Providing input data

• US 20070146313A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peratech Limited
• Original Assignee: Peratech Limited
• Inventors: Newman, Andrew, Walkington, Stuart, Beagley, Tania
• Application Number:
  US11/601,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20070146313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• 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: H01H 2223/026 Hook and loop

Abstract

Apparatus for covering a portable computer of the type provided with a touch screen as an alternative to a keyboard. A rectangular fabric bag has an opening at one of the smaller ends of the rectangle for receiving the portable computer. The bag includes a fabric surface sensitive to the manual application of pressure, key positions defined on the fabric surface and a control circuit for identifying mechanical interactions to generate output data. The portable computer includes an interface and executable instructions for interpreting said output data. The interface may be a mechanical interface or a radio interface.

Claims

1. Apparatus for covering a portable computer of the type provided with a touch screen as an alternative to a keyboard, the apparatus comprising:

a rectangular fabric bag with an opening at one of the smaller ends of the rectangle for receiving said portable computer;

said bag including;

a fabric surface sensitive to the manual application of pressure;

key positions defined on said surface; and

a control circuit for identifying mechanical interactions to generate output data;

said portable computer including a connection interface and executable instructions for interpreting said output data.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computer is a tablet PC of the type that is smaller than a notebook PC but larger than a personal organiser.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a flap for closing over said opening.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, including a securing device for said flap.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control circuit includes a housing attached to said fabric surface that is covered by said flap when said flap closes said opening.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fabric surface is sensitive to manual presses and to gesticular movements.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit is configured to detect the position of a mechanical interaction and the degree of applied pressure.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connection interface is a mechanical interface, such as a USB interface.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interface is a radio interface, such as a ZigBee interface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first surface includes alpha-numeric keys for operation when the computer is out of the bag and audio control keys for operation when the computer is in the bag.