Modular electronic device system with a detachable display

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include means for establishing a first electrical connection between a first base and a lid portion; and means for establishing a second electrical connection between a second base and the lid portion. The lid portion is removably coupled to a selected one of the first base and the second base.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to modular configurations for an electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description sets forth example embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems relating to detachable display configurations for an electronic device. Features such as structure(s), function(s), and/or characteristic(s), for example, are described with reference to one embodiment as a matter of convenience; various embodiments may be implemented with any suitable one or more of the described features.

With the recent touch optimized operating system (OS) release for tablets, convertible laptops (i.e., clamshell computers) have become more popular. However, convertible hinge designs have drawbacks with mechanical complications and, further, they can present usability issues for certain consumer groups. For example, mechanical complications include how to run the electrical signal from the base to the lid. One common solution is an electrical cable; however, an electrical cable can create problems when converting a device from a laptop configuration to a tablet configuration. In addition, to accommodate the cable, devices need to be thick and cannot operate as a thin small system with convertible features. In at least one example embodiment discussed herein, an electrical device can be configured to make the lid of a laptop computer removable such that the overall system can be modular and, further, configured to operate in either traditional laptop (i.e., clamshell) or tablet modes.

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer, laptop, cellphone, or other mobile device that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a base portion and a lid portion coupled to the base portion at a hinge configured such that the base portion and the lid portion can be separated and a different base portion and/or lid portion can be coupled together, thus, allowing the electronic device to be modular. Certain embodiments presented herein do not require a cable extending from the base to the lid. Additionally, certain embodiments can allow for an effective hinge and connection capability that provides an orientation flexibility and suitable connection to enable modularity between the base portion and the lid portion.

The electronic device may also include a magnetic assembly to guide the base and lid into a proper configuration. The hinge can include connectors and mechanical retentions to provide an electrical connection between the base and the lid. In an embodiment, a printed circuit board (PCB) interconnector is used to electrically connect the base and the lid. Additionally, the lid may be separated from the body both electrically and mechanically: allowing the lid to be flipped over and alternate between a clamshell configuration and a tablet configuration. In an embodiment, the majority of the system components (e.g., motherboard, hard drive, battery, communication modules, etc.) remain in the base. In addition, the hinges can remain in the base to allow another (different) lid to be attached to the base, or to allow the lid that was removed to be attached to another different base. The lid can include a display in certain embodiments (e.g., the display can be a touchscreen display). The lid may also contain a camera module, microphone, speakers, and/or a wireless module. Such a design allows for the electronic device to function in a clamshell configuration or a tablet configuration. In an embodiment, the lid may contain a battery and suitable electronics (e.g., processor, memory, etc.) that allow the lid to operate as a standalone device.

Modular Configuration for Electronic Device

FIG. 1Ais a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device10in an open clamshell mode configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Electronic device10may include a base portion12a, a lid portion14a(which includes a display described in more detail below), and a hinge16a. In one or more embodiments, electronic device10is a notebook computer or laptop computer, or Ultrabook™. In still other embodiments, electronic device10may be any suitable electronic device having a display such as a mobile device, a tablet computer and/or a tablet device (e.g., i-Pad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, Android™ phones, i-Phones™, Google Nexus™, Microsoft Surface™, personal computer, server, an audio system, a movie player of any type, a computer docking station, etc. In yet another embodiment, most of the electronics (e.g., processor, memory, etc.) for electronic device10reside in base portion12a. Hinge16acan define an axis of rotation that is shared between base portion12aand lid portion14a.

Lid portion14acan contain a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or some other type of display. In another embodiment, lid portion14amay contain a battery and various electronics (e.g., processor, memory, etc.) to allow lid portion14to operate as a standalone tablet. In another embodiment, lid portion may contain a wireless module40(e.g., Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, etc.) that allows lid portion14ato communicate with base portion12awhen lid portion14ais removed from base portion12a. In yet another embodiment, lid portion14amay contain a camera44, a microphone42, and speakers46.

Turning toFIG. 1B,FIG. 1Bis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a side view of electronic device10in a closed clamshell configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1Cis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in a detach mode, separated into two segments. As illustrated, lid portion14ahas been separated from base portion12a. Hinge portion16aincludes a tab20. Lid portion14aincludes a notch18(both tab20and notch18are described in more detail below; both of these terms encompass any type of protrusion, knob, projection, connector, protuberance, etc.).

