DE19502704A1 - Expandable personal computer design - Google Patents

Abstract

The expandable personal computer design in which the viewing screen can be folded selectively horizontally or vertically, with the number of folded edges amounting to at least one, the folded edge being e.g. between the keyboard and the display. The folding arrangement enables more than one display unit to be provided from a single computer unit, already available as large multi-media displays, but leaving the scale of the human-machine-interface (display and keyboard) unaltered.

Description

1. Classification of the invention, orientation

The invention joins the consumer market of the computer industry.

It is a product for the end user.

The product according to the invention is characterized in that a kind of staff Lets the computer be reduced to "wallet size" using the "expansion mechanism", in operational state, however, provides a user interface that is the size of today corresponds to usual LapTops or personal computers.

2. Description of the problem of what is solved by the invention

The miniaturization of electronic components is constantly increasing. In the field of personnel This process led computers to develop various types of so-called small Computers, such as LapTops, Notebooks or PalmTops. It was tried with that technical feasibility of this miniaturization process.

However, this progressive miniaturization collides more and more with the natural expression of the human senses. In this case, this applies in particular to Eyes and hands.

ad eye

The screen resolution (dots per inch) is constantly increasing, but it does Miniaturization of the displays an increasingly difficult work with it. The character size can due to the naturally limited resolution of the human eye cannot be downsized indefinitely. This leads to the user having to edit one Page can only be shown in small sections on the display. The Orientation on the screen when working with z. Eg word processing programs or Appointment calendars etc. are significantly restricted as a result.

Longer working with such reduced screens also stresses our human Eye above average and leads to long-term health problems.

ad hands

The keyboards of today's "smaller" computers, LapTops, Notebooks, PalmTops etc. increasingly have the decisive disadvantage that also with the advancing Miniaturization is always an acceptable operation adapted to human hands becomes more difficult.

The keyboard of a computer may be one of the natural forms of our hands do not fall below the corresponding order of magnitude, otherwise it is sensible work not possible anymore.

Would today's miniaturization possibilities in computer construction be full? exhausted, we received powerful "personal computers" with such small physical Dimensions that it would no longer be possible to operate with the hands.  

3. Problem solving / technical description

The basic idea with which the problem is solved lies primarily, but not exclusively, in the folding principle.

On other, in addition to the folding principle, possible expansion principles for personal computers is referred to below.

Surprisingly, it was found that appropriate application or targeted Transfer of folding mechanisms simultaneously to the display and to the keyboard of one Personal Computers can solve the problem described above. Like the attached Show drawings, it can be used to produce an expandable personal computer that is suitable for the transport can be reduced to "wallet size".

By simply "unfolding" the FoldTop is in terms of the display and the keyboard brought to workable condition.

ad screen

As can be seen from the drawing, the screen becomes at least folded once.

The folded edges can be either horizontal or vertical. The number of these folded edges should preferably be minimized.

The technical design of the folded edges corresponds to the state of the art: once the Possibility to carry electrical signals over a folded edge and to the other from one single processor (CPU) to control two display units. Both are today already implemented and practically in use:

For example, we find the folded edge with current routing in almost all commercially available ones PalmTops between the keyboard and the display.

The difference to the prior art in the product according to the invention is that Use of a folding principle on several display units.

A foldable display is new.

The control of two display units from a single computer unit is today already used in the construction of large MultiMedia walls, e.g. at trade fairs. Multiple display units form a single large display wall.

The type of display technology used (LCD, monochrome, multichrome) is for the Invention not critical.  

ad keyboard

The keyboard becomes, as can be seen from the drawing, one or more times folded.

The keyboard corresponds in terms of the arrangement of keys to commercial standards Personal computer or lap tops. The type of technical execution of the Keypad elements correspond to the state of the art for small computers and are for Invention not critical.

The folding mechanism between the individual keyboard segments takes place via appropriate "Hinges", the following two conditions are sufficient:

• 1. The angle of rotation is 180 degrees
• 2. The hinges enable the transmission of electrical signals.

What is new is that the keyboard is broken down into at least two "segments" which are created using simple mechanics ("hinges") can be flexibly connected.

The connection elements between the keyboard and the processor housing consist of (two) current-carrying high-quality plastic straps (see drawings).

This technology offers both a kind of hinge function and the transmission possibility of electrical impulses.

The required angle of rotation of 180 degrees is easily achieved.

ad energy supply

The energy supply for the FoldTop is analogous to the existing technology of the PalmTops, via two 1.5 volt AA batteries or analog rechargeable batteries with one Operating time of approximately 40 hours.

ad dimensions

The dimensions given in the drawings are approximate. These details are insofar as that the commercial PalmTops according to the state of the art in the Dimensions of the individual elements as well as the sum of the housing volume below that of a foldtop. The so-called "wallet format" is not exceeded.

ad housing material

The housing is made of high quality plastic and corresponds to the state of the art. The stability and resilience of plastics, as they are used today in manufacturing required by LapTops or PalmTops is also sufficient for the FoldTop.

The coloring is arbitrary, but the respective one, the fashion, is preferred subject trend colors used.

Claims (1)

The claims are filed for the housing type including all connecting elements that are matched or configured for the expandable personal computer, as described above, which is characterized in that, despite the progressively increasing performance and miniaturization of the computer components, the use of an expansion mechanism, preferably the folding principle described, the dimensions of the human-machine interfaces (display and keyboard) remain unaffected by this development.