Invertible clamshell notebook computer

A computing device is provided herein. For instance, the computing device comprises base and lid assemblies, and a connector. The base assembly includes a base housing, a first hinge portion attached to the housing, a keyboard, a touch-based input surface, and an electronic component within the housing. The housing includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the keyboard and touch-based input, and a second opposing surface. The lid assembly includes a lid housing, a second hinge portion, and a display, and includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the display and a second surface opposite the first surface. The connector has a third hinge portion, a fourth hinge portion and a body extending therebetween. The third hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the first hinge portion of the base assembly, and the fourth hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the second hinge portion of the lid assembly.

BACKGROUND

Tablet and notebook computers are designed to be portable computing devices with specialized functionality. Notebook computers are designed to replicate the functionality of a desktop computer with a computer monitor in the form of a display screen integrated with traditional input in the form of a keyboard and trackpad. These components are often configured in a “clamshell” configuration wherein the screen in positioned in a lid housing that is rotatably affixed opposite a base housing that includes the keyboard and the trackpad (or other similar input) as well as other internal computer components. Clamshell computers can be “closed” for transportation and storage and can be opened with the keyboard, trackpad, and screen facing the user such that the screen is adjustable by tilting the lid housing.

Tablet computers often include a single body with internal computer components and a touch-sensitive screen at an external surface thereof. The touchsreen allows the user to interact with the display using touch with either the user's fingertips or a stylus. Tablets are generally intended for use on a flat surface or while being held by the user. Various cases, stands or other attachments can be used to hold a tablet in various other positions that users have found useful. The lack of a fixed keyboard, however, limits the use of tablet-type computers, particularly in their ability to facilitate the creation of content that requires a great deal of typing. Further, in some applications, interaction with the screen itself interferes with the user's ability to view the information on the screen. However, the simple design and potentially intuitive nature of tablet interfaces makes them desirable for other types of content creation and for content consumption.

Due to the distinct inherent advantages of each type of portable computer, attempts have been made to develop computers that can be reconfigured between traditional notebook computer modes and tablet modes. However, such attempts lack many functional aspects that are advantageous for users of those devices during use as either a tablet or notebook computer or during transition between such modes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a computing device is provided. The computing device comprises a base assembly, a lid assembly, and a connector. The base assembly includes a base housing, a first hinge portion attached to the housing, a keyboard, a touch-based input surface, and an electronic component within the housing. The housing further includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the keyboard and the touch-based input and a second surface opposite from the first surface. The lid assembly includes a lid housing, a second hinge portion, and a display. The lid housing includes a first surface at least partly surrounding the display and a second surface opposite the first surface. The connector has a third hinge portion, a fourth hinge portion and a body extending therebetween. The third hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the first hinge portion of the base assembly, and the fourth hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the second hinge portion of the lid assembly.

In one example, the body of the connector is rotatably affixed to the base housing by the rotatable affixation of the first hinge portion with the third hinge portion such that the connector is rotatable through about 180 degrees with respect to the base housing. In another example, the body of the connector is rotatably affixed to the lid housing by the rotatable affixation of the second hinge portion with the fourth hinge portion such that the connector is rotatable through about 180 degrees with respect to the lid housing.

In a further example, the lid housing is rotatably affixed to the base housing by the rotatable affixation of the first hinge portion with the third hinge portion and the affixation of the second hinge portion with the fourth hinge portion such that the lid housing is rotatable through about 360 degrees with respect to the base housing. In this case, the connector may be configured such that rotation of the lid housing relative to the base housing also causes translation of the lid housing in a direction perpendicular to the first surface of the base housing. Here, when the lid is rotated by 360 degrees with respect to the base housing, the lid may translate in the direction perpendicular to the first surface of the base housing through a distance approximately equal to a thickness of the base housing plus a thickness of the lid housing.

In another example, the device can be configured in a closed position such that the first surface of the lid housing faces the first surface of the base housing and such that the screen, keyboard, and touch-based input are not accessible for contact therewith by a user. In one alternative, the body of the connector includes an outside surface that is perpendicular to the second surface of the lid housing when the device is in the closed position. In another alternative, the computing device further includes retention means that are mutually engageable between the base housing and the lid housing to maintain the device in the closed position.

In yet another alternative, the device is further configurable in an easel position such that the first surface of the lid housing is positioned at an angle of between 310 and 330 degrees with respect to the first surface of the base housing. And when in the easel position, the device is positionable on a surface such that a front edge of the base housing and a front edge of the lid housing contact the surface. In this case, the device may further include retention mechanisms attached between each of the first and third hinge portions and the second and fourth hinge portions, the retention mechanisms being configured to releasably secure the notebook in the easel position. Here, the retention mechanisms may include a depression and a raised portion, each being respectively associated with the first or third and the second or fourth hinge portions, the depression and raised portion being mutually engagable when the device is moved into the easel position. Optionally, the raised portion is spring-biased.

In another example, the device is further configurable in a tablet position such that the second surface of the lid housing faces the second surface of the base housing and such that the screen and keyboard are exposed on opposite sides of the device. In this case, the electronic component may include a sensor configured to determine when the device is in the tablet position and to output a signal in response thereto, the component further including a processor adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and executing a command to disable a keyboard function in response thereto. Here, the device may further include a gyroscopic sensor configured to determine an orientation of the device, wherein the processor is further adapted for executing a command to utilize the gyroscopic sensor to orient an image presentable on the display in response to the determined orientation upon receiving the signal from the sensor.

And in another alternative, the connector includes means for synchronizing rotation of the lid with respect to the connector with rotation of the base with respect to the connector.

According to another aspect, a computing device comprises a base assembly, a lid assembly and a connector. The base assembly includes a base housing, a keyboard, a touch-based input surface, and an electronic component within the housing. The housing further includes a first surface surrounding the keyboard and the touch-based input and a second surface opposite from the first surface and defining a front edge of the base housing. The lid assembly includes a lid housing, and a display. The lid housing includes a first surface surrounding the display and a second surface opposite the first surface and defining a front edge of the lid housing. The connector is rotatably affixed between the base assembly and the lid assembly to alternately permit rotation of the lid assembly with respect to the base assembly and to retain the device in an easel position such that the first surface of the lid housing is positioned at an angle of between 310 and 330 degrees with respect to the first surface of the base housing. And when in the easel position, the device is positionable on a surface such that a front edge of the base housing and a front edge of the lid housing contact the surface.

In one example, the front edge of the lid housing and the front edge of the base housing are adjacent front surfaces of the lid housing that are angled with respect to their respective first surfaces to be parallel to a surface when the device is positioned thereon. In another example, the base assembly includes a first hinge portion, the lid assembly includes a second hinge portion, and the connector has a third hinge portion, a fourth hinge portion and a body extending therebetween, wherein the third hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the first hinge portion of the base assembly, and wherein the fourth hinge portion is rotatably affixed to the second hinge portion of the lid assembly.

In yet another example, the device further includes retention mechanisms attached between each of the first and third hinge portions and the second and fourth hinge portions, the retention mechanisms being configured to releasably secure the notebook in the easel position.

In a further example, the electronic component includes a sensor configured to determine when the device is in the easel position and to output a signal in response thereto. Here, the component further includes a processor adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and executing a disabling command to ignore at least one of a keyboard and a trackpad function in response thereto. In one alternative, the processor is further adapted to receive an override command for the disabling command. And in another alternative, the processor is further adapted for executing a display orientation command in response to the determined orientation upon receiving the signal from the sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawing figures.FIG. 1illustrates an example of an embodiment of a notebook computer10that has many aspects thereof, including a base unit12and a lid unit30that is connected to the base unit12in such a way that the lid30is rotatable with respect to the base12. The base unit12includes a base housing14that includes a lower surface16and a deck surface18that is opposite and generally parallel to lower surface16. Input devices, which can include a keyboard20and a touch-based input such as a trackpad22(which can also be referred to as a touchpad or the like) can be affixed to the base housing14and exposed for access by a user on deck surface18. The base housing14can also include additional components of computer10such as various electronic structures including the computer's central processing unit, various internal memory structures, batteries, graphics cards, cooling mechanisms, and structures for making various external connections with the computer's internal components (including a power port, USB, firewire, or thunderbolt ports, audio input and output ports, and slots for receiving additional memory cards or the like). The base housing14can also include openings appropriate for access to such connection structures.

Lid unit30includes a lid housing32that has an upper surface34and a bezel surface36. A display unit38, that can be in the form of an LCD, LED, OLED, or AMOLED video display or the like, can be attached to lid housing32that is exposed for viewing by the user at the bezel surface36such as through an opening therein. Display38can be in the form of a touchscreen configured to simultaneously present a viewable image and receive touch-based inputs from a user along the viewing surface thereof. The touchscreen, in connection with specialized software in the computer's memory, can detect user touch and movement thereacross as well and can recognize various “clicks” and other gestures made by the user on the screen. Various known touchscreen configurations can be used for display38including those with capacitive, resistive, or surface acoustic wave sensing structures.

The rotatable attachment of lid unit30to base unit allows for the computer10to be configured in different positions, including a “closed” position, as shown inFIG. 2, in which the bezel surface36is placed adjacent to deck surface18with the upper surface34of the lid housing32and lower surface16of the base housing14generally parallel to each other and spaced apart over a total thickness of the computer10. This configuration can be used during storage or transportation of computer10, as it is a compact position with display38, keyboard20, and touchpad22protected from accidental actuation or damage during transpiration. During use, the lid unit30can be rotated with respect to the base unit12into any of an infinite number of positions that position the display38facing the user in a comfortable viewing position for the user with the base unit12resting on a surface or supported by the user (such as on the user's lap) with the keyboard20and touchpad22positioned for use. Such a configuration is shown inFIG. 1and is generally referred to herein as a “laptop” configuration.

In the present example, lid unit30is affixed to base unit12by a multi-hinge connector50that is configured to allow lid unit30to rotate beyond a range generally used in the laptop configuration and up to 360° with respect to the base unit12. This allows computer10to be positioned in additional configurations that are described herein. An example of a hinge mechanism including an exemplary connector50is shown inFIG. 1. In the present example, a single connector50has a body52that extends across a majority of the width of both the lid housing32and the base housing14. The body52of connector50is received within cutouts54in the lid housing32and the base housing14. The cutouts54can be appropriately shaped to allow for the desired rotation between lid unit30and connector50as well as between base unit12and connector50.

In the example shown in the Figures, computer10can include a single connector50that extends along at least about 60% of the width thereof. In a further example, connector50can be centered with respect to base12and lid30and can extend through up to at least about 90% of the width thereof. Cutouts in lid housing32and base housing14can be sized to correspond to the width of connector50. The use of a single connector that extends through at least 60% of the width of the computer10can provide desirable levels of stability in the connection between base12and lid30. Additionally, such a connector50can provide adequate internal space to house various electronic components, such as WiFi antennas or the like. In another example, connector50can be adequately sized to provide a dock for a stylus or the like that can be used in connection with screen38such that stylus can be available for removal from connector50when computer10is at least in the tablet configuration (FIG. 4), but is enclosed within computer10when in the closed configuration. In other embodiments, multiple connectors can be used that have narrower bodies than shown in the figures. Such connectors can be spaced apart along multiple locations through the width of the lid and base assemblies that can have multiple cutouts to accommodate the connectors.

Connector50in the present example is rotatably affixed to lid housing32at the lateral ends of the connector50. Further, connector50is rotatably affixed to the base housing14in locations that mirror the connection between connector50and lid housing32. Connector50is sized to extend between lid housing32and base housing14, as shown inFIG. 2, when computer10is in the closed configuration. The connections between the connector50and the lid32and base housings14, respectively can be centered at a halfway point between the thickness of each housing14,32with the overall height of connector50being sized to accommodate such a connection arrangement. The connector arrangement shown can permit computer to be positioned in the laptop and closed configurations described above and shown inFIGS. 1-3.

Additionally, the rotational attachment between lid unit30and base unit12using connector50can allow for additional usage configurations. As shown inFIG. 3, lid unit30can be rotated 180° with respect to base unit12(as measured between bezel surface36and deck surface18) such that upper surface34of lid housing32and lower surface16of base housing can both lie along a surface. It is noted that in an embodiment where base housing14includes elastomeric feet28or the like along lower surface16, lid housing32can also include feet (not shown) on upper surface34thereof such that lower surface16and upper surface34are substantially flush. In an embodiment where lid housing32and base housing14have a generally equal thickness, bezel surface36and deck surface16can also be substantially flush when computer10is in the flat position, although arrangements where lid housing32is thinner than base housing14are possible.

As shown inFIG. 4, the above-described hinge mechanism including connector50or variations thereof can allow lid unit30to be rotated to 360° from the closed position and into the “tablet” configuration shown. In this configuration, both the lid unit30and the base unit12are inverted such that the upper surface34of the lid housing32is adjacent the lower surface16of base housing14with bezel surface36and deck surface18being positioned on the outside of the computer10. In this configuration, computer10can be used as a tablet device where the user interacts with the touchscreen display38with the keyboard20and trackpad22facing away from the user. In this configuration computer10can be held by the user or can be positioned on a surface. Features (not shown) similar to feet28can also be positioned on deck surface18for use in such a configuration (and to appropriately space apart bezel surface36and deck surface18when the computer10is closed). Further, it may be advantageous for keyboard20and trackpad22to be somewhat recessed relative to deck surface18to prevent damage thereto when computer10is positioned on a surface in the tablet configuration.

As shown inFIGS. 5A-5C, the configuration of connector50can accommodate the full 360° rotation of lid unit relative to base unit12due to the spacing between its connections with lid housing32and base housing14, respectively. As shown, the connection point62of connector50to base housing14and the connection point64of connector50with lid housing32are each positioned at about the halfway point through the thickness of the lid housing32and the base housing14, respectively. Further, the connection points62,64can be spaced apart vertically when the computer10is in the closed position (FIG. 5A) at a distance66that is at least equal to half of the overall thickness of the computer10. This distance can be slightly greater to accommodate tolerances or to accept any spacers or feet on either bezel surface36of deck surface18. When the computer10is moved into the flat configuration (FIG. 5B), the distance66between connection points62,64can horizontally space apart lid unit30and base unit14to allow them to rest flush on a common surface. Further, when in the tablet configuration (FIG. 5C), the lid unit is translated vertically compared to when in the closed position by the rotation of connector50, the translation being equal to the distance66.

Computer10can also be configured in an “easel” configuration by positioning lid unit32relative to base unit12such that display38faces away from keyboard20but such that the computer10is not yet in the tablet configuration. For example, the easel configuration can be such that bezel surface36is at an angle of between about 310° and 330° with respect to the deck surface18. This configuration can position the respective top-front and bottom-front edges of the lid housing32and the base housing14at a distance sufficient to give computer10a base that can support it in the upright position shown inFIGS. 6A and 6Bwith connector50positioned vertically at the top of the configuration. This can allow for use of the computer as a tablet through interaction with the touchscreen display38while the computer is in a self-supported position with the display38elevated. This configuration can be used to display video, slideshows or the like with keyboard20and trackpad22out of the way. It can also allow for self supported use in tight spaces.

Various examples of computer10can include features to help maintain the position in the easel configuration against the weight of computer10and against the force of the user's interaction with touchscreen display38. For example, as shown inFIG. 6C, the front surfaces127and145of base housing114and lid housing132, respectively, can be angled such that they can be parallel to a surface102(such as a desktop or the like) when computer110is positioned thereon in the easel configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the front surfaces127,145or the edges129,144thereof can include elastomeric members configured to increase friction with a surface to help hold the easel position.

The hinge mechanism can also include mechanical features to help maintain the easel position. An example of such a feature is shown inFIG. 7, where the connector is shown having a boss56that engages with a hole42formed by lid housing14. Other features or mechanisms can be used to rotatably connect connector50to lid housing14, and the example shown can also include additional components or features such as washers, bearings, or other components to control the friction within the hinge mechanism. The features can also include cable routing or heat transfer features between connector50and lid unit30. Similar features can connect connector50to base housing14and can further include cable routing or heat transfer features between connector50and base unit12.

In the example shown, boss56can include a spring-biased or resiliently deformable pawl58that can extend beyond the radius of boss56and can be depressed to recede into boss56. Hole42can include one or more detents60, e.g.,60A and60B, that are sized to receive pawl58when in the extended position. This arrangement can be such that boss56can rotate freely within hole42with boss held in the depressed position by the wall of hole42. When lid unit30is rotated such that detent60aligns with pawl58, pawl58will move into its natural extended position and into detent60. The outwardly-biased force of pawl58can increase the amount of force to rotate lid unit30in either direction to an amount greater that the friction of the hinge assembly alone. Similar features can be implemented between the connector50and the base housing14such that various positions between connector50and base unit12can be similarly maintained.

In the example shown inFIG. 7, hole42includes multiple detents60that can provide retention forces for multiple positions, such as those discussed above. Detent60A is positioned to align with pawl58when the lid unit30is positioned at 90° with respect to the back surface53of the connector. If a detent60is similarly positioned between connector50and base housing14, then the result can be to help maintain computer10in the closed position. Detent60B can be positioned along hole58at a location between about 155° and 165° relative to detent60A. When similarly implemented in the base (in essentially a mirror-image position about horizontal plane), the arrangement can help maintain computer10in a desired configuration for the easel configuration. For example, if an easel position is desired wherein the bezel surface38is at an angle of 320° with respect to the deck surface18, detent60B can be positioned such that pawl58will engage detent60B after rotation of lid housing32form the closed position relative to connector50through an angle of 160°. Similarly positioning a corresponding detent in base housing14can provide for the desired easel position retention. Additional detents can be included to provide similar retention of computer10in the flat (clockwise 90° from detent60A) and tablet (180° from detent60A) configurations.

Alternative structures can be used to attach lid housing32or base housing14to connector50, which can include alternative retention features with similar geometric locations or similar structural principles. The hole42and boss56can be reversed with the hole positioned in connector50, for example. Further, both the lid housing32and connector50can include holes with single or the like extending therethrough. Such a rod can extend completely through connector50and into a mating hole on the opposite side of lid housing32. In such an arrangement, the retention features can, for example, be included within connector body52. Such attachment features can further be linked such as by gears or the like, which can be contained within housing32, so as to cause lid unit30to rotate relative to connector50at the same rate as connector50relative to base unit12when, for example, a user moves lid unit30.

Computer10can have various forms of software or firmware stored in its memory that can implement various functions or execute various commands that can enable improved use of computer10when configured in or moved between the various positions described herein. In an example software stored in the memory of computer10and configured to be run by the processor of computer10can control the orientation of the image presented on display38or enable and disable keyboard20or trackpad22depending on the position of computer10, as determined by various sensors or switches from which the processor collects information.

In an example, a sensor, such as a magnetic sensor can be positioned in base housing14, for example within the attachment to connector50. A series of magnets can also be positioned within the mating attachment feature in connector50at locations determined to correspond to the position of computer10based on the degree of rotation of connector50relative to base unit12. Based on the information collected from the sensor, the software, which can be a part of the computer's operating system or within application-specific software, can, for example, orient the display38image in an upright position when the computer is in the laptop position. The software can also enable the keyboard20and trackpad22for normal use. When the computer10is in the closed position, the software can cause the display38as well as the keyboard20and trackpad22to be deactivated.

In further examples, when the software determines that the computer10is in the flat position (as shown inFIG. 3), the display can be reoriented for viewing by a person positioned opposite from base unit12, which can include rotating the display 180° from the orientation in the laptop position. Alternatively, the display can be oriented at 90° in either direction from the orientation in the laptop position. Either of these re-orientations can be done automatically accordingly to system, software, or user preferences or by a command executed by a user response to a prompt presented in response to the software's position determination. An additional prompt can allow the user to cause the software to display a virtual keyboard on the display to allow simultaneous input by two users on opposite sides of base unit12.

When the software has determined that the computer10is in the easel position (as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, above) can also rotate the display to 180° from the orientation in the laptop configuration. This can be done automatically based on the feedback from a sensor to sense the laptop position (as described above, for example, or based on feedback from an additional sensor in lid unit30that is enabled when the computer10is in the easel position. The gyroscopic sensor can be configured to determine the orientation of the lid unit30and can appropriately orient the display based thereon according to known conventions. This can allow for viewing of an upright image in the landscape mode when in the orientation shown inFIG. 6A. It can also re-orient the display38image when computer10is rotated 90° from theFIG. 6Aposition (with deck surface18placed on a work surface) in an elevated tablet position. It can also orient the display38image in a portrait mode when the computer10is stood upright in the easel position (resting on its sides) in a “book” mode. Any of these re-orientations can be done automatically based on position sensing or upon user-selection or confirmation upon a prompt in response to position sensing.

The position sensing described above can also cause the keyboard20or trackpad22to be disabled when the computer is in the easel position to prevent accidental or unintentional actuation thereof. Various actions can override this disabling to enter into a “presentation mode” or the like. Such actions can include a double-click on the trackpad or spacebar, for example, or depressing a specific key combination, or depressing a virtual button on the touchscreen display38. In the presentation mode, the keyboard and trackpad can be active to allow a presenter on the keyboard20side to control images presented on display38to others.

When the software determines that computer10is in the tablet mode, it can allow gyroscopic display orientation, as described above, and can disable the keyboard and trackpad to allow the user to hold computer10without actuating either input.