Split Keyboard Patents (Class 361/679.14)
  • Patent number: 11092997
    Abstract: A computing system includes an electronic device, a cover or case for the electronic device, and an input device that is slidably movable yet attached to the cover or case. By positioning the electronic device on top of the input device, rotation of the electronic device which changes its vertical viewing angle also translates the input device. These can provide improved overall possible viewing angle adjustability, increased system stability at high viewing angles, laptop-like opening and closing behavior, lighter weight, and implementation using low-cost components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Santhana K. Balaji, Guangtao Zhang, John Raff, Ryan P. Brooks
  • Patent number: 9436230
    Abstract: A hinge which may be used for example in portable electronic devices may raise the upper body of the device from the lower body in response to rotation of the upper body about the hinge. The need to include a half-pipe section on the upper surface of the lower body maybe avoided. Thus more internal space of the lower body may be used without having to accommodate for the hinge. In an exemplary embodiment, the hinge may include a cam surface. The cam surface may be configured to shift a longitudinal axis of the hinge on response to the rotation of the upper body. In some embodiments, the shift of the longitudinal axis may be away from the lower body allowing a rear edge of the upper body to move across a rear edge of an upper surface of the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Chin Kai Lee, Akinori Uchino, Takuroh Kamimura
  • Patent number: 9158341
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base, a keyboard module, a pushing assembly, a display module, and a sliding assembly. The base includes a front end and a rear end. The keyboard module includes two keyboard portions; each keyboard portion is moveably combined with the base by at least one moving structure. The pushing assembly includes two pushing elements combined moveably with the base. The display module includes a connecting end and a support portion. The sliding assembly includes a slide corresponding element disposed in the base and a sliding element pivoted on the connecting end and moved along the slide corresponding element. When the connecting end moves towards the front end with the slide element, the pushing assembly pushes and moves the moving structures by the slide element, and the two keyboard portions are separated; then the connecting end is moved through the keyboard module with the slide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Chang Lai, Shang-Mao Lee, Chun-Chien Chen, Hung-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 9007753
    Abstract: A cover for a portable electronic device includes a keyboard for electrically communicating with the portable electronic device. The cover includes a back cover body for coupling to a back side of the portable electronic device, and a front cover body coupled to the back cover body and foldable relative thereto. The back cover body is movable relative to the portable electronic device such that a first portion of the back cover body slides away from a back side of the portable electronic device. The front cover body is foldable to stack a keyboard portion, on which the keyboard is disposed, and a support portion of the front cover body. The first portion of the back cover body, the support portion, and the keyboard portion are stacked when the keyboard is exposed for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 8995115
    Abstract: A portable computing device includes at least a base portion of a lightweight material that includes at least a wedge shaped top case having a trough formed at an interfacing edge thereof. The trough includes a raised portion having a first contact surface and a receiving area, and a bottom case coupled to the top case to form a complete housing for at least a portion of the portable computing device for enclosing at least a plurality of operational components and a plurality of structural components. The portable computing device also includes at least a lid portion pivotally connected to the base portion by a hinge assembly. In the described embodiments, the lid portion has a display in communication with one or more of the plurality of components in the base portion by way of or more electrical conductors that electrically connect the base portion to the lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Euan Abraham, John M. Brock, Matthew P. Casebolt, Robert L. Coish, Laura M. DeForest, Michelle Goldberg, Bradley Joseph Hamel, Ron Hopkinson, Jim Hwang, Caitlin E. Kalinowski, Steven Keiper, Patrick Kessler, Eugene Kim, Chris Ligtenberg, Jay K. Osborn, John Raff, Nicholas A. Rundle, David J. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20150085437
    Abstract: An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys (205) is formed in at least two segments (202, 203) which are mutually movable relative- to one another using a hinge or joint (206). Each of the segments (202, 203) of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys (205). The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint (206) is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle (100), in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint (206). The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Chris Linegar, Mark Norwalk
  • Patent number: 8934239
    Abstract: A base capable of containing a data cable includes a housing, and a winding mechanism. The data cable has a first connector plug, a second connector plug and a transmitting wire connecting between them. The housing defines an opening. The winding mechanism is received in the housing and has a winding member and a driving member. The winding member is rotatably mounted inside the housing, the driving member is fixed on the driving member. The first connector plug is passed through the housing via the opening, the driving member generates an elastic force if the transmitting wire is pulled out to connect to another device. The driving member automatically rewinds the transmitting wire when the external connection is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cong-Bing Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140198444
