Stylus keyboard

• US 9,383,836 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2015
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Natarajan, Vijayarani
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Ilana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Nguyen H
• Application Number:
  US14/969,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20160098106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 203 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• 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 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display

Abstract

A combination of a stylus and a keyboard. A collapsible keyboard portion is coupled to a stylus tip. When in a collapsed state, the apparatus may be used as a stylus, or stored in a receptacle or a user'"'"'s pocket. When a keyboard is needed, the stylus keyboard may be unrolled or unfolded, and used to control an electronic device via a wireless connection between a transceiver on the stylus keyboard and the electronic device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed by a collapsible keyboard when the collapsible keyboard is in a collapsed state, the collapsible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge portion, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the rollable keyboard portion being rolled around the edge portion to form a cylindrical shaft that acts as a stylus body, and wherein the collapsible keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the edge portion;

a battery;

a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit keystrokes to a mobile device;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the collapsible keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the collapsible keyboard, and a profile associated with the mobile device.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising

a first fastening mechanism that retains the collapsible keyboard in the collapsed state;

and

a second fastening mechanism located on an opposite edge portion of the collapsible keyboard, wherein the second fastening mechanism retains the collapsible keyboard in an extended state on a surface external to the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stylus tip is conductive.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the stylus tip is conductive, and wherein the stylus tip is used to operate a resistive touch screen.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein communications are enabled between the transceiver and the mobile device in response to a keystroke combination detected at the collapsible keyboard.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

7. A stylus comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed from a flexible keyboard, the flexible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge region that is attached to the touch-sensitive regions, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the rollable keyboard portion being rolled around the edge region to form a cylindrical shaft that acts as a stylus body, and wherein the flexible keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the edge region;

a transceiver that is configured to wirelessly transmit keystrokes to a device;

a memory;

a battery;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the flexible keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the flexible keyboard to the device, and a profile associated with the device.

8. The stylus of claim 7, wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

9. The stylus of claim 7, further comprising a contact point in electrical communication with the battery, wherein the contact point enables charging of the battery by an external power source.

10. The stylus of claim 9, wherein the external power source comprises a further battery associated with the device.

11. The stylus of claim 7, wherein the device comprises a receptacle that houses the stylus handle, and wherein the battery is inductively charged when the stylus is located at the receptacle.

12. The stylus of claim 11, wherein upon removing the stylus from the receptacle, the device launches an application to receive a command from the stylus, wherein the command comprises a keystroke combination.

13. The stylus of claim 7, wherein the stylus tip is conductive.

14. The stylus of claim 7, wherein the stylus tip is conductive, and wherein the stylus tip is used to operate a resistive touch screen.

15. A device comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed by a foldable keyboard when the foldable keyboard is in a folded state, the foldable keyboard comprising a foldable keyboard portion comprising a plurality of fold lines and touch-sensitive regions, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the foldable keyboard portion being collapsed to act as a stylus body, and wherein the foldable keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the foldable keyboard;

a transceiver that is configured to wirelessly transmit keystrokes to a mobile device;

a memory;

a battery;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the foldable keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the foldable keyboard to the mobile device, and a profile associated with the mobile device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the foldable keyboard is inserted into a receptacle of the mobile device when the foldable keyboard is in the folded state.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the mobile device comprises:

a receptacle; and

a mechanical switch located within the receptacle, wherein upon activation of the mechanical switch by insertion of the device within the receptacle, the mobile device charges the battery, wherein upon deactivation of the mechanical switch by removing the device from the receptacle, the mobile device launches an application to receive a command from the device.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the command comprises a keystroke combination.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the stylus tip is conductive.