Miniature keyboard for a hand held computer
AssigneePalm, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Webb, Alan C. Urban, Richard Gioscia, Lawrence Lam, David Northway
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A miniature keyboard for a palm held computer is disclosed. The miniature keyboard includes a plurality of keys for providing input to a hand held computing device. The keyboard includes a platform supporting the plurality of keys. The platform is configured to be sized for use by a single hand and the platforms is selectively foldable to substantially conceal the plurality of keys from view. The keyboard also includes a support structure that couples the platform to the hand held computing device body. The support structure is configured to prevent substantial movement of the platform relative to the hand held computing device body.
Claims20
A mobile computing device comprising:
- a body having a periphery;
- a display;
- an electrical connector;
- an input device comprising a movable section supporting a first subset of a set of keys and a fixed section supporting a second subset of the set of keys, the movable section having a first position and a second position, wherein the first and second subset of keys are concealed when the movable section is in the first position and the first and second subset of keys are accessible when the movable section is in the second position;
- and
- at least one button on the body of the mobile computing device that is not concealed when the movable section is in the first or second position,
- wherein the input device is carried on the body when the moveable section is in the first position and when the moveable section is in the second position, and
- wherein the moveable section is carried on the body when the moveable section is in the second position.
A detachable keyboard comprising:
- a movable section supporting a first subset of a set of keys;
- and
- a fixed section supporting a second subset of the set of keys, the movable section having a first position and a second position, wherein the first and second subset of keys are concealed when the movable section is in the first position and the first and second subset of keys are accessible when the movable section is in the second position;
- wherein the detachable keyboard is configured as part of a support structure, the support structure configured to detachably couple to a mobile computing device using an electrical connector,
- wherein the detachable keyboard is configured to be carried on the mobile computing device when the moveable section is in the first position and when the moveable section is in the second position, and
- wherein the moveable section is carried on the mobile computing device when the moveable section is in the second position.
A slidably attachable support structure for a keyboard comprising:
- a movable section supporting a first subset of a set of keys;
- and
- a fixed section supporting a second subset of the set of keys, the movable section having a first position and a second position, wherein the first and second subset of keys are concealed when the movable section is in the first position and the first and second subset of keys are accessible when the movable section is in the second position,
- wherein the support structure is configured to detachably couple to a mobile computing device using an electrical connector such that substantial movement of the support structure relative to the mobile computing device is prevented,
- wherein the support structure is configured to be carried on the mobile computing device when the moveable section is in the first position and when the moveable section is in the second position, and
- wherein the moveable section is carried on the mobile computing device when the moveable section is in the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.