Notebook computer with ergonomic stand

A notebook computer has a base with a keyboard. A display is attached to the base. A stand having a first and second position is mounted to the base such that when the stand is in the first position the display is at a first height and when the stand is in the second position, the display is at a second height that is at least one inch higher than the first height.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The invention relates to notebook computers. More particularly, the
 invention relates to adjusting the ergonomic parameters of a display
 screen for the notebook computer.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Personal computers are becoming more commonplace at work and at home. As
 people become more dependent on their computers, they are using them for
 longer periods of time. Several different repetitive stress type injuries,
 such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and eye fatigue, have become more prevalent
 due to the increased computer use. Manufacturers of desktop computers have
 taken some steps to alleviate these repetitive stress type injuries by
 incorporating ergonomic factors into the design of their products.
 However, the small size and need for portability of the notebook computer
 have prevented notebook computers from incorporating many of the ergonomic
 factors now found in some desktop computers. While some notebook computer
 manufacturers have attempted to implement some ergonomic designs, such as
 a split keyboard, the acceptance by consumers has been minimal due to the
 perceived diminishment of the "ruggedness" required for portable products.
 As the display technology and processor speeds of notebook computers
 approach that of desktop computers, more people are turning to notebook
 computers as their only computer devices. The expectation of such users is
 full desktop PC performance by the notebook computer both at their desk
 (typically using a docking station) and "on the road." Due to power and
 heat considerations, new processor technology limits the ability of
 notebook computers to operate at full speed when not mounted in a docking
 station that provides additional power and cooling. Further, portable
 display technology has essentially achieved parity with desktop monitors.
 As the price for these displays declines, more people will purchase
 notebook computers that incorporate them. To make effective use of these
 larger displays without causing long term injury requires that ergonomic
 factors be incorporated into notebook computers to reduce repetitive
 stress type injuries.
 SUMMARY
 A notebook computer has a base with a keyboard. A display is attached to
 the base. A stand having a first and second position is mounted to the
 base such that when the stand is in the first position the display is at a
 first height and when the stand is in the second position, the display is
 at a second height that is at least one inch higher than the first height.

DE
 TAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1A is a
 perspective drawing of an exemplary first embodiment of the invention
 incorporated into a notebook computer 10. Notebook computer 10 has a base
 20 and a display 40. The display 40 is attached to the base 20 with
 display hinges 22, which provide a method of rotatably moving the display
 between a closed position 42 and an adjustable open position 44. The open
 position 44 is adjustable to allow a user of the notebook computer 10 to
 view the panel 46 at the best angle possible, based on the panel's viewing
 angle. Most panels for notebook computers are fabricated using liquid
 crystal display (LCD) technology. Conventional LCDs have a limited viewing
 cone and thus the display 40 is preferably rotatable to minimize eye
 strain by allowing the user to adjust the angle for viewing as required.
 The notebook computer 10 preferably has mass storage devices, such as
 CD-ROM 26 and floppy disk drive 24, accessible from the side to allow the
 user of notebook computer 10 to access the devices when the notebook
 computer 10 is in a raised or lowered position. Similarly, a base
 transceiver 30 is mounted preferably in the front of notebook computer 10
 to allow the keyboard 70 (see FIG. 1B) to communicate, preferably
 wirelessly, with base 20.
 Attached to the base 20 is a stand 50. Stand 50 attaches to the base 20 at
 first pivot point 58 with first member 51 and at second pivot point 62
 (see FIG. 1B) with second member 54. Preferably, the stand 50 can be
 attached and detached from the base 20 by the user depending on the
 expected use of the notebook computer 10. The stand 50 is shown in FIG. 1A
 in a first position 57 in which the notebook computer 10 is resting
 substantially flat on a resting surface. Stand 50 preferably further has a
 continuously adjustable slot 52 that allows adjustment screw 56 to travel
 within slot 52 to preferably adjust the stand 50 between the stand first
 position 57 and an adjustable stand second position 53, which elevates the
 display 40. Preferably, the display 40 is elevated from at least one inch
 to four or more inches to allow for good ergonomic viewing of the display
 40 by the user of the notebook computer 10. For good ergonomic viewing,
 the top of the display should not be above the horizontal line going
 through the eyes of the user. The preferred angle of the top of the
 display to eye level is -5 degrees to -20 degrees, which is accomplished
 by adjusting the height of the display. Preferably this height adjustment
 is done by allowing the base 20 to be raised above to a 10 degree or
 greater angle of incidence 55 with respect to the resting surface.
 FIG. 1B is a perspective drawing of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.
 1A where the base is tipped up to approximately a 30 degree angle of
 incidence 55 by adjusting stand second member 54 and adjustment screw 56
 in slot 52 to the stand's second position 53. For a typical notebook
 computer having a width of nine inches, the display is elevated 4.5
 inches. In addition to being elevated from a first height to a second
 height, the display 40 is also moved from a first horizontal position to a
 second horizontal position. For an angle of incidence 55 of 30 degrees,
 this shift in horizontal position toward the user is about 1.2 inches.
