Chording sheath for computing device

• US 8,803,831 B1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Starner, Thad Eugene, Priest-Dorman, Greg Ellis
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, DUC Q
• Application Number:
  US13/428,130
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345173-181
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A chording sheath device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the chording sheath device includes an outer shell configured to be removeably attached to a computing device, a plurality of input elements, and a plurality of mechanical elements in communication with the plurality of input elements. The mechanical elements are configured to press on a touch screen of the computing device in response to chorded input received on the input elements.

Claims

1. A sheath for a computing device comprising:

an outer shell configured to be removeably attached to a computing device, wherein the outer shell includes a first side and a second side;

a plurality of input elements, wherein one or more input elements are arranged on the first side of the outer shell, and wherein one or more input elements are arranged on the second side of the outer shell; and

a plurality of mechanical elements physically connected to a corresponding input element of the plurality of input elements;

wherein the plurality of mechanical elements are configured to press on a contact location of a touch screen of the computing device in response to chorded input received on the input elements, and wherein the computing device includes software that enables the computing device to recognize chorded input.

2. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the input elements are pressure sensitive buttons that provide tactile feedback.

3. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the input elements are activated by partial contact.

4. The sheath of claim 1 further comprising four input elements arranged on the first side of the outer shell and three input elements arranged on the second side of the outer shell.

5. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the computing device includes hardware that enables the computing device to recognize chorded input.

6. The sheath of claim 1 wherein the computing device is a mobile device.

7. A system comprising:

a mobile device comprising a touch screen; and

a sheath removably attached to the mobile device including a first side and a second side, wherein the sheath includes a plurality of input elements associated with a plurality of contact locations on the touch screen, wherein one or more input elements are arranged on the first side of the sheath and one or more input elements are arranged on the second side of the sheath, and wherein each input element is physically connected to a corresponding mechanical element that is configured to press against the touch screen at a respective contact location in response to the input element being activated;

wherein the mobile device includes software which enables the mobile device to recognize presses at the contact locations of the touch screen as chorded input.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the input elements are activated by presses, and the activation of the input elements provide feedback.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the input elements are activated by contact or partial contact.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the mechanical element comprises a pin.

11. The system of claim 7 further comprising four input elements arranged on the first side of the sheath and three input elements arranged on the second side of the sheath.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the computing device includes hardware that enables the computing device to recognize chorded input.