Convertible tablet
View Patent ↗A computer system and an attached input unit are provided for a user to input data. A computer system may comprise a linking member, a display housing, and an input unit. The linking member may have a first hinge and a second hinge. The display housing may be pivotally attached to the first hinge of the linking member. The input unit may be attached to the second hinge of the linking member.
1. A mobile computing device, comprising:
a lower housing having an input surface with a user input device, a second hinge slot, the second hinge slot having a bottom wall with a recession;
an upper housing having a back cover with a protrusion, and a front cover with a screen, the screen including a touch sensitive display; and
a linking member having a first hinge slot, a first end having a rounded edge, a second end, top surface between the first end and the second end, and a bottom surface between the first end and the second end and opposite the top surface; and
wherein the mobile computing device is in a tablet configuration when the linking member is inserted into the second hinge slot such that the linking member bottom surface lies against the bottom wall of the second hinge slot, the rounded edge lies within the recession, the protrusion is inserted into the first hinge slot, and the back cover of the upper housing lies against the input surface of the lower housing; and
wherein the mobile computing device is in a laptop configuration when the linking member is inserted into the second hinge slot such that the linking member bottom surface is at an non-zero angle with the bottom wall of the second hinge slot, the rounded edge lies within the recession, and the protrusion is inserted into the first hinge slot.
2. The mobile computing device of claim 1 , wherein the linking member comprises a first hinge and a second hinge.
3. The mobile computing device of claim 2 , wherein the first hinge slot and the protrusion form the first hinge around a first hinge axis and the upper housing is rotatable through an angle of up to substantially 360° angle on the first hinge while the upper housing remains parallel to the lower housing.
4. The mobile computing device of claim 2 , wherein the round edge and the recession form the second hinge around a second hinge axis, and the upper housing is rotatable through an angle of up to substantially 90° angle on the second hinge relative to the lower housing on the second hinge.