Portable tablet computing device with a low power operation mode as a media player
View Patent ↗A portable computing device is disclosed. The device may be based upon a laptop/a netbook computer according to the preferred embodiment. The device comprises a pivotable display screen. The device is operated as a general purpose computing device when the display screen is in a conventional unfolded position. The device is used as a media player when the display is pivoted to be on the top face of the device. The device operated as the media player with a low power processor consumes much less power than as the general purpose computing device.
1. A portable computing device in a flip form factor, the device comprising:
a. a display part having two surfaces, wherein one of the surfaces comprises a touch-screen type of display;
b. a housing part comprising a Central Processing Unit, a storage unit, an input device and a communication unit;
c. a hinge and pivot part for connecting the display part and the housing part and for pivoting the display part; and
d. two exclusive operation modes including:
i. a general purpose computing device when the display screen is facing the housing part; and
ii. a low power media player when the display screen is pivoted to be on the top face of the device, wherein said media player having a hierarchical user interface controlled by a low power media processor.
2. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said operation modes are selectable by a switch.
3. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said general purpose computing device and said low power media player having independent functional blocks other than sharing a power supply and said display screen.
4. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said input devices further comprising a keyboard and/or a pointing device.
5. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said device further comprising a power supply for providing power for the operations of the device.
6. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said low power media processor comprising a low power operating mode of said Central Processing Unit.
7. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said portable computing device comprising a netbook.
8. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said media player delivering a media asset from the following group comprising:
a. an audio file;
b. a video file;
c. an e-book file;
d. a multi-media file; and
e. a movie.
9. A method of employing a portable computing device as either a computer or a low power media player in an exclusive manner, wherein said device is in a flip form factor including a display part with a touch-screen type of display on one of the two surfaces of the display part, a housing part and a hinge and pivot part for connecting the display part and the housing part, the method comprising:
a. operating said device as the computer when the display screen is pivoted to face the housing part;
b. pivoting the display screen to be on a top face of the device;
c. switching the device to a low power operation mode as a dedicated media player;
d. displaying a hierarchical user interface in the display screen;
e. selecting a media asset; and
f. playing the selected media asset.