FIG. 1Dis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in a tablet mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, lid portion14ahas been turned over so electronic device10is a tablet computer and/or a tablet device. In an embodiment, base portion12bmay be similar to base portion12aexcept base portion12bdoes not have a keyboard (whereas base portion12adoes have a keyboard). In another embodiment, base portion12bmay contain fewer or different electronics than base portion12a. For example, base12bmay be a wireless module, a scanning module, a battery pack, etc.

FIGS. 1A-1Dillustrate the modularity of electronic device10. For example, lid portion14amay be connected to base portion12aor base portion12b. In other examples, base portion12a(or12b) may be connected to a lid portion that is larger, smaller, or have different electrical components or functions than lid portion14a. Electronic device10can be configured with a base and/or lid that can be interchanged with a different base and/or lid, each having different electronics and functions, thus allowing electronic device10to be modular. It is imperative to note that the base with the keyboard in several of the FIGURES can be changed to either move the keyboard toward the back and/or add a touch pad. Any such permutations are clearly within the scope of the teachings of the present disclosure.

Turning toFIG. 2A,FIG. 2Ais a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in a detach mode, separated into two segments in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. This particular embodiment includes a printed circuit board (PCB) interconnector22and a compression connector24. As tab20slides into notch18, compression connector24engages PCB interconnector22such that an electrical connection is created between base portion12aand lid portion14a. Note that base portion12aand lid portion14aare used as examples only and the examples provided should not limit the scope or inhibit the broad teachings of the modular electronic device, as potentially applied to a myriad of other architectures. In an embodiment, tab20and compression connector24are on hinge portion16a.

Using PCB interconnector22, an electrical current and signals can be passed from base portion12ato lid portion14ato recharge an on-board battery or capacitor, power any number of items (e.g., a display28, wireless module40, camera44, speakers46, etc.), and provide a communication path between base portion12aand lid portion14a. In other examples, electrical current and signals can be passed through a plug-in connector (e.g., whose male side protrusion connects to base portion12aand whose female side connects to lid portion14aor vice-verse). Note that any number of connectors (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors (e.g., in compliance with the USB 3.0 Specification released in November 2008), Thunderbolt™ connectors, a non-standard connection point such as a docking connector, etc.) can be provisioned in conjunction with electronic device10. [Thunderbolt™ and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.]. Virtually any other electrical connection methods could be used and, thus, are clearly within the scope of the present disclosure. Note that numerous different base portions may be electrically connected with numerous different lid portions, thus allowing electronic device10to be modular.

Turning toFIG. 2B,FIG. 2Bis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in an attached mode with two segments connected in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this particular embodiment, tab20has slid into notch18and PCB interconnector22is electrically connected to compression connector24. In an embodiment, a mechanical snap-in feature may be used to attach, retain, and detach any base portion (e.g., base12aor12b) from any lid portion (e.g., lid14a).

Turning toFIG. 3A,FIG. 3Ais a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in a detach mode, separated into two segments in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. This particular embodiment includes magnets26a-c. Magnet26amay be located on base portion12a. In an embodiment, magnet26ais located on hinge portion16a. Magnets26bandcmay be located on lid portion14a. Magnets26a-ccan provide magnetic lead-in guidance and an attraction force for retention when base portion12ais connected to lid portion14a. In one example operation, when lid portion14ais lowered onto base portion12a, magnets26aandbmay help align tab20into notch18and secure PCB interconnector22to compression connector24. Magnet26cfunctions in the same manner as magnet26bwhen lid portion14ais turned over and secured to base12a. In an embodiment, more than one magnet is located on base portion12a(or hinge portion16a) and the magnets alternate north and south. In addition, more than one magnet may be located on lid portion14aand the magnets26are correspondently orientated north and south to align with the magnets on base portion12a(or hinge portion16a).

Turning toFIG. 3B,FIG. 3Bis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in an attached mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Magnets26aandbhave helped tab20slid into notch18and secure PCB interconnector22to compression connector24. Magnets26aandbalso assist in securing base portion12ato lid portion14a. In an embodiment, the attractive force between magnet26aand magnet26b(or magnet26c) is such that a relatively small amount of force is required to remove lid portion14afrom base portion12a(e.g., a user can remove lid portion14afrom base portion12awith one hand).

Turning toFIG. 3C,FIG. 3Cis a simplified schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an electronic device in a detached mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. This particular embodiment includes magnet26din lid portion14a. Magnet26dfunctions similarly to magnets26bandc.

One or more of magnets26a-dmay be encased in electronic device10and provide a directional focus for the magnetic field created by magnets26a-d. In addition, magnets26a-dmay be accompanied by a suitable backing (e.g., a steel backing) to reduce unwanted stray magnetic fields. In a particular example implementation, rare earth magnets with alternating polarity and a steel back plate are used to reduce stray magnetic fields and to concentrate the magnetic fields in a desired direction.

FIG. 4Ais a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. By connecting the two separated segments, electronic device10can be in a clamshell mode open configuration. Electronic device10may include a keyboard38. Disposed within/on and/or supported by top portion14amay be a display28. In one or more embodiments, display28is a screen that can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display screen, a light-emitting diode (LED) display screen, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, a plasma display screen, or any other suitable display screen system. Display28may be a touchscreen that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area.

In one or more embodiments, electronic device10is a notebook computer or laptop computer. In general terms, electronic device10can offer a suitably comfortable grip for an end user to manipulate base portion12a(e.g., to separate it from lid portion14a). The power of electronic device10can be physically isolated from its chassis and/or it can be integrated within base portion12a. Moreover, electronic device10can offer docking that allows power and/or data to flow between the device and the accessory to which it is docked.

FIG. 4Bis a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this particular embodiment, electronic device10is a relatively thin and sleek tablet having a touch screen (e.g., display28) and a detachable and re-attachable base portion12a. Electronic device10allows lid portion14ato be attached to base portion12ain two different orientations: display28facing inward (as illustrated in FIG.4A—clamshell mode) or display28facing outward (as illustrated in FIG.4B—tablet mode). Electronic device10can be configured in multiple possible configurations such as a clamshell configuration (both an open and closed configuration), tablet configuration, movie configuration, etc.

In operation, when electronic device10is in a clamshell configuration (as shown inFIG. 4A), the closed position allows base portion12ato protect display28on lid portion14a. When lid portion14ais rotated up to an open position, electronic device10can operate in a traditional laptop orientation (i.e., a keyboard resting on a top surface of base with a display held in an upright position). When the display section is flipped upside-down to face outwardly in a tablet configuration (as shown inFIG. 4B) keyboard38may be nested behind lid portion14aand out of the way of user interaction. In an embodiment, base portion12acan operate as a stand (behind lid portion14a) and electronic device10can become a stationary display (e.g., movie mode).

FIG. 5Ais a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, base portion12bmay be similar to base portion12aexcept base portion12bdoes not have a keyboard (whereas base portion12adoes have a keyboard). In another embodiment, base portion12bmay contain different electronics than base portion12a. For example, base portion12bmay be a wireless module, a scanning module, a battery pack, etc. Electronic device10may be in a clamshell (or laptop configuration) or in a tablet configuration (as shown). Base portion12bmay have different mother board (MB) than base portion12awhich may have smaller battery needs so the overall volume of base can be a lot smaller. By reducing the battery size, the base weight may be reduced for a better tablet experience.

FIG. 5Bis a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, lid portion14bmay be similar to lid portion14aexcept lid portion14bmay be larger than lid portion14a. In another embodiment, lid portion14bmay contain different electronics then lid portion14a. For example, lid portion14bmay include a wireless module, a battery pack, etc. Lid portion14bmay be a self-contained device that can be separated from base portion12a(or12b) and taken to a different location. Lid portion14bmay communicate with base portion12a, a network (e.g., a cloud network), etc. wirelessly using wireless module40or may be a standalone unit that does not need to communicate with base portion12a(or12b).

FIG. 6Ais a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Base portion12aincludes a row of magnets26e. Lid portion14aincludes a row of corresponding magnets26fthat can mate with magnets26e. Magnets26eand26fmay alternate north and south. In one embodiment, magnets (similar to magnets26f) may be located on both sides of lid portion14a(as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B). In another embodiment, one row of magnets may be located in lid portion14a(as shown inFIG. 3C). Magnets26eand26fcan provide magnetic lead-in guidance and attraction force for retention when base portion12ais connected to lid portion14a.