 This movement of the display 40 towards the user is also ergonomically
 desired to help reduce eye strain. The display 40 is also adjustable
 through movement of the display 40 using the display hinges 22 to adjust
 the angle of the LCD 46 as required.
 Keyboard 70 preferably (but optionally) is shown detachable from base 20.
 By being detached, the user of notebook 10 is able to elevate the display
 40 to a higher height than if the keyboard remained attached and still be
 ergonomically desirable by the user. When detached, the keyboard 70 is in
 preferably wireless communication 32 with the base 20. This wireless
 communication 32 is preferably implemented using Bluetooth.TM. radio
 frequency (RF) technology (see www.bluetooth.com) that supports multiple
 peripheral devices. Optionally, the wireless communication 32 is
 implemented using infra-red (I/R) technology (see commonly assigned U.S.
 Pat. Nos. 5,781,177 and 5,075,792). Wired options for connecting the
 removable keyboard 70 to the base 20 include wire cable and flex circuits.
 The keyboard 70 has a keyboard transceiver 72 that is able to send and
 receive data with a complimentary base transceiver 30. Preferably, the
 keyboard 70 is returned to a keyboard tray area 80 of base 20. The
 keyboard 70 mounts in the keyboard tray area 80 with tabs 74 which connect
 to slots 82 and keyboard latch 76, which connects with keyboard lock 78.
 Also shown is another input device, trackpad 100, which is fixed,
 separately removable, or preferably combined with the removable keyboard
 70 (see FIG. 2B). Other input devices such as trackpoints.TM. and
 trackballs, to name a couple, are known to those skilled in the art and
 their substitution or addition to a trackpad device would still meet the
 spirit and scope of the invention.
 To operate when detached from base 20, the keyboard 70 has preferably a
 rechargeable battery 208 (see FIG. 4) to power circuitry. In addition,
 when the keyboard 70 is returned to keyboard tray area 80, the
 rechargeable battery 208 is connected to a battery recharger using battery
 connectors 84. Also, when the keyboard 70 is returned to base 20 it may be
 preferable to communicate to the keyboard 70 using a wired connection.
 Keyboard connectors 86 make contact to mating contacts (not shown) on
 keyboard 70 when it is returned to the keyboard tray area 80.
 FIG. 1C is an illustration of an alternative embodiment for the stand 50 of
 FIGS. 1A and 1B. Alternative stand 50' has a stand first member 53 that
 attaches to base 20 at first pivot point 58. In place of slot 52 of FIG.
 1B, alternative stand 50' has discrete stops 116. A second member 112
 connects to the base 20 at a second pivot point 62. The second member 112
 has a stop 110, preferably molded to second member 112, that fits into
 discrete stops 116. By having a set of discrete stops 116, the user can
 adjust the height of the display 40 very quickly.
 An advantage to having the keyboard 70/70' removable is the notebook
 computer 10 can operate at a higher temperature than normal by using the
 keyboard tray area 80 as a heat dissipation structure. When the stand 50
 is in its first position the notebook computer 10 operates at a first
 power state. When the stand 50 is in a second position and the keyboard 70
 is removed then the notebook computer is operated at a second power state
 that is higher than the first power state. A switch (not shown) coupled to
 the stand, mechanically or capacitively, is used to detect the first and
 second positions. Optionally, a mercury filled switch can also be used to
 detect that the angle of incidence of the base 20 has changed.
 Alternatively or in combination with the switch, the detection of removal
 of the keyboard 70/70' is used to select the second power state. In
 addition, it is preferable to add an external heat dissipation structure
 to the stand that is thermally coupled to a cooling apparatus inside the
 notebook computer. By having the external sheat dissipation structure
 external to the notebook, the notebook can provide maximum performance
 when remote without its internal component temperatures exceeding
 specifications, thus enabling higher reliability.
 FIG. 2A is a perspective drawing of a notebook computer 10 mating with a
 docking station 120. Attached to the notebook computer 10 is a first
 alternative embodiment of a stand, alternative stand 150. Alternative
 stand 150 is attached to the base 20 of notebook computer 10 using a dual
 hinge 170 (see commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,825,395, 4,878,293,
 4,885430). The dual hinge 170 has a first pivot point 172 and a second
 pivot point 174. The first pivot point 172 attaches the dual hinge 170 to
 the base 20. The second pivot point 174 attaches the dual hinge 170 to the
 stand 150. The stand 150 is shown as folded to lie below the notebook
 computer 10 and the docking station 120. The docking station 120 has a
 docking station body 122 containing an air moving device, such as a fan
 180, which provides a dock air flow 160. Dock air flow 160 is designed to
 exit the docking station body 122 and flow beneath the alternative stand
 150 of notebook computer 10 and remove heat from a heat dissipation
 structure 154 (see FIG. 2B). Preferably (but optionally), alternative
 stand 150 has a insulation member which prevents heat from heat
 dissipation structure 154 getting to the bottom of notebook computer 10.
 Heat dissipation structure 154 is thermally coupled to a cooling apparatus
 within the notebook computer 10 by routing a flexible heat pipe through
 the dual hinge structure (see FIG. 2D), using a copper block (not shown)
 within the dual hinge to thermally couple two heat pipes.
 FIG. 2B is a perspective drawing of the notebook computer 10 of FIG. 2A
 removed from the docking station 120. The alternative stand 150 is shown
 adjusted to a second position 159 which elevates the display 40 to a
 display second position 44. In this position, the display panel 46 is not
 only elevated but the bottom of the notebook computer 10 is elevated from
 the resting surface as well as allowing for ambient air to flow between
 the alternative stand 150 and the notebook computer. This ambient airflow
 will allow the notebook computer 10 to dissipate heat more effectively and
 thus be able to operate at a higher speed. If heat dissipation structure
 154 is implemented, additional heat from the notebook computer is
 effectively dissipated.
 Also shown is an alternative embodiment of the removable keyboard 70 which
 combines the touchpad 100 with the keyboard 70 to form a combined keyboard
 70'. Both the touchpad 100 and keyboard 70 share the keyboard transceiver
 72 to preferably wirelessly communicate with the base transceiver 30.
 FIG. 2C is a perspective drawing of the notebook computer 10 of FIG. 2A
 which is removed from the docking station 120. The alternative stand 150
 is shown in a third position 157 which is 180 degrees from the alternative
 stand 150 position of FIG. 2A. In this third position 157, heat
 dissipation structure 154 is aligned to allow an air moving device, such
 as a fan 164, of the notebook computer 10 to direct an airflow 162 over
 the heat dissipation structure 154. Further, if implemented, insulation
 152 prevents heat from the heat dissipation structure 154 getting to the
 resting surface. This third position 157 of the alternative stand 150
 allows the notebook computer to operate at a higher operating speed than
 would otherwise be allowed. Thus, when the alternative stand 150 is in the
 third position 157, the notebook computer operates at the same power state
 as when the alternative stand 150 is in the second position 44.
 FIG. 2D is a cross-section drawing showing how heat is conducted from the
 cooling apparatus 204 within the base 20 of notebook computer 10 to the
 heat dissipation structure 154 in the alternative stand 150. A flexible
 heat pipe 202 is thermally coupled to the cooling apparatus and routed
 within the base to a base hinge member 230 which is hollow to allow the
 heat pipe 202 to exit the base 20. Within the dual hinge 170 is a first
 opening 232 that allows the heat pipe 202 to enter the dual hinge 170. The
 heat pipe 202 leaves the dual hinge 170 through a second opening 236. The
 heat pipe 202 then enters the alternative stand 154 through a stand hinge
 member 234, which is hollow. The heat pipe 202 then is routed within the
 alternative stand 150 to heat dissipation structure 154 to which it is
 thermally coupled.
 FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the underside of a notebook computer 10
 which has an indented area 180 which accepts and encloses a second
 alternative stand 190. Second alternative stand 190 is formed to have at
 least two stand legs 192 for stability. The second alternative stand 190
 has stand pins, preferably integral as part of the stand, which insert
 into the base 20 in base pin holes 182. Preferably, pin holes 182 are
 thermally coupled to a cooling apparatus within the base 20 and the stand
 190 is made of aluminum or other metal to act as a heat dissipation
 structure. The second alternative stand 190 is adjustable from a first
 position in which it is flush with the underside of the base 20, to a
 second position, as shown, which elevates the display of the notebook
 computer greater than one inch. This embodiment allows the notebook
 computer 10 to maintain a minimal thickness profile while still
 maintaining the upright mountability of the display 40.
 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the notebook computer system shown in FIG.
 2A-2D. The base 20 contains a heat dissipation component, a CPU 206 which
 connects to base transceiver 30 and a cooling apparatus 204, typically a
 heatsink or heat spreader. The base 20 also preferably contains a battery
 charger 210 which connects to a rechargeable battery 208 in keyboard 70
 when keyboard 70 is mounted in the base 20. The keyboard 70 has a keyboard
 transceiver 72 which connects to base transceiver 30 with keyboard
 connector 86 when keyboard 70 is mounted in the base 20.
 The cooling apparatus 204 in the base 20 is thermally coupled to a heat
 dissipation structure 154 in the stand 150 using a heat pipe 202 or
 through metal thermal conduction. Optionally, the heat pipe 202 has a
 valve 212 that is controlled by CPU 206. By controlling the heat coupled
 to the heat dissipation structure 154, the stand 150 can be made to not
 dissipate heat when in the first position (unless docked) and to dissipate
 heat when in the second and third positions. When the notebook computer 10
 is mounted in a dock 120, the dock fan 180 cools the heat dissipation
 structure 154 using dock airflow 160. Thus the heat pipe valve 212 can be
 enabled when docked.
 Although the invention has been described in language specific to
 structural terms, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the
 appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or
 steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as
 preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention.