Patent Publication Number: US-7212399-B2

Title: Processor module packaging for a portable electronic device display

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/874,697, filed Jun. 22, 2004, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/504,165 entitled SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE FEATURES FOR MINI-PC, filed Sep. 18, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD 
   This relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to a portable electronic device, such as a hand-held portable computer, having a processor module packaged with a display of the portable electronic device. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Electronic devices have become indispensable tools for business and personal use. Portable electronic devices, such as “laptop” or “notebook” computers (i.e., portable computers), have become increasingly popular because of their portability, their use as communication terminals providing access to the Internet, and the wide variety of applications that can be operated on them. In the particular case of portable computers, a significant limitation affecting their usefulness is the limited useful life of the batteries that power them. As a consequence, the batteries for these devices must often be recharged. An added limitation is the weight and bulk of portable computers, which often renders them difficult to carry in many instances. 
   Another limitation of conventional portable electronic devices is the inability to use them to quickly review a limited amount of information, such as to look up a phone number or an address. Conventional portable electronic devices, such as portable computers, are structurally designed with a flat panel display positioned in a lid that is mounted to a chassis by a hinge. The lid on such devices must be opened to view the display. Additionally, before a portable computer can be used to access information, it must be turned on and it then must “boot up” by running an initialization sequence and loading an operating system. This entire process can become burdensome for users since it can require considerable time and is a significant limitation. A further limitation is the necessity to open a portable computer to turn it on and to access information. It can be very difficult to perform both functions in certain instances, such as when driving a car or when sitting in the small confines of an aircraft seat. 
   An alternative approach for making portable computers more convenient involves including auxiliary components (e.g., displays, control buttons, etc.) that are accessible when a lid of a computer is closed. An example of this type of portable computer is one that includes a small display on an outer surface of the lid. A subset of the pixels in a larger main display on the inner surface of the lid is mapped to the small display, which can be viewed when the lid of the computer is closed. Although such a computer does allow some information to be viewed on the small display when the lid is closed, these small displays often have limited usefulness because of the inherent limitations of conventional lid designs. 
   Furthermore, conventional design practices avoid placing electronic circuits in the lid which perform functions that are completely unrelated to the operation of the larger main display. Thus, the auxiliary components that are included in the lid are rarely more than simple components with limited functionality supported by electronic circuitry located in the chassis of the portable computer. Another conventional design practice is to minimize the form factor of portable computers, including the overall thickness of a portable computer. To this end, the lids of some smaller conventional portable computers exhibit a tapered profile where the thickness of the lid decreases from the hinged edge attached to the chassis to the opposite edge of the lid to reduce or eliminate unused space in the lid behind the larger main display. Other conventional lid designs exhibiting a relatively constant thickness are designed to accommodate multiple light sources that can be used as a backlight for the larger main display rather than for the accommodation of additional electronic circuits that are unrelated to the operation of the larger main display. 
   In addition to these design practices, certain technical constraints further limit the extent to which additional electronic circuitry can be added that can provide the functionality required to implement auxiliary components used in the lids of portable computers. Among these constraints are a limited ability to provide a sufficient number of electrical connections through a small moving hinge, and a limited ability to manage effectively the magnitude and extent of electromagnetic interference between the electrical signals generated by the larger main display of a portable computer and the electrical signals used by radio-frequency (“RF”) circuits. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an alternative approach for packaging the main displays of portable electronic devices that would permit the integration of auxiliary components with these displays to enhance the functionality provided by these types of devices. 
