Abstract:
A tablet electronic device is disclosed. The tablet electronic device includes a first side, a second side and an electronic component. The first side has a first thickness. The second side is opposite to the first side and has a second thickness. The second thickness is larger than the first thickness. The second side has a recess. The electronic component is accommodated in the recess such that a gravity center of the tablet electronic device is adjusted towards the second side. The tablet electronic device has a holding portion and the center of gravity of the tablet electronic device is arranged in a suitable position, thus the tablet electronic device disclosed herein can be comfortably operated while being held in a user&#39;s hand. Furthermore, the tablet electronic device can be set in various ways for comfortable usage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application with Ser. No. 61/407,663 filed on Oct. 28, 2010. This and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention relates to a tablet electronic device and, more particularly, to a tablet electronic device with a holding structure. 
     2. Related Art 
     A tablet personal computer (also called a tablet PC, a tablet, or slates for short) is a small and portable personal computer, and a touch screen is used as a main input device. The touch screen of the tablet PC allows a user to input information directly via built-in input modules, such as a handwriting recognition module, a virtual keyboard on the screen or a voice recognition module instead of a conventional keyboard and mouse. Furthermore, compared to a notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a smart phone, the lighter tablet PC has a larger screen is more convenient for the user. 
     The monitor size of the current tablet PC is usually between seven to twelve inches, and the tablet PC has three major types, a rotatable-type, a panel-type, and a multimulti-type. A rotatable-type tablet PC looks like a notebook, its processor and calculating elements are disposed under the keyboard or a base portion, and the user can rotate the screen for 180 degrees to cover the keyboard as a plane type. A panel-type tablet PC is usually configured with a touch screen and a stylus, and the calculating elements are disposed under the screen. It may also connect to an external keyboard or inserted to a docket to have more expanding functions. A multi-type tablet PC is similar to the rotatable-type tablet PC, and the difference is that the keyboard or the base portion is detachable. Thus, the multi-type tablet PC has the advantages of the rotatable-type tablet PC and the panel-type tablet PC. 
     However, no matter what type the tablet PC is, the user usually holds one side of the tablet PC with one hand and operates it with the other hand. While outdoors or traveling with environmental limitations, more chances for users are holding the tablet PC with one hand instead of two hands.  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a conventional tablet PC, and a panel-type tablet PC is taken as an example. The conventional tablet PC  1  includes a touch panel  11 , a battery pack  12  and other necessary electronic components which omitted herein. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the casing of the conventional tablet PC  1  has a symmetrical panel structure without a holding portion, and thus the user is difficult to hold it. Further, the battery pack  12  is usually a thin-type battery which is larger but thin. As the heaviest electronic component of the tablet PC  1 , the battery pack  12  is usually disposed at the back of the tablet PC  1  to keep a gravity center G at geometric center of the tablet PC  1 . 
     Nowadays, the weight of the conventional tablet PC is reduced to relieve discomfort and tiredness of the user&#39;s hand when holding the tablet PC. However, since the casing of the tablet PC is usually a flat plate, it is not easy to be hold. Additionally, due to the larger screen, a distance between the gravity center G and the holding side  13  of the tablet PC  1  is far, this increases the difficulties in holding the tablet PC, too. In more detail, taking holding side as an axis, and the distance L is the arm of force, the arm L of force multiples the total weight of the tablet PC  1  and the battery pack  12  (which can be regarded as applying force on the gravity center G), a rotating torque T thus obtained is very large, this perplex users to hold the tablet PC for a long time with one hand, and the user even may drop down the table PC while operation by accident. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A tablet electronic device is provided for users to hold the tablet PC for a long time with one hand in an easy way. 
     A tablet electronic device with a rotatable structure is provided. When the tablet electronic device is put flat, the rotatable structure provides an angle to make a more comfortable operation position. Furthermore, the tablet electronic device can be stood upright or be hanged easily without an additional docking for more conveniently use. 
     The tablet electronic device includes a first side, a second side and an electronic component. The first side has a first thickness. The second side is opposite to the first side and includes a recess. The second side has a second thickness, and the second thickness is larger than the first thickness. The electronic component is accommodated in the recess. The gravity center of the tablet electronic device is located near the second side. The electronic component is a battery pack, an adaptor or a combination thereof. 
     “The first side” refers to area near one side of periphery of the tablet electronic device and the adjacent parts. “The second side” refers to the area near other side opposite to the first side and the adjacent parts. For example, if the tablet electronic device is in a rectangular shape, the “first side” would refers to one of the longer sides and the adjacent parts, and the “second side” refers to another longer side oppositely and the adjacent parts. “The thickness” is a distance between a front panel with image displaying function of the tablet electronic device and the back panel. 
     The second side of the tablet electronic device disclosed herein is thicker than the first side to form a holding structure which is suitable for the user to hold with one hand easily and steady. Moreover, since a recess formed in the second side, some heavy electronic components can selectively accommodate therein, such as a battery pack of the tablet electronic device. Thus, the gravity center of the tablet electronic device is located near the second side to reduce the rotating torque, and then the user would not be tired or drop the tablet electronic device easily while using. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a conventional tablet PC; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view showing the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 4  when it is upright; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view showing a tablet electronic device when it is upright in a sixth embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a back view showing a tablet electronic device in a seventh embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A tablet electronic device is illustrated with relating figures, and the same symbols denote the same components. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing that a tablet electronic device in a first embodiment. The tablet electronic device  2  includes a first side  22 , a second side  21  and an electronic component  23 . The second side  21  is thicker than that of the opposite first side  22 , that is, the thickness h 1  of the second side  21  is larger than the thickness h 2  of the first side  22 . The thickness difference of the tablet electronic device  2  between the thickness h 1  and the thickness h 2  may not be constant, and variation of the thickness difference of the tablet electronic device  2  between the second side  21  and the first side  22  is not limited thereto. It can be increased in a constant proportion (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or in a non-constant proportion at some suitable positions. For example, the thickness starts to change from one-eighth of the total width of the tablet electronic device  2  near the second side  21 , which is not limited herein. The shape and the configuration of the second side  21  can have varies adjustment to facilitate the user in a comfortable holding position, which is not limited herein. 
     The second side  21  includes a recess  211  for accommodating the electronic component  23  of the tablet electronic device  2 . The electronic component  23  may be a heaviest electronic component of the tablet electronic device  2 , so as to adjust the gravity center G′ of the tablet electronic device  2  near the second side  21 . In an embodiment, the recess  211  may be an inner chamber formed in the casing of the tablet electronic device  2 , or an accommodating space formed by a concave portion outside the casing in another embodiment, which is illustrated in detail in the following embodiments. The electronic component  23  is a battery pack in the embodiment, or may also be other electronic components such as an adaptor; however, it is not limited herein. 
     Furthermore, the electronic component  23  may be a cylindrical battery pack or a cannular battery pack which is suitable to accommodate in the recess  211 . Compared to a thin-type battery, to produce the cylindrical battery pack and the cannular battery pack is a very well-known technique which can reduce the total cost in the practical usage. As shown in  FIG. 2 , compared to the conventional tablet electronic device, the gravity center G′ is near the second side  21  in the disclosure. In other words, the gravity center G′ of the tablet electronic device  2  shifts away from the geometric center and approaches the second side  21 . The gravity center G′ may shift along a single axis for a distance about a quarter of the width, which is not limited herein. 
     The second side  21  of the tablet electronic device  2  may be regarded as a holding portion  24  for the user to hold the tablet electronic device  2 . When the user holds the tablet electronic device  2 , a thicker structure fits better to a palm and a thumb web, and it meets the requirements of ergonomic and is easy to apply force. Consequently, when the user holds the tablet electronic device  2 , the holding portion  24  of the tablet electronic device  2  is regarded as an axis, the distance between the holding portion  24  and the gravity center G′ is an arm L′ of force, a rotating torque T′ is got by multiplying the total weight of the tablet electronic device  2  and the electronic component  23  (which can be regarded as applying force at the gravity center G′) and the arm of force. 
     Referring both to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the arm L′ of force between the holding portion  24  and the gravity center G′ in  FIG. 2  is smaller than that in  FIG. 1 , and thus the rotating torque T′ is smaller than the rotating torque T. Consequently, the configuration of the tablet electronic device in the embodiment relieves the tiredness of hands effectively. Similarly, if the gravity center G′ approaches the second side  21 , the arm L′ of force is smaller, and the rotating torque T′ is smaller accordingly. Thus, the user can hold the tablet electronic device  2  with one hand easily, and especially more convenient for the users to read or handwrite for a long time or operate outdoors or at work. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing that a tablet electronic device in a second embodiment. The tablet electronic device has configurations and features similar to that shown in  FIG. 2 , however, an operating body  35  and a holding element  312  are included in the tablet electronic device  3 . The operating body  35  is located between the first side  32  and the second side  31  of the tablet electronic device  3 . The operating body  35  in the embodiment is a part for touch control and image display, which includes a touch panel, a circuit board, a processor, a hard disk or other must-have components. The holding element  312  is at a portion near the second side  31 , and thus it can be regarded that the second side  31  includes the area together with the holding element  312  and the casing  313  that forms the recess  311 . Further, the thickness h 3  of the second side  31  is a total thickness of the holding element  312  and the casing  313 , and the second side  31  is thicker than the first side  32 . 
