CN101470469A

CN101470469A - Folding computer

Info

Publication number: CN101470469A
Application number: CNA2007103013681A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 诺伯·古斯奇; 葛哈·古尔鲍
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-25
Filing date: 2007-12-25
Publication date: 2009-07-01

Abstract

A mobile computer comprising two housing parts connected by a hinge so that the housing parts can be opened or closed. Each housing part has a flat screen with sensitive input. The housing parts are configured in such a way that at least three operating modes are possible. Thus, the present invention can be used in at least three different modes, which can be selected according to the application. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention can be locked in different open positions by means of a flip mechanism.

Description

Folding computer

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of folding computer, specifically, relate to a kind of mobile double screen personal computer with at least three different operation modes (mobile dual screen PC, MDSPC).

Background technology

In the mobile personal computer field, there are a series of different patterns.On the one hand, there is the known laptop computer (laptop) that can fold or open.They have two by hinged case member, and one of them parts holds keyboard and primary clustering, for example hard disk, processor and storer.Another case member that is preferably the plane is associated with flat screen or LCD monitor or TFT monitor.

On the other hand, there are flat computer (tablet PC) or so-called " super mobile " personal computer (" Ultra Mobile " PC, UMPC), its screen can be used as input medium, thereby eliminated demand, in the time of perhaps above monitor is folded in keyboard keyboard has been disappeared in below the screen keyboard.In some pattern, monitor can rotate, and opens once more and expose keyboard, can be used as laptop computer and use.In these devices, monitor is touch-screen (so-called " variable " personal computer (convertible PC)).

Yet the problem that all these devices will solve comprises the bigger display surface of acquisition, can use or provide parallel (side-by-side) to use the benefit of usage more flexibly.

Summary of the invention

Target of the present invention is to overcome above-mentioned shortcoming.

The invention of feature realizes this target in the independent claims by having.

Specifically, this target is achieved by the mobile computer that comprises two case members, and above-mentioned two case members are connected through the hinge, thereby this case member can be opened or closure.Each case member has the flat screen of input sensitive (input-sensitive).Case member is arranged by this way, that is, can make at least three operator schemes (two also is possible) become possibility.Like this, the present invention can use under at least three different modes, and this pattern can be selected according to application.Invention in the preferred embodiment can lock at different open positions by the mode of switching mechanism.

Below will describe operator scheme:

A. because case member and corresponding flat screen thereof preferably all be rectangle, thus device can with pattern a), be that the books pattern is opened, and can be erected at the upright position or be used as the plane that keeps flat.Therefore, device preferably can lock onto two positions.On the one hand, with respect to the open position of about 180 degree under plane/smooth condition, or be used for as handing about 135 open positions of spending that books use.

B. at pattern b, be in the laptop computer pattern, device is opened (lateral attitude, about 115 degree) as laptop computer, and right flat screen or touch-screen are forwarded to down in the display screen, will forward to down in the entr screen as touch-screen.In this case, the Lower Half shell can display keyboard, and it preferably meets the layout of the customization keyboard (numeric keypad (number pad), menu drive keypad (menu-driven pad) or the like) of common, ergonomics or any kind.In addition, keyboard can have required multiple keyboard symbol, to show non-Latin language character, perhaps adds symbol for the illiteracy.Language according to operating system is selected can show different symbols on keyboard, cause unified hardware design.In addition, the input of non-Latin language (for example east-asian language) symbol of the selection mechanism that provides by screen or handwriting recognition or its combination also is possible.In addition, screen can have the mark that sense of touch can be felt, and where is the starting position or the initial position of keyboard thereby the user can be felt, perhaps or even be used for the mark of all keys on the keyboard.For example, the zone of letter " F " and " J " can raise, in common keyboard.Yet, be willing to that as the user it also is possible that more rising is provided.For example, these can be introduced after working it out.These raise by voltage, and for example the form generation with bubble under the film also is possible.In addition, some user-programmed function buttons of case member outside, below provide application specific functions, for example the virtual screen keyboard is transformed into different layers as capitalization key (" Shift ") or " Control " key, perhaps can be mapped to software control, be suitable for active applications as the button of media player.Generally speaking, no matter use which kind of pattern, the control of (software-driven) vision of any kind of can be (for example to be used for data or application controls, the frequency mixer that is used for sound channel, be used to import the claviature of note, be used to control the media player of Streaming Media, for example audio or video file) input method.

