Electronic tablets

Claim 2

A tablet according to claim 1 further including a signal generator (38) coupled to the detector (30) and operative to generate a signal when the pen (14) is not received within the receptacle (23).

Claim 3

A tablet according to claim 1 further including a power source detector (40) operative to detect provision of operating power to the tablet (1).

Claim 4

A tablet according to claim 2 wherein said signal generator (38) is operative to signal absence of the pen (14) from its receptacle (23) when operational power is not provided to the tablet (1).

Claim 5

A tablet according to claim 1 further including a cover (6) which is movable between closed and opened positions and a switch (17) operatively disposed to detect closure of said cover (6).

Claim 6

A tablet according to claim 5 further including a signal generator (38) operative to generate a warning signal when the cover (6) is in its closed position and the detector (30) does not detect the presence of the pen (14) in the receptacle (23).

Claim 7

An electronic tablet (1) comprising: a housing (2); a combination display and input surface (13); an untethered pen (14) usable to input hand written information via the display and input surface (13); a receptacle (23) disposed within the housing (2) within which is releasably received the pen (14); a pen detector (31, 32) operatively associated with the receptacle (23) that detects the absence of the pen (14) in the receptacle (23); a power detector (40) operative to detect non-provision of operational power to the tablet (1); and a warning signal generator (38) operatively coupled to the power detector (40) and pen detector (31, 32) that generates a warning signal when non-provision of operating power to the tablet (1) and absence of the pen (14) from the receptacle (23) are concurrently detected.

Claim 8

A tablet according to claim 7 wherein said housing (2) comprises a substantially rectangular box at one face (12) of which is disposed said display and input surface (13).

Claim 9

A tablet according to claim 8 further comprising a cover (6) hingedly secured along one edge of said housing (2) and operative to move between open and closed positions, said cover (6) overlying said display and input surface (13) when in its closed position.

Claim 10

A tablet according to claim 9 further comprising a switch (17) operatively disposed on said face (12) at which is disposed said display and input surface (13) to detect closure of said cover (6) and cut off provision of operating power to said tablet (1).

Claim 11

A tablet according to claim 7 or claim 10 wherein the receptacle (23) includes means (43) for releasably securing the pen (14) in the receptacle (23).

Claim 12

An electronic tablet (1) comprising: a substantially rectangular housing (2) with a top face (12); an input/display surface (13) disposed at said top face (12); a cover (6) attached to said housing (2) and operative to move between open and closed positions, said cover (6) overlying said input/display surface (13) in its closed position; an untethered pen (14) used to input hand written information via said input/display surface (13); a receptacle (23) disposed in said housing (2) within which is received said pen (14); and a detector (31, 32) associated with the receptacle (23) and operative to detect the absence of the pen (14) from the receptacle (23).

Claim 13

A tablet (1) comprising: a pen (14) used to input hand written information into the tablet (1); a receptacle (23) within said tablet (1) within which is received said pen (14); and means (31, 32) for detecting receipt of said pen (14) within said receptacle (23).

Claim 14

A tablet according to claim 14 further comprising means (38) for alerting the user of non-receipt of said pen (14) within said receptacle (23).

Claim 15

A tablet (1) according to claim 14 further comprises means (43) for releasably securing said pen (14) within said receptacle (23).