   SUMMARY 
   One preferred aspect provides a processor module packaged with a display for a portable electronic device. In one aspect, a lid for a portable electronic device is pivotally attached to a chassis and has a first interior region in which a panel display is located. A second interior region of the lid is located adjacent a rear surface of the panel display in which a display driver circuit is located. The lid further includes a third interior region in which a digital processing circuit and a user interface device coupled to the digital processing circuit are located. The user interface is accessible from a rear surface of the lid and the third interior region of the lid is located adjacent the rear surface of the panel display and adjoining the second interior region. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a portable electronic device having a lid in an open position in which embodiments can be utilized. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the surface of the lid of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a rear panel of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  having a processor module packaged in the lid according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the rear panel of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  having the processor module removed from the lid. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a display according to an embodiment that can be used in the lid of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a profile view of the display of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a processor module package according to an embodiment that can be packaged in the lid of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the processor module package of  FIG. 7  with a cover portion shown in outline. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view of a portion of a processor module package according to an embodiment that can be packaged in the lid of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the underside of the processor module package shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 11  is a profile view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1  having a processor module packaged in the lid according to an embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A portable electronic device  10  according to one embodiment is shown in  FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the portable electronic device  10  has a “clam shell” structure formed by a lid  12  pivotally mounted to a chassis  14  at one edge  16 . A keyboard  20  covers substantially the entire inner surface of the chassis  14  except for an area occupied by a touchpad  22  pointing device. A main display  24  is framed by a front cover  108  of the lid  12  and is visible when the lid  12  is in an open position. The portable electronic device  10  is turned on by pressing an appropriate key on the keyboard  20 , and the keyboard  20  is used to enter alphanumeric data. The portable electronic device  10  includes an internal battery (not shown) as well as in internal AC powered battery charger (not shown) to provide power. Although the portable electronic device  10  may be substantially the size of a conventional notebook computer, i.e., on the order of 250 mm by 300 mm in plan form, it is preferably only slightly larger than a conventional PDA, i.e., on the order of 100 mm by 150 mm with a thickness of about 25 mm. 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the lid  12  includes a processor module  100  that includes an auxiliary touch-screen display  30  and a membrane keypad  34 . Shown on the display  30  are the current date and time  32 , status icons  36 , including status indicators showing the number of new e-mail messages, the charge status of an internal battery, and the signal strength for an internal cell phone application. The touch-screen display  30  also includes an icon  40  for accessing the “Inbox” of an e-mail application, an icon  42  for accessing a contacts application, an icon  44  for accessing an appointment calendar application, an icon  46  for accessing an audio player application, an icon  48  for accessing an voice memo application, an icon  50  for accessing a modem, an application  52  for locking the system, and an icon  54  for turning off wireless functionality when flying in an airplane. The functions represented by each of these icons  40 – 54  can be selected by pressing the icon on the touch-screen display  30 . The particular icon  40 – 54  that is selected is shown in the display  30  at  56 . 
   The keypad  34  includes directional keys  60   a–d  that perform different functions depending on which application is being accessed. The directional keys  60   a–d  are used to move a cursor up, to the right, down, and to the left, respectively, when alphanumeric text is shown in the touch-screen display  30 . When the audio player application is active, the directional keys  60   a,c  are used to increase or decrease the volume, respectively, and the directional keys  60   b,d  are used for respectively moving forwardly or a rearwardly in an audio selection. The directional keys  60   a–d  surround an Enter key  62  that is used in a conventional manner. The keypad  34  also includes a menu key  66  that causes menu items to be shown in the touch-screen display  30 , a home key  68  that causes the display  30  to show the icons  40 – 54  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an “Esc” or cancel key  70  that is used to cancel a current selection, and an Enter key  72  that essentially performs the same function as the Enter key  62 . Where an internal cell phone application is available, the keys  70  and  72  act as “end call” and “call” buttons, respectively. Also included with the keypad  34  are three audio control keys that are used when the audio playback application is active. These audio control keys are a key  80  for selecting a previous track, a play/pause key  82 , and a next track key  84 , which are used in a conventional manner. 
   In one embodiment, the portable electronic device  10  includes a side wheel  86  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) mounted on the side of the portable electronic device  10  that can be rotated in either direction by manipulating the wheel  86  with a thumb, or pressed inwards (along the axis of rotation) to generate a key click (generally used as enter or select). Additionally, the side wheel  86  can be used for navigating and selecting items on the touch-screen display  30 . For example, the side wheel  86  allows a user to scroll through menu items shown on the touch-screen display  30  when either the menu key  66  or an application running on the portable electronic device  10  displays a menu. The side wheel  86  can also be used for other functions that are supported by the processor module  100 , such as a “zoom” control in certain applications to change the scale at which an item is shown on the touch-screen display  30  or on the main display  24 . Finally, the side wheel  86  may be used to configure the portable electronic device  10 , such to adjust the contrast of the main display  24  and the touch-screen display  30 , to toggle the touch-screen display  30  on and off, to control the volume of internal speakers, etc. As also shown in  FIG. 2 , the computer system also includes a video camera lens  88  that allows video frames to be saved as a video file, and may be used with a Webcam application. Other embodiments of the portable electronic device  10  may have a physical structure and user interface that are different than those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . For example, other user interface devices may be substituted for the keyboard  20 , main display  24 , side wheel  86  and other components of the portable electronic device  10 . Similarly, other user interface devices may be substituted for the keypad  34  and auxiliary display  30  in the processor module  100 . 
   The processor module  100  may be used to provide access to the applications corresponding to the icons  40 – 54  when the lid  12  is closed and the portable electronic device  10  is turned off or is in a lower-power state. As explained in greater detail below, the applications corresponding to the icons  40 – 54  are executed by a low power processor that consumes relatively little power. Therefore, the processor module  100  can be used to perform key tasks like checking e-mails, viewing contact and calendar information, and recording voice memos when the portable electronic device  10  is in a low power mode. When the portable electronic device  10  is turned on, a high power processor is used to provide all of the functionality of the portable electronic device  10 , and it consumes a substantial amount of power at that time. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , the portable electronic device  10  includes various communication ports on the rear portion of the chassis  14 , including a conventional mini-universal serial bus (“USB”) port  92 , a conventional DC power input jack, and a docking connector  94 . The docking connector  94  can be used to connect to a base unit (not shown) that can have additional communication ports to provide greater connectivity with the portable electronic device  10 , as well as provide additional or alternative features to the portable electronic device  10  when connected to the base unit. The various communication ports can be used to provide communication between an external device and the portable electronic device  10 . Many such peripheral devices are well known, for example, printers, digital cameras, scanners, external disk drives, and the like. Alternative embodiments of the portable electronic device  10  can provide additional or alternative communication ports to the ones illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, an Ethernet port, a modem port, or the like can be included in the portable electronic device  10  as well. The rear portion of the portable electronic device  10  further includes an antenna  98  for wireless communication. The portable electronic device  10  can be equipped with a wireless communication capability using IEEE 802.11 (“Wi-Fi”), Bluetooth, or other wireless communication protocols. The antenna  98  can be utilized for transmission as well as reception of wireless signals. 
   A more detailed description of a computer system similar to the computer system is provided in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/871,871, entitled PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING HIGH AND LOW POWER PROCESSORS OPERABLE IN A LOW POWER MODE filed on Jun. 17, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIG. 3  further illustrates an embodiment of a processor module  100  that is integrated with the lid  12  of the portable electronic device  10 . A seam  102  is shown in  FIG. 3  at which a cover  104  for the processor module  100  meets a rear cover  106  of the lid  12 . The cover  104  and the rear cover  106 , along with the front cover  108  provide a housing in which the main display  24  and processor module  100  can be enclosed. As will be explained in more detail below, the main display  24  includes various components housed in the lid  12 , such as a panel display and display driver circuits. With reference to  FIG. 4 , the portable electronic device  10  is shown with the processor module  100  and cover  104  removed, exposing a rear surface  110  of a panel display  109 , a portion of a printed circuit board  114  on which conventional display driver circuits are mounted, and a portion of a frame  112  to which the panel display  109  and the display driver circuits  114  are attached. The term “PCB” will be used herein interchangeably with “printed circuit board.” As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rear cover  106  covers a portion of the PCB  114  on which the display driver circuits are mounted. The display driver circuits  114  are electrically coupled to processing circuitry located in the chassis  14  and further coupled to the panel display  109  to generate appropriate signals and to drive the panel display  109  to display computer graphics images. The display driver circuits  114  and the processor module  100  are coupled to obtain power from the internal battery or from an external DC power source through the internal power circuitry in the chassis  14 . Coupling to circuitry in the chassis  14  can be made through a flexible printed circuit (“FPC”) or cable connection through a hinge attaching the lid  12  to the chassis  14 . 
