Computer with a hidden keyboard

A computer system, comprising:

• a processing unit;
• a carrier sized for retaining a keyboard thereon, said carrier movable relative to said
• processing unit;
• and
• a drive mechanism capable of moving said carrier;
• wherein said drive mechanism includes a motor and a gear;
• wherein said carrier includes at least a portion of a battery charger.

A computer system, comprising:

• a keyboard having a keyboard housing;
• a processing unit housing, wherein the processing unit housing includes a keyboard storage portion at least partially located therein;
• a processing unit disposed within said processing unit housing;
• a movable carrier sized for supporting the keyboard housing thereon, the carrier having a first position at least partially disposed within the keyboard storage portion and a second position at least partially disposed outside of the keyboard storage portion;
• wherein said keyboard is configured to be removable from said movable carrier, and said keyboard is exposed for use in said second position enabling the keyboard to send signals to the processing unit;
• and
• a drive mechanism configured for moving said carrier between said first position and said second position.

A computer system, comprising:

• a processing unit housing, wherein the housing includes a keyboard storage portion at least partially located therein;
• a movable carrier sized for supporting a keyboard thereon, the carrier having a first position at least partially disposed within the keyboard storage portion and a second position at least partially disposed outside of the keyboard storage portion;
• a processing unit within said processing unit housing;
• a drive mechanism for moving said carrier between said first position and said second position;
• and
• an input device for signaling said drive mechanism to move said carrier, wherein said input device is operatively coupled to said processing unit,
• wherein the input device is an audio sensor responsive to an audio command.

A computer system, comprising,

• a keyboard having a battery connected to a charging connector, said keyboard having a keyboard housing ;
• and
• a carrier sized for retaining the keyboard thereon, said carrier having at least a portion of a battery charger;
• wherein said carrier includes a receiving surface for said keyboard housing, said keyboard housing having a lower surface which rests on said receiving surface of said carrier, said charging connector is removably coupleable to said portion of said battery charger to enable the charging of said battery of said keyboard when said charging connector is coupled to said portion of the battery charger.

A computer system, comprising:

• a processing unit having a housing;
• a keyboard having a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal;
• and
• a movable carrier sized to retain said keyboard thereon, said movable carrier having a receiver for receiving said signal, said receiver of said movable carrier being operatively coupled to said processing unit;
• wherein said keyboard is removable from said movable carrier and said housing includes an opening sufficiently sized to retain said keyboard and said movable carrier therein.

A computer system, comprising:

• a processing unit;
• a keyboard configured for generating input signals to said processing unit, said keyboard having a keyboard housing;
• a movable carrier sized for retaining the keyboard thereon, said keyboard housing being removable from said movable carrier;
• and
• a drive control system operatively coupled to said processing unit, wherein said drive control system initiates movement of the carrier relative to the processing unit in response to a control signal from said processing unit.

A method of moving a keyboard carrier in a computer system, the carrier sized to retain a keyboard thereon, said keyboard being separable from said carrier, the computer system further including a drive mechanism coupled to the carrier and a processing unit, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a control signal to the drive mechanism;
• moving the carrier and said keyboard by the d rive mechanism to an extended position away from said processing unit;
• and
• sending signals to the processing unit by the keyboard in the extended position.

A method of charging a battery-powered keyboard in a computer system including a movable carrier having a portion of a battery charger, said movable carrier sized for retaining said keyboard thereon and said keyboard having a keyboard housing separable from said movable carrier, the method comprising the steps of:

• physically coupling the keyboard to said portion of the battery charger;
• in said moveable carrier;
• and
• separating the keyboard from the portion of the battery charger.

A method of wireless communication in a computer system between a keyboard and a processing unit, the keyboard having a transmitter, and the computer system further including a movable carrier for retaining the keyboard thereon and the processing unit having a housing with an opening sized to retain the keyboard and the movable carrier therein, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving the keyboard and the movable carrier into an extended position from a position at least partially within said opening of said housing;
• transmitting a wireless signal from said transmitter of the keyboard while said keyboard and said movable carrier are in said extended position;
• receiving the wireless signal by the receiver on the movable carrier;
• and
• processing the wireless signal by the processing unit.