Abstract:
The invention is directed to systems that include a portable computing device comprising a first cover member hingedly coupled to a second cover member, and at least two portable power packs. The power packs are configured to detachably electrically couple to the underside of at least one of the cover members. The user has the option to select one or more power packs that provide the features that the user desires.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/608,235, filed Sep. 8, 2004, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     This invention was made with Government support under Contract N00014-03-C-0368 awarded by Office of Naval Research. The Government may have certain rights in this invention. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0003]     The invention relates to portable computing devices that use portable power packs.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0004]     Portable computing devices, such as personal digital assistants, “pocket” personal computers, laptop personal computers and notebook personal computers, often include a portable power source such as a battery pack. When a user operates the portable computer in a venue that lacks a plug-in power source, the portable computer may rely on the portable power source for power.  
         [0005]     To save space and to protect the input and output devices incorporated in the portable computers, many portable computers include two cover members that are hingedly coupled to one another. When a user opens the portable computer by swinging the cover members apart, the user obtains access to the input and output devices of the portable computer, such as a display, keyboard and touch screen.  
         [0006]     Many portable power sources are designed to save weight and space. In some circumstances, the power sources trade energy storage capacity or other qualities for savings of weight or space.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     In general, the invention is directed to systems that include a portable computing device and at least two portable power packs. The invention gives the user the option to select one or more power packs that provide the features that the user desires. For example, the user may select a thicker or heavier power pack that has a large energy storage capacity. In other words, the user can choose to take on added size and weight in exchange for more energy storage capacity. In circumstances in which size and weight are important, the user may select a thinner and lighter power pack.  
         [0008]     Various other power packs may have other “power pack qualities” that provide various other advantages, and the user may select a power pack that includes the advantages that the user finds more desirable. The user can select a power pack that is suited to the environment in which the portable computer will be used, for example, or suited to the functions that the portable computer will be called upon to perform.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a system that includes a portable computer comprising a first cover member hingedly coupled to a second cover member. The system also includes at least two power packs, with one power pack being thicker than the other. The power packs are configured to detachably electrically couple to the underside of the first cover member.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, the invention presents a system comprising a portable computer comprising a first cover member hingedly coupled to a second cover member, a first power pack comprising a first power pack quality and a second power pack comprising a second power pack quality. The first and second power packs are configured to detachably electrically couple to the underside of the first cover member.  
         [0011]     In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to a system comprising a portable computer comprising a first cover member hingedly coupled to a second cover member, a first power pack configured to detachably electrically couple to the underside of the first cover member and a second power pack configured to detachably electrically couple to the underside of the second cover member.  
         [0012]     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram illustrating system including a portable computer and a first power pack.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram illustrating the system of  FIG. 1 , with the portable computer coupled to the first power pack.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective diagram illustrating a system with the portable computer of  FIG. 1  coupled to a second power pack.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an underside of a power pack such as the power pack shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram illustrating system including a portable computer and a first power pack and a second power pack. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a system  10  that includes a portable computer  12  and a power pack  14 . Portable computer  12  includes a first cover member  16  and a second cover member  18  hingedly coupled together by a hinge member  20 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , first cover member  16  includes an input device such as a keyboard  22  and second cover member  18  includes an output device such as a display screen  24 .  
         [0019]     Portable computer  12  is used to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to the particular portable computer that is shown in the figures. The invention may be applied to portable computers of many kinds, including handheld computing devices such as personal digital assistants, “pocket” personal computers, laptop personal computers, notebook personal computers and the like. The invention includes embodiments in which the first cover member includes a keyboard and the second cover member includes a display screen. The invention further includes embodiments in which input and output devices are housed in first cover member  16 , and in which second cover member  18  includes no electronic components.  
         [0020]     First cover member  16  includes an underside  26 , that is, a side that does not include devices that a user would operate in the ordinary course of operating portable computer  12 . Power pack  14  couples to underside  26  of first cover member  16 . Power pack  14  includes one or more mating elements  28  such as slots, latches, snaps and the like, which mechanically couple power pack  14  to underside  26  of first cover member  16 . Underside  26  can include complementary mating elements (not shown) that engage mating elements  28 . Mating elements  28  prevent first cover member  16  and power pack  14  from inadvertently disengaging from one another. In addition, power pack  14  includes one or more electrical contacts  30 , which electrically couple power pack  14  to first cover member  16 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective drawing showing power pack  14  coupled to first cover member  16 . Power pack  14  is detachable from first cover member  16 . In other words, a user can engage power pack  14  with first cover member  16 , and mating elements  28  will hold power pack  14  in place, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The user can also disengage power pack  14  from first cover member  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the “footprint” of power pack  14  is comparable to that of first cover member  16 , so that power pack  14  does not require any extra desk space, lap space or other surface space. The invention also supports embodiments in which power pack  14  has a footprint that is substantially different from that of first cover member  16 .  
         [0022]     Power pack  14  supplies power to portable computer  12 . Power pack  14  can include one or more portable power sources, including but not limited to various battery chemistries, fuel cells, capacitors, solar cells or any combination thereof. Power pack  14  can be rechargeable or disposable.  
         [0023]     Power pack  14  is useful for users that use their portable computers in venues that offer little or no access to a plug-in power source. It is common, in some venues, for many users to use their portable computers for extended periods of time. In other venues, however, users may use their portable computers for much shorter periods of time. As a result, there may be times when a user may desire a power pack with a larger energy storage capacity, and there may be times when the power pack need not have a large energy storage capacity.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of a system  10 A that is similar to system  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In  FIG. 3 , first cover member  16  of portable computer  12  is coupled to a second power pack  14 A. Physically, power pack  14  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is thicker than second power pack  14 A. The smaller dimensions of second power pack  14 A may make second power pack  14 A desirable in some circumstances, such as circumstances in which it is important to save space and weight.  
