Portable keyboard for use with hand-held computer

• US 20020190957A1
• Filed: 05/22/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Soon Lee
• Original Assignee: Soon Lee
• Inventors: Moon, Jae-Wook, Lee, Yong-Seong, Lee, Soon
• Application Number:
  US10/155,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20020190957A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable keyboard which can be used with a portable computers, such as hand-held computers. The keyboard has a housing comprises a housing, a keyboard including a plurality of key buttons and a circuit unit installed in the housing for generating electrical signals corresponding to key buttons pressed. The keyboard also includes an engagement structure and a connector to the portable computer. The engagement structure is configured to receive and hold the portable computer and keep electrical connection therewith trough the connector.

Claims

1. An input apparatus for use with an electronic device, comprising:

a housing comprising a surface and a structure configured to receive and engage with a portion of an electronic device;

a plurality of key buttons arranged on the surface of the housing, each key button being configured to generate an electrical signal when pressed; and

a connector disposed in the housing and configured to electrically connect with the electronic device so that the electrical signals generated in the apparatus can be transmitted to the electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is configured to interlock with a mating structure of the electronic device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to form a connection with the electronic device when the structure is engaged with the portion of the electronic device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit configured to control operation of transmission of electric signals.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control circuit comprises a processor and a memory.

6. An input device for use with a hand-held computer, comprising:

means for holding a hand-held computer;

means for generating signals for alphanumeric characters; and

means for transferring the alphanumeric character signals to the hand-held computer while the hand-held computer is held by the holding means.

7. The input device of claim 6, wherein the holding means comprises a recess to receive a portion of the hand-held computer.

8. The input device of claim 6, wherein the holding means comprises a snap lock to interlock with a mating structure of the hand-held computer.

9. The input device of claim 6, wherein the signal generating means comprises a plurality of key buttons.

10. The input device of claim 6, wherein the signal transferring means comprises an electrical connector for connecting the input device with the hand-held computer.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the signal transferring means is configured to make a cordless connection between the input device and the hand-held computer.

13. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the mount further comprises a structure configured to hold the display unit.

14. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display unit further comprises a portion shaped to be engaged with the mount.

15. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display unit further comprises a central control unit (CPU) and a memory connected to the CPU.

16. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display panel comprises a touch screen input device.

17. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display unit is programmed to receive inputs from the keyboard and from a touch screen.

18. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein the display unit is a hand-held computer.

19. The portable computer of claim 12, wherein when the display unit is connected to the keyboard, the display unit is configured to display keys not appearing in the keyboard for inputting by touching the screen.

12. A portable computer comprising:

a display unit comprising a display panel and a connector for connecting with an input device; and

a detachable keyboard comprising a mount for the display unit, wherein the mount comprising a connector configured to connect with the connector of the display unit.

20. A method of inputting data to an electronic device, comprising:

interlocking an input device comprising a plurality of key buttons with an electronic device comprising a display panel;

electrically connecting the input device and the electronic device; and

pressing a key button of the input device, thereby inputting a character or symbol corresponding to the pressed key button into the electronic device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrical connection is automatically carried out by the interlocking of the input device with the electronic device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein when connecting the input device and electronic device, the display panel displays a plurality of keys for inputting by touching them, and wherein the plurality of keys displayed are those which are not available in the input device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising touching a key displayed on the display panel, thereby inputting a character or symbol corresponding to the touched key into the electronic device.