The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 05, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 11, 2001
Masayoshi Nakano, Machida, JP;
Tetsuji Nakamura, Yokohama, JP;
Takashi Yanagisawa, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Fusanobu Nakamura, Yamato, JP;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A portable information processor includes a computer main body and a digitizer connected by a flexible hinge defined in a cover. The hinge allows the computer main body and the digitizer to assume different superposed states by means of a flexible separable portion of the cover. In the superposed state of the computer main body and the digitizer, arbitrariness in folding back the separable portion causes runout between the computer main body and the digitizer. In spite of this runout, the superposed state can be accurately detected by means of an optical sensor, including an infrared radiator and an infrared-ray detector, disposed in the computer main body. A flexible reflection member is fixed to a predetermined surface of the separable portion of the leather cover, while assuring a predetermined area. If the computer main body and the digitizer assume a superposed state, light emitted from the infrared radiator is reflected by the flexible reflection member and is incident on the infrared-ray detector.