# Patent

## Title
Notebook computer with hidden touch pad

## Abstract

A notebook computer with a hidden touch pad. The notebook computer includes a main portion, a display, and a touch pad. The main portion includes a housing, and the housing includes a receiving portion. The display is connected to the main portion in a rotatable manner. The receiving portion is formed on the internal surface of the housing. The touch pad is disposed in the receiving portion and thus is unexposed.

## Background
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/661,557, filed on Sep. 15, 2003 and entitled ‘Notebook Computer with Hidden Touch Pad”.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a notebook computer and a manufacturing method thereof; in particular, to a notebook computer with a hidden touch pad.
2. Description of the Related Art
A touch pad is a necessary component in most notebook computers. By means of the touch pad, the user is able to move the cursor and otherwise interact with the computer.
As shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, a touch pad 14 is disposed in a conventional notebook computer 10. A through hole 13 is formed on a top housing portion 12 of a main portion 11 so as to expose the touch pad 14 disposed in the main portion 11 for the user to operate. That is, the top housing portion 12 must be provided with the hole 13.
Furthermore, during manufacture, the touch pad 14 is disposed in the main portion 11 by an engaging member 15.
However, since the top portion of the housing is provided with the hole, water cannot be prevented from entering the main portion through the hole. That is, external vapor can enter the main portion through the hole. Furthermore, since the touch pad is exposed so as to be directly in contact with the outside, dust can be directly deposited on the touch pad. Thus, the performance of the touch pad deteriorates. In addition, the touch pad is disposed in the main portion via the engaging member, thus reducing available space inside the main portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of this, the invention provides a notebook computer and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the computer's touch pad is installed without the need for a dedicated opening breaching the housing.
Accordingly, the invention provides a notebook with a surface mounted touch pad. The notebook computer includes a main portion, a display, and a touch pad. The main portion includes a housing, formed with a receiving portion. The display is connected to the main portion in a rotatable manner. The receiving portion is formed on the internal surface of the housing and thus is not exposed by the housing. The touch pad is disposed in the receiving portion.
In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes an external surface facing the display and an internal surface opposite to the external surface, and the receiving portion is formed on the internal surface.
Furthermore, a flange is formed on the external surface, and the flange corresponds to the receiving portion. The flange surrounds the area on the external surface, corresponding to the receiving portion.
The receiving portion has a concave portion formed on the internal surface of the housing.
In another preferred embodiment, the notebook computer further includes an adhesive member to adhere the touch pad to the receiving portion.
Furthermore, the touch pad is closely adjacent to the receiving portion via the adhesive member to eliminate any gap therebetween.
In another preferred embodiment, the thickness of the housing at the receiving portion is about 0.5-0.8 mm.
In another preferred embodiment, the difference between the thickness of the housing at the receiving portion and that of a portion, adjacent to the receiving portion, of the housing is about 0.7-1.0 mm.
In another preferred embodiment, a ratio of the housing at the receiving portion to a portion, adjacent to the receiving portion, of the housing is about 1/3-1/2.
In this invention, a method for manufacturing a notebook computer with a surface mounted touch pad is provided. The method includes the following steps. A housing with a receiving portion is formed, and a touch pad is provided. The touch pad is adhered on the receiving portion.
In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes the following steps. An adhesive member is provided. The touch pad is adhered on the receiving portion via the adhesive member to eliminate any gap between the touch pad and the housing.
In another preferred embodiment, the housing is formed by injection molding.
In another preferred embodiment, the receiving portion is formed on the housing formed with a concave portion.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1a is a schematic view of a conventional notebook computer;
FIG. 1b is a cross section along a line b-b in FIG. 1a; 
FIG. 2a is a partial exploded view of a notebook computer as disclosed in this invention;
FIG. 2b is a schematic view of a notebook computer as disclosed in this invention;
FIG. 2c is a partial top view of a housing in FIG. 2b; 
FIG. 2d is a cross section along a line d-d in FIG. 2c; 
FIG. 2e is a partially enlarged view of a touch pad and a receiving portion in FIG. 2d; and
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for manufacturing a notebook computer as disclosed in this invention.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, FIG. 2c, and FIG. 2d, a notebook 100 with a surface mounted touch pad as disclosed in this invention is provided. The notebook computer 100 includes a main portion 110, a display 120, and a touch pad 130.
The main portion 110 is a basic component of the notebook computer 100, and is provided with necessary devices required by the notebook computer 100 therein. In addition, the main portion 110 includes a top housing portion 111 as shown in FIG. 2b. Referring to FIG. 2b and FIG. 2d, the top housing portion 111 includes a first surface 111c (the external surface) and a second surface 111d (the internal, and unexposed surface) on the underside of the first surface 111c. The top housing portion 111 is formed with a receiving portion 111a on the second surface 111d. The touch pad 130 is disposed is in the receiving portion 111a. It is noted that the receiving portion 111a has a concave portion formed on the second surface 11d of the housing 111 in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2d. However, the formation of the receiving portion 111a is not limited to this as long as the touch pad 130 can be disposed therein and unexposed by the top housing portion 111.
It is noted that the thickness of the top housing portion 111 at the receiving portion 111a is thinner that of a portion adjacent to the receiving portion 111a, of the top housing portion 111. Thus, the touch pad 130 is more sensitive and performance thereof is enhanced. For example, when the standard thickness of the top housing portion 111 is 1.5 mm, the thickness of the top housing portion 111 at the receiving portion 111a may be 0.5-0.8 mm. That is, the difference between the thickness of the top housing portion 111 at the receiving portion 111a and that of the portion, adjacent to the receiving portion 111a, of the top housing portion 111 may be 0.7-1.0 mm. Put simply, a ratio of the top housing portion 111 at the receiving portion 111a to the portion, adjacent to the receiving portion 111a, of the top housing portion 111 is 1/3-1/2.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2c, the top housing portion 111 may be formed with a flange 111b on the first surface 111c, and the position of the flange 111c corresponds to the periphery of the receiving portion 111a. Thus, the user can conveniently identify the position of the touch pad 130 by touching or seeing the flange 111b. 
The display 120 is disposed on the main portion 110 in a rotatable manner to displays the information of the notebook computer 100. As stated above, the receiving portion 111a is formed on the second surface 111d of the top housing portion 111; and therefore does not face the display 120. The touch pad 130 is disposed in the receiving portion 111a on the second surface 111d of the top housing portion 111, to perform cursor movement and other interaction with the computer. As shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, the touch pad 130 is disposed in the main portion 110; in such a way that the main portion 110 is not exposed. Thus, before the touch pad 130 is disposed in the receiving portion 111a, a protective film (not shown) can be removed from the touch pad 130. As a result, the thickness of the entire touch pad 130 can be reduced, and the sensitivity of the touch pad 130 can be enhanced.
Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2e, the notebook computer 100 further includes an adhesive member 140. The adhesive member 140 is located between the touch pad 130 and the receiving portion 111a, and the touch pad 130 is adhered to the receiving portion 111a. Thus, the touch pad 130 is closely adjacent to the receiving portion 111a via the adhesive member 140 eliminating any gap therebetween.
It is understood that the adhesive member 140 may be a double paper double sides adhesive.
The structure of the notebook computer 100 is described as above, and its manufacturing method is described as follows.
As shown in FIG. 3, a method, for manufacturing the notebook computer 100, includes the following steps. First, in step S11, a housing 111 with a receiving portion 111a as shown in FIG. 2d is formed. Then, in step S12, the touch pad 130 and the adhesive member 140 are provided. Finally, in step S13, the touch pad 130 is adhered on the receiving portion 111a via the adhesive member 140 to eliminate any gap therebetween.
It is understood that the housing 111 may be formed by injection molding.
As stated above, since the touch pad is disposed in the main portion without forming a hole at the top housing portion, the top housing portion to prevent water from entering the main portion. Furthermore, external dust cannot be deposited on the touch pad. Thus, optimizing the performance of the touch pad. In addition, since the receiving portion is a concave portion on the top housing portion, the combined thickness of the top housing portion and the touch pad is less than that in a conventional notebook computer. Thus, the space inside the main portion of the notebook computer can be increased, and device arrangement inside the main portion is more flexible.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to housing various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

