Stylus keyboard

• US 9,575,577 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2016
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• 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:
  US15/201,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20160334893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 233 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 stylus comprising:

a collapsible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge portion, wherein the rollable keyboard portion is configured to form a stylus handle by 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 transceiver that wirelessly transmits keystrokes;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the collapsible keyboard to the memory, the processor, and the transceiver.

2. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive regions further comprise a navigation pad.

3. The stylus of claim 1, further comprising a battery.

4. The stylus of claim 3, 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.

5. The stylus of claim 4, wherein the external power source comprises a mobile communications device.

6. The stylus of claim 3, wherein the battery is configured for inductive charging when located at a receptacle formed in a mobile communications device to house the stylus.

7. The stylus of claim 1, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the collapsible keyboard and a profile associated with a mobile communications device.

8. A device comprising:

a collapsible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge portion, wherein the rollable keyboard portion is configured to form a stylus handle by 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 transceiver that wirelessly transmits keystrokes;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the collapsible keyboard to the memory, the processor, and the transceiver.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the touch-sensitive regions further comprise a navigation pad.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a battery.

11. The device of claim 10, 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.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the external power source comprises a mobile communications device.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the battery is configured for inductive charging when located at a receptacle formed in a mobile communications device to house the stylus body.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the collapsible keyboard and a profile associated with a mobile communications device.

15. A stylus 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 wirelessly transmits keystrokes;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the foldable keyboard to the memory, the processor, and the transceiver.

16. The stylus of claim 15, wherein the touch-sensitive regions further comprise a navigation pad.

17. The stylus of claim 15, further comprising a battery.

18. The stylus of claim 17, 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.

19. The stylus of claim 18, wherein the external power source comprises a mobile communications device.

20. The stylus of claim 17, wherein the battery is configured for inductive charging when located at a receptacle formed in a mobile communications device to house the stylus.