Abstract:
An approach is provided that identifies when a wireless keyboard unit is connected to an information handling system that includes a display screen that is partially blocked when the keyboard is attached. A determination is made as to the size of the visible portion of the display screen. Items are displayed on the visible portion of the display screen. The approach refrains from displaying items on the blocked portion of the display screen. The user is able to move the wireless keyboard, the movement of the keyboard resulting in a changed size of the visible portion of the display screen. After the keyboard is repositioned, the visual items are re-displayed on the visible portion of the display screen so that the items fit in the changed size of the visible portion of the display screen.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an approach for displaying data on a display of a handheld computer system or slate. More particularly, the present invention relates to an approach for rendering data based on the amount of the display that is visible when a keyboard is positioned on top of the display. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Handheld computer systems, such as tablet (slate) computer systems, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and mobile telephones sometimes utilize keyboards (e.g., numeric keypads, full “QWERTY” keyboards, etc.) for entering data into the handheld computer system. For portability, the keypad is often connected to the display in a smaller unit that allows the display to be seen while the user presses keys on the keyboard. 
     A challenge of handheld computer systems is that the display is not easily viewed without removing the keyboard. A further challenge is that in some implementations, the keyboard is on top of the screen which essentially blocks some of the data that is displayed on the display from being viewed without removing the keypad. 
     SUMMARY 
     It has been discovered that the aforementioned challenges are resolved using an approach that includes an information handling system with a connectable wireless keyboard. The approach identifies when the wireless keyboard unit is connected to an information handling system. In one embodiment, the keyboard is electrically connected via contacts. In another embodiment, the keyboard is inductively connected, while in another embodiment the keyboard is wirelessly connected. The system includes a display screen that is partially blocked when the keyboard is attached so that there is a blocked portion of the screen and a visible portion of the screen. A determination is made as to the size of the visible portion of the display screen. Items are displayed on the visible portion of the display screen. The approach refrains from displaying items on the blocked portion of the display screen. The user is able to move the wireless keyboard, the movement of the keyboard resulting in a changed size of the visible portion of the display screen. After the keyboard is repositioned, the visual items are re-displayed on the visible portion of the display screen so that the items fit in the changed size of the visible portion of the display screen. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a data processing system in which the methods described herein can be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  provides an extension of the information handling system environment shown in  FIG. 1  to illustrate that the methods described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information handling systems which operate in a networked environment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a mobile computer system with an integrated display and a wireless keyboard that transmits signals to the mobile computer system; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the keyboard unit being connected to the mobile computer system using a connector, such as a set of magnetic connection points, that position the keyboard unit on top of the mobile computer system; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the keyboard unit being slid in relation to the mobile computer system in order to view more of the display; 
         FIG. 6  is diagram showing how multiple magnetic connection points are used to connect the keyboard unit to the mobile computer system in both a stacked situation as well as a keyboard-offset situation; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing certain components in the keyboard unit and the mobile computer system and how the components are used to interconnect the keyboard with the mobile computer system; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a handheld computer system with integrated keyboard rendering different sized graphics depending on the amount of visible screen space; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing steps taken to render text and graphics on the display depending on the proximity of the keyboard unit to the display. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain specific details are set forth in the following description and figures to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. Certain well-known details often associated with computing and software technology are not set forth in the following disclosure, however, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various embodiments of the invention. Further, those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that they can practice other embodiments of the invention without one or more of the details described below. Finally, while various methods are described with reference to steps and sequences in the following disclosure, the description as such is for providing a clear implementation of embodiments of the invention, and the steps and sequences of steps should not be taken as required to practice this invention. Instead, the following is intended to provide a detailed description of an example of the invention and should not be taken to be limiting of the invention itself. Rather, any number of variations may fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims that follow the description. 
     The following detailed description will generally follow the summary of the invention, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding the definitions of the various aspects and embodiments of the invention as necessary. To this end, this detailed description first sets forth a computing environment in  FIG. 1  that is suitable to implement the software and/or hardware techniques associated with the invention. A networked environment is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as an extension of the basic computing environment, to emphasize that modern computing techniques can be performed across multiple discrete devices. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates information handling system  100  which is a simplified example of a computer system capable of performing the computing operations described herein. Information handling system  100  includes one or more processors  110  which is coupled to processor interface bus  112 . Processor interface bus  112  connects processors  110  to Northbridge  115 , which is also known as the Memory Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge  115  is connected to system memory  120  and provides a means for processor(s)  110  to access the system memory. Graphics controller  125  is also connected to Northbridge  115 . In one embodiment, PCI Express bus  118  is used to connect Northbridge  115  to graphics controller  125 . Graphics controller  125  is connected to display device  130 , such as a computer monitor. 
     Northbridge  115  and Southbridge  135  are connected to each other using bus  119 . In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus that transfers data at high speeds in each direction between Northbridge  115  and Southbridge  135 . In another embodiment, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus is used to connect the Northbridge and the Southbridge. Southbridge  135 , also known as the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chip that generally implements capabilities that operate at slower speeds than the capabilities provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge  135  typically provides various busses used to connect various components. These busses can include PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISA bus, a System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus. The LPC bus is often used to connect low-bandwidth devices, such as boot ROM  196  and “legacy” I/O devices (using a “super I/O” chip). The “legacy” I/O devices ( 198 ) can include serial and parallel ports, keyboard, mouse, floppy disk controller. The LPC bus is also used to connect Southbridge  135  to Trusted Platform Module (TPM)  195 . Other components often included in Southbridge  135  include a Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable Interrupt Controller (PIC), a storage device controller, which connects Southbridge  135  to nonvolatile storage device  300  such as a hybrid hard disk drive, using bus  184 . 
     ExpressCard  155  is a slot used to connect hot-pluggable devices to the information handling system. ExpressCard  155  supports both PCI Express and USB connectivity as it is connected to Southbridge  135  using both the Universal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI Express bus. Southbridge  135  includes USB Controller  140  that provides USB connectivity to devices that connect to the USB. These devices include webcam (camera)  150 , infrared (IR) receiver  148 , Bluetooth device  146  which provides for wireless personal area networks (PANs), keyboard and trackpad  144 , and other miscellaneous USB connected devices  142 , such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storage device  145 , modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USB hubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While removable nonvolatile storage device  145  is shown as a USB-connected device, removable nonvolatile storage device  145  could be connected using a different interface, such as a Firewire interface, etc. Removable storage device  145  can also be a hybrid disk drive, such as hybrid disk drive  300  shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . 
     Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device  175  is connected to Southbridge  135  via the PCI or PCI Express bus  172 . LAN device  175  typically implements one of the IEEE 802.11 standards of over-the-air modulation techniques that all use the same protocol to wireless communicate between information handling system  100  and another computer system or device. Optical storage device  190  is connected to Southbridge  135  using Serial ATA (SATA) bus  188 . Serial ATA adapters and devices communicate over a high-speed serial link. The Serial ATA bus is also used to connect Southbridge  135  to other forms of storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audio circuitry  160 , such as a sound card, is connected to Southbridge  135  via bus  158 . Audio circuitry  160  is used to provide functionality such as audio line-in and optical digital audio in port  162 , optical digital output and headphone jack  164 , internal speakers  166 , and internal microphone  168 . Ethernet controller  170  is connected to Southbridge  135  using a bus, such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet controller  170  is used to connect information handling system  100  with a computer network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), the Internet, and other public and private computer networks. 
     While  FIG. 1  shows one information handling system, an information handling system may take many forms. For example, an information handling system may take the form of a desktop, server, portable, laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data processing system. In addition, an information handling system may take other form factors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, ATM machine, a portable telephone device, a communication device or other devices that include a processor and memory. 
