Stylus operable computer with wireless keyboard in storage bay
First Claim
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1. A portable handheld computer selectively useable in either a keyboard or stylus input mode, comprising:
- a hand holdable chassis structure having an elongated, generally rectangular configuration with opposite end portions, opposite front and rear sides extending between said opposite end portions, and an elongated recess formed in said rear side and longitudinally extending between said opposite end portions, said chassis structure further having disposed therein a CPU, a primary power supply, a program memory, and an infrared data receiver to receive signals from an infrared transmitter;
display means fixedly secured to said front side of said chassis structure and to provide a visible image corresponding to keyboard input signals transmitted to said CPU, said display means to sense the position of a user-operated stylus positioned against said display means and responsively transmit stylus position signals to said CPU; and
a wireless keyboard having keys dimensioned for touch-typing, said keyboard having an elongated, generally rectangular configuration and being positionable in (1) a stylus use orientation in which said keyboard is removably and complementarily received in said recess in said rear side of said chassis structure to permit a user to hold the entire computer in one hand while using a stylus on said display means to input data to said CPU, and (2) in a keyboard use orientation in which said keyboard is removed from said recess and positioned in a spaced apart relationship with said chassis structure with no physical connection thereto, said wireless keyboard having disposed therein a power supply and an infrared transmitter to transmit keyboard input signals to said infrared receiver when said keyboard is in said keyboard use position.
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Abstract
A pen-operable computer which also functions as a fully keyboard-operable computer. The keyboard contains an independent power supply, and is linked to the main chassis only by an infrared interface. The system chassis is very compact, but includes a full-width docking bay into which the keyboard can be latched for storage. When keyboard interface is desired, the user takes the keyboard module out of its docking bay and uses it in whatever position is most comfortable. When keyboard interface is not desired, the user simply snaps the keyboard module back into its docking bay for safe storage and/or transport.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A portable handheld computer selectively useable in either a keyboard or stylus input mode, comprising:
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a hand holdable chassis structure having an elongated, generally rectangular configuration with opposite end portions, opposite front and rear sides extending between said opposite end portions, and an elongated recess formed in said rear side and longitudinally extending between said opposite end portions, said chassis structure further having disposed therein a CPU, a primary power supply, a program memory, and an infrared data receiver to receive signals from an infrared transmitter; display means fixedly secured to said front side of said chassis structure and to provide a visible image corresponding to keyboard input signals transmitted to said CPU, said display means to sense the position of a user-operated stylus positioned against said display means and responsively transmit stylus position signals to said CPU; and a wireless keyboard having keys dimensioned for touch-typing, said keyboard having an elongated, generally rectangular configuration and being positionable in (1) a stylus use orientation in which said keyboard is removably and complementarily received in said recess in said rear side of said chassis structure to permit a user to hold the entire computer in one hand while using a stylus on said display means to input data to said CPU, and (2) in a keyboard use orientation in which said keyboard is removed from said recess and positioned in a spaced apart relationship with said chassis structure with no physical connection thereto, said wireless keyboard having disposed therein a power supply and an infrared transmitter to transmit keyboard input signals to said infrared receiver when said keyboard is in said keyboard use position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Computer apparatus comprising:
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a primary system chassis having disposed therein a CPU, a primary power supply, a program memory, and an infrared data receiver to receive signals from an infrared transmitter, said primary system chassis further having a front side, a rear side, and a recess formed in said rear side; display means fixedly secured to said front side of said primary system chassis and to provide a visible image corresponding to signals generated by said CPU, said display means to sense the position of a user-operated stylus positioned against said display means and responsively transmit stylus position signals to said CPU; and a wireless keyboard having keys dimensioned for touch-typing, said keyboard being positionable in a storage orientation in which said keyboard is removably received in said recess in said rear side of said primary system chassis, and alternatively in a use orientation in which said keyboard is removed from said recess and positioned in a spaced apart relationship with said primary system chassis with no physical connection thereto, said wireless keyboard having disposed therein a power supply and an infrared transmitter to transmit data signals receivable by said infrared data receiver. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification