Multi-mode handheld computer

[0002] Priority is claimed based on Provisional Patent Application No. 60/256,008 filed on Dec. 16, 2000 and Disclosure Document No. 468746 received at the USPTO on Feb. 7, 2000.

[0003] Not applicable.

[0004] The table in the Appendix contains a list of all drawing references.

[0005] The present invention relates in general to processor based devices operable while being held in a user's hand, and more specifically, to a handheld computing device which incorporates both keyboard and mouse functionality and is capable of being operated in one hand or on a desktop. This invention also relates to a remote control unit which provides keyboard and mouse functionality in addition to conventional remote control functions for consumer electronics or computing devices.

[0006] Portable computing and communication devices are quickly becoming ubiquitous tools for both business and personal activities. The smallest and lightest of these devices are suitable for and most often carried and operated while being held in the hand of its user. Typical of these devices are the variety of so-called personal digital assistants (PDAs) now commercially available. Whereas historically user input to computing and communication devices has been primarily through a keyboard and a mouse, PDAs have eliminated the keyboard and mouse due to the inconvenience of carrying the additional accessories. In PDAs the mouse function has been partially duplicated by a touch-sensitive screen activated by a stylus or pen or a finger. However, using a stylus in this manner is difficult, particularly when standing or when a level and stable resting surface is unavailable, because these pen computers do not provide a flat surface on which to rest the hand while writing. Consequently, the user's hand is forced to hover above the touch-sensitive display, resulting in fatigue and illegible writing. In addition, stylus operation is not as versatile as that of a two- or three-button mouse, and pen computing in general is not ergonomic. Similarly, the keyboard functionality in these devices has been replaced either by a handwriting recognition software or by a “soft keyboard” in which the image of a keyboard is displayed on the screen and the user selects the individual letters using a stylus. However, both of these methods are slow and cumbersome and reduce the available screen area. As experience with PDAs has increased, it has been recognized that from time to time nearly all applications and users would benefit from the ability to perform full-function keyboard and mouse input.

[0007] There have been efforts to provide both desktop and handheld computers in a single housing. Most of these efforts have involved repositioning the display of a laptop computer so that it covers and hides the keyboard, typically in the manner of a tablet. Exemplary of these efforts are the laptop computers shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,276,589 and 5,268,816 in which the display is mounted to slide or pivot in three dimensions over the keyboard; the laptop computer shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,303 in which the display and keyboard can be detached and repositioned with the display lying flat and the keyboard stored in a compartment under the display. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,817 Miyagawa et al. disclose a portable computer with keyboard and having a display unit with coordinate input tablet rotatably mounted to face either toward or away from keyboard when closed over keyboard. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,478 Kumar et al. disclose a portable computing device having an adjustable hinge by which the display section can be affixed in place facing inward or outward. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,257 Kumar et al. disclose a combination keyboard and cover for a handheld computer in which the user rotates keyboard from a non-operational position substantially covering the handheld computer display to an operational position at substantially a right angle to the display. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,243 Karidis discloses a foldable display screen notebook computer with touch-screen operational capabilities and where the display section and its component back section are detachable from the base unit.

[0008] The present invention relates in general to processor based devices operable while being held in a user's hand, and more specifically, to a handheld computing device which incorporates both keyboard and mouse functionality and is capable of being operated in one band or on a desktop.

[0009] Some pen computers and PDAs currently commercially available do include a socket to connect a conventional or folding keyboard. However, given the inconvenience of carrying, connecting and operating a completely external keyboard, existing pen computer and PDA users often elect to go without keyboard input.

[0010] In addition, none of the devices in the prior art enable the user to both navigate through icons on the computer screen and type on the keyboard while holding the device in one hand.

[0011] The present invention overcomes the problems noted above and satisfies the need for ergonomic keyboard and mouse operation in a handheld device.

[0012] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to achieve a more accomplished information processing apparatus capable of operating in three modes, one as a desktop unit and two as a handheld unit with or without keyboard entry.

[0013] Another object of this invention is to provide the full functionality of a personal computer in a practical and user-friendly way in a small form factor device.

[0014] A further object of this invention is to provide full keyboard and mouse functionality in a handheld remote control.

[0015] Provided is a hybrid packaging design for a portable personal computer which is substantially the same size and weight as a palmtop computer and which combines elements of both desktop and palmtop computers, but with new features of a full-function ergonomic keyboard and mouse to provide additional functionality and flexibility.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld computer having a base unit; a touchpad section having a touch-sensitive surface and a plurality of pushbuttons, said touchpad being extendible facing upward for desktop operation and foldable 180° facing downward for handheld operation; a dual-orientation keyboard carried by the base unit; and a display section having a viewing surface with a plurality of pushbuttons, said display section being coupled to the base unit and movable between a closed position in which the viewing surface of the display section faces the keyboard, and an opened position in which the keyboard is uncovered and the display section is positioned beside the keyboard with an adjustable viewing angle.

[0017] The touchpad section is mounted to the base unit by means of a hinge mechanism coupled to the base unit in a manner that enables the touchpad section to pivot 180 degrees and be affixed in place facing rearward, namely in a folded position.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a handheld computer having a base unit; a touchpad section having a touch-sensitive surface and a plurality of pushbuttons, said touchpad being extendible facing the front for desktop operation and foldable 180 degree facing the rear for handheld operation; a dual-orientation keyboard carried by the base unit; and a display section having a viewing surface with a plurality of pushbuttons, said display section being coupled to the base unit and movable between a closed position in which the viewing surface of the display section faces the keyboard, and an opened position in which the keyboard is uncovered and the display section is positioned beside the keyboard with an adjustable viewing angle.

[0019] The mounting mechanism for the display conveniently enables the display to cover the keyboard when use of the keyboard is not required, and to quickly uncover the keyboard and arrange the display at a convenient viewing angle when keyboard input is needed or when the computer is to be used on a desk top or other support surface.

[0020] Of critical importance is the ability of the user to have both touchpad and keyboard functionality at the same time while holding the device in one hand. This aspect of the current invention is absent in all prior art devices.

[0021] Another crucial aspect of the invention is the improved ergonomics for data entry. A mouse or similar pointing device is indispensable in modern general-purpose computers. Conventional Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and pen computers provide partial mouse functionality in the form of a touch-sensitive screen. The present invention, on the other hand, provides a touchpad and a plurality of programmable buttons which together provide the full functionality of a three-button mouse or a wheel mouse. Similarly, conventional devices provide partial keyboard functionality in the form of section of the touch-sensitive screen allocated either for handwriting recognition or for a “soft keyboard” which is a partial keyboard layout displayed on the screen for a “hunt-and-peck” style input using a stylus. Both of these mechanisms are slower and less ergonomic than the keyboard proposed herein on which a user can type at high speed. In addition, conventional methods occupy a significant space on the screen, making text editing more difficult, whereas in the current invention the entire display screen is fully available and unobstructed at all times. The stylus is another non-ergonomic element for the users of conventional devices, becoming a source of fatigue and discomfort after several minutes of continuous use. The current invention does not use a stylus.

[0022] In another embodiment, the device minus the display unit can be used as a keyboard and mouse combination for another device. In either a wired or wireless configuration, this embodiment is well suited for use in industrial applications or with consumer electronics appliances such as television set top boxes. Set top boxes are used mainly for sending and receiving email and for navigating the Internet through a television set, in which case the user is usually seated at a distance without a desk. Having a small remote control which can be held and manipulated in one hand provides a more pleasant user experience than having a full size keyboard on the lap. The keyboard templates in this case would comprise a portrait layout and a conventional remote control layout.

[0023] The innovation is enhanced with features which include multilingual keyboard layouts, various input/output ports, and various docking/support stations. The combination of these items enables a variety of new usage scenarios, and enables the system to receive wide acceptance from the user community.

[0024] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The stated advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the ensuing detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the computer in accordance with the present invention depicting the computer as used in desktop mode with the display section open and the touchpad section extended;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the computer as used in the handheld mode with keyboard entry with the display section open and the touchpad section folded;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the computer as used in the handheld mode without keyboard entry with the display section stacked and the touchpad section folded;

[0029] FIG. 4 is the rear view of the computer and the position of the hand holding the unit;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a right view of the computer showing the movement of the touchpad section from extended to the folded position;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the computer showing the movement of the display section from the closed to the open position;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the computer showing the movement of the screen from the open to the stacked position;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the computer showing the movement of the keypad section to change its orientation from portrait to landscape and vice versa;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of portions of the base unit and the display section showing the electrical connection between the two;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the details of an exemplary hinge and roller mechanism coupling the base unit to the display section as well as to the touchpad section;

[0036] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the details of an exemplary hinge and roller mechanism coupling the base unit to the display section as well as to the touchpad section;

[0037] FIGS. 12 and 13 show exemplary portrait and landscape layouts for the keyboard;

[0038] FIG. 14 shows an exemplary layout for an audio/video remote control unit.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment thereof the present invention provides a specially designed portable handheld computer 10 that includes an elongated rectangular base unit 11, sized to be held and manipulated in one hand, in which the main electronic circuitry of the computer is operatively disposed, a touchpad section 13 shown in its extended position, and a display section 16 shown in its open position. Base unit 11 has a front side wall 22, a rear side wall 23, a left side wall 24, a right side wall 25, a top end wall 26, and a bottom end wall 27. The base unit further includes programmable pushbuttons 12 mounted on its right and left sides, a removable storage media interface 28, and means for wired and wireless communication.

