Abstract:
A sliding display apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base and a cover. The cover substantially covers the base in a closed position. A first edge of the cover is slideably coupled to the base and the cover is also coupled to the base by one or more links. Each of the links have a first pivot in a first axis and a second pivot in a second axis. The first axis, the second axis and the first edge of the cover are substantially parallel. The first axis is located in the base, the second axis is located in the cover. The first pivot can also include a tensioner that applies tension to the first pivot of each one of the links.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority from a U.S. provisional application entitled “A Sliding Display Apparatus”, Application No. 60/315,971, filed Aug. 29, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to display systems in more particularly to a system and method of opening and closing a display.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Handheld electronic devices include many types of devices such as cellular telephones, test equipment, pagers, and handheld computing devices. Each of these types of handheld electronic devices includes a user interface of a display and some type of a data entry device such as a keyboard. Often the user interface for a handheld electronic device also includes knobs, wheels, joysticks and other types of user input devices. Handheld computing devices typically require the most complicated user interfaces so that the users have many features and options of use of the handheld computing device. Because the user interface on a handheld computing device is typically the most complicated, then the handheld computing device is used as an example to describe various user interfaces. However, as described herein, the various embodiments of user interfaces could also be applied to other types of electronic devices, not limited to only those types of devices described above.  
           [0004]    Handheld computing devices must be small. A handheld computing device requires a user-friendly interface. In various approaches to manufacturing handheld computing devices, the user interface has been compromised in one manner or another to reduce the physical size. Often the size reductions include combining multiple functions in each input device such as multiple function keys on an abbreviated keyboard.  
           [0005]    In one approach, such as a PalmPilot from Palm Computing, Inc, a separate keyboard is eliminated and a touch screen interface is used. In another approach, a cellular telephone-type user interface is used. The cellular telephone-type user interface has a small display and an abbreviated keyboard that is typically a slightly enhanced, 10-key numeric keypad. In still another approach, such as a Hewlett Packard, Jornada 700 Series Handheld PC, a full QUERTY keyboard is included but the display is folded or closed over the keyboard. Covering the keyboard with the display decreases the physical size of the handheld PC but also removes the display from the view of the user and blocks the user from access to the keyboard.  
           [0006]    What is needed is a handheld computing device that has a larger display and a larger keyboard than a cellular telephone-type interface and where the display is visible at all times.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    A sliding display apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base and a cover. The cover substantially covers the base in a closed position. A first edge of the cover is slideably coupled to the base and the cover is also coupled to the base by one or more links. Each of the links have a first pivot in a first axis and a second pivot in a second axis. The first axis, the second axis and the first edge of the cover are substantially parallel. The first pivot can also include a tensioner that applies tension to the first pivot of each one of the links.  
           [0008]    In one embodiment, a client computing device can be included in the base and the cover.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1A, illustrates the display in a closed position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1B shows how the display moves as pressure is applied to the forward end of the display.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1C illustrates the display pushed further rearward.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1D shows the rear end of the display raised as the display pushed further rearward.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1E shows the display pressed further rearward past a center position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1F shows the rear end of the display lowering as the display is pushed beyond the center position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1G shows the display is in a full open position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the main pivot.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the link and a damper.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the display or cover attached to a base with two links.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the display or cover attached to a base with one link.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 shows a general computer architecture that can be used as a client or as a server computer.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a complete architecture.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    As will be described in more detail below, a system and method of opening and closing a cover is disclosed. FIGS.  1 A- 1 G show a sequence of opening a cover from a close position to an open position. In at least one embodiment, the cover can include a display.  
         [0024]    In FIG. 1A, the display  102  is shown in a closed position i.e. in that the display covers the majority of the base  104  and that the display  102  in the closed position is the most compact configuration of the embodiment. As shown, the base includes a track  106 . The display  102  includes an engagement  108  that engages the track  106 . The display  102  also has a link  110  that is attached to the display  102  at a approximate midpoint location of the display  102 . The link  110  can also pivot  112  in the display  102 . The link  110  is attached to the base  104  at a fixed main pivot  112  in the base  104  The link  110  is attached to the display  102  is also a fixed pivoting point  114  on the display  102 . The link  110  can also be a fixed length.  
         [0025]    Each of FIGS.  1 B- 1 G illustrates several positions  102 A-G of the display  102  as the display  102  moves from an closed position  102 A to an open position  102 G. The several positions  102 A-G illustrate movement and only one position is shown in solid lines e.g. in FIG. 1B position  102 B is solid lines. The solid lined position is discussed in the corresponding illustration.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1B the display  102  moves as pressure is applied to the forward end  116  of the display  102  as shown by the push arrow. As shown, the display  102  is moved from the phantom position  102 A slightly rearward in the base  102 . The rear end  118  of the display  102  has risen substantially above the base  104  because the link  110  has a fixed length and has a fixed position on the display  102  and in the base  104 .  
         [0027]    In FIG. 1C, the position of the forward end  116  of the display  102  has been pushed further rearward. Previous positions  102 A,  102 B are also shown in phantom. In FIG. 1C, the rear end  118  of the display  102  has risen even further above the base  104 . The display  102  is raised because the relationship of the engagement  108  and the main pivot  112  and the length of the link  110 .  
         [0028]    In FIG. 1D, the rear end  118  of the display  102  is further raised above the base  104 . As shown, the link  110  is substantially perpendicular to the base  104 . The engagement  108  is maintained in the track  106  throughout all positions  102 A-G.  
         [0029]    In FIG. 1E, the forward end  116  of the display  102  has been pressed further rearward. The link  110  has pivoted in the main pivot  112  beyond perpendicular, so that the display  102  has moved into an over center position  102 E. Because the display  102  is over center, then the height of the rear end  118  of the display  102  is beginning to drop down toward the base  104 . The engagement  108  is still engaged in the track  106  and therefore the forward end  116  of the display  102  has maintained a substantially constant height from the base  104 .  
         [0030]    In FIG. 1F, the rear edge  118  of the display  102  is lowered further toward a horizontal position  102 G. In FIG. 1G, the display  102  is in the full open position  102 G with the display  102 .  
         [0031]    The embodiments described in FIGS.  1 A-G allow a display or other cover  102  to open in a base  104  and yet not require slides similar to a drawer. Instead of drawer-type slides the display  102  opens in a somewhat arched path.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the main pivot  212 . The main pivot  212  includes a shaft or an axle  236  about which the link  210  pivots. The axle  236  can also include a tensioner  232 . The tensioner  232  can provide some amount of tension to the link  210 . In one embodiment, the tensioner  230  could be an open-tension tensioner. For example a the tensioner  232  could be a wound spring so that tension is always applied to the link  210  that pulls the display  102  toward a full open position such as position  102 G shown in FIG. 1G above.  
         [0033]    For example, the display  202  could include a latch that secures the display  202  in the closed position (such as position  102 A shown in FIG. 1A). Disengaging the latch such as by pushing the display  202  rearward, or a separate latch disengagement device, allows the tensioner  232  to draw the display  202  through intermediate positions (e.g. positions  102 B-F described above) to the fully open position (e.g. position  102 G described above).  
         [0034]    In another alternative embodiment the tensioner  232  holds the display in the closed position such as position  102 A described in FIG. 1A above. The tensioner  232  would therefore allow the display  202  to close more easily. The tensioner  232  could be simply reversed from the above-described opening tensioner  232 . For example, a latch could hold the display  202  in the fully open position (e.g. position  102 G above) and then when the latch is disengaged, the display  202  would automatically move to the closed position (e.g. position  102 A described above).  
         [0035]    Alternatively, a full open position (e.g. position  102 G described above) or a full closed position (e.g. position  102 A described above) may not be the ideal position for some purposes. For example, a user may wish to position the display  202  in an elevated or inclined position such as positions  102 E or  102 F described above. Therefore in one embodiment, detentes or other latch-type devices could be included in the main pivot  112  and/or the fixed pivoting point  114  and/or the link  110  so that the display  102  can be set to any of the positions  102 A-G.  
         [0036]    In yet another alternative embodiment, the tensioner  232  can include an “over-center” type tension. An over-center type tension provides tension toward the closed position  102 A when the display  202  is in the first half of the motion from closed to open (i.e. positions  102 A-C). The over-center type tension also provides tension toward the open position  102 G when the display  202  is in the second half of the motion from closed to open (i.e. positions  102 E-G). The over-center tension allows the display  202  to be easily held in both the open  102 G and closed  102 A positions without requiring additional latch devices. One embodiment of an over-center type tensioner includes a cam mounted on the shaft  236  that applies pressure against a spring arm such as  233  and/or  234  of the tensioner  232 . As the link  210  rotates in the first half of the motion (i.e. positions  102 A-C) the cam presses upward on the spring arm  233 . At position  102 D the cam is applying the maximum pressure on the spring arm  233 . As the link  210  rotates through the second half of the motion (i.e. positions  102 E-G), the spring arm  233  pressure on the cam causes the display  202  to move toward the full open position  102 G.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the link  310  and a damper  340 . The damper  340  damps or slows the rotational motion of the link  310  about the main pivot  312 . In one embodiment, the link  310  includes a full or partial wheel  338 . The wheel  338  follows the rotation of the link  310 . In one embodiment, the wheel  338  is in contact with a damper  340 . The damper  340  provides resistance to rotation in either direction (i.e. open or closed directions) as the link  310  rotates in open or closed directions.  
         [0038]    The damper  340  can be any type of damper known in the art. For example, the damper  340  may be a frictional braking device on the wheel  338  such as one or more fixed rubber (or similar frictional material) wedges or belts or drums applying friction against the wheel  338 . Alternatively the damper  340  could rotate and include a resistance mechanism within the damper  340  that resists rotation. The damper  340  can be in frictional contact with the wheel  338 . Alternatively the damper  340  and the wheel  338  can include intermeshing gears such that as the link  310  rotates about the main pivot  312 , the wheel  338  follows the rotation of the link  310  and the wheel  338  causes the damper  340  to rotate. The resistance mechanism in the damper  340  thereby damps the movement of the link  310 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the display or cover  402  on a base  404 . The cover  402  is attached to the base  404  by two links  410 ,  411 . The links  410 ,  411  are attached to the base  404  by main pivots  412 ,  413  respectively. The links  410 ,  411  are attached to the cover  402  by fixed pivots  414 ,  415  respectively. In one embodiment the cover  402  is also attached to the base  404  by one or more tracks and engagements such engagement  108  and track  106  as described in FIGS.  1 A-G above. While two links  410 ,  411  are shown, additional or fewer links could also be used.  
         [0040]    Also illustrated in FIG. 4 is a keyboard  450  disposed on the upper surface of the base  404 . In this embodiment, the keyboard is covered when the display  402  is in a closed position and exposed as the display is moved to an open position, as described herein.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a base  504  and a cover  502  attached to the base  504  by a single link  510 . The cover  502  can include a display and can also be moveable similar to as described in FIGS.  1 A-G above. As shown, the cover  502  is in a position substantially similar to position  102 C described in FIG. 1C above. The link  510  is shown mounted in a substantially central location but the link can be offset to one side or the other. The base  504  also includes latches  542 ,  543 . In one embodiment, the latches  542 ,  543  engage the cover  502  when the cover is in the closed position (i.e. position  102 A shown in FIG. 1A above) so that the latches  542 ,  543  secure the cover  502  in the closed position. Alternatively the latches  542 ,  543  can engage the cover  502  in a full open position (i.e. position  102 G shown in FIG. 1G above) so that the latches  542 ,  543  secure the cover  502  in the open position.  
         [0042]    The link  510  can also include a tensioner such as the tensioner  236  described in FIG. 2 above. The link  510  can also include a damper such as the damper  340  described FIG. 3 above.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 6 is a high-level block diagram of one embodiment of the processing architecture the client  701 , and/or or the computers/servers with which the client communicates. As shown, the computer system  600  includes a processor  602 , ROM  604 , and RAM  606 , each connected to a bus system  608 . The bus system  608  may include one or more buses connected to each other through various bridges, controllers and/or adapters, such as are well known in the art. For example, the bus system  608  may include a “system bus” that is connected through an adapter to one or more expansion buses, such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. Also coupled to the bus system  608  are a mass storage device  610 , a network interface  612 , and a number (N) of input/output (I/O) devices  616 - 1  through  616 -N.  
         [0044]    I/O devices  616 - 1  through  616 -N may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a display device and/or other conventional I/O devices. Mass storage device  610  may include one or more of any suitable device for storing large volumes of data, such as a magnetic disk or tape, magneto-optical (MO) storage device, or any of various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) or Compact Disk (CD) based storage.  
         [0045]    Network interface  612  provides data communication between the computer system  600  and other computer systems. Network interface  612  may be any device suitable for or enabling the computer system  600  to communicate data with a remote processing system over a data communication link, such as a conventional telephone modem, an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) adapter, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) adapter, a cable modem, a satellite transceiver, a wireless cellular transceiver, an Ethernet adapter, or the like.  