## Claims

1. A notebook computer, comprising;
a main portion including a housing portion, the housing portion further including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposed to the second surface, the first surface being an external surface of the housing portion and the second surface being an internal surface of the housing portion;
a receiving portion formed on the second surface, wherein the receiving portion further has a concave portion formed in the second surface;
a display connected to the main portion in a rotatable manner; and
a touch pad disposed in the housing portion, attached to the concave portion, facing the second surface;
wherein the concave portion in the second surface is not exposed to the first surface portion, and a thickness of the housing portion at the receiving portion is thinner than that of a portion adjacent to the receiving portion of the housing portion, and a thickness of the housing at the receiving portion is substantially 0.5-0.8 mm.

2. The notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a film located between the touch pad and the housing portion.

3. The notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adhesive member is located between the touch pad and the housing.

4. The notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing portion is a top housing portion.

5. The notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is one part of the second surface and no through hole is provided in the receiving portion.

6. The notebook computer as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ratio of the thickness of the receiving portion and a thickness of a portion adjacent to the receiving portion, of the housing is about 1/3-1/2.

7. A method for manufacturing a notebook computer, comprising:
providing a housing having an internal surface and an external surface;
providing a receiving portion on the internal surface, wherein the receiving portion further has a concave portion formed in the internal surface and being not exposed to the external surface portion, and wherein a thickness of the housing at the receiving portion is thinner than that of a portion adjacent to the receiving portion of the housing, and a thickness of the housing at the receiving portion is substantially 0.5-0.8 mm; and
attaching a touch pad to the concave portion below the internal surface.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a thickness of the concave portion is thinner than other portion of the housing.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a difference in thickness is formed between the receiving portion and a portion adjacent to the receiving portion.

10. A method for manufacturing a notebook computer, comprising:
providing a housing having an internal surface;
providing a receiving portion on the internal surface, wherein the receiving portion further has a concave portion formed in the second surface and being not exposed to the first surface portion, and wherein a thickness of the housing where the receiving portion is formed therein is thinner than that of the housing where the receiving portion is not formed therein, wherein a thickness of the housing where the receiving portion is formed therein is substantially 0.5-0.8 mm, and a thickness difference between the housing where the receiving portion is formed therein and the housing where the receiving portion is not formed therein;
removing a protective film from a surface of a touch pad facing the second surface; and
attaching the touch pad to the concave portion below the internal surface.

11. A notebook computer, comprising;
a main portion including a housing portion, the housing portion further including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface opposed to the second surface, the first surface being an external surface of the housing portion and the second surface being an internal surface of the housing portion;
a receiving portion formed on the second surface, wherein the receiving portion further has a concave portion formed in the second surface;
a display connected to the main portion in a rotatable manner;
a touch pad disposed in the housing portion, attached to the concave portion, facing the second surface; and
an identification means formed in the first surface, wherein a position of the identification means corresponds to a position of the receiving portion;
wherein the concave portion in the second surface is not exposed to the first surface portion, and a thickness of the housing where the receiving portion is formed therein is thinner than that of the housing where the receiving portion is not formed therein, and a thickness of the housing at the receiving portion is substantially 0.5-0.8 mm.