Modular keyboard

• US 5,144,302 A
• Filed: 03/06/1991
• Issued: 09/01/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Carter, Andrew, Hulick, Troy
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/667,355
• Time in Patent Office: 545 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/23, 340/709, 340/711, 340/706, 400/472, 400/486, 400/492, 364/708, 364/709.1
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A modular keyboard apparatus allowing users to reconfigure the keyboard for their particular applications and convenience. The modular keyboard allows the user to place modules such as alphanumeric keypads, numeric keypads and trackballs into the keyboard housing in positions which are most convenient to the user and to the applications being used. The keyboard can be reconfigured with, for example, a numeric keypad on the right hand side for a right handed user and the numeric keypad on the left hand side for a left handed user. Another example would allow the keyboard to be configured with a trackball assembly instead of the numeric keypad for applications which benefit from use of the trackball over use of the numeric keypad. Apparatus for coupling the various input devices with the keyboard housing assembly are disclosed.

Claims

1. A computer system having a modular keyboard apparatus, said modular keyboard apparatus comprising;

a keyboard housing assembly with an opening for coupling a first modular input device and a second modular input device in a first or a second configuration;

said first modular input device having a plurality of tabs for coupling with said keyboard housing assembly and a first connector for providing a plurality of different input signals;

said second modular input device having a plurality of tabs for coupling with said keyboard housing assembly and at least two first connectors for providing a plurality of different input signals;

said keyboard housing assembly having at least two second connectors for coupling with one of said first connectors of each of said first modular input device and said second modular input device, so that when said first modular input device and said second modular input device, so that when said first modular input device and said second modular input device are in said first configuration, said first connector of said first modular input device is coupled to a first of said at least two second connectors and a first of said at least two of said first connectors of said second modular input device is coupled to a second of said at least two second connectors, said keyboard housing assembly further comprising a third connector, said third connector coupled to said at least two second connectors and said computer system.

2. The modular keyboard, as recited in claim 1, wherein each said modular input device comprises:

an input means;

a printed circuit board, said printed circuit board for coupling with said input means;

said printed circuit board detecting inputs from said input means and generating signals based on said inputs;

a plate, said plate for coupling with said printed circuit board;

said plate having tabs on its left and its right sides and along its top edges for coupling with said keyboard housing.

3. A modular keyboard, as recited in claim 2, wherein said keyboard housing further comprises:

a molded assembly coupled with said keyboard housing;

said molded assembly having a curved area and a lip, said curved area and said lip for providing alignment for said tabs when each of said modular input devices are coupled with said keyboard housing.

4. The modular keyboard apparatus, as recited by claim 3, wherein:

said first connector comprises 34 electrical contacts for communication of signals;

said one or more second connectors each comprise 34 electrical contacts for communication of signals;

said first connector positioned on said first modular input device such that said first modular input device may be coupled with said keyboard housing in any of a plurality of positions within the opening provided for said modular input devices;

said first connector being aligned with one of said second connectors.

5. A modular keyboard apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein;

said third connector coupled with a cable for communication of signals with said computer system;

said cable having therein a plurality of wires, each said wire being coupled with an electrical path of said third connector, said electrical path coupled with each one of said contacts said first connector.

6. A modular keyboard apparatus, as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said modular input devices comprise one of alphanumeric keypad, numberic keypad, or trackball device.

7. The modular keyboard as recited in claim 1 wherein when said said first modular input device and said second modular input device are in said second configuration, said first connector of said first modular input device is coupled to said second of said at least two second connectors and a second of said at least two of said first connectors of said second modular input device is coupled to said first of said at least two second connectors.

8. In a keyboard assembly having a plurality of input devices, the keyboard assembly coupled with a computer system for providing signals to the computer system, an improvement comprising:

a keyboard housing assembly with an opening for coupling with at least a first modular input device and a second modular input device, said keyboard housing assembly providing for coupling said first modular input device on a first or a second side of said second modular input device;

said keyboard housing assembly having therein a plurality of tab holders;

said tab holders being coupled with said keyboard housing and having a rounded edge and a lip;

said rounded edge and said lip for providing alignment for said modular input devices when said modular input devices are inserted into said opening;

said keyboard housing assembly further having a plurality of first connectors for connecting with said modular input devices, said plurality of first connectors for communication of signals with said modular input devices, and a third connector coupled to said plurality of first connectors and said computer system;

said first and second modular input devices each having input means capable of providing a plurality of different input signals, a printed circuit board for coupling said input means, a plate for coupling with said printed circuit board, tabs along the top side of said plate for coupling with said tab holders, tabs along the right and along the left side of said plate or coupling with said keyboard housing assembly;

said first modular input device having a second connector for coupling with one of said first connectors;

9. The improvement, as recited in claim 8, wherein:

said keyboard housing assembly has two of said first connectors;

one of said first connectors on the right side of said keyboard housing assembly and a second of said first connectors on the left side of said keyboard housing assembly.

10. The improvement, as recited in claim 9, wherein said second modular input device comprises:

an alphanumeric keypad;

said alphanumeric keypad having a plurality of alphanumeric keys;

a printed circuit board for coupling with said alphanumeric keys;

a plate for coupling with said printed circuit board;

said plate having therein holes for coupling with said keyboard housing apparatus;

said plate having said at least two second connectors which include a right side connector on its right side and having a left side connector on its left side;

said right side connector for coupling with one of said first connectors in said keyboard housing apparatus when said alphanumeric keypad is coupled to said opening of said keyboard housing apparatus in the right side of said opening;

said left side connector for coupling with said first connector in said keyboard housing when said alphanumeric keypad is coupled to said opening of said keyboard housing apparatus on the left side of said opening;

connector and said left side connector said right side providing identical signals when one of said alphanumeric keys are depressed.

