Mobile computing devices, apparatuses and systems

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods for mobile computing devices are described. The mobile computing device may include, for example, a housing arranged to support a display and one or more processor circuits, the housing having an enlarged portion at one side of the housing, the enlarged portion arranged to allow a user to grasp the housing on one side with one hand, the enlarged portion having a thickness greater than a thickness of another portion of the housing, and the enlarged portion defining a cavity arranged to support one or more energy storage modules. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the same name as application number 201280068038.1 filed on January 24, 2012. Background Art

[0002] The performance and capabilities of modern computing systems have increased rapidly in recent years. Many computing systems today include one or more processors, memory, wireless connections, displays, and other components that require electrical power. The number and types of capabilities and components in modern computing systems continue to increase, which often results in increased power consumption. In addition, modern mobile computing systems continue to increase in size, resulting in limited space for the different components necessary to achieve the increased capabilities. Moreover, modern mobile computing systems are often used in a variety of different locations and use cases that require ergonomically designed systems to ensure a pleasant user experience. As a result, it is desirable to improve mobile computing device design. Therefore, there is a considerable need for technologies that adapt mobile computing devices to accommodate components in ergonomically effective designs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 An embodiment of a first system is shown.

[0004] Figure 2 An embodiment of a second system is shown.

[0005] Figure 3 An embodiment of a third system is shown.

[0006] Figure 4 An embodiment of a fourth system is shown.

[0007] Figure 5 An embodiment of a fifth system is shown.

[0008] Figure 6 An embodiment of a sixth system is shown.

[0009] Figure 7 An embodiment of a seventh system is shown.

[0010] Figure 8 An embodiment of an eighth system is shown.

[0011] Fig. 9 An embodiment of a ninth system is shown.

[0012] Fig.10 An embodiment of a tenth system is shown.

[0013] Fig.11A An embodiment of an eleventh system is shown.

[0014] Fig. 11BAn embodiment of a twelfth system is shown.

[0015] Fig.12 An embodiment of a thirteenth system is shown.

[0016] Fig.13 One embodiment of a logic diagram is shown.

[0017] Fig.14 An embodiment of a fourteenth system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Embodiments are generally directed to mobile computing devices, apparatuses, and systems. Various embodiments provide systems, apparatuses, and methods including a housing arranged to support a display and one or more processor circuits, the housing having an enlarged portion at one side of the housing arranged to allow a user to grasp the housing on one side with one hand, the enlarged portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of another portion of the housing, and the enlarged portion defining a cavity arranged to support one or more energy storage modules. Various embodiments provide systems, apparatuses, and methods including a mobile computing device and a removable input device. Although referred to as a cylindrical portion hereinafter, it should be understood that the enlarged portion may include any suitable shape or orientation and still fall within the described embodiments. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0019] As the use of computing devices with reduced size and cost progresses over time, the space available for components designed to provide power to devices in mobile computing device platforms becomes increasingly limited. Modern mobile computing devices (such as tablet computers, handheld computing devices, and smart phones) require mobile power to provide a robust user experience. Current mobile computing devices include rechargeable batteries that are often added later in the design, which provide mobile power in a limited time based on the size, shape, and capacity of the battery. These batteries are generally square or rectangular and have large flat surfaces to allow the battery to fit into the area of ​​the computing device that does not force the size or shape of the device to be changed. However, these types of batteries are generally not as effective as cylindrical batteries. Therefore, some embodiments described herein are intended to ergonomically adapt to the technology and design of cylindrical batteries in mobile computing devices. Other embodiments are described and advocated.

[0020] Modern computing devices, such as tablet computers, are gripped and manipulated by users during use. For example, tablet computers are often gripped like a user traditionally grips a book or magazine. Modern mobile computing devices fail to provide adequate methods to ensure user comfort when the device is gripped. In current mobile computing devices, various thin and flat surfaces do not provide convenient gripping locations. In various embodiments, this can result in a poor user experience. Therefore, some embodiments described herein aim to provide techniques and designs for ergonomically efficient computing device designs. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0021] The processing power and performance of modern computing devices continue to increase, often leading to increased demands for functionality. For example, in some embodiments, it may be advantageous for a mobile computing device to be coupled to an input device to allow data entry and device control. Currently available input devices do not provide a good user experience, and typing or performing other interactive actions on a display screen may be ergonomically uncomfortable. Moreover, Bluetooth keyboards and other currently available input devices are cumbersome for users to transport. Therefore, some embodiments described herein are directed to techniques that allow a mobile computing device and one or more input devices to be removably and interchangeably coupled. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0022] Embodiments may include one or more elements. Elements may include any structure that is arranged to perform certain operations. Each element may be implemented as hardware, software or any combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or performance constraints. Although embodiments may be described with specific elements in certain arrangements by way of example, embodiments may include other combinations of elements in optional arrangements.

[0023] It is worth noting that any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearance of the phrase "in one embodiment" in different places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0024] Figure 1 One embodiment of a mobile computing device or system 100 is shown. In various embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include a number of nodes, elements, or components. A node, element, or component may generally include any physical or logical entity in the mobile computing device 100 and may be implemented as hardware, software, or any combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or performance constraints. Although Figure 1 A limited number of nodes, elements, and components may be shown by way of example, but it will be appreciated that more or fewer nodes, elements, or components may be used in a given implementation.

[0025] In various embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a combination cellular phone / PDA, a smart phone, a portable computer, a pager, a messaging device, a media player, a digital music player, or other suitable mobile computing device. Various embodiments described herein include references to a tablet computer. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0026] The mobile computing device 100 may include devices that operate to form part of a wired communication system, a wireless communication system, or a combination of the two. For example, the mobile computing device 100 may include one or more nodes arranged to transfer information via one or more types of wired communication links. Examples of wired communication links may include, without limitation, wires, cables, buses, printed circuit boards (PCBs), Ethernet connections, peer-to-peer (P2P) connections, backplanes, switch fabrics, semiconductor materials, twisted pairs, coaxial cables, fiber optic connections, and the like. The mobile computing device 100 may also include one or more nodes arranged to transfer information via one or more types of wireless communication links. Examples of wireless communication links may include, without limitation, a radio channel, an infrared channel, a radio frequency (RF) channel, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) channel, a portion of the RF spectrum, and / or one or more licensed or unlicensed frequency bands.

[0027] The mobile computing device 100 may communicate information in accordance with one or more standards as promulgated by standards organizations. In one embodiment, for example, various devices comprising part of the communication system 100 may be arranged to operate in accordance with one or more of the following: IEEE 802.11 standards, WiGig Alliance TM Specifications, WirelessHD TMSpecifications, standards or variations such as the WirelessHD Specification Version 1.0d7, dated December 1, 2007, and its successors as published by WirelessHD LLC (collectively referred to as the "WirelessHD Specification"), or any other wireless standard promulgated by other standards organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), etc. In various embodiments, for example, the mobile computing device 100 may communicate information in accordance with one or more of the following: one or more IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as IEEE 802.11 Standard (1999 Edition, Information Technology Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems-Local and Metropolitan Area Networks-Specific Requirements, Part 11: WLAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical (PHY) Layer Specifications), its successors and supplements thereto (e.g., 802.11a, g / h, j, n, VHT SG, and variants); IEEE 802.15.3 and variants; 802.16 standards for WMANs, including 802.16 standards such as 802.16-2004, 802.16.2-2004, 802.16e-2005, 802.16f, and variants; WGA (WiGig) successors and variants; European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) TG20 successors and variants; and other wireless networking standards. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0028] The mobile computing device 100 may communicate, manage or process information according to one or more protocols. A protocol may include a set of predefined rules or instructions for managing communications among nodes. In various embodiments, for example, the communication system may employ one or more protocols, such as beamforming protocols, media access control (MAC) protocols, physical layer convergence protocols (PLCP), simple network management protocols (SNMP), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocols, frame relay protocols, systems network architecture (SNA) protocols, transmission control protocols (TCP), Internet protocols (IP), TCP / IP, X.25, hypertext transfer protocols (HTTP), user datagram protocols (UDP), contention-based period (CBP) protocols, distributed contention-based period (CBP) protocols, etc. In various embodiments, the communication system 100 may also be arranged to operate according to standards and / or protocols for media processing. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0029] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include or be associated with a network and a plurality of other nodes. In various embodiments, the node may be implemented as various types of wireless or mobile computing devices. Examples of wireless devices may include, without limitation, IEEE 802.15.3 piconet controllers (PNCs), controllers, IEEE 802.11 PCPs, coordinators, stations, user stations, base stations, wireless access points (APs), wireless client devices, wireless stations (STAs), laptop computers, super laptop computers, portable computers, personal computers (PCs), notebook PCs, tablet computers, handheld computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, combined cellular phones / PDAs, smart phones, pagers, messaging devices, media players, digital music players, set-top boxes (STBs), appliances, workstations, user terminals, mobile units, consumer electronic devices, televisions, digital televisions, high-definition televisions, television receivers, high-definition television receivers, etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include or contain one or more wireless interfaces and / or components for wireless communication, such as one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers, chipsets, amplifiers, filters, control logic, network interface cards (NICs), antennas, antenna arrays, modules, etc. Examples of conventional antennas may include, without limitation, internal antennas, omnidirectional antennas, monopole antennas, dipole antennas, bottom-fed antennas, circularly polarized antennas, microstrip antennas, diversity antennas, dual antennas, antenna arrays, etc.

[0031] In various embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include or form part of a wireless network. In some embodiments, for example, the wireless network may include or be implemented as various types of wireless networks and associated protocols suitable for a WPAN, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless metropolitan area network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a broadband wireless access (BWA) network, a radio network, a television network, a satellite network such as a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) network, a long term evolution (LTE) network, and / or any other wireless communication network arranged to operate according to the described embodiments.

