Abstract:
A multimedia device adapted for use on portable computers is movably mounted on a portable computer which consists of a first member and a second member that are openable and foldable relative to each other. When the portable computer is opened, the multimedia device may be turned to a use position. The multimedia device has a latch member turnable to latch and couple the first and second members in a closed condition when they are moved too close to each other for folding.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a multimedia device mounted on a portable computer that is extendable and folding, and particularly to a multimedia device that has a latch function adopted for use on portable computers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   With advances of research and development of the information industry, a large number of portable computers has been launched on the market, such as the mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), notebook computer, and the like. These portable computers are convenient to carry. While they might be slightly less powerful than desktop computers, their functions and capabilities are sufficient to meet the requirements of general users. 
   For portable computers that are extendable and folding, multimedia accessories such as small video cameras, microphones, and audio equipment are now available. For instance, ROC patent publication Nos. 373743 (abbreviated in No. 743), 352206 (abbreviated in No. 206) and 500243 (abbreviated in No. 243) have disclosed related techniques. 
   No. 743 mainly provides an “Adjustable video camera structure for notebook computers”. It is connected to one side of a notebook computer and may be freely turned to a selected angle to take pictures. The video camera has to be installed and detached. It becomes an annoyance to users. Moreover, when in use, it is easily hit by external forces, which causes damage. 
   No. 206 discloses a “Hidden image taking device for notebook computers”. It offers an improvement design over No. 743. The video camera is installed in the display panel to facilitate storing. However, it cannot be turned freely to a desired angle to take pictures as No. 743 does. 
   No. 243 discloses an “Extendable notebook computer video camera”. It can be extended outwards for a selected distance and can be turned relative to the display panel to allow users to adjust the angle to take pictures. It may be stored in the display panel when not in use. It has the advantages of the previous two references. However, the display panel has to form a housing section on the topside to hold the video camera. And the display panel also has to reserve a space to hold the transmission line for connecting the video camera to the notebook computer. Otherwise, the extending range of the video camera is limited. In other words, this case greatly shrinks the visual scope of the display panel or the overall size of the display panel has to be increased. It cannot meet the slim and light requirements of the modern electronic products. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore the invention aims to provide a multimedia device for portable computers that is adjustable to a desired use position and has a latch function. 
   The multimedia device for portable computers according to the invention is adopted for use on a portable computer which has a first member and a second member that are extendable and folding relative to each other. The multimedia device is movably mounted on the first member. When the first member and the second member are unfolded relatively to each other, the multimedia device may be turned to a use position for operation. The multimedia device has a movable latch member with an exposed hook. When the first member and the second member are closed and folded, the multimedia device can be turned to a coupling location along the folding direction of the portable computer to be housed in the second member. The latch member can latch on the second member to maintain the first member and the second member in a closed state in normal conditions. 
   The multimedia device for portable computers according to the invention contains electronic elements to provide multimedia video and audio functions such as taking pictures, entering or broadcasting sound. Its operation angle may be dynamically adjusted according to use conditions. Hence it provides an excellent maneuverability and also provides a latch coupling function when the portable computer is closed. 
   Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the multimedia device of the invention adopted for use on a portable computer in an open condition. 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary sectional view of the multimedia device of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the multimedia device of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the multimedia device of the invention adopted for use on a portable computer in a folded condition. 
       FIG. 5  is another schematic view of the multimedia device of the invention adopted for use on a portable computer in a folded condition. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The multimedia device for portable computers according to the invention is adopted for use on a portable computer. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the portable computer has a first member and a second member that are extendable and folding relative to each other. In one embodiment the first member is a display panel  20  of the portable computer, while the second member is a host body  10  of the portable computer. The multimedia device  30  is movably mounted on one side of the display panel  20 . The host body  10  has a housing trough  11 , corresponding to the multimedia device  30 . The housing trough  11  has latch slots  12  on the bottom side thereof. 
   Refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3  for the structure and assembly conditions of the multimedia device  30 . The multimedia device  30  mainly includes a case  31  and a latch member  50 . The case  31  is substantially a hollow body including a housing compartment  35  for housing a plurality of electronic elements (not shown in the drawings) such as a video camera module, audio equipment or sound receiving module (such as a microphone), and the like. A video camera module is illustrated in the drawings as an example. The video camera module mainly includes a video lens  70  for taking pictures. The case  31  has an opening  32  corresponding to the video camera module  70  to enable the video lens  70  to be exposed partly outside the case  31 . The latch member  50  is located in the housing compartment  35 . It is extended to form a hook  51  outside the case  31 . The case  31  has a notch  34  corresponding to the hook  51  to allow the hook  51  to be exposed outside. An elastic member  60 , such as a spring, is located in the housing compartment that has one end connecting to the latch member  50 . There is a retaining member  33  located on the mounting location of the elastic member  60  in the housing compartment  31  to block another end of the elastic member  60 . Hence the elastic member  60  has a compression returning force pushing the latch member  50  to allow the latch member  50  to be moved linearly on the case  31 . There is also a bucking member  80  connecting to the latch member  50  corresponding to another side of the hook  51  exposed outside the case  10 . The bucking member  80  has one side forming a plurality of ridges  81  (referring to  FIG. 5 ) to enable users to apply forces thereon to control the movement of the latch member  50 . 
   There is a pivotal member  40  corresponding to where the case  31  and the display panel  20  are coupled. The pivotal member  40  has a distal end forming a spherical coupling section  43  which has a through aperture  42  running through a housing space  225  to allow a connection line  71  of the electronic elements contained in the housing compartment  35  to extend and run through to electrically connect to the host body  10  to establish electric connection for transmitting data. The pivotal member  40  further has a shrunk neck  41 , which has two ends connecting respectively to the spherical coupling section  43  and the case  31 . 
   Refer to  FIG. 3  for the multimedia device  30  of the invention installed on the display panel  20 . The display panel  20  has a trough corresponding to the pivotal member  40 . The trough consists of a round hole  21  and a latch aperture  22 . The display panel  20  further has a housing space  24  abutting the round hole  21  and the latch aperture  22 . A coupling member  90  is provided to press the spherical coupling section  43  housed in the round hole  21 . The coupling member  90  is coupled with a spring  91 , which has another end pressing an anchor plate  23 , located in the housing space  24 . The anchor plate  90  and the spherical coupling section  43  form a resilient coupling relationship to define a use position for the multimedia device  30  on the display panel  20 . And the multimedia device  30  may be turned freely on the display panel  20 , so users can dynamically adjust the multimedia device  30  to a desired angle and direction. Therefore an excellent maneuverability may be achieved. In practice, the multimedia device  30  can also be turned in the direction where the display panel  20  is folding towards the host body  10 . This will be discussed later. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the display panel  20  is folding over the host body  10 , the multimedia device  30  may be turned to a selected angle in the folding direction of the display panel  20  and housed in the housing trough  11  of the host body  10 . This is defined as the coupling position for the multimedia device  30  and the display panel  20 . Then the hook  51  of the latch member  50  can be latched in the latch slot  12  of the housing trough  11  in a vertical direction relative to the folding direction of the display panel  20 . Thus the multimedia device  30  can be housed in the housing trough  11  and aligned on one side of the host body  10  to make the entire device more appealing in terms of appearance. And the display panel  20  can be closed and latched on the host body  10  in normal conditions. 
   When opening the portable computer for use, apply a force on the ridges  81 . The bucking member  80  can be pushed easily to drive the latch member  50 , and the hook  51  can be released from the latch slots  12  of the housing trough  11 . Thereby, the display panel  20  can be unlatched from the host body  10 . And the multimedia device  30  can be moved to the use position as shown in  FIG. 3 , and be turned freely as desired on the display panel  20 . 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.