Pad Computer

Abstract

A computer can include a high-resolution color display, built-in keypad, wireless LAN connection, hi-fidelity audio system, and a multi-gigabyte disk drive. The screen can be formed in a top face of a computer and a keypad can be a split on opposite sides of the screen. The computer can also have various other controls and features, including function keys, scroll wheel, game D-pad, stylus, and fingerprint reader. Speaker covers for built-in speakers can be provided in the top face.

1 . A computer, comprising: 
 a microprocessor;    a multi-gigabyte hard disk drive;    a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction, wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick;    a display screen formed in the top face, wherein the top face surrounds the display screen, the display screen positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen, the display screen having a landscape orientation and extending for most of the vertical dimension of the housing, the display screen comprising a touch screen;    a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY keys in the first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second region;    a plurality of additional input devices, including: 
 function keys for volume control;  
 a menu button;  
 a joystick;  
 a microphone; and  
 a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing;  
   a plurality of networking devices, including a Bluetooth wireless radio chip and a Wifi PC card capable of providing 802.11 b connectivity;    a USB 2.0 port;    a flash memory card slot;    stereo speakers; and    a headphone jack.    
     
     
         2 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a fingerprint reader.  
     
     
         3 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a digital camera.  
     
     
         4 . The computer of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises elastomeric plastic grips.  
     
     
         5 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface for a DVD drive.  
     
     
         6 . The computer of  claim 1 , wherein the top face has an upper half and a lower half, and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely located in the upper half of the housing.  
     
     
         7 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a circular area within the top face and positioned between the QWERTY keys in one of the first and second regions, the circular area comprising a user input device.  
     
     
         8 . The computer of  claim 1 , further comprising a fingerprint reader; a digital camera; elastomeric plastic grips; an interface for a DVD drive; and a circular area within the top face and positioned between the QWERTY keys in one of the first and second regions, the circular area comprising a user input device; and further wherein the top face has an upper half and a lower half, and wherein the QWERTY keyboard is completely located in the upper half of the housing.  
     
     
         9 . A computer, comprising: 
 a microprocessor;    a hard disk drive;    a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction;    a display screen formed in the top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen;    a QWERTY keyboard having some of the QWERTY keys in the first region and some of the QWERTY keys in the second region;    a first circular area within the top face and positioned beneath the QWERTY keys in the first region, the first circular area comprising a first user input device; and    a second circular area within the top face and positioned beneath the QWERTY keys in the second region, second circular area comprising a second user input device.    
     
     
         10 . The computer of  claim 9 , wherein the hard disk drive has a multi-gigabyte capacity.  
     
     
         11 . The computer of  claim 9 , wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick  
     
     
         12 . The computer of  claim 9 , wherein the display screen has a landscape orientation, wherein the top face surrounds the display screen, and wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.  
     
     
         13 . The computer of  claim 9 , further including at least one of the following additional input devices: function keys for volume control, a menu button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The computer of  claim 9 , further including at least one of a Bluetooth wireless radio chip, a WiFi PC card, a USB 2.0 port, and a flash memory card slot.  
     
     
         15 . The computer of  claim 9 , further including at least one of stereo speakers and a headphone jack.  
     
     
         16 . The computer of  claim 9 , wherein the display screen comprises a touch screen.  
     
     
         17 . The computer of  claim 9 , wherein the hard disk drive has a multi-gigabyte capacity; wherein the left and right sides have a length, wherein the top face has a length that is greater than the length of the left and right sides, and wherein the housing is less than one inch thick; wherein the display screen has a landscape orientation, and wherein the top face surrounds the display screen; wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing; further including the following additional input devices: function keys for volume control, a menu button, a joystick, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, and a stylus having an associated stylus holder formed in the housing; further including a Bluetooth wireless radio chip and a Wifi PC card; further including a USB 2.0 port; further including a flash memory card slot; further including at least one of stereo speakers and a headphone jack; and wherein the display screen comprises a touch screen.  
     
     
         18 . A computer, comprising: 
 a microprocessor;    a hard disk drive;    a housing for enclosing the microprocessor and hard disk drive, the housing having a top face, a left side, and a right side, the top face being of unitary construction;    a display screen formed in the top face and positioned between the left and right sides to define a first region between the left side and the screen and the right side and the screen;    keys for user input in the first region;    keys for user input in the second region; and    movable user controls other than keys in the top face.    
     
     
         19 . The computer of  claim 18 , wherein the keys for user input in the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY keyboard.  
     
     
         20 . The computer of  claim 18 , wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.  
     
     
         21 . The computer of  claim 18 , wherein the keys for user input in the first and second regions comprise keys of a QWERTY keyboard, and wherein the display screen extends for most of the vertical dimension of the housing.