Computing device and methods and systems for same

Abstract

A computing device is described. The computing device can include a housing which includes a lid portion having a display; and a base portion including a keyboard, the lid portion and the base portion being configured to be locked in a first relative orientation such that the lid portion physically blocks a user from engaging the keyboard. The computing device can also include a data storage means positioned on the housing and configured to store a predetermined activation sequence; and, at least one user-engagable input mechanism which can be accessed by a user when the display and the keyboard are in the first orientation and upon which a user can enter a user-entered activation sequence, and wherein if the user entered activation sequence equals the predetermined activation sequence the base portion and the lid portion can be unlocked from the first orientation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computing device comprising: 
 a housing comprising a lid portion comprising a display; and a base portion comprising a keyboard, the lid portion and the base portion being configured to be locked in a first relative orientation such that the lid portion physically blocks a user from engaging the keyboard;    a data storage means positioned on the housing and configured to store a predetermined activation sequence; and,    at least one user-engagable input mechanism which can be accessed by a user when the display and the keyboard are in the first orientation and upon which a user can enter a user-entered activation sequence, and wherein if the user entered activation sequence equals the predetermined activation sequence the base portion and the lid portion can be unlocked from the first orientation.    
     
     
         2 . A computing device comprising: 
 a base portion and a lid portion connected to the base portion, the base portion comprising a keyboard and the lid portion being configured to be deployed from a closed position which blocks user access to the keyboard to an open position which can allow user access to the keyboard; and,    a locking mechanism for locking the lid portion in the closed position and being configured to be controlled by a signal resulting from actuating multiple user-engagable input mechanisms.    
     
     
         3 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid.  
     
     
         4 . The computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid configured to engage a fixed latching structure to lock the lid portion in the closed position and to disengage the fixed latching structure to unlock the lid portion.  
     
     
         5 . A computing device comprising: 
 a base portion and a lid portion connected to the base portion, the lid portion being configured to be deployed from a closed position to an open position;    a locking mechanism for locking the lid portion in the closed position; and,    multiple user-engagable input mechanisms which are accessible to a user when the lid portion is in the closed position and wherein when the multiple user-engagable input mechanisms are engaged by a user in a predetermined sequence a signal is generated to unlock the locking mechanism.    
     
     
         6 . A computing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the lid portion comprises a display device.  
     
     
         7 . A computing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least some of the multiple input mechanisms function only to control the locking mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . A computing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the at least some of the multiple input mechanisms comprise multi-function input mechanisms, one function of which is to unlock the locking mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . A computing device as recited in  claim 8 , wherein a second function of the multi-function input mechanisms is to control a removable media device comprising part of the computing device.  
     
     
         10 . A computing device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the removable media device comprises a CD player.  
     
     
         11 . A computing device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a solenoid.  
     
     
         12 . A portable computing device comprising: 
 means for physically locking a lid portion in a closed position against a base portion such that a keyboard of the base portion is physically inaccessible to a user; and,    means for receiving user input with the lid portion locked against the base portion;    means for comparing the user input to a pre-established sequence such that if the user input equals the pre-established sequence a signal is generated to unlock the locking means.