Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-16
2001-10-23
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307741
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to an improved portfolio computer and in particular to improving the ability of users to physically manage portfolio computers. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for improving the physical management of a portfolio computer while reducing the footprint of the portfolio computer during operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A portfolio computer is a relatively small, notebook-type computer that is contained within a portfolio notebook cover. The cover has a pair of flat, symmetric, hardback halves or portions that are joined by a flexible hinge along adjacent side edges (see, e.g., FIG.
3
). The portfolio computer is typically mounted to the interior surface of one of the portions of the cover and usually includes an integrated, low profile keyboard with a movable display screen. Optionally, the display is touch-screen enabled. A paper notepad, digitizer, etc., is mounted to the interior surface of the opposite portion of the cover.
When the cover is in the closed position (see, e.g., FIGS.
1
and
2
), the portfolio has a generally flat rectangular shape or “footprint” that consumes an area measuring approximately 10×13 inches. Neither the portfolio computer nor the notepad are accessible when the cover is closed. The cover is moved to the open position by pivoting one of the portions 180° relative to the other, thereby doubling the footprint of the portfolio. In the open position, both the notepad and computer are accessible and the display screen may be articulated to an upright position for easier viewing by the user (see, e.g., FIG.
4
).
Under normal operating circumstances, the user is seated and has a supportive working surface with ample room to utilize the portfolio with the cover in the open position. However, if the user is standing while using the portfolio, or is utilizing the portfolio in a limited space as(such as an airplane seat), the portfolio may become unwieldy or exceed the size of the space available. Under such circumstances, the user typically desires to minimize the footprint or space consumed by the portfolio.
Until now, the only way to reduce the footprint of the portfolio was to fold the cover back over on itself (i.e., rotating one of the portions a full 360° relative to the other). Unfortunately, this common solution to the problem causes either the portfolio computer or the notepad to be completely exposed on the bottom of the folded-over cover, thereby increasing their risk of damage. Moreover, because the display screen and the pages of the notepad are movable, they will tend to flop outward or hang downward from the cover unless additional support is provided. Thus, a need exists to provide improved physical management of portfolio computers and to selectively reduce their operational footprints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portfolio computer notebook or “portfolio” has outer hardback covers with a flexible spine that give it a large book-like appearance. A portfolio computer is mounted to the inner surface of one of the covers, and a paper notepad is mounted to the inner surface of the other cover. Each hardback cover has a fold line that bisects it into two panels. The fold lines allow the “footprint” of the open portfolio to be reduced by approximately half of the area required by conventional portfolios without having to bend one cover all the way back against the other cover. The footprint is reducible regardless of which component the user wishes to utilize.
For example, to use the computer, the user creases its hardback cover at its fold line such that half of the cover rotates and the other half of the cover stays parallel to the notepad. The computer remains mounted to the parallel half. As the computer and the parallel half of the cover are moved over the top of the notepad, the two halves of the computer cover form a z-like configuration with the notepad cover. The footprint reduction is complete when the computer sits on top of the notepad and both halves of the computer cover are parallel to the notepad cover.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved portfolio computer.
It is an additional object of the present invention to improve the ability of users to physically manage portfolio computers.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for improving the physical management of a portfolio computer while reducing the footprint of the portfolio computer during operation.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in view of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4848798 (1989-07-01), Moor
patent: 5049862 (1991-09-01), Dao et al.
patent: 5105338 (1992-04-01), Held
patent: 5295089 (1994-03-01), Ambasz
patent: 5933320 (1999-08-01), Malhi
Karidis John P.
Smith Ronald Alan
Dillon Andrew
International Business Machines - Corporation
Picard Leo P.
Schelkopf John B.
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