    Abstract: A keyboard that is attached on to the back of a mobile computing device, having keys that are facing rearward away from the user as the user holds and faces the display screen of the mobile computing device. When the user holds the mobile computing device with both hands at the bottom or side edges, his/her fingers are free to press the rearward-facing keys of the attached keyboard. The keys are divided into one partial field for the left-hand fingers and another partial field for the right-hand fingers. The keys within their respective partial fields are placed in mirror-opposite of the positions that would have been in a front-facing keyboard that is laid before the user. This rearward-facing key orientation allows the user to use the same rapid typing system, such as that of the QWERTY keyboard layout, on the rearward-facing keyboard as he/she would on a traditional front-facing keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Sze Wai Kwok
  • Patent number: 8749962
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Crooijmans, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8724303
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body, a first cover and a second cover. The main body includes a display formed on a surface thereof. The first cover is rotatably connected to one end of the main body and the second cover is rotatably connected to another end of the main body. When the first cover and the second cover are in a closed state, the first cover and the second cover are positioned at an opposite surface of the display. When the first cover and the second cover are unfolded like wings to be in an open state, the first cover and the second cover are positioned to extend from opposite sides of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8693177
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism and a foldable ergonomic keyboard having the same are disclosed. The hinge mechanism includes a pair of operating modules and a linking unit. Each operating module has an accommodating housing, a locking assembly received in the accommodating housing, a latch member connected to one end of the accommodating housing for controlling a displacement of the locking assembly, and a spherical member received in the accommodating housing. The other end of the accommodating housing is formed with a positioning slot. The linking unit has two ends respectively passed through the positioning slots and connected to the spherical members. The hinge mechanism connects two input sections via the accommodating housings, and the latch member can selectively arranged to press tightly the spherical member in the accommodating housing or release the spherical member. Thus, the two input sections can be adjusted in different postures or folded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Fu-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8686945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing device input apparatus (1) for inputting characters, in particular graphics characters and/or commands, by—manual actuation, in particular finger contact with input field elements (3) of an input field (4), the input field (4) being divided into two input partial fields (5, 6), the individual input partial fields (5, 6) being arranged on a base (7) so as to be set apart from each other viewed in the axial direction, and the input surfaces (24, 25) of the input partial fields (5, 6) opposing each other in the working position and a reproduction component (8) for the visual detectability of the input surfaces (24, 25) of the input field (4) being associated with said input surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Jarczyk
  • Patent number: 8649164
    Abstract: A keyboard that is attached on to the back of a mobile computing device, having keys that are facing rearward away from the user as the user holds and faces the display screen of the mobile computing device. When the user holds the mobile computing device with both hands at the bottom or side edges, his/her fingers are free to press the rearward-facing keys of the attached keyboard. The keys are divided into one partial field for the left-hand fingers and another partial field for the right-hand fingers. The keys within their respective partial fields are placed in mirror-opposite of the positions that would have been in a front-facing keyboard that is laid before the user. This rearward-facing key orientation allows the user to use the same rapid typing system, such as that of the QWERTY keyboard layout, on the rearward-facing keyboard as he/she would on a traditional front-facing keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Sze Wai Kwok
  • Patent number: 8591128
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising a first assembly and a second assembly, said first assembly being connected to said second assembly by and extendable mechanism, said extendable mechanism being configured to extend an input area when the first assembly is moved with respect to the second assembly from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolaj Heiberg Bestle, Teppo Tapani Jokinen
  • Patent number: 8582280
    Abstract: A foldable keyboard for a portable computer includes a keyboard body which comprises two keyboard pieces hinge-coupled by a hinge unit in order to be unfolded in a direction parallel to a keyboard plane. Another embodiment of the invention is a foldable keyboard, which includes: a guide unit at which a long hole is formed along its length; and a keyboard body which comprises two keyboard pieces hinge-coupled to the guide unit by a hinge unit. The keyboard pieces can be unfolded in a direction parallel to a keyboard plane into its extended state. As the keyboard pieces unfold, the hinge unit slides along the long hole as the keyboard edges, which are facing each other, are stuck together. Thus, the two keyboard pieces are hinge-coupled to each other to reverse their vertical and horizontal directions as the keyboard body is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Sang Kyu Ryu
  • Patent number: 8564942
    Abstract: A foldable keyboard includes a main keyboard and a sub keyboard. The main keyboard includes a first edge, first keys, and a first housing on the first edge. The first housing defines a first recess with at least one inlet communicating with the first recess. The sub keyboard includes a second rotatably coupled to the first edge of the main keyboard, second keys, a second housing, a latching member, and at least one ejecting member. The second housing defines a second recess with at least one outlet and at least one cavity communicating with the second recess. The latching member is movably received in the second recess. The at least one ejecting member is respectively received in the at least one cavity and can be moved to eject the latching member out of the at least one outlet and into the at least one inlet of the main keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Qun Jiang
  • Patent number: 8472173
    Abstract: An electric apparatus is provided in which it is possible to connect a signal line to multiple key panels which are rotatably attached to a main body chassis. The electric apparatus has multiple first hinges and multiple second hinges. The first hinge rotatably attaches a panel to the second hinge. Further, the second hinges are rotatably attached to a main body of the electric apparatus. The multiple second hinges are rotatably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sendoda
  • Patent number: 8405615
    Abstract: A pair of essentially similarly configured computer input controllers including a first controller and a second controller. Each of the controllers has a front, a rear, an intermediate section, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, and a bottom. A hand rest area is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the front. Each controller is at a lower elevation adjacent to the front and a higher elevation adjacent to the intermediate section. A track ball is rotationally supported in the interior surface adjacent to the intermediate section of the second controller. A keyboard portion is formed on the top of each of the controllers adjacent to the rear. A plurality of buttons is on the top of each of the controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Mark A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8325470
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a lid and a main body rotatably connected to each other. The main body includes a lower housing, an upper housing, a keyboard, a cover disposed on the upper housing, and a driving member. The keyboard is disposed on the upper housing and includes a first keyboard and a second keyboard coupled to each other. The driving mechanism is used to drive the first keyboard and the second keyboard to switch between a fist position and a second position. In the first state, a portion of the first keyboard is shielded by the cover, and in the second state, the first keyboard and the second keyboard are totally exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Wu, Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 8310823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable digital computer having a housing on which a keyboard, a detachable mouse and a swivelling monitor are disposed. The housing (10, 11) is configured in two parts and contains the accumulators only. The two housing parts can be swivelled by another hinge (12, 13) parallel to the first, and the keyboard (15) can be detached from the housing. A CD-ROM player (30) and the data processor are accommodated behind the monitor (14). The two housing parts (10, 11) can be laid one upon the other and serve as a support structure for the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Henning Stoltz
  • Patent number: 8238084
    Abstract: A notebook computer includes an main body defining a receiving groove therein, an auxiliary keyboard slidably accommodated in the receiving groove and electrically connected to the input part, and a cover pivotally connected to one side of the opening and configured for covering the opening when the auxiliary is received in the receiving groove. The auxiliary keyboard includes a number of auxiliary numeric keys arranged in rows and columns for inputting the numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhu Chen, Lei Liu
  • Patent number: 8164887
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a button assembly, two positioning elements, and a resisting plate. The housing defines a plurality of through holes. The button assembly includes buttons arranged in button rows. Each button row is received in one of the through hole. The positioning elements each are positioned at one side of the housing. The resisting plate and the positioning elements fix the button assembly to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Chao-Yuan Cheng
  • Publication number: 20110157804
    Abstract: A notebook computer includes an main body defining a receiving groove therein, an auxiliary keyboard slidably accommodated in the receiving groove and electrically connected to the input part, and a cover pivotally connected to one side of the opening and configured for covering the opening when the auxiliary is received in the receiving groove. The auxiliary keyboard includes a number of auxiliary numeric keys arranged in rows and columns for inputting the numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIAO-ZHU CHEN, LEI LIU
  • Patent number: 7889483
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a bottom cover, and a display unit, a main keyboard, and at least one secondary keyboards mounted on the bottom cover respectively. The bottom cover defines a first guiding slot. The display unit defines at least one second guiding slot. The second guiding slot crosses the first guiding slot and an angle between the first guiding slot and the second guiding slot is less than 90 degrees. Each of the secondary keyboard includes a positioning shaft passing through the first guiding slot and one of the second guiding slot. When the electronic device is closed, the main keyboard and the secondary keyboard are positioned between the display unit and the bottom cover. When the electronic device is opened, the second guiding slot drives the positioning shaft to slide along the first guiding slot, thus to expose the secondary keyboard and the main keyboard accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim-Yeung Sip, Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 7884803
    Abstract: A turntable-type input device includes a base, a first keyboard, a second keyboard and a turntable. The first keyboard and second keyboard are movably disposed on the base. The turntable is rotatably disposed on the base and located above the first keyboard and the second keyboard. The turntable is coupled to the first keyboard and the second keyboard. When the turntable is rotated, the turntable brings the first keyboard and the second keyboard synchronously to move in opposite directions relative to the base such that the first keyboard and the second keyboard are spread out from the base or received to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Jui-Yi Huang
  • Publication number: 20100079938
    Abstract: A balanced portable device that includes a rectangular housing, a rectangular display, and a split keyboard is described. The rectangular housing has a top face and a bottom face and the rectangular display is located on the top face. The split keyboard is configured to receive input that is shown on the rectangular display. The split keyboard includes a first retractable keyboard on a first end of the bottom face and the first keyboard includes a first battery. The split keyboard also includes a second retractable keyboard on an opposing end of the bottom face and the second keyboard also includes a second battery. The first retractable keyboard and the second retractable keyboard substantially weigh the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Dennis Paschke, Glen Allen Oross, Cheri Ann Delacy