Miniature keyboard for a hand held computer

• US 6,671,170 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2001
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Gioscia, Richard, Northway, David, Urban, Alan C., Lam, Lawrence, Webb, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovsky, Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/778,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20020126440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 361/680, 361/683, 361/686, 400/88, 400/691, 400/693, 345/168, 345/169, 345/156, 341/22, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• 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: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A miniature keyboard for a palm held computer is disclosed. The miniature keyboard includes a plurality of keys for providing input to a hand held computing device. The keyboard includes a platform supporting the plurality of keys. The platform is configured to be sized for use by a single hand and the platforms is selectively foldable to substantially conceal the plurality of keys from view. The keyboard also includes a support structure that couples the platform to the hand held computing device body. The support structure is configured to prevent substantial movement of the platform relative to the hand held computing device body.

Claims

1. An input device for a hand held computing device, the hand held computing device including a body having a periphery, a display area, and an electrical connector, the input device comprising:

a plurality of keys for providing input to the hand held computing device;

a platform supporting the plurality of keys, the platform having a width approximately equal to the width of the hand held computing device, the platform being selectively moveable between a first position in which the plurality of keys are substantially concealed from view and a second postion in which the keys are exposed to view and in which the platform fits substantially within the periphery of the hand held computing device when in the first and second positions; and

a support structure for coupling the platform to the hand held computing device body, the support structure configured to couple to the hand held computing device body such that substantial movement of the support structure relative to the hand held computing device body is prevented, wherein the platform is divided into at least two portions and wherein at least one portion of the platform is coupled to the support member.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys are configured in a QWERTY configuration.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys include specialized function keys.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys include personal information manager (PIM) function keys.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the platform extends adjacent the bottom of the hand held computing device.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is a keyboard.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein the keyboard is a QWERTY keyboard.

9. The input device of claim 7, wherein the keyboard is approximately no larger than the size of the hand held computing device.

6. An input device for a hand held computing device, the hand held computing device including a body having a periphery, a display area, and an electrical connector, the input device comprising:

a plurality of keys for providing input to the hand held computing device;

a platform supporting the plurality of keys, the platform having a width approximately equal to the width of the hand held computing device, the platform being selectively moveable between a first position in which the plurality of keys are substantially concealed from view and a second position in which the keys are exposed to view and in which the platform fits substantially within the periphery of the hand held computing device when in the first and second positions; and

a support structure for coupling the platform to the hand held computing device body, the support structure configured to couple to the hand held computing device body such that substantial movement of the support structure relative to the hand held computing device body is prevented, wherein the support structure includes a sleeve configured to receive the hand held computing device.

10. An input device for a palm held electronic information device, the electronic information device including a body, a display area, and an electrical connector, the input device comprising:

a plurality of keys for providing input to the electronic information device;

a platform supporting the plurality of keys, the platform having a width approximately equal to the width of the hand held computing device, the platform including a hinge to selectively move the plurality of keys from a stowed position to a useable position;

an interface configured to electrically couple the platform to the electronic information device; and

a support structure for detachably coupling the platform to the electronic information device body.

11. The input device of claim 10, wherein the interface is a multiple function interface.

12. The input device of claim 10, wherein the interface is a synchronization interface.

13. The input device of claim 10, wherein the interface is a serial connector.

14. The input device of claim 10, wherein the platform and body are configured to be held in one hand while the other hand is used for inputting information using the plurality of keys.

15. The input device of claim 10, wherein the platform may be removed by hand from the body.

16. The input device of claim 10, wherein the platform may be selectively stowed without removing the support structure from the body.

17. The input device of claim 16, wherein the platform is coupled to a hinge.

18. A miniature keyboard for a palm held computer, the palm held computer including a body, a display area, and an electrical connector, the miniature keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys configured to provide input to the palm held computer;

a platform configured to support the plurality of keys;

a keyboard electrical connector configured to interface with the palm held computer electrical connector;

a support structure for detachably coupling the platform to the palm held computer body, the support structure configured to prevent substantial movement of the support structure relative to the palm held computer body; and

a hinge coupled to the platform, the hinge configured to selectively move the plurality of keys to a stowed position from an accessible position.

19. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the plurality of keys include specialized function keys.

20. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the plurality of keys include personal information manager (PIM) function keys.

21. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the platform extends adjacent the bottom of the palm held computer.

22. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the platform is divided into at least two portions and wherein at least one portion of the platform is coupled to the support member.

23. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the support structure includes a sleeve configured to receive the hand held computing device.

24. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the keyboard is approximately no larger than the size of the palm held computer.

25. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the hinge divides the keyboard into two sections.

26. The miniature keyboard of claim 25, wherein one of the sections is configured to move and the other of the two sections is configured to remain relatively fixed relative to the support structure.

27. The miniature keyboard of claim 25, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

28. The miniature keyboard of claim 18, wherein the hinge is configured to move the plurality of keys into a stowed position substantially adjacent the rear of the body.

29. An input device for a handheld computer, the handheld computer including a housing including a back and a front, a display area supported by the housing and an electrical connector, the input device comprising:

a plurality of keys configured to provide input to the handheld computer;

a platform having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface supporting the plurality of keys, the front surface coupled to the back surface, the front surface covering a portion of the housing front and the back surface covering a portion of the housing back thereby forming a sleeve into which the handheld computer is selectively inserted and withdrawn.

30. The input device of claim 29, further comprising:

an interface configured to be coupled to the electrical connector of the handheld computer.

31. The input device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the plurality of keys are arranged in a QWERTY arrangement.

32. The input device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the plurality of keys are function keys.

33. The input device of claim 29, wherein the plurality of keys are arranged to facilitate two thumb typing.

34. The input device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the plurality of keys are navigation keys.

35. The input device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the plurality of keys are application keys.

36. A miniature keyboard for a hand held computer, the miniature keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys configured to provide input to the hand held computer;

a platform configured to support at least some of the plurality of keys;

a support structure for the platform integrated into the hand held computer; and

a hinge coupled to the platform and configured to selectively allow movement of the platform from a stowed position in which at least some of the plurality of keys are inaccessible to an accessible position in which the keys are accessible and in which the miniature keyboard substantially fits within the periphery of the hand held computer, wherein the stowed position is adjacent the rear face of the hand held computer.

38. The miniature keyboard of claim 36, wherein the hinge is coupled to the support structure.

37. A miniature keyboard for a hand held computer, the miniature keyboard comprising:

a plurality of keys configured to provide input to the hand held computer;

a platform configured to support at least some of the plurality of keys;

a support structure for the platform integrated into the hand held computer; and

a hinge coupled to the platform and configured to selectively allow movement of the platform from a stowed position in which at least some of the plurality of keys are inaccessible to an accessible position in which the keys are accessible and in which the miniature keyboard substantially fits within the periphery of the hand held computer, wherein the support structure supports at least some of the plurality of keys.

39. An input device for a handheld computer, the handheld computer including a body having a perimeter defined in part by a maximum length and a maximum width, a display area, and an electrical connector, the input device comprising;

a plurality of keys for providing input to the electronic information device;

a platform having a length and width and supporting the plurality of keys, the platform being configured to be sized such that the width of the platform is not larger than the maximum width of the body and the length of the platform is not larger than one half the maximum length of the body, the platform including a hinge to selectively move the plurality of keys from a stowed position to a useable position; and

an interface configured to electrically couple the platform to the handheld computer, wherein the platform may be removed by hand from the body.

40. The input device of claim 39, wherein the platform fits within the perimeter of the body.

41. The input device of claim 39, wherein the platform and body are configured to be held in one hand while the other hand is used for inputting information using the plurality of keys.

42. The input device of claim 39, wherein the input device further comprises a support member for coupling the platform to the handheld computer, wherein the platform may be selectively stowed without removing the support structure from the body.

43. The input device of claim 39, wherein the platform is coupled to a hinge.