11. In the improvement, as recited in claim 9, said first modular input device comprising;

a numeric keypad;

said numeric keypad having a plurality of numeric and operator keys;

a printed circuit board for coupling with said plurality of keys;

a plate for coupling with said printed circuit board;

said plate having therein holes for coupling with said keyboard housing apparatus;

said plate having said second connector in the top center of said plate;

said second connector for coupling with one of said first connectors in said keyboard housing on the right side of said keyboard housing when said numeric keypad is coupled with said keyboard housing on its right side;

said second connector for coupling with one of said first connectors on the left side of said keyboard housing when said numeric keypad is coupled to said opening of said keyboard housing on its left side;

said second connector providing signals to said first connector when one of said keys are depressed on said numeric keypad.

12. In the improvement, as recited in claim 9, said first modular input device comprising:

a trackball;

a printed circuit board for coupling with said track ball;

a plate for coupling with said printed circuit board;

said plate having therein holes for coupling with said keyboard housing apparatus;

said plate having a second connector at its top center;

said second connector for coupling with one of said first connectors in said keyboard housing on the right side of said keyboard housing when said trackball is coupled on the right side of said keyboard housing;

said second connector for coupling with one of said first connectors in said keyboard housing on the left side of said keyboard housing when said trackball is coupled to said left side of said keyboard housing;

said second connector for providing signals to said first connector when movement is detected of said trackball.

13. A keyboard for a computer system comprising:

a keyboard housing;

a first input means for input of alphanumeric characters to said computer system, said first input means having a first connector and a second connector wherein one of said first connector or second connector is coupled to a connection means;

said first input means capable of providing a plurality of different alphanumeric characters;

a second input means for providing information to said computer system, said second input means having a third connector coupled to said connection means;

said second input means capable of providing a plurality of different input signals;

said connection means for coupling said first input means and said second input means to said computer system wherein said connection means having at least a first input connector and a second input connector;

a plurality of first coupling means for coupling said first input means and said second input means to said keyboard housing, said plurality of first coupling means spaced within said keyboard housing to allow placement of said first input means on either the right or the left-hand side of said keyboard housing;

wherein when said first input means is coupled to the right side of said keyboard housing, said first connector is coupled to said first input connector and said third connector of said second input means is coupled to said second input connector; and

when said first input means is coupled to the left side of said keyboard housing said second connector is coupled to said second input connector and said third connector of said second input means is coupled to said first input connector.

14. The keyboard as recited by claim 13 further comprising second coupling means for coupling said first input means and said second input means to said keyboard housing.

15. The keyboard as recited by claim 14 wherein said second coupling means comprises a plurality of capture ribs, said capture ribs spaced within said keyboard housing to allow coupling of said first input means on either the right or the left- hand side of said keyboard housing.

16. The keyboard as recited by claim 14 wherein said plurality of first coupling means comprises a plurality of barb snaps.

17. The keyboard as recited by claim 16 further comprising a plurality of stepped post supports.

18. The keyboard as recited by claim 16 wherein said second input means comprises a numeric keypad.

19. The keyboard as recited by claim 18 wherein said second input means comprises a track ball.

20. A computer system with a keyboard apparatus, said keyboard apparatus comprising:

a keyboard housing assembly, said keyboard housing assembly having a connection means for coupling said keyboard apparatus to said computer system;

a first modular input device having a first connector for coupling to said connection means and a second connector for coupling to said connection means;

a second modular input device having a third connector for coupling to said connection means;

fastening means for fastening said first modular input device and said second modular input device to said keyboard housing assembly; and

said connection means is further comprised of a fourth connector and a fifth connector so that;

when said first connector is coupled to said fourth connector, said third connector is coupled to said fifth connector; and

when said second connector is coupled to said fifth connector, said third connector is coupled to said fourth connector.

21. The keyboard apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said connection means if further comprised of a sixth connector, said sixth connector coupled to said fourth connector, said fifth connector and said computer system.

22. The keyboard apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein said connection means if further comprised of:

a plurality of electrical paths, said plurality of electrical paths numbered x to y, said electrical paths forming z pair combinations;

a first electrical path group comprised of a first predetermined number of electrical path pair combinations, wherein no electrical path pair combination in said first electrical path group is in a second electrical path group; and

said second electrical path group comprised of a second predetermined number of electrical path pair combinations, wherein no electrical path pair combination in said second electrical path group is in said first electrical path group.

23. The keyboard apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said first electrical path group is associated with said first modular input device and said second electrical path group is associated with said second modular input device.

24. A keyboard housing for use with a computer system having increased adaptability to allow accommodation of both right-handed and left-handed users, said keyboard housing:

defining an opening for accepting a first device and a second device, said first device comprising a plurality of alphanumeric keys, a first connector and a second connector for providing input signals;

said housing further defining an external port for allowing coupling with said computer system;

said housing further defining a first internal port and a second internal port, said first internal port located substantially on a left side of said housing and providing for coupling of said first device in said opening on substantially said left side of said housing when said first connector of said first device is coupled with said first internal port and said second connector is unused, said second internal port located substantially on a right side of said housing and providing for coupling of said first device in said opening on substantially said right side of said housing when said second connector of said first device is coupled with said second internal port, said first internal port and said second internal port coupled in communication with said external port and said first connector is unused.