Keyboard device and charging device for portable electronic device

• US 20030025674A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Kazutoshi
• Application Number:
  US10/165,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025674A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A keyboard device for a portable electronic device includes a keyboard body having a plurality of key switches arranged on its upper surface, a connecting member to connect the keyboard body to a portable electronic device, and a power supply to one of drive and charge the portable electronic device. The keyboard body, the connecting member, and the power supply are held together inside a housing.

Claims

1. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device comprising:

a keyboard body having a plurality of key switches arranged on an upper surface thereof;

connecting mechanism to connect said keyboard body to a portable electronic device; and

a power supply to one of drive and charge said portable electronic device,

wherein said keyboard body, said connecting mechanism, and said power supply are held together inside a housing.

3. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is a secondary battery.

4. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said power supply is connectable to an external power supply.

5. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism has a cradle section that holds said portable electronic device, and said cradle section tilts relative to said housing.

6. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 5, wherein a connecting portion between said cradle section and said housing has a ratchet mechanism.

7. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism has a connector that electrically connects said portable electronic device and said keyboard device.

8. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting mechanism has a wireless communicator that permits communication between said portable electronic device and said keyboard device.

9. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has at least one speaker.

10. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said speaker tilts relative to one of said keyboard body and said housing.

11. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective cover connected to said housing so as to open and close.

12. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said protective cover has a pivotal connecting plate at an base end thereof, and said connecting plate is pivotally connected to said housing, and is placed at one side face of said housing in a state in which said protective cover is closed.

13. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 12, wherein, when said protective cover is opened, said protective cover is placed under said housing, said housing is supported by said connecting plate, and at least a part of said housing is inclined with respect to said protective cover.

14. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein said protective cover folds at a center folding portion, and said protective cover is pivotally connected to a front side of said housing at one side thereof parallel to said folding portion.

15. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said keyboard body is held in said housing so as to move into and out of said housing, and said connecting mechanism is disposed on the upper surface of said housing.

16. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has an auxiliary storage that exchanges data with said portable electronic device.

17. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a voice input mechanism.

2. A keyboard device for a portable electronic device comprising:

a keyboard body having a plurality of key switches arranged on an upper surface thereof;

a connecting mechanism to connect said keyboard body to a portable electronic device; and

a connecting portion to connect a power supply to one of drive and charge said portable electronic device,

wherein said keyboard body, said connecting mechanism, and said connecting portion are held together inside a housing.

18. A charging device for a portable electronic device comprising:

connecting mechanism to electrically connect a portable electronic device;

a power supply to one of drive and charge said portable electronic device; and

an input mechanism to operate said portable electronic device in a state in which said portable electronic device is connected,

wherein said connecting mechanism, said power supply, and said input mechanism are held together inside a housing.