GB2561965A

GB2561965A - A clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer

Info

Publication number: GB2561965A
Application number: GB1803162.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Riddiford Martin
Original assignee: Planet Computers Ltd
Current assignee: Planet Computers Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-27
Filing date: 2018-02-27
Publication date: 2018-10-31
Also published as: WO2018154332A1; GB201803162D0; GB201703099D0

Abstract

There is provided a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer (PDA) with a lid closing against a base. The computer includes a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base. The main PCB (printed circuit board) and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base. Preferably the PCB is located in the lid and the battery in the base. The PCB may be a single-sided PCB. The computer may have metal covers for the lid or base that are removable. The PCB may have an optional extension or plugin module. The plug in module may be a camera module. The keyboard can be a fully tactile keyboard that uses mechanically moveable keys. The keyboard can also be a virtual keyboard. The computer may have wireless communications capabilities. The computer may have a bottom cover that allows for an extra capacity battery. The computer may have an external button that allows a voice recognition interface.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

EP 0910005 A2 JP 2002091611 A US 20050041390 A1

H04M 1/02 (2006.01)

JP 2010134786 A US 6243261 B1 (71) Applicant(s):

Planet Computers Ltd (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

228a High Street, Bromley, BR1 1PQ, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Martin Riddiford (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Origin Limited

Twisden Works, Twisden Road, LONDON, NW5 1DN, United Kingdom

Dann Berg, 23 September 2013, Microsoft's Power Cover has built-in battery for Surface tablets, theverge.com, [online] Available from: https:// www.theverge.com/2013/9/23/4761448/microsoftsurface-power-cover-battery [Accessed 20 August 2018]

Brian Westover, 30 April 2015, Toshiba Portege Z20tB2112, uk.pcmag.com, [online] Available from: https:// uk. pcmag.com/toshiba-portege-z20t-b2112/41571/ review/toshiba-portege-z20t-b2112 [Accessed 20 August 2018] (58) Field of Search:

INT CL G06F

Other: WPI, EPODOC, PATENT FULLTEXT, INTERNET (54) Title of the Invention: A clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer

Abstract Title: A clamshell form factor computing device having separate battery and PCB (57) There is provided a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer (PDA) with a lid closing against a base. The computer includes a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base. The main PCB (printed circuit board) and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base. Preferably the PCB is located in the lid and the battery in the base. The PCB may be a single-sided PCB. The computer may have metal covers for the lid or base that are removable. The PCB may have an optional extension or plugin module. The plug in module may be a camera module. The keyboard can be a fully tactile keyboard that uses mechanically moveable keys. The keyboard can also be a virtual keyboard. The computer may have wireless communications capabilities. The computer may have a bottom cover that allows for an extra capacity battery. The computer may have an external button that allows a voice recognition interface.

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A CLAMSHELL FORM-FACTOR PORTABLE PERSONAL ELECTRONIC COMPUTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The first personal digital assistant (PDA), the Psion Organiser, was released in 1987 by Psion. It included a physical keyboard combined with an electronic diary and a searchable address database, all in a small portable device. The Psion Series 3 followed in 1991, having a clamshell form factor with a full physical keyboard. PDAs grew in popularity through the 1990s and early 2000s, with a general trend towards increased features and functionality, including word processors, spreadsheets, email capabilities and more. However, in the early 2010s they began to fall out of fashion and were largely discontinued, following the advances in mobile telephony and miniaturization which led to their eventual replacements, the modem smartphone.

An increasing proportion of the population still have a fondness for the pocketable clamshell format. It is not just nostalgia either; there is a genuine belief that it is much easier to generate text documents, manipulate spreadsheets, and code with a scaled down laptop, rather than using a cramped touchscreen with a virtual keyboard, which would inevitably be a poor replacement due to the very small virtual keys and the lack of adequate haptic feedback.

A big physical keyboard is far preferable for writing emails, reports, novels and more, especially if it features in a device that does not have the disadvantage of being the size of a laptop. Clearly there is no current laptop equivalent that can be carried inside a regular clothes pocket. Further, as voice calls become decreasingly important, and text input regains a key role, the conventional glass slab design of today’s smartphone becomes increasingly outmoded.