     The Trusted Platform Module (TPM  195 ) shown in  FIG. 1  and described herein to provide security functions is but one example of a hardware security module (HSM). Therefore, the TPM described and claimed herein includes any type of HSM including, but not limited to, hardware security devices that conform to the Trusted Computing Groups (TCG) standard, and entitled “Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Specification Version 1.2.” The TPM is a hardware security subsystem that may be incorporated into any number of information handling systems, such as those outlined in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  provides an extension of the information handling system environment shown in  FIG. 1  to illustrate that the methods described herein can be performed on a wide variety of information handling systems which operate in a networked environment. Types of information handling systems range from small handheld devices, such as handheld computer/mobile telephone  210  to large mainframe systems, such as mainframe computer  270 . Examples of handheld computer  210  include personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal entertainment devices, such as MP3 players, portable televisions, and compact disc players. Other examples of information handling systems include pen, or tablet, computer  220 , laptop, or notebook, computer  230 , workstation  240 , personal computer system  250 , and server  260 . Other types of information handling systems that are not individually shown in  FIG. 2  are represented by information handling system  280 . As shown, the various information handling systems can be networked together using computer network  200 . Types of computer network that can be used to interconnect the various information handling systems include Local Area Networks (LANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and any other network topology that can be used to interconnect the information handling systems. Many of the information handling system include nonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or nonvolatile memory. Some of the information handling systems shown in  FIG. 2  are depicted with separate nonvolatile data stores (server  260  is shown with nonvolatile data store  265 , mainframe computer  270  is shown with nonvolatile data store  275 , and information handling system  280  is shown with nonvolatile data store  285 ). The nonvolatile data store can be a component that is external to the various information handling systems or can be internal to one of the information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatile storage device  145  can be shared amongst two or more information handling systems using various techniques, such as connecting the removable nonvolatile storage device  145  to a USB port or other connector of the information handling systems. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a mobile computer system with an integrated display and a wireless keyboard that transmits signals to the mobile computer system. Keyboard unit  300  includes optional clear window  310  and keys area  320 . In one embodiment, clear window  310  can be removed or folded back when it is not needed. Keyboard unit  300  also includes connection points  325  located on the backside of the keyboard unit. In one embodiment, connection points  325  are magnetic and, in a further embodiment, the magnetic connection points are electromagnetic so that the magnetic connection between keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350  can be engaged and disengaged with an electronic signal. In a further embodiment, magnetic connection points  330  are used to connect keyboard unit  300  with slate computing unit  350  when the keyboard (keys area  320 ) are not being used (e.g., to protect keys area  320  and to protect display screen  360  of slate computing unit  360 . In one embodiment, as shown, the keyboard is electrically connected via contacts. In another embodiment, the keyboard is inductively connected, while in another embodiment the keyboard is wirelessly connected. 
     Slate computing unit  350  includes display screen  360 . In one embodiment, computer components (e.g., processor, memory, nonvolatile storage, etc.) are incorporated in slate computing unit  350 , while in another embodiment these computer components are incorporated in keyboard unit  300 . Multiple connection points  375  are also included in slate computing unit  350 . As described above, in one embodiment these connection points are magnetic and in a further embodiment these connection points are electromagnetic in order to affix keyboard unit  300  to slate computing unit  350 . Having an electromagnetic connection enables keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350  to be electromagnetically connected to each other with the connection being engaged or disengaged using an electronic signal that engages/disengages the electromagnets. Multiple connection points are provided so that, when affixed, the keyboard unit can be moved by the user in order to expose more or less of display screen  360  through clear window  310  or area not covered by keyboard with the keyboard unit being on top of the slate computing unit. Visible items  380 , such as text, graphics, icons, etc., are rendered on display screen  360 . 
     Wireless interface  390  is used to transmit signals between keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350 . In this manner, keyboard unit  300  can be completely removed from slate computing unit  350  and still communicate with the slate computing unit using wireless interface  390 , such as a Bluetooth interface. In one embodiment, when keyboard unit  300  is affixed to slate computing unit by having connection points  375  included in the slate computing unit connect to either connection points  325  on the backside of keyboard unit  300 , signals are transmitted from the keyboard unit to the slate computing unit via the connection points so that wireless interface  390  can be turned off. Turning off wireless interface  390  may be needed in some environments, such as during air travel, and can also be used to conserve the battery that powers keyboard unit  300 . 
     When keyboard unit  300  is connected to slate computing unit  350 , power can be transmitted between the units in order to provide power to unit components, such as batteries. For example, when connected, slate computing unit  350  can provide power to keyboard unit  300  in order to charge one or more batteries included in keyboard unit  300  and to power other power-consuming keyboard components, such as a backlight or otherwise provide keyboard illumination. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the keyboard unit being connected to the mobile computer system using a connector, such as a set of magnetic connection points, that position the keyboard unit on top of the mobile computer system. Separate components depiction  410  shows keyboard unit  300  detached from slate computing unit  350 . When placed directly over the slate computing unit, it can be seen that a portion of display screen  360  is visible through clear window  310 . In addition, it can be seen that magnetic connection points  325  are aligned with magnetic connection points  375 . Because there are multiple connection points on both keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  375 , the user can slide keyboard unit up and down (north/south) in order to see more of display screen  360  through clear window  310  (or, if clear window  310  is removed, then more or less of display screen  360  is visible over the keys area depending on where the user positions the keyboard unit). 
     At step  420 , the user attaches keyboard unit  300  to slate computing unit  350  (e.g., by placing keyboard unit on top of slate computing unit  350  so that the connection points (magnetic, electromagnetic, etc.) are aligned and engaged). Attaching keyboard unit  300  to slate computing unit  350  results in attached components depiction  425 . When the units are attached, display  360  included in the slate computing unit is partially visible (visible display area  450 , e.g., the display area visible through clear window  310 ) with keys area  320  blocking part of display screen  360 . Sensors, such as the connection points  325  and  375 , are used to determine how much of display screen  360  is visible. Items  380  rendered on display screen  380  are rendered according to the amount of visible display screen area. In one embodiment (shown in  FIG. 4 ), items are rendered by altering the size of the items displayed on the display screen. In another embodiment, vertical scroll bars are displayed on display screen  360  to allow the user to scroll up and down to view different parts of display screen in order to view areas of display screen that are hidden behind keys area  320 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the keyboard unit being slid in relation to the mobile computer system in order to view more of the display. Depiction  500  shows an embodiment when the keyboard unit is affixed directly on top of slate computing unit  350 . In this embodiment, approximately half of the display screen is visible with items  380  rendered to fit on the smaller visible display area. At step  510 , the user slides the keyboard unit down in order to expose more of display screen  360 , resulting in depiction  550  where most of the display screen is visible and the visible display area being somewhat larger than in depiction  500 . After moving the keyboard unit to display more of the display screen, items  380  are rendered larger than the same items were rendered in depiction  500  because of the larger visible display area. 
       FIG. 6  is diagram showing how multiple magnetic connection points are used to connect the keyboard unit to the mobile computer system in both a stacked situation as well as a keyboard-offset situation.  FIG. 6  shows a stacked components depiction ( 600 ) as well as an offset components depiction ( 650 ), similar to depictions  500  and  550  shown in  FIG. 5 , however the depictions in  FIG. 6  are shown from a side perspective so that the connection points between keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350  are visible. When stacked (depiction  600 ), it can be seen that less of display screen  360  is visible (e.g., through clear window  310 ) than when the components are offset (depiction  650 ), where more of display screen  360  is visible above keys are  320 . 
     When components are in a stacked orientation (depiction  600 ), multiple connection points along the edges of keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350  connect the keyboard unit to the slate computing unit. At step  610 , the user slides keyboard unit  300  in order to view more of display screen  360  and create a larger visible display area. As previously described, various methods can be used to connect the keyboard unit to the slate computing unit. In one embodiment, the connection is magnetic and, in a further embodiment, the connection is electromagnetic so that the connection can be engaged and disengaged using electrical signals. At step  610 , the user slides the keyboard unit so that the units are still connected using a subset of the multiple connection points that were used to connect the units when the stacked orientation was used. In depiction  650 , clear window  310  is shown overlaying part of display screen  360  so that part of display screen  360  is covered by keys area  320  and part of the display screen is uncovered. In one embodiment, clear window  310  can be folded back or removed so that the keys area covers part of the display screen and the rest of the display screen is uncovered. In another embodiment, clear window  310  is resizable so that it can be expanded to cover the visible display area (e.g., clear window  310  can be extended out from keys area either when the user slides the keyboard unit in step  610  or in a separate step where the user manually extends the clear window so that it covers the visible display area. 