FIG. 6Bis a simplified orthographic view of an electronic device separated into two segments, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Base portion12aincludes a row of spaced apart magnets26g. Lid portion14aincludes a row of corresponding spaced apart magnets26h. In an embodiment, the magnets may be evenly spaced apart. Note that any number of magnets may be spaced apart, for example, the number of magnets may be 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. Each row of spaced apart magnets26gand26hmay correspondingly alternate north and south. In one embodiment, spaced apart magnets26hmay be located on both sides of lid portion14a(as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B). In another embodiment, spaced apart magnets26hmay be located in lid portion14a(as shown inFIG. 3C). Spaced apart magnets26gand26hcan provide magnetic lead-in guidance and attraction force for retention when base portion12ais connected to lid portion14a.

Turning toFIG. 7,FIG. 7is a simplified flowchart700illustrating example activities of a modular electronic device system. At702, a first lid is attached to a first base. At704, the first lid is removed from the first base and a second base is attached to the first lid. At706, the first lid is removed from the second base and the first lid operates as a standalone tablet. Turning toFIG. 8,FIG. 8is a simplified flowchart800illustrating example activities of a modular electronic device system. At802, a first lid is attached to a first base. At804, the first lid is removed from the first base and a second lid is attached to the first base. At806, the second lid is removed from the first base and the second lid operates as a standalone tablet.

FIG. 9is a simplified block diagram illustrating potential electronics associated with electronic device10. More particularly,FIG. 9illustrates an embodiment of an example system900that may be included in any portion (or shared by portions) of electronic device10. System900includes a touch input device914, a touch controller902, one or more processors904, system control logic906coupled to at least one of processor(s)904, system memory908coupled to system control logic906, non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s)910coupled to system control logic906, display controller912coupled to system control logic906, display controller912coupled to a display, power management controller918coupled to system control logic906, and communication interfaces920coupled to system control logic906.

Touch input device912includes touch sensor920and may be implemented using any suitable touch-sensitive technology such as, for example and without limitation, capacitive, resistive, surface acoustic wave (SAW), infrared, and optical imaging. Touch input device912, in a particular embodiment, may be implemented using any suitable multi-touch technology.

System control logic906, in a particular embodiment, may include any suitable interface controllers to provide for any suitable interface to at least one processor904and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with system control logic906. System control logic906, in a particular embodiment, may include one or more memory controllers to provide an interface to system memory908. System memory908may be used to load and store data and/or instructions, for example, for system900. System memory908, in a particular embodiment, may include any suitable volatile memory, such as suitable dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for example. System control logic906, in a particular embodiment, may include one or more input/output (I/O) controllers to provide an interface to a display device, touch controller902, and non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s)910.

Non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s)910may be used to store data and/or instructions, for example within software928. Non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s)910may include any suitable non-volatile memory, such as flash memory for example, and/or may include any suitable non-volatile storage device(s), such as one or more hard disc drives (HDDs), one or more compact disc (CD) drives, and/or one or more digital versatile disc (DVD) drives for example.

Power management controller918includes power management logic930configured to control various power management and/or power saving functions of electronic device10based upon whether electronic device10is in an open configuration or a closed configuration and/or a physical orientation of electronic device10. In one embodiment, power management controller918is configured to reduce the power consumption of components or devices of system900that may either be operated at reduced power or turned off when electronic device10is in the closed configuration. For example, in a particular embodiment when electronic device10is in a closed configuration, power management controller918may perform one or more of the following: power down the unused portion of the display and/or any backlight associated therewith; allow one or more of processor(s)904to go to a lower power state if less computing power is required in the closed configuration; and shutdown any devices and/or components, such as keyboard38, that are unused when electronic device10is in the closed configuration.

Communications interface(s)920may provide an interface for system900to communicate over one or more networks and/or with any other suitable device. Communications interface(s)920may include any suitable hardware and/or firmware. Communications interface(s)920, in a particular embodiment, may include, for example, a network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a telephone modem, and/or a wireless modem.