         [0025]     The invention is not limited to application with two power packs. The invention supports more than two power packs having differing dimensions. The invention supports, for example, a system in which a portable computer can couple to a thin power pack, a medium power pack and a thick power pack, according to the preferences of the user.  
         [0026]     Power packs  14  and  14 A may differ in respects in addition to dimension. In a typical application, thicker power pack  14  has a larger large energy storage capacity than power pack  14 A. The invention also supports embodiments in which power packs  14  and  14 A differ in ways other than or in addition to energy storage capacity. In alternate embodiments, power packs  14  and  14 A differ in one or more specifications or “power pack qualities.” 
         [0027]     As used herein, “power pack qualities” pertain to the capability of the power packs to provide power to personal computer  12 . One power pack quality is energy storage capacity. Power packs  14  and  14 A may have differing amp-hour ratings, for example. Another power pack quality is energy management, which pertains to the way in which a power pack provides useful energy to portable computer  12 . For purposes of illustration, one power pack may apply one battery chemistry, and another power pack may apply a different battery chemistry. One power pack may include conventional batteries, another may utilize high-storage capacitors, and still another may use solar cells. Another power pack quality is rechargeability. One power pack may be rechargeable and another disposable. One power pack may be quickly rechargeable while the other may require a longer recharge time. A further power pack quality is environmental operating specifications, or the capability of operating under different environmental conditions. One power pack may be more useful in colder weather, for example, while another power pack may be more useful in warmer weather.  
         [0028]     The above power pack qualities are illustrative and the invention is not limited to those particular power pack qualities. In general, the difference in power pack qualities can empower a user to select among power packs having desirable size, weight, and power pack qualities. Power pack  14 A may be thinner, less bulky, and not as heavy as power pack  14 , for example, but power pack  14  may have significantly larger energy storage capacity or other power pack qualities that make it more desirable in certain situations.  
         [0029]     In those situations in which the user wishes to take advantage of the desirable power pack qualities of power pack  14 , the user can couple power pack  14  to portable computer  12 . In those situations in which the user wishes to take advantage of the desirable power pack qualities of power pack  14 A, the user can disengage power pack  14  from portable computer  12  and couple power pack  14 A to portable computer  12 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an underside  40  of power pack  14 . Underside  40  is substantially flat, but includes one or more spacers  42  that extend away from underside  40 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , power pack  14  includes four spacers deployed on the corners, but the invention supports any number of spacers in any deployment.  
         [0031]     In one variation, spacers  42  may be constructed of a soft polymer or rubber, and may be attached to underside  40  with adhesive. In another variation, spacers  42  may be protrusions formed from the same material that makes underside  40  of power pack  14 .  
         [0032]     When a user places system  10  on a surface such as a desk, spacers  42  can protect the surface from scuffing and can also keep system from sliding. In addition, spacers also create an airspace between underside  40  and the surface. In some applications, the airspace can improve heat management and can reduce the risk of heat from power pack  10  affecting the surface.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of another embodiment of the invention. System  50  includes a portable computer  52  and comprises a first cover member  54  and a second cover member  56  hingedly coupled together by a hinge member  58 . Like system  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , first cover member  54  of system  50  includes an underside  60 , and a first power pack  62  couples to underside  60  of first cover member  54 . First power pack  62  includes one or more mating elements  64  configured to engage complementary mating elements (not shown) on underside  60 . First power pack  62  also includes one or more electrical contacts  66 , which electrically couple first power pack  62  to first cover member  54 .  
         [0034]     A second power pack  68  is configured to couple to the underside  70  of second cover member  56 . Second power pack  68  includes one or more mating elements  72  configured to engage complementary mating elements (not shown) on second cover underside  70 . Second power pack  68  also includes one or more electrical contacts  74 , which electrically couple second power pack  68  to second cover member  56 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , first and second power packs  62 ,  68  may be interchangeable, with each power configured to couple to either of first or second cover members  54 ,  56 . The invention also supports embodiments in which the first power pack couples exclusively to the first cover member, and the second power pack couples exclusively to the second cover member.  
         [0036]      FIG. 5  also shows power packs  62  and  68  as having different thicknesses. Power packs  62  and  68  may differ in ways other ways as well, having different energy storage capacities, battery chemistries, and so on. The invention also supports embodiments in which power packs  62  and  68  have the same dimensions and the same power pack qualities.  
         [0037]     The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5  can be useful for users that wish to use their portable computers for very long periods of time and who desire extensive energy storage capacity. Extensive energy storage capacity may also be desirable when users desire to power one or more peripheral devices with system  50 . The embodiment of  FIG. 5  is also useful for users that wish to combine the advantages of various use power packs. For example, first power pack may have extensive energy storage capacity and second power pack may be solar-powered, and may further be configured to recharge the first power pack.  
         [0038]     The various embodiments of the invention may have one or more advantages. In general, the user can select the power pack or power packs that are able to meet the user&#39;s needs. When the user requires a longer power pack life, the user can select a power pack that has a large energy storage capacity. When the user requires a power pack that saves space, the user can select a power pack that is thin. When the user requires a power pack that can operate on solar power, the user can select a power pack that includes solar cells, and so on.  
         [0039]     Various embodiments of the invention have been described. These and other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.