Abstract:
A portable electronic apparatus for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode includes a trigger device that generates a signal and a trigger value after being activated; a processing center that, in response to the signal, retrieves from the portable electronic apparatus a normal value corresponding to normal mode, and compares the normal value and the trigger value to obtain a comparison result; and an executing unit that, according to the comparison result, selectively executes normal mode and tablet mode.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode, and more particularly to a notebook computer with a swivel liquid crystal display, and a method and apparatus for enabling a selective operation in normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Since the current trend of portable computer devices is toward the goals of lightness, compactness and convenience, as well as integration with multimedia, the product design of notebook computers available on the market is also moving toward integration of multimedia functions.  
           [0005]    As shown in FIG. 1, a notebook computer available on the market generally includes a computer system  10  and a liquid crystal display module  11 . When the notebook computer is in a non-use state, the liquid crystal display module  11  is engaged upon the computer system  10 . At this time, insert pins  111  on the liquid crystal display module  11  are used to engage the computer system  10 . When a user desires to disengage the notebook computer for use, the user then disengages the insert pins  111  provided on the liquid crystal display module  11  from the computer system  10  so as to allow the liquid crystal display module  11  to move to an disengaged position for computer operation.  
           [0006]    When a notebook computer is in operation, there is a possibility that a user may desire to engage the notebook computer and bring the notebook computer elsewhere to work without shutting down the notebook computer. Therefore, in a conventional notebook computer, a liquid crystal display switch controller  12  is often provided to cause the liquid crystal display module  11  to temporarily enter into a sleep state when the liquid crystal display module  11  is off so as to prevent the system and components within the notebook computer from generating excessive heat, which leads to possible computer crash and a reduced service life of the notebook computer.  
           [0007]    In order to avoid such circumstances, the user can choose to first exit from the use state, turn off the power, and then engage the computer system  10  with the liquid crystal display module  11 . Furthermore, current notebook computers generally provide support for advanced power management, and utilize the sensor control of the aforesaid liquid crystal display switch controller  12  to enable the notebook computer to enter into a standby state, a sleep state, or a paused state as the user desires.  
           [0008]    However, for a notebook computer with a swivel liquid crystal display module, it is not only usable in normal mode, i.e., the liquid crystal display panel on the liquid crystal display module being oriented toward the keyboard surface on the computer system to be brought proximate thereto or away therefrom, but also usable when the liquid crystal display module is swiveled to bring the rear side of the liquid crystal display module proximate to the keyboard surface to be usable in tablet mode.  
           [0009]    Therefore, in order for the notebook computer to operate in tablet mode and perform its functions, the present invention provides a method and apparatus with a swivel liquid crystal display to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode, and to integrate the interface linking of these two modes so as to facilitate entry into the use state, standby state, sleep state or paused state according to the user&#39;s requirements.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic apparatus that provides selective operation in either a normal mode and tablet mode so as to enable the user to set desired operation mode and optimize the performance of the portable electronic apparatus.  
           [0011]    Accordingly, a portable electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a trigger device that generates a signal and a trigger value after being activated, a processing center for retrieving from the portable electronic apparatus a normal value corresponding to normal mode in response to the signal and for comparing the normal value and the trigger value to obtain a comparison result, and an executing unit that, according to the comparison result, selectively executes normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0012]    Preferably, the trigger device is a sensor for detecting the status of the signal.  
           [0013]    Preferably, the processing center includes a basic input/output system and a central processing unit for receiving the signal.  
           [0014]    Preferably, the signal is a request signal.  
           [0015]    Preferably, the basic input/output system and the central processing unit have an executable processing program for responding to the signal.  
           [0016]    Preferably, the processing program is executed to read and compare the normal value and the trigger value.  
           [0017]    Preferably, the processing center has an executable application program with configurable user preferences such that user is free to set the user preferences and optimizes the performance of the electronic apparatus when the portable electronic apparatus operates in normal mode.  
           [0018]    Preferably, the application program is a temperature control program for reducing temperature of the portable electronic apparatus and entering a low power consuming state.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the application program is an application program of a simulated personal digital assistant to enable the user to access and input data via an input device when the portable electronic apparatus operates in normal mode.  
           [0020]    Preferably, the input device is a stylus.  
           [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for enabling a portable electronic apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode so as to enable the portable electronic apparatus to operate in a state of relatively low power consumption.  
           [0022]    Accordingly, the method of the present invention includes the steps of:  
           [0023]    (a) activating a trigger device to generate a signal and retrieve a trigger value corresponding to the signal;  
           [0024]    (b) in response to the signal, enabling a processing center to retrieve from the portable electronic apparatus a normal value corresponding to normal mode, and to compare the normal value with the trigger value to obtain a comparison result; and  
           [0025]    (c) according to the comparison result, selectively executing normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0026]    Preferably, the step (a) further includes a step (d) of providing the signal to the processing center.  
           [0027]    Preferably, the step (b) further includes a step (e) of executing an interrupt program to enable the processing center to compare the normal value and the trigger value.  
           [0028]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for enabling a portable apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode so that the user can use different application programs to operate the portable electronic apparatus as desired both in normal mode or tablet mode.  
           [0029]    Accordingly, the portable electronic apparatus has a first switch and a second switch to respectively control operation of normal mode and tablet mode. The method comprises the steps of:  
           [0030]    (a) activating the portable electronic apparatus to generate a signal;  
           [0031]    (b) in response to the signal, detecting the status of the first switch and the second switch; and  
           [0032]    (c) executing normal mode when the first switch is detected in the on position, and executing tablet mode when the second switch is detected in the on position.  
           [0033]    Preferably, the step (b) further includes a step (d) in which, when the first switch is in the on position, an interrupt signal is generated to notify the portable electronic apparatus to proceed with an interrupt processing program to execute normal mode.  
           [0034]    Preferably, the step (b) further includes a step (e) in which, when the second switch is in the on position, an interrupt signal is generated to notify the portable electronic apparatus to proceed with an interrupt processing program to execute tablet mode.  
           [0035]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic apparatus that enables the user to use the same in normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0036]    Accordingly, the portable electronic apparatus for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode includes: a liquid crystal display module; a computer system for controlling operation of the liquid crystal display module, the computer system having a switch, the computer system and the liquid crystal display module being operable in normal mode and tablet mode via activation of the switch; and a processing system stored in the computer system to execute normal mode and for, in response to activation of the switch, enabling the portable electronic apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0037]    Preferably, the processing system includes: an activating device that generates a signal and a trigger value after the switch is activated; a processing center for, in response to the signal, retrieving from the portable electronic apparatus a normal value corresponding to normal mode, and for comparing the normal value and the trigger value to obtain a comparison result; and an executing unit that, according to the comparison result, selectively executes normal mode and tablet mode.  
           [0038]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic apparatus that enables the user to operate the same in a simulated personal digital assistant mode.  
           [0039]    Accordingly, the portable electronic apparatus of the present invention is used for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode, and includes a touch-control liquid crystal display module; a computer system for controlling operation of the liquid crystal display module, the computer system having a first switch and a second switch such that activation of the first switch and the second switch enable the computer system and the liquid crystal display module to operate selectively in normal mode and tablet mode; and a processing system stored in the computer system to execute normal mode and, in response to the activation of the first switch and the second switch, for enabling the portable electronic apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of a conventional notebook computer;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 2 is a preferred embodiment of a portable electronic apparatus for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode according to the present invention, illustrating swiveling operation of a liquid crystal display module thereof;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 3 is a partly enlarged, partly sectional, fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the location of a control switch;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment in an extended state, illustrating the location of another control switch;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the location of an integrated control switch;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit block diagram of a computer system of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the major components thereof;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit block diagram of another preferred embodiment of a computer system for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode, showing the major components thereof;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method for enabling a portable apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another preferred embodiment of the method for enabling a portable apparatus to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode; and  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus incorporating the present invention when operates in a simulated personal digital assistant mode. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]    Referring to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of a notebook computer according to the present invention is shown to include a computer system  20  and a liquid crystal display module  21 . The computer system  20  has an upper surface  201 , and the liquid crystal display module  21  has a front surface  211  and a rear surface  212 . The front surface  211  is provided with a screen  213  for displaying data.  
         [0052]    The liquid crystal display module  21  according to the present invention is connected to the computer system  20  by a swivel device  22 . The swivel device  22  has one end secured to the computer system  20 , and another end connected pivotally to the liquid crystal display module  21 . The swivel device  22  serves to enable the front surface  211  of the liquid crystal display module  21  to be brought proximate to or away from the upper surface  201  of the computer system  20 . That is, the notebook computer is usable either in an engage position or a disengage position under the aforesaid normal mode. The swivel device  22  further enables the liquid crystal display module  21  to swivel relative to and above the upper surface  201  of the computer system  20 . After the liquid crystal display module  21  swivels, the rear surface  212  thereof is brought away from or proximate to the upper surface  201  of the computer system  20 . That is, the notebook computer can be deployed in the aforesaid tablet mode to enable the user to input via the screen  213  directly and execute functions (see FIG. 10).  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 3, in combination with FIG. 2, the invention provides a control switch  31  disposed on the computer system  20 . By activating the control switch  31 , the notebook computer is enabled to operate in normal mode. In addition, referring to FIG. 4, the invention further provides another control switch  41  that is disposed on the liquid crystal display module  21 . By virtue of activating the control switch  41 , the notebook computer is enabled to operate in tablet mode. Certainly, in another preferred embodiment, the control switches  31 ,  41  are disposed on either of the computer system  20  and the liquid crystal display module  21 , or integrated in a switch device  51 , as shown in FIG. 5.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment employed to enable a notebook computer to operate in and switch between a normal mode and tablet mode.  
         [0055]    In this preferred embodiment, a notebook computer  6  includes a trigger device  61 , a processing center  62  and an executing unit  63  to enable the notebook computer  6  to switch between and operate selectively in normal mode and tablet mode.  
         [0056]    In the actual design of the notebook computer  6 , the trigger device  61  refers to the control switches  31 ,  41  described above. Alternatively, the control switches  31 ,  41  can be integrated into a sensing switch  611  via setting of specific keys or through a computer system setting. The trigger device  61  further includes a sensor  612  for sensing triggering of the sensing switch  611  or for sensing an activating signal. The processing center  62  mainly includes a central processing unit (CPU)  621  and a basic input/output system (BIOS)  622  to execute built-in executable programs or application programs  64  that need to be executed, and is responsible for processing the execute signals of the notebook computer  6 . Certainly, the arrangement of chipsets, data transmission interfaces, buses, etc., is indispensable to assist the processing center  62  to for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode. In addition, it is noted that the executing unit  63  can be separated from the processing center  62  (see FIG. 6) to execute normal mode or tablet mode. In another preferred embodiment (see FIG. 7), the executing unit  63  can be integrated with the processing center  62 . The location of the executing unit  63  in the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 can be modified by a person skilled in the art, and modified locations thereof should be deemed to fall within the scope of the notebook computer  6  according to the invention. The operation of the application programs  64  can be executed via direct commands from the processing center  62 , or the application programs  64  per se can be other software or other application programs added to the system of the notebook computer  6  to execute various application programs in normal mode or tablet mode.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 8 illustrates the preferred embodiment of a method for enabling the computer system of a notebook computer to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode, which is evolved from the construction shown in FIG. 6. When an action of touch  71  is transmitted to the sensor  612  within the trigger device  61 , a request signal  72  and a trigger value  613  will be generated. When the request signal  72  (which is a processing interrupt signal) is further transmitted to the processing center  62 , the processing center  62  will retrieve from the computer system a normal value  623  which corresponds to normal mode, and will simultaneously execute a comparison step  73  (by executing a built-in processing interrupt program) to compare the trigger value  613  generated by the trigger device  61  with the normal value  623 . If the comparison result shows that the trigger value  613  is greater than the normal value  623 , a result (I) will be generated to cause the executing unit  63  to execute activation of tablet mode  74 . If the comparison result shows that the trigger value  613  is smaller than the normal value  623 , a result (II) will be generated to enter into normal mode  75 . The method for comparing the trigger value  613  with the normal value  623  is subject to change via the original program, and tablet mode  74  and normal mode  75  are respectively executed according to the final settings. When operating the computer, certain application programs available in the market can be executed in either tablet mode  74  or normal mode  75 . However, the application programs used in the present invention can be integrated to be suitable for execution in both tablet mode  74  and normal mode  75 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 9 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the method for enabling a notebook computer to selectively operate in normal mode and tablet mode, which is evolved from the aforesaid construction. When the computer is in an operating state  81 , and a trigger signal is sensed by the control switch, e.g., one of the control switches  31 ,  41  of the trigger device  61 , the control switch will generate a request signal  72 . When the request signal  72  is transmitted to the processing center  62 , the processing center  62  will detect the status of the control switch  31  or the control switch  41  and the corresponding potential value. Next is a comparison step  82  in which the respective potential values of the control switch  31  and the control switch  41  are compared.  
         [0059]    As described hereinbefore, the control switch  41  is disposed to correspond to a sensing switch of tablet mode, whereas the control switch  31  is disposed to correspond to another sensing switch of normal mode. Generally speaking, when a control switch is in the on position, it is in a low potential state, and when the control switch is in the off position, it is in a high potential state. Therefore, after the processing center  62  has compared the potential values of the control switch  31  and the control switch  41 , and has detected that the control switch  41  is in the on position whereas the control switch  31  is in the off position, the processing center  62  will cause the executing unit  63  to execute activation of tablet mode  74 . Similarly, integrated application programs are required to execute in both normal mode and tablet mode. More particularly, a specific application program can be created in tablet mode for execution by the computer system.  
         [0060]    In the provision and operational function of the application program, the invention achieves the following objects and functions through the application programs that are set and that are executed as the user desires:  
         [0061]    1. Making settings to prevent the notebook computer from emitting interfering sounds.  
         [0062]    2. Setting light indicators relating to closure and other actions.  
         [0063]    3. Setting a temperature control of the application programs so that the temperature of the notebook computer reduces and so as to enter into a low power consumption state.  
         [0064]    4. Setting a vertical or horizontal screen for browsing purposes according to the habits of the user.  
         [0065]    5. Permitting setting of software needed for inputting, for instance, a stylus cooperating with handwriting input software or a soft keypad.  
         [0066]    6. Integrating software commonly used in normal mode.  
         [0067]    7. Activating a simulated personal digital assistant mode.  
         [0068]    Referring to FIG. 10, the present invention further provides a notebook computer  9  that operates in tablet mode to simulate a personal digital assistant. In this preferred embodiment, when operating in tablet mode, the BIOS notifies the application program to respond to the user&#39;s settings and permit the user to use a simulated personal digital assistant operating environment  90  as shown in FIG. 10, and in conjunction with a working mode to support a graphics card or other peripheral interface cards, for instance, increasing the standby time of the notebook computer. It is further illustrated in FIG. 10 that, in the simulated personal digital assistant operating environment  90 , the screen can be roughly divided into a program inspecting portion  91  and an easy control portion  92 . In using the program inspecting portion  91 , the user can add shortcuts of frequently used software, whereas the easy control portion  92  provides a handwriting input area  921 , a screen rotating control  922 , and other application software, such as a soft keypad, electronic books, etc.  
         [0069]    In summary, the notebook computer of this invention is used for selectively operating in normal mode and tablet mode, and utilizes a trigger device that cooperates with a processing center to achieve the object of enabling a selective operation in normal mode and tablet mode.  
         [0070]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.