Keyboard sled with rotating screen

• US 9,261,909 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US12/732,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20110075339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,154 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.17, 361/679.41
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A keyboard sled adapted to communicatively interact with a portable computer system. In one embodiment, the keyboard sled is comprised of an integral receiving portion adapted to mechanically and electronically receive a portable computer system. An interface connector is disposed within the receiving portion and adapted to provide a communicative link between the keyboard sled and a portable computer system, when a portable computer system has been inserted in the receiving portion. The keyboard sled further has at least one mounting hook disposed within the receiving portion for providing positive retention of a portable computer system when coupled with the keyboard sled. A keyboard portion also present on the keyboard sled and also coupled with the interface connector provides input keys. The keyboard sled is also comprised of an integral data storage access slot which is adapted to provide access to a data storage device receptacle of the portable computer system. The keyboard sled also adds input functionality to the portable computer system.

Claims

1. A keyboard device to communicate with a portable computer system, the keyboard device comprising:

a receiving portion to receive the portable computer system;

an interface connector disposed within the receiving portion to provide a communicative link between the keyboard device and the portable computer system, the communicative link being established when a corresponding connector of the portable computer system is mated with the interface connector;

a retaining mechanism provided with the receiving portion to provide retention of portable computer system in the receiving portion of the keyboard device;

a keyboard coupled to the interface connector and for providing keyboard inputs;

a communication port to enable the keyboard device to connect to another computer system; and

a controller circuit to enable the keyboard inputs to be provided to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

2. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion is structured to receive the portable computer system so that the interface connector mates with the corresponding connector of the portable computer system.

3. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism is provided with the receiving portion, such that when the portable computer system is coupled to the keyboard device, the retaining mechanism is insertable in a receiving slot of the portable computer system.

4. The keyboard device of claim 1, further comprising a power supply, and wherein the keyboard device is enabled to provide power to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

5. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard provides a plurality of alphanumeric keys.

6. The keyboard device of claim 5, wherein a set of the plurality of alphanumeric keys is arranged in a QWERTY keyboard arrangement.

7. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard device further comprises a wireless communication mechanism.

8. The keyboard device of claim 7, wherein the wireless communication mechanism is Bluetooth enabled.

9. The keyboard device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard device is enabled to use a power supply of the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

10. A gaming device to communicate with a portable computer system, the gaming device comprising:

a receiving portion to receive the portable computer system;

an interface connector disposed within the receiving portion to provide a communicative link between the gaming device and the portable computer system, the communicative link being established when a corresponding connector of the portable computer system is mated with the interface connector;

a retaining mechanism provided in the receiving portion to secure the portable computer system with the gaming device when coupled with the gaming device;

a plurality of gaming control input mechanisms coupled to the interface connector and for providing game control inputs;

a communication port to enable the gaming device to connect to another computer system; and

a controller circuit to enable the game control inputs to be provided to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the gaming device and the portable computer system.

11. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the receiving portion is structured to receive the portable computer system so that the interface connector mates with the corresponding connector of the portable computer system.

12. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the gaming device is enabled to use a power supply of the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the gaming device and the portable computer system.

13. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the retaining mechanism is provided with the receiving portion, such that when the portable computer system is coupled to the gaming device, the retaining mechanism is insertable in a receiving slot of the portable computer system.

14. The gaming device of claim 10, further comprising a power supply, and wherein the gaming device is enabled to provide power to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the gaming device and the portable computer system.

15. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of gaming control input mechanisms includes a joystick.

16. The gaming device of claim 10, wherein the gaming device further comprises a wireless communication mechanism.

17. The gaming device of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication mechanism is Bluetooth enabled.

18. A system comprising:

a) a portable computer system; and

b) a keyboard device comprising;

a receiving portion to receive the portable computer system;

an interface connector disposed within the receiving portion to provide a communicative link between the keyboard device and the portable computer system, the communicative link being established when a corresponding connector of the portable computer system is mated with the interface connector;

a retaining mechanism provided with the receiving portion to secure the portable computer system with the keyboard device when coupled with the keyboard device;

a keyboard coupled to the interface connector and for providing keyboard inputs;

a communication port to enable the keyboard device to connect to another computer system; and

a controller circuit to enable the keyboard inputs to be provided to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the receiving portion is structured to receive the portable computer system so that the interface connector mates with the corresponding connector of the portable computer system.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the retaining mechanism is provided with the receiving portion, such that when the portable computer system is coupled to the keyboard device, the retaining mechanism is insertable into a receiving slot of the portable computer system.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the keyboard device further comprises a power supply, and wherein the keyboard device is enabled to provide power to the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the keyboard provides a plurality of alphanumeric keys.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein a set of the plurality of input keys is arranged in a QWERTY keyboard arrangement.

24. The system of claim 18, wherein the keyboard device is enabled to use a power supply of the portable computer system when the communicative link is established between the keyboard device and the portable computer system.

25. The system of claim 18, wherein the keyboard device further comprises a wireless communication mechanism.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the wireless communication mechanism is Bluetooth enabled.