Abstract:
Disclosed is a laptop computer including a body and a display articulably connected to the body. The laptop computer includes at least one drive unit capable of moving the display relative to the body.

Description:
TRADEMARKS 
       [0001]    IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of International Business Machines Corporation or other companies. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to laptop computers, and particularly to movement of a laptop computer display. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Background 
         [0005]    Laptop computers commonly include a hinge mechanism which allows for articulation of a laptop display up to 180 degrees from the laptop keypad about a hinge axis to “open” or “close” the laptop. Some laptops include a hinge mechanism which allows for side-to-side rotation of the display about a rotation axis perpendicular in addition to the articulation about the hinge axis. The movement of the display is accomplished manually, usually be grasping a portion of the display and pushing or pulling to rotate the display to the desired position. This requires moving a hand from the laptop keypad to move the display, which may be inconvenient if adjustment is required or desired often due to, for instance, changing ambient light conditions or user viewing position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a laptop computer including a body and a display articulably connected to the body. The laptop computer includes at least one drive unit capable of urging movement of the display relative to the body. A method for moving the display relative to the body is also disclosed. 
         [0007]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
       TECHNICAL EFFECTS 
       [0008]    As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved a solution which accomplishes movement of a laptop computer display to suit a viewer&#39;s position. The movement of the display is accomplished without a user needing to remove the user&#39;s hands from the keypad of the laptop computer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laptop computer; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of the laptop computer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates the laptop computer of  FIG. 1  with a display in rotation about an axis; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates the laptop computer if  FIG. 1  with a display in rotation about a second axis; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an additional view of the laptop computer of  FIG. 1  with a display in rotation about the second axis. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, it will be seen that in  FIG. 1  there is an embodiment of a laptop computer  10 . The laptop computer  10  includes a main body  12  having a keypad  14 , and a display  16 . The main body  12  and the display  16  are connected via a hinge mechanism  18 . The hinge mechanism  18  is configured with a hinge axis  20  which allows for opening and closing of the laptop computer  10  by rotation about the hinge axis  20 . To open the laptop computer  10 , a display face  22  is rotated away from the keypad  14 , and to close the laptop computer  10 , the display face  22  is rotated toward the keypad  14 . 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism  18  includes a rotation axis  24 , which in some embodiments is substantially perpendicular to the hinge axis  20 . When the display  16  is rotated about the rotation axis  24 , the display  16  rotates in a side-to-side manner across the keypad  14 . 
         [0018]    The laptop computer  10  includes one or more activators, for example one or more buttons  26 , to direct movement of the display  16  about the hinge axis  20  and about the rotation axis  24 . The embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes a single button  26  which is disposed at a side face  28  of the main body  12 . It is to be appreciated, however, that other button  26  locations including a front face  30  of the main body and the keypad  14  are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 2 , each button  26  is connected to one or more drive units, for example motors  32  which direct motion of the display  16  based on input received from the one or more buttons  26 . In some embodiments, the motors  32  of  FIG. 1  are powered by a laptop battery  34 , but it is to be appreciated that other power sources are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0019]    To articulate the display  16 , the button  26  is moved thereby signaling the one or more motors  32  to drive the display  16  in an indicated direction. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , moving the button  26  forward from a home position  36  toward the hinge mechanism  18  results in the motors  32  actuating the hinge mechanism  18  to move the display  16  away from the keypad  14  toward an open position by rotation about the hinge axis  20 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , moving the button  26  along the side face  28  away from the hinge mechanism  18  results in the motors  32  actuating the hinge mechanism  18  to move the display  16  toward the keypad  14  toward a closed position by rotation about the hinge axis  20 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the button  26  is moved upward toward the keypad  14 , the motors  32  move the display  16  in a counterclockwise direction  38  about the rotation axis  24  so the display face  22  rotates to a user&#39;s right. Referring to  FIG. 5 , when the button  26  is moved downward away from the keypad  14 , the motors  32  move the display  16  in a clockwise direction  40  about the rotation axis  24  so the display face  22  rotates to the user&#39;s left. The assignment of display  16  movement directions to button  26  movement directions described herein is merely exemplary, other assignments and relationships between button  26  movement and display  16  movement are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Movement of the display  16  continues until the button  26  is released and returns to the home position  36  or until a mechanical or electrical limit on a range of motion of the display  16  is reached. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, a correlation of button  26  movement distance to a movement angle of the display  16  can be modified by the user through a setting on the laptop computer  10 . 
         [0021]    While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.