Abstract:
A computer apparatus including: a reception unit adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard; an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard; and a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2006-316415 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 24, 2006, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a computer system and particularly to a computer system in which signals are wirelessly exchanged between a keyboard and a computer apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In a computer system, a keyboard serves as a basic input device to input characters. The keyboard is often connected to a computer apparatus via a wired interface such as PS/S (Personal System/2) or USB (Universal Serial Bus). 
         [0006]    In contrast, computer systems have been proposed recently which transfer input signals from the keyboard to the computer apparatus via an infrared or other wireless interface rather than a wired interface (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1996-286791 ( FIG. 1 )). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To establish a connection between the keyboard and the computer apparatus via a wireless interface, a power supply is required not only for the computer apparatus but also for the keyboard. In the above-mentioned prior art, the keyboard includes a battery. The battery is charged by bringing the keyboard terminal in contact with the main body of the computer apparatus. 
         [0008]    However, if contact power transfer is used in which the terminals are caused to touch each other, it is far from easy to maintain the contact area in a proper contact condition, often resulting in contact failure. In particular, if key input operations are performed with the keyboard attached to the main body, this applies a load to the contact area, making the contact condition more likely to change. Further, if the keyboard is movable in such a manner as to be folded into the main body, the contact area is prone to wear. 
         [0009]    In light of the above, it is desirable to charge a keyboard through no medium of any contact between the keyboard and a computer apparatus main body. 
         [0010]    The present invention has been devised to solve the above problem. A first embodiment of the present invention is a computer apparatus. The computer apparatus includes a reception unit adapted to wirelessly receive signals associated with key inputs transmitted from a keyboard. The computer apparatus further includes an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard. The computer apparatus still further includes a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to a battery incorporated in the keyboard if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit. This allows the keyboard battery to be charged in a non-contact manner with the keyboard attached to the computer apparatus. 
         [0011]    In the first embodiment, the power transfer unit may control power transfer to the battery according to the keyboard attachment condition. This allows the battery charging to be controlled according to the keyboard attachment condition. It should be noted that among possible keyboard attachment conditions are whether or not the keyboard is attached and whether or not it is folded. 
         [0012]    Further, in the first embodiment, the power transfer unit may control power transfer to the battery according to the type of program run by the computer apparatus. This allows the battery charging to be controlled according to the type of program run by the computer apparatus. 
         [0013]    Still further, in the first embodiment, the attachment unit may be members adapted to support the keyboard rotatably around a given side of the keyboard. In this case, the computer apparatus may further include a detection unit adapted to detect the rotational status of the keyboard so that the power transfer unit control power transfer to the battery according to the rotational status of the keyboard. At this time, the power transfer unit may control power transfer in such a manner that power is transferred when the keyboard rotational status satisfies a given condition and not if the keyboard is in any other condition. In particular, the power transfer unit may transfer power to the battery when the keyboard is folded and not if the keyboard is in any other condition. 
         [0014]    Still further, in the first embodiment, the computer apparatus may further include an indication unit adapted to indicate that the battery is being charged while the power transfer unit transfer power to the battery. This allows the user to be informed that the battery is being charged. 
         [0015]    A second embodiment of the present invention is a keyboard. The keyboard includes a transmission unit adapted to wirelessly transmit signals associated with key inputs to a computer apparatus. The keyboard further includes a battery to supply power to the transmission unit. The keyboard still further includes an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard to the computer apparatus. The keyboard still further includes a power transfer unit adapted to receive power in a non-contact manner to the battery from the computer apparatus if the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus with the attachment unit. This allows the keyboard battery to be charged in a non-contact manner from the computer apparatus (main body). 
         [0016]    A third embodiment of the present invention is a computer system. The computer system includes a keyboard adapted to incorporate a battery and wirelessly transmit signals associated with key inputs. The computer system further includes a reception unit adapted to receive the signals from the keyboard. The computer system still further includes an attachment unit capable of attaching the keyboard. The computer system still further includes a power transfer unit adapted to transfer power in a non-contact manner to the keyboard battery if the keyboard is attached to the attachment unit. This allows the keyboard battery attached to the computer apparatus to be charged in a non-contact manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an example of overall configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a configuration example relating to charging of a computer system in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a keyboard as attached to a computer apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating an example of the keyboard as attached to the computer apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating another example of the keyboard as attached to the computer apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of an example of the keyboard in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are enlarged views of an example of attachment sections in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a view illustrating an example of a ‘charging’ indication; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of process steps for controlling charging in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating another example of process steps for controlling charging in the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side view illustrating an example of arrangement of coils in the embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a side view illustrating another example of arrangement of the coils in the embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0029]    The present invention provides an outstanding effect of charging a keyboard through no medium of any contact between the keyboard and a computer apparatus main body. 
         [0030]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an example of overall configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer system includes a computer apparatus (main body)  100  and a keyboard  200 . The computer apparatus  100  includes a coil  110 , a charging circuit  120 , a reception section  130 , a display section  150 , sheet metals  170 , an open/close sensor  180  and attachment sections  190 . The keyboard  200  includes a coil  210 , a battery section  220 , a transmission section  230 , magnets  270  and  280  and attachment sections  290 . 
         [0032]    The keyboard  200  includes keys which are not shown. The keyboard  200  generates signals associated with key inputs. The transmission section  230  wirelessly transmits signals associated with key inputs. Signals can be transmitted, for example, using infrared radiation or radio wave. 
         [0033]    The battery section  220  supplies power required for the operation of the transmission section  230  provided in the keyboard  200 . The battery section  220  receives power from the computer apparatus  100  via the coil  210  to charge its battery. 
         [0034]    The attachment sections  290  are members attached to the computer apparatus  100 . Plungers, for example, can be used as the attachment sections  290 . The magnets  270  are provided to maintain the keyboard  200  folded by a magnetic force acting between the magnets  270  and the sheet metals  170  of the computer apparatus  100  when the keyboard is attached to the computer apparatus  100  by means of the attachment sections  290 . On the other hand, the magnet  280  applies a magnetic force to the open/close sensor  180  of the computer apparatus  100 . This allows the open/close sensor  180  to detect the rotational status of the keyboard  200 . 
         [0035]    In the computer apparatus  100 , the charging circuit  120  is provided to charge the battery section  220  of the keyboard  200 . The charging circuit  120  has the coil  110  connected thereto, thereby allowing non-contact power transfer between the coil  110  of the computer apparatus  100  and the coil  210  of the keyboard  200 . 
         [0036]    The reception section  130  receives signals from the transmission section  230  of the keyboard  200 . The display section  150  displays information according to processing performed by the computer apparatus  100 . 
         [0037]    The attachment sections  190  are members to which the attachment sections  290  of the keyboard  200  are attached. When plungers are used as the attachment sections  290 , the keyboard  200  is rotatable around the attachment sections  190 . The sheet metals  170  are provided to be attracted by the magnets  270  of the keyboard  200  by their magnetic force when the keyboard  200  is folded, thus maintaining the keyboard in a folded position. It should be noted that although a case has been described where the sheet metals  170  are provided on the computer apparatus  100 , magnets may be provided in place of the sheet metals  170 . 
         [0038]    The open/close sensor  180  is designed to detect the rotational status of the keyboard  200  attached to the attachment sections  190 . The open/close sensor  180  detects the magnetic force applied by the magnet  280  to determine whether the keyboard is folded. It should be noted that although a case has been described here where a magnetic force is used, a mechanical stress can also be used to detect the opening and closing of the keyboard. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a view illustrating a configuration example relating to charging of the computer system in the embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the computer apparatus  100  transfers power to the keyboard  200  in a non-contact manner via the coils  110  and  210 . 
         [0040]    The computer apparatus  100  includes not only the coil  110  but also a power supply  121 , a capacitor  122  and a charging control section  125  as the charging circuit  120 . The capacitor  122  is provided to achieve resonance and supplies power from the power supply  121  to the coil  110 . 
         [0041]    The charging control section  125  controls the operation of the charging circuit  120 . The same section  125  can control whether to perform charging according to the rotational status of the keyboard  200  detected by the open/close sensor  180 . For example, when the keyboard  200  attached to the attachment sections  190  is not folded, it is possible that signals from key inputs may be transmitted from the transmission section  230 . Therefore, charging may be performed only when the keyboard  200  is folded. On the other hand, charging may be performed when the computer apparatus  100  runs a specific application program (e.g., DVD reproduction software) with which no key inputs take place under a normal condition, even if the keyboard  200  is not folded. Preferably, these settings are selectable by the user, for example, via a menu screen. 
         [0042]    The keyboard  200  includes not only the coil  210  but also capacitors  222  and  224 , a diode  223  and a battery  229  as the battery section  220 . The capacitor  222  is provided to achieve resonance. The diode  223  rectifies a voltage induced in the coil  210 . The capacitor  224  smoothes out the voltage induced in the coil  210 . The battery  229  is charged via these circuits. A lithium-ion or nickel-hydrogen battery, for example, is used as the battery  229 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an example of a keyboard  200  as attached to the computer apparatus  100  in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the attachment sections  290  of the keyboard  200  are attached to the attachment sections  190  of the computer apparatus  100 . Although rotatable around the attachment sections  190 , the keyboard  200  is shown here to be unfolded. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating an example of the keyboard  200  as attached to the computer apparatus  100  in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the keyboard  200  is shown to be rotated around the attachment sections  190  into a folded position. 
         [0045]    The coil  110  of the computer apparatus  100  and the coil  210  of the keyboard  200  are in proximity with each other. This allows for non-contact power transfer. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating another example of the keyboard  200  as attached to the computer apparatus  100  in the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the keyboard  200  is shown to be unfolded. 
         [0047]    With the coil arrangement in this example, the coil  110  of the computer apparatus  100  and the coil  210  of the keyboard  200  are not in proximity with each other when the keyboard  200  is not folded. Therefore, whether or not to perform charging is controlled inevitably according to whether the keyboard  200  is folded, without providing the open/close sensor  180 . That is, charging is performed when the keyboard  200  is folded, and not if the keyboard  200  is not folded. 
         [0048]    In contrast, if the coil arrangement is changed to permit power transfer at all times irrespective of whether the keyboard  200  is folded, then arbitrary settings are possible using the charging control section  125  as described above. The distance at which power transfer is possible varies depending on the coil capacitance and other factors. Therefore, the coil arrangement need only be determined according to the operating conditions. 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of an example of the keyboard  200  in the embodiment of the present invention. This surface is exposed to the user&#39;s view when the keyboard  200  is folded. Therefore, the product logo may be etched on some part of the rear surface of the keyboard  200 . The logo may be designed so that it changes its color or brightness during charging to indicate that charging is in progress. This is not limited to the logo. For example, an indicator lamp  228  to indicate that charging is in progress, for example, may be provided on the rear surface of the keyboard  200 . 
         [0050]    The keyboard  200  has the attachment sections  290  at one end thereof as described above. Here, a case will be described where plungers are used as the attachment sections  290 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are enlarged views of an example of the attachment sections  290  in the embodiment of the present invention. The attachment sections  290  include plungers. The same sections  290  are attached so as to horizontally sandwich the attachment section  190  of the computer apparatus  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0052]    A plunger  291  has a spring therein. Each of the plungers  291  is arranged so as to push out a protruding portion  292  from the inside to the outside. As a result, the protruding portion  292  can move toward the edge as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . When each of the protruding portions  292  engages with a respective recess of the attachment section  190  in such a manner that the same section  190  is sandwiched horizontally between the same portions  292 , the attachment section  290  can be attached. 
         [0053]    On the other hand, the recesses of the attachment section  190  and the protruding portions  292  have a curved surface. As a result, the attachment section  190  makes up a hinge mechanism which is rotatable around the recesses. This allows the keyboard  200  to rotate around one of its sides as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . It should be noted, however, that the torque generated by the sandwiching force of the plungers is not so large. Therefore, when the keyboard  200  is folded, the attachment is preferably secured with the sheet metals  170  and the magnets  270  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that no power transfer takes place at the contacts between the attachment sections  190  and  290 . 
         [0054]    In the embodiment of the present invention, a case has been described where a ‘charging’ indication is provided on the rear surface of the keyboard  200 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead, for example, a ‘charging’ indication  151  may be displayed on the display section  150  of the computer apparatus  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating an example of process steps for controlling charging in the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a case will be described where charging is performed only when the keyboard  200  is folded (closed). 
         [0056]    First, the rotational status of the keyboard  200  is determined. When the keyboard  200  is folded (step S 911 ), the charge of the battery section  220  is checked (step S 912 ). If the battery section  220  needs charging (step S 913 ), the charging starts (step S 914 ). While the charging is in progress, an indication appears on the rear surface of the keyboard  200  or the display section  150  to show that the battery section  220  is being charged (step S 915 ). 
         [0057]    Then, when the battery section  220  is charged to a full charge (step S 918 ), the charging thereof stops (step S 919 ). It should be noted that when the keyboard  200  is unfolded (open) during charging (step S 916 ), the charging stops even if the battery section  220  is not charged to a full charge. 
         [0058]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating another example of process steps for controlling charging in the embodiment of the present invention. Here, a case will be described where charging is performed only when a specific application program is running. 
         [0059]    First, it is determined whether or not a specific application program has been launched. If so (step S 921 ), the charge of the battery section  220  is checked (step S 922 ). If the battery section  220  needs charging (step S 923 ), the charging starts (step S 924 ). While the charging is in progress, a charging lamp on the main body of the computer apparatus  100  or the keyboard  200  is lit (step S 925 ). It should be noted that if a specific application program is, for example, DVD reproduction software, a charging, indication displayed on the display section  150  during charging may be detrimental to DVD viewing. Unlike the case illustrated in  FIG. 9 , therefore, no ‘charging’ indication is displayed on the display section  150 . 
         [0060]    Then, when the battery section  220  is charged to a full charge (step S 928 ), the charging thereof stops (step S 929 ). It should be noted that when the specific application program is exited during charging (step S 926 ), the charging stops even if the battery section  220  is not charged to a full charge. It should be noted that when any key input is made from the keyboard  200  (step S 927 ), the charging also stops. This is intended to prevent the charging via the coils from obstructing wireless communication. 
         [0061]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the keyboard  200  has to be attached to the computer apparatus  100 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , however, when the specific application program is DVD reproduction software, it is possible that the charging may be performed even if the keyboard  200  is not attached to the computer apparatus  100 . 
         [0062]    In the embodiment of the present invention, a case has been described where the coils  110  and  210  are arranged in the proximity of the attachment sections  190  and  290  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. For example, coils  110   a  and  210   a  may be arranged far from the attachment sections  190  and  290  as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In this case, the areas alongside the screen section  150  or other areas can be used. 
         [0063]    Thus, according to the present invention, when the attachment sections  290  of the keyboard  200  are attached to the attachment sections  190  of the computer apparatus  100 , the keyboard  200  can be charged in a non-contact manner by transferring power from the coil  110  of the computer apparatus  100  to the battery section  220  via the coil  210  of the keyboard  200 . The attachment sections  190  and  290  are rotatable by the sandwiching force of the plungers, thus allowing the keyboard  200  to be folded onto the computer apparatus  100 . The status of the keyboard  200  can be detected by the open/close sensor  180 . This makes it possible to control the charging of the keyboard  200  according to the detection result. Further, depending on the arrangement of the coils  110  and  210 , the charging of the keyboard  200  can be controlled according to the status thereof without providing the open/close sensor  180 . 
         [0064]    It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example embodying the present invention. Although there is a correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and those of the appended claims as detailed below, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0065]    That is, in claim  1 , a keyboard corresponds, for example, to the keyboard  200 . Reception means correspond, for example, to the reception section  130 . Attachment means correspond, for example, to the attachment section  190 . Power transfer means correspond, for example, to the coil  110 . A computer apparatus corresponds, for example, to the computer apparatus  100 . 
         [0066]    In claim  5 , detection means correspond, for example, to the open/close sensor  180 . 
         [0067]    In claim  8 , display means correspond, for example, to the display section  150 . 
         [0068]    In claim  9 , detection means correspond, for example, to the open/close sensor  180 . Display means correspond, for example, to the display section  150 . 
         [0069]    In claim  10 , a computer apparatus corresponds, for example, to the computer apparatus  100 . Transmission means correspond, for example, to the transmission section  230 . A battery corresponds, for example, to the battery  229 . Attachment means correspond, for example, to the attachment section  290 . Power transfer means correspond, for example, to the coil  210 . A keyboard corresponds, for example, to the keyboard  200 . 
         [0070]    In claim  11 , a keyboard corresponds, for example, to the keyboard  200 . Reception means correspond, for example, to the reception section  130 . Attachment means correspond, for example, to the attachment section  190 . Power transfer means correspond, for example, to the coil  110 .