Portable computer provided with facsimile means

Abstract: The portable computer of the present invention makes it possible to transmit the information of hand-written document, printings, pictures, etcetera which cannot be transmitted by conventional portable computers to other facsimile machines or computers. Moreover a user does not need to carry an image scanner and a facsimile adapter which are necessary to transmit such manuscript in the case of conventional portable computers. In addition as long as public telephone lines are available such manuscript can be transmitted to other machines even if there is no facsimile machin present locally.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a portable computer comprising a display module having first and second major, mutually opposite, sides, said first major side accommodating a display panel, said module having first display connector means for receiving display drive signals, and a main body including at least a keyboard, a disc drive, a communication modem, electric parts of the computer including data processing parts, and second display connector means mating said first display connector means and fed by said data processing parts for outputting said display drive signals. RELEVANT ART CITATION Recently a portable computer represented by a lap top computer has been often used. Such a lap top computer is disclosed, for example in JP Pat. Laid-open Publn. No. 61-95423 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,478). This computer comprises two disk drives, an 80 column x 25 line display monitor and a full size keyboard, which computer can be contained in an attaché case. There has been such a lap top computer in which a card type communication modem is included. This computer enables to transmit documents or data produced by itself to remote locations, or to receive documents or data from other computers through public telephone lines. Furthermore, said computer with a telephone handset allows the exchange of information by the telephone in addition to the transmission of information as mentioned above, which makes it a great help to business activity. SUMMARY TO THE INVENTION However, such a lap-top-computer with communication modem can transmit only documents or data produced by itself to other machines. Therefore information such as hand-written document, printings, pictures which are not converted into digital codes cannot be transmitted by the computer itself, so that it is usually transmitted by a separate facsimile machine. But in case that there is no facsimile machine where a user brings the portable computer, said information cannot be sent to other machines. It results in serious obstacle to business activity or the same, if it is necessary that such information should be urgently transmitted. If the information such as hand-written one which the computer cannot directly transmit is read by an image scanner and converted into facsimile signals by a facsimile adapter, they can be transmitted to other machines from the computer through public telephone lines. However both an image-scanner and a facsimile adapter must be always available in order to do that. For example, when a user goes to a customer with the portable computer, he needs to carry a lap-top-computer which is over several kilograms and also additional chargeable batteries in the present situation, so that it is alsmot impossible for the user to carry the image scanner and the facsimile adapter in addition to the above-mentioned heavy computer and batteries. Among other things, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer which has been provided with onboard facsimile pickup means, and which has advantageous properties as seen from ergonomy (accessibility, operability, portability), economy (low cost), energy conservation and other useful aspects. According to one of its aspects, the invention realizes its object in that it provides a manuscript paper path in a portion of the display module between said display panel and said second major side, and having a paper feed slot and a paper release slot, a paper feed sensor near the paper feed slot, an image scanner near the paper release slot, and guide rollers actuated by a motor and secured on a plurality of places of the manuscript paper path, and an adapter for converting information read by the image scanner into facsimile signals. The inclusion of the facsimile means in the display module has been found to offer simple and inexpensive construction. Advantageously, said display module is connected to said main body by hinge means incorporating at least one of said first and second display connector means, for in a closed position of said hinge means presenting said second major side as an external area of said computer. Viewing of the display when rotated over an angle proves more easy, whereas "hiding" the display in a closed position improves sturdiness. Advantageously, in said closed position both said paper feed slot and said paper release slot are accessible. This realizes a compact facsimile apparatus that is lap-top-operable. Advantageously, said hinge means have a range of open positions, and said paper feed slot and said paper release slot both are accessible in at least a sub-range of said range. This allows for simultaneous execution of both the computer function and the facsimile function. Advantageously, said display connector means transport said facsimile signals to said main body. This allows for double use of a modem (both for facsimile and ASCIIsignals, for example), or anyway, easy physical connectibility. Advantageously, said first and second display connector means are detacheable with respect to each other. Various configuration advantages are so realizeable (exchange of display module, easy testing, etcetera). Advantageously, said first and second display connector means mate each other in two states, in which two states said first and second major sides interchange their respective positions. This allows for more flexible