Patent Publication Number: US-11656654-B2

Title: Portable information handling system user interface selection based on keyboard configuration

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/251,279, filed Jan. 18, 2019, entitled “Portable Information Handling System User Interface Selection Based on Keyboard Configuration,” naming Jung Hwan Hong and Deeder M. Aurongzeb as inventors, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/251,298, filed Jan. 18, 2019, entitled “Information Handling System See Do User Interface Management” by inventors, Jung Hwan Hong and Deeder Aurongzeb, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/251,311, filed Jan. 18, 2019, entitled “Portable Information Handling System to All-In-One Transformation” by inventors Jung Hwan Hong and Deeder Aurongzeb, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/251,331, filed Jan. 18, 2019, entitled “Asymmetric Information Handling System User Interface Management” by inventors Jung Hwan Hong and Deeder Aurongzeb, describes exemplary methods and systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates in general to the field of portable information handling systems, and more particularly to a portable information handling system user interface selection based on keyboard configuration. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     Portable information handling systems process information with components disposed in one or more housings. A tablet information handling system generally has a planar housing that contains processing components disposed under a flat panel display. Convertible information handling systems generally have two rotationally-coupled housing portions with one housing portion containing a display and the other containing the processing components covered by a keyboard. The keyboard offers an end user with a convenient input device to type inputs to applications through user interfaces. Generally, convertible information handling systems rotate to a clamshell position to expose the display in an elevated position above the keyboard so that an end user can type inputs to the keyboard while viewing the display. Some convertible information handling systems support 360 degrees of rotation of the display so that a touchscreen of the display can act as a tablet with the keyboard hidden below the system bottom surface. 
     Over time, portable information handling systems have evolved to have thin housing structures with reduced weight. Generally an end user selects a system with a width and length sufficient to contain a display of desired size. Reduced system height effectively became the only way to reduce system size for a give display size. Another way to diminish system size is to replace the keyboard at the upper surface of the base housing with a display. Having a display in the system base still allows typed inputs by presenting a virtual keyboard at the display that accepts typed inputs through a touchscreen. 
     Placing a display over both rotationally coupled housing portions increases the display area in flat rotational orientation, however, typed inputs at a display touchscreen tend to be less efficient as no physical feedback is provided to an end user. One option is to place the keyboard in a different location for access when typing is needed and out of the way when a display area is needed. Hiding a keyboard tends to confuse end users since the display portions may each act as a display area or virtual keyboard presentation. An end user faces increased complexity when rotating housing portions to different configurations due to the different types of user interfaces that may be used at an information handling system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which adapts user interfaces across multiple display surfaces of multiple display portions based on user intent derived from sensed content. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for presenting content at user interfaces. A user interface manager executing on an information handling system applies sensed context to adapt user interfaces presented at different housing portions having different display portions to interact with an end user based on end user intent. 
     More specifically, a portable information handling system processes information with components disposed in housing portions that are rotationally coupled to each other by a hinge. Plural sensors associated with each of the housing portions senses a context related to the housing portions that a user interface manager applies to adapt presentation of user interfaces at the display portions. Sensors may include accelerometers, magnetometers, cameras, gaze trackers, Hall sensors, etc . . . that measure relative orientation of each housing portion to an end user and to each other. In one embodiment, a physical keyboard having physical keys transitions between hidden and exposed positions to accept end user inputs. Accelerations detected at the keyboard and housing portion are compared and resolved to detect a separation vector that indicates movement of the keyboard between hidden and exposed positions. The keyboard relative position is confirmed with other sensors, such as a Hall sensor that detects relative position of a magnet in the keyboard or an ambient light sensor that detects a reduction in ambient light as a display portion is flipped to expose a keyboard on an opposing side. The user interface manager selects user interfaces to present from a user interface queue that associates sensed context and available applications to user interfaces. As housing portions and keyboards reconfigure in orientation, attach and detach, the user interface manager applies sensed context to create a user interface environment from plural housing portions that interact as building blocks to achieve an end user intent, including collaborative user interaction experiences. 
     The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a portable information handling system adapts user interface presentation at separate display portions to meet end user intent. Sensed context is applied to adjust user interfaces presented in a collaborative way between housing portions that each have a display portion. Housing portions change their relative orientation both by rotating about a hinge that couples the housing portions together and selectively detaching and attaching to the hinge. The effect is to have a changing display surface based upon the relative rotational orientation of the housing portions so that an end user can quickly transition between a clamshell mode associated with a folded housing orientation and a tablet mode associated with a flat housing orientation. Each housing portion essentially provides a flexible building block that enhances end user interaction needs based on end user input intent. A keyboard that accepts typed inputs couples to a housing portion to transition between exposed and hidden positions as desired by the end user. The sensed context includes accelerations sensed at the keyboard and housing portions that indicate an end user intent to interact through selected user interface configurations. 
     A “see” “do” ecosystem is created by context driven allocation of user interfaces between separate but collaborative display portions. Rapid transition between one or multi-user configurations is provided by either separating the housing portions to assign display portions to separate users or having multiple users interact with different display portions in a flat configuration. As an end user manipulates housing portions to different relative orientations, user interfaces automatically allocate to different display portions based upon each user&#39;s see or do association. For instance, placing a portable system to have one housing portion in a horizontal orientation and the other portion in a vertical orientation assigns an application user interface associated with stylus inputs to the horizontal portion while visually consumed information is placed on the vertical portions, such as a file list. Rotation of both portions to a flat orientation extends the stylus user interface across both display portions to provide the end user with a larger working area. Detection of multiple stylus devices indicates multiple end users and provides multiple user interfaces to provide separate but collaborative work space. 
    
    
     
       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. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         FIG.  1    depicts an exploded view of a portable information handling system having dual display portions and a sliding keyboard assembly; 
         FIG.  2    depicts an exploded view of a portable information handling system having plural display portions assembled as modular units that attach and detach from each other; 
         FIG.  3    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system having a detach and flip keyboard configuration; 
         FIG.  4    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system having a keyboard that slides between hidden and exposed positions; 
         FIG.  5    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system having a keyboard that rotates between hidden and exposed positions; 
         FIG.  6    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system having three rotationally coupled housing portions and display portions that selectively configure to an all-in-one form factor; 
         FIG.  7    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system rotated to a flat configuration having a user interface provisioned based upon the number of end users present at display portions; 
         FIG.  8    depicts an example embodiment of a portable information handling system provisioning of a user interface between a clamshell rotational orientation and detachment into two separate housing portions; 
         FIG.  9    depicts a block diagram of information handling system component interactions to support context sensing and user interface provisioning; 
         FIG.  10    depicts a flow diagram of a process for detecting a user interface provisioning trigger at a portable information handling system; 
         FIG.  11    depicts a flow diagram of a process for selecting see and do user interface scale in a multi-display and multi-user environment; 
         FIG.  12    depicts a block diagram of logical elements applied to determine provisioning of user interfaces in single and dual user modes; 
         FIG.  13    depicts a flow diagram of a process for provisioning user interfaces based upon detection of housing portion positions; and 
         FIG.  14    depicts a flow diagram of a process for provisioning user interfaces based upon housing portion alignment and display portion content. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Portable information handling systems determine a context from sensed conditions and apply the context to manage user interface presentation at separate display portions. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , an exploded view depicts a portable information handling system  10  having dual display portions  30  and a sliding keyboard assembly. In the example embodiment, portable information handling system  10  has a display housing portion  12  rotationally coupled to a main housing portion  14  by a dual axis hinge  32 . A motherboard  16  coupled to main housing portion  14  supports components that cooperate to process information. In the example embodiment, a central processing unit (CPU)  18  couples to motherboard  16  and executes instructions stored in random access memory (RAM)  20  to process information. For instance, a solid state drive (SSD)  22  provides non-transient memory, such as flash memory, that stores an operating system and applications for execution on CPU  18 . A graphics processing unit (GPU)  24  interfaces with CPU  18  and RAM  20  to further process information to defined visual images for presentation at a display  30 . For instance, GPU  24  defines pixel values that illuminate pixels of display  30  with colors to form a visual image. A chipset  26  manages operation of CPU  18 , such as by managing clock speeds, memory accesses and graphic information interfaces. An embedded controller  28  manages physical operations at motherboard  16 , such as power supply and input/output (I/O) device interfaces. I/O devices may include integrated and peripheral keyboards, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen and other devices. 
     In the example embodiment, visual images defined by GPU  24  are presented at display portions  30  disposed over each of lid housing portion  12  and main housing portion  14 . For instance, a motherboard  16  connection to the display portion  30  disposed over main housing portion  14  may scan the visual image. Lid housing portion  12  may have pixel values provided by GPU  24  communicated through wireless signals of wireless network interface cards (WNIC)  34 , such as a 60 GHz wireless interface, or a cable  38  wire interface. A timing controller  36  receives the pixel values to scan to pixels of display portion  30 . Display portions  30  act as a single display disposed over separate housing portions  12  and  14  by having GPU  24  define pixel values for presentation of visual images based upon information selected for presentation by CPU  18 , such as with an operating system driver. In the example embodiment, display portions  30  are separate pieces, such as separate LCD flat panels; however, in alternative embodiments a single foldable OLED display film may be disposed over both housing portions  12  and  14  to fold across hinge  32 . 
     A keyboard  40  couples to a bottom surface of main housing portion  14  with a slide support  42  that slides keyboard  40  between a hidden position and an exposed position. For instance, the upper surface of keyboard  40  has membrane keys that accept typed inputs when keyboard  40  slides from underneath main housing portion  14  outward to the exposed position. When keyboard  40  slides underneath main housing portion  14 , the membrane keys are hidden under the main housing portion bottom surface with the bottom surface of keyboard  40  blending into the bottom surface of main housing portion  14 . As described in greater depth below, in alternative embodiments keyboard  40  may have keys at the bottom surface of main housing portion  14  in a hidden position so that keyboard  40  transitions to an exposed position by detaching the housing portions at hinge  32  and flipping main housing portion to place keyboard  40  face up in a clamshell configuration under lid housing portion  12 . 
