GB2370657A - Foldable flexible computer - Google Patents

Abstract

A computer device, connected to a flexible display and a flexible keyboard, with the ability to be folded or rolled in various positions, according to the user needs and available space, with automatic adjustment of the operating system's input and output behaviour. Consists of a rigid case (1, Fig. 1) containing the processor and memory, connected to a flexible display (2, Fig. 1) and a flexible keyboard (3, Fig. 1). The display and keyboard can be rolled or folded in a number of positions, to provide a variety of sizes and user interfaces. Position sensors of known design detect the current computer arrangement, and may give input to software to adjust the behaviour of the operating system appropriately.

Description

FOLDABLE FLEXIBLE COMPUTER This invention relates to a computer, which includes flexible components and which may be folded and unfolded according to the requirements of the user and the space available.

Many computer devices of various sizes and capabilities exist currently, with each one being more or less suitable to a given location and circumstances. A computer user finds it increasingly difficult to predict what device might be suitable in a forthcoming situation, and many times the user is forced to carry more than one device, of more than one set of capabilities.

Even if the device choice appears to be right for the environment (right screen size and backlighting, right set of peripherals), it is often the case that the device is not prepared for the type of information it is given. For example, a handheld computer, which was the correct choice for carrying in the field, is suddenly required to perform impossibly intensive calculations. The user may not be able to install new software to handle the calculations, since the handheld requires a desktop computer for installations.

So a two-sided problem exists, where the specific device category restricts both the usability and the business functionality of the device.

One aim of this invention is to preserve as much functionality and flexibility as possible in a computing device, while also preserving portability, thereby effectively combining many devices into one. A parallel aim of this invention is to provide functionality and flexibility without modification or replacement of the underlying operating system or other software elements.

Accordingly, this invention provides a computer device, connected to a flexible display and a flexible keyboard, with the ability to be folded or rolled in various positions, according to the user needs and available space, with automatic adjustment of the operating system's input and output behaviour.

The main body containing the processor and memory can be a computer of the handheld or palmheld form. It is preferably made of rigid plastic material for lightness, but can also be metal or transparent or flexible material or mixture thereof. The screen and keyboard are made of polymer materials with flexible circuit connections of known design and material within them.

Position sensors of known design detect the current computer arrangement, and may give input to software to adjust the behaviour of the operating system appropriately.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a top view of the fordable flexible computer open to the maximum area position. A computer of the handheld or palmheld form, 1, is attached to a flexible display device, 2, and a flexible conventional keyboard, 3. A smaller, complete keyboard, 4, forms part of the larger flexible keyboard, 3. The keyboards 3 and 4 are detached from the display, 2, and can be rolled or folded independently. The device is foldable at a sharp angle at points 5 and 6.

Any combination of display and keyboard sizes is possible, but the ones expected to be the commonest are explained in the subsequent figures.

FIGURE 2 shows the same computer folded to a more compact position, where input is given by the smaller keyboard key arrangement, 4.

FIGURE 3 shows the same computer folded to an even more compact position, functioning as a relatively large handheld sized computer.

FIGURE 4 shows the same computer folded to a more compact position, that of a palm held sized computer, but with the small complete keyboard, 4, still usable as an input device.

FIGURE 5 shows the same computer folded to the most compact position, that of a palmheld sized computer. Input is via pen or via the buttons at the bottom of the section.

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A computer device, connected to a flexible display and a flexible keyboard, with the ability to be folded or rolled in a plurality of positions, according to the user needs and available space, with automatic adjustment of the operating system's input and output behaviour.
2. 2. A computer device as claimed in Claim 1 where the flexible sections can be folded down to a palm-sized form, held in shape by the rigid sections of the computer device.
3. 3. A computer device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where position sensors give input to the operating system so that its input, output, processing, and displaying behaviour is adjusted according to the form of the computer device.
4. 4. A computer device as claimed in any preceding claim, which is made from plastic or metallic material, or from a combination of these materials.
5. 5. A computer device as claimed in any preceding claim, whose display is foldable and is covered in a polymer material providing slight magnification of the screen, so that the folding line in the middle of the display is not visible.
6. 6. A computer device as claimed in any preceding claim, whose rigid sections are used to contain the rolled-up flexible sections, when in the most compact position.
7. 7. A computer device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.