved user ergonomics. The portable computing device includes a base unit and a display unit that is pivotally coupled to the base unit and having a height adjustable screen. The display unit can include a support unit that is pivotally coupled to the base unit, for example, and a position adjusting mechanism that couples the height adjustable screen with the support unit. In this manner, the position adjusting mechanism can be configured to allow the height adjustable screen to be positioned at least two different height distances from the base unit. In certain implementations, the position adjusting mechanism is configured to allow the height adjustable screen to be manually moved with respect to the support unit between the two different height distances. In other implementations, the position adjusting mechanism is configured to allow the height adjustable screen to be electrically moved with respect to the support unit between the two different height distances. By way of further example, the position adjusting mechanism can be configured to allow the height adjustable screen to be slidably moved with respect to the support unit so as to establish the two different height distances. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    A more complete understanding of the various methods and arrangements of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 depicts a conventional bi-folding portable computer.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary bi-folding portable computer having a screen that can be height adjusted using a height adjusting mechanism, in accordance with certain implementations of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3A-F depict various exemplary configurations that allow a screen to be height adjusted using a height adjusting mechanism, in accordance with certain further implementations of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary bi-folding portable computer having a screen that can be height adjusted using a multi-pivoting mechanism, in accordance with certain other implementations of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary bi-folding portable computer having a screen that can be height adjusted and pivotally/rotationally adjusted, in accordance with still other implementations of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting exemplary techniques for operatively coupling a height adjustable and/or pivotally/rotationally adjustable screen to a base unit, in accordance with certain implementations of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Although the following exemplary implementations illustrate certain aspects of the present invention as embodied in various portable computers, the present invention is clearly adaptable to other portable computing and like devices.  
         [0017]    With this in mind, FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an exemplary bi-folding portable computer  200  having a screen  202  that can be height adjusted using a height adjusting mechanism  204  (represented by a dashed line region), in accordance with certain implementations of the present invention.  
         [0018]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display unit  206  of portable computer  200  includes a support unit  208  and screen  202 . Support unit  208  is pivotally connected to a base unit  210  having a keyboard  212 . By way of example, support unit  208  and base unit  210  may be pivotally connected together using one or more hinges  214 . These and other types of pivoting arrangements are well known.  
         [0019]    Screen  202  is movably coupled to support unit  208  with height adjusting mechanism  204  that is configured to allow the user to adjust the height of screen  202  with respect to base unit  210 . In this example, as indicated by arrow  218 , screen  202  is configured to be height adjusted about parallel to support unit  208  as height adjusting mechanism  204  allows screen  202  to slide up and down. As a result, the distance  220 , for example, between the plane of base unit  210  and the center of screen  202  can be adjusted by the user to provide a more ergonomic and/or comfortable position between the user&#39;s body and the keyboard  212  and screen  202 .  
         [0020]    Height adjusting mechanism  204  may include, for example, one or more guides, groves, tracks, slots, rails, or the like, within either support unit  208  that interface with opposing features of screen  202 . Similarly, for example, one or more guides, groves, tracks, slots, rails, and/or the like, may be provided within screen  202  that interface with opposing features of support unit  208 . As a result of such mechanical interfaces, screen  202  can be slidably adjusted upward and downward, parallel or about parallel with support unit  208 .  
         [0021]    The user can open portable computer  200  by pivoting display unit  206  away from base unit  210 . In certain implementations, the user may first need to unlock a locking mechanism  222  that holds display unit  206  and base unit  210  together when closed. Once opened up to a desired angle  224 , the user may then adjust the height of screen  202 .  
         [0022]    To maintain the adjusted height of screen  202 , height adjusting mechanism  204  may include a height locking feature  226  (also represented by a dashed line region). In certain implementations, for example, height locking feature  226  may be configured to interact with locking mechanism  222  to hold screen  202  in a height adjusted position. In other implementations, height locking feature  226  may employ a ratcheting, detention, or other like technique to establish and/or maintain the adjusted height of screen  202 . In still other implementations, height locking feature  226  may employ friction based techniques to hold screen  202  at various adjusted heights. In still other exemplary implementations, height locking feature  226  may utilize a sliding tab, screw, or other like mechanical engaging techniques that the user to lock/unlock screen  202  at certain heights.  
         [0023]    In certain more complex implementations, height adjusting mechanism  204  may employ electrically controlled movement techniques to adjust and/or maintain the height of screen  202 . For example, an electrical motor and/or like device(s) (not shown) may be included and arranged in height adjusting mechanism  204 , screen  202 , support unit  208 , and/or base unit  210 . Here, for example, the user could then control the movement screen  202  through a user interface. The user interface (not shown) may include a switch (e.g., up/down) that is arranged in one of the units of portable computer  200 .  
         [0024]    In other implementations, software programs may be provided to operate within portable computer  200  and allow the user to selectively adjust the height of screen  202 . Indeed, by using an electrically controlled movement the user or users may establish and set certain preferred screen positions that are stored in memory within portable computer  200 . With this stored information, the height adjustment may subsequently be automated, such that screen  202  is automatically positioned according to the user(s) preference(s). An electrically controlled movement may also be configured to automatically retract to a position that allows portable computer  200  to be closed by the user.  
         [0025]    Display unit  206  may take on several different configurations. Some examples are depicted in FIG. 3A-F, in accordance with certain further implementations of the present invention. Here, support unit  208  and display screen  202  are shown in various configurations without illustratively showing height adjusting mechanism  204  since it is assumed that height adjusting mechanism  204  is visually hidden, at least in these illustrations, within support unit  208 , screen  202  and/or base unit  210 . In these examples, display screen  202  includes a screen  202   a  and a screen frame  202   b.    
         [0026]    In FIG. 3A, screen frame  202   b  is configured to slide up and down using features  300   a - b  provided by support unit  208 . Features  300   a - b  may include, for example, grooves, channels, tracks, etc. Similarly, in FIG. 3 b,  screen frame  202   b  is configured to slide up and down within features  300   a - b  provided by support unit  208 , which has two parts  208   a  and  208   b.    
         [0027]    In FIG. 3C, support unit  208  includes a feature  302  that is engaged by a corresponding feature  304  of screen frame  202   b  such that the height  218  can be changed by feature  304  moving up and down along feature  302 . Similarly, in FIG. 3D, support unit  208  includes a feature  308  that is engaged by a corresponding feature  306  of screen frame  202   b  such that a height  218  can be changed by feature  306  moving up and down along feature  308 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F show other exemplary arrangements, wherein support unit  208  is narrower in width than display screen  202 . For example, in FIG. 3E, support unit  208  includes a feature  312  that is engaged by a corresponding feature  310  of screen frame  202   b  such that a height  218  can be changed by feature  310  moving up and down along feature  312 . Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3F, support unit  208  may include a feature  316  that is engaged by a corresponding feature  314  of screen frame  202   b  such that a height  218  can be changed by feature  314  moving up and down along feature  316 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 depicts another exemplary bi-folding portable computer  400  having a screen  402  that can be height adjusted using a multi-pivoting mechanism  408 , in accordance with certain other implementations of the present invention. Here, display unit  404 , which includes screen  402 , is mechanically coupled to base unit  406  with a multi-pivoting mechanism  408 . Multi-pivoting mechanism  408 , in this example, includes two extension arms  410   a - b  (note only  410   a  is visible in this side view) that each have a proximate end  414  that is pivotally coupled to base unit  406 , and a distal end  416  that is pivotally coupled to display unit  404 . The extension arms  410   a - b  allow display unit  404  to be raised to different heights  216 , with respect to base unit  406 .  
         [0030]    In this exemplary implementation, the distal end  416  is also configured to slidably engage display unit  404 , thereby essentially allowing screen  402  to be further height adjusted with respect to base unit  406 , and to properly fold up when the portable computer is closed. In other implementations (not shown), the pivoting proximate end  414  may be configured to slidably engage base unit  406  so as to allow for proper closing and possibly lateral positioning of the display unit with respect to base unit  406 . In still other exemplary implementations, display unit  404  may include a support unit (not shown) that, as described on the earlier examples above, is configured to allow screen  402  to be further height adjusted with respect to base unit  406 .  
         [0031]    Although display unit  404  is depicted in FIG. 4 as being perpendicular to base unit  406 , it should be understood that display unit  406  can be positioned at other angles given the various pivotal mechanisms.  
         [0032]    Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which depicts yet another exemplary bi-folding portable computer  500  having a screen  502  that can be height adjusted and pivotally/rotationally adjusted, in accordance with still other implementations of the present invention.  
         [0033]    Here, a display unit  504  includes screen  502 , support unit  506 , and a pivot and/or rotation movement mechanism  508 . As in the previous examples, support unit  506  is operatively engaged with screen  502  and base unit  510  such that screen  502  can be height adjusted in some manner with respect to base unit  510 . In addition to being able to adjust the height of screen  502 , the user may further adjust the angle  512  of screen  502  with respect to the plane of base unit  510  by using movement mechanism  508 . Thus, for example, the user may selectively tilt screen  502  to a preferred position. As in the previous examples, such positioning may be accomplished manually and/or electrically.  
         [0034]    In accordance with still further implementations of the present invention, movement mechanism  508  may be configured to rotate screen  502  ninety degrees, such that a rectangular screen can be placed in a vertical or portrait position as opposed to the normal horizontal or landscape position. The vertical position may be advantageous since it may allow for a full page of text to be displayed. Of course, the hardware and software (e.g., display driver) in portable computer  500  would need to be able to identify the position of screen  502  and make any necessary image corrections.  
         [0035]    In accordance with still other implementations of the present invention, the screens and support units in the above various configurations may also be configured to adjust the height of the screen with respect to the base unit by having either the screen and/or the support unit employ a telescoping-like mechanism.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting exemplary techniques for operatively coupling a height adjustable and/or pivotally/rotationally adjustable screen to a base unit, in accordance with certain implementations of the present invention. Here, screen  602  includes an interface  604  that is operatively coupled to a corresponding interface  606  that is part of base unit  608 . Information to be displayed on screen  602  is provided through interfaces  606  and  604 .  
         [0037]    In certain exemplary implementations, interfaces  606  and  604  are electrically coupled via one or more conductors  610 . This means, for example, that in certain configurations conductors  610  need to extend through the support unit  612  that mechanically interfaces with screen  602  and base unit  608 . Hence, conductors  610  need to be long enough to support the full range of height adjustments of screen  602 .  
         [0038]    In certain other exemplary implementations, interfaces  606  and  604  may include wireless communication interfaces such that fewer conductors are required to operatively couple screen  602  and base unit  608  together. By way of example, interfaces  606  and  604  may employ infrared-based communication to carry data that is to be displayed.  
         [0039]    Given the various exemplary implementations described above and others, those skilled in the art will clearly recognize that a user can selectively position a display screen at a variety of heights and/or angles. In certain implementations the number of positions/angles may be finite, while in other implementations, the number of positions/angles may essentially be infinite, within an applicable range.  
         [0040]    Thus, although some preferred implementations of the various apparatuses of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary implementations disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.