[0032] Although the embodiments are not limited in this context, mobile computing device 100 illustrates one possible computing device in some embodiments. In various embodiments, mobile computing device 100 may include housing 102, cylindrical portion 104, display 106, platform component 108, energy storage module 110, and sensor 112. In some embodiments, the platform component may include, but is not limited to, one or more processor circuits or memories. Although for illustration purposes, the mobile computing device 100 may include a housing 102, a cylindrical portion 104, a display 106, a platform component 108, an energy storage module 110, and a sensor 112. In some embodiments, the platform component may include, but is not limited to, one or more processor circuits or memories. Figure 1Although a limited number and arrangement of components are shown in the figure, it should be understood that the mobile computing device 100 may include any number or arrangement of components and still fall within the described embodiments. For example, the mobile computing device 100 may further include, in some embodiments, a memory containing instructions to be executed by, for example, one or more multi-core processors. However, the embodiments are not limited to the elements or configurations shown in this figure. Figure 4 Additional components of mobile computing device 100 are discussed in greater detail.

[0033] In some embodiments, the platform component 108 may include processor circuitry and / or memory. In some embodiments, the processor may include any suitable electronic device, semiconductor device, system on chip, or other component. For example, in various embodiments, the processor may include a multi-core processor. In some embodiments, the processor may include or contain one or more radio modules or a combined transmitter / receiver (e.g., transceiver) device. In various embodiments, the transceiver device may include a device having both a combined transmitter and a receiver and sharing common circuitry or a single housing. For example, in some embodiments, the transceiver may be operable to implement wireless communication capabilities of the mobile computing device 100. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0034] In some embodiments, the memory may include any suitable physical device that operates on a temporary or permanent basis to store data, programs, instruction sequences, or other information used in the mobile computing device 100. For example, the memory may include, for example, volatile or non-volatile memory, RAM, ROM, virtual memory, a solid state disk drive, or a hard drive. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0035] In some embodiments, display 106 may include any suitable visual interface for displaying content to a user of mobile computing device 100. In one embodiment, for example, display 106 may be implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a touch-sensitive color LCD screen. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive LCD may respond to human touch, or may be used with a stylus and / or handwriting recognizer program. In other embodiments, display 106 may include a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In some embodiments, display 106 may include a digital touch screen display arranged to occupy a majority of a first side of computing device 100.

[0036] In various embodiments, the one or more energy storage modules 110 may include any device suitable for providing electrical power to the computing device 100. For example, the one or more energy storage modules 110 may include a battery or multiple batteries or other energy storage devices capable of storing power and providing power to the computing device 100. In some embodiments, the one or more energy storage modules 110 may include cylindrical batteries. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0037] In various embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include one or more sensors 112. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors 112 may include one or more of a camera, an accelerometer, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, a compass, or a global positioning system (GPS). The one or more sensors 112 of the mobile computing device 100 may be arranged to provide a variety of different functions for the device 100, such as tilt sensing, rotating one or more user interface elements displayed on the display 106, or any other suitable functions as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Although the one or more sensors 112 are displayed on the display 106, the one or more sensors 112 may be arranged to provide a variety of different functions for the device 100, such as tilt sensing, rotating one or more user interface elements displayed on the display 106, or any other suitable functions as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Figure 1 The embodiment of the present invention is described in detail in a specific location on the mobile computing device 100 in FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited in this respect. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0038] In some embodiments, the mobile computing device 100 may include a housing 102. The housing 102 may include a housing, casing, enclosure, or other device suitable for supporting, surrounding, protecting, or enclosing one or more computing components of the computing device 100. For example, the housing 102 may include a rigid plastic or metal body that surrounds or supports one or more computing components 108 of the computing device 100. In various embodiments, the housing 102 may include a body or main portion of a tablet computer, and may further include, support, or contain memory, one or more wireless transceivers that operate to implement wireless communications of the computing device using one or more wireless communication protocols, one or more energy storage modules 110, a display 106, or any other suitable component of the computing device 100. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0039] In some embodiments, housing 102 may be designed to have a thin and sleek form factor in accordance with many modern computing system designs. In various embodiments, housing 102 may further include or comprise cylindrical portion 104. In various embodiments, cylindrical portion 104 may include a portion of housing 102 that is formed as part of, integrated into, or attached to housing 102. For example, cylindrical portion 104 may be shaped along a cylindrical portion such as Figure 1 At least one edge or side of the housing 102 is shown as being seamlessly integrated. Figure 1Although shown on only one side in the embodiment, it should be understood that the cylindrical portion 104 can be formed or arranged on more than one side of the housing 102 and still fall within the described embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, additional cylindrical portions 104 can be arranged on the same side as the housing 102. Figure 1 The second side of the housing 102, which is opposite to the side shown, may include a cylindrical portion. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0040] The cylindrical portion 104 may have an outer diameter greater than the thickness of the housing 102 and a cavity 105 defined by an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter. In some embodiments, the cavity 105 may be arranged to support one or more energy storage modules 110. In various embodiments, the cavity 105 may be arranged to support a substantially cylindrical battery 110, which may be more energy efficient than the flat batteries typically used in modern computing devices. In some embodiments that may allow one or more energy storage modules 110 and / or any other suitable components (e.g., 108, etc.) to be placed in the cavity 105, the cavity 105 may include a cylindrical opening extending along the entire length of the cylindrical portion 104. In other embodiments, the cavity 105 may be arranged to extend along the interior of the cylindrical portion 104 only for the portion required to take into account the components (e.g., 110, 108, etc.) disposed inside the cavity 105. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0041] Figure 2 In various embodiments, Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a rear side view of a mobile computing device 200 that is the same as or similar to the mobile computing device 100 , wherein like elements are similarly numbered. Figure 2 As shown, the back side 202 of the mobile computing device 100 may include the housing 102, a protective cover or casing, or form a portion of the housing 102, a protective cover or casing. Figure 2 202, it should be understood that the back side 202 may include one or more user interface elements, an auxiliary display, or any other suitable components and still fall within the described embodiments. For example, the mobile computing device 100 may include a display on the back side 202 and a display on the back side 202. Figure 1 Displays 106 are shown on opposite sides of computing device 100 to implement a dual display computing device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0042] Figure 3 In various embodiments, Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a bottom-end view 300 of a mobile computing device that is the same or similar to mobile computing device 100, where like elements are similarly numbered. In some embodiments, Figure 4 In various embodiments, Figure 1A block diagram of one embodiment of a top view 400 of a mobile computing device that is the same as or similar to mobile computing device 100 is shown, wherein like elements are similarly numbered. Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the cylindrical portion 104 can be smoothly integrated into the housing 102 or formed as part of the housing 102. Although certain dimensions and proportions of the cylindrical portion 104 are shown relative to the thickness of the housing 102, it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited in this regard. It should also be understood that the cylindrical portion 104 need not be exactly cylindrical to fall within the scope of the described embodiments.

[0043] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom end of the cylindrical portion 104 of the mobile computing device 100 may include or contain one or more input / output (I / O) ports arranged on one end of the cylindrical portion. In some embodiments, the one or more I / O ports may be communicatively coupled to the one or more processor circuits 106 to allow communication with one or more peripheral devices coupled to the one or more I / O ports. In various embodiments, the one or more I / O ports may include an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, One or more of a DisplayPort interface, a DisplayPort interface, a Micro DisplayPort (mDP) interface, and / or the like. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, the top end of the cylindrical portion 104 of the mobile computing device 100 may include or contain one or more integrated input devices, such as one or more buttons or switches disposed on one end of the cylindrical portion and communicatively coupled to the one or more processor circuits 108. For example, in some embodiments, the computing device 100 may include discrete input devices located such as Figure 4 The cylindrical portion 104 is shown with only one button or switch on one end. In various embodiments, the single button or switch may be operable to turn the computing device 100 on and off, and may also control various other functions, including operating as a home button. Figure 3 and 4 Detailed description is given in FIG. 1 , but some embodiments may include reference to Fig.12 One or more power adapter ports on one end of cylindrical portion 104 are discussed in greater detail. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0045] In various embodiments, one or more energy storage modules 110 may be removable. For example, one or more ends of the cylindrical portion 104 may include a screw cap or other mechanism that may allow for the exchange or replacement of one or more energy storage modules 110. In this manner, additional or redundant batteries may be carried by travelers who wish to use the computing device 100 for an extended period of time that may exceed the life of just one set of one or more energy storage modules 110. Embodiments are not limited in this respect.

[0046] Figure 5 In various embodiments, Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mobile computing device 100 that is the same as or similar to the right side of a mobile computing device 500, where like elements are similarly numbered. In some embodiments, Figure 6 In various embodiments, Figure 1 6 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile computing device that is the same as or similar to the mobile computing device 100, wherein like elements are similarly numbered. Figure 5 and 6 As shown, the cylindrical portion 104 can have a diameter or dimension 504 that is larger than the thickness or width 502 of the housing 102. Although certain dimensions and proportions of the cylindrical portion 104 are shown relative to the thickness of the housing 102, it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited in this regard. It should also be understood that the cylindrical portion 104 need not be exactly cylindrical to fall within the described embodiments.

[0047] As in Figure 5 and 6 , the cylindrical portion 104 may have a size or diameter 504 that is larger than the thickness or size 502 of the housing 102. In some embodiments, this arrangement may allow components, such as one or more energy storage modules 110, to be removed from behind the display 106 and relocated into the cavity 105 of the cylindrical portion 104. This unique design may allow the thickness 502 of the body of the housing 102 to be reduced because the battery and / or other components are removed into the cylindrical portion 104. In various embodiments, this may result in an improved design of the computing device 100. For example, from a user experience perspective, this design may provide the user with something (e.g., of the cylindrical portion 104) to hold onto while they use the device. Furthermore, from a technical perspective, the cylindrical battery 110 that may be incorporated into the cavity 105 of the cylindrical portion 104 is one of the most efficient ways to store currently available charge, which may result in improved battery life, performance, and other advancements of the computing device 100 described herein.

[0048] While the computing device 100 described above (e.g., a tablet computing device) is functionally sufficient, one or more removable input devices can help capture the full potential of the device and allow for a more robust user experience. For example, the addition of a keyboard and / or trackpad or other pointing device can allow the computing device 100 to be used as a more traditional personal computer or laptop computer.

[0049] Figure 7 1 shows one embodiment of system 700. In some embodiments, system 700 may include a combination or hybrid computing device. For example, hybrid computing device 700 may include or contain a Figure 1 The present invention relates to a combination of a computing device 100 that is the same as or similar to the computing device 100 and an input device 702 that can be removably coupled to the computing device 100, where like elements are similarly numbered throughout. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the hybrid computing device 700 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile computing device 100 including a housing 102, the housing 102 including a cylindrical portion 104 integrated on at least one side of the housing 102. In various embodiments, the cylindrical portion 104 may be arranged to have an outer diameter greater than the thickness of the housing and as shown in FIG. Figure 1-6 In some embodiments, one or more energy storage modules may be disposed within the cavity. For example, one or more cylindrical batteries may be disposed within the cavity.

[0051] In various embodiments, the input device 702 can be removably coupled to the cylindrical portion 104. For example, the input device 702 can include a removable or detachable keyboard 704 and / or a trackpad or pointing device 706. The keyboard can include, for example, a QWERTY keyboard. Unlike many "add-on" tablet computing solutions currently available for accessory keyboards, the hybrid computing device 700 includes a fully integrated design solution that provides the touch screen interaction and capabilities of a tablet computing device and the touch typing experience of a clamshell, laptop, or notebook computer in a compact, practical, and aesthetically pleasing platform.

[0052] As with conventional clamshell, laptop or notebook computing devices, the hybrid computing device 700 may include or contain a main portion 102 / 104 (which contains a main logic board, a cylindrical battery and other components) and a separate input device portion 702. In various embodiments, a unique socket mechanism including a combination of a cylindrical portion 104 and a cylindrical recess 710 allows the computing device 100 to be attached to the input device 702 in at least two different ways. For example, the computing device 100 may be attached so that the display 106 faces inward or outward relative to the keyboard 704. In some embodiments, this unique mechanism may allow the hybrid computing device 700 to be used in multiple modes, such as a laptop mode, a tablet mode, a movie mode, a closed mode, or different clamshell modes. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0053] In various embodiments, the input device 702 may include a recessed portion 710 arranged to accommodate the enlarged or cylindrical portion 104 of the computing device 100. For example, the recessed portion 710 may include a cylindrical channel arranged to have a shape and size that substantially matches the shape and size of the cylindrical portion 104. In this manner, when the computing device 100 and the input device 702 are coupled together, the cylindrical portion 104 may fit snugly within the cylindrical recessed portion 710. In some embodiments, the fit between the cylindrical portion 104 and the cylindrical recessed portion 710 may be tight and may be arranged to apply a mechanical or frictional force to the cylindrical portion 104 to partially restrict movement of the computing device 100 relative to the input device 702 when the two portions are coupled together.

[0054] In some embodiments, one or more electrical and / or mechanical connectors or other coupling mechanisms 712 / 714 may be included on one or more of the cylindrical portion 104 and the cylindrical recessed portion 710. For example, one or more magnetic portions, pulley portions, gear portions, or connector portions may be arranged to align and couple the computing device 100 and the input device 702. In various embodiments, the connector or coupling mechanism 712 / 714 may help secure the computing device 100 and the input device 702 together to form a hybrid computing device 700. In some embodiments, one or more connectors or coupling mechanisms 712 / 714 may additionally or alternatively include an electrical connector arranged to communicatively couple the computing device 100 and the input device 702. For example, one or more connectors or coupling mechanisms 712 / 714 may provide an electrical or other communication connection between the keyboard 704 and / or trackpad 706 of the input device and the processor 108 or other appropriate components of the computing device 100.

[0055] In various embodiments, when the input device 702 is coupled to the computing device 100, the one or more connectors 714 on the cylindrical portion 104 may be arranged to align with the one or more connectors 712 disposed or arranged in the cylindrical recess portion 710 of the input device 702. For example, the one or more connectors 714 on the cylindrical portion 104 may be arranged to share magnetic attraction with the one or more connectors 712 disposed or arranged in the cylindrical recess portion 710. In this manner, a user inserting the cylindrical portion 104 of the computing device 100 into the cylindrical recess 710 of the input device 702 will be guided, and the coupling will occur smoothly and in the correct position to ensure a positive user experience.

[0056] In some embodiments, one or more connectors 712 / 714 may include mechanical connectors and may be arranged to provide mechanical resistance between the cylindrical portion 104 and the cylindrical recessed portion 710 to maintain the position of the computing device 100 relative to the input device 702. For example, one or more connectors 712 / 714 may include magnetic connectors, pulley connectors, gear connectors, hinge connectors, or male-female connectors, etc., which provide mechanical resistance to maintain the computing device 100 in a desired position, but still enable the user to move and adjust it with the greatest ease. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0057] Although described herein as including an electrical connection to enable communication between the computing device 100 and the input device 702, it should be understood that any suitable communication technology may be used and still fall within the described embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the computing device 100 and the input device 702 may be equipped with Bluetooth or another suitable wireless technology to allow wireless communication between the devices. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0058] Figure 8 One embodiment of a system 800 is shown. The system 800 may include Figure 7 The hybrid computing device 700 may be the same as or similar to the hybrid computing device 800, where similar elements are similarly numbered. In some embodiments, the hybrid computing device 800 may illustrate an embodiment in which the computing device 100 and the input device 702 are coupled together in a clamshell or laptop mode or configuration. For example, Figure 8 As shown, the input device 702 may be arranged to support the computing device 100 such that the display 106 of the computing device 100 and the plurality of keys of the input device 702 , the keyboard 704 , or the trackpad 706 are accessible and operable in a clamshell or laptop configuration.

[0059] In various embodiments, using Figure 8, hybrid computing device 800 can operate as a clamshell or laptop computer, enabling user 802 to interact with touch-sensitive display 106 using keyboard 704 or trackpad 706 of input device 702 and also control device 100 or input data. In some embodiments, keyboard 704 may include a 18.5 mm pitch full-size keyboard that provides a traditional touch typing experience. Embodiments are not limited in this respect.

[0060] One or more connectors 712 / 714 are located at Figure 8 702. This coupling may provide mechanical resistance to secure computing device 100 relative to input device 702, and may also communicatively couple computing device 100, or one or more components of computing device 100, and input device 702. Despite the applied mechanical resistance, the position of computing device 100 may be adjustable, as described with respect to FIG. Fig. 9 More details shown and described.

[0061] In various embodiments, the location of one or more energy storage modules 110 within the cavity 105 of the cylindrical portion 104 of the computing device 100 may help maintain the computing device 100 in a state such as Figure 8 For example, moving one or more energy storage modules 110 from a position behind display 106 (where they are typically located in conventional computing devices) to a position in cylindrical portion 104 as described herein can improve the balance or tradeoff of the device in a hybrid configuration as shown. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0062] Fig. 9 900. The system 900 may include a Figure 7 The hybrid computing device 700 and / or Figure 8 The hybrid computing device 800 is the same as or similar to the hybrid computing device 900, where similar elements are similarly numbered. In various embodiments, the computing device 100 can be arranged to rotate freely around a pivot point defined at the central axis of the cylindrical portion 104 and the cylindrical recessed portion 710. In this way, the angle of the computing device 100 relative to the input device 702 can be freely adjusted.

[0063] In some embodiments, the input device 702 may be sized and arranged to be positioned as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 In the closed configuration shown, the display 106 or substantially the entire side of the housing 102 of the computing device 100 is aligned with and substantially conceals the display 106 or substantially the entire side of the housing 102 of the computing device 100. In these embodiments, the input device 702 can be arranged to be inoperable and the input device 702 can be arranged to protect the display. Fig. 9 The closed configuration shown in may also provide a compact and secure device design that allows for easy transportation of the device.

[0064] In various embodiments, because computing device 100 is removable from input device 702, other configurations may be possible resulting in a highly configurable and dynamic device design. For example, Fig.10 One embodiment of a system 1000 is shown. The system 1000 may include Figure 7 A hybrid computing device 700, Figure 8 A hybrid computing device 800, Fig. 9 The hybrid computing device 900 is the same as or similar to the hybrid computing device 1000, where like elements are similarly numbered. Fig.10 As shown, the input device 702 may be arranged to support the computing device 100 such that the display 106 of the computing device 100 is accessible and operable in the movie mode configuration, and the plurality of keys of the input device 702, the keyboard 704, and / or the track pad 706 are inaccessible and the input device is inoperable. Fig.10 As shown, the movie mode or second clamshell configuration may allow the input device 702 to act as a stand for the computing device 100. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0065] Fig.11A One embodiment of a system 1100 is shown. The system 1100 may include Fig.10 The hybrid computing device 1000 is the same as or similar to the hybrid computing device 1100, where like elements are similarly numbered. Fig.11A As shown, from the movie mode configuration, the computing device 100 can be further rotated so that the input device 702 is arranged to be substantially aligned with the back side 202 of the computing device 100 in the tablet configuration to substantially hide the plurality of keys, the keyboard 704, and / or the trackpad 706 of the input device 702. In various embodiments, the input device 702 can be arranged to be inoperable in the tablet configuration. Fig.11A In the configuration shown, the computing device can be operated to function as a tablet computing device, with the display 106 flipped upside down to face outward, and the barrel-shaped socket mechanism or cylindrical portion 104 serving as an ideal gripping or holding position. In this mode, the keyboard 704 is positioned behind the display 106, and the input device can provide additional protection to the back side 202 of the computing device 100.

[0066] Fig. 11B One embodiment of a system 1150 is shown. The system 1150 may include Fig.11A The hybrid computing device 1100 is the same as or similar to the hybrid computing device 1150, where similar elements are similarly numbered. Fig. 11BAs shown, user 802 may be able to comfortably grasp, grip or hold device 100 in an ideal position by grasping, gripping or holding the cylindrical portion of device 100. In this way, the user may be able to comfortably grasp on the device while performing any number of tasks, including, for example, reading. Fig. 11B One gripping position is shown in FIG. 1 , but it should be understood that any gripping position or other configuration may be used and still fall within the described embodiments.

[0067] As described elsewhere herein, when computing device 100 is separated from input device 702, computing device 100 is operable to function solely as a simple, lightweight tablet computing device. However, the addition of input device 702 may improve the usability of the hybrid computing device. In various embodiments, the unique detachability of the hybrid computing device may allow different types of input devices, different keyboards, or other appropriate devices to be coupled together. For example, an ultra-thin keyboard with keys based on dome switches may be useful for portability, or a keyboard based on a conventional scissor mechanism may be useful for an optimal typing experience. Embodiments are not limited in this respect.

[0068] Fig.12 One embodiment of a system 1200 is shown. The system 1200 may include a hybrid computing device 1200 that may be the same as or similar to hybrid computing devices described elsewhere herein, where like elements are similarly numbered. Fig.12 As shown, the hybrid computing device may include a power connector 1202 on at least one end of the cylindrical portion 104. The power connector 1202 may include any suitable power delivery technology or port and may allow one or more energy storage modules 110 disposed inside the cavity 105 of the cylindrical portion 104 to be charged. In some embodiments, the end of the cylindrical portion 104 may additionally or alternatively include one or more integrated input devices 1204, such as one or more buttons or switches that control one or more operations of the computing device 100, such as, but not limited to, turning the device 100 on or off. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0069] Included herein is one or more flow charts representing exemplary methods for constructing or assembling one or more aspects of the disclosed architecture. Although for the purpose of simplicity of explanation, one or more methods shown herein, such as in the form of a flow chart or flowchart, are shown and described as a series of actions, it should be understood and appreciated that the method is not limited by the order of the actions, because some actions may occur in a different order and / or simultaneously with other actions shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the method can be optionally represented as a series of related states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all actions shown in the method may be required for a novel implementation.

[0070] Fig.13 One embodiment of a logic flow 1300 is shown. The logic flow 1300 may represent a series of steps or processes necessary to construct or implement a hybrid computing device as described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, at 1302, a touch-sensitive display may be arranged on a first side of a housing of a mobile computing device. For example, a display 106 may be arranged on a first side of the housing 102. At 1304, a cylindrical portion may be arranged on at least one side of the housing. For example, a cylindrical portion 104 having an outer diameter greater than the thickness of the housing 102 and a cavity 105 defined by an inner diameter may be arranged on at least one side of the housing 102. In various embodiments, at 1306, one or more energy storage modules may be arranged in the cavity. For example, in some embodiments, a cylindrical battery 110 may be arranged inside the cavity 105 of the cylindrical portion 104.

[0071] In various embodiments, an input / output (I / O) port may be disposed on a first end of the cylindrical portion, and one or more integrated input devices may be disposed on a second end of the cylindrical portion opposite the first end. For example, a USB port 302 may be disposed on a first end, and a power button or power connector port 402 may be disposed on an opposite end. In some embodiments, one or more processor circuits or other platform components may be disposed in the cavity. For example, a processor 108 may be disposed inside cavity 105. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

[0072] Fig.14 Figures showing exemplary system embodiments. In particular, Fig.14 14 is a diagram showing a system 1400 that may include various elements. For example, Fig.14 The system 1400 is shown to include a processor 1402, a chipset 1404, an input / output (I / O) device 1406, a random access memory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM)) 1408 and a read-only memory (ROM) 1410, and various platform components 1414 (e.g., fans, cross-flow blowers, heat sinks, DTM systems, cooling systems, housings, vents, etc.). These elements may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. However, embodiments are not limited to these elements.

[0073] like Fig.14 As shown, I / O devices 1406, RAM 1408, and ROM 1410 are coupled to processor 1402 via chipset 1404. Chipset 1404 may be coupled to processor 1402 via bus 1412. Thus, bus 1412 may include multiple lines.

[0074] Processor 1402 may be a central processing unit including one or more processor cores, and may include any number of processors with any number of processor cores. Processor 1402 may include any type of processing unit, such as a CPU, a multi-processing unit, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a processor with a pipeline, a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a digital signal processor (DSP), etc.

[0075] Although not shown, the system 1400 may include various interface circuits, such as an Ethernet interface and / or a universal serial bus (USB) interface and / or a similar interface. In some exemplary embodiments, the I / O device 1406 may include one or more input devices connected to the interface circuit for inputting data and commands into the system 1400. For example, the input device may include a (physical or virtual / soft) keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a trackpad, a trackball, an isopoint, a voice recognition system, and / or the like. Similarly, the I / O device 1406 may include one or more output devices connected to the interface circuit for outputting information to the operator. For example, if necessary, the output device may include one or more displays, printers, speakers, and / or other output devices. For example, one of the output devices may be a display. The display may be a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type of display.

[0076] The system 1400 may also have a wired or wireless network interface to exchange data with other devices via a connection to the network. The network connection may be any type of network connection, such as an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, etc. The network may be any type of network, such as an Ethernet, a telephone network, a cable network, a wireless network, a packet switching network, a circuit switching network, and / or the like.

[0077] Many specific details are set forth herein in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments may be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and circuits are not described in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments. It is recognized that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0078] Various embodiments can be realized using hardware elements, software elements or a combination of the two. The example of hardware elements may include processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (such as transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), logic gates, registers, semiconductor devices, chips, microchips, chipsets, etc. The example of software may include software components, programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, system programs, machine programs, operating system software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines, functions, methods, processes, software interfaces, application program interfaces (APIs), instruction sets, computing codes, computer codes, code segments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols or any combination thereof. Determine whether the embodiment uses hardware elements and / or software elements to realize that it can be changed according to any number of factors, such as desired computing rate, power level, heat resistance, processing cycle budget, input data rate, output data rate, memory resources, data bus speed and other design, performance or cost constraints.

[0079] The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used to describe some embodiments. These terms are not necessarily intended to be synonymous with each other. For example, the terms "connected" and / or "coupled" may be used to describe some embodiments to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. However, the term "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0080] For example, some embodiments may be implemented using a machine-readable or computer-readable medium or a product that can store instructions, a set of instructions, or a computer-executable code, which, if executed by a machine or processor, can cause the machine or processor to perform methods and / or operations according to the embodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, etc., and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and / or software. The machine-readable medium or product may include non-volatile media in some embodiments, and may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memory product, memory medium, storage device, storage product, storage medium and / or storage unit, such as memory, removable or non-removable media, volatile or non-volatile memory or media, erasable or non-erasable media, writable or non-writable media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), recordable compact disk (CD-R), rewritable compact disk (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory card or disk, various types of digital versatile disks (DVD), magnetic tape, cassette tape, etc. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, encrypted code, etc., implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and / or interpreted programming language.

[0081] Unless expressly specified otherwise, it is recognized that terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," etc. refer to the actions and / or processes of a computer or computing system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and / or transforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic) within registers and / or memories of the computing system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the memory, registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices of the computing system. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0082] It should be noted that the methods described herein do not have to be executed in the order described or in any particular order. Moreover, various actions described with respect to the methods identified herein may be executed in serial or parallel fashion.

[0083] Although specific embodiments are shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may replace the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any and all modifications or variations of various embodiments. It should be understood that the above description is provided in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive manner. Upon reviewing the above description, the combination of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments not explicitly described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments includes any other applications using the above formations, structures and methods.

[0084] It should be emphasized that the abstract of the present disclosure is provided to comply with 37 CFR § 1.72 (b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to more quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It should be understood that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are concentrated in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the present disclosure. This method of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than those explicitly listed in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the inventive subject matter lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, and each claim stands independently as a separate preferred embodiment. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain English equivalents of the corresponding terms "comprising" and "wherein", respectively. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0085] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A computing device, comprising: Computing device housing, comprising: a flat portion for accommodating a display; and a cylindrical portion located on one side of the flat portion, wherein the cylindrical portion is at least partially cylindrical, and wherein the cylindrical portion at least accommodates one or more batteries; and a base having a partially cylindrical recessed portion removably attachable to the barrel portion, wherein: The recessed portion is attachable to the cylindrical portion via a magnetic connector at an adjustable angle so that the display faces inwardly relative to the base; and The groove portion is attachable to the cylindrical portion via a magnetic connector at an adjustable angle so that the display faces outward relative to the base.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein: The one or more batteries are cylindrical in shape.

3. The computing device of claim 1 , further comprising: a first one or more connectors arranged to be aligned with and integrated with the cylindrical portion; as well as A second one or more connectors are arranged to be aligned with and integrated with the groove portion, wherein the first one or more connectors are arranged to be aligned with the second one or more connectors when the groove portion is attached to the barrel portion.

4. The computing device of claim 3, wherein: The first one or more connectors and the second one or more connectors include electrical connectors arranged to communicatively couple the planar portion with the substrate.

5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein: The first one or more connectors and the second one or more connectors are arranged to provide a mechanical resistance between the cylindrical portion and the groove portion to maintain a position of the flat portion relative to the substrate.

6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein: The one or more batteries will be able to supply power to the display.

7. The computing device of claim 1, wherein: The diameter of the cylindrical portion is wider than the thickness of the flat portion.

8. The computing device of claim 1, wherein: The substrate includes one or more electronic components and will be capable of being mechanically and electrically coupled to the barrel portion.

9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein: When the substrate is at least electrically coupled to the cylindrical portion, the one or more batteries will be able to supply power to the one or more electronic components in the substrate.

10. The computing device of claim 1, wherein: The substrate includes a keyboard.

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