     In one embodiment, in both the stacked orientation ( 600 ) as well as the offset orientation ( 650 ), one or more of the multiple connection points are used to transfer power between the units (e.g., having slate computing unit  350  provide power to keyboard unit  300  in order to provide power to various keyboard unit components, such as a wireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.), one or more keyboard batteries, keyboard lights, etc.). In one embodiment, the multiple connection points, or separate sensors, are used to detect the size of the visible display area based on where the keyboard unit is oriented in respect to the slate computing unit. In a further embodiment, this detection is used to automatically resize the visible display area so that items are displayed in the visible display area rather than displayed underneath keys area  320  where they would not be visible to the user. In a further embodiment, the displayed items are rendered to fit into the visible display area by changing the aspect ratio of the visible display area so that items appear smaller when there is less visible display area and the same items appear larger when the visible display area size is increased by the user sliding the keyboard unit to reveal more of the display screen. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing certain components in the keyboard unit and the mobile computer system and how the components are used to interconnect the keyboard with the mobile computer system. In one embodiment, slate computing unit  350  receives power from AC power source  705 , such as a standard electrical outlet. This power (e.g., 110 v AC) is converted to direct current (e.g. 19 v DC) by power adapter  706 . DC power  707  is then supplied to voltage regulator  710  for distribution to various components. Slate computing unit  350  further includes voltage regulator  710  that is used to convert the direct current into the voltages required by the various components. Voltage regulator  710  provides power to slate computing unit batter  720  in order to charge the battery so the slate computing unit can run off of battery power when the A/C power source ( 705 ) is disconnected. Slate computing unit  350  also includes power management and charge circuits  730  that determine where to distribute power. Multiple connection points  375  are used to provide signals to power management and charge circuits to indicate whether keyboard unit  300  is connected to the slate computing unit. In one embodiment, when a connection is detected, power management and charge circuits  730  provide power to multiple connection points  375  located on the edge of the slate computing unit. This power can be used to provide power to the keyboard unit through the connection as well as to engage an electromagnetic connection between the keyboard unit and the slate computing unit. In addition, keyboard or other input can be received from the keyboard unit back to the slate computing unit where it is received and processed by power management and charge circuits  730  (e.g., such as the user pressing a key or button on the keyboard unit to disengage the electromagnetic connection). Power management and charge circuits  730  are also used to provide power to wireless adapter  146 , such as a Bluetooth interface, that is used to communicate with keyboard unit  300  via antenna  740 . In one embodiment, when the keyboard unit is connected to the slate computing unit, keyboard unit signals are transmitted between the units using the multiple connection points ( 325  and  375 ) and power management and charge circuits  730  are used to turn off wireless adapter  146  when it is not being used. However, when keyboard unit  300  is not connected to slate computing unit, then power management and charge circuits  730  are used to provide power to wireless adapter  146  so that the slate computing unit can receive keyboard unit signals transmitted from the keyboard unit via wireless interface  390  that is established between the keyboard unit and the slate computing unit. 
     Keyboard unit  300  includes a number of components used to provide keyboard signals to slate computing unit when the keyboard unit is connected to the slate computing unit as well as when the keyboard unit is not connected to the slate computing unit. When connected, power is received from slate computing unit through one or more of multiple connection points  325 . This power is used to charge keyboard unit battery  750 . Keyboard unit batter  750  is used to power wireless adapter  760  that is used to wirelessly transmit keyboard unit signals through antenna  790  and received by wireless adapter  740  included in the slate computing unit (e.g., by establishing wireless interface  390  between the units). Keyboard matrix  770  and onboard input device(s)  780  are used to generate keyboard unit signals (e.g., keys pressed by the user, mouse or input device movement, etc.). In one embodiment, the wireless interface is only used when the units are not connected Examples of onboard input device(s)  780  include touchpad, trackpoint, or both. In this embodiment, power is not provided by battery  750  to wireless adapter  760  when the units are connected. Instead, when the units are connected, keyboard unit signals are transmitted from keyboard unit  300  to slate computing unit  350  using one or more of multiple connection points ( 325  and  375 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a handheld computer system with integrated keyboard rendering different sized graphics depending on the amount of visible screen space. Handheld device  800  includes display screen unit  805  and keyboard unit  830 . Handheld device  800  is similar to the combined keyboard unit  300  and slate computing unit  350  shown in previous figures (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), however handheld device depicts a smaller form factor, such as that used in a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, etc. Handheld device  800  may include a clear window, such as that shown in previous figures such as  FIG. 4 , or may not have a clear window in order to reduce the form factor in some designs. In one embodiment, display screen unit  805  includes processing components similar to slate computing unit  350  that was shown and described in previous figures (e.g.,  FIG. 3 , etc.). 
     Displayed items  380  appear on display screen  360  depending on the amount of visible display area that appears. At step  820  keyboard unit  830  is attached to display screen unit  805 . In one embodiment, the units are attachable by the user, while in another embodiment, the units are attached during manufacturing process so that the units are not user detachable (e.g., in a mobile telephone application where it is desired to keep the keyboard unit affixed to the screen unit). Attachment of screen unit  805  to keyboard unit  830  results in combined handheld unit  800 . Similar to the screen and keyboard units described in  FIGS. 3-7 , the screen is affixed in a manner so that the keyboard unit can slide up and down to reveal more or less of display screen  360 . In one embodiment, one of the units includes a sleeve (e.g., at the edges of the units) so that the other unit slides up and down in relation to the unit with the sleeve. Sensors are included on one or more of the units in order to determine the size of the visible screen area. This determined size is used to render displayed items  380  so that the displayed items appear on the visible display area rather than being hidden beneath the keyboard unit. 
     In step  850 , the user slides the keyboard unit to reveal more or less of the display screen. Displayed items  380  are rendered to fit on the visible display area. When more of display screen  360  is visible, displayed items  380  are displayed larger than when less of display screen  360  is visible. In this manner, the user can slide the keyboard up and down in order to increase or decrease the visible display area and the display unit adjusts the size of the rendered displayed items  380  in order for the displayed items to fit in the visible display area. In one embodiment, the keyboard unit is not slid over the top of the display screen but is simply inserted over the screen for a two-position implementation (e.g., screen visible or screen hidden). 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing steps taken to render text and graphics on the display depending on the proximity of the keyboard unit to the display. Processing commences at  900  whereupon, at step  905 , the connection of the keyboard unit to the slate computing unit is periodically checked (e.g., every minute, when movement of the keyboard unit in relation to the slate computing unit is detected, etc.). A determination is made as to whether there is currently no connection between the units (decision  910 ), indicating that the keyboard unit is detached. If there is no connection, then decision  910  branches to “yes” branch  912  whereupon, at step  915 , the display is turned ON and, at step  920 , the visible display area is set to the complete display (100%) because the keyboard unit is not blocking the view of any of the display. Processing then loops back to periodically check the connection. 
     Returning to decision  910 , if there is a connection between the keyboard unit and the slate computing unit, then decision  910  branches to “no” branch  922  whereupon a determination is made as to whether the keyboard unit is in a “keys protect mode” where the keyboard unit is connected to the slate computing unit but the keys of the keyboard unit are facing the slate computing unit so that the keys are inaccessible to the user. If the keyboard unit is in a “keys protect mode”, then decision  925  branches to “yes” branch  928  whereupon a determination is made as to whether to turn the display OFF (decision  930 ). If the display is not to be turned OFF (e.g., the visible portion of the screen is used to view status messages, or when the unit is a handheld unit such as a mobile telephone and the visible screen area is used to display incoming call information, etc.), then decision  930  branches to “no” branch  936  leaving the display turned ON and processing loops back to periodically check the connection. On the other hand, if the display should be turned OFF, then decision  930  branches to “yes” branch  932  whereupon, at step  935 , the display unit is turned OFF. Processing then loops back to periodically check the connection at step  905 . 
     Returning to decision  910 , if the keyboard is connected to the slate computing unit (is not detached), then decision  910  branches to “no” branch  922  whereupon a determination is made as to whether the keyboard is in a “keys protect mode” (decision  925 ). The “keys protect mode” is where the keyboard is connected to the slate computing unit but with the keys facing the slate computing unit so that the keys cannot be pressed by the user. The “keys protect mode” would, for example, be used during transport of the slate computing unit where the user does not want keys to be inadvertently pressed (and possibly damaged). If the keyboard is in the “keys protect mode,” then decision  925  branches to “yes” branch  928  whereupon a determination is made as to whether to turn the display off (decision  930 ). In some implementations, such as a mobile telephone or information handling system that receives communications, part of the display may be visible when the keyboard is in the keys protect mode (e.g., the height of the keyboard unit being less than the height of the display screen on the slate computing device). In other implementations, the display screen is not visible or, perhaps, the user does not desire to have the display screen on when the keyboard is in keys protect mode. If the display should be turned off, then decision  930  branches to “yes” branch  932  whereupon, at step  935 , the display screen is turned OFF. On the other hand, if the display screed should remain ON, then decision  930  branches to “no” branch  936  bypassing step  935 . 
     Returning to decision  925 , if the keyboard unit is connected but the keyboard is not in “keys protect mode” (the keys are therefore visible and accessible by the user), then decision  925  branches to “no” branch  938  whereupon, at step  940 , the number of open connection points are identified in order to calculate the percentage of open connection points. The open connection points are those connection points on the slate computing that are not connected to a corresponding connection point on the keyboard unit. These open connection points reveal how much of the display screen is visible. The number of connection points varies by implementation (e.g., a small form-factor device may have ten or fewer connection points, while a larger wide-screen slate device may have many more connection points). At step  950 , the visible display area (height) is determined (or calculated) based on the percentage of open connection points in an embodiment where the connection points are equally spaced. In an embodiment where the connection points are not equally spaced, the connection points that are open are identified and used to determine the size (height) of the visible display area. In an embodiment using a smaller (e.g., handheld) device, a single connection point can be used so that the keyboard is either attached to the display unit or it is removed from the display unit. 
     At step  960 , preferences are read from preferences data store  965 . The preference can be set by the user or set as a default preference. A determination is made, based on the preference or default setting, as to whether to change the vertical aspect ratio of the display screen (decision  970 ). If the aspect ratio if the display screen is to be changed, then decision  970  branches to “yes” branch  975  whereupon, at step  980 , the height of the full display is rendered into the height smaller visible display area by changing the aspect ratio of the display screen based on the percentage of the display screen that is visible. On the other hand, if the vertical aspect ratio of the screen is not being changed, then decision  970  branches to “no” branch  985 , whereupon, at step  990 , the full aspect ratio is maintained in the visible display area window and a vertical scroll bar is added to the visible display area window so that the user can scroll up and down to view all of the items displayed on the displays screen. Processing then loops back to periodically check the connection of the keyboard unit at step  905 . 
     One of the preferred implementations of the invention is a client application, namely, a set of instructions (program code) or other functional descriptive material in a code module that may, for example, be resident in the random access memory of the computer. Until required by the computer, the set of instructions may be stored in another computer memory, for example, in a hard disk drive, or in a removable memory such as an optical disk (for eventual use in a CD ROM) or floppy disk (for eventual use in a floppy disk drive), or downloaded via the Internet or other computer network. Thus, the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product for use in a computer. In addition, although the various methods described are conveniently implemented in a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that such methods may be carried out in hardware, in firmware, or in more specialized apparatus constructed to perform the required method steps. Functional descriptive material is information that imparts functionality to a machine. Functional descriptive material includes, but is not limited to, computer programs, instructions, rules, facts, definitions of computable functions, objects, and data structures. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the same holds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.