Multiple position input device cover
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a cover portion configured to be selectively disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device;
a keyboard disposed in the cover portion to generate signals to be processed by the computing device;
a flexible hinge configured to facilitate rotational movement of the cover portion into multiple different positions relative to the computing device, the flexible hinge including a mid-spine providing mechanical stiffness to a particular location of the flexible hinge; and
a connection portion attached to the cover portion through the flexible hinge, the connection portion including a spine, the spine increasing mechanical stiffness of the connection portion, and configured to magnetically join the cover portion, through the flexible hinge, to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device disposed within the connection portion to align the connection portion to the computing device, the magnetic coupling device implementing a flux fountain.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Flexible hinge spine 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 apparatus comprising:
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a cover portion configured to be selectively disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device; a keyboard disposed in the cover portion to generate signals to be processed by the computing device; a flexible hinge configured to facilitate rotational movement of the cover portion into multiple different positions relative to the computing device, the flexible hinge including a mid-spine providing mechanical stiffness to a particular location of the flexible hinge; and a connection portion attached to the cover portion through the flexible hinge, the connection portion including a spine, the spine increasing mechanical stiffness of the connection portion, and configured to magnetically join the cover portion, through the flexible hinge, to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device disposed within the connection portion to align the connection portion to the computing device, the magnetic coupling device implementing a flux fountain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An input device comprising:
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a cover portion configured to be selectively disposed over at least a portion of a display device of a computing device, the cover portion formed using layers of fabric and having conductors formed as flexible traces; an input portion disposed in the cover portion configured to generate signals to be processed by the computing device; a flexible hinge, through which the flexible traces are routed to the computing device, the flexible hinge supporting a desired minimum bend radius based on an operational flexibility of the conductors; and a connection portion attached to the cover portion through the flexible hinge, the connection portion configured to communicatively couple the cover portion to the computing device via the flexible traces, and to magnetically join the cover portion through the flexible hinge to the computing device using a magnetic coupling device, the magnetic coupling device implementing a flux fountain. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising
a computing device including a display device; - and
an input device including; a cover portion configured to be selectively disposed over at least a portion of the display device of the computing device, the cover portion formed using layers of fabric; a keyboard disposed in the cover portion to generate signals to be processed by the computing device; a hinge attached to the cover portion, the hinge formed using layers of fabric; conductors disposed in the cover portion and routed through the hinge, the conductors formed as flexible traces; and a connection portion attached to the cover portion via the hinge, the connection portion configured to facilitate arrangement of the cover portion into multiple different positions relative to the computing device, magnetically attach the cover portion to the computing device, and communicatively couple the cover portion to the computing device via the flexible traces disposed in the cover portion and routed through the hinge. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification