Patent Description:
To address the issues discussed herein, a mobile computing device is provided. According to one aspect, the mobile computing device is provided according to claim <NUM>.

In some configurations, the hinge assembly may include a harness cover, and the first and second gears may be configured to engage respective first and second cogs housed within the harness cover to control rotation of the first and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and second housing parts between the face- to-face and back-to-back orientations.

In some configurations, the hinge assembly may include a spring-loaded opening mechanism and an electro-magnetic closure system having a first magnet arranged in the first housing part and a second magnet arranged in the second housing part. The first magnet may be configured to align with the second magnet to secure the first and second housing parts in the closed orientation via a magnetic force. Engagement of a release button on one of the first and second housing parts may actuate an electric motor included in the first housing part to move the first magnet and reduce the magnetic force between the first and second magnets. The reduction of the magnetic force may permit the first housing part to separate from the second housing part at a predetermined angular orientation due to a torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.

As schematically illustrated in <FIG>, to address the above identified issues, a mobile computing device <NUM> is provided. The mobile computing device <NUM> may, for example, take the form of a smart phone device. In another example, the mobile computing device <NUM> may take other suitable forms, such as a tablet computing device, a wrist mounted computing device, or the like. The mobile computing device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, which, for example, may take the form of a casing surrounding internal electronics and providing structure for displays, sensors, speakers, buttons, etc. The housing <NUM> has a first housing part <NUM> and a second part housing <NUM> coupled by a hinge assembly <NUM>. The first housing part <NUM> includes a first display <NUM>, and the second housing part <NUM> includes a second display <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> is configured to permit the first and second displays <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate between angular orientations from a face-to-face angular orientation to a back-to-back angular orientation.

In one implementation, the face-to-face angular orientation is defined to have an angular displacement as measured from the first display <NUM> to the second display <NUM> of between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, an open angular orientation is defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, and the back-to-back orientation is defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. Alternatively, an implementation in which the open orientation is not used to trigger behavior may be provided, and in this implementation, the face-to-face angular orientation may be defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, and the back-to-back angular orientation may be defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In either of these implementations, when tighter ranges are desired, the face-to-face angular orientation may be defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, or more narrowly to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, and the back-to-back angular orientation may be defined to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees, or more narrowly to be between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. The <NUM> degree position may be referred to as fully closed in the fully face-to-face angular orientation and the <NUM> degree position may be referred to as fully open in the back-to-back angular orientation. In implementations that do not use a double hinge, and which are not able to rotate a full <NUM> degrees, fully open and/or fully closed may be greater than <NUM> degrees and less than <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> shows a schematic view of the mobile computing device of <FIG> with the displays removed. The mobile computing device <NUM> may include flexible printed circuitry <NUM> arranged in the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM>. As illustrated and described in detail below, the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> is routed from the first housing part <NUM> to the second housing part <NUM> via the hinge assembly <NUM>. The utilization of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> in place of conventionally used coaxial cable allows the hinge assembly <NUM> to have a smaller profile in the mobile computing device <NUM>, which in turn reduces the size of the bezel and provides more available screen space on the first and second displays <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and described in detail below, the mobile computing device <NUM> may include an electro-magnetic closure system <NUM> having a first magnet <NUM> arranged in the first housing part <NUM> and a second magnet <NUM> arranged in the second housing part <NUM>. When aligned, the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to secure the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM> in a closed position via a magnetic force. It will be appreciated that the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured as single magnets or as a gangs of magnets. When configured as gangs of magnets, the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged as a Halbach array.

A release button <NUM> may be pressed to open the mobile computing device <NUM> from a closed position. The release button <NUM> may incorporate such features as biometric sensor and/or a power switch. The mobile computing device illustrated in <FIG> includes two hinge assemblies; however, a single hinge assembly <NUM> will be described herein for the sake of clarity. When a mobile computing device is equipped with two hinge assemblies arranged at top and bottom interfaces between the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM>, it will be appreciated that the hinge assemblies are substantially the same, but rotated at <NUM> degrees with respect to one another.

