Computer apparatus and computer system

• US 9,128,534 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Koganei, Masayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Benlagsir, Amine
• Application Number:
  US11/926,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20080122660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,871 Days
• Field of Search: 341/173, 341 20- 23, 345/168, 345/172
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits

Abstract

A computer apparatus including: a reception unit adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard; an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard; and a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus comprising:

a wireless interface that receives wireless signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard;

an attachment mechanism including first and second attachment sections to attach the keyboard;

a charging circuit that transfers power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus;

a sensor that detects whether the keyboard is folded; and

a charging control section that controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery when it is detected that the keyboard is folded,

wherein the charging control section controls the charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery when an interrupt condition based on an operation performed at the keyboard is satisfied.

2. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery according to a keyboard attachment condition.

3. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery according to a type of a program run by the computer apparatus.

4. The computer apparatus of claim 3, wherein the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery when the type of the program run by the computer apparatus is exited.

5. The computer apparatus of claim 4, wherein the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery when the type of the program run by the computer apparatus is exited and the battery is not fully charged.

6. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the first and the second attachment sections of the attachment mechanism support the keyboard rotatably around a given side of the keyboard,

the sensor further detects a rotational status of the keyboard, and

the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery when it is detected that the keyboard is folded, and not if the keyboard is in any other condition.

7. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery when it is detected that the keyboard is folded, and not if the keyboard is in any other condition.

8. The computer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface that indicates that the battery is being charged while the charging circuit transfers the power to the battery.

9. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor that further detects a magnetic force applied by a magnet included in the keyboard to detect a rotational status of the keyboard.

10. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the charging control section further controls the charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery when a wireless signal of the wireless signals is received at the computer apparatus indicating that a key has been pressed at the keyboard.

11. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second attachment sections include a plurality of recess portions.

12. The computer apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of recess portions of said each of the first and the second attachment sections receive a respective spring loaded protrusion portion included in the keyboard.

13. A computer apparatus comprising:

a keyboard including a battery and a wireless interface that wirelessly transmits signals associated with key inputs;

a second wireless interface that receives the signals from the keyboard;

an attachment mechanism including first and second attachment sections to attach the keyboard;

a charging circuit that transfers power in a non-contact manner to the battery of the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus;

a sensor that detects whether the keyboard is folded; and

a charging control section that controls the charging circuit to transfer the power to the battery of the keyboard when it is detected that the keyboard is folded,

wherein the charging control section controls the charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery of the keyboard when an interrupt condition based on an operation performed at the keyboard is satisfied.

14. A computer apparatus comprising:

a wireless interface that receives signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard;

means for attaching the keyboard;

means for transferring power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus;

means for detecting whether the keyboard is folded;

means for controlling the means for transferring to transfer the power to the battery when it is detected that the keyboard is folded; and

means for controlling a charging circuit to stop transferring the power to the battery when an interrupt condition based on an operation performed at the keyboard is satisfied.