physical arrangement of the computer. Advantageously, said first and second display connector means comprise two first display connectors and two second display connectors, respectively, said two first display connectors being physcially spaced apart from each other along a hinge axis. Such spaced-apart configuration improves mechanical strength. Advantageously, said display panel having a page display mode, and said manuscript paper path having a paper drive direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical direction with respect to said page. This proves advantageous ergononmy inasmuch as it "feels" more natural than other configurations. Advantageously, the computer in question is configured for lap-top use. Such lap-top-configuration has now de facto been standardized. However, various aspects of the invention would be useful in other physical packaging formulae. Advantageously, touch screen means are provided for the display panel, and the display connector means when mated interconnect said display drive signals irrespective of the position of said hinge means in either position of the two positions of the first major side of the display module with respect to the second major side. Such touch screen facility is also an ergonomically useful feature. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be explained in detail hereinafter, with respect to a preferred embodiment shown in the appended Figures. Therein, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the portable computer according to the invention wherein a display module is closed, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the computer according to the invention wherein a display module is raised, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the computer according to the invention, and Figure 4 is a view of the display module. In the Figures, various legends are used as follows: 1: display module 2: main body 3: paper feed slot 4: paper release slot 5: display connector 6: display panel 7: keyboard 8: floppy disk drive 9: CD ROM drive 10: power switch 11: retractabel handle 12: mouse connector 13: contrast control knob 14: brightness control knob 15: touch screen 16: paper feed sensor 17: paper guide roller 18: motor 19: image scanner 20: paper guide roller 21: communication modem 22: hard disk drive 23: power supply 24: mother board 25: telephone line modular jack 26: handset modular jack DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Since a facsimile mechanism is provided on the opposite part of a display module from a display panel in the portable computer of the present invention, the information such as pictures which a conventional computer without an image scanner cannot transmit through public telephone lines, can be transmitted to other facsimile machines or computers. In addition, a touch panel is provided on the surface of the display panel so that manuscripts can be sent to other locations through the operation of the touch panel after setting the manuscript paper irrespective of the display module being raised or closed. The embodiments of the portable computer of the present invention will be explained in accordance with the drawings. The portable computer of the present invention principally comprises display module 1 and main body 2. Display module 1, as shown in Figure 4, has display panel 6 using color liquid crystal provided on the first major side of it and a pair of display connectors 5. Brightness control knob 13 and contrast control knob 14 are provided at the side of liquid crystal display panel 6. As shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional view of Figure 1, display panel 6 on the surface of which touch screen 15 is secured is provided on the first major side of display module 1, while there is provided only a hard wall on the second major side of display module 1. A facsimile mechanism is arranged on the second major side of display module 1, as shown in Figure 3. The facsimile mechanism comprises a manuscript paper path arranged between paper feed slot 3 and paper release slot 4, four small paper guide rollers 17 and a large paper guide roller 20 which are provided along the manuscript paper path, motor 18 driving the guide rollers, paper feed sensor 16 and image scanner 19. Furthermore communication modem 21 is provided within the main body 2. Display module 1 is detachable, and can be connected with the main body 2 by hinge means in either way that display panel 6 faces the outside as shown in Figure 1, or in a way that it is set in reverse as shown in Figure 2. Electronic connection between main body 2 and display module 1 is made by display connectors 5. When display module 1 is set in such a way that the second major side of display module 1 faces the outside in a closed position as shown in Figure 2, color liquid crystal display panel 6, keyboard 7, etcetera can be protected from outside shock. The keyboard 7, 3.5 inch CD ROM drive 9, 3.5 inch floppy disk drive 8 and power supply 23 are provided in main body 2. Furthermore hard disk drive 22, mother board 24 on which CPU, memories, a facsimile adapter, communication modem 21, etcetar are provided, are arranged in its inside. Mouse connector 12 and retractable handle 11 are provided on the right side wall of main body 2, while telephone line modular jack 25 and handset modular jack 26 are provided on the left side wall of it. In addition there are provided an exclusive expansion slot, a printer (facsimile and/or character) connector, RS-232C connector, analog RGB connector, etcetera on the rear side of it. Power supply 23 is designed in such a way that either AC supply or chargeable batteries is usable. The operation of the portable computer of the present invention will be explained. If a user sets display module 1 in the face direction and the position shown in Figure 2, and loads a CD ROM disk in 3.5 inch CD ROM drive 9 and a floppy disk in 3.5 inch floppy disk drive, a user can make document and see data by operating keyboard 7. A