Sliding mechanism for device with two keyboards

• US 7,385,150 B1
• Filed: 12/28/2006
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Howard, Dane, Siddiqui, Kabir, Zellweger, Claude, Kim, Catherine, Towers, Chris Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer; Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US11/646,666
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5.R, 200/5.A, 200310-317, 200/333, 341/20, 341/22, 345/156, 345168-170, 345/173, 361/680, 379/422, 37942801-43307, 37943311-43313, 4555751-5758
• US Class Current: 200/5.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A device has a moving display that alternatively hides two keyboards. As the display is moved to expose one keyboard, the device may take on different functionality than when the other keyboard is exposed. The sliding mechanism has a back plate with two guides, onto which are mounted the two keyboards. A sliding plate engages has at least two legs that engage the guides. Electrical signals are passed from components attached to the sliding plate to components attached to the back plate through signals routed along one of the sliding plate legs. A loop of cable is able to roll beneath the keyboard when the sliding plate is moved from one position to another. A spring may also be used between the sliding plate and back plate to hold the sliding plate at either extreme of its travel.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a back plate having at least two guides;

a first keyboard mounted to said back plate, said first keyboard having a top side having keys and a bottom side opposite to said top side;

a second keyboard mounted to said back plate, said second keyboard having a top side having keys and a bottom side opposite to said top side;

a sliding plate comprising;

a mounting area for a display;

at least two legs engageable to said at least two guides such that said first keyboard is exposed and said second keyboard covered in a first position, and said second keyboard exposed and said first keyboard covered in a second position; and

an electrical connection routed along one of said at least two legs and rolls offset from said bottom side of at least one of said first keyboard or said second keyboard.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first keyboard and said second keyboard are portions of a single keyboard.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a spring providing a retaining force to hold said sliding plate in at least one of said first position and said second position.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said spring is further providing a retaining force in both said first position and said second position.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a printed circuit board mounted offset from said bottom side of said keyboards.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an electronic sensor able to detect that said display is in at least one of said first position or said second position.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said electronic sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

8. The device of claim 6 further comprising:

a processor operating executable code changeable from a first mode of operating to a second mode of operating based on said electronic sensor.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said first mode of operating comprises telephony.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said second mode of operating comprises a media player.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one key mounted on said sliding plate.

12. A device comprising:

a first keyboard operates said device in a first mode;

a second keyboard operates said device in a second mode;

a display moveable from a first position to a second position, said first position exposing said first keyboard and hiding said second keyboard, said second position exposing said second keyboard and hiding said first keyboard;

a back plate having at least two guides and mounts said first keyboard and said second keyboard;

a sliding plate comprising;

a mounting area for said display;

at least two legs engaging said at least two guides; and

an electrical connection routed along one of said at least two legs and connecting said display to said first keyboard and said second keyboard.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said first keyboard and said second keyboard are portions of a single keyboard.

14. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

a spring providing a retaining force to hold said sliding plate in at least one of said first position and said second position.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said spring is further able to provide retaining force in both said first position and said second position.

16. The device of claim 12 further comprising:

an electronic sensor detecting that said display is in at least one of said first position or said second position.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said electronic sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

18. The device of claim 16 further comprising:

a processor operating executable code for changing from a first mode of operating to a second mode of operating based on said electronic sensor.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said first mode of operating comprises telephony.

20. A method comprising:

assembling a first keyboard to a back plate, said back plate having at least two guides, said first keyboard having a top side having keys and a bottom side opposite to said top side;

assembling a second keyboard to said back plate, said second keyboard having a top side having keys and a bottom side opposite to said top side;

mounting a display to a sliding plate, said slide plate comprising at least two legs engaging said at least two guides such that said first keyboard may be exposed and said second keyboard covered in a first position, and said second keyboard exposed and said first keyboard covered in a second position; and

making an electrical connection from said display to said first keyboard, said electrical connection being routed along one of said at least two legs and offset from said bottom side of at least one of said first keyboard or said second keyboard.