Foldable configurations for a thumb typing keyboard

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2015193009-A1
Application number	US-201314126305-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 29, 2013
Priority date	Jun 29, 2013
Publication date	Jul 9, 2015
Grant date	—

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that could include a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular example implementation of the electronic device may include a first portion that contains a first display; a second portion that further comprises a keyboard and a fold away area; and a hinge, where the hinge couples the first portion and the second portion, and where the fold away area can rotate with respect to the hinge. In certain cases, the fold away area can rotate with respect to the hinge to expose the keyboard for thumb typing.

First claim

1 - 21 . (canceled)

22 . An electronic device, comprising:
a first portion that contains a first display; a second portion that includes a keyboard and a fold away area; and a hinge, wherein the hinge couples the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the fold away area can rotate with respect to the hinge.

23 . The electronic device of claim 22 , wherein the fold away area can rotate with respect to the hinge to expose the keyboard for thumb typing.

24 . The electronic device of claim 22 , wherein the fold away area can rotate up to approximately one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to the hinge such that the fold away area can rotate proximate to the first portion.

25 . The electronic device of claim 22 , wherein the fold away area can rotate with respect to the hinge to provide a stand for the electronic device.

26 . The electronic device of claim 22 , wherein the keyboard is a virtual keyboard.

27 . The electronic device of claim 26 , wherein a portion of the fold away area includes a portion of the virtual keyboard prior to the fold away area being rotated with respect to the hinge.

28 . An electronic device, comprising:
a first portion that contains a first display; and a second portion that contains a keyboard, a first hinge, a second hinge, a first fold away area, and a second fold away area, wherein the first hinge couples the first fold away area to the keyboard and the second hinge couples the second fold away area to the keyboard.

29 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the first fold away area can rotate on the first hinge and the second fold away area can rotate on the second hinge to expose the keyboard for thumb typing.

30 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the first fold away area can rotate up to approximately one hundred and eighty degrees to a back portion of the keyboard on the first hinge and the second fold away area can rotate up to approximately one hundred and eighty degrees to the back portion of the keyboard on the second hinge.

31 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the first fold away area includes a recess such that the second fold away area can nest in the recess and create a substantially flat profile.

32 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the first fold away area and the second fold away area can rotate to provide a stand for the electronic device.

33 . The electronic device of claim 28 , wherein the keyboard is a virtual keyboard.

34 . The electronic device of claim 33 , wherein a portion of the fold away area includes a portion of the virtual keyboard prior to the fold away area being rotated with respect to the hinge.

35 . A method, comprising:
rotating a first fold away area with respect to a first hinge that is coupled to an electronic device; exposing a keyboard of the electronic device for thumb typing; and providing a stand for the electronic device using at least a portion of the first fold away area.

36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the keyboard and the first fold away area are included in a second portion of the electronic device, and wherein the hinge couples a first portion of the electronic device to the second portion, and wherein the first portion includes a display.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the first fold away area can rotate up to approximately one hundred and eighty degrees with respect to the hinge such that the fold away area can rotate proximate to the first portion.

38 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the keyboard is a virtual keyboard.

39 . The method of claim 35 , wherein the first fold away area can rotate to provide the stand for the electronic device that includes the first fold away area, the keyboard, and a display.

40 . The method of claim 35 , further comprising:
rotating a second fold away area on a second hinge to expose the keyboard for thumb typing, wherein the first hinge couples the first fold away area to the keyboard and the second hinge couples the second fold away area to the keyboard.

41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the first fold away area includes a recess such that the second fold away area can nest in the recess and create a substantially flat profile.

42 . A system, comprising:
means for rotating a first fold away area of an electronic device; means for exposing a keyboard of the electronic device for thumb typing; and means for providing a stand for the electronic device.

Assignees

• Sharma Sameer
• Amit Gadi
• Hoshino Yoshikazu
• Harber Chadwick
• Clifton Daniel
• Jasinski Kenneth
• Intel Corp

Inventors

• Sharma Sameer
• Amit Gadi
• Hoshino Yoshikazu
• Harber Chadwick
• Clifton Daniel
• Jasinski Kenneth

Classifications

• G06F1/1671

  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 title

• G06F3/0221 Primary

  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 title

• G06F1/166

  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 title

• G06F1/1662

  Details related to the integrated keyboard · CPC title

• G06F3/0208

  Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of a keyboard, e.g. pivoting legs (for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1667) · CPC title