Keyboard with detachable module

• US 20060250367A1
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Published: 11/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Monney, Patrick, Tabasso, Alain, Sheehan, Peter, Lazzarotto, Sergio
• Application Number:
  US11/123,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a detachable module for a computer keyboard to provide additional functionalities and enhance the usage of the computer. In one embodiment a keyboard comprising a keyboard module including a keyboard body having a plurality of input keys for providing input to a processing device; and a detachable module detachably connected to the keyboard body of the keyboard module, the detachable module including at least one of a display or at least one input member for providing input to the processing device and/or the keyboard module. In a docked mode, the detachable module is connected to the keyboard body. In an undocked mode, the detachable module is disconnected from the keyboard body. In the docked mode, the detachable module interacts with the keyboard module to perform one or more functions based on interaction between the detachable module and the keyboard module and/or to transfer data between the detachable module and the keyboard module.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising:

a keyboard module including a keyboard body having a plurality of input keys for providing input to a processing device; and

a detachable module detachably connected to the keyboard body of the keyboard module, the detachable module including at least one of a display or at least one input member for providing input to the processing device and/or the keyboard module;

wherein in a docked mode, the detachable module is connected to the keyboard body;

wherein in an undocked mode, the detachable module is disconnected from the keyboard body; and

wherein in the docked mode, the detachable module interacts with the keyboard module to perform one or more functions based on interaction between the detachable module and the keyboard module and/or to transfer data between the detachable module and the keyboard module.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module is active to provide input to the processing device and the keyboard module is inactive when the detachable module is in the undocked mode.

3. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module is active to provide input to the processing device and the keyboard module is active to provide input to the processing device when the detachable module is in the undocked mode.

4. The keyboard of claim 3 wherein the detachable module and the keyboard module have independent electronics which are independently active in the undocked mode.

5. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module is configured to communicate with the processing device via a wireless link.

6. The keyboard of claim 5 wherein the keyboard module is configured to communicate with the processing device via a wired link and to be a wireless transceiver of the detachable module.

7. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module operates on a battery installed therein.

8. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module includes a rechargeable power module which is recharged via electrical contact with the keyboard module when the detachable module is connected to the keyboard module in the docked mode.

9. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module includes a rechargeable power module which is recharged inductively in proximity with the keyboard module.

10. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module further comprises a security access member to provide secured access to the detachable module.

11. The keyboard of claim 10 wherein the security access member provides secured access to the keyboard module.

12. The keyboard of claim 10 wherein the security access member provides secured access to at least one of the detachable module or the keyboard module for communication with the processing device.

13. The keyboard of claim 10 wherein the security access member comprises a fingerprint reader.

14. The keyboard of claim 10 wherein the security access member in the detachable module stores data to verify user input to provide security access.

15. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the at least one input member comprises at least one of a button, a knob, a roller, or a keypad.

16. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module includes at least one input member for providing input to the processing device and/or the keyboard module, the at least one input member performing an identical function in the docked mode and the undocked mode.

17. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module includes at least one input member for providing input to the processing device and/or the keyboard module, the at least one input member performing different functions in the docked mode and the undocked mode.

18. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module does not communicate with the keyboard module in the undocked mode.

19. The keyboard of claim 18 wherein the detachable module is configured to communicate with the processing device in the undocked mode.

20. The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the detachable module further comprises a memory card reader.