Flexible hinge and removable attachment
First Claim
1. An input device comprising:
- an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs;
a connection portion comprising;
at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and
a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and
a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge having;
one or more conductors configured to communicatively couple the keys with the communication contact; and
a mid-spine configured to supply mechanical stiffness to a location of the flexible hinge that includes the mid-spine.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs; a connection portion comprising; at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge having; one or more conductors configured to communicatively couple the keys with the communication contact; and a mid-spine configured to supply mechanical stiffness to a location of the flexible hinge that includes the mid-spine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An input device comprising:
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an input portion configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs; a connection portion comprising; at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge including a mid-spine that is configured to provide mechanical stiffness such that flexibility of the flexible hinge does not exceed a minimum bend radius that is defined at least in part based on an operational flexibility of the conductors to communicatively couple the connection portion with the input portion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An input device comprising:
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an input portion configured to generate signals to be processing by a computing device as inputs; a connection portion that is configured to be removably attachable to the computing device and includes at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly and communicatively connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge including a mid-spine configured to provide mechanical stiffness to the flexible hinge such that the flexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to; permit movement along a first axis to orient the input device in a first orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device and a second orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device that is opposite of a side of the housing that includes the display device; and restrict movement along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification