Flexible hinge and removable attachment

• US 9,904,327 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2014
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Whitt, III, David Otto, Wahl, Eric Joseph, Vandervoort, David C., Pleake, Todd David, Huala, Rob, Schneider, Summer L., McLaughlin, Robyn Rebecca Reed, Mickelson, Matthew David, Pelley, Joel Lawrence, Shaw, Timothy C., Groene, Ralf, Wang, Hua, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Aagaard, Karsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrera, Ramon M
• Application Number:
  US14/225,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20140204514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 36167909, 36167915, 36167917, 36167927-67929, 345168, 345169, 400472, 439 38- 40
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• 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 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• 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 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Flexible hinge and removable attachment 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.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

an input portion configured as a keyboard to generate signals from input received via keys of the keyboard;

a connection portion comprising;

a projection that is covered with a non-conductive material; and

a magnetic coupling device disposed within the projection and configured to magnetically secure the connection portion to a side of a housing; and

a flexible hinge that flexibly connects the connection portion to the input portion and supports rotational movement of the input portion in relation to the connection portion by bending around an axis as defined by a length of the side of the housing.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the non-conductive material is plastic.

3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device comprises a ferromagnetic material.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, further comprising a protrusion disposed on the projection that is configured to be received within a cavity formed in the side of the housing, the protrusion including a side that is configured to contact the cavity to support transmission of power for the input device.

5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the input portion comprises a conductive trace disposed within the input portion and coupled to the keys to facilitate communication of the signals, the conductive trace having an operational flexibility that permits the flexible hinge to repeatedly bend around the axis.

6. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling device is configured to form a physical coupling to a corresponding magnetic coupling device disposed within the side of the housing.

7. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the connection portion further includes a plurality of communication contacts that are configured to make contact with complementary contacts disposed within the side of the housing to provide a communicative coupling.

8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the signals generated from the input that is received via the keys of the keyboard are wireless signals that encode information indicative of typed keys.

9. An input device as described in claim 1, further comprising a protrusion disposed on the projection that is configured to be received within a cavity formed in the side of the housing, the protrusion configured to support a communicative coupling of the input device.

10. A device comprising:

a housing configured to support a mobile form factor;

a display device supported by the housing; and

one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware and disposed within the housing, the one or more modules configured to perform operations including to cause rendering of a user interface on the display device and process keystroke input signals generated by an input device configured as a keyboard that is communicatively and magnetically coupled to a side of the housing, the communicative coupling enabled by communication contacts of a connection portion of the input device that make contact with complementary contacts within the side of the housing, the communication contacts communicatively connected to keys of the keyboard via a conductive trace that is disposed in a flexible hinge that flexibly connects the input device to the connection portion and supports rotational movement of the input device in relation to the connection portion by bending around an axis as defined by a length of the side of the housing, and the magnetic coupling enabled by magnets disposed within the housing that are configured to form the magnetic coupling with a magnetic coupling device of the connection portion.

11. A device as described in claim 10, wherein the housing further includes a channel formed within the housing that includes at least one cavity configured to receive a protrusion of the input device to restrict removal of the input device from the channel, the cavity configured to permit removal of the protrusion along a second axis defined by a depth of the cavity and to resist removal along another axis that is different than the second axis.

12. A device as described in claim 11, wherein the cavity is configured to cause the protrusion to mechanically bind within the cavity along the second axis.

13. A device as described in claim 11, wherein the channel is configured to include a plurality of said cavities.

14. A device as described in claim 10, wherein the magnetic coupling device of the connection portion includes at least two magnets disposed in the connection portion.

15. A device as described in claim 10, wherein the magnets disposed in the housing are arranged in a flux fountain arrangement.

16. A device as described in claim 11, wherein the cavity is configured to support transmission of power from the input device.

17. A device as described in claim 10, wherein the keystroke input signals are wireless signals.

18. A system comprising:

a housing and an input device having a keyboard, the housing and the input device configured to be magnetically and communicatively coupled using;

a connection portion of the input device that includes a projection configured to be secured to a side of the housing by a magnetic coupling device that is disposed within the projection to form a magnetic coupling with at least one magnet disposed in the housing;

communication contacts of the projection that are configured to make contact with complementary contacts of the side of the housing to support the communicative coupling; and

a conductive trace disposed within the input device to provide a communicative coupling between keys of the keyboard and the communication contacts, the conductive trace further disposed within a flexible hinge that flexibly connects the keyboard to the connection portion and supports rotational movement of the keyboard in relation to the connection portion by bending around an axis as defined by a length of the side of the housing.

19. A system as described in claim 18, further comprising a protrusion disposed on the projection, the protrusion configured to be received within a cavity formed as part of a channel to restrict removal of the input device from the channel via mechanical binding caused by attempted off-axis removal.

20. A system as described in claim 19, wherein the protrusion and the cavity are configured to transmit power from the input device.