mouse can be used, if required. When a telephone line is connected with telephone line modular jack 25 in the left side wall of main body 1, document files made by itself or information contained in the floppy disk can be transmitted to remote computers, or such information can he received from other computers. In addition a telephone becomes available by connecting a code of a telephone handset to handset modular jack 26. If a user intends to send manuscript paper of hand-written document, printings, pictures or the same by facsimile in the configuration shown in Figure 2, he sets it at paper feed slot 3 provided on the top wall of display module 1. He then inputs telephone numbers or the same concerning other machines to which the data should be sent from keyboard 7. The operation after this will be explained in accordance with Figure 3. Under the condition wherein paper feed sensor 16 detects that manuscript paper is set, motor 18 starts to rotate in response to the direction signals to start the transmission. By the rotation of guide rollers 17, 18 actuated by motor 18, the manuscript paper fed from paper feed slot 3 moves to paper release slot 4. The information of the manuscript is read by image scanner 19, then converted into facsimile signals by a facsimile adapter and finally transmitted to other facsimile machines. It is also possible to directly transmit the facsimile information to other computers instead of to facsimile machines. On the other hand facsimile transmission is also possible in the condition wherein the face direction of display module 1 of the portable computer is reversed from that in Figure 2 and display module 1 is closed down as shown in Figure 1. In this case after manuscript paper is set at paper feed slot 3, telephone numbers, etcetera of other machine are input to the computer by touching with fingers keys shown on touch screen 15. If it is designed in such a way that touch screen 15 shows keys of "telephone dials", "transmission start", "transmission stop", etcetera, its operation will become easier. In the above explanation, the information read by the image scanner is instantly transmitted to other facsimile machines or computers, but it is possible to transmit such information after checking it on the display, or to transmit it after a given time with a timer function. When the information is transmitted to the computer of the present invention from other facsimile machine or computer, the download is performed for the information, which information can be printed out by a printer, if necessary.

Claims: A portable comuter comprising a display module (1) having first and second major, mutually opposite, sides, said first major side accommodating a display panels (6) said module (1) having first display connector mean (5) for receiving display drive signals, and a main body including at least a keyboards (7) a disc drive (8), a communication modem (21), electric parts of the computer including data processing parts (24), and second display connector means mating said first display connector means and fed by said data processing parts for outputting said display drive signals, characterized by a manuscript paper path in a portion of the display module between said display panel and said second major side, and having a paper feed slot (9) and a paper release slot (4), a paper feed sensor (16) near the paper fed slot (3), an image scanner (19) near the paper release slot (4), and guide roller (17) actuated by a motor (18) and secured on a plurality of places of the manuscript paper path, and an adapter for converting information read by the image scanner into facsimile signals. A computer as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said display module is connected to said main body by hinge means incorporating at least one of said first and second display connector means, for in a closed position of said hinge means presenting said second major side as an external area of said computer. A computer as claimed in Claim 2, wherein in said closed position both said paper feed slot and said paper release slot are accessible. A computer as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein said hinge means have a range of open positions, and said paper feed slot and said paper release slot both are accessible in at least a sub-range of said range. A computer as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said display connector means transport said facsimile signals to said main body. A computer as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said first and second display connector means are detacheable with respect to each other. A computer as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said first and second display connector means mate each other in two states, in which two states said first and second major sides interchange their respective positions. A computer as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said first and second display connector means comprise two first display connectors and two second display connectors, respectively, said two first display connectors being physcially spaced apart from each other along a hinge axis. A computer as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, said display panel having a page display mode, and said manuscript paper path having a paper drive direction that is substantially parallel to a vertical direction with respect to said page. A computer as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9 for lap-top use. A computer as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein touch screen means are provided for the display panel, and the display connector means when mated interconnect said display drive signals irrespective of the position of said hinge means in either position of the two positions of the first major side of the display module with respect to the second major side.

Inventors: HONGOH NOBUHIKO, HONGOH, NOBUHIKO
Applicants: PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F1, H04N1, G06F3