Universal remote computer keyboard

• US 6,902,332 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: McLoone, Hugh E.
• Primary Examiner(s): COLILLA, DANIEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US10/631,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20050025550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/486, 341/22, 345/168, 345/169, 361/68
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• 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: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42214 using alphanumerical characters

Abstract

A computer keyboard is configured for navigation of a graphical user interface of a host computer. A keyboard includes a keyboard processor enclosed within a keyboard housing. The keyboard includes a remote control portion which laterally disposed from an alphanumeric section and having a set of keys for being in electrical communication with the keyboard processor. The remote control portion can be removably coupleable with the keyboard housing. A keyboard housing may include a receiving portion which is adapted to receive a remote control body therein.

Claims

1. A wireless computer keyboard configured for wireless communication with a computer, comprising:

a keyboard housing;

a keyboard processor disposed within the housing;

an alphanumeric section included with the housing, the alphanumeric section including a group of alphanumeric keys being operatively connected to the keyboard processor; and

a remote control portion configured to operate a graphical user interface, the remote control portion being disposed laterally from the alphanumeric section and having a plurality of remote control keys including a first cluster of transport control keys, a second cluster of source control keys, and a graphical user interface key, the remote control keys for being in electrical communication with the keyboard processor;

wherein the remote control portion is mateable with the keyboard housing, and the keyboard processor is mateable with the remote portion for bidirectional communications.

2. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, wherein the remote control portion is removably coupleable with the keyboard housing via a media control interface configured to receive input from the remote control keys.

3. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 2, wherein the remote control portion includes a control processor, which receives input from said remote control keys and transfers said input to the keyboard processor.

4. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, wherein the remote control portion includes a control processor for receiving input from a key of the set of remote control keys.

5. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, wherein the remote control portion includes a control processor, which receives input from said remote control keys and transfers said input to the keyboard processor.

6. The computer keyboard in accordance to claim 1, wherein the remote control portion is adapted to attach to the keyboard housing in a groove.

7. The computer keyboard in accordance to claim 1, wherein the remote control portion is adapted to attach to the keyboard housing in a receiving slot.

8. The computer keyboard in accordance to claim 1, wherein the keyboard housing is formed with mating case members and wherein the remote control portion is adapted to attach to one of the case members.

9. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, wherein the remote control portion includes a housing in an abutment relationship with the keyboard housing.

10. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, wherein the remote control portion includes a control processor, which receives input from said remote control keys and transfers said input to the keyboard processor.

11. The computer keyboard in accordance with claim 1, in which the keyboard housing further includes at least two opposing housing members being hingedly attached.