Input device for a display

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8988354-B2
Application number	US-201213449220-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 17, 2012
Priority date	Apr 17, 2012
Publication date	Mar 24, 2015
Grant date	Mar 24, 2015

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an input device comprising a processor configured to operate the input device in one of a plurality of modes of operation, a plurality of buttons, and a housing configured to receive and secure a display device. The housing is configurable in a plurality of positions relative to the plurality of buttons, where at least a portion of the plurality of buttons operates in one of the plurality of modes of operation based, at least in part, on a position of the plurality of positions of the housing relative to the plurality of buttons.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An input device comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of buttons disposed in the frame;
a processor disposed in the frame and configured to operate the input device in one of a plurality of modes of operation including:
a first mode of operation, wherein the plurality of buttons are programmed by the processor to have a first key mapping; and
a second mode of operation, wherein the plurality of buttons are programmed by the processor to have a second key mapping; and

a housing coupled to the frame and configured to receive and secure a display device,
wherein the housing is configurable in a plurality of upright positions relative to the plurality of buttons, the plurality of positions including:
a first position wherein a bottom edge of the housing is substantially aligned with and in proximity to a to edge of the plurality of buttons; and
a second position wherein the bottom edge of the housing is substantially aligned with and in proximity to a middle portion of the plurality of buttons,

wherein the processor operates the input device in the first mode of operation when the housing is configured in the first position, and
wherein the processor operates the input device in the second mode of operation when the housing is configured in the second position.

2. The input device of claim 1 further comprising:
one or more sensors coupled to the processor and configured to detect the position of the plurality of positions of the housing, wherein the plurality of buttons operates in one of the plurality of modes of operation based, at least in part, on which of the one or more sensors detects the housing.

3. The input device of claim 2 wherein the housing further comprises a magnet disposed therein, and wherein the one or more sensors are relays configured to actuate when in proximity to a magnetic field created by the magnet.

4. The input device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of buttons comprises a first section of buttons and a second section of buttons, and wherein the plurality of modes of operation includes at least one of:
a first mode of operation, wherein each button of the plurality of buttons is operable to generate data in response to being pressed; and
a second mode of operation, wherein each button of the first section of buttons is operable to generate data in response to being pressed, and wherein the second section of buttons is inoperable.

5. The input device of claim 4 wherein the plurality of modes of operation further includes a third mode of operation, wherein the first and second sections of buttons are inoperable.

6. The input device of claim 4 wherein the each button of the plurality of buttons, while operating in the first mode of operation, is operable to generate alphanumeric data.

7. The input device of claim 4 wherein one or more buttons of the first section of buttons, while operating in the second mode of operation, are operable to generate a media control command.

8. The input device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of positions further includes a fourth position, wherein the top edge of the housing is in proximity to the bottom edge of the the plurality of buttons.

9. The input device of claim 8 wherein each position of the plurality of positions is held in an orientation comprising an angle between a surface of the plurality of buttons and a plane formed by the housing, such that:
the housing held in the first position is oriented at a first angle relative to the plurality of buttons;
the housing held in the second position is oriented at a second angle relative to the plurality of buttons, the second angle greater than the first angle;
the housing held in a third-position is oriented at a third angle relative to the plurality of buttons, the third angle greater than the second angle; and
the housing held in the fourth position is substantially parallel to the plane formed by the housing.

10. The input device of claim 1 further comprising a power supply comprising at least one of a solar panel, batteries, rechargeable batteries configured to be recharged by the solar panel, or a universal serial bus (USB).

11. The input device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a folio configured to perform at least one of waking the display device from a sleep mode when the folio is opened and putting the display device in the sleep mode when the folio is closed.

12. The input device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of keys is a keyboard operable to be wirelessly coupled to the display device via at least one of a Bluetooth, infra-red (IR), optical, or Wi-Fi connection.

13. An input device comprising:
a frame;
a plurality of buttons disposed in the frame;
a processor disposed in the frame and configured to operate the input device in one of a plurality of modes of operation including:
a first mode of operation, wherein the plurality of buttons are programmed by the processor to have a first key mapping; and
a second mode of operation, wherein the plurality of buttons are programmed by the processor to have a second key mapping; and

a housing coupled to the frame and configured to receive and secure a display device,
wherein the housing is configurable in a plurality of upright positions relative to the plurality of buttons, the plurality of positions including:
a first position wherein a bottom edge of the housing is substantially aligned with and in proximity to a to edge of the plurality of buttons; and
a second position wherein the bottom edge of the housing is substantially aligned with and in proximity to a bottom edge of the plurality of buttons,

wherein the processor operates the input device in the first mode of operation when the housing is configured in the first position, and
wherein the processor operates the input device in the second mode of operation when the housing is configured in the second position.

14. A method of operating an input device, the method comprising:
receiving a housing in a position of a plurality of positions relative to a key frame disposed in the input device, the housing configured to receive and secure a display device, the key frame including a plurality of buttons disposed thereon,
wherein the plurality of positions includes:
a first position wherein the housing is configured on a top portion of the keyframe;
a second position wherein the housing is configured on a middle portion of the keyframe; and
a third position wherein the housing is configured at a bottom portion of the keyframe;

selecting, by a processor disposed in the housing, a mode of operation for the input device based on whether the housing is positioned in the first position, second position, or third position; and
operating the input device in the selected mode of operation,
wherein the processor programs the plurality of buttons according to a first key mapping in the first position,
wherein the processor programs the plurality of buttons according to a second key mapping in the second position, and
wherein the processor programs the plurality of buttons according to a third key mapping in the third position.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting in which position of the plurality of positions the housing is held.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the detecting is performed by a plurality of sensors disposed on the key frame.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality of sensors are relays, the method further comprising detecting an actuation of the relay, notifying the processor that the housing is in a position corresponding to the

Assignees

• Milhe Richard
• Fekih Tarak
• Richard Alexis
• Sauvage Sylvain
• Plancherel Laurent
• Chu Pai-Cheng
• Hsu Eric
• Logitech Europ Sa

Inventors

• Milhe Richard
• Fekih Tarak
• Richard Alexis
• Sauvage Sylvain
• Plancherel Laurent
• Chu Pai-Cheng
• Hsu Eric

Classifications

• G06F1/1628

  Enclosures for carrying portable computers with peripheral devices, e.g. cases for a laptop and a printer · CPC title

• G06F1/1632

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

• G06F1/3218

  of display devices · CPC title

• G06F2200/1633

  Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer · CPC title

• G06F1/1677

  for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment · CPC title