There is also real push from consumers for a modern clamshell mobile device that would 10 include a fully integrated physical keyboard and that could fit inside a pocket. People are essentially asking for the reincarnation of the PDA for the smartphone age. Such a device would provide all the key features of a modern portable device with day-long power, touch typing, and a full range of apps in a device that can be held in a palm. However, in order to achieve this, a real, properly tactile keyboard would have to be squeezed into the thinnest package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which a main PCB and rechargeable battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include any one or more of the following:

• the main PCB is in the lid, and the battery is in the base.

• the main PCB is a single sided PCB.

• metal covers for the lid and/or the base are removable for inserting, accessing and/or replacing components or parts inside the computer.

• the computer includes a top metal cover, a hinge metal cover or spine and a bottom metal cover.

• the SIM card and/or memory card slots are exposed by removing a top metal cover that is part of the lid.

• the battery can be accessed and removed from removing a bottom metal cover that is part of the base.

• an optional extension or plugin module is fitted directly into the main PCB.

• the plug-in module is a camera module.

• the plug-in module is an additional touchscreen display.

• the plug-in module forms an integral part of the lid.

• the lid closes against the base, and in which the lid is magnetically latched to the base.

• the magnetic latching compresses the mechanically moveable keys to minimize the thickness of the computer when closed.

• the lid is hinged to the base using an over-centre hinge.

• the hinge is made of springy metal hoops.

• the metal hoops have a 3mm diameter.

• the hinge enables the computer to be opened, turned upside down, and placed flush with a surface in a completely flat position without any damage.

• the lid is connected to the base at a hinge, and the hinge is covered in whole or part by a flexible spine that is tensioned when the lid is opened, and the spine then forms an extension to the base when the lid is opened, to increase stability.

• the spine extension is a rearwards extension that increases the turning moment needed to tip the opened lid rearwards when touching the display in the lid.

• the spine provides a closing force when it moves from a stable fully opened position.

• the spine is made of metal, such as stainless steel.

• the spine is secured in a slot in the base and a slot in the lid and rotates about its edges that are secured in the slots.

• the spine is removable by the end-user.

• no obvious hinges appear on the computer, whether the lid is opened or closed.

• the main PCB and battery are connected via flexible PCB cables that are plugged at both ends.

• the flexible PCB circuit is located between the hinge and the spine.

• the side ports at each end of the computer include a microphone, an earpiece connector and stereo speaker.

• the computer does not have any upside down and can be used one handed as a phone or a voice controller.

• a sensor detects the orientation of the computer and activates the microphone on one side and the earpiece or speaker on the other side.

• the sensor is an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope.

• the main PCB is a re-purposed or re-designed smartphone PCB, where the components on the PCB are arranged to use space liberated by moving the battery to the base.

• the battery in the base is connected to a super-capacitor.

• the super-capacitor is configured or arranged to provide power assistance to enable power-losses associated with a flexi-circuit that connects the battery to the main PCB to be compensated for.

• the keyboard uses mechanically moveable keys.

• the keyboard has a backlit function.

• the keyboard is a full QWERTY keyboard.

• the computer has wireless communications capability such as 3G/4G and WiFi and Bluetooth.

• the computer has dimension 150mm in width, 80mm in depth and 15mm thickness (with 25% tolerance either way).

• a super-capacitor is in the lid and is connected to the battery via a flexi cable.

• a custom bottom cover allows for an extra capacity or thick battery.

• multiple metal covers can be exchanged for cosmetic reasons.

• an external button allows a voice recognition interface.

• the computer includes a finger print sensor and a camera located on either side of the display.

• an automatic switch under the spine turns on and/or off on opening and/or closing the lid.

• a protective spring hinge detail is set at 150 degrees which allows further travel to 180 to protect hinge from abuse.

• a cursor evident on the display and the cursor can be managed using 4 way arrow keys, in order to facilitate inputs via the keyboard of text and numbers for word processing, spreadsheet, web search, programming; and also for selecting cells in a spreadsheet.

• the cursor automatically appears in any text entry box that is called up such as a web search or social network search.

• a visual indicator is visible when the computer is closed and the visual indicator provides notification to an end-user.

• the visual indicator is a row of LEDs.

• the appearance of the row of LEDS can be programmed for: charging notification, reminder, alert, incoming call, email, WIFI status, Bluetooth status and mobile data status.

• the keyboard is a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard or a combination of a virtual and a physical keyboard.

• the keyboard provides audio and tactile feedback.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example(s), with reference to the following Figures, which each show features of the invention:

Figure 1 shows an initial concept with an arrangement of a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 2 shows a second arrangement of a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 3 shows a third arrangement of a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 4 shows a fourth arrangement of a clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 5 shows line drawings of a clamshell portable electronic computer.

Figure 6 shows a picture of a fabricated prototype of the clamshell portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 7 shows line drawings of the inside of the portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 8 shows line drawings of the inside of the portable personal electronic computer.

Figure 9 shows line drawings of a portable personal computer device in two configurations.

Figure 10 shows a side view of the clamshell portable personal computer with the lid on and with the lid open.

Figure 11 shows a side cut out view of the clamshell portable personal computer. Figure 12 shows a top view and side view of the clamshell portable personal computer, open and resting on a flat surface.

Figure 13 shows the clamshell portable personal computer with the keyboard taken apart and the lid open.

Figure 14 shows line drawings with a cut out view of the physical key mechanism. Figure 15 shows the clamshell portable personal computer with the lid open.

Figure 16 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the landscape oriented touchscreen display.

Figure 17 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the landscape oriented touchscreen display.

Figure 18 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the landscape oriented touchscreen display.

Figure 19 shows an example of a user interface displayed on the landscape oriented touchscreen display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1, an initial concept for a clamshell portable personal electronic computer is shown, in which a physical keyboard is hinged at the edge of a conventional portable mobile device such as a smartphone. The portable personal device in Figure 1 is made up of a smartphone — including a display, a main printed circuit board (PCB) and a battery — on one side of the hinge, and a physical keyboard connected to the other side In this configuration, the balance of the device makes it top heavy, resulting in the device falling backwards when placed with the lid open on a flat surface. The device thickness is also too large due to the addition of the keyboard.

With reference to Figure 2, another arrangement of a clamshell portable personal electronic computer is shown in which the display is in the lid and connected to one side of the hinge, and the keyboard, battery and the main PCB are amalgamated and hinged from the edge of the display in the base. This corresponds to a typical laptop arrangement. In this configuration, both the thickness and weight distribution on the computer are also not balanced.

With reference to Figure 3, a third arrangement is shown in which the display and battery are in the lid and the keyboard and the main PCB are in the base, hinged from the edge of the lid. Although the thickness of the overall computer is well balanced, the battery placed near the display may also make the portable computer top heavy, resulting also in a risk of the computer falling backwards when placed with the lid open on a flat surface. But there are nevertheless advantages in placing the main PCB in one half of the device, namely in the base, and the main rechargeable battery in the other half of the device, namely in the lid.

With reference to Figure 4, a fourth arrangement is shown in which a large flat battery has been placed directly under the keyboard in the base, and the main PCB and display are in the lid. This is the preferred arrangement in terms of weight distribution. However the overall thickness of the portable personal computer still needs to be further reduced.

Figure 5 shows line drawings of the clamshell portable personal electronic computer with the lid closed against the base (5A) and with the lid open (5B). The computer has a display and main PCB in the lid, and a physical keyboard and rechargeable battery in the base. When the lid is open (5B), the display is entirely visible, and the physical keyboard including audio and tactile feedback can be used.

In order to further reduce the thickness of the computer, a single-sided PCB, in which all the components are mounted on one side, is used. Separating the main PCB and the battery leads to a larger PCB area as no real estate is given up to the battery, in comparison, for example with the arrangement shown in Figure 1. The use of a singlesided PCB results in further reducing the overall thickness of the portable personal electronic computer.

Other advantages of separating the PCB and the battery into different halves are the following, non limiting examples:

• enables a bigger main PCB to be used: A bigger PCB provides space for optional extension or plug-in modules to be mounted directly on the PCB while forming an integral part of the lid, • lower thermal load on the PCB components since it’s away from the battery, which can get quite warm, • a larger battery is used providing an increased battery life as compared to regular smartphones.

Other advantages of separating the PCB and the battery and using a single-sided PCB are the following:

• enables a bigger PCB to be used, which in turn permits a single sided PCB. Single-sided mounting of components is cheaper than double-sided PCB, since double-sided assembly is more expensive than single-sided assembly.

A further technical challenge is the connection of the battery and the CPU via a flexible circuit through the hinge, which has always been deemed problematic due to power losses. However, the removal of the battery from under the display also opens up space to use a larger battery or to use a super-capacitor to assist the battery, which overcomes the problem and ensures an unrivalled performance.

Figure 6 shows a picture of a fabricated prototype of the clamshell portable personal electronic computer illustrated in Figure 5 with the lid open. The display and main PCB are in the lid (61) and the keyboard and rechargeable battery are in the base (62). Three removable metal covers are shown: a top cover (63), a hinge cover or spine (64) and a bottom cover (65). The three covers can be easily removed via a tool. By removing the covers, the inside of the computer is exposed and easily accessible. In particular, removing the top cover (63) exposes the SIM and SD or memory card slots, hence giving access to easily replace a SIM and/or SD card. In comparison, the loading of an SD card or a SIM card on a laptop or on current smartphones is usually on the side. However accessing the SIM and SD card slots on the side would have increased the overall thickness of the computer.

Removing the bottom cover exposes the rechargeable battery. Therefore, the computer allows for the addition of a second battery or a thicker battery. The bottom cover may then be upgraded such that it is flushed with the computer.

Figure 7 shows the inside of the portable personal electronic computer with the main PCB in the lid (71), and the physical keyboard matrix in the base (72).

Figure 8 shows the inside of the portable personal electronic computer, open and flipped over, with the main PCB on top (81) including the SIM (82) and micro SD (83) slots that are directly accessible under the cover. The rechargeable battery is (84) placed directly under the tactile keyboard in the base of the computer.

The top metal cover (63), shown in Figure 6, can also be replaced by a metal cover that includes optional extension or plug-in modules. Figure 9 shows line drawings of a portable personal computer in two configurations: with a single top metal cover (9A) and with a top metal cover including a camera module (9B) forming an integral part of the lid. The camera module can easily be fitted onto the computer and is directly mounted on the main single sided PBC. The lens for the camera module protrudes through the aperture in the centre of the lid (94). Other plug-in modules may also include for example, an additional glass element or TCD display. A touchscreen interface may therefore be accessed even when the lid is closed.

LEDs providing visual feedback to an end-user when the lid is closed are placed through the gap (91) between the top metal cover and the spine.

An LED that is on with a specific colour may serve as a notification that for example:

• the WiFi hotspot is on, • the WiFi hotspot is on and home devices are connected to the hotspot, • mobile data is enabled but there is no current mobile data connection for the portable personal computer, • Bluetooth connected devices are connected to the portable personal computer.

A specific LED colour or a specific pattern of LED colour sequences may also be programmed for, but not limited to:

• a notification of an ongoing call. In particular, it may be programmed to correspond to a specific number, • a notification that a call is ending or has ended, • charging notification, • email notification, • alert notification.

The side ports at each end of the portable computer (92, 93) each include a microphone, stereo speaker and an earpiece. The computer includes a sensor, such as an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope that detects its orientation, so as to activate the microphone on one side and the earpiece or the speaker on the other side. Hence, when closed, there is no upside down and the portable computer can be used one handed as a phone with no right side up.