     Specifically, the holding element  312  is for the users to hold with one hand, and it fits the thumb and the part between the thumb and the index finger (i.e. thumb web) where the other four fingers are put under the holding portion to support the tablet electronic device  3 . The holding element  312  may be connected to the operating body  35  in many ways. In the embodiment, the holding element  312  is pivotally connected to the operating body  35  via a pivot  36  such as a pivot or a hinge without limitation herein, and forms an angle θ 1  with the operating body  35 . The angle θ 1  may be any degree between 90 degrees to 150 degrees. 
     Consequently, the holding element  312  can rotate within 90 degrees to 150 degrees of θ1, and the user can adjust the angle according to the requirement. In an embodiment, the holding element  312  may also include a rough, uneven or anti-skid arc surface (not shown) to improve a friction coefficient and a fitting degree of the holding element  312  and reduce the possibility of drop down by accident when the user holds. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a third embodiment. The difference between the tablet electronic devices in  FIG. 3  and in  FIG. 4  is that the holding element  412  and the operating body  45  are integrated formed and the angle θ 1  therebetween is constant in  FIG. 4 . Furthermore, the second side  41  of the tablet electronic device  4  includes a rotating part  414  pivotally connected to the operating body  45 , and the recess  411  is formed in the rotating part  414 . Thus, the second side  41  includes the holding element  412  and the rotating part  414 , its thickness h 4  is a total thickness of the holding element  412  and the rotating part  414 , and the second side  41  is thicker than the first side  42 . The rotating part  414  pivotally connected to the operating body  45  via a pivot  47  or a hinge, which is not limited herein. 
     In detail, the rotating part  414  includes the recess  411  accommodating an electronic component  43  of the tablet electronic device  4 , and the rotating part  414  can rotate relative to the operating body  45  to form an angle θ 2  therebetween. The angle θ 2  may be any degree between 90 degrees to 150 degrees, which is not limited herein. Since the rotating part  414  can rotate relative to the operating body  45 , it can rotate upwards to attach to undersurface of the holding element  412  as a holding portion. Besides, the rotating part  414  can also rotate downwards (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to adjust a supporting angle to support the tablet electronic device  4  on a surface, and thus the user may feel more comfortable in watching or typing words. 
     In an embodiment, the tablet electronic device may further include a fastening element  44  to fasten the rotating part and the operating body and fix the rotating angle therebetween for the whole structure more steady, this also avoids the rotating angle been changed easily under the gravity or external force. Furthermore, the fixing angle of the fastening element  44  may be preset in several constant angles. Thus when the user changes the using state of the tablet electronic device, he or she can adjust the needed angle quickly. The fastening element  44  can also be applied to the tablet electronic device in other embodiments to fasten the holding element and the operating body and fix the angle therebetween. 