         [0046]    Of course, many variations upon the architecture shown in FIG. 6 can be made to suit the particular needs of a given system. Thus, certain components may be added to those shown in FIG. 6 for given system, or certain components shown in FIG. 6 may be omitted from the given system.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 7 illustrates a more detailed embodiment of a client computing device. The client computing device may be constructed in the physical form of the cover and base combination described in FIGS.  1 A-G and  2 - 5  above. The client computing device  700  is comprised generally of a microcontroller  705 , an external memory  750 , a display controller  775 , and a battery  760 . The external memory  750  may be used to store programs and/or data  765  transmitted to the client computing device  700  from a server  110  or other computer system. In one embodiment, the external memory  750  is nonvolatile memory (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (“EEPROM”); a programmable read only memory (“PROM”), etc). Alternatively, the memory  750  may be a volatile memory (e.g., random access memory or “RAM”) but the data stored therein may be continually maintained via the battery  760 . The battery  760  in one embodiment is a coin cell battery (e.g., of the same type used in portable electronic devices such as calculators and watches).  
         [0048]    The microcontroller  705  of one embodiment is comprised of a central processing unit (“CPU”)  710 , a read only memory (“ROM”)  770 , and a scratchpad RAM  740 . The ROM  770  is further comprised of an interpreter module  720  and a toolbox module  730 .  
         [0049]    The toolbox module  730  of the ROM  770  contains a set of toolbox routines for processing data, text and graphics on the client computing device  700 . These routines include drawing text and graphics on the client computing device&#39;s display, decompressing data transmitted from the server, reproducing audio on the client computing device  700 , and performing various input/output and communication functions. A variety of additional client computing device functions may be included within the toolbox  730  while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.  
         [0050]    In one embodiment, microprograms and data  760  are transmitted from the server to the external memory  750  of the client computing device via a communication interface  780  under control of the CPU  710 . Various communication interfaces  780  may be employed without departing from the underlying principles of the invention including, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) interface or a serial communication (“serial”) interface. The communication device  780  may also include any other similar RF receiver/transmitter combination that will allow the microcontroller  705  to establish a link to a server. For example, in one particular embodiment, the client computing device  700  transmits and receives data to/from a cellular network via the general packet radio service (“GPRS”). As it is known in the art, the GPRS standard is a digital wireless packet switched standard. Embodiments of the client computing device may also be configured to transmit/receive data using a variety of other communication standards including 2-way paging standards and third generation (“3G”) wireless standards (e.g., UTMS, CDMA 2000, NTT DoCoMo, . . . etc).  
         [0051]    The microprograms in one embodiment are comprised of compact, interpreted instructions known as “bytecodes,” which are converted into native code by the interpreter module  720  before being executed by the CPU  710 . One of the benefits of this configuration is that when the microcontroller/CPU portion of the client computing device  700  is upgraded (e.g., to a faster and/or less expensive model), only the interpreter module  720  and toolbox  730  of the ROM needs to be rewritten to interpret the currently existing bytecodes for the new microcontroller/CPU. In addition, this configuration allows client computing devices  700  with different CPUs to coexist and execute the same microprograms. Moreover, programming frequently-used routines in the ROM toolbox module  730  reduces the size of microprograms stored in the external memory  750 , thereby conserving memory and bandwidth. In one embodiment, new interpreter modules  720  and/or toolbox routines  730  may be developed to execute the same microprograms on cellular phones, personal information managers (“PIMs”), or any other device with a CPU and memory.  
         [0052]    One embodiment of the ROM  770  may be comprised of interpreted code as well as native code written specifically for the microcontroller CPU  705 . More particularly, some toolbox routines may be written as interpreted code (as indicated by the arrow between the toolbox  730  and the interpreter module  720 ) to conserve memory and bandwidth for the same reasons described above with respect to microprograms. Moreover, in one embodiment, data and microprograms stored in external memory  750  may be configured to override older versions of data/microprograms stored in the ROM  770  (e.g., in the ROM toolbox  730 ).  
         [0053]    In one embodiment of the client computing device  700 , the CPU  705  employs a 32-bit RISC-based microprocessor such as an ARM processor. As is known in the art, ARM processors are widely used in PDAs, cell phones and a variety of other wireless devices. It should be noted, however, that various other hardware and software (and/or firmware) architectures may be used for the client computing device  700  while still complying with the underlying principles of the invention.  
         [0054]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.