Bag computer manual character input device and cover

• US 20090009476A1
• Filed: 12/26/2007
• Published: 01/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles A. Daley III
• Original Assignee: Charles A. Daley III
• Inventors: Daley, Charles A. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,138 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 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

Disclosed is a manual character input device, such as a keyboard or electronic write pad, designed for removable mounting and operation on the front of a bag computer. A keyboard may be ten full size keys wide with thumb keys for missing keys to right and left, may have tactile finger guides and actuating keys adapted for vertical use. The input device attaches by its back or pivotally by one edge. Edge mounts may be a channel, clip, half hinge axle or bearing or clamp and may include a hinge means for non-pivoting bag front mounts. Alignment structures may be included and may form a cover to protect the bag computer/display. Electrical connection to the computer may lead from the input device'"'"'s back or edge and may be a wire and plug or may be built into the attachments. Alternatively, the input device may have a wireless electrical connection.

Claims

1. A computer input device designed to be mounted on a bag front comprising:

a body comprising a proximal edge closest to the bag'"'"'s front wall when the input device is pivoted perpendicular to the bag'"'"'s front wall, a distal edge opposite the proximal edge, a front surface disposed between proximal and distal edges and a back side opposite the front surface;

an input device on the front surface and oriented for use from the proximal edge capable of inputting characters by hand into the computer attached to the bag;

an electrical communication link capable of connecting the input device with a computer attached to the bag; and

one or more attachments on the body'"'"'s proximal edge allowing the device to be pivotally attached to matching attachments on a bag'"'"'s front.

2. The computer of claim 1, wherein the attachment on the body'"'"'s proximal edge includes a hinge means.

3. The computer of claim 2, wherein the hinge means on the body'"'"'s proximal edge is flexible fabric.

4. The computer of claim 2, wherein the hinge means on the body'"'"'s proximal edge is an axle and/or bearing.

5. The computer of claim 1, further comprising and input/output device such as a camera or infrared communicator on the body distal edge or back side.

6. The computer of claim 1, wherein the electrical communication link is wireless.

7. A computer input device designed to be mounted on a bag front comprising:

a body comprising a proximal edge closest to the bag'"'"'s front wall when the input device is pivoted perpendicular to the bag'"'"'s front wall, a distal edge opposite the proximal edge, a front surface disposed between proximal and distal edges and a back side opposite the front surface;

an input device on the front surface and oriented for use from the proximal edge capable of inputting characters by hand into the computer attached to the bag;

an electrical communication link capable of connecting the input device with a computer attached to the bag;

alignment structures connected to the input device body fitting it to and allowing it to protect a computer or display mounted to the bag front; and

one or more attachments allowing the input device to be attached to matching attachments on a bag'"'"'s front.

8. The computer of claim 7, further comprising and input/output device such as a camera or infrared communicator on the body distal edge or back side.

9. The computer of claim 7, wherein the electrical communication link is wireless.

10. A computer input device designed to be mounted on a bag front comprising:

a body comprising a proximal edge closest to the bag'"'"'s front wall when the input device is pivoted perpendicular to the bag'"'"'s front wall, a distal edge opposite the proximal edge, a front surface disposed between proximal and distal edges and a back side opposite the front surface;

an input device on the front surface and oriented for use from the proximal edge capable of inputting characters by hand into the computer attached to the bag wherein the input device is a keyboard ten keys wide, in the standard QWERTY format and with thumb keys to replace essential keys normally farther to the right and left on a standard keyboard;

an electrical communication link capable of connecting the input device with a computer attached to the bag; and

one or more attachments allowing the input device to be attached to matching attachments on a bag'"'"'s front.

11. The computer of claim 10, further comprising finger, thumb or palm guides to assist in no hand typing.

12. The computer of claim 10, further comprising and input/output device such as a camera or infrared communicator on the body distal edge or back side.

13. The computer of claim 10, wherein the electrical communication link is wireless.

14. A cover for a computer and/or display designed to be mounted on a bag front comprising:

a body comprising a panel with a front, back and four side edges;

alignment structures connected to the body fitting it to and allowing it to protect a computer and/or display mounted to the bag front; and

one or more attachments allowing the cover to be attached to matching attachments on a bag'"'"'s front.