   Some details of the main display  24  will be referenced generally in  FIG. 4 , and in other cases, have been omitted from various embodiments. For example, in an embodiment utilizing a panel display requiring a light source (not shown), a light guide for directing light from the light source can be referred to generally as being part of the rear surface  110  of the panel display  109 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the main display  24 . The main display  24  includes a panel display  109  having a front surface  111  and a rear surface  110 . In various embodiments, the main display  24  can use conventional panel display technologies, such as, for example, liquid crystal display (“LCD”), thin film transistor (“TFT”), plasma display, light emitting diode (“LED”), organic light emitting diode (“OLED”), field emission display (“FED”). In the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 5 , the main display  24  employs TFT LCD technology. However, other panel display technologies can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The panel display  109  is mounted to a frame  112  constructed of material for providing support and rigidity for the panel display  109 . As previously discussed with respect to  FIG. 4 , the main display  24  further includes display driver circuits that are mounted on a PCB  114  and are electrically coupled to the panel display  109  to generate signals for driving the panel display  109 . Electric shielding is included in the main display  24  to minimize RF emissions. Conventional manufacturing techniques can be utilized in constructing the main display  24 . The main display  24  is designed with the PCB mounted to a first end of the frame  112 . The PCB extends a portion of the way across the rear surface  110  of the panel display  109 , leaving the opposite end of the frame  112  with an unoccupied region  116  adjacent the rear surface  110  of the panel display  109 . The frame  112  is designed to maintain the structural integrity of the main display  24  despite having the unoccupied region  116  behind the panel display  109 . 
   As will be discussed in more detail below, the unoccupied region  116  can be utilized for including the processor module  100  in the lid  12 . Contrary to conventional designs, a processor module is packaged in the lid/display housing by utilizing the unoccupied region  116  adjacent a rear surface of a panel display. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a profile view of the main display  24  shown in  FIG. 5 . Reference numbers previously used with respect to  FIG. 5  have also been used in  FIG. 6  where appropriate.  FIG. 6  illustrates a light source  122  and a light guide  120  for efficiently converting the light from the light source  122  into a uniform back-light for the panel display  109 . In one embodiment, the light source  122  is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (“CCFL”). However, in other embodiments, alternative light sources can be employed as well without departing from the scope of the present invention. The light guide  120  tapers from the end having the light source to a distal end, providing a generally triangular profile. The light guide  120  can be made from materials having physical and structural properties that provide a uniform back-light for the panel display  109 . By using a highly efficient light guide  120 , a light source located proximate to the end at which the display driver circuits mounted on the PCB  114  are located can be used to provide a back-light for the entire panel display  109 . 
   A flexible tab connection  126  electrically couples the display driver circuits to the panel display  109 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the profile of the main display  24  generally tapers from a first end  130  where the display driver circuits on the PCB  114  are adjacent the rear surface  110  of the panel display  109  to an opposite end  132 . The positioning of the display driver circuits at the first end and the generally triangular profile of the light guide  120  facilitates the creation of the unoccupied region  116  behind the panel display  109  and on the opposite end of the light source  122  and the display driver circuits. In the embodiment shown with reference to  FIG. 4 , the first end is located toward the edge  16  of the lid  12 , which is pivotally attached to the chassis  14 . 
     FIG. 7  illustrates the processor module  100  ( FIG. 3 ) and the cover  104  detached from the rear cover  106  and the front cover  108  of the lid  12 . The auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  are exposed through an opening in the cover  104 . As previously discussed, the auxiliary display  30  can be used to provide visual information to a user when the lid  12  is in a closed position. The visual information can take the form of graphical icons corresponding to various computer applications, as well as textual information. The keypad  34  can be used by the user to enter information and interact with the processor module  100 . 