C. in c pattern, i.e. displaying pattern, device can make two screens rotate relative to one another and open, and can set level or keep " tent " shape position, just as desktop " flipchart (flip chart) " (open greater than 180 degree, preferably reach about 250-290 degree).In this pattern, device can be used for man-to-man displaying or be used for the collaboration applications of any kind, and user both sides are by input sensitive screen and device interactive in this collaboration applications.Use the rotation of the method display best, and display rotation sometimes is necessary.

In a possible embodiment, two different input technologies that touch-screen also has its main application of reflection.

For instance, resistive touch technology (Resistive touch technology) is possible for the input that utilizes finger or any other object.Certainly, other technology, for example be used for also may be with available by finger and/or pen input for capacitance touch (capacitive touch) or acoustic impluse identification (acoustic pulse recognition) or surface acoustic wave (surface acoustic wave) or infrared ray (infrared) or optical identification (opticalrecognition) or electromagnetic digitizer (electromagnetic digitizer).Above-mentioned technology is not to be used for limiting, and only is used for as an example.

Each screen has two differences but the touching technique that combines also is possible, for example is used for the digital quantizer of pen input and is used for capacitance technology with the finger touch input.Such device is preferably arranged, and it is used for automatically or clearly input pattern is transformed into required technology.

The present invention has and reaches the battery that (interchangeable) that three (can be more or less) combine has resupination framework notion (flip frame concept), it makes operation become possibility as any device of optics or disc driver and so on, and the balancing cell bag that places hinge.This can realize operation extremely for a long time and needn't be inserted into power supply.Here an importance is, two case members are all enough big, makes them can be in conjunction with the assembly of PC.For example, a case member can hold mainboard, storer, if desired, also has hard disk/solid-state disk, and opposite side comprises battery, CD-ROM drive or other hard disk/solid-state disk drive.Preferably concentrate in the Lower Half shell with respect to pattern b weight with regard to making like this, thereby device has firm leg, case member is tilted.Yet, must remember that the weight that is used for pattern a can not be arranged too far in the upper area of two case members, but more to the bottom transfer, like this, can also be used as books according to device of the present invention and use, and not overturning at an easy rate.Therefore, hard disk/solid-state disk drive should be positioned at the following central region (seeing pattern a, the books structure) of left case member, and heavy battery also should be positioned at the outer casing underpart zone on right side.

Two touch-screens can independently be controlled, adjust and rotate.For example, controlling level/vertical direction, standby mode and keyboard show independently of each other, and greatest possible flexibility is provided, and the efficient of maximum possible.Each pattern preferably can be determined by the switch that places shell edge.For example, when only moving, device can close a screen under display mode (film, video or lantern slide).This has increased the life-span of battery.Screen content also can align or rotates by the mode of switch.Keyboard also can be by switch mode show or hide erratically.This also can finish by the mode of software in the system or switch.

Another assembly comprises integrated system bus interface (wired or wireless), and it is used to have the docking system (docking system) of external device (ED) or communication service, and this makes that expanding the present invention according to demand becomes possibility.

Can connect any external device (ED) (keyboard, printer, mouse, scanner, IP Camera, camera or the like) by standard interface.Integrated camera can make and use image transmission service in phone, for example, and just as passing through the networking telephone (Voice over IP) or video conference.This camera is preferably arranged in the fringe region with display next-door neighbour's case member, wherein, is arranged so that at top display (pattern b) it can move under all patterns.

Integrated communication function (WLAN (wireless local area network) (wireless local area network, WLAN), bluetooth, Ethernet, authenticate wireless USB (universal serial bus) (Certified Wireless universal serialbus, CWUSB), micro-wave access global inter communication (Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access, WiMAX) or the like) is provided services on the Internet and telecommunications service.As a selection, phone can be incorporated in the shell (display on the chip/lid on the mainboard) or mobile phone is inserted (the plug-in unit cabin with suitable ports) in the external cap, and be used for telecommunications service (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS), universal mobile telecommunications system (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) or the like).Here show that variable can be the form of audio/video file, even open operation system not.

Different exemplary application will be in following explanation.

In books pattern (a), can reading, note and processing list/bilateral file layout, for example books, operating instruction, office document or the like.The interactive processing of the digital document of text, other e-learning material (e-learningmaterials) or any kind of all is possible.

In a word, two windows arranged side by side of any type of usefulness (the two be respectively initiatively or passive) human-computer interaction of executing the task all is possible.

The laptop computer pattern allows (or similarly to install with pen, draughting board for example) input record or sketch, by virtual screen keyboard, handwriting recognition, external device (ED) (for example keyboard etc.), sound input input text (level or vertical), on last display screen, show or input, in whole graphic model (top demonstration, bottom control), show all medium (audio frequency, video, lantern slide, displaying file or the like).

This just provides 2 screens for mobile device, it can utilize books or laptop computer or displaying pattern, it provides the mobile PC with resupination framework notion and the second or the 3rd battery, is preferably in two or more different touch screen technologies are provided in the device.This just makes that in single mobile device multiple operation becomes possibility in two windows (using side by side).In shell, integrate phone and allow unrestricted communication.The multi-point fastening technology can also allow to use the laptop computer with virtual screen keyboard or the control of any kind of vision.In addition, can also utilize the displaying pattern, computing machine is folded up as tent in this pattern.

Description of drawings

Below will carry out brief description, to understand the present invention better to accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 represents the skeleton view of closed computing machine;

Fig. 2 represents the skeleton view according to system of the present invention, and this system opens and erects in the books pattern;

Fig. 3 represents the laptop computer pattern according to system of the present invention, wherein shows virtual screen keyboard or the control of other vision on the sub-screen;

Fig. 4 represents the displaying pattern according to system of the present invention;

Fig. 5 represents the external component according to system of the present invention;

Fig. 6 represents phone is incorporated into according in the device of the present invention, and wherein display also can be the audio frequency media player, and display can be used for showing for example battery charge of Email, news or system state;

Fig. 7 represents the integration of external call;

Fig. 8 represents to have the Docking station of additional actuators and port.

The component labelling explanation

10. case member 1

11. case member 2

12. be used for the lid of second battery flat of hinge

13. hinge

14. microphone port

15. ear port

16. the pen cap

A 17. tether

18. hard disk/solid-state disk cover

19. second memory module lid

110.USB/eSATA port

111. be used for the LED of system state

112. the notch of device for opening

113. condenser type function button

114. optical drive slip lid

20.WLAN LED indicator and control knob

21. be used for the LED indicator that hard disk activates

22. be used for the LED indicator that optical drive activates

23. bluetooth LED indicator and control knob

24.ESC button

25.Control/Alt/Del button

226. the button of Rotation screen

27. be used for the antenna of WLAN, bluetooth and CWUSB

28. camera

29. microphone

210. loudspeaker

211. spin (mouse control)

212. left and right sides mouse button button

213. power knob

214.Charge?Status?LED

214. charged state LED

215. fingerprint sensor

216. optical sensor

30. be used for the screen of virtual screen keyboard/vision control

31. right screen (rotating 90 °)

32. be used for only having the screen of the virtual screen keyboard of numeric keypad

40. be used for the control knob of hinge switching mechanism (0 to 270 degree is regulated)

41. power supply port

42. card slot (for example ExpressCard/PCMCIA)

43.SD/HMC slot

44. the exit button of slot

45. combination USB/eSATA port

46.LAN ethernet port

47.DVI port

48.HDMI port

60. outer display

70. be used for the slot of mobile phone

71. mobile phone

80. optical drive

81. hard disk/solid-state disk cover

82. multifunctional card reader

83.DVI port

84.USB and/or FireWire port port

85.LAN ethernet port

86.HDMI port

87. butt connector

88. be used for the power supply outlet of mobile device

89. charged state LED

810. stereo output port

811. microphone port

812. power knob

813. power supply port

Embodiment

Fig. 1 represents closed according to system of the present invention, and it has case member 10 and case member 11, and wherein case member 11 is the lower casing parts.Battery case 12 in the hinge 13 can be opened, in order to change second battery.Microphone port 14 is used to connect corresponding microphone.Ear port 15 is used to connect simulation or digital earphone or loudspeaker.What provide also has the pen cap 16 and a tether 17, can fix by the mode of tether thereby make, and makes it be used for control device and can not lose.The lid that is used to change the hard disk/solid-state disk 18 and second memory module 19 can make and not open whole device when changing these assemblies.USB/eSATA (the sequence A TA of reinforcement) port one 10 can connect external device (ED).LED111 indication mechanism state (open, standby or close).Notch 112 can make device for opening easier, and it can magnetic be closed or close by the closing organ of any other kind.The function of condenser type (or other pressure sensitive technology) function button 113 is by operating system or the control of any application software.Case member 10 is contained in CD (compact disk)/DVD/ blue light (Blu-ray) or other optical devices or the 3rd battery in the resupination framework 114.Other device also can be contained in this place, for example hard disk/solid-state drive.

Fig. 2 indication device is in the books pattern.The status displays that has several indication WLAN20 or bluetooth 23 whether to activate.Other LED be used to indicate hard disk be activate 21, optical devices for 22 or the bluetooth 23 that activate for activating.Esc key 24 and Crtl-Alt-DEL key 25 are arranged to actual key (preferably recessed).These keys can be by user program.Another key 26 can be used for determining the device pattern, for example is used to open and close display, or the sense of rotation of fixed mask content.Antenna 27 is used to connect wireless network, WLAN, bluetooth or CWUSB (authenticate wireless USB).Camera 28 is arranged by this way, that is, the user can be from taking pictures or supporting video conference in laptop computer pattern or books pattern.The microphone of integrating 29 in addition is to allow the audio communication as VoIP and so on.In addition, preferably provide two loudspeakers 210.In order to control cursor, device has spin 211, and it has two mouse button 2s 12 (left button/right button).Other member comprises power switch 213, and the state LED214 of pilot cell battery charging state, fingerprint sensor 215, and it is the additional security feature by operating system control, and optical sensor 216, can regulate the brightness of display with it automatically.For example, when being exposed to high light following time, display operation under than the brighter setting in dark place usually.

About virtual, this device can be divided into two independently video cards (graphics card) (the virtual independently hardware video card of video card of two video cards or two that is divided into) virtually, display of each video card control, thereby the physical/logical operation independently of each other for video card of virtual computing machine.On hardware foundation, can be two independently card or single video card by virtual dividing.Like this, two (may be different) operating systems can run parallel, and use whole hardware.

Fig. 3 indication device is in the laptop computer pattern.Virtual screen keyboard 30 or numeric keypad 32 here appear on the sub-screen as image, therefore can be used as touch keyboard and use.Can on display, contact and mark or the protuberance not in the drawings expression relevant with the keyboard of image that shows or demonstration.Screen content 31 is compared with shown in Figure 2, at this half-twist.

Fig. 4 indication device is in the displaying pattern, open 180 the degree (on) or 270 the degree in order to equally to show to the desktop flipchart.Fig. 4 has also represented the operation switching mechanism and can make the button 40 of hinge locking between 0 to 270 degree.This device also comprises card slot, and it is used to hold the PC card, for example ExpressCard/PCMCIA 42 (PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international association)), or storage card 43, and it can be when needed withdraws from button 44 and withdraws from by pushing.Power source supply end mouth 41 is used for power supply.Power-supply unit preferably has the autonomous device of flexible cord.Also provide the series of standards port in addition, for example USB port 45, the network port 46, DVI port 47 and HDMI port 48.In the present embodiment, monitor ports 47 are designed to the DVI port, and still, it certainly has simulation or other digital format.USB port 45 is designed to difunctional, is used for USB or eSATA (having switch/changeover plug)

All of the port, button and the lid of Fig. 5 indication device outside.

Fig. 6 represents the device according to the telephone keypad that has another (outside) display 60 and integrate of the present invention.This display can also be the audio frequency media player, shows Email, news or system state, for example battery charge.

As a kind of selection, Fig. 7 provides groove 70 in case member, and mobile phone 71 can insert wherein.This groove designs by this way, that is, the first step is integrated the replaceable adapter that is used for various mobile phones, promptly can hold phone afterwards.

Fig. 8 represents the desktop Docking station (desktop docking station) that is used to connect multiple arrangement and access is provided for different memory technologies.Internal optics driver 80, hard disk 81 and a plurality of card reader 82 can realize data storage and access, data backup, data sync or copying data.Two DVI ports 83, USB and/or FireWire port ports (FireWire port) 84, cable network path 85 and HDMI port 86 are positioned at the back side.Docking station can connect by cable 87 or radio path (for example CWUSB).Mobile device can connect (being used for charging) by the cable power supply, and to 88, LED89 represents charged state.Stereo line output 810, microphone 811, power knob 812 and power supply port 813 also are positioned at the back side.

Preferred embodiment is not to be used for any restriction.But being used to illustrate the present invention, protection scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A mobile computer comprising:

two housing parts, which are connected by a hinge so that the housing parts can be opened or closed; each housing part has an input-sensitive flat screen, the housing parts being configured and controlled in such a way that at least three modes of operation are enabled, Specifically:

a) Book mode, in which two flat screens are erected in a vertical position, and the information on the flat screens is rotated in such a way that it is displayed in book format on the left and right flat screens;

b) Laptop mode, where the display is placed in landscape orientation, like an open laptop, so the right/left flat screen becomes the upper display screen, and the left/right flat screen becomes the lower input screen, the information is in such a way swivel, i.e., can be read on top and bottom flat screens like a laptop;

c) Display mode, in which the device is opened 180 degrees or more to place the screen flat on a table or folded like a table top flip, and the screen is relatively rotated.

2. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein at least one flat screen is used as an input surface.

3. The mobile computer of claim 2, wherein a keyboard is displayed on at least one screen and used as an input surface.

4. The mobile computer of claim 3, wherein a keyboard is displayed on the lower flat screen and used as an input surface in mode b.

5. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein a tactile mark is provided on the lower plane screen as a reference mark for the keyboard.

6. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein in the presentation mode, one screen is controlled in such a way that one monitor is used for the viewer and the operator can use the other screen to control the monitor ,or

the second monitor mirrors the contents of the primary monitor, or

One screen is used as an interactive monitor for the interviewee, which can provide feedback to the interviewer or fill out forms by touching/writing on the screen, and the interviewer can use the other screen to control the monitor.

7. The mobile computer according to claim 5, characterized in that the interviewee can be photographed or videotaped through the integrated camera during the meeting.

8. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the housing members are lockable in various positions relative to each other.

9. Mobile computer according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing part is preferably mode c lockable in two positions, including opening 180 degrees relative to the screen/tablet condition, or opening to 270-290 degrees for Make a desktop flip chart.

10. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the two flat screens have different combined input technologies.

11. The mobile computer of claim 9, wherein one screen has technology adapted for input by finger and one screen has technology adapted for input by pen.

12. Mobile computer according to claim 10, characterized in that one technology is resistive technology of any structure for input via finger or any other object and the other is digital technology.

13. The mobile computer according to claim 10, characterized in that said technology is: capacitive touch, or sound pulse recognition, or surface acoustic wave, or infrared, or optical recognition, or electromagnetic digitizer for Or pen input is also possible and available.

14. Mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized by having means preferably replaceable batteries, where the batteries are inserted by flipping the frame concept, which makes it possible to run any means like optical or disk drives, and additional batteries.

15. The mobile computer of claim 1 having means for storing the battery in the hinge connecting the two displays.

16. The mobile computer of claim 15, wherein the hinge has a diameter capable of receiving a standard battery, the standard battery being removable.

17. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the two displays can be controlled and adjusted independently of each other, wherein the control action occurs based on one or more of the following criteria: horizontal orientation; vertical orientation; standby state; on/off Off; Contrast; Brightness; Relative Rotation; Screen swapping.

18. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the two displays can be controlled by means of the operating system to effectively use the virtual desktop:

1) Maximize the application window to the virtual desktop by clicking the window button, which results in expansion across both screens

2) Move the application window from one screen to another by clicking the window button

3) Automatically extend operating system controls like "Taskbar" or "Dock" to the second screen.

19. The mobile computer according to claim 1, having an integrated system bus interface to use the docking station with external devices or communication services via wired or wireless connections.

20. The mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a device integrating communication functions, which can be selected from: WLAN, WiMAX, GPRS, UMTS, GSM, Bluetooth, Ethernet, infrared, USB, CWUSB.

21. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the internal computer components are distributed among the housing components by space and weight criteria.

22. Mobile computer according to claim 21, characterized in that in the case of mode b the heavy components are arranged on the side of the lower housing so that the computer cannot be tilted.

23. Mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that in case of mode a the heavy components are arranged in the lower area so that the device stands or holds in a more stable manner in the hand.

24. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein the heavy components are a battery, a hard disk, and an optical drive.

25. Mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that a phone is integrated in one of the housing parts, wherein the phone is designed as a chip on the motherboard with an additional display on the cover, or it is plugged into an external The mobile phone in the cover is connected to the PC through the slot and can be used for telecommunications services.

26. The mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that, there is such a device, it can play audio or video files even if the operating system is not turned on in the display variable, and display it on the display, with an independent CPU , RAM, preferably with flash-RAM.

27. Mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that there are means for controlling in such a way that new application windows are automatically opened in the second screen in each mode.

28. Mobile computer according to claim 1, characterized in that the hardware, in particular the graphics card, is designed in such a way that two logical computers can be run, assigning each computer its own screen.

29. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein a docking station connector is provided for automatically synchronizing data in the mass storage device under control of a software function.

30. The mobile computer of claim 1, wherein some user-programmable function buttons on the exterior of the lower housing part provide application-specific functions, such as switching virtual The on-screen keyboard transitions to different layers, or can be mapped to software controls, like media player buttons for active applications.