     Retraction and extension of keyboard  40  between hidden and exposed positions allows an end user to leverage “see” and “do” functions of information handling system  10 . For instance, where an end user&#39;s main interactions are “see” interactions that consume visually presented information, keyboard  40  may be retracted to a hidden position out of the end user&#39;s way. As the end user seeks to perform “do” tasks that involved keyed inputs, extension of keyboard  40  to an exposed position provides keyboard  40  as an input device. One difficulty with having a keyboard  40  that transitions between hidden and exposed positions is that different user interfaces may optimize an end user experience based upon whether keyboard  40  is exposed or hidden. Another difficulty is that an end user may not know the position of keyboard  40  when in the hidden position. For instance, from an end user perspective, display portions  30  may each act as a base or lid or may be rotated to a flat orientation to act as a single tablet. An end user who picks up information handling system  10  with keyboard  40  in the hidden position may not know where the keyboard is accessed to transition to an exposed position. 
     A number of sensors integrate in information handling system  10  that provide a sensed context for orienting an end user to a system configuration and adapting user interfaces presented at display portions  30  for see and do functions. In the example embodiment, a gaze tracker  46  couples to each of housing portions  12  and  14  to sense an end user gaze relative to each housing portion. For instance, a gaze tracker detects the different reflections at an end user eye so that eye alignment provides an estimate of end user view alignment relative to a housing portion. Similarly, estimated end user alignment at each housing portion  12  and  14  provides an estimate of the housing portion alignment to each other. A camera  48  in each housing portion  12  and  14  captures an image of a viewing area of the display portion  30  at each housing portion to estimate the number of viewers and their orientation to information handling system  10 . Accelerometers  50  in each housing portion  12  and  14  and in keyboard  40  detect accelerations that help identify motions associated with specific system configurations. For instance, accelerations detected at keyboard  40  that have an opposing vector to accelerations of main housing portion  14  may indicate movement of keyboard  40  between exposed and hidden positions. As a result of detection of such opposing accelerations, information handling system  10  may adjust user interface configurations, such as by disambiguation of a touchscreen at a display portion  30  to ignore unintended touch inputs. As another example, display portion  30  over main housing portion  14  may transition from a do user interface having a virtual keyboard presented to accept inputs at a touchscreen to a see user interface having the keyboard removed. Ambient light sensors  52  associated with each display portion  30  may also be used to adapt user interfaces between see and do functions. For instance, if housing portions  12  and  14  are rotated to a clamshell orientation, ambient light on the base portion versus the vertical portion will provide different ambient light sense values, while a flat orientation will have similar values. 
     As an example, a microcontroller of information handling system  10 , such as embedded controller  28 , monitors accelerations at housing portions  12  and  14  to detect an acceleration vector that indicates a separation of the housing portions and/or keyboard  40 . For instance, a perpendicular acceleration vector may be determined to detect keyboard  40  or housing separation as opposed to rotational motion of housing portions  12  and  14  about hinge  32 . Actual motion of keyboard  40  may be confirmed with a Hall sensor or contact sensor that detects relative movement of keyboard  40  and main base housing section  14 . A more complete context may be defined by applying relative housing portion orientation, gaze orientation, ALS ambient light measurements and other factors. Once transition of keyboard  40  is confirmed between exposed and hidden positions, an associated user interface is provisioned to display portions  30 . For instance, a clamshell configuration with keyboard  40  slid to an exposed position may result in removal of a virtual keyboard from presentation at main housing portion  14  and replaced with an expanded application user interface at lid housing portion  12  display portion  30  and a touch pad at main housing portion  14  display portion  30 . Alternatively, the user interface of lid housing portion  12  configures with an application that accepts typed inputs, such as a word processor, under the assumption that an end user will want to type inputs to a display portion having a vertical orientation while the display portion having a horizontal orientation in the same plane as keyboard  40  accepts touch inputs. As an end user adapts user interfaces at each display portion  30  with different keyboard  40  positions, the user interfaces are stored in association with a context so that the user interface may be recalled for presentation when the context is again sensed. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , an exploded view depicts a portable information handling system  10  having plural display portions  30  assembled as modular units that attach and detach from each other. In the example embodiment, three housing portions rotationally couple to each other about magnetic hinges  44  that magnetically couple to each housing portion. The two housing portions  12  and  14  are, essentially, independent tablet information handling systems that include a motherboard  16  and components to independently process information. When coupled to each other by magnetic hinges  44 , the housing portions rotationally pivot between closed and flat configurations similar to a conventional portable information handling system. An operating system and applications executing on a CPU  18  of one of the housing portions  14  may define visual images presented at both display portions  30 , such as by sending pixel values generated by one GPU  24  for presentation at a display portion  30  of the other housing portion  14 . 
     In the example embodiment, a third housing portion  12  includes a display portion  30  on one side and an integrated keyboard  40  on an opposite side. Housing portion  12  couples with magnetic hinges  44  to either of the other housing portions  14  to provide additional display area for presenting information as visual images and a keyboard  40  to accept typed inputs. Selection of additional display area or the keyboard may be made in a number of different ways. For instance, an end user may rotate housing portion  12  relative to a housing portion  14  to place keyboard  40  in an exposed position over top of a display portion  30  while the other display portion is raised vertically in a clamshell mode. Alternatively, an end user may detach housing portion  12  from housing portion  14 , flip housing portion  12  to expose keyboard  40 , and then re-attach housing portion  12  to housing portion  14  so that keyboard  40  supports typed inputs to either of two exposed display portions  30 . 
     Modular information handling system portions provide a convenient solution to end users by adapting display and input resources to see and do functions with selective attachment and detachment of housing portions  12  and  14 . Sensed context at each housing portion  12  and/or  14  aids in automated deployment of user interfaces at display portions  30  to coordinate end user interactions with information handling system  10  in a manner that conforms with end user expectations. As an example, a perpendicular alignment of housing portions  14  with one display portion  30  held vertical in a viewing position indicates a see function is appropriate at the vertical display portion  30 . A low sensed ambient light at the horizontal display portion  30  relative to ambient light sensed at the vertical display portion  30  indicates that housing portion  12  has folded about hinges  44  to rest on the horizontal display portion  30 . If ambient light sensed at housing portions  14  have relatively similar values while ambient light sensed at housing portion  12  is low, a flat or clamshell orientation is indicated for the housing portions  12  with the keyboard  40  exposed to accept typed inputs. In such a configuration, a horizontal display portion  30  may be configured as a do user interface, such as to accept writing by a stencil, while the vertical display portion  30  may be configured as a see user interface, such as presenting a library of figures that a user may select to draw upon. In contrast, if both housing portions  14  lay horizontal in a flat position, the entire display across both display portions  30  may be configured as a single do user interface, such as to accept drawing inputs with a stylus. In an embodiment having three housing portions, an end user may have some difficulty tracking which housing portion has the keyboard  40 . To aid in recognition of the housing portion having the keyboard, an icon may be presented at the housing portion that has the keyboard. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system depicts a detach and flip keyboard configuration. An end user grasps a vertically aligned housing portion  12  and a horizontally aligned housing portion  14  to pull the housing portions  12  and  14  apart by detaching at magnetic hinges  44 . In the original clamshell configuration before detachment, the horizontal display portion  30  supports a do function, such as a virtual keyboard or writing pad, while the vertical display portion supports a see function that, for instance, accepts inputs made at a user interface of the horizontal display portion. Accelerations monitored at housing portions  12  and  14  may be compared to resolve a separation vector between the housing portions of greater than a predetermined amount, which indicates separation of the housing portions at magnetic hinges  44 . In addition, a rotational acceleration of housing portion  14  to expose keyboard  40  while no rotation is detected at housing portion  12  indicates a flip of housing portion  14  to expose keyboard  40  in an exposed position. A detach and flip action may also be detected and/or confirmed by end user grasp and pressure sensing at touchscreen surfaces of display portions  30  as the force to pull apart magnetic hinges  44  will involve a firm end user grasp. 
     In some instances, housing portions  12  and  14  may be detached to act as separate display portions  30  that continue to cooperate in their presentation of content, such as with wireless communication of display pixel values from a GPU  24  in housing portion  14  through WNICs  34  to timing controller  36  in housing portion  12 . When operating as separated housing portions, the relative alignment of housing portions  12  and  14  are considered for coordination of the display of visual images. As an example, a variety of sensors sense conditions that define a context for determining the type and orientation of visual information presented at each display portion  30 . For instance, if an ambient light sensor at one housing portion detects little ambient light relative to the other housing portion, a user interface transfers to the display portion associated with relatively high ambient light while the other display portion goes to idle or off. Alternatively, accelerometers, gyroscopes or magnetometers detect orientation of each housing portion relative to gravity and provide the relative orientation to GPU  24 , which changes pixel output to provide oriented visual images across both display portions. For instance, a user might have one display portion in a landscape orientation to use as a keyboard while viewing the other display portion in a portrait orientation to run through a column of data on a spreadsheet. In addition to accelerations sensed at each housing portion, eye gaze compared between housing portions may also provide relative alignment of the display portions. Although the example embodiment is explained as one GPU  24  generating pixels, in an alternative embodiment, each display may have its own GPU  24  with orientation managed at an operating system. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system  10  depicts a keyboard  40  that slides between hidden and exposed positions. With keyboard  40  hidden, portable information handling system  10  may present a first user interface on display portions  30  in a clamshell configuration or a second user interface in a flat or tablet configuration. For instance, in a clamshell rotational orientation, housing portion  14  acts as a base that rests on a support surface to hold housing portion  12  in a vertical orientation. The horizontal display portion  30  provides a do surface to accept end user touches, such as at a virtual keyboard or with a stylus, while the vertical display portion  30  provides a see surface that presents outputs for visual consumption. In one embodiment, automatic user interface configuration may disambiguate touches differently at a see user interface than at a do user interface, such as turning off touch detection, reducing touch sensitivity of limiting touch input presentations. In contrast, a change of orientation to a flat configuration may convert both display portions  30  to a do surface with a user interface that extends across both display portions, such as to accept stylus touch inputs. In addition, with keyboard  40  retracted, display portion  30  having keyboard  40  underneath may provide an indication to the end user of the keyboard location, such as with an icon presented at the display portion  30 . In one embodiment, sensed context is applied to detect or predict an end user&#39;s desire to extend keyboard  40  so that the icon or other indication is provided to aid end user location of the keyboard location, such as context derived from a Hall sensor, magnetometer, accelerations, ambient light and the active application at the system. 