     Referring to both  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a side view showing the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 4  when it is at the upright position. The tablet electronic device  4  can be handheld or flat put, and it can also be put upright on a plane surface to be used as a digital frame or a desktop display. When the tablet electronic device  4  is at the upright position, the holding element  412  and the rotating part  414  can be supporters of the tablet electronic device  4  via the angle θ 1  between the holding element  412  and the operating body  45 , and the angle θ 2  between the rotating part  414  and the operating body  45  fixed by the fastening element  44 . The tablet electronic device  4  stands at a plane surface steady via an angle θ 3  between the holding element  412  and the rotating part  414 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a fourth embodiment. The tablet electronic device  6  can be handheld, flat put or upright stand while operation, and it can also be hung up or attached to a wall as a smart information display. Compared to the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 4 , the difference is that the tablet electronic device  6  further includes an auxiliary element  68 . The auxiliary element  68  is connected to the rotating part  614  and rotates relatively to the operating body  65  to adjust an angle therebetween. In the embodiment, the tablet electronic device  6  is attached to a wall via the auxiliary element  68 . The auxiliary element  68  is a detachable fixing member which is used to hang the tablet electronic device  6  up. The fixing member of the auxiliary element  68  is not limited, which may be a clamp, a hook, a screw locker or a plate with Velcro (i.e. the hook and loop fasteners). In the embodiment, the auxiliary element  68  is a plate with Velcro as an example. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional schematic diagram showing a tablet electronic device in a fifth embodiment. The rotating part  714  of the tablet electronic device  7  is pivotally connected to the operating body  75  via the pivot  77 . Compared to the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 4 , the difference is that the pivot  77  at least includes an accommodating space  771 . In the embodiment, two ends of the pivot  77  are hollow to form an accommodating space  771 , respectively, and a middle part  772  is used as a pivot. The accommodating space  771  may be used for accommodating a handheld touch control element  79  of the tablet electronic device  7  to facilitate the user to take and accommodate the handheld touch control element  79 . The handheld touch control element  79  may be a stylus providing a precise input function for the user. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view showing a tablet electronic device when it is at an upright position in a sixth embodiment. The structure and features of the tablet electronic device  8  are similar to those of the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 5 , and the tablet electronic device  8  also includes a fastening element  44 , an auxiliary element and a pivot for accommodating a handheld touch control element. The difference is that the rotating part  814  of the tablet electronic device  8  is pivotally connected to the holding element  812  at the second side  81 . In the embodiment, the rotating part  814  is pivotally connected to one side of the holding element  812  away from the operating body  85 . Consequently, the rotating part  814  rotates relative to the holding element  812 , and it can rotate upwards to attach to undersurface of the holding element  812  for holding. Besides, the rotating part  814  can also rotate downwards for the user to adjust a supporting angle when the tablet electronic device  8  is put flat, or the rotating part  814  and the holding element  812  are as two supporters to make the tablet electronic device  8  stand stably on a plane when the tablet electronic device  8  is at an upright position. 
       FIG. 9  is a back view showing a tablet electronic device in a seventh embodiment. The structure and features of the tablet electronic device  9  are similar with those of the tablet electronic device in  FIG. 2 . The difference therebetween is that the tablet electronic device  9  further includes an operating body  95  and a bracket  90 . The operating body  95  is between the first side  92  and the second side  91  of the tablet electronic device  9 . The operating body  95  in the embodiment is a part of the tablet electronic device  9  for touch control and image display, and it includes a touch panel, a circuit board, a processor a hard disk and any other must-have components that omitted herein. In an embodiment, the bracket  90  is pivotally connected to the second side  91  and can rotate relatively to adjust an angle therebetween. The fastening element  44  may also be used to fasten the bracket  90  and the second side  91  and fix the rotating angle between the bracket  90  and the second side  91  to make the bracket  90  support the whole structure stably, and the rotating angle would not be changed easily even under the gravity or external force. On the other hand, an accommodating recess  951  may be formed at a back side of the tablet electronic device  9 . The accommodating recess  951  accommodates the electronic component  93 , and the bracket  90  also can be accommodated in the accommodating recess  951  when it rotates relative to the second side  91 , for easy portable. 
     Compared to the conventional tablet PC, since its one side of the tablet electronic device is thicker, when the user operates the tablet electronic device with one hand, it is easy for the user to hold and convenient to operate outdoors or at work. Moreover, the gravity center of the tablet electronic device is adjusted towards the second side which accommodates a heavy electronic component such as a battery pack. Thus, when the user holds the tablet electronic device, an arm of force between the gravity center and the holding portion is smaller, and the rotating torque is also smaller, so as to effectively relieve the burden of the hand. Consequently, the user can keep holding the tablet electronic device with one hand to read or operate for a long time easily, and the tablet electronic device is not easily dropped. In the tablet electronic device, the recess of the second side can match with a cylindrical battery pack or a cannular battery pack which is cheaper to replace the thin battery which is both expensive and needs customization. Thus, the manufacture cost is reduced, and the standardization is easily popularized. 
     Furthermore, the tablet electronic device can be used more widely by some variations in structure. For example, via the holding element and the rotating part disposed in the second side as supporting feet, the tablet electronic device can stand upright on the desk to be used as a digital frame or a desktop display. The tablet electronic device can also be hung up or attached to a wall to be used as a smart display via a combination of the auxiliary element and the rotating part. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not for limiting the scope. Persons having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the scope. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments described above.