Internet terminal and keyboard for the internet terminal

• US 20020070883A1
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Published: 06/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dosch & Amand & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Dosch & Amand & Company KG
• Inventors: Dosch, Franz A.
• Application Number:
  US09/909,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070883A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

A system (10) comprising an internet terminal (20) and a keyboard (30) adapted to be coupled therewith, wherein:

the internet terminal (20), which is preferably designed as a WebPad, comprises:

a touch-sensitive display (21),

a means (22) for coupling the keyboard (30),

a means (23) for communication with the keyboard (30), and

a means (24) for receiving power for operating the internet terminal (20) from the keyboard (30), and

the keyboard (30) comprises:

a plurality of keys (31) for receiving inputs from a user,

a means (32) for coupling the internet terminal (20), the means being designed such that the user can operate the keys (31) and simultaneously view the display (21),

a means (33) for communication with the internet terminal (20),

a means (34) for receiving power from a power supply system,

and a means (35) for supplying power to the internet terminal (20).

Claims

1. A system (10) comprising an internet terminal (20) and a keyboard (30) adapted to be coupled therewith, wherein:

the internet terminal (20), which is preferably designed as a WebPad, comprises;

a touch-sensitive display (21),

a means (22) for coupling the keyboard (30),

a means (23) for communication with the keyboard (30), and

a means (24) for receiving power for operating the internet terminal (20) from the keyboard (30), and

the keyboard (30) comprises;

a plurality of keys (31) for receiving inputs from a user,

a means (32) for coupling the internet terminal (20), the means being designed such that the user can operate the keys (31) and simultaneously view the display (21),

a means (33) for communication with the internet terminal (20),

a means (34) for receiving power from a power supply system,

and a means (35) for supplying power to the internet terminal (20).

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the internet terminal (20) and the keyboard (30) takes place without contact.

3. The system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein power is supplied to the internet terminal (20) and received from the keyboard (30) without contact.

4. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

a base station suited for connection to a telephone network, for

wireless communication, preferably according to the DECT standard, wherein

the internet terminal (20) further comprises;

a means (25) for wireless communication with the base station.

5. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the keyboard (30) further comprises:

a means (36) for storing power.

6. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means (32) for coupling the internet terminal (20) comprises means (37) which surround the coupled internet terminal (20) laterally at least in part.

7. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means (32) for coupling the internet terminal (20) comprises means which permit a pivoting of the internet terminal (20).

8. The system (10) according to claim 7, wherein a line of intersection of a first plane defined by the plurality of keys (31) and of a second plane defined by the display (21) substantially defines an axis around which the pivotal movement takes place.

9. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the means (32) for coupling the internet terminal (20) comprises means which maintain a relative position of the coupled internet terminal (20) and of the keyboard (30).

10. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the keyboard (30) further comprises:

a means for storing large amounts of data, preferably a hard-disk drive.

11. The system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the keyboard (30) further comprises:

a means for reading in data and programs, preferably a CD-ROM disk drive.

12. An internet terminal (20) for use in the system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A keyboard (30) for use in the system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.