   Although referenced as separate elements, the processor module  100  and cover  104  can also be referred to collectively as the processor module  100 . Additionally, the processor module  100  has been previously described as being a component of the lid  12 , that is, the processor module  100  is included with the lid  12 , forming an integral housing. However, in alternative embodiments, the processor module  100  can be detached from the lid  12  to provide a removable processor module. In such embodiments, the unoccupied region  116  behind the panel display  109  and opposite of the display driver circuits on the PCB  114  is utilized by the removable processor module. The removable processor module can be detached and replaced with another processor module having different functionality than the one removed. Alternatively, a removable processor module can have stand-alone functionality, as well as system functionality when attached to the lid  12 . A more detailed description for a removable processing module is provided in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/871,872, entitled REMOVABLE MODULE FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING STAND-ALONE AND SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY filed on Jun. 17, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the removable processor module can be replaced with a modules that provide the portable electronic device  10  with features such as expanded random access memory, expanded hard disk drive, communication using different wireless communication protocols, and the like. Thus, it will be appreciated that the term “processor module” as used herein includes both modules having any processing capability as well as those not having any processing capability. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the positioning of the processor module  100  relative to the cover  104 , which is shown in outline. The processor module  100  is offset to one edge of the cover  104 . The auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  are mounted on a PCB  134 . A secure digital connector  138  is mounted on the PCB  134 , but is not exposed through the cover  104  in the way the auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  are exposed. The processor module  100  is coupled to electronic circuitry located in the chassis  14  through a FPC or cable that is brought through a hinge at the edge  16 . The electrical connections can be included in the same FPC or cable alongside those necessary for coupling the display driving circuits to electronic circuitry in the chassis  14 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates the interrelationship of the auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  relative to the PCB  134 . Electric shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference from the panel display  109  to the RF circuitry has been omitted from  FIG. 9  to avoid obscuring the relative positioning of the auxiliary display  30 , the keypad  34 , and the PCB  134 . The auxiliary display  30  is mounted to the PCB  134  using an auxiliary display gasket  136 . The stacked design of the processor module  100  provides a compact construction that can take advantage of the unoccupied region  116  located behind the panel display  109  and adjacent the display driver circuits. 
   Electronic components  142  and a cutout  140  for auxiliary display components are located beneath the keypad  34  and the auxiliary display  30 , respectively. An illustrative placement of the electronic components  142  is shown in  FIG. 9 . However, other placements of electronic components can be used in other embodiments. The electronic components  142  are illustrated in  FIG. 9  for the purpose of providing an example of the placement of such components. The specific embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The electronic components  142  typically include electronic devices for supporting the auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34 . Additionally, the electronic components  142  include a digital processing unit  150  and memory devices  152 . The digital processing unit  150  can execute software applications in the form of software instructions stored in the memory devices  152 . The various devices of the electronic components  142  are conventional, and the specific devices included will depend on the desired functionality of the processor module  100 . Selection of the specific devices, and implementation of the desired functionality is well within the understanding of those ordinarily skilled in the art. 
   The various components of the processor module  100  can be coupled to one another within the confines of the lid  12 . Although, as previously discussed, the processor module  100  is coupled to electronic circuitry located in the chassis  14 , the coupling between, for example, the digital processing unit  150  and the electronic devices for supporting the auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  does not require coupling of the user interface devices with electronic circuitry in the chassis  14  for operation. That is, with the hardware for supporting processing and operation of the auxiliary display  30  and the keypad  34  coupled to the digital processing unit  150 , only connections between the digital processing  150  and electronic circuitry in the chassis  14  would be needed for their operation. Thus, the additional functionality provided by the processor module  100  does not need to come at the expense of significantly increasing the number of electrical connections that must be brought through a hinge at the edge  16  from the lid  12  to the chassis  14 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates the processor module  100  positioned in a recess formed on the inside of the cover  104 . The thickness of the processor module  100  is such that it can utilize the unoccupied region  116  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) adjacent the rear surface  110  when attached to the lid  12  of the portable electronic device  10 . As previously discussed, in one embodiment, the unoccupied region  116  is provided in part by the positioning of the display driver circuits on the PCB  114  at the first end  130  ( FIG. 6 ) and the generally triangular profile of the light guide  120  that tapers from the first end  130  to the region occupied by the processor module  100  when attached to the lid  12 .  FIG. 11  illustrates how the tapered or generally triangular profile of the main display  24  enables a processor module  100  to be included in the lid  12  without impairing the appearance or the small streamlined shape of the portable electronic device  10 . The thickness of the lid  12  remains substantially uniform from the hinged edge  16  to the opposite edge of the lid  12 . 
   One skilled in the relevant art may recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without one or more specific details, or with other methods, resources, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, resources, or operations have not been shown or described in detail merely to avoid obscuring important aspects of the embodiments. 
   While example embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise configuration and resources described above. For example, the display driver circuits have been previously described as being located in a display housing behind a panel display. However, in alternative embodiments, the display driver circuits are located in the chassis to which the display housing is attached, thereby providing additional space for a processor module. Accordingly, various modifications, changes and variations apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.