COMPUTER APPARATUS AND COMPUTER SYSTEM

• US 20080122660A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: KOGANEI, Masayoshi
• Granted Patent: US 9,128,534 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits

Abstract

A computer apparatus including: a reception unit adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard; an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard; and a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus comprising:

reception means adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard;

attachment means capable of attaching the keyboard; and

power transfer means adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment means.

2. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the power transfer means control power transfer to the battery according to the keyboard attachment condition.

3. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the power transfer means control power transfer to the battery according to the type of program run by the computer apparatus.

4. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the attachment means are members adapted to support the keyboard rotatably around a given side of the keyboard.

5. The computer apparatus of claim 4 further comprising

detection means adapted to detect the rotational status of the keyboard, wherein

the power transfer means control power transfer to the battery according to the rotational status of the keyboard.

6. The computer apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the power transfer means transfer power to the battery when the keyboard rotational status satisfies a given condition, and not if the keyboard is in any other condition.

7. The computer apparatus of claim 6, wherein

the power transfer means transfer power to the battery when the keyboard is folded, and not if the keyboard is in any other condition.

8. The computer apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

indication means adapted to indicate that the battery is being charged while the power transfer means transfer power to the battery.

9. The computer apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

detection means adapted to detect the rotational status of the keyboard; and

indication means adapted to indicate that the battery is being charged while the power transfer means transfer power to the battery when the rotational angle of the keyboard satisfies a given condition.

10. A keyboard comprising:

transmission means adapted to wirelessly transmit signals associated with key inputs to a computer apparatus;

a battery to supply power to the transmission means;

attachment means capable of attaching the keyboard to the computer apparatus;

power transfer means adapted to receive power in a non-contact manner to the battery from the computer apparatus if the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus with the attachment means.

11. A computer system comprising:

a keyboard adapted to incorporate a battery and wirelessly transmit signals associated with key inputs;

reception means adapted to receive the signals from the keyboard;

attachment means capable of attaching the keyboard; and

power transfer means adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to the keyboard battery if the keyboard is attached to the attachment means.

12. A computer apparatus comprising:

a reception unit adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard;

an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard; and

a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit.