Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-08
2001-10-16
Feild, Lynn D. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304431
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from my application entitled Portable Computer Mounted Keyboard and Display Unit to Split filed with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Oct. 7, 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. U97-27737 by that Office.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable computers and, more particularly, to a portable computer system having a display unit designed to be detachable or unified with the computer's main body and a portable computer system having an ergonomic keyboard capable of being split into halves corresponding to the left and right hands of a user.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Generally speaking, personal computers can be classified as those intended for desktop usage and those which are portable, e.g., laptops and notebooks. Since a desktop computer is intended to be used at a fixed place, its typical state of usage is one where a main body, display unit and keyboard are detached from one another, with the display unit and keyboard being of a size and of a configuration (relative placement) favorable for adult usage. That is, the physical size (height) of the typical user stipulates the standard size—particularly, width dimensions—of a keyboard for use with a desktop computer, and most users find that a display device for use with a desktop computer is comfortably situated when positioned some distance back from (behind) the keyboard. The inherent design of a portable computer system, on the other hand, requires a smaller keyboard and a display device of a very close proximity thereto.
To compensate, a standard-sized (or ergonomically improved) keyboard and a remote monitor can be connected to the portable computer in an auxiliary fashion. Doing so, however, defeats the very purpose of a portable computer, by removing its portability and thus transforming the portable system into a virtual desktop system. Therefore, an improved computer system, i.e., one or having a keyboard and/or display device which can be used conveniently within a limited area while maintaining portability, is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in order to overcome such drawbacks in the conventional art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer system with a comfortable (ergonomic) user environment that can be created without surrendering portability.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable computer system having an integral keyboard that provides a typical adult user with a wider typing area.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable computer system having a detachable display device for usage (viewing) at a comfortable distance behind the computer's main body.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a portable computer system having: a main body for controlling the portable computer system; a keyboard unit, attached to an upper surface of the main body, for controlling the main body, the keyboard unit being structurally and operationally separated along a central axis into a left keyboard half and a right keyboard half, the respective halves rotating on first and second hinges and being coupled to the main body at a rearward upper surface thereof, and a display unit, mounted via a hinge unit to a rear surface of the main body, for displaying images in accordance with a control signal generated by the main body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a portable computer system having: a main body for controlling the portable computer system; a keyboard unit, attached to an upper surface of the main body, for controlling the main body; and a display unit, mounted via a hinge unit to a rear side surface of the main body, for displaying images in accordance with a control signal generated by the main body, the display unit being slidably detachable from the main body via a recess formed in the rear side surface of the main body for receiving a portion of the hinge unit.
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Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Feild Lynn D.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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