Universal mobile keyboard

• US 6,999,008 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2002
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Actisys Corp.
• Original Assignee: Actisys Corp.
• Inventors: Yeh, Keming, Wang, Lichen, Yong, Siew Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG Q
• Application Number:
  US10/277,462
• Publication Number:
  US 20040075588A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/176, 345/169, 345/905, 345/168, 345/156, 345/158, 361/683, 361/680, 361/686, D14/317
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections

Abstract

A versatile and mobile keyboard and a highly energy efficient keyboard scanning method are provided. The keyboard may be used with a variety of mobile devices such as PDAs, cellular phones, and tablet PCs, through various interfaces such as an IR, USB, or Bluetooth™ interface. In particular, an IR head assembly is provided that includes an IR head, a movable arm on which the IR head is mounted, and a connector for attaching to a docking structure. The docking structure may be attached to a keypad, which is electrically coupled to the IR head for transmitting keystroke data through the IR head. When a mobile device is docked on the docking structure, the arm in the IR assembly may be moved to an optimal distance from the IR port of the mobile device to ensure high communication performance between the keyboard and the mobile device. An energy efficient keyboard scanning method utilizes higher-valued pull-up resistors for energy conservation. The keyboard scanning method includes a charging step to charge stray capacitance associated with the keys. The keyboard scanning method can also be operated at a variable scanning frequency.

Claims

1. A universal keyboard, comprising:

a docking structure for accommodating a mobile device;

an arm having a first end mounted on the docking structure at one end by a connector, and having a second freely movable end, such that the second freely movable end of the arm traces an arc centered about the connector over a predetermined range of angles;

an infrared (IR) head mounted on the freely movable end of the arm for receiving and transmitting data over a wireless link;

a keypad that is physically coupled to the docking structure, and providing electrical signals representing the keys on the keypad that are depressed by an external agent; and

a controller circuit receiving the electrical signals and converting the electrical signals into data for transmission by the IR head over the wireless link.

2. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the IR head includes an IR light emitting diode (LED).

3. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the IR head is powered by a battery.

4. The universal keyboard of claim 3, wherein the battery is a coin battery.

5. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector engages the arm to allow the arm to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the docking structure.

6. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a ball and socket device.

7. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a rotatable member.

8. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a hinge mechanism.

9. The universal keyboard of claim 5, wherein the connector includes a circular multi-hub copper contact structure.

10. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted on a surface of the docking structure on the outside of the universal keyboard in a folded configuration.

11. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted on a surface of the docking structure on the inside of the universal keyboard in a folded configuration.

12. The universal keyboard of claim 1, further comprises movable holders mounted on the docking structure to accommodate any of a plurality of mobile devices.

13. The universal keyboard of claim 12, wherein one or more of the holders are provided a spring-loaded mechanism for securing the mobile device.

14. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of keypad sections, wherein two of the sections are held together by a hinge, allowing the sections held to fold and unfold cooperatively.

15. The universal keyboard of claim 11, wherein the hinge comprises plates having engaged gear-like teeth that mesh during the folding and unfolding of the keypad sections.

16. The universal keyboard of claim 15, wherein plates are coupled by a face plate.

17. The universal keyboard of claim 14, wherein the key pad further comprises a latch for locking the two sections of the keypad into a predetermined position.

18. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keypad further comprises controls for operating a mouse.

19. The universal keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keypad further comprises controls for operating a cursor.

20. The universal keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a cover that folds over the docking structure in a folded position of the keyboard.

21. The universal keyboard of claim 20, wherein recesses are provided on the inside surface of the top cover to accommodate a removal storage device.

22. The universal keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a foldable stand for supporting the docking structure when the universal keyboard is in an unfolded position.

23. The universal keyboard of claim 22, further comprising grooves provided on a surface of the docking structure, each groove being provided for fixing the docking structure in a predetermined position.

24. The universal keyboard of claim 22, further comprising a protective cover that folds over the docking structure in a folded position of the keyboard, the protective cover having a plurality of grooves provided on one surface, wherein, in an unfolded position of the keyboard, the grooves are exposed to accommodate the stand, so as to support the docketing structure in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions.

25. The universal keyboard of claim 1, further comprises:

a protective cover that folds over the docking structure in a folded position of the keyboard; and

a connecting structure coupling the protective cover and the docking structure, the connecting structure placing both the protective cover and the docking structure into a predetermined configuration simultaneously as the universal keyboard is unfolded.