MULTI-POSITION, MULTI-LEVEL USER INTERFACE SYSTEM

• US 20110074688A1
• Filed: 12/03/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eric J. Hull, Jeffrey D. Allison, Ryan T. Lane, Tyrol R. Graham
• Original Assignee: Eric J. Hull, Jeffrey D. Allison, Ryan T. Lane, Tyrol R. Graham
• Inventors: Allison, Jeffrey D., Graham, Tyrol R., Lane, Ryan T., Hull, Eric J.
• Application Number:
  US12/960,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20110074688A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads

Abstract

A multi-positional, multi-level user interface system including a keyboard hinged over a base surface for a pointing device such as a mouse. The keyboard and base rotate relative to each other about a hinge axis to reveal the surface, providing a portable keyboard and pointing surface. A kickstand can support the keyboard above the base while in an open position. The keyboard and pointing device can be used with two hands with the system resting in a user'"'"'s lap. The keyboard can also swivel about an axis other than the hinge axis. The keyboard can swivel 180 degrees for left-handed use, and can be positioned at other detent angles. A mouse can also be stowed on the base with a magnetic, friction, or other coupling. The interface system can further act as a communication hub for other peripheral devices, such as a joystick, to communicate with a computing device.

Claims

1. An electronic user interface system comprising:

a processor;

a peripheral communication hub in communication with the processor, the peripheral communication hub enabling communication between at least one electronic peripheral device and a remote computing device;

a keypad in communication with the processor;

a keyboard housing holding the processor, the peripheral communication hub, and the keypad; and

a base pivotally coupled to the keyboard housing such that the keyboard housing pivots relative to the base.

2. The electronic user interface system of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard support hinged between base and the keyboard and supporting said keyboard housing, said keyboard support enabling the keyboard housing to pivot relative to the base to expose a surface of the base.

3. The electronic user interface system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic peripheral device comprises at least one of a pointing device and a game control device.

4. The electronic user interface system of claim 1, further comprising an audio interface in communication with the processor for communication with an audio transducing device.

5. The electronic user interface system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral hub comprises a universal serial bus (USB) hub.

6. The electronic user interface system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral hub provides one of wired and wireless communication with at least one of the remote computing device and the at least one electronic peripheral device.

7. A user interface system comprising:

a base having a length; and

an electronic keyboard coupled to the base at an acute angle with respect thereto, said base having an accessible exposed surface at least partially under said keyboard for use with a pointing device.

8. The user interface system of claim 7, further comprising a keyboard support hinged between the base and the keyboard, said keyboard support enabling the keyboard to rotate relative to the base.

9. The user interface system of claim 8, wherein the keyboard is rotationally coupled to the keyboard support such that the keyboard can rotate relative to the keyboard support.

10. The user interface system of claim 9, wherein the keyboard rotates about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the keyboard support.

11. The user interface system of claim 7, wherein said base has a length longer than a length of said keyboard, wherein said accessible exposed surface extending out from under the acutely connected keyboard.