[0040] A touch-sensitive surface 14 and a plurality of pushbuttons 15 are operatively mounted on touchpad section 13 which together act as a mouse type input to the computer. Pushbuttons 12 and 15 can be programmed as various mouse buttons such as left, right, middle, scroll up, or scroll down to be used in conjunction with the touchpad.

[0041] A display screen 17 is operatively mounted on display section 16 and, as viewed in FIG. 2, has a rectangular configuration. Also mounted on display section 16 are programmable pushbuttons 18.

[0042] Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to a primary aspect of the present invention, handheld computer 10 is specially designed to be operated by a user in a selectively variable one of two different display screen orientations: a portrait orientation (FIG. 2) in which the longer dimension of display screen 17 is vertically oriented, and a landscape orientation (FIG. 1) in which the longer dimension of display screen 17 is horizontally oriented.

[0043] Referring again to FIG. 1, the computer may be used in its landscape orientation in desktop mode. In this mode, keypad 19 is inserted into its position over base unit 11 with landscape layout 20 visible, and pushbuttons 12, 15, and 18 can be programmed for mouse controls and activated with the user's right or left hand, thus providing full mouse functionality.

[0044] Now turning to FIG. 2, the computer may be used in its portrait orientation in handheld mode. In this mode, keypad 19 is inserted into its position over base unit 11 with portrait layout 21 visible, and pushbuttons 12, and 18 can be programmed for mouse controls and activated with the user's right or left hand, thus providing full mouse functionality.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, display section 16 is slid across base unit 11 and affixed in place with display screen 17 visible, i.e. in stacked position. Touchpad section 13 is in folded position and can be operated with the index finger of the hand grasping the unit. This is a second handheld configuration in which the user does not need immediate access to the keyboard.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows the rear view of the computer and the position of the user's hand in the handheld mode. Pushbuttons 12 and 18 are accessible in this mode and can be programmed to act as left, right, middle, scroll up, or scroll down mouse buttons.

[0047] Now referring to FIG. 5, touchpad section 13 can be moved from the extended position to the folded position, i.e. affixed in place with the touchpad surface facing rearward by following the indicated arrows.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the computer showing the sequence of movements of display section 16 from the closed to the open position. Display section 16 can be adjusted for the best viewing angle.

[0049] Turning now to FIG. 7, display section 16 can be moved from the open position to the stacked position, i.e. affixed in place with display screen 17 facing outward, by following the indicated arrows.

[0050] FIG. 8 shows the operation of switching the keypad from one layout to another by pulling it out of its slot above the base unit and flipping it over. The two sides of keypad section 19 can have different layouts, normally a landscape layout for use in the desktop mode and a portrait layout for use in the handheld mode. Not shown is the mechanism by which the computer can automatically detect the orientation of the keyboard, however it should be clear to those skilled in the art how to provide a mechanical, optical, or electrical means to achieve this.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of conductive pins on base unit 11 make contact with corresponding conductive curved surfaces on display section 16. The curved surfaces enable display section 16 to pivot while maintaining electrical contact with the base unit to supply power and control and data signals to the display.

[0052] As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, hinge 29 and roller mechanism 30 enables display section 16 to move across the front surface of base unit 11. The same mechanism enables touchpad section 13 to move in and out of base unit 11. The use of two rollers allows a smooth and jam-resistant movement of each section.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the keyboard layouts are designed such that the most commonly used characters, i.e. letters, numbers, arrows, etc. to be accessed with single keystrokes. The punctuation character associated with each number key is the same as that on a standard keyboard and entered using the Shift key. The Shift key also produces the uppercase letters when used in conjunction with the letter keys. The “F” key enables the entry of function keys and the remaining punctuation characters printed on the letter keys. Preferably, the Shift key and the “F” key are of distinct colors than the rest of the keys, with the Shift- and F-operated characters on all keys printed in the same color as the Shift key and the “F” key respectively for easier identification. The locations of the Shift, Alt, Ctrl, and “F” keys are preferably invariant under landscape-to-portrait transformation.

[0054] FIG. 14 shows an example of a key layout for an audio/video device.

[0055] Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0056] The following table contains the reference numbers used in the attached drawings.