     Keyboard  40  slides out from under housing portion  14  to adapt information handling system  10  to accept typed inputs at keys. A hall sensor  84  detects the relative position of magnet  86  to determine a position of keyboard  40 . In one example embodiment, sensed context at information handling system  10 , such as an acceleration vector of keyboard  40  that indicates opposing motion of keyboard  40  to housing portion  14 , initiates a change to user interface disposition upon confirmation of the keyboard movement by Hall sensor  84 . As an example, in a flat orientation with keyboard  40  in the exposed position, a do user interface is placed across display portions  30 , such as to accept stylus inputs. If rotation of housing portion  12  to a vertical orientation is detected, the user interface converts to a see user interface at the vertical display portion  30  and reduces the size of the do user interface to the horizontal display portion  30 . Should keyboard  40  then be slid into the hidden position, the do user interface at the horizontal display portion  30  may convert to a virtual keyboard to accept keyed inputs. Over time, user selections of different user interfaces in different contexts are stored and applied to aid in presentation of a desired user interface as sensed context changes are detected. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system  10  depicts a keyboard  40  that rotates between hidden and exposed positions. Keyboard  40  rotates from a hidden position under information handling system  10  to rest on top of display portion  30 . In one embodiment, a display portion  30  may be included on an opposite side of keyboard  40  so that an additional display area may extend outward from housing portion  14  when keyboard  40  rotates only ninety degrees from the bottom surface of information handling system  10 . As set forth above, sensed context that resolves keyboard  40  position and user intent automatically initiates user interface changes as housing portions  12  and  14  rotate or separate to have flat or clamshell configurations. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system depicts three rotationally coupled housing portions and display portions that selectively configure to an all-in-one form factor. In the example embodiment, three display portions  30  and a keyboard  40  may configure to a variety of orientations as described above, such as flat and clamshell orientations, each having an associated user interface configuration. In addition, a kickstand disposed on the back surface of the central main housing portions  14  extends outward to support a vertical orientation of all display portions  30  in a flat orientation, similar to an all-in-one information handling system. A context sensed from multi-structural sensors provisions user interfaces, applications and hardware configurations to adapt to an end user&#39;s desired interactions. As an example, extension of kickstand  54  to support display portions  30  in a flat configuration with keyboard  40  in a hidden position may initiate a do function since touch inputs against the display portions  30  have the support of kickstand  54 . In the example embodiment, a hardware function initiated by the all-in-one orientation is a transition in the use of antenna  82  disposed at different locations of the housing portions  12  and  14 . To ensure adequate wireless coverage in different types of orientations, antenna  82  may be disposed at opposing corners of separate housing portions and then cooperatively engaged at 2×2 MIMO antenna selected based upon sensed context. For instance, in a clamshell configuration, two antenna  82  located along one side of the same housing portion cooperate to communicate wireless signals in a MIMO configuration. As information handling system converts to a flat orientation having elevation provided by kickstand  54 , all four antenna  82  are engaged to cooperate in a MIMO configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system  10  depicts a flat configuration having a user interface provisioned based upon the number of end users present at display portions  30 . As set forth above, in an environment having a single end user, end user intent and desires are managed by provisioning user interfaces based upon a sensed context, such as with accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, gaze trackers, cameras, ambient light sensors, touchscreen detection, keyboard location, kickstand deployment and active applications. In an environment involving two end users, user interfaces may provision to adapt to intent and desires of the multiple end users. For instance, as described above, in a flat orientation a do user interface provisions to accept stylus inputs. In the event that multiple end users are detected, such as by tracking gaze of two sets of eyes, the single do interface remains in place with all content oriented in one direction. If the orientation of one user is different from the other, detection of separate touches by the end users at separate display portions may divide the display area between the two users. As an example, if each end user touches different display portions  30  with different stylus  56 , a different user interface is provisioned to each display portion  30  to support each end user. The different user interfaces may be supported by the same processing components or separate components. For example, if only one housing portion  14  has a processor to execute an operating system and application, separate user interfaces may be provisioned by generating separate threads on the processor that define visual images at each display portion  30 . If each housing portion has its own processor, then separate user interfaces may be defined by generating visual images with each processor for each display portion. Upon transition away from the presence of two users, two stylus or the flat configuration, a single user environment may again be implemented with the user interface provisioned as described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , an example embodiment of a portable information handling system  10  depicts provisioning of a user interface between a clamshell rotational orientation and detachment into two separate housing portions. Keyboard  40  location and provisioning in a clamshell orientation may cause end user confusion where a portable information handling system has dual display portions  30  exposed and keyboard  40  in a hidden position. In one embodiment, user interfaces are provisioned on display portions  30  to encourage an end user to place the housing portion having keyboard  40  in a base position. For instance, a virtual keyboard user interface is biased towards presentation at the housing portion that contains the physical keyboard  40 . For example, if an end user has information handling system  10  in a flat configuration and then rotates the housing portions to a clamshell configuration, a virtual keyboard is presented on the display portion of the housing portion having keyboard  40  in the hidden position so that the end user will naturally place the keyboard at the horizontal location. If the end user does not place the virtual keyboard at the base location or removes the virtual keyboard, the virtual keyboard might reduce to an icon size at the housing portion having the keyboard  40  or might shift to the other housing portion to accept inputs. 
