Positioning mechanism for a pen-based computing system

[0001] This invention relates to mobile computing devices. In particular it relates to pen-based mobile computing devices.

[0002] Pen-based computing systems, unlike conventional laptop or notebook computers, allow data input via a stylus or pen. Briefly, a pen is used to write characters on a portion of the display screen that includes a digitizer. The digitizer captures the handwriting and handwriting recognition software converts the software into recognized text.

[0003] During data entry using the keyboard, a viewing angle made between the display screen and the keyboard should be greater than 90 degrees for optimal viewing of the display screen.

[0004] Thus, there should be some mechanism to hold the display screen relative to the keyboard at the correct viewing angle.

[0015] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0016] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

[0017] FIGS. 1A to 1E show various views of a computing system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system 10 is a pen-based computing system and includes a tablet unit 12 and a base unit 14. The base unit 14 includes first and second generally planar panels 16, 18, respectively. The panels 16, 18 are connected by a flexible hinge 20 which permits relative articulation between the first and second panels 16, 18. The first panel 16 bears a keyboard 22 which permits data entry into the tablet unit 12 when the system 10 is operated in a laptop mode.

[0018] As can be seen in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D of the drawings, the system 10 may be positioned in a carry mode configuration, in which the tablet unit 12 is positioned over the first panel 16 with the second panel 18 of the base unit 14 positioned over the tablet unit 12. In order to secure the system 10 in the carry mode configuration, the second panel 18 of the base unit 14 includes two pivotally mounted latches 24 which engage complementary locking formations provided in the tablet unit 12 to releaseably lock the second panel 18 to the tablet unit 12. It will be noted that, in the carry mode configuration, the system 10 resembles a portfolio (see FIG. 1D of the drawings).

[0019] Components of the tablet unit 12 typically include one or more processing components, a memory hierarchy comprising a number of memory devices, and a display screen 24 including a digitizer.

[0020] FIG. 2 of the drawings, shows a configuration of the system 10 that is used for data entry via the keyboard 22. This configuration is known as the laptop mode configuration and comprises the tablet unit 12 held at an inclined position relative to the first panel 16 so that the display screen 24 of the tablet unit 12 makes a viewing angle α with the keyboard 22 of greater than 90 degrees. In the laptop mode configuration, the tablet unit 12 is propped by the second panel 18 of the base unit 14 which is releaseably secured thereto via the latches 24 described above. The curved section of the hinge 20 is coplanar with the bottom surface of the first panel 16. In a viewing position, a load from the tablet unit 12 is directed through the second panel 18 to the hinge 20, wherein the bend in the curved section of the hinge 20 disperses some of the load acting on the hinge 20 away from the first panel 16.

[0021] It will be appreciated that when in the laptop mode configuration, a leading edge 26 of the tablet unit 12 has to be arrested to prevent sliding movement thereof relative to the base unit 14. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided complementary formations on the tablet unit 12, and the base unit 14, to prevent sliding movement of the tablet unit 12 relative to the first panel 16, when the system 10 is in the laptop mode configuration, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B of the drawings, the complementary formations of the tablet unit 12 include a male formation which defines a spigot 30. The spigot 30 is pivotally secured to the tablet unit 12, for example using a transverse pivot pin (not shown) and may be operated to articulate between a stowed position in which it is completely within the housing or enclosure of the tablet unit 12 (see FIG. 4A), and an extended position in which it protrudes from the housing as is shown in FIG. 4B. As can be seen from FIG. 3A of the drawings, the spigot 30 includes a thin neck region 32 and an enlarged head 34.

[0022] In order to receive the spigot 30, the base unit 14 includes a complementary female formation shaped and dimensioned to receive the spigot 30 in snug fit therein. As will be seen from FIG. 5A of the drawings, in one embodiment, the base unit 14 includes a plurality of female formations 36 disposed along the longitudinal axis. Each of the female formations 36 may be selectively engaged by a spigot 30 to secure the tablet unit 12 when in the laptop mode configuration. It will be appreciated that the plurality of female formations 36 allows for selection of different viewing angles.

[0023] FIG. 5B of the drawings shows one of the female formations 36 of the FIG. 5A in greater detail. As will be seen, the female formation 36 includes two sliding members 40 which are mounted within a recess in the base unit 14 to define a transverse slot 42 within which the spigot 30 is receivable. The sliding members 40 are biased under the influence of a biasing element to close the transverse slot 42 therebetween. In one embodiment, the biasing element may include a coil spring. In use, the spigot 30 urges the sliding members to move in an outward direction indicated by the arrows 44 in FIG. 5B to allow the enlarged head 34 of the spigot 30 to be received in the transverse slot 42. Thereafter, under influence of the biasing force of the biasing elements, the sliding members 40 close behind the enlarged head 34 to bear against the neck 32 of the spigot 30, thus locking the spigot 30 to the female formation 36. In one embodiment, the head 32 of the spigot 30 and the sliding members 40 may be contoured to allow the head 32 to move into the slot 42 with minimal force. For example, the edges of the sliding members 40 adjacent the transverse slot 42 may be inclined to guide the head 34 into the slot 42.

[0024] The complementary formations on the tablet unit 12, and the base unit 14, need not be male-female type formations. For example, as can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B of the drawings, the complementary formations of the tablet unit 12 may include a rotatable member in the form of a wheel 50 having a plurality of circumferencially spaced teeth 52. In this embodiment, the complementary formations of the base unit 14 may then include an elongate track 54 provided with complementary teeth to engage the teeth 52 of the wheel 50. As can be seen in FIG. 6A of the drawings, in one embodiment, the tablet unit 12 includes two laterally-spaced wheels 50 and the base unit 14 includes two corresponding tracks 54 to receive the wheels 50 therein. Instead of the discrete new angles provided by the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C of the drawings, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B provide a continuous range of viewing angles each of which is defined by the position of the wheels 50 within the tracks 54.

[0025] In an embodiment not shown, in order to prevent sliding movement of the tablet unit 12 relative to the first panel 16 of the base unit 14, the first panel 16 may include a non-slip or high friction surface. Further, portions of the tablet unit that contact the panel 16 when the system 10 is in the desktop mode configuration may include a rough or serrated surface to further prevent sliding of the tablet unit 12 relative to the panel 16.

[0026] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that the various modification and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.