Combined modular keyboard and tablet PC protective cover

• US 6,882,524 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2003
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Computing Incorporated (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: West, Jefferson Blake, Ulla, Imran
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US10/423,284
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-683, 361/686, 361/725, 361/727, 345/169, 400/88, 400/682, 708/100, 248/279.1, 248/442.2, 248917-923, 16366-368, 163/52, 163/71, 235/145.R, 710/303
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• 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 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards

Abstract

A modular keyboard (12) for a tablet personal computer (10) provides a cover on an outer side (16) for covering the base unit (14) screen (18) and an inner side (46). A key array (44) for key-based data entry into the base unit (14) mounts integrally to the inner side (46). A back support (48) supports the base unit (14) in a raised position relative to the key array (44) and presents the base unit (14) for monitoring data entry from the key array (44). The back support (48) is retractable to a recess (90) that is substantially parallel to the inner side (46). Side support arms (54) cooperate with the back support (48) for supporting the base unit (14) and holding the base unit (14) securely relative to the back support (48). The side support arms (54) are retractable to a recessed position substantially parallel to the inner side (46). A bus connector (78) connects and communicates key-based data between the key array (44) and the base unit (14).

Claims

1. A modular keyboard for a tablet personal computer, comprising:

a cover comprising an outer side for covering a tablet personal computer base unit and an inner side;

a key array for key-based data entry into the base unit, said key array mounting integrally to said inner side;

a back support for supporting said base unit in a raised position relative to said key array and presenting said base unit for monitoring data entry from said key array, said back support retractably associated with said inner side to retract into a recess that is substantially parallel to the inner side;

a side support mechanism for cooperating with said back support for supporting said base unit, said side support mechanism retractably associated with said inner side for retracting into a recessed position substantially parallel to the inner side; and

data input means for communicating key-based data between said key array and said base unit.

2. The modular keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a keyboard base, said keyboard base having a predetermined minimal thickness and further wherein said key array, said data input means, said back support, and said side support retract to a height not greater than approximately said predetermined minimal thickness.

3. The modular keyboard of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism associated with said back support for adjusting the angle of said base unit.

4. The modular keyboard of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing mechanism associated with said side support mechanism for securing the base unit relative to said back support.

5. The modular keyboard of claim 2, further comprising a spring loaded mechanism for automatically engaging said securing mechanism into a securing position upon raising said side support mechanism to support said base unit.

6. The modular keyboard of claim 1, wherein said data input means comprises a USB cable, said USB cable storable to a recessed slot.

7. The modular keyboard of claim 1, wherein said data input means comprises a wireless data communications mechanism.

8. A tablet personal computer having an integrated base unit and modular keyboard and stand unit, comprising:

a base unit comprising a personal computer; and

a modular keyboard and stand for the base unit, comprising;

a cover comprising an outer side for covering a tablet personal computer base unit and an inner side;

a key array for key-based data entry into the base unit, said key array mounting integrally to said inner side;

a back support for supporting said base unit in a raised position relative to said key array and presenting said base unit for monitoring data entry from said key array, said back support retractably associated with said inner side to retract into a recess that is substantially parallel to the inner side;

a side support mechanism for cooperating with said back support for supporting said base unit and holding base unit securely relative to said back support, said side support mechanism retractably associated with said inner side for retracting into a recessed position substantially parallel to the inner side; and

data input means for communicating key-based data between said key array and said base unit.

9. The tablet personal computer of claim 8, further comprising a keyboard base, said keyboard base having a predetermined minimal thickness and further wherein said key array, said data input means, said back support, and said side support retract to a height not greater than approximately said predetermined minimal thickness.

10. The tablet personal computer of claim 8, further comprising an adjustment mechanism associated with said back support for adjusting the angle of said base unit.

11. The tablet personal computer of claim 8, further comprising at least one securing mechanism associated with said side support mechanism for securing the base unit relative to said back support.

12. The tablet personal computer of claim 11, further comprising a spring loaded mechanism for automatically engaging said securing mechanism into a securing position upon raising said side support mechanism to support said base unit.

13. The tablet personal computer of claim 8, wherein said data input means comprises a USB cable, said USB cable storable to a recessed slot.

14. tablet personal computer of claim 8, wherein said data input means comprises a wireless data communications mechanism.

15. A method for protecting and providing key-based data entry into a tablet personal computer, comprising the steps of:

covering the tablet personal computer for protecting a base unit of the tablet personal computer when the tablet personal computer is in a stowed configuration using a cover comprising an outer side for shielding the base unit and an inner side; and

entering key-based data using a key array when the tablet personal computer is in an operating configuration, said key array mounting integrally to said inner side;

supporting said base unit in a raised position relative to said key array and presenting said base unit for monitoring data entry from said key array using a back support when the tablet personal computer is in a operating configuration, said back support retractably associated with said inner side to retract into a recess that is substantially parallel to the inner side when the tablet personal computer is in a stowed configuration;

supporting said base unit and holding base unit securely relative to said back support using a side support mechanism when the tablet personal computer is in a operating configuration, said side support mechanism retractably associated with said inner side for retracting into a recessed position substantially parallel to the inner side when the tablet personal computer is in a stowed configuration; and

communicating key-based data between said key array and said base unit using a data input means when the tablet personal computer is in an operating configuration.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of stowing within a keyboard base having a predetermined minimal thickness said key array, said data input means, said back support, and said side support to a retracted height not greater than approximately said predetermined minimal thickness.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of adjusting the angle of said base unit using an adjustment mechanism associated with said back support.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of securing the base unit relative to said back support using at least one securing mechanism associated with said side support mechanism.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of automatically engaging said securing mechanism into a securing position upon raising said side support mechanism using a spring loaded mechanism.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of communicating data between said key array and said base unit using a USB cable, said USB cable storable to a recessed slot.