     In the example embodiment, applications and user interfaces associated with the applications are provisioned to a display portion  30  in a vertical orientation relative to a virtual keyboard user interface  58 . An active user interface  60  is in focus at the vertically oriented display portion  30  while inactive user interfaces  62  are presented in background on both display portions  30 . A virtual keyboard user interface  58  presented at the horizontally oriented display portion  30  accepts typed inputs as a do user interface for active application window  60  presented in a see user interface. Although virtual keyboard  58  accepts typed inputs, the lack of feedback at a touchscreen display can make inputs more difficult. In response, an end user detaches the housing portions  12  and  14  and flips housing portion  14  to bring keyboard  40  to an exposed position. During detachment of the housing portions from each, a separating acceleration vector is detected by comparing accelerations at each housing portion and, in response, an animation is initiated at the housing portion  14  having keyboard  40  that compresses visual images into an icon at the display portion  30  of housing portion  12 . By showing the animation at the housing portion that needs to be flipped to expose keyboard  40 , the end user is provided with an indication of the location of keyboard  40 . In the example embodiment, the active window  60  then expands to use the entire display portion area with an intent implied by the end user action of typing into the see user interface. In an alternative embodiment, other user interfaces may be provisioned based upon previous end user interactions. In the event that active window  60  is presented at the housing portion  14  having the keyboard, the animation may include transfer of the content of the active window to the opposing display portion  30  while content at the opposing display portion  30  shrinks to an icon  64  at the same display area. In one embodiment, the inactive user interface windows are stacked in a queue in order of descending priority so the end user can access idle user interfaces in a more rapid manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  9   , a block diagram depicts information handling system component interactions to support context sensing and user interface provisioning. A hardware layer  66  provides processing and sensing at a physical level. A CPU  18  and RAM  20  execute instructions that manage user interface selection and provisioning. In some embodiments, each housing portion has its own CPU  18  and RAM  20  to separately execute user interface related instructions. A WNIC  34  provides communication between housing portions to present information at separate displays. Where one CPU in one housing portion executes instructions to generate all visual information, a GPU  24  communicates display information as pixel values through WNIC  34 . Where separate CPUs coordinate presentation of visual information, WNIC  34  provides communication between the CPUs so that GPUs at each housing portion generate visual images from the information. Sensors  72  sense external context as described above. Generally, sensor input is coordinated through various hardware components, such as an embedded controller, and made available to an operating system for selection of user interfaces to provision. 
     An operating system layer  68  includes an operating system  74  that executes over CPU  18  and coordinates sensed inputs to determine user interface provisioning. A user interface manager  76  executes as a module within operating system  74  to apply sensed context to determine which user interfaces to provision to which display portion. A user interface queue  78  stores available user interfaces for selection by user interface manager  76 . For instance, user interface queue is an ordered list of user interfaces in priority with each user interface associated with context and applications. As a sensed context at an information handling system matches conditions for a user interface in the queue  78 , user interface manager  76  initiates the user interface presentation at the appropriate display portion. Applications  80  in an application layer  70  may be initiated based upon the user interface selected, such as word processing, spreadsheet, email, web browsing or other applications. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  10   , a flow diagram depicts a process for detecting a user interface provisioning trigger at a portable information handling system. In the example embodiment, a user interface provisioning is detected based upon system accelerations and confirmed with a position sensor, such as a Hall sensor. In alternative embodiments, accelerations may be used to confirm a trigger first detected by another sensor, such as a Hall sensor. The process starts at step  84  with monitoring of accelerations at each housing portion of an information handling system  10 . If accelerations exceed a threshold, the process continues to step  86  to determine if the accelerations resolve to an opposing vector of greater than a threshold, such as indicates that housing portions are being pulled apart. If the accelerations are too small or indicate accelerations in a common direction by a contiguous housing, the process returns to step  84 . 
     Once a housing separation is indicated by sensed accelerations, the process continues to step  88  to confirm the housing separation, such as by movement detected at a Hall sensor. In the example embodiment, accelerations with an opposing vector may be sensed at a lid housing portion  12  and a keyboard  40  to detect removal of the keyboard, which is confirmed by a Hall sensor detection of movement of the keyboard relative to a main housing portion. In alternative embodiments, a separation acceleration vector is confirmed by other sensors, such as an ambient light sensor that detects placement of a display portion  30  face down on a surface, such as when a keyboard  40  on the opposing side is placed up. If at step  88  a separation of housing portions is not confirmed, the process returns to step  84 . Once housing portion separation is confirmed, the process continues to step  90  to provision user interfaces for the housing portion configuration. In a change to expose a keyboard  40 , user interface provision will vary based upon whether the amount of display area has decreased as the keyboard moves to an exposed position. For instance, with a sliding keyboard, the display area over top of the keyboard becomes a do area that accepts touch inputs, such as with a stylus. In contrast, a separate and flip action to expose a keyboard from underneath a display area results in the display area being hidden. In such a situation, an animation of display user interfaces to an icon at the remaining display area helps to remind the end user where the keyboard is located and stacks user interfaces in a priority order at an icon for the end user to select as needed. With disposition of the keyboard to accept inputs, the user interface may select an active window that accepts typed inputs and expand that active window to the entire area of a display portion having a vertical alignment to the keyboard. Following the automatic user interface provisioning, at step  92  any modifications made by an end user to the user interface are stored for use in subsequent user interface provisioning. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  11   , a flow diagram depicts a process for selecting see and do user interface scale in a multi-display and multi-user environment. The process starts at step  94  with monitoring of accelerations at information handling system portions to detect rotational vectors. The example embodiment compares accelerations between two housing portions to detect accelerations so that relative orientation of separated housing portions may be tracked, however, in alternative embodiments a rotational orientation sensor at a hinge may be used to detect rotational orientation of housing portions. If at step  96  a change in rotational orientation is detected, the process continues to step  98  to determine if the change in rotational orientation is from a folded to a flat rotational orientation. For instance, if the housing portions have closed or clamshell configuration after motion stops the process continues to step  106  to provision a folded user interface. In various embodiments, the folded user interface can take a number of different forms depending upon whether the housing portions physically couple to each other or are separated from each other. For instance, if the housing portions are separate from each other, the relative orientation of the housing portions to each other is compared to determine an orientation for presenting visual images at each housing portion. Further, see and/or do interfaces may be assigned to each housing portion based upon the content and active window of the information handling system visual images. 
     At step  98  if a folded to flat orientation is detected, the process continues to step  100  to assign a flat user interface. The flat user interface may have a horizontal content based upon accelerations detected at both housing portions or a vertical content based upon extension of a kickstand in an all-in-one configuration. For instance, in a horizontal flat configuration, a do user interface with inputs accepted using stylus touches may have priority while, in a vertical flat configuration, a see user interface may have priority, such as watching a video. Further consideration for user interface selection may include whether the housing portions are coupled as a contiguous unit or separated from each other as separate units. At step  102 , a determination is made of whether one or two end users are making inputs at the information handling system, such as by determining whether one or two stylus devices are touching the display portions. If only one user is making inputs to the information handling system, the process returns to step  94  to continue to monitor accelerations that indicate housing portion re-configuration. 
     If at step  102  multiple stylus devices are detected, a collaborative user interface may be deployed at step  104  to aid interaction by multiple end users. For example, each display portion of each housing portion may be assigned to one user, such as by generating a separate user interface of the same “do” stylus application at both display portions. The separate user interfaces may be supported with separate threads executing on a shared processor so that a GPU interfaced with the processor sends visual images to both display portions. Alternatively, a separate CPU in each housing portion may execute the do application so that each user has his or her own user interface on which to collaborate. In the example embodiment, the dual user interface configuration is established only if a flat orientation exists with two stylus devices detected. In an alternative embodiment, touch by fingers of two users may establish dual user interfaces where the multiple users are detected by camera or eye gaze analysis. Alternatively, dual separate user interfaces may be initiated only when separate users are detected and a separation between the housing portions is detected. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12   , a block diagram depicts logical elements applied to determine provisioning of user interfaces in single and dual user modes. In the example embodiment, user interface logic is tied to first and second display portions  30  and a physical keyboard  40  that selectively transitions between exposed and hidden positions. User interface provisioning is managed by associating functions of the information handling system with do or see functionality. In the example embodiment, do functions perform based upon inputs, such as through touch, a stylus or gesture, while see functions do not perform based upon inputs such as touch, gaze and gesture. In alternative embodiments other definitions may apply and, in some embodiments, a graduated functionality assessment is associated with functions to defined graduated usability with a do function towards less functionality at intermediate see-do functions and a consumption only function with a pure see function. Each display portion  30  may have multiple functions assigned including simultaneous assignment of both see and do functions. In the example embodiment, display portion  1  has a see function, such as a web browser to consume visual information, and display portion n has both do and see functions. Keyboard  40  provides a do function of physical key inputs without presentation of visual images. 
     A hardware layer  66  detects end user interactions associated with do functions at display portions  30 . For example, a touch stylus  110  interacts with a touchscreen to make inputs at a do user interface. Other sensors include gaze tracking, cameras, touch and pointing devices, etc. . . . . At hardware layer  66 , accelerations detect rotational orientation of housing portions to determine if display portions  30  have a folded or flat orientation. If multiple stylus devices  110  and a flat rotational orientation  112  are reported to hardware layer  66 , a multiple user environment is detected that implies a use of multiple different do user interfaces so that each end user has his or her own user interface with which to interact. An application layer  70  applies the sensed conditions to assign see and do user interfaces to the display portions at a user interface layer  108 . As described above, if a flat orientation is detected along with two asynchronous touch inputs that indicate two end users, user interfaces  108  are divided between two display portions for the two users. In one embodiment, a second user may instead have a user interface assigned to him or her at just a part of a display portion  30  so that control of the overall system interactions may rapidly convert to the original user with a touch at the display portion  30  having the second user interface. In another embodiment, once separate user interfaces are assigned to each stylus, the stylus is restricted to only input to its assigned user interface while inputs at the other user interface are ignored. In yet another embodiment, only one user is assigned to the user interface unless a flat orientation is detected and the keyboard is in a hidden position. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  13   , a flow diagram depicts a process for provisioning user interfaces based upon detection of housing portion positions. The process starts with detection of housing portion position at application of power to the information handling system at step  114 . At step  116  the last user interface for the detected position is provisioned for presentation at the display portions. Once the information handling system powers up, the process continues to step  118  to monitor sensed context and adapt user interface provisioning as housing portion positions and selected functions change. At step  118  a determination is made of whether the housing portions have assumed a new position and step  120  determines if a new function has been selected. If the position and function remain unchanged, the process returns to step  116  to continue monitoring sensed context. If either the housing portion position or the function have changed, the process continues to step  122  to determine what new user interface should be provisioned, if any. 