The computer also supports voice recognition that can be activated using an easily accessible button located on the outer shell. When the lid is closed, the clamshell portable computer can therefore also be used one handed as a voice controller.

The personal portable computer also includes a call answer button on its outer shell, in which, for example:

• a short press answers an incoming call, • a long press rejects an incoming call, • a long press during an ongoing call ends the ongoing call.

When the device is open, a call may come through in the same way as a standard smartphone. It can be taken or rejected on the touchscreen or using the keyboard or the external button. A call may also be taken privately by closing the lid and using the computer in hold-to-head mode (either way up).

Figure 10 shows a side view of the clamshell portable personal computer with the lid closed (10A), and with the lid open (10B). As shown, the hinge metal cover or spine (101) also folds out when the lid is open. The spine essentially forms an extension to the base when the lid is opened. This ensures the computer is stable when resting on a flat surface.

Figure 11 shows a side cut out view of the clamshell portable personal computer with a close up of the hinge mechanism. Springy metal hoops (111) of 3 mm diameter allow for the lid and the base to be hinged to one another. The computer can be modified from a closed folded position to a completely open flat position. The springy metal hoops enable the computer to be less vulnerable to damage as the computer can be pushed into a completely flat position without breaking or any damage. For example, if a user wishes to scan a boarding pass on his display, he may flip the computer and push the computer down to a completely flat position onto a scanner.

In addition, the lid components and base components are connected via flexible PCB cables (112), which carry power from the battery, the keyboard data, and USBC or other connector data. Kapton™ flexible PCB cables may be used. The flexible PCB cables are plugged on either sides, and are therefore easily replaceable. With earlier PDAs, the whole keyboard would necessarily have been taken apart in order to replace the cables.

The hinge cover or spine (113) seats outside the hinge (111) and flexible PCB circuit (112), giving the unit a very clean appearance with no obvious hinges, whether the lid is opened or closed. The flexible PCB circuit (112) is trapped between the main cylindrical hinge and the hinge cover (113), meaning it is protected and hidden from view. This aspect, combined with the distinctive geometry, which gives an overcentre action to the opening and closing of the device, and the support of the display and tilting of the keyboard, are key features of the portable personal computer.

Figure 12 shows a top view and side view of the clamshell portable personal computer, with the lid open and resting on a flat surface. The keyboard may also be replaced by for example: a backlit keyboard or a keyboard with a different language.

Figure 13 shows the clamshell portable personal computer with the lid open. The fully integrated physical keyboard has been taken apart, and the key matrix including small flexible domes, providing audible and tactile response, is shown.

The base of the computer may also include a display with a virtual keyboard or it may include any keyboard similar to that of a laptop computer or a PDA or any other keyboard.

Figure 14 shows a line drawing with a cut-out view of one variation of the physical key mechanism. When a user types on the keyboard, the top of the key pushes down against a dome and presses the flat surface against the key matrix. When the key is released, the dome springs back to its original shape. Some keys may be programmed to activate either when the key is pressed or when the key is released. A key may also be programmed differently when pressed and when released.

In order to minimise the computer’s thickness in the closed position, the keys are also squashed or depressed when the computer is folded; magnets latch the lid to the base and provide the force needed to keep the keys squashed down. This allows a thickness saving of at least 1mm or more, and is achieved through use of magnets positioned around the edge of the computer, on the sides (51,52) or at the corners , which compress the keys whilst securing the lid and keyboard frame together.

The computer features a metal clamshell design that is perfectly balanced for typing when open, and tucks away the palm-sized QWERTY keyboard and screen when closed. It fits into a pocket, roughly the same size as most of today’s mobile phones. When open, the ultra-wide 6- inch, high resolution touch screen provides ample space for creating on the go.

Figure 15 shows the clamshell portable personal computer with the lid open. The QWERTY fully tactile keyboard has a dimension of around 17.14cm by 7.93cm. In order to fit a Filly tactile keyboard in the smallest dimension possible, a number of keyboard shortcuts have been designed to reduce the number of keys as compared to larger tactile keyboard and to provide an easier and quicker method of executing commands and navigating the computer while on the move.

A number of keyboards shortcuts, achieved through pressing a modifier key (such as the function ‘Fn’ key) at the same time as a marked key, may be used to, for example:

• take a screenshot, • display the phone dialer, • enter/exit flight mode, • enter phone settings, • pop-up the application bar.

Figures 16 to 19 show examples of user interfaces displayed on the landscape oriented touchscreen display. Figure 16 shows the user interface including an application bar at the bottom of the landscape oriented touchscreen display. The application bar is either permanently positioned above all the other applications or it can pop up after pressing a specific keyboard key from the physical keyboard.

The list of application icons initially present on the application bar is set by the initial configuration or can be loaded from a cloud service. The application bar may include icons for pre-installed applications, and for applications, which have not already been installed on the portable computer. It can also easily be configured. When clicking on the icon of a pre-installed application, the application is invoked. When clicking on the icon of an application that is not already installed on the device, the device prompts the user to install the application from the app store, as shown in Figure 17.

Figure 18 shows an example of a user interface with the list of apps currently pinned to the application bar displayed on the ‘App Bar Items’ column on the left, and the list of available apps displayed on the ‘Selectable Apps’ column on the right.

The ‘Selectable Apps’ column also includes a ‘Settings’ icon on the top right of the screen, which will display options to force display of the application bar all the time or auto-hide it after a time period (the application bar can automatically hide after several seconds of inactivity) or to force landscape or portrait mode when using it, as shown in

Figure 19.

Key concepts

This section summarises the most important high-level features; an implementation of the invention may include one or more of these high-level features (A-J), or any combination of any of these. Note that each high-level feature is therefore potentially a stand-alone invention and may be combined with any one or more other high-level feature or features or any of the ‘optional’ features; the actual invention defined in this particular specification is however defined by the appended claims.

A. The main PCB and battery are separated

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the main PCB and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base.

B. The main PCB is in the lid and the rechargeable battery is in the base

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display and main PCB in the lid, and a keyboard and rechargeable battery in the base.

C. The main PCB is a single sided PCB

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display and main PCB in the lid, and a keyboard and rechargeable battery in the base, in which the main PCB is a single sided PCB.

D. Removable metal covers expose the inside of the computer for easy access and replacement of parts.

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the main PCB and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base, and in which metal covers for the lid and/or the base are easily removable for easy access and replacement of parts inside the computer.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• Removing the top metal cover exposes the SIM card and SD card slots.

• Removing the bottom metal exposes the battery.

E. Optional extension or plug-in module that fits directly into the main PCB.

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the main PCB and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base, and in which an optional extension or plug-in module can be fitted directly into the main PCB.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• Plug-in module is a camera module.

• Plug-in module is an additional touchscreen display.

• Plug-in module forms an integral part of the lid.

F. The lid is magnetically latched to the base

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the lid is magnetically latched to the base.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• Magnetic latching compresses the mechanically moveable keys to minimise the thickness of the computer when closed.

G. The springy hinge mechanism

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the main PCB and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base, and in which the lid is hinged to the base using an over-centre hinge.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• The hinge is made of springy metal hoops.

• Metal hoops have a 3mm diameter.

• The hinge enables the computer when open and turned upside down, to be placed flush with a surface in a completely flat position without any damage.

H. The spine (or hinge metal cover) provides an extension to the base when the lid is opened.

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, and in which the lid is connected to the base at a hinge, and the hinge is covered in whole or part by a flexible spine that is tensioned when the lid is opened, and the spine then forms an extension to the base when the lid is opened, to increase stability.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• Spine is made of metal, such as stainless steel.

• Spine is secured in a slot in the base and a slot in the lid and rotates about its edges that are secured in the slots.

• Spine is removable by the end-user.

I. Removable flexible PCB Cables that are plugged at both ends

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which the main PCB and battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base, and in which the PCB and battery are connected via flexible PCB cables that are plugged at both ends.

Optional feature in an implementation of the invention includes:

• The flexible PCB circuit is located between the hinge and the spine.

J. When closed, there is no upside down

Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which side ports at each end of the computer include a microphone, an earpiece connector and stereo speaker.

Optional features in an implementation of the invention include:

• When closed, the computer does not have any upside down and can be used one handed as a phone or a voice controller.

• The sensor is an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope.

K. Key dependent claims that are common across multiple high level features

Optional features in an implementation of the invention may include any one or more of the following:

• Main PCB is a re-purposed or re-designed smartphone PCB, where the components on the PCB are arranged to use space liberated by moving the battery to the base.

• Battery in the base is connected to a super-capacitor.

• Super-capacitor is configured or arranged to provide power assistance to enable power-losses associated with a flexi-circuit that connects the battery to the main PCB to be compensated for.

• Keyboard uses mechanically moveable keys.

• Keyboard has a backlit function.

• Keyboard is a full QWERTY keyboard.

• Computer has wireless comms capability (e.g. 3G/4G and WiFi and Bluetooth etc per a smartphone).

• Computer has dimension 150mm in width, 80mm in depth and 15mm thickness (with 25% tolerance either way).

• Keyboard provides audio and tactile feedback.

• Keyboard has dimension 150mm in width, 80mm in depth (with 25% tolerance either way).

• Computer has removable metal covers.

• Super-capacitor is in the lid and is connected to the battery via a flexi cable.

• Top removable cover or lid allows access to Sim and removable memory cards.

• Bottom removable cover allows battery to be removed.

• Bespoke custom bottom cover allows for an extra capacity/thick battery.

• All covers can be exchanged for cosmetic reasons- rose gold.

• External button allows Siri like interface.

• Finger print sensor and camera located on either side of the display.

• Auto switch under spine turns on / off on open and closing.

• There is a protective spring hinge detail set at 150 degrees which allows further travel to 180 to protect hinge from abuse.

• There is always a cursor evident on the screen and this cursor can be managed using the 4 way arrow keys — this facilitates inputs via the keyboard of text and numbers for word processing, spreadsheet, web search, programming; and also for selecting cells in a spreadsheet.

• The cursor auto appears in any text entry box that is called up (e.g. web search; social network search).

• If you press a ‘Planet’ key together with a delete key, you can delete to the right of the cursor rather than to the left.

• The visual indicator is a row of LEDs.

Note

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred example(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein.

Claims

1. Clamshell form-factor portable personal electronic computer with a lid closing against a base, with a display in the lid, and a keyboard in the base, in which a main PCB and rechargeable battery are separated, with one in the lid, and the other in the base.

2. The computer of Claim 1 in which the main PCB is in the lid, and the battery is in the base.

3. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the main PCB is a single sided PCB.

4. The computer of any preceding Claim in which metal covers for the lid and/or the base are removable for inserting, accessing and/or replacing components or parts inside the computer.

5. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the computer includes a top metal cover, a hinge metal cover or spine and a bottom metal cover.

6. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the SIM card and/or memory card slots are exposed by removing a top metal cover that is part of the lid.

7. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the battery can be accessed and removed from removing a bottom metal cover that is part of the base.

8. The computer of any preceding Claim in which an optional extension or plugin module is fitted directly into the main PCB.

9. The computer of Claim 8 in which the plug-in module is a camera module.

10. The computer of Claim 8 in which the plug-in module is an additional touchscreen display.

11. The computer of any of Claim 8 — 10 in which the plug-in module forms an integral part of the lid.

12. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the lid closes against the base, and in which the lid is magnetically latched to the base.

13. The computer of Claim 12 in which the magnetic latching compresses the mechanically moveable keys to minimize the thickness of the computer when closed.

14. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the lid is hinged to the base using an over-centre hinge.

15. The computer of Claim 14 in which the hinge is made of springy metal hoops.

16. The computer of Claim 15 in which the metal hoops have a 3mm diameter.

17. The computer of any of Claim 14 — 16 in which the hinge enables the computer to be opened, turned upside down, and placed flush with a surface in a completely flat position without any damage.

18. The computer of any preceding Claim in which die lid is connected to die base at a hinge, and the hinge is covered in whole or part by a flexible spine that is tensioned when the lid is opened, and the spine then forms an extension to the base when the lid is opened, to increase stability.

19. The computer of Claim 18 in which the spine extension is a rearwards extension that increases the turning moment needed to tip the opened lid rearwards when touching the display in the lid.

20. The computer of any of Claim 18 or 19 in which the spine provides a closing force when it moves from a stable fully opened position.

21. The computer of any of Claim 18 — 20 in which the spine is made of metal, such as stainless steel.

22. The computer of any of Claim 18 — 21 in which the spine is secured in a slot in the base and a slot in the lid and rotates about its edges that are secured in the slots.

23. The computer of any of Claim 18 — 22 in which the spine is removable by the end-user.

24. The computer of any preceding Claim in which no obvious hinges appear on the computer, whether the lid is opened or closed.

25. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the main PCB and battery are connected via flexible PCB cables that are plugged at both ends.

26. The computer of Claim 25 in which the flexible PCB circuit is located between the hinge and the spine.

27. The computer of any preceding Claim in which side ports at each end of the computer include a microphone, an earpiece connector and stereo speaker.

28. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the computer does not have any upside down and can be used one handed as a phone or a voice controller.

29. The computer of any of Claim 27 or 28 in which a sensor detects the orientation of the computer and activates the microphone on one side and the earpiece or speaker on the other side.

30. The computer of Claim 29 in which the sensor is an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope.

31. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the main PCB is a re-purposed or re-designed smartphone PCB, where the components on the PCB are arranged to use space liberated by moving the battery to the base.

32. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the battery in the base is connected to a super-capacitor.

33. The computer of Claim 32 in which the super-capacitor is configured or arranged to provide power assistance to enable power-losses associated with a flexible PCB circuit that connects the battery to the main PCB to be compensated for.

34. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the keyboard uses mechanically moveable keys.

35. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the keyboard has a backlit function.

36. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the keyboard is a full QWERTY keyboard.

37. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the computer has wireless communications capability such as 3G/4G and WiFi and Bluetooth.

38. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the computer has dimension 150mm in width, 80mm in depth and 15mm thickness (with 25% tolerance either way).

39. The computer of any preceding Claim in which a super-capacitor is in the lid and is connected to the battery via a flexi cable.

40. The computer of any preceding Claim in which a custom bottom cover allows for an extra capacity or thick battery.

41. The computer of any preceding Claim in which multiple metal covers can be exchanged for cosmetic reasons.

42. The computer of any preceding Claim in which an external button allows a voice recognition interface.

43. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the computer includes a finger print sensor and a camera located on either side of the display.

44. The computer of any of Claim 5 - 43 in which an automatic switch under the spine turns on and/or off on opening and/or closing the lid.

45. The computer of any preceding Claim in which a protective spring hinge detail is set at 150 degrees which allows further travel to 180 to protect hinge from abuse.

46. The computer of any preceding Claim in which a cursor evident on the display and the cursor can be managed using 4 way arrow keys, in order to facilitate inputs via the keyboard of text and numbers for word processing, spreadsheet, web search, programming; and also for selecting cells in a spreadsheet.

47. The computer of Claim 46 in which the cursor automatically appears in any text entry box that is called up such as a web search or social network search.

48. The computer of any preceding Claim in which a visual indicator is visible when the computer is closed and the visual indicator provides notification to an end-user.

49. The computer of Claim 48 in which the visual indicator is a row of LEDs.

50. The computer of Claim 49, in which the appearance of the row of LEDS can be programmed for: charging notification, reminder, alert, incoming call, email, WIFI status, Bluetooth status and mobile data status.

51. The computer of any preceding Claim, in which the keyboard is a virtual keyboard or a physical keyboard or a combination of a virtual and a physical keyboard.

52. The computer of any preceding Claim in which the keyboard provides audio and tactile feedback.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1803162.5 Examiner: Mr Aaron Saddington