IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,466,542
Granted Patent B2
US 7,466,542 · App. 11/762,666 · Granted Dec 16, 2008

Laptop computer with replaceable camera module

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,466,542
App. No.
11/762,666
Granted
Dec 16, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A laptop computer is disclosed. The laptop computer comprises a processor, a memory, a graphics controller, a display panel and a display housing. The display housing is for holding the display panel. The display housing has an opening for fixing a replaceable camera module or a replaceable cover module selectively. When the replaceable camera module is fixed to the opening, the replaceable camera module is electrically connected with the graphics controller and provides pixel data. The graphics controller then drives the display panel to display the pixel data.

Claims (14)

1. A laptop computer, comprising:

a processor;

a memory, electrically connected to said processor;

a graphics controller, electrically connected to said processor;

a display panel, electrically connected to said graphics controller; and

a display housing, for holding said display panel, and said display housing having an opening for selectively installing a replaceable camera module or a replaceable cover module;

thereby, if said replaceable camera module is installed to said opening, said replaceable camera module will be electrically connected to said graphics controller for providing a pixel data, and said graphics controller will drive said display panel to display said pixel data.

2. The laptop computer of claim 1 , further comprising a tapered housing coupled to an edge of said camera module and an edge of said opening, and the shape of said tapered housing is tapered between the edge of said camera module and the edge of said opening.

3. The laptop computer of claim 2 , wherein said replaceable cover module and said display housing are integrated to constitute an overall external look, when said replaceable cover module is installed into said opening.

4. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein said replaceable camera module includes a rotatable camera and a camera chassis module.

5. The laptop computer of claim 1 , wherein said replaceable camera module includes a fixed camera.

6. The laptop computer of claim 5 , wherein said fixed camera comes with a fixed focus length and an imaging array.

7. The laptop computer of claim 6 , wherein said imaging array is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor array.

8. The laptop computer of claim 7 , wherein said processor executes an application program code stored in said memory to control the conversion of said pixel data from said camera to said display panel, so as to achieve digital zooming and panning.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2007
From: KUO, YAN-LIN; CHEN, TSAN-SHENH
To: ACER INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 019425/0016 →
Priority Claims (1)
TW 95143171 A · Nov 22, 2006 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080117581A1 · May 22, 2008