     At step  122 , a determination is made of whether a kickstand has extended from a portable housing. If a kickstand has extended, the process continues to step  124  to establish an all-in-one configuration. For example, upon detection of the extension of the kickstand a determination is made of the display portions that share a common plane supported by the kickstand and the most recent user interface associated with the all-in-one configuration is presented at the shared display portions. Alternatively, based on other sensed context a user interface and associated content is selected for presentation. If at step  122  the kickstand remains retracted, the process continues to step  126  to determine if a peripheral is attached to the system, such as through a wired or wireless interface. In various embodiments, the peripheral may include an external keyboard, mouse, display or other physical device that interacts with the information handling system. If a peripheral is detected, the process continues to step  128  to merge any user interface associated with the peripheral to the user interface currently presented. For example, upon detection of a peripheral keyboard a do user interface associated with typed inputs, such as wording processing, adjusts from a horizontal to a vertical position and adapts to accept inputs from the keyboard instead of a stylus. If instead a peripheral device has disconnected at step  130 , the user interface that was associated with the peripheral device merges at step  132 , such as by transitioning to a do user interface having a vertically aligned display portion to a horizontally aligned display portion. The process then returns to step  116  to continue monitoring for function or position changes. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  14   , a flow diagram depicts a process for provisioning user interfaces based upon housing portion alignment and display portion content. The process starts at step  134  with housing portions attached to each other, such as with a hinge, so that attached sides have a proximate and parallel alignment. At step  136 , a determination is made of whether a misalignment has occurred between the housing portions, and if not, the process returns to step  134  to continue monitoring alignment. A determination of misalignment may be made with several different sensed conditions. Initially, misalignment may be detected by an opposing acceleration vector between two housing portions, such as may be experienced when two housing portions are pulled apart at a detachable magnetic hinge. Other indications might include a different gaze angle from each housing portion relative to an end user, a camera image captured at each housing portion that shows different relative angles to a reference point, such as an end user or building reference landmark, an acceleration or magnetic sensed direction to an Earth reference point that resolves to different angles at each housing portion, different levels of ambient light sensed at each housing portion, etc. . . . . 
     If a misalignment exists between the housing portions, a separation of the housing portions is indicated with associated impacts on the user interface selection. For example, although each display portion in each housing portion shares information for presentation, a cohesive presentation between both display portions depends on the spacing between the housing portions and the angular relationship from the user to the display portion. At step  138 , an analysis is performed of the user interfaces as presented to determine the percentage of pixels dedicated to each user interface, including an active window selected by the end user for interaction and inactive windows. In one embodiment, the user interface having the greatest amount of content across the display portions is presented across all of the display portion that remains the focus of the end user. Alternatively, an active window regardless of the relative size of its content is selected for presentation across all of the display portion that remains the focus of the end user. In one embodiment the focus of the end user is assumed to remain at the display portion that lacks a keyboard. In another embodiment, the focus of the end user is determined from a determination of eye gaze at the two displays. 
     At step  140  the user interfaces are assigned to display portions based upon priority, such as the percent of display area taken by the content of each user interface or the end user&#39;s selection of an active window. In one embodiment, the active user interface may be presented at separate display portions, such as may aid with collaboration by two users. In alternative embodiments, upon separation a separate user interface may be called for presentation based upon an end user&#39;s intent as determined from sensed content. At step  142 , the user interface at each display portion is aligned to the end user&#39;s perspective. For instance, although physically separated from each other, the display portions continue to coordinate presentation of visual images as if in an aligned relationship. Thus, as the housing alignment shifts to a misaligned condition, the user interface remains aligned by coordinating presentation of visual images relative to each other and/or the end user. For instance, an end user might separate housing portions from a clamshell configuration, rotate one housing portion to a portrait view, and then use the other housing portion in a landscape view as a keyboard to type inputs to a column of a spreadsheet presented in the portrait view. At step  144 , the housing portion relative alignment is checked to determine if the user interfaces remain misaligned and, if so, the process returns to step  142  to continue to adjust the user interface orientation relative to the housing portion orientation to present the visual images at both display portions aligned to each other. If the user interfaces align at step  144 , the process continues to step  146  to present the user interfaces aligned with the housing portion alignment. For example, alignment of the user interfaces occurs upon reattachment of the housing portions to each other. Reattachment may be indicated in part by an acceleration vector resolved between the two housing portions that indicate a coupling followed by a bump at physical connection. Granularity in alignment correction is provided by adjusting the scan provided by the graphics processor to the display portions. As described above, pixels values may be generated with a CPU and GPU in one of the housing portions and wirelessly communicated between the housing portions, or may be generated with a GPU in each housing portion. 
     Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.