Stylus Keyboard

• US 20140160025A1
• Filed: 12/06/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Natarajan, Vijayarani
• Granted Patent: US 9,250,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display

Abstract

A combination of a stylus and a keyboard. A collapsible keyboard portion is coupled to a stylus tip. When in a collapsed state, the apparatus may be used as a stylus, or stored in a receptacle or a user'"'"'s pocket. When a keyboard is needed, the stylus keyboard may be unrolled or unfolded, and used to control an electronic device via a wireless connection between a transceiver on the stylus keyboard and the electronic device.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a collapsible keyboard comprising a touch-sensitive region and an edge portion;

a stylus tip coupled to the edge portion; and

a transceiver coupled to the collapsible keyboard, the transceiver enabling the collapsible keyboard to wirelessly transmit keystrokes to an electronic device,

wherein the collapsible keyboard forms a stylus handle when in a collapsed state.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the transceiver.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a bus for connecting the memory and the processor and the transceiver to the collapsible keyboard.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive region comprises a plurality of discrete touch-sensitive regions.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first fastening mechanism for retaining the collapsible keyboard in the collapsed state.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second fastening mechanism enabling the keyboard to retain an extended state on a surface.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the stylus tip is conductive.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the stylus tip is configured to operate a resistive touch screen.

9. A flexible keyboard, comprising:

a touch-sensitive region;

an edge region coupled to the touch-sensitive region; and

a stylus tip coupled to the edge region;

wherein the flexible keyboard is adapted to be rolled around edge region to form a stylus handle.

10. The flexible keyboard of claim 9, wherein the touch-sensitive region corresponds to a standard keyboard layout.

11. The flexible keyboard of claim 9, wherein the touch-sensitive region comprises a plurality of discrete touch-sensitive regions.

12. The flexible keyboard of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of discrete touch-sensitive regions comprises a unique radiofrequency identifier.

13. The flexible keyboard of claim 9, further comprising a battery.

14. The flexible keyboard of claim 13, further comprising a contact point in electrical communication with the battery, the contact point enabling the battery to be charged by an external power source.

15. The flexible keyboard of claim 14, wherein the external power source is the electronic device.

16. The flexible keyboard of claim 13, wherein the battery is inductively charged.

19. The device of claim 10, wherein keyboard is adapted to be inserted into a receptacle of a mobile device when in the folded state.

17. A device, comprising:

a keyboard;

a stylus tip coupled to keyboard; and

a transceiver coupled to the keyboard, the transceiver enabling the keyboard to wirelessly transmit keystrokes to an electronic device,

wherein the keyboard is foldable along a plurality of fold lines to form a stylus handle when in a folded state. .

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the keyboard comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive regions corresponding to a standard keyboard layout.