Keyboard sled with rotating screen

• US 6,795,304 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2001
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US09/844,543
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-681, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 361/679.14
• 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 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A keyboard sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system. In one embodiment, the keyboard sled is comprised of an integral receiving portion adapted to mechanically and electronically receive a portable computer system. An interface connector is disposed within the receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link between the keyboard sled and a portable computer system, when a portable computer system has been inserted in the receiving portion. The keyboard sled further has at least one mounting hook disposed within the receiving portion for providing positive retention of a portable computer system when coupled with the keyboard sled. A keyboard portion also present on the keyboard sled and also coupled with the interface connector provides input keys. The keyboard sled is also comprised of an integral data storage access slot which is adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of the portable computer system. The keyboard sled also adds input functionality to the portable computer system.

Claims

1. A portable keyboard sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system, said portable keyboard sled comprising:

a receiving portion adapted to receive said portable computer in a slot substantially the length of the portable computer, said receiving portion configured to rigidly fasten said portable computer system in a landscape (horizontal) orientation;

an interface connector disposed within said receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link with said portable computer system when said portable computer system has been inserted in said receiving portion;

a mounting mechanism disposed within said receiving portion, said mounting mechanism for providing positive retention on said portable computer system;

a keyboard portion coupled with said interface connector and for providing input keys, said keyboard portion allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via said portable keyboard sled while also allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via a standard input component of the portable computing system; and

a data storage access slot adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system.

2. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting mechanism is disposed within said receiving portion, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said keyboard sled, said mounting mechanism is insertable in a mounting hook receiving slot of said portable computer system to provide positive retention of said portable computer system in said keyboard sled.

3. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said data storage access slot is configured as a pass through channel, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said keyboard sled, said data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system in accessible without requiring the disengaging of said portable computer system from said keyboard sled.

4. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said keyboard portion comprises a complement of alphanumeric keys.

5. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said keyboard portion is a split keyboard having a left portion and a separately located right portion, said two portions comprising a complement of alphanumeric keys.

6. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said keyboard sled further comprises a wireless modem.

7. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 6 wherein said wireless modem is Bluetooth enabled.

8. The keyboard sled as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable computer system is a palmtop computer.

9. A portable gaming sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system, said portable gaming sled comprising:

a receiving portion adapted to receive said portable computer system, said receiving portion configured to receive said portable computer system in a landscape (horizontal) orientation;

an interface connector disposed within said receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link with said portable computer system when said portable computer system is inserted in said receiving portion;

a mounting mechanism disposed within said receiving portion, said mounting mechanism for securing said portable computer system when coupled with said gaming sled;

a gaining controls portion coupled to said interface connector and for providing game control input, said gaming controls portion allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via said portable gaming sled while also allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via a standard input component of the portable computing system; and

a data storage access slot adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system.

10. The gaming sled as recited in claim 9 wherein said interface connector enables communication between said gaming sled and said portable computer system, provided said portable computer system is coupled with said gaming sled.

11. The gaming sled as recited in claim 9 wherein said mounting mechanism is disposed within said receiving portion, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said gaming sled, said mounting mechanism is insertable in a mounting hook receiving slot of said portable computer system, so as to provide positive retention of said portable computer system.

12. The gaming sled as recited in claim 9 wherein said data storage access slot is configured as a pass through channel, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said gaming sled, said data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system is accessible without requiring the disengaging of said portable computer system from said gaming sled.

13. The gaming sled as recited in claim 9 wherein said gaming portion includes joystick functionality and function control buttons.

14. The gaming sled as recited in claim 9 wherein said keyboard sled further comprises a wireless modem.

15. The gaming sled as recited in claim 14 wherein said wireless modem is Bluetooth enabled.

16. A system comprising:

a) a portable computer system having a display orientation controller; and

b) a portable sled comprising;

a receiving portion adapted to receive said portable computer system, said receiving portion configured to receive said portable computer system in a landscape (horizontal) orientation;

an interface connector disposed within said receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link between said portable sled and said portable computer system, when said portable computer system is coupled with said portable sled;

a mounting mechanism disposed within said receiving portion, said mounting mechanism for securing said portable computer system;

a keyboard portion coupled to said interface connector and for providing input keys, said keyboard portion allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via said portable keyboard sled while also allowing a user to communicatively interact with said portable computing system via a standard input component of the portable computing system; and

a data storage access slot adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system.

17. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said mounting mechanism is disposed within said receiving portion, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said sled, said mounting mechanism is insertable into a mounting hook receiving slot of said portable computer system, so as to provide positive retention of said portable computer system in said sled.

18. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said data storage access slot is configured as a pass through channel, such that when said portable computer system is coupled with said sled, said data storage device receptacle of said portable computer system is accessible without requiring the disengaging of said portable computer system from said sled.

19. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said keyboard portion comprises a complement of alphanumeric keys.

20. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said keyboard portion is a split keyboard, said split keyboard comprising a left side portion and a separately located right side portion, said two portions comprising a complement of input keys.

21. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said sled further comprises a gaming control portion coupled to said interface connector and adapted to provide gaming input and control.

22. The system as recited in claim 16 wherein said sled further comprises a wireless modem.

23. The system as recited in claim 22 wherein said wireless modem is Bluetooth enabled.