Abstract:
A notebook computer with a tilting keyboard, which opens a vent when tilted, solves multiple problems and may further materially contribute to countering terrorism. A tilted position of the keyboard allows the vent to open when the notebook lid is open, thereby providing extra cooling capacity during periods of computer use when there is a lessened need for compactness. The vent is it least partially closed when the keyboard is in the stowed position and the lid is closed, thereby reducing the possibility of debris ingestion when air flow needs are reduced and the need for compactness is increased. A security inspection position of the keyboard enables inspection of the inside of the computer, for example as part of a security checkpoint procedure. A negative tilt can reduce wrist strain and repetitive motion injuries for some users. Some embodiments tilt the keyboard automatically in response to the lid opening, and stow the keyboard automatically in response to the lid being closed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates generally to electrical systems and devices comprising housing or mounting arrangements with keyboards, and more specifically to electrical systems and devices wherein at least one electronic device has key input means combined with housing or mounting arrangements. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Computer keyboard usage is well-known to be a cause of repetitive strain injury, and notebook computers are notorious for inferior ergonomic design, due to attempts to reduce size and weight. Some patents attempt to address these issues, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,615 to Sellers (“Sellers”); U.S. Pat. No. 5,764,474 to Youens (“Youens”); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,931 to Chen (“Chen”), which disclose tilting keyboards and are incorporated by reference as teachings of prior art. Unfortunately, the paradigm for these solutions is modeled after desktop keyboards, which tilt in a positive direction, i.e., the portion of the keyboard furthest from the user is higher than the portion of the keyboard closest to the user. This arrangement requires the user to bend his or her wrists backward, which fatigues muscles in the top of the forearm and hand, leading to discomfort, and sometimes, injury. This harmful design is a legacy of mechanical typewriters, and is perpetuated primarily by user familiarity. 
     Another issue with notebook computers is their propensity to overheat, and in some situations, actually ignite fires. This results primarily from space-saving measures by manufacturers attempting to produce compact devices. Unfortunately, such designs place heat generating components in confined spaces, without adequate airflow. Vents are typically small, restricting the flow rate. Larger vents, which could ease overheating problems, are typically not used, due to their vulnerability to moisture and debris, and their demands on valuable surface area. These problems are severe enough to create a need for aftermarket cooling accessories, such as the notebook computer cooling rack disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,971 to Yu et al. (“Yu”), which is incorporated by reference as a teaching of prior art. However, these external cooling devices must be carried and powered, placing additional burdens on the user when the notebook computer is used in a mobile fashion, such as when riding on an airplane, a train, or a motorcycle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A tilting keyboard for a notebook computer, which opens an air duct aperture when tilted, simultaneously solves multiple problems with current notebook computer design. Embodiments with a negative tilt can reduce wrist strain. A tilted orientation of the keyboard provides an opening for heated exhaust air and/or cool intake air. Movement of the keyboard allows the air duct aperture to be open to the when the display is in an open position, thereby providing extra cooling capacity during periods of computer operation, but then at least partially closes the air duct aperture when the display is moved to the closed position, thereby reducing the possibility of moisture and debris ingestion when air flow needs are reduced. Some embodiments tilt the keyboard automatically in response to the lid opening, and stow the keyboard automatically in response to the lid being closed. 
     A primary consideration for notebook computers is compactness. However, this concern is more pronounced during periods of transport in a bag than during periods of use. Another primary consideration for notebook computers is adequate airflow capacity for cooling. However, this concern is more pronounced during periods of use than during periods of transport in a bag. Thus, the most acute needs for compactness and airflow capacity are generally not coincident in time. When the need for one is greater, the need for the other is reduced. Therefore, embodiments of the invention alternate trade-offs between compactness and airflow capacity. Embodiments allow for compactness with reduced airflow capacity in a first configuration of the notebook computer and a reduction in compactness with an increase in airflow capacity in a second configuration. 
     Another consideration for notebook computers is their potential security implications, since they are heavy enough and enclose enough volume to carry weapons, explosives, wireless communication devices, and portable electric power. A security inspection position of the keyboard, for example a hyper-extended tilt, enables inspection of the inside of the notebook computer for dangerous materials, for example as part of a security checkpoint procedure at an airport. Therefore, embodiments of the invention will materially contribute to countering terrorism. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages in order that the description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described which form the subject of the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a notebook computer comprising a tilting keyboard; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another side view of an embodiment of a notebook computer comprising a tilting keyboard; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another side view of an embodiment of a notebook computer comprising a tilting keyboard; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another side view of an embodiment of a notebook computer comprising a tilting keyboard; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a frontal view of an embodiment of a notebook computer comprising a tilting keyboard; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates actuating members for a tilting keyboard. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a notebook computer  100  comprising a tilting keyboard structure  106 . Notebook computer  100  comprises a base  101  and a lid  102 , which comprises a display  103 . Lid  102  is illustrated in open position  104  using dashed lines and in closed position  105  using solid lines. Lid  102  may be positioned in either manner. Closed position  105  is illustrated as lid  102  lying adjacent to base  101 , and in some embodiments, lid  102  may be latched to prevent accidental opening. Open position  104  is illustrated as a range of possible angles for lid, in excess of some minimum angle, and in some embodiments, lid  102  may form an obtuse angle with base  101  when in open position  104 . Lid  102  is pivotably attached to base  101  through a hinge  110 , although it should be understood that other attaching members may be used. 
     Notebook computer  100  further comprises a keyboard structure  106  attached to base  101 . Keyboard structure  106  may comprise a QWERTY keyboard and any supporting structure necessary to provide a sufficiently solid support for typing. As illustrated, keyboard structure  106  is pivotably attached to base  101  through a hinge  109 , although it should be understood that other attaching members may be used. Keyboard structure  106  is configured to be positioned in a stowed position  111  as illustrated, and also a tilted position, illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the tilted position results in a positive tilt relative to base  101 , similar to a typewriter keyboard. In some embodiments, the tilted position results in a negative tilt relative to base  101 , so that a user&#39;s hands are angled downward when using the keyboard structure  106 . In some embodiments, keyboard structure  106  has multiple tilt angles, based on a user&#39;s preferred tilt configuration. In some embodiments, keyboard structure  106  may be positioned into both a positive tilt position and a negative tilt position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, keyboard structure  106  is in the stowed position  111  to enable lid  102  to close. In order for keyboard structure  106  to move to a tilted position, lid  102  is moved to the open position, thereby providing clearance for keyboard structure  106  to tilt. A cooling fan  107  is disposed to create an airflow directed to cool base  101 , including computing components with base  101 . An air duct  108  is configured to direct the airflow and is illustrated as within keyboard structure  106  so that it pivots along with keyboard structure  106 . In some embodiments, air duct  108  is positioned differently, such as adjacent to keyboard structure  106 . Air duct  108  may comprise an intake duct for cool air and/or an exhaust duct for heated air. Screened vents  112  in base  101  provide for additional airflow, for example intake air if air duct  108  is an exhaust duct, and exhaust air, if air duct  108  is an intake duct. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another side view of notebook computer  100 , with lid  102  in open position  104  and keyboard structure  106  in negatively tilted position  212 . With keyboard structure thus positioned, an aperture  213  is opened to permit a higher rate of airflow through duct  108 , forced by fan  107 , than when keyboard structure  106  is in stowed position  111 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Moving keyboard structure  106  to stowed position  111  will at least partially close off aperture  213 , thereby reducing the airflow capacity of duct  108  and permitting a lesser rate of the airflow than when the keyboard structure is in tilted position  212 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Moving keyboard structure  106  to tilted position  212  from stowed position  111  will increase the airflow capacity of duct  108 . As illustrated, keyboard structure  106  is disposed between aperture  213  and lid  102 . Aperture  213  may be either an inlet port or an exhaust port. Duct  108  is coupled to fan  107  via aperture  214 , so that an airflow  215 , driven by fan  107  is directed through base  101  and forced through aperture  214  into duct  108 , and out of aperture  213 . Although in the illustrated embodiment, screened vents  112  act as intake ports, and aperture  213  acts as an exhaust port, the direction of airflow  215  may be different in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a notebook computer  300  comprising a base  301 , with lid  102  in open position  104  and a keyboard structure  306  in a positively tilted position  312 . With keyboard structure thus positioned, an aperture  313  is opened to permit a higher rate of airflow through an air duct  308 , forced by fan  307 , than when keyboard structure  306  is in a stowed position, similar to stowed position  111  for keyboard structure  106 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Moving keyboard structure  306  to a stowed position will at least partially close off aperture  313 , thereby reducing the airflow capacity of duct  308  and permitting a lesser rate of the airflow than when the keyboard structure is in tilted position  312 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, aperture  313  is disposed closer to lid  102  than is keyboard structure  306 , and duct  308  is adjacent to keyboard structure  306 . Aperture  313  may be either an inlet port or an exhaust port. Aperture  314  couples fan  107  to duct  308 . In some embodiments, the aperture coupling a fan to a duct may be shrouded, in order to more tightly constrain the directed airflow. Fan  107  may be an axial fan, a squirrel cage fan, or another type of air movement system. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a notebook computer  400  with tilting keyboard structure  106  in a security inspection position  412 . Security inspection position  412  permits a security inspector  414 , for example an inspector at an airport security checkpoint, to exam the interior of a base  401  of notebook computer  400  through an inspection aperture  413 . In some embodiments, security inspection position  412  is a hyper-extended tilt in comparison to tilted position  212 . In comparing the illustrated embodiments in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , security inspection position  412  enables easy viewing of the inside of base  401 , whereas tilted position  212  is more aligned with a comfortable typing position. In some embodiments aperture  413  provides an access opening for swipe pads, which can test for chemical residues in the interior of notebook computer  400 . It should be understood that a security inspection position and/or an inspection aperture can also be used with keyboard structures that tilt in the opposite direction, such as versions of notebook computer  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     By permitting an inspection of the interior of base  401 , it is easier for security inspector  414  to ascertain that notebook computer  400  does not contain any materials associated with terrorist activities, such as explosives or other weapons. Therefore, embodiments of the invention will materially contribute to countering terrorism. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a frontal view of a notebook computer  500  with a tilting keyboard structure  506  in tilted position  212 . A dual channel air duct  508  comprises two air ducts: an exhaust duct  514  and an intake duct  515 . The frontal view exposes the apertures at the open ends of ducts  514  and  515 , which comprise an exhaust port and an inlet port, respectively. A louvered debris screen  516  covers at least a portion of the opening of exhaust duct  514 , and is configured to change a direction of airflow, for example by directing it at an angle toward the side of notebook computer  500 , so that a warm breeze is not aimed directly at the computer user. An air filter  517 , disposed within the path of the cooling intake airflow, protects intake duct  515  from ingesting dust, moisture and other debris that might otherwise accumulate inside base  101 . In some embodiments, air filter  517  is removable for cleaning and/or replacement. In some embodiments, air filter  517  is electrostatic. In some embodiments, the angle of air deflection of louvered debris screen  516  is changeable. In operation, a fan pulls air through filter  517 , into intake duct  515 , forces it through base  501  to provide cooling, then pushes it through duct  514  and out through debris screen  516 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates some exemplary actuating members for a tilting keyboard structure, although it should be understood that a tilting keyboard structure can be implemented with other actuating members in addition to or instead of those illustrated. A curved track  601  is formed in a base (not illustrated here) of a notebook computer, on each side of a tilting keyboard structure (not illustrated here). An alignment member  602  protrudes from each side of the keyboard structure to engage the curved track. As illustrated, if viewed from the right-hand side of a notebook computer base, curved track  601  and alignment member  602  enable a keyboard structure to tilt negatively for typing, and also to tilt to a security inspection position. When alignment member  602  is in right portion of curved track  601 , the keyboard structure will be in the stowed position. As alignment member  602  moves leftward, within curved track  601 , the keyboard structure will tilt with the left-most side, as viewed from the perspective of  FIG. 6 , rising. When alignment member  602  reaches the left portion of curved track  601 , the keyboard structure will be in the most tilted configuration, which is the security inspection position. 
     Three tilt alignment holes  603 ,  604  and  604  are illustrated, which provide for a plurality of possible tilted typing positions. It should be understood that a lesser or greater quantity may be used. A tilt lock pin  606 , for example a spring-loaded pin, is disposed in alignment member  602 , and engages one of alignment holes  603 ,  604  and  604  as alignment member  602  moves leftward. When lock pin  606  engages one of alignment holes  603 ,  604  and  604 , alignment member  602  will be locked into position, thus fixing the tilt angle of the keyboard structure. A pin plunger  607  is shaped and positioned above alignment holes,  603 ,  604  and  604 , so that depressing pin plunger  607  will release lock pin  606  from whichever one of alignment holes  603 ,  604  and  604  it had engaged. Releasing lock pin  606  enables alignment member  602  to continue traversing curved track  601  to the stowed position, the security inspection position, or another tilted typing position. In this manner, the keyboard may be locked at an adjustable angle. 
     When a lid  608  is opened, a toothed section  609  turns a gear  610 , which then turns a geared spool  611 , thus slackening a stowing cable  612 . Since stowing cable  612  is attached to alignment member  602 , this motion enables alignment member  602  to move leftward along curved track  601 . When lid  608  is moved from an open position to the illustrated closed position, toothed section  609  again turns gear  610 , which then turns geared spool  611 , reeling in stowing cable  612 . This motion pulls alignment member  602  rightward along curved track  601  to the stowed position. Any of toothed section  609 , gear  610 , geared spool  611 , and stowing cable  612  may be considered to be a stowing member. 
     When stowing cable  612  slackens, a biasing member  613 , for example a spiral coil spring, pulls a tilting cable  614 , which is attached to alignment member  602 . This motion pulls alignment member  602  leftward along curved track  601 . In this manner, biasing member  613  biases the keyboard structure to a tilted position when lid  608  is moved from the closed position into the open position. It should be understood that alternative biasing members and arrangements may be used. 
     A method of cooling a notebook computer comprises: opening a lid of the notebook computer attached to the notebook base; tilting a keyboard structure relative to the base, thereby increasing an airflow capacity of a cooling duct; and forcing airflow through the duct, which is directed to cool at least some of the components within the base. The method may further comprise filtering the airflow, blocking debris from entering the duct, and/or changing a direction of the airflow with at least one louver acting as a baffle. Tilting the keyboard structure may comprise negatively tilting the keyboard structure relative to the base. 
     Although the invention and its advantages have been described above, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, alternatives presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such alternatives.