Interchangeable keyboard for computer systems

• US 20070236459A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Daskalakis, George, Wong, Hong, Kohlman, Ed, Nelson, Daryl, Kwong, Wah
• Granted Patent: US 7,672,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard

Abstract

A keyboard is to be designed as a standardized keyboard having a certain length, width and thickness. The keyboard may be used interchangeably among different mobile computer systems. A keyboard cable associated with the keyboard may be designed such that it can accommodate an interface connector at any location relative to a bottom end of the keyboard. One or more control devices may also be used in conjunction with the keyboard. The control device may be designed with standardized dimensions, electrical interface, interface connector and cable length to enable it to accompany the keyboard among the different mobile computer systems.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

using a keyboard designed to fit in a keyboard bay associated with a first mobile computer system in a keyboard bay associated with a second mobile computer system, wherein the first mobile computer system and the second mobile computer system have different form factors.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile computer system and the second mobile computer system are manufactured by one computer manufacturer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first mobile computer system and the second mobile computer system are manufactured by different computer manufacturers.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the keyboard with a keyboard cable having multiple connection ends, at least one connection end coupled to an interface connector associated with a system board.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the keyboard with a keyboard cable having one connection end, the keyboard cable configured to fold along one or more diagonal edges and one or more straight edges, the connection end coupled to an interface connector associated with a system board.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using the keyboard with a control device designed to be placed adjacent to the keyboard bay associated with the first mobile computer system or adjacent to the keyboard bay associated with the second mobile computer system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the keyboard is to have a first set of standardized dimensions and the control device is to have a second set of standardized dimensions to be used interchangeably between the first mobile computer system and the second mobile computer system.

8. A system, comprising:

a system board having an interface connector to connect a keyboard cable; and

a keyboard coupled to the keyboard cable, the keyboard designed to have a first set of standardized dimensions, the keyboard adaptable to be used in any one of two or more different mobile computer systems, the keyboard cable adaptable to be connected to the interface connector at different locations relative to a bottom side of the keyboard.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the keyboard is adaptable to be used in any one of two or more different mobile computer systems having similar brand.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the keyboard is adaptable to be used in any one of two or more different mobile computer systems having different brands.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the keyboard cable includes two or more connection ends to accommodate the interface connector at different locations.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the keyboard cable is foldable diagonally to accommodate the interface connector at different locations.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a first control device coupled to the keyboard, the first control device configured to operate in conjunction with the keyboard in any one of two or more different mobile computer systems.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first control device is to be designed with a second set of standardized dimensions, electrical interface, connector and cable length.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a second control device coupled to the keyboard and to the first control device, the second control device designed with the second set of standardized dimensions and configured to operate in conjunction with the keyboard in any one of two or more different mobile computer systems.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the first set of standardized dimensions or the second set of standardized dimension includes length, width and thickness, and wherein the keyboard is to be further designed with standardized types of securing mechanisms at specific places relative to the keyboard.

17. A keyboard assembly, comprising:

a keyboard designed with standardized length, width and thickness and to be used in a first mobile computer system manufactured by a first computer manufacturer or in a second mobile computer system manufactured by a second computer manufacturer; and

a keyboard cable coupled to the keyboard and designed to accommodate an interface connector positioned at any location relative to a bottom side of the keyboard.

18. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the keyboard is further to be used in a third mobile computer system manufactured by the first computer manufacturer.

19. The keyboard assembly of claim 18, wherein the first mobile computer system and the third mobile computer system have different form factors.

20. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the keyboard cable is a flexible cable having multiple connection ends to accommodate the interface connector positioned at a location relative to the bottom side of the keyboard.

21. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the keyboard cable is a foldable cable capable of being folded or unfolded along one or more diagonal edges and one or more straight edges to accommodate the interface connector positioned at a location relative to the bottom side of the keyboard.

22. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the keyboard is to be designed with standardized types of securing mechanisms at specific places relative to the keyboard.

23. The keyboard assembly of claim 17, wherein the keyboard cable includes two or more cable sections each with individual connection end to accommodate the interface connector positioned at a location relative to the bottom side of the keyboard