MEDIA PROCESSING INPUT DEVICE

• US 20130335330A1
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lane, David M., Kim, Young Soo, Shaw, Timothy C.
• Application Number:
  US13/655,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20130335330A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards

Abstract

Media processing input devices are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion having at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a computing device and a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device to secure the connection portion to the computing device. The input device also includes an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs, the signals to specify processing of media to be performed by the computing device. The input device further includes a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge having one or more conductors configured to communicatively couple the plurality of keys with the communication contact

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a connection portion comprising;

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a computing device; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device to secure the connection portion to the computing device;

an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs, the signals to specify processing of media to be performed by the computing device; and

a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge having one or more conductors configured to communicatively couple the plurality of keys with the communication contact.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said input specifies processing of the media by the computing device that includes beat synchronization.

3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said input specifies processing of the media by the computing device that includes production or editing of the media.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said input specifies processing of the media by the computing device that includes mixing of the media.

5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least one said input specifies processing of the media by the computing device that includes a video editing operation.

6. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of keys are configured to provide an output that is indicative of an amount of pressure applied to a respective said key.

7. An input device as described in claim 6, wherein the amount or pressure is used to control a velocity of sound output as part of an output of the media.

8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to orient the input device in:

a first orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and

a second orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device that is opposite of a side of the housing that includes the display device.

9. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the connection portion is configured as a projection that is configured to be received within a channel of a housing the computing device, the projection including the at least one communication contact and the magnetic coupling device.

10. An input device as described in claim 9, wherein:

the at least one communication contact is located at an approximate midpoint of the projection along a longitudinal axis of the projection; and

at least a portion of the conductor is located at a corresponding approximate midpoint of the flexible hinge.

11. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge is configured to permit rotational movement of the input device in relation to the computing device that mimics a cover of a book along a first axis and restricts movement of the input device in relation to the computing device along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

12. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of keys forms a sound pad.

13. An input device comprising:

an input portion configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs for processing of media, the input portion including a radial dial pad;

a connection portion comprising;

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and

a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion.

14. An input device as described in claim 13, wherein the radial dial pad is configured to provide an output indicative of an amount of pressure applied to at least a portion of the radial dial pad.

15. An input device as described in claim 13, wherein the radial dial pad is configured to provide an output to cause an application of the computing device to navigate between items of said media.

16. A system comprising:

a computing device having a housing that assumes a handheld form factor; and

an input device comprising a connection portion configured to be removably physically secured to the computing device using magnetism which, when so secured, supports a communicative coupling between a plurality of keys of the input device and the computing device, one or more said keys configured to provide inputs to an application that is executable on the computing device to process music using beat synchronization.

17. A system as described in claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the one or more said keys is configured to act as a sound pad.

18. A system as described in claim 16, wherein the connection portion is secured to an input portion of the input device that includes the plurality of keys using a flexible hinge.

19. A system as described in claim 18, wherein the flexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to orient the input device in:

a first orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and

a second orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device that is opposite of a side of the housing that includes the display device.

20. An input device as described in claim 18, wherein the flexible hinge is configured to permit rotational movement of the input device in relation to the computing device that mimics a cover of a book along a first axis and restricts movement of the input device in relation to the computing device along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.