WO2021221600A1

WO2021221600A1 - Display devices of computing devices

Info

Publication number: WO2021221600A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/030058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dong Ryul CHA; Mark Senatori; Illchan LEE
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-04-27
Filing date: 2020-04-27
Publication date: 2021-11-04

Abstract

An example computing device includes a first housing, a first display device disposed in the first housing, a second housing, and a second display device rotatably connected to the second housing at a first end of the second display device. As an example, in response to a rotation of the first housing along a first axis, a second end of the second display device is to move along a surface of the first housing via a second axis.

Description

DISPLAY DEVICES OF COMPUTING DEVICES

BACKGROUND

[0001]The emergence and popularity of mobile computing has made portable computing devices, due to their compact design and light weight, a staple in today’s marketplace. Within the mobile computing realm, notebook computers, or laptops, are one of the more widely used devices and generally employ a clamshell-type design consisting of two housings connected together at a common end via hinges, for example. In some cases, a first housing includes a display device to provide a viewable display to a user, while a second housing or base member includes an area for user input (e.g., touchpad and keyboard). In addition, the viewable display may be a touchscreen (e.g., touchscreen laptop), allowing the user to interact directly with what is displayed by touching the screen with simple or multi-touch gestures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIGs. 1A-B illustrate a computing device including a first display device and a second display device, according to an example;

[0003] FIGs. 2A-C illustrate synchronized movement of the second display device of computing device as the first housing is rotated open, according to an example; and

[0004] FIG. 3 illustrates a rearview of the computing device, including a mechanism for allowing synchronized movement of the second display device in response to rotation of the first housing along a first axis, according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Examples disclosed herein provide an additional display device for computing devices, such as the notebook computer described above. As an example, the additional display device, or secondary display device may be disposed in a second housing of the computing device, separate from the primary display device disposed in the first housing of the computing device. As an example, the secondary display device may be included on a “C” deck of a notebook computer (e.g., a topside of the base member). As is further described, the portion of the “C” deck including the secondary display device may be elevated as the first housing is rotated with respect to the second housing, thereby providing an appropriate viewing angle of the secondary display device. In addition, movement or elevation of the secondary display device may be synchronized with the opening and closing of the computing device, such that the primary and secondary display devices may provide a seamless look. In addition to providing a desirable viewing angle as the computing device is opened, the elevation of the portion of the “C” deck including the secondary display device creates a gap underneath to allow for additional thermal venting, to allow for more efficient cooling. As a result, more air may flow through the computing device, through the opening or gap created when the portion of the “C” deck including the secondary display device is lifted.

[0006] With reference to the figures, FIGs. 1A-B illustrate a computing device 100 including a first display device 104 and a second display device 108, according to an example. As illustrated, the first display device 104 may be disposed in a first housing 102 of the computing device 100, and the second display device 108 may be rotatably connected to a second housing 106 at a first end of the second display device 108, at 110. The mechanism allowing for the rotatable connection of the second display device 108 to the second housing 106 at the first end of the second display device 108 may vary. For example, at 110, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material may be used, or a pin hinge movement. As illustrated, the second display device 108 may be included on a “C” deck of the computing device 100, or a topside of the second housing 106 (e.g., base member of a notebook computer).

[0007] As is further described, as the first housing 102 is rotated opened or closed, the second display device 108 may synchronously move with the rotation of the first housing 102. For example, in response to a rotation of the first housing 102 along a first axis, a second end of the second display device 108 may move along a surface of the first housing 102 via a second axis. As a result, the synchronized movement of the second display device 108 may allow for the second end of the second display device 108 to cover at least a substantial portion of the bottom bezel on the first housing 102 as the first housing 102 is rotated, thereby providing a seamless look between the first display device 104 and second display device 108, as illustrated. [0008] Referring to FIG. 1 B, portions of the computing device 100 are illustrated in phantom, in order to provide details on the mechanism for allowing synchronized movement of the second display device 108 in response to rotation of the first housing 102 along a first axis 118, according to an example. As is further described, as the first housing 102 is rotated along the first axis 118 and the second end of the second display device 108 moves along a surface of the first housing 102 via a second axis 116, the first housing 102 may move along a surface of the second housing 106 via a third axis 120. As a result, instead of pivoting from a single point as the first housing 102 is rotated open, the first housing 102 may swing forward and elevate, while the second display device 108 is lifted or moves upward, thereby covering at least a substantial portion of the bottom bezel on the first housing 102.

[0009] As an example, in order to provide for the movement along the first axis 118, second axis 116, and third axis 120, a combination of a first connector 112 and second connector 114 may be utilized, as illustrated in FIG. 1 B. For example, the first housing 102 is rotatably connected to the first connector 112 at the first axis 118, and the second end of the second display device 108 is rotatably connected to the first connector 112 at the second axis 116. In addition, the first housing 102 may be rotatably connected to the second connector 114 at the first axis 118, and the second housing 106 may be rotatably connected to the second connector 114 at the third axis 120. Although two sets of the first connector 112 and second connector 114 are illustrated, the sets of connectors used may vary. For example, only a single set of the first connector 112 and second connector 114 may be utilized.

[0010]FIGs. 2A-C illustrate synchronized movement of the second display device 108 of computing device 100 as the first housing 102 is rotated open, according to an example. Referring to FIG. 2A, the computing device 100 is closed, where the first housing 102 is closed onto the second housing 106. In this position, the second display device 108 is disposed within a cavity of the second housing 106. In addition, the first connector 112 and second connector 114 are disposed within cavities of the first housing 102 and second housing 106, as illustrated, in order for the first housing to completely close onto the second housing 106. As an example, the first axis 118 may be disposed in a cavity of the second housing 106, as illustrated, along a rear of the second housing 106. [0011] Referring to FIG. 2B, as the first housing 102 is rotated open, movement along the first axis 118, second axis 116, and third axis 120 may be synchronized. For example, as the first housing 102 is connected to the second housing 106 via the second connector 114, as the first housing 102 is rotated open, movement of the first housing 102 along the surface of the second housing 106, via the third axis 120, elevates the first housing 102 away from the second housing 106, as the first housing 102 is moved forward. As the first housing 102 is also connected to the second end of the second display device 108 via the first connector 112, the second display device 108 may synchronously move up as the first housing 102 is rotated open.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2B, as the second display device 108 is rotatably connected to the second housing 106 at a first end of the second display device 108, at 110, the synchronized movement of the second end of the second display device 108 along the surface of the first housing 102, via the second axis 116, as the first housing 102 is rotated open, is to cause the viewing angle of the second display device 108 to be raised from the flat position illustrated in FIG. 2A, which may be desirable for a user while utilizing the computing device 100. The raised viewing angle of the second display device 108 may reduce neck fatigue and discomfort for the user.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 2C, as the first housing 102 continues to be opened, the viewing angle of the second display device 108 continues to be raised, via the synchronized movement of the first connector 112 and second connector 114 along the first axis 118, second axis 116, and third axis 120. Similar to how the computing device 100 is opened, the second display device 108 may return into the cavity of the second housing 106 when the first housing 102 is rotated back closed. For example, as the first housing 102 is rotated closed, movement of the first housing 102 along the surface of the second housing 106, via the third axis 120, will bring the first housing 102 closer to the second housing 106, and the first axis 118 is disposed back in a cavity of the second housing 106, as illustrated in FIG. 2A.

[0014] In addition to providing a desirable viewing angle, the second display device 108 may cover at least a substantial portion of the bottom bezel on the first housing 102 as the first housing 102 is rotated, as described above. As a result, a seamless look may be provided between the first display device 104 and second display device 108, essentially reducing the gap between the second display device 108 and first display device 104, which may be desirable to a user.

[0015] In addition to providing a desirable viewing angle as the computing device 100 is opened, the elevation of the portion of the “C” deck including the second display device 108 creates a gap underneath as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2C, to allow for additional thermal venting. As a result, more air may flow through the computing device 100, through the opening or gap created when the portion of the “C” deck including the second display device 108 is lifted.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the computing device 100, with portions in phantom, in order to provide details on the mechanism for allowing synchronized movement of the second display device 108 in response to rotation of the first housing 102 along a first axis 118, according to an example. As illustrated, when opened, the first housing 102, including the first display device 104 (not illustrated), may be elevated from the second housing 106, while the first housing 102 moves forward via the second connector 114. As described above, the synchronized movement of the first connector 112 and second connector 114, via the axes (e.g., first axis 118, second axis 116, and third axis 120), may allow for the synchronized elevation of the second display device 108 while the first housing 102 is rotated.

[0017] It is appreciated that examples described may include various components and features. It is also appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it is appreciated that the examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples. Also, the examples may be used in combination with each other.

[0018] Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example, but not necessarily in other examples. The various instances of the phrase “in one example” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example. [0019] It is appreciated that the previous description of the disclosed examples is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these examples is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A computing device comprising: a first housing; a first display device disposed in the first housing; a second housing; and a second display device rotatably connected to the second housing at a first end of the second display device, wherein, in response to a rotation of the first housing along a first axis, a second end of the second display device is to move along a surface of the first housing via a second axis.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein in response to the rotation of the first housing along the first axis, the first housing is to move along a surface of the second housing via a third axis.

3. The computing device of claim 2, comprising a first connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the first connector at the first axis, and the second end of the second display device is rotatably connected to the first connector at the second axis.

4. The computing device of claim 3, comprising a second connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at the first axis, and the second housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at the third axis.

5. The computing device of claim 2, wherein as the first housing is to be rotated open, movement of the first housing along the surface of the second housing via the third axis is to elevate the first housing away from the second housing.

6. The computing device of claim 5, wherein as the first housing is to be rotated closed: movement of the first housing along the surface of the second housing via the third axis is to bring the first housing closer to the second housing, and the first axis is to be disposed in a cavity of the second housing.

7. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the movement of the second display device along the surface of the first housing via the second axis is synchronized with the rotation of the first housing along the first axis.

8. A computing device comprising: a first housing; a first display device disposed in the first housing; a second housing; a second display device rotatably connected to the second housing at a first end of the second display device; a first connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the first connector at a first axis, and a second end of the second display device is rotatably connected to the first connector at a second axis; and a second connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at the first axis, and the second housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at a third axis.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein as the first housing is to be rotated open, a movement of the first housing along a surface of the second housing via the second connector at the third axis is to elevate the first housing away from the second housing.

10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein as the first housing is to be rotated closed: the movement of the first housing along the surface of the second housing via the second connector at the third axis is to bring the first housing closer to the second housing, and the first axis is to be disposed in a cavity of the second housing.

11. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the movement of the second display device along the surface of the first housing via the first connector at the second axis is synchronized with the rotation of the first housing along the first axis.

12. A computing device comprising: a first housing; a first display device disposed in the first housing; a second housing; and a second display device rotatably connected to the second housing at a first end of the second display device, wherein, in response to a rotation of the first housing along a first axis: a second end of the second display device is to move along a surface of the first housing via a second axis, and the first housing is to move along a surface of the second housing via a third axis.

13. The computing device of claim 12, comprising a first connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the first connector at the first axis, and the second end of the second display device is rotatably connected to the first connector at the second axis.

14. The computing device of claim 13, comprising a second connector, wherein the first housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at the first axis, and the second housing is rotatably connected to the second connector at the third axis.

15. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the movement of the second display device along the surface of the first housing via the second axis is synchronized with the rotation of the first housing along the first axis.