Dual side dockable keyboard base with bi-directional wireless charging function for 2 in 1 devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11209861-B2
Application number	US-201616083796-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 1, 2016
Priority date	Apr 1, 2016
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

Methods and apparatus relating to a dual side dockable keyboard base with bidirectional wireless charging function for 2 in 1 devices are described. In an embodiment, a 2 in 1 device base provides data input functionality to a tablet portion of the 2 in 1 device and/or wireless charging functionality. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a base having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the base is to provide a data input functionality to a tablet and a wireless charging functionality,
wherein the first surface is to include an input device to provide the data input functionality and the second surface is to include a wireless charging pad to provide the wireless charging functionality, wherein a first end of the base comprises a dual sided cradle capable to receive the tablet on either side of the dual sided cradle, wherein a round area of the dual sided cradle at the first end of the base is to provide a roll-in and roll-out docking mechanism for the tablet to respectively engage and disengage the base, wherein the dual sided cradle is to have symmetrical physical features about a center line of the base, wherein the symmetrical physical features comprise at least two elongated features, wherein the two elongated features are to extend in opposite directions from the center line of the base to form the dual sided cradle, wherein the symmetrical physical features are to provide three surfaces, wherein two surfaces of the three surfaces are to provide the roll-in and roll-out docking mechanism and a third surface of the three surfaces, disposed between the two surfaces, is to allow the base to rest vertically on a desk or desktop.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is to be tapered from the first end of the base to a second end of the base to provide an elevation difference between the first end and the second end when the base is placed on a surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first end of the base is to be higher than the second end of the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the surface comprises a desktop or a user's lap.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dual sided cradle is capable to receive a digital pen on either side of the dual sided cradle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the dual sided cradle is to physically or magnetically engage the digital pen.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises one or more of: a keyboard or a trackpad.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless charging pad is to provide bi-directional wireless charging.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) type C connector to facilitate data communication and supply of power to one or more components of the base or the tablet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a battery to be charged via energy to be received at the wireless charging pad.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second surface further comprises a second input device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the second input device comprises one or more of: a drawing pad, an electronic ink, or one or more buttons.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the one or more buttons are fixed or configurable.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is on an opposite side of the second surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a connector to provide a physical coupling between the base and the tablet once the tablet is docked into one side of the dual sided cradle, wherein the connector is to provide data or power transfer support between the base and the tablet.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is to have symmetrical physical features about the center line of the base.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wireless charging pad is capable to charge one or more external devices.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two elongated features is capable to rest on a desk or desktop.

19. An apparatus comprising:
a base having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the base is to provide a data input functionality to a tablet and a wireless charging functionality,
wherein the first surface is to include an input device to provide the data input functionality and the second surface is to include a wireless charging pad to provide the wireless charging functionality, wherein a round area of the base at a first end of the base is to provide a roll-in and roll-out docking mechanism for the tablet to respectively engage and disengage the base, wherein the round area of the base at the first end of the base is to have symmetrical physical features about a center line of the base, wherein the symmetrical physical features comprise at least two elongated features, wherein the two elongated features are to extend in opposite directions from the center line of the base to form a dual sided cradle, wherein the symmetrical physical features are to provide three surfaces, wherein two surfaces of the three surfaces are to provide the roll-in and roll-out docking mechanism and a third surface of the three surfaces, disposed between the two surfaces, is to allow the base to rest vertically on a desk or desktop.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the base is to be tapered from the first end of the base to a second end of the base to provide an elevation difference between the first end and the second end when the base is placed on a surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the first end of the base is to be higher than the second end of the base.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the surface comprises a desktop or a user's lap.

23. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the input device comprises one or more of: a keyboard or a trackpad.

24. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the wireless charging pad is to provide bi-directional wireless charging.

25. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the base comprises a battery to be charged via energy to be received at the wireless charging pad.

Assignees

• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Ku Jeff
• Sung Gavin
• Hamlin Christopher J
• Wang Ivan By
• Tsai Simon

Classifications

• G06F3/02

  Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials · CPC title

• G06F1/1632 Primary

  External expansion units, e.g. docking stations · CPC title

• G06F1/1669

  Detachable keyboards · CPC title

• H02J50/10

  using inductive coupling · CPC title

• G06F1/26

  Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof (for memories G11C) · CPC title