FR2799017A1 - Portable computer or terminal with semi-rigid peripheral protective rubber frame that extends to form a carry handle, with reduced risk of damage if dropped - Google Patents

Abstract

The computer is in the shape of a flat tablet with the screen (11), keyboard (13) and body (10) able to be pivoted so when not in use they lay flat inside a rectangular semi-rigid rubber outer frame (14), which provides a protective outer shell. The frame has a sliding handle (15) at one end. A radio antenna (16) is positioned at the end near the handle.

Description

The present invention relates to a computer apparatus, such as a computer or a communication terminal of the videotex terminal type or Internet terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable computer apparatus.

Portable computing devices currently exist on the market. The best known of them are the micro-laptops. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a portable microcomputer includes a system unit <B> 1 to </ B> which is hinged a display unit 2. L system unit <B> 1 </ B> includes a keyboard <B> 3, </ B> as well as the essential electronic circuits of the computer (motherboard, power circuits, etc.) and information storage, such as a hard disk drive and a floppy disk drive.

The display unit 2 may be either folded against the keyboard in a screen and keyboard protection position, or rotated to the open position, which makes the keyboard and the display accessible to <B> at </ B> the user.

Laptops are of practical use. They can be used as a desktop computer, while being easily transportable. However, they remain relatively fragile, since no protection is provided against falls.

The present invention aims to provide a portable computer apparatus that can also serve as a desktop computing device, which provides better fall resistance.

<B> A </ B> for this purpose, there is provided a portable computing device, characterized in that it comprises a body and a means of protection of at least a part of the periphery of the body, the protection means being hinged on the body so that it can be moved away from it to take a supporting position of the body.

The body contains electronic circuits, such as a motherboard. Advantageously, the body is in the form of a tablet, which makes it easily transportable and flexible to use. Thus, the computer apparatus according to the invention can be used on the lap of the user. <B> It </ B> can also take a configuration that brings it closer to a desktop terminal. In particular, thanks to the articulated protection means, the computing device can be placed on a support surface, for example the flat surface of a table or desk.

The protection means provided in the present invention therefore has a dual function, in relation to its position relative to the body. When it is located on the periphery of the body, it protects the body, that is to say also the electronic circuits of the device, against the consequences of possible falls. When it is removed from the body, it serves as support <B> '</ B> it, which can then be placed on a support surface.

The protection means according to the invention is typically <B> under </ B> as a <U> shaped strip, </ B> each branch of the <B> U </ B> being in contact with a respective edge of the body when the band exerts a protective function.

In practice, the protection means is pivotally mounted relative to the body. More specifically, the two ends of the protective strip are pivotally mounted at one end of the body.

protection means is made of a semi-rigid material preferably comprising rubber.

The computer apparatus of the present invention typically includes a screen and a keyboard. The keyboard is preferably mounted so that the body can take at least two different positions, comprising a first position in which the keyboard is in the extension of the screen, and a second position in which the keyboard makes an angle with the screen. Advantageously, in order to avoid any problem of entanglement of wires likely to occur with a wired connection between the keyboard and the body, the computer apparatus according to the invention comprises a means allowing the keyboard to communicate by infrared link with the circuits. electronic included in the body.

Preferably, the computer apparatus according to the invention further comprises means for transmitting / receiving radio signals for communicating with a radio terminal connected to a telephone line. The radio terminal includes a modem for modulating <B> to </ B> send on the telephone line or demodulate signals received from the telephone line, and radio transmission / reception means.

The computer apparatus according to the invention may be a computer, such as a portable microcomputer, or a communication terminal, for example of the videotex terminal type or Internet terminal.

The present invention also relates to a protective envelope intended to protect at least part of a body of a portable computer device, characterized in that it is adapted to be able to be hinged to the body in such a way that <B> to </ B> be removed from it and serve as a support.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which <B>: </ B> <B> - <B> 1 </ B> shows in perspective a portable computer device according to the prior art <B>; </ B> <B> - </ B> Figure 2 shows in perspective a device portable computer according to the present invention, in a first configuration <B>; </ B> <B> - <B> 3 </ B> shows in perspective the computer apparatus according to the invention, in a second configuration <B>; </ B> <B> - </ B> FIG. 4 shows in perspective the computer apparatus according to the invention, in a third configuration <B>; </ B> <B> - </ B> Figure <B> 5 </ B> shows in more detail a keyboard included in the computer apparatus according to the invention <B> </ B> <B> - </ B> Figure <B > 6 </ B> shows in more detail a housing provided in the computer device according to the invention, to receive the keyboard that shown <B> to </ B> the figure <B> 5 <I>; </ I> </ B> <B> - </ B> the figure <B> 7 </ B> shows in perspective a variant of the computer apparatus according to the invention, in which a handle is hinged <B> to </ B> a protective band to serve, with the protective band, support <B> to </ B> the computer device <B>; </ B> - <B> - </ B> Figure <B> 8 </ B> shows in perspective a portable computing device according to the present invention , with a removable keyboard.

Figures 2, <B> 3 </ B> and 4 show a portable computer apparatus TC according to the present invention. The portable computing device TC consists of a communication terminal of the videotex terminal type or Internet terminal. <B> It </ B> mainly consists of a one-piece rigid body <B> 10, <B> 11 </ B> screen embedded in the body <B> 10 </ B> and located on one side substantially plane front 12 thereof, a keyboard <B> 13 </ B> mounted on the front face 12, a protective envelope convertible to a support 14, a gripping handle <B> 15, </ B> an antenna radio <B> 16, <B> 17, </ B> and speakers <B> 18. <B> 10 </ B> is preferably designed for plastic material and has a generally rectangular shape. It contains the essential electronic circuits of the terminal, and also includes various input / output ports (not shown). The screen <B> Il </ B> and the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> respectively occupy substantially an upper half and a lower half of the front face 12, as shown in Figs. 2 <B> to </ B> > 4.

The communication terminal according to the invention is in the form of a tablet convertible into a desktop terminal. Specifically, this terminal can take three different configurations, <B> to know <B>: </ B> - </ B> first purely tablet configuration (shown <B> to </ B> Figure 2), in which the terminal TC has a compact form, monobloc, which makes it easily transportable <B>; </ B> - </ B> second configuration, called "terrninal office" (illustrated <B> to </ B> the figure in which the terminal TC can be placed on a supporting surface, for example the flat surface of a desk <B>; </ B> and <B> - </ B> a third configuration (illustrated <B> to </ B> the figure in which the terminal TC has the compact and monoblock shape of a tablet, and the keyboard <B> 1 </ B> in a protective position.

In the first and second configurations, keyboard <B> 13 </ B> is directly accessible <B> to </ B> the user, who can thus operate the terminal. first and second configurations correspond to two different positions of use, or work, for the keyboard <B> 13. </ B>

More particularly, in the first configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> is disposed on the front face 12 of the body <B> 10, </ B> in the extension of the screen, and is thus aligned or at least parallel with said screen. In addition, the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> is oriented towards the outside of the terminal, so that the user can access the keys of the keyboard. This configuration is appropriate, for example, for use of the terminal on the lap of the user.

In the second configuration as shown <B> to </ B> Figure 3, </ B> keyboard <B> 13 </ B> makes a cc angle with the screen (that is, also say with the front of the body), so that the TC terminal can be used as a more conventional terminal, placed on the support surface of a table or desk. The protective envelope 14 is <B> to </ B> this effect transformed into a support means, in a manner to be described later, to support the terminal on the bearing surface <B> 19. </ B>

In the third configuration, illustrated <B> to </ B> Figure 4, the keyboard is flipped against the front face 12 of the tablet, in a position of protection not accessible <B> to </ B> the user. The back of the keyboard, designated by the mark 20, then constitutes a protective surface for the keyboard.

reference <B> to </ B> figure <B> 3, </ B> the front panel 12 of the body <B> 10 </ B> includes, in the lower half, under the <B> 11 screen, < / B> a housing 20 whose shape and size are adapted to receive the keyboard <B> 13. </ B> The housing 20 is preferably constituted by a recess formed on the front face 12. Two opposite lateral edges 200 of the housing 20 each comprise, over their entire length, a guide groove, or slide 201. Each slide 201 cooperates with a corresponding cylindrical pin <B> 130, </ B> provided <B> at </ B> upper end of a <B> 131 </ B> side edge of the <B> 13 </ B> keyboard (see Figure The Cylindrical Spacer Set <B> 201-130 </ B> Keyboard <B> 13 , </ B> and more particularly <B> at </ B> an upper <B> 132 </ B> edge of it, to slide along the lower half of the front face 12 of the terminal and to pivot around a <B> Al </ B> orthogonal to the runners 201 and passing through the lugs <B> 130, </ b> s or the manual action of a user.

A keyboard lock means <B> 13 </ B> in the slot 20 is further provided to hold the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> when the terminal TC is in the first configuration. This locking means comprises for example ribs 134 (see Figure <B> 5), </ B> on a lower edge <B> 133 </ B> of the keyboard cooperating with corresponding grooves <B> 203, </ B> made on a lower edge of the housing 20.

In practice, according to the invention, the housing 20, the rails 201 and pins <B> 130 </ B> are the only means of mounting the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> on the body <B> 10 </ B> when the keyboard is partially extracted from the slot 20 as shown <B> to </ B> the figure <B> 3. </ B> Thus, in the second configuration of the terminal TC, the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> is attached to the body <B> 10, </ B> movably, only at the top edge <B> 132, <B> the opposite bottom edge <B> 133 </ B> remaining free. When the TC terminal is placed on a support surface <B> 19, </ B> such as the flat surface of a desk, the bottom edge <B> 133 </ B> of the keyboard <B> 13, < / B> or at least a lower keyboard part, is supported by the bearing surface <B> 19 </ B> and / or by a lower portion <B> 100 </ B> of the front face 12 of the body <B> 10. </ B> The angle and distance between the <B> 13 </ B> keyboard and the <B> 11 </ B> screen therefore depend essentially on the body tilt <B> 10 , </ B> that can be set, as <B> it </ B> will be explained below.

According to a variant of the second configuration of the terminal TC, the grip handle <B> 15, </ B> or other attachment means possibly provided on the rear face of the body <B> 10, </ B> can be used to hang the terminal TC <B> to a wall. When the TC terminal is set to a wall and keyboard is partially extracted from its slot 20, the keyboard is held in a position an angle with the screen by the lower part <B> 100 </ B> of the front face 12 of the body <B> 10 </ B> and / or by other mechanical means (not shown).

Referring to Figures <B> 3 </ B> and 4, the set of cylindrical pins <B> 201-130 </ B> also allows the complete reversal of the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> in the housing 20, so that, compared to <B> to </ B> the configuration of Figure 2, the upper edge <B> 132 </ B> of the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> takes the place initial bottom edge <B> 133 </ B> and the bottom edge <B> 133 </ B> takes the initial place of the top edge <B> 132. </ B>

The communication terminal TC according to the invention also comprises a recess 21, on a lower edge of the housing to allow the insertion of a finger and facilitate the extraction of the lower keyboard edge <B> 133 </ B> (in the first configuration) or the upper keyboard edge <B> 132 </ B> (in the third configuration) of slot 20 so <B> to </ B> make the <B> 13 </ B> keyboard mobile by relative to the body <B> 10. </ B>

According to the invention, the keyboard <B> 13 </ B> communicates with the electronic circuits housed in the body <B> 10 </ B> by infrared link. <B> A </ B> this effect, the keyboard < B> 13 </ B> has, on its upper edge <B> 132, </ B> an infrared transmitter <B> 135 </ B> (see figure <B> 5) </ B> which sends signals <B> to </ B> one or more infrared receivers 202, one of which is illustrated <B> to </ B>, the figure <B> 6, </ B> positioned on an upper edge of the housing 20 and electrically connected to concerned electronic circuits in the body <B> 10. </ B> Such an infrared link simplifies the general structure of the terminal. It also makes it possible to avoid the problems of entanglement of wires likely to appear with a wired connection.

According to the present invention, the terminal TC comprises, as indicated above, a protective envelope 14 convertible support. This protective envelope 14 covers a part of the periphery of the body <B> 10, to </ B> namely two lateral faces, or lateral edges, 22 and an upper face, or upper edge, <B> 23 </ B> TC terminal. It is composed of a semi-rigid material, such as rubber or rubberized plastic. It is moreover constituted by a U-shaped strip, in contact with the faces 22, 23, and the two ends 140 of which are rotatably mounted on the faces respectively. 22 of the body <B> 10 to </ B> the opposite of each other, and preferably at the lower ends of the side faces 22. The protective strip 14 can thus pivot about an axis <B> A2 </ B> orthogonal to the side faces 22 of the body <B> 10 </ B> and passing through the ends 140, under the manual action of a user. In order to maintain the web 14 in contact with the periphery of the body <B> 10, </ B> in the protection configuration as illustrated <B> to </ B> in Figure 2, a groove 220 is provided on each lateral face 22 of the body <B> 10 </ B> to cooperate with a corresponding rib (not shown) located on an inner face 141 of the strip 14.

After pivoting by the user of the protective strip 14 around the axis A2, the strip 14 changes function to serve as support for the terminal TC, especially when it is used in the second configuration as described above, that is to say the so-called "office terminal" configuration. As shown in Figure <B> 3, </ B> the protective strip 14 rests on the bearing surface <B> 19 </ B> and supports the body <B> 10 </ B> while maintaining an inclination adjustable <B> P </ B> of the body <B> 10 </ B> relative <B> to </ B> the bearing surface <B> 19. </ B> The rotating connection at the ends 140 of the strip 14, about the axis <B> A2, </ B> is sufficiently tight for, in the absence of manual loading of the user on the strip 14 and the body <B> 10, < / B> maintain constant the angle <B> P </ B> between these elements 14 and <B> 10. </ B> Alternatively, the grip handle <B> 15, </ B> which is mounted on the 14, is articulated on said protective strip, so that it can be manually oriented by the user towards the rear face of the body and thus serve as a support, with the band 14, to the body <B> 10 </ B> (see figure <B> 7). </ B>

The radio antenna <B> 16 </ B> allows the terminal TC to communicate with a radio terminal 24 connected, at the user, <B> to </ B> a telephone line <B> 25 </ B> d A telecommunication network <B> 26. </ B> The radio terminal 24 incorporates in particular a modem 240, for modulating, in known manner, signals <B> to </ B> send on the telephone line <B> 25 </ B> and demodulate received signals this telephone line <B> 25, </ B> a transmission / reception circuit 241 operating according to the European digital telephone number without <B> wire </ B> DECT (Digital European Cordless Telephone), and a radio antenna 242 connected to the circuit <B> 1. </ B> The antenna <B> 16 </ B> of the terminal TC is also connected <B> to </ B> a circuit of DECT transmission / reception (not shown) housed <B> to </ B> inside the body <B> 10. </ B> The radio link between the TC terminal and the radio terminal 24 offers great flexibility of use , and allows the user to benefit fully benefits from the portable nature of the terminal.

As illustrated <B> at <B> 3, <B> 18 </ B> speakers are located on the front panel 12 of the <B> 10 body, </ B> in the housing 20. This position reduces the size of the terminal.

Camera <B> 17 </ B> is mounted <B> at </ B> an upper end of front panel 12 of body <B> 10. </ B> It typically consists of an Internet camera, of the type of currently available on the market.

Figure <B> 8 </ B> represents a portable communication terminal TC 'according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The portable communication terminal TC 'differs from the terminal TC described with reference to FIGS. 2 <B> to 7 </ B> essentially in that slides and pins are removed, the keyboard <B> 13' </ B> being mounted so removable in the housing, for example by means of a system of complementary grooves and ribs. Thus, the keyboard, when mounted on the front face of the body, can take two positions, <B> to </ B> know a position of use and a protective position, respectively of the type shown in the figures 2 and 4.

 The computer apparatus as described <B> '</ B> above is a communication terminal of the videotex terminal type or Internet terminal. <B> It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the computer apparatus of the invention may also be a computer, and in particular a portable microcomputer. In this case, disk drives, floppy disks and / or optical disks can be integrated into the body of the device.

Claims (1)

<B> CLAIMS </ B> <B> 1. </ B> Portable computing device, characterized in that it comprises a body <B> 10) </ B> and a protection means (14) from minus a portion (22, <B> 23) </ B> of the periphery of the body <B> (l 0), the protection means being hinged to the body so as to <B> to </ B> > Be able to be removed from it to take a position of support of the body. Portable computer apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (B) (10) is in the form of a tablet. <B> 3. </ B> Portable computing device according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprises a protective strip (14) in contact with said at least one portion ( 22, <B> 23) </ B> from the periphery of the body. Portable computer apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective strip is in the form of a <B> U, </ B> each branch of the <B> U </ B > being in contact with a respective edge (22, <B> 23) </ B> of the body. <B> 5. </ B> Portable computing device according to any one of claims <B> 1 to </ B> 4, characterized in that the protection means (14) is pivotally mounted relative to the body <B > (10). </ B> <B> 6. </ B> Portable computing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the two ends (140) of the protective strip (14) are pivotally mounted at one end of the body. <B> 7. </ B> Portable computing device according to any of claims <B> 1 to 6, characterized in that the protection means (14) is made of a semi-rigid material comprising preferably rubber. <B> 8. </ B> Portable computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the body <B> (10) </ B> encloses the electronic circuits essential components of the portable computer apparatus <B> 9. </ B> The portable computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a screen <B>. l </ B> and a <B> 3) </ B> keyboard mounted on the body <B> (10). </ B> <B> 10. </ B> Portable computing device according to claim <B> 9, </ B> characterized in that keyboard <B> (13) </ B> is mounted on the body <B> (10) </ B> so that <B> can </ b> at least two different positions, comprising a first position in which the keyboard <B> (13) </ B> is in the extension of the screen <B> 1), </ B> and a second position in which the keyboard makes an angle with the screen. <B> 11. </ B> Portable computing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the <B> (1Y) </ B> keyboard is mounted on the body (10 ') of removable way. 12. Portable computing device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a means (134) allowing the keyboard to communicate by infrared link with electronic circuits included in the body <B> (10). </ B> <B> 13. </ B> Portable computing device according to any one of claims <B> 1 to </ B> 12, characterized in that it further comprises means (B) (16) </ B> for transmitting / receiving radio signals enabling it to communicate with a radio terminal (24). Communication system characterized in that it comprises a portable computer apparatus according to claim 13 and a radio terminal (24) connected to a <B> telephone line ( 25). </ B> <B> <I> 15. </ I> </ B> Communication system according to claim 14, characterized in that the radio terminal (24) comprises a modem (240) for modulating signals <B> to </ B> send on telephone line <B> (25) </ B> or demodulate signals received from the telephone line, and radio transmission / reception means 1,242). <B> 16. </ B> Portable computing device according to any one of claims <B> 1 <I> to </ I> 15, </ B> characterized in that it consists of a videotex terminal or a Internal terminal <B> 17. </ B> Portable infrasonic device according to any one of claims <B> 1 <I> to </ I> 15, </ B> characterized that it consists of a computer . <B> 18. </ B> Protective cover (14) for protecting at least part of a <B> (10) </ B> body of a portable computer device ( TC), characterized in that it is adapted to be able to be articulated on the body <B> (10) </ B> so as <B> to </ B> can be separated from it and serve as a support.