Dual orientation display handheld computer devices

A portable computer device, comprising:

• a keyboard;
• a display screen upon which an image can be displayed in first and second orientations, wherein the keyboard is used with the image displayed in the first orientation;
• a hinge that pivotally connects the keyboard and display screen, allowing the keyboard to be folded in a back-to-back relationship with the display screen;
• an indicia on the display screen that upon activation by an operator changes between the first and second image orientations, wherein the second orientation is used primarily when the keyboard is folded in the back-to-back relationship with the display screen;
• and
• means for at least partially disabling the keyboard in response to activating the indicia to change to the second image orientation.

A computer device comprising:

• a display support having opposing interior and exterior surfaces, wherein the interior surface supports a display screen;
• a keyboard support having opposing interior and exterior surfaces, wherein the interior surface supports a keyboard;
• a hinge mechanism that pivotally couples the display support to the keyboard support for enabling:
• closure of the device when the interior surfaces of the display support and the keyboard support are pushed together;
• use of the device as a typing device when opened with an angle up to 180 degrees between the interior surfaces of the display support and the keyboard support;
• and
• use of the device as a notepad device when opened with the exterior surface of the display support in contact with the exterior surface of the keyboard support;
• an indicia on the display screen that upon activation by an operator changes between first and second image orientations relative to the display screen, wherein the first orientation is used primarily when the computer device is used as a typing device and the second orientation is used primarily when the computer device is used as a notepad device;
• wherein activating the indicia to change to the second image orientation at least partially disables the keyboard.

A method of disabling a keyboard in a computer device that can be used alternatively as a typing device and as a notepad device, with first and second display orientations, respectively, comprising;

• positioning an indicia on a display screen of the computer device;
• changing the display orientation between the first and second orientations in response to an operator activating the indicia;
• and
• at least partially disabling the keyboard when the operator has activated the indicia to change to the second display orientation.