Notebook Computer Having an Off-Motherboard Keyboard Controller
First Claim
1. A diagnostic system for a portable computer, the diagnostic system comprising:
- a motherboard having a first I/O controller;
a palmrest assembly having a second I/O controller;
a bus connection linking the first I/O controller to the second I/O controller through the motherboard and palmrest assembly;
a keyboard assembly connected to the palmrest assembly; and
a first loopback circuit on the palmrest assembly and keyboard assembly, the loopback circuit allowing the second I/O controller to test the continuity of the connection between the keyboard assembly and the palmrest assembly.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable information handling system, user interface components thereof, and methods of user control interface and assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment a keyboard assembly, including a large plurality of contacts for a keyboard matrix, connects directly to a palmrest assembly. The palmrest assembly includes a keyboard controller, which decodes keystrokes and then passes the decoded keystrokes to, e.g., an I/O controller on the motherboard of the portable information handling system. This arrangement can greatly improve layout and usage of the motherboard routing spaces, can improve reliability, and can simplify assembly, among other advantages.
47 Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A diagnostic system for a portable computer, the diagnostic system comprising:
-
a motherboard having a first I/O controller; a palmrest assembly having a second I/O controller; a bus connection linking the first I/O controller to the second I/O controller through the motherboard and palmrest assembly; a keyboard assembly connected to the palmrest assembly; and a first loopback circuit on the palmrest assembly and keyboard assembly, the loopback circuit allowing the second I/O controller to test the continuity of the connection between the keyboard assembly and the palmrest assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A portable information handling system comprising:
-
a housing; a motherboard located within the housing; a pointing device assembled to the housing to allow user pointing inputs; a keyboard assembled to the housing to allow user keyboard inputs; at least one I/O controller, located off the motherboard, to decode the user pointing inputs and decode user keyboard inputs; and at least one serial bus to communicate the decoded user pointing inputs and the decoded user keyboard inputs to the motherboard; - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
Specification