Input device for electronic device

• US 9,824,836 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACCO Brands Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ACCO Brands Incorporated
• Inventors: Robinson, Todd, Klinkman, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): Jimenez, Anthony R.
• Application Number:
  US15/155,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20170330710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 200 5 A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/00 Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 ; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/86 characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/039 Selective or different modes of illumination

Abstract

An input device for use with a first electronic device and a second electronic device includes a frame, a plurality of manually depressible input members supported by the frame, a communication module supported by the frame and operable to selectively communicate with the first electronic device and the second electronic device, and a switch supported by the frame and coupled to the communication module. The switch is operable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device. The input device also includes a light source coupled to the switch and positioned at least partially within the frame. The light source is operable to provide a backlight for the plurality of input members. The backlight is modified in response to actuation of the switch.

Claims

1. An input device for use with a first electronic device and a second electronic device, the input device comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of manually depressible input members supported by the frame;

a communication module supported by the frame and operable to selectively communicate with the first electronic device and the second electronic device;

a switch supported by the frame and coupled to the communication module, the switch operable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device; and

a light source coupled to the switch and positioned at least partially within the frame, the light source operable to provide a backlight for the plurality of input members, the backlight being modified in response to actuation of the switch to identify which one of the first electronic device or the second electronic device is connected to the input device.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the input device is a keyboard and the plurality of input members is a plurality of keys.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein a color of the backlight is modified in response to actuation of the switch.

4. The input device of claim 1, wherein an intensity of the backlight is modified in response to actuation of the switch.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the communication module includes a wireless transceiver that selectively communicates with the first electronic device.

6. The input device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of input members is actuatable to send an input command to the first and second electronic devices, and wherein the switch is a separate actuator from the plurality of input members.

7. The input device of claim 1, wherein the switch is movable between a first position, in which the communication device communicates with the first electronic device, and a second position, in which the communication device communicates with the second electronic device, and wherein the backlight is modified in response to movement between the first position and the second position.

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein the light source provides the backlight in a first color when the switch is in the first position and provides the backlight in a second color that is different than the first color when the switch is in the second position.

9. The input device of claim 1, wherein the switch includes a contact member that is manually actuatable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device.

10. The input device of claim 9, wherein the contact member is movable between a first position associated with the first electronic device, and a second position associated with the second electronic device.

11. An input device for use with a first electronic device and a second electronic device, the input device comprising:

a frame;

a plurality of manually depressible input members supported by the frame;

a communication module supported by the frame and operable to selectively communicate with the first electronic device and the second electronic device;

a switch supported by the frame and coupled to the communication module, the switch operable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device; and

a haptic feedback device coupled to the switch and supported by the frame, the haptic feedback device providing tactile feedback in response to actuation of the switch to identify which one of the first electronic device or the second electronic device is connected to the input device.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the switch is movable between a first position, in which the communication module communicates with the first electronic device, and a second position, in which the communication module communicates with the second electronic device, and wherein the haptic feedback device provides tactile feedback in response to movement between the first position and the second position.

13. The input device of claim 11, wherein the haptic feedback device is located on one of the plurality of input members, and wherein the haptic feedback device extends outwardly from the one of the plurality of input members in response to actuation of the switch.

14. The input device of claim 11, wherein the haptic feedback device includes a motor that vibrates the frame in response to actuation of the switch.

15. The input device of claim 11, wherein the communication module includes a wireless transceiver that selectively communicates with the first electronic device.

16. The input device of claim 11, wherein the switch includes a contact member that is manually actuatable to change whether the communication module communicates with the first electronic device or the second electronic device, and wherein the contact member is movable between a first position associated with the first electronic device, and a second position associated with the second electronic device.

17. The input device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of input members is actuatable to send an input command to the first and second electronic devices, and wherein the switch is a separate actuator from the plurality of input members.

18. The input device of claim 11, wherein the input device is a keyboard and the plurality of input members is a plurality of keys.

19. The input device of claim 18, wherein the frame includes a wrist support portion formed adjacent a row of the plurality of keys, and wherein the input device includes a button supported on the wrist support portion.

20. The input device of claim 19, wherein the button is a rocker pivotally coupled to the wrist support portion of the frame, wherein the rocker includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface, and wherein the rocker is pivotable relative to an upper surface of the wrist support portion between a first position, in which the first engagement surface extends above the upper surface and at least part of the second engagement surface is positioned below the upper surface, and a second position, in which at least part of the first engagement surface is positioned below the upper surface and the second engagement surface extends above the upper surface.

21. The input device of claim 19, wherein the button is slidable relative to an upper surface of the wrist support portion between a first position, in which at least part of the button extends above the upper surface, and a second position, in which the button is recessed below the upper surface.