Input device attachment
AssigneeMicrosoft Technology Licensing, LLC
InventorsThomas J. Longo, Andrew William Hill, Eugene Lee, James H. Wise
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Input device attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a device includes a portion (e.g., an input portion or cover) is configured to be positioned over a display device of a computing device to cover the display device. The device also includes a spine (e.g., a mid-spine) that is physically attached to the portion in a manner that supports rotational movement of the portion in relation to the display device. The physical attachment of the spine is configured to be removable using a magnetic coupling between the spine and a surface of the computing device that includes the display device.
Claims20
An input device comprising:
- an input portion having an upper surface;
- a first flexible hinge attached to an edge of the input portion;
- a magnetic spine attached to the first flexible hinge opposite the input portion, the first flexible hinge configured to rotate the magnetic spine away from the upper surface of the input portion, the magnetic spine configured to magnetically couple to a display screen side of a computing device;
- a second flexible hinge attached to the magnetic spine opposite the first flexible hinge;
- and
- a connection portion attached to the second flexible hinge opposite the magnetic spine, the second flexible hinge configured to rotate in an opposite direction from the first flexible hinge, the connection portion configured to physically couple with a second side of the computing device that is different than the display screen side while the magnetic spine is magnetically coupled to the display screen side, the input portion configured to provide user input to the computing device when the connection portion is physically coupled to the second side of the computing device.
An input device comprising:
- an input portion defining a first surface, the input portion including a keyboard on the first surface;
- a rotatable hinge comprising:
- a first hinge attached along an edge of the input portion, the first hinge configured to allow rotation of the rotatable hinge away from the first surface of the input portion;
- a second hinge configured to allow rotation of the rotatable hinge in an opposite direction from the rotation of the first hinge;
- and
- a magnetic spine between the first hinge and the second hinge, the magnetic spine being configured to magnetically couple to a display screen side of a computing device;
- and
- a connection portion configured to form a physical coupling with the computing device,
- the connection portion being attached to the second hinge.
A system comprising:
- a computing device having a display surface;
- and
- an input device, the input device comprising:
- an input portion defining a first surface, the input portion including a keyboard on the first surface;
- a rotatable hinge comprising:
- a first hinge attached along an edge of the input portion, the first hinge configured to allow rotation of the rotatable hinge away from the first surface of the input portion;
- a second hinge configured to allow rotation of the rotatable hinge in an opposite direction from the rotation of the first hinge;
- and
- a magnetic structure between the first hinge and the second hinge, the magnetic structure being configured to magnetically couple to the display surface of the computing device;
- and
- a communication structure configured to communicate with the computing device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.