Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-10
2002-03-05
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S689000, C248S917000, C040S530000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06353529
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The Z-configuration folding computer system of the invention (herein generally referred to as “Z-computer”) relates to computers, computer configurations and computer-user interfaces, and more particularly to structures, mechanical design, and illumination for display devices, notably laptop, notebook and desktop personal computers, checkout scanners, video and communication devices such as cell phones, TV and digital video players. The preferred embodiment of the Z-computer of the invention comprises a novel “Z” shaped deployment configuration including three separate panels: a low profile keyboard base panel which supports at its back end an upright CPU panel, which in turn supports at its upper edge an elevated flat panel display. These panels are interconnected by two hinge systems and are adjustably securable by means of a lock mechanism to an improved ergonomic deployed configuration with the display at a better viewing angle. The preferred embodiment also includes a novel internal overhead keyboard illumination system, optional stabilizer legs and improved convective and radiative cooling.
BACKGROUND
Conventional notebook and laptop computers offer constrained, limited, but familiar configuration: a low display hinged to a relatively thick CPU box on which keys are superimposed, with a flat panel-type display hinged to the rear portion of the CPU/Keyboard. All users, whether part time, full time or professional; from word-processors to graphics-designers, await a notebook configuration that is more comfortable, physiologically safer, (ergonomic) and more accurate (with respect to both display clarity and point-click interface).
It is apparent that the ever more demanding activity that is being done on notebooks requires a new integrated notebook interface. Furthermore, the conventional laptop
otebook computer has a very limited available range of display adjustment, given that the display is hinged at a fixed axis to the rear of the keyboard/CPU.
In particular, the display is farther from the user's eyes than is optimum for visual resolution and comfort and cannot be raised above keyboard level. In addition, existing laptop
otebook computers have display mountings with are inconvenient and difficult to use in many environments, such as in an aircraft-type seating environment. Typically the display panel cannot be adjusted to a position which permits support and computer display clearance on a aircraft-type fold-down seatback tray while still providing a comfortable viewing profile and compatible hand-access to the keyboard.
What is needed, and is not available in the prior art, is a laptop
otebook computer system which provides a structure, mechanism and configuration with an elevated, highly adjustable display position.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a redesign of the personal computer interface, in both desktop and portable (notebook/laptop) embodiments, for ease of use, comfort, safety, efficiency, and accuracy. It is a further object to create an ergonomic mechanism and configuration to minimize fatigue and physical damage, i.e., which mitigates strain and trauma to the neck, back, wrists, and eyes and which makes interaction more accurate, manually and visually, and thereby improve productivity. It is another object of the invention to provide a computer configuration which presents an adjustable display screen at an elevated position closer to the users eyes. By providing a display position closer to the eyes in the Z configuration of the invention, the apparent or equivalent size of the display is greatly increased as compared to conventional display configurations. This increase is on the order of 60-80% larger, e.g., a 14″-15″ diagonal screen closer to the user has an apparent size equivalent to a 20-21″ screen to normal position of present day computers.
The Z-configuration folding computer system of the invention (Z-computer) is an advanced integrated personal computer system and is preferably embodied as a mobile or portable personal computer, such as a laptop or notebook computer. The Z-computer configuration is equally advantageous as embodied in a dedicated desktop personal computer system, both for light duty systems and for high capability workstation systems.
The Z-configuration folding computer system of the invention is also useful in other types of personal data-interface systems, such as palmtop computers, personal digital assistant (PDA), video (TV, DVD players), communication devices, cell-phones, internet-capable devices, and the like.
The highly adjustable and functionally flexible Z-computer configuration also is well suited to a wide variety of other data processing user interface systems, including, for example, industrial, scientific and commercial application-oriented computer systems for mobile, field and fixed-base operation. Such data processing user interfaces may include specialized or application-oriented components and I/O devices, such as checkout or “point-of-sale” scanners, product ID code scanners, process controllers, credit-card readers, customer pin-code input pads, computer vision sensors, and the like. Manual-mechanical-video feedback controls may be included, such as in a user control station for remote scientific or industrial operations.
In this context, the term “data-processing user interface system” broadly includes laptop, notebook, palmtop, desk-top and workstation-type personal computers, and also includes personal data-interface systems and industrial, scientific and commercial application-oriented systems as noted above, wherein the inclusion of the Z-computer type adjustable multi-pivoted, elevated-display structural configuration of the invention adds value and user functionality.
The preferred embodiment of the Z-computer comprises a “triad” of three (or optionally more than three) major sub-components together forming a computer system hinged together: The keyboard; the CPU; and the flat panel display. In a conventional laptop, the CPU/keyboard and display are configured as two panels connected by a single “clamshell” hinge. In the preferred Z-computer these elements comprise three separate panels connected by two hinges, which are deployed from an interleaved folded stowage configuration to a roughly “Z-shaped” deployed configuration. The “Z” shape description is used here loosely, however, as the upper limb (display panel) of the “Z” is typically not deployed close to horizontal, as described below.
The base or keyboard panel supports the Z-computer upon a desk, tabletop, folding tray, user lap or other support surface. The base or keyboard panel preferably includes at least one conventional manual user input device. Most typically, the manual user input device will comprise a conventional computer keyboard module. It may also include a conventional built-in pointing device, such as a track-ball, toggle pointer, or touch sensitive pad. The “keyboard” panel may also include or substitute other types of manual user input devices for particular applications of the Z-computer, such as a CAD drawing-board type input device, a stylus type input device, a product ID code scanner, manual-mechanical manipulators and controllers , and the like. The base or keyboard panel is preferably tapered upwardly from the front edge towards the back edge, so as to be ergonomically shaped to provide a smooth transition for the user's hands and wrists from tabletop to keyboard.
The second or intermediate panel preferably includes the CPU, motherboard (system board), power supply and associated components and is hinged to the rear edge of the keyboard panel. This intermediate panel will generally be referred to herein as “CPU panel” or “CPU”, although the Z-computer of the invention includes mounting the CPU, motherboard, power supply and associated components in various combinations within any of the other three panels as the space geometry permits.
The placement of the CPU and other components in the intermediate panel, rather than i
Dulin, Esq. Jacques M.
Innovation Law Group, Ltd.
Picard Leo P.
Vortman Anatoly
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