System control logic906, in a particular embodiment, may include one or more input/output (I/O) controllers to provide an interface to any suitable input/output device(s) such as, for example, an audio device to help convert sound into corresponding digital signals and/or to help convert digital signals into corresponding sound, a camera, a camcorder, a printer, and/or a scanner.

For one embodiment, at least one processor904may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic906. In one embodiment, at least one processor904may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic906to form a System in Package (SiP). In one embodiment, at least one processor904may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic906. For a particular embodiment, at least one processor904may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic906to form a System on Chip (SoC).

For touch control, touch controller902may include touch sensor interface circuitry922and touch control logic924. Touch sensor interface circuitry922may be coupled to detect touch input over a first touch surface layer and a second touch surface layer of display28. Touch sensor interface circuitry922may include any suitable circuitry that may depend, for example, at least in part on the touch-sensitive technology used for display28. Touch sensor interface circuitry922, in one embodiment, may support any suitable multi-touch technology. Touch sensor interface circuitry922, in one embodiment, may include any suitable circuitry to convert analog signals corresponding to a first touch surface layer and a second surface layer into any suitable digital touch input data. Suitable digital touch input data for one embodiment may include, for example, touch location or coordinate data.

Touch control logic924may be coupled to help control touch sensor interface circuitry922in any suitable manner to detect touch input over a first touch surface layer and a second touch surface layer. Touch control logic924for one embodiment may also be coupled to output in any suitable manner digital touch input data corresponding to touch input detected by touch sensor interface circuitry922. Touch control logic924may be implemented using any suitable logic, including any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software logic (e.g., non-transitory tangible media), that may depend, for example, at least in part on the circuitry used for touch sensor interface circuitry922. Touch control logic924for one embodiment may support any suitable multi-touch technology.

Touch control logic924may be coupled to output digital touch input data to system control logic906and/or at least one processor904for processing. At least one processor904for one embodiment may execute any suitable software to process digital touch input data output from touch control logic924. Suitable software may include, for example, any suitable driver software and/or any suitable application software. As illustrated inFIG. 9, system memory908may store suitable software926and/or non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s).

In one example embodiment, the motherboard of electronic device10is a general circuit board that can hold various components of the internal electronic system of electronic device10. The components may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, etc. The motherboard can also couple to one or more connectors in order to accommodate other peripherals sought to be used by a user of electronic device10. More specifically, the motherboard can provide the electrical connections by which the other components of the system can communicate.

Any processors (inclusive of digital signal processors, microprocessors, supporting chipsets, etc.), memory elements, etc. can be suitably coupled to the motherboard based on particular configuration needs, processing demands, computer designs, etc. Other components such as external storage, controllers for video display, sound, and peripheral devices may be attached to the motherboard as plug-in cards, via cables, or integrated into the motherboard itself.

Note that particular embodiments of the present disclosure may readily include a system on chip (SOC) central processing unit (CPU) package. An SOC represents an integrated circuit (IC) that integrates components of a computer or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain digital, analog, mixed-signal, and often radio frequency functions: all of which may be provided on a single chip substrate.

It is imperative to note that all of the specifications, dimensions, and relationships outlined herein (e.g., height, width, length, materials, etc.) have only been offered for purposes of example and teaching only. Each of these data may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, or the scope of the appended claims. The specifications apply only to one non-limiting example and, accordingly, they should be construed as such. In the foregoing description, example embodiments have been described. Various modifications and changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Example Embodiment Implementations

One particular example implementation of an electronic device may include means for establishing a first electrical connection between a first base and a lid portion (e.g., over any suitable interface, link, bus, communication pathway, processor, software, circuitry, a hub, a controller, etc.). The electronic device may also include means for establishing a second electrical connection between a second base and the lid portion (e.g., over any suitable interface, link, bus, communication pathway, processor, software, circuitry, a hub, a controller, etc.). The lid portion is removably coupled to a selected one of the first base and the second base. In certain example implementations, the lid portion is coupled to the first base by a circuit board interconnector. Additionally, in certain examples, after the lid portion is removed from the first base, the lid portion is to communicate with the first base using a wireless module. In other examples, the wireless module is a Wi-Fi module. In still other examples, the lid portion is to operate as a tablet. In yet other example implementations, the first base includes a keyboard.