Tablet computer stand with near field coupling enhancement

• US 10,269,485 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2016
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ezero Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Ezero Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Henty, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McPartlin, Sarah B
• Application Number:
  US15/040,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20160240308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• Field of Search: 345168, 341 20, 341 22, 36137906, 36167927-67929, 36167955
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0525 Personal portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 1/00 Devices for securing together, or preventing relative movement between, constructional elements or machine parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/93 Fastener comprising feature for establishing a good electrical connection, e.g. electrostatic discharge or insulation feature
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/06 allowing pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/40 by means of coilable or bendable legs or spiral shaped legs
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 2200/00 Details of stands or supports
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils

Abstract

A tablet stand is disclosed which incorporates a near field antenna configuration which couples to a near field antenna in the back of a tablet and provides a near field antenna coupling region for near field communication at the front of the tablet. The stand may be completely passive and use conductive antenna elements and passive resonance matching circuit elements to provide efficient coupling. In another aspect a thin profile passive keyboard adapted for use with a near field enabled tablet is provided. In another aspect a mounting bracket or holder, embedded antenna, and passive keyboard combination is provided adapted for converting a tablet into a notebook type configuration.

Claims

1. A stand for a portable device, comprising:

a first section;

a second section movably connected to the first section so as to be separable therefrom;

a third section connected in a bendable connection to the second section;

a fourth section connected in a bendable connection to the third section;

wherein the first, second, third and fourth sections are reconfigurable about the bendable connections from a first configuration where the sections form a substantially flat configuration to a second configuration where three of the sections form a generally triangular shape viewed from the side and provide an angled device support surface; and

one or more bendable electrically conductive connections extending between said sections forming said triangular shape.

2. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein at least one of the sections further comprises a magnet for attaching the stand to the portable device.

3. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection is adapted to couple power between said sections.

4. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection is adapted to couple data between said sections.

5. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection is an extended transmission line.

6. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection is configured to couple data and power between the portable device on one section and a separate device on another section.

7. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection includes a near field coupling antenna.

8. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection couples said first and second section.

9. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive connection couples said first and fourth section.

10. A stand for a portable device, comprising:

a first section;

a second section movably connected to the first section and separable therefrom;

a third section connected in a bendable connection to the second section;

a fourth section connected in a bendable connection to the third section and also connected to the first section;

wherein at least the second, third and fourth sections are reconfigurable about the bendable connections from a first configuration where the sections form a substantially flat configuration to a second configuration where the second, third and fourth sections form a generally triangular shape viewed from the side and provide an angled device support surface; and

an electrically conductive connection coupling said first and second sections via said fourth section.

11. A stand for a portable device as set out in claim 10, wherein said second section movably contacts the first section at a connection location and wherein said second section provides an adjustable angle support surface by movement of the connection location.

12. A method for configuring a reconfigurable stand assembly to support a tablet computer, comprising:

configuring a stand assembly, the stand assembly having;

a first section;

a second section connectable to, and separable from, the first section;

a third section connected in a bendable connection to the second section; and

a fourth section connected in a bendable connection to the third section;

by reconfiguring the first, second, third and fourth sections about the bendable connections from a first configuration where at least three of the sections form a substantially flat configuration to a second configuration where at least three of the sections form a generally triangular shape viewed from the side and provide an angled device support surface,

wherein said stand assembly further comprises one or more bendable electrically conductive connections extending between said sections forming said triangle shape.

13. A method as set out in claim 12, further comprising connecting the second section to the first section.

14. A method as set out in claim 12, further comprising connecting a tablet computer to the second section using magnets.

15. A method as set out in claim 14, wherein the one or more bendable electrically conductive connections electrically connect the tablet computer to the first section via said second, third and fourth sections.

16. A method as set out in claim 15, wherein the stand assembly further comprises a keyboard assembly coupled to the first section and the method further comprises providing power and data between the tablet computer and the keyboard assembly via the first section.

17. A method as set out in claim 15, further comprising employing magnetic field coupling for providing power from the tablet computer to the one or more electrically conductive connections in the second section.

18. A method as set out in claim 14, further comprising reconfiguring the first section on top of or below the fourth section.

19. A method as set out in claim 18, further comprising reconfiguring the first section from in front of the tablet computer to behind the tablet computer.

20. A method as set out in claim 12, further comprising attaching the stand assembly to a tablet computer as a cover in said first configuration.

21. A method as set out in claim 12, wherein the first and fourth section are connected and form a generally planar bottom portion of said stand assembly in said second configuration.