<FIG> illustrate front top and front bottom perspective views, respectively, of the hinge assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrate rear top and rear bottom perspective views, respectively, of the hinge assembly <NUM>. In an assembled state, the hinge assembly <NUM> may be configured to route the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> and a flexible cable <NUM> from the first housing part <NUM> to the second housing part <NUM>. The cable <NUM> is configured to connect an antenna (not shown) from one of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> to a main board arranged in the other of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the cable may be any type of cable suitable for connecting to an antenna. In the embodiment described herein, the cable <NUM> is configured as a radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable <NUM>. As described in detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> may comprise a first wing 30A and a second wing 30B joined via a folding portion 30C that is arranged in the hinge assembly <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> may include a first integrally molded hinge body <NUM> configured to be arranged in the first housing part <NUM> and a second integrally molded hinge body <NUM> configured to be arranged in the second housing part <NUM>. The integrally molded hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed of a metallic material via an injection molding process, such as metal injection molding (MIM).

Exploded front and rear perspective views of the hinge assembly <NUM>, flexible printed circuitry <NUM>, and the RF coaxial cable <NUM> are shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively. As illustrated, the first hinge body <NUM> may be molded to include a first friction band 34A comprising a first gear 34B formed around a first void 34C. Likewise, the second hinge body <NUM> may be molded to include a second friction band 36A comprising a second gear 36B formed around a second void 36C.

In addition to the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM> may further include a harness <NUM> having a first shaft 38A and a second shaft 38B, a harness cover <NUM>, and first and second cogs 42A, 42B configured to reside within the harness cover <NUM>. In an assembled state, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B may be received by the respective first and second friction bands 34A, 36A, and the first and second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with the respective first and second gears 34B, 36B. Engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with the friction bands 34A, 36A may permit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> around respective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and thus permit rotation of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> between the angular orientations described above.

The friction bands 34A, 36A provide a frictional force against the respective first and second shafts 38A, 38B that prevents the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> from rotating in the absence of an opening or closing force exerted by a user. However, the user may easily overcome the frictional force to move the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> to a desired angular orientation. It will be appreciated that the first and second friction bands 34A, 36A are configured to be externally facing. This design allows the diameter of the friction bands 34A, 36A and shafts 38A, 38B to be larger, thereby increasing the torque and strength of the engagement of the shafts 38A, 38B with respective friction bands 34A, 36A. This configuration further facilitates a variability in the friction torque variable that enhances the behavior of a spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM> included in the hinge assembly, as described below. Additionally, engagement of the gears 34B, 36B with the cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> between the face-to-face and back-to-back orientations.

The harness <NUM> may be formed to further include a first recess 38C configured to accommodate the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> and a second recess 38D configured to hold the RF coaxial cable <NUM>. The hinge assembly <NUM> may further include a plate <NUM> configured to attach to the harness <NUM> and secure the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> in the harness <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be spot-welded to the harness <NUM>. Alternatively, the plate <NUM> may be bonded to the harness <NUM> via another method, such as adhesive or glue.

In an assembled state, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> and the RF coaxial cable <NUM> may extend from the first housing part <NUM> to the second housing part <NUM> via the hinge assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second recesses 38C, 38D are arranged on opposite sides of the harness <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that the first and second recesses 38C, 38D may alternately be arranged on a same side of the harness <NUM>. As described in detail below, support rods 70A, 70B may be bonded to the flexible printed circuitry <NUM>.

The harness <NUM> may further include a third shaft 38E and a fourth shaft 38F arranged opposite the first and second shafts 38A, 38B. The third and fourth shafts 38E, 38F may stabilize the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> when it is seated in the first recess 38C of the harness <NUM>.

To prevent breakage of the first and/or second displays <NUM>, <NUM> in the event that the mobile computing device <NUM> is bumped or dropped, the hinge assembly <NUM> includes hinge guide stoppers to prevent the hinge assembly <NUM> from contacting the first and/or second displays <NUM>, <NUM>. To this end, a first hinge guide stopper 46A is positioned between the first hinge body <NUM> and the third shaft 38E of the harness, and a second hinge guide stopper 46B is arranged between the second hinge body <NUM> and the fourth shaft 38F of the harness. When the mobile computing device <NUM> is dropped or bumped, the hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B are configured to absorb the impact and provide a spatial cushion between hinge assembly <NUM> and the first and/or second displays <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be placed after the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> is installed in the hinge assembly <NUM>, and the hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured to respective hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> via welding. However, it will be appreciated that the first and second hinge guide stoppers 46A, 46B may be secured to respective hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> with another method, such as a bonding adhesive, for example.

The hinge assembly <NUM> may include a spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, with reference to <FIG>, the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM> may include a first spring 50A and a first spring seat 52A arranged on a first pin 54A and positioned in the first hinge body <NUM>, and a second spring 50B and a second spring seat 52B arranged on a second pin 54B and positioned in the second hinge body <NUM>. The spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM> may further include a first follower <NUM> and a second follower <NUM>. The first and second followers may be formed such that one end of the follower is orthogonal with respect to the other end of the follower. With this configuration, a first end 56A of the first follower <NUM> may be disposed in a head 54C of the first pin 54A, and a second end 56B of the first follower <NUM> may be engaged with a first cam 38A1 of the first shaft 38A of the harness <NUM>. Likewise, a first end 58A of the second follower <NUM> may be disposed in a head 54D of the second pin 54B, and a second end 58B of the second follower <NUM> may be engaged with a second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38B of the harness <NUM>. As described below with reference to <FIG>, the second ends 56B, 58B of the followers <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed to have a concave face, and the cams 38A1, 38B1 may be formed to have a substantially arcuate surface. In an assembled state, hinge covers C1, C2 may be attached to the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, to protect the components of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate how the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> is configured to fold such that the folding portion 30C can be accommodated in the harness <NUM> of the hinge assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows a rear view of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> in an unfolded, flat state. Prior to folding, the flat flexible printed circuitry <NUM> is substantially U-shaped, with the first wing 30A and the second wing 30B joined via the folding portion 30C. The folding portion 30C includes one or more pleats and/or slits 30D that may be horizontally folded to be pleated, for example, with reference to the position of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. Once pleated, the folding portion 30C may be vertically folded along two axes, indicated by dashed lines in <FIG>, to form a seating portion 30E. The U-shape of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> facilitates the positioning of the first and second wings 30A, 30B in the respective housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> when the folding portion 30C is pleated and folded to create the seating portion 30E that is subsequently seated in the first recess 38C of the harness <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Further, the seating portion 30E of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> that traverses the hinge assembly <NUM> via the harness <NUM> can be made to be substantially flat, thereby permitting the hinge assembly <NUM> to have a reduced profile such that the size of the bezel can be minimized, and the available screen space maximized.

<FIG> show exploded and assembled, respectively, of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> in a folded state, and engaged with the plate <NUM> and the harness <NUM>. As described above, in the folded state, the folding portion 30C is pleated via the slits 30D and bent to form the seating portion 30E that is seated in the first recess 38C of the harness <NUM>. Support rods 70A, 70B are bonded to the flexible printed circuitry at locations adjacent the wings 30A, 30B. As described above, the plate <NUM> may be configured to attach to the harness <NUM> and secure the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> therebetween. <FIG> shows the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> in the folded state and engaged with the harness <NUM> and the plate <NUM>. In an assembled state of the mobile computing device <NUM>, the folding portion 30C of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> resides within the first recess 38C of the harness <NUM>, the first wing 30A is bonded to the first support rod 70A and arranged in the first housing part <NUM>, and the second wing 30B is bonded to the second support rod 70B and arranged in the second housing part <NUM>.

<FIG> show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the spatial relationship of the cogs 42A, 42B and the harness cover <NUM> with the hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> of the hinge assembly <NUM>. As illustrated, the harness cover <NUM> may be configured to receive the first and second cogs 42A, 42B and hold them in alignment to mesh with the first and second gears 34B, 36B, respectively.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> shows an exploded view of the flexible printed circuitry <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM> sans the harness <NUM>. As shown, the folded flexible printed circuitry <NUM> may be sandwiched between the plate <NUM> and the harness <NUM>. To assemble the hinge assembly <NUM>, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness <NUM> may be inserted into the respective friction bands 34A, 36A that are integrally formed in the hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The harness <NUM> may be seated in the harness cover <NUM>, which houses the first and second gears 34B, 36B and the first and second cogs 42A, 42B. As such, each component of the hinge assembly <NUM> is designed to efficiently and compactly engage with other components to reduce the size of the hinge assembly <NUM>, which reduces the size of the bezel and provides more available screen space on the first and second displays <NUM>, <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>.

An enlarged assembled view of the hinge assembly <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that the second hinge body <NUM> is shown in dotted line such that internal components of the hinge assembly <NUM> are visible. As illustrated in <FIG> and described above, in an assembled state, the first and second shafts 38A, 38B of the harness <NUM> may be configured to respectively engage the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> via respective voids 34C, 36C formed in the respective friction bands 34A, 36A. The first and second cogs 42A, 42B may mesh with the respective first and second gears 34B, 36B. This configuration may permit rotation of the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> around respective first and second shafts 38A, 38B, and engagement of the gears 34B, 36B with the cogs 42A, 42B may control the rotation of the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> to coordinate the timing of the rotation of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> between the face-to-face and back-to-back orientations. Further, as described below with reference to <FIG>, the first and second cams 38A1, 38B1 on the shafts 38A, 38B of the harness may be configured as components of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG> show exploded and assembled views, respectively, of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>. As described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first spring 50A and the first spring seat 52A may be arranged on the first pin 54A, and the second spring 50B and the second spring seat 52B may be arranged on the second pin 54B. The first end 56A of the first follower <NUM> may fit in a recess in the head 54C of the first pin 54A. Likewise, the first end 58A of the second follower <NUM> may fit in a recess in the head 54D of the second pin 54B. In an assembled state, as shown in <FIG>, the second end 56B of the first follower <NUM> may engage the first cam 38A1 of the first shaft 38A of the harness <NUM>, and the second end 58B of the second follower <NUM> may engage the second cam 38B1 of the first shaft 38B of the harness <NUM>.

As mentioned above and described in detail below, the mobile computing device <NUM> may include an electro-magnetic closure system <NUM> that secures the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM> in a closed position via a magnetic force. It will be appreciated that the magnetic force is strong enough to overcome the torque created by the spring-loaded opening mechanism. When the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are magnetically secured in the closed orientation, the first and second springs 50A, 50B are held in a compressed state by the engagement of the cams 38A1, 38B1 with the respective followers <NUM>, <NUM>. Reduction of the magnetic force permits the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> to separate due to the torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>. Specifically, the first and second springs are released from the compressed state, which releases the potential energy stored in the springs 50A, 50B. The potential energy released from the springs 50A, 50B is transferred to the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM> via the engagement of the first ends 56A, 56B of the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM> with the head 54C of the first pin 54A and the head 54D of the second pin 54B, respectively. This causes the second ends 56B, 58B of the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate around the cams 38A1, 38B1, thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> to separate the first housing part <NUM> from the second housing part <NUM> to the predetermined angular orientation.

<FIG> are side and perspective views, respectively, of the electro-magnetic closure system <NUM> as it would appear in the first housing part <NUM> when the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are in the closed configuration. As shown, the electric motor <NUM> includes a threaded portion <NUM> engaged with a nut <NUM>. The nut <NUM> is attached to a magnet housing <NUM> that holds the first magnet <NUM> via a housing arm <NUM>.

As described above, the magnetic force created by alignment of the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> secures the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> in a closed configuration. <FIG> shows a front view of a spatial relationship between the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> as they would appear when the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are in the closed configuration. As illustrated, the first magnet <NUM> is positioned proximate an electric motor <NUM>. As discussed below, actuation of the electric motor <NUM> moves the first magnet <NUM> in a vertical direction with respect to the first housing part <NUM> of the mobile computing device <NUM>. Displacement of the first magnet <NUM> results in a misalignment between the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby reducing the magnetic force and releasing the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a front view of a spatial relationship between the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM> as they would appear in the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> after engagement of a release button <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). When the release button <NUM> is pressed, such as by a digit of a user, the electric motor <NUM> may be actuated to rotate the threaded portion <NUM>, which causes the nut <NUM> to travel along the threaded portion <NUM> and move the first magnet <NUM> toward the electric motor <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The movement of the first magnet <NUM> reduces the magnetic force between the first and second magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, which may release the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>, thereby causing the first housing part <NUM> to separate from the second housing part <NUM> at a predetermined angular orientation. While the release button <NUM> is illustrated as being on the second housing part <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the release button may be arranged on either of the first or second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> show the hinge assembly of the mobile computing device of <FIG> in different angular orientations. It will be appreciated that the second hinge body <NUM> is omitted from <FIG> to illustrate the elements of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are in the closed, face-to-face angular orientation. In this orientation, the second ends 56B, 58B of the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM> are engaged with the cams 38A1, 38B1, which holds the springs 50A, 50B in the compressed state.

In <FIG>, the engagement of the followers <NUM>, <NUM> with the cams 38A1, 38B1 is illustrated with reference to the follower <NUM> and cam 38B1 of second hinge body <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the engagement of the follower <NUM> and the cam 38A1 of the first hinge body <NUM> is configured likewise. As described above, the second ends 56B, 58B of the followers <NUM>, <NUM> may be formed to have a concave face, and the cams 38A1, 38B1 may be formed to have a substantially arcuate surface. This configuration permits the cams 38A1, 38B1 to nest within respective second ends 56B, 58B of the followers <NUM>, <NUM> when the cams 38A1, 38B1 and followers <NUM>, <NUM> are fully engaged. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the closed angular orientation, an arm 58B1 of the second follower <NUM> contacts a stopper 38B2 of the second cam 38B1, thereby causing a gap G between the second follower <NUM> and the second cam 38B1. In this configuration, the spring 50B is fully compressed and exerts a biasing force F on the second follower <NUM>, causing the second follower <NUM> to experience a bending moment M, since only one side of the second follower <NUM> is contacting the cam <NUM> at stopper 38B2. This moment force supplies the bias torque to open each display when the magnetic closure is deactivated.

As discussed above, reduction of the magnetic force by actuation of the electric motor <NUM> permits the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> to separate due to the torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>, which releases the first and second springs 50A, 50B from the compressed state, thereby releasing the potential energy stored in the springs 50A, 50B. This causes the second ends 56B, 58B of the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM> to rotate around the cams 38A1, 38B1, thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies <NUM>, <NUM> to separate the first housing part <NUM> from the second housing part <NUM> at the predetermined angular orientation. Specifically, with reference to <FIG>, when the magnetic force is relieved, the biasing force F of the spring 50B causes the second follower <NUM> to rotate outwardly until the concave face of the second follower <NUM> fully seats on the arcuate surface of the second cam 38B1, which occurs at the predetermined angular orientation, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> are open at an angle of <NUM> degrees in the predetermined angular orientation upon release of the spring-loaded opening mechanism <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that the predetermined angular orientation of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> may be more or less than <NUM> degrees. When the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> reach the predetermined angular orientation, the preloaded springs 50A, 50B cease to impart rotational motion to the first and second followers <NUM>, <NUM>. With this configuration, the opening of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> is coordinated such that they open to the same degree in a timed manner.

<FIG> show the first and second housing parts open to side-by- side and back-to-back angular orientations, respectively. While an equal rotation of the first and second housing parts <NUM>, <NUM> around the hinge assembly <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that the first or second housing part <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to rotate more, less, or not at all with respect to the other of the first or second housing part <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart of a method <NUM> for a mobile computing device according one example configuration of the present disclosure. Method <NUM> is preferably implemented on a hinged mobile computing device, such as a smart phone device.

At step <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises including a first display in a first housing part. Similarly, at step <NUM>, the method <NUM> comprises including a second display in a second housing part.

Continuing from step <NUM> to step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes coupling the first and second housing parts via a hinge assembly. This step permits the first and second housing parts to rotate between angular orientations from a face-to-face angular orientation to a back-to-back angular orientation. As discussed above, the first and second displays can rotate around the hinge in a range up to <NUM> degrees, thereby enabling the mobile computing device to be arranged in a configuration that best suits the needs of the user for a desired function or environmental constraint.

Proceeding from step <NUM> to step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes forming the hinge assembly to include a harness, an integrally molded first hinge body arranged in the first housing part, and an integrally molded second hinge body arranged in the second housing part. The harness can be formed with recesses to accommodate flexible printed circuitry and cable, which may be configured as a radio frequency (RF) coaxial cable. The flexible printed circuitry and the RF coaxial cable extend from the first housing part to the second housing part via the hinge assembly.

Advancing from step <NUM> to step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes forming a first friction band in the first hinge body, the first friction band comprising a first gear formed around a first void. Similarly, at step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes forming a second friction band in the second hinge body, the second friction band comprising a second gear formed around a second void. The first and second gears can be configured to engage respective first and second cogs housed within a harness cover to control a rotation of the first and second hinge bodies and coordinate a timing of the rotation of the first and second housing parts between face-to-face and back-to-back orientations.

Continuing from step <NUM> to <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes forming the first friction band to receive a first shaft formed on the harness. Similarly, at step <NUM>, the method <NUM> includes forming the second friction band to receive a second shaft formed on the harness. The first and second shafts can be configured to engage with the respective first and second friction bands, and the first and second hinge bodies can rotate around the respective first and second shafts.

Computing system <NUM> may embody the computing device <NUM> described above and illustrated in <FIG>. Computing system <NUM> may take the form of one or more personal computers, server computers, tablet computers, home-entertainment computers, network computing devices, gaming devices, mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smart phone), and/or other computing devices, and wearable computing devices such as smart wristwatches and head mounted augmented reality devices.

As non-limiting examples, the communication subsystem may be configured for communication via a wireless telephone network, or a wired or wireless local- or wide-area network, such as aHDMI over Wi-Fi connection.

Certain inventive aspects may be appreciated from the foregoing disclosure. According to the present disclosure, there is provided a mobile computing device and a method as set out in the independent claims. Embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

In a further embodiment, the method may comprise arranging a spring-loaded opening mechanism in the hinge assembly, including in the spring-loaded opening mechanism a first spring and a second spring, arranging the first spring on a first pin positioned in the first hinge body, and arranging the second spring on a second pin positioned in the second hinge body.

In a further embodiment, the method may comprise including in the spring-loaded opening mechanism a first follower and a second follower, disposing a first end of the first follower in a first head of the first pin, configuring a second end of the first follower to engage with a first cam on the first shaft, disposing a first end of the second follower in a second head of the second pin, and configuring a second end of the second follower to engage with a second cam on the second shaft. When potential energy stored in the first and second springs is released, the second ends of the first and second followers may rotate around the respective first and second cams, thereby rotating the first and second hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from the second housing part to a predetermined angular orientation.

In a further embodiment, the method may comprise including a first magnet, a second magnet, and an electric motor in an electro-magnetic closure system. The method may further include arranging the first magnet in the first housing part, and arranging the second magnet in the second housing part. The first and second housing parts may be held in a closed position via a magnetic force between the first and second magnet.

In a further embodiment, the method may comprise configuring a release button to actuate the electric motor to move the first magnet. Movement of the first magnet may reduce the magnetic force between the first and second magnets, and the reduction in the magnetic force may permit the first and second hinge bodies to separate the first housing part from the second housing part to the predetermined angular orientation due to a torque of the spring-loaded opening mechanism.

Claim 1:
A mobile computing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first housing part (<NUM>) including a first display (<NUM>);
a second housing part (<NUM>) including a second display (<NUM>); and
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) configured to couple the first and second housing parts (<NUM>, <NUM>) and permit rotation of the first and second displays (<NUM>, <NUM>) from a face-to-face orientation to a back-to-back orientation, the hinge assembly (<NUM>) comprising a harness (<NUM>), a first hinge body (<NUM>) arranged in the first housing part (<NUM>), and a second hinge body (<NUM>) arranged in the second housing part (<NUM>),
wherein:
the first hinge body (<NUM>) includes a first friction band (34A) comprising a first gear (34B) formed around a first void (34C), the first friction band (34A) being configured to receive a first shaft (38A) formed on the harness (<NUM>), and
the second hinge body (<NUM>) includes a second friction band (36A) comprising a second gear (36B) formed around a second void (36C), the second friction band (36A) being configured to receive a second shaft (38B) formed on the harness (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the harness (<NUM>) further includes a third shaft (38E) and a fourth shaft (38F);
a first hinge guide stopper (46A) is arranged between the first hinge body (<NUM>) and the third shaft (38E) of the harness (<NUM>);
a second hinge guide stopper (46B) is arranged between the second hinge body (<NUM>) and the fourth shaft (38F) of the harness (<NUM>); and
the first and second hinge guide stoppers (46A, 46B) are configured to prevent the hinge assembly (<NUM>) from contacting the first and second displays (<NUM>, <NUM>).