Abstract:
A snap-on keyboard configured to operate with a computer. The keyboard comprises a platform having a plurality of surfaces, and configured to house a plurality of components. The keyboard further comprises of a set of keys attached to one of the plurality of surfaces of the platform. The keyboard further comprises a connector attached to at least a portion of one of the plurality of surfaces of the platform. The connector is configured to automatically connect to a receiving connector attached to the computer in response to a force exerted downwardly from the platform to the computer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to peripheral devices used with a computer system, such as a personal computer. More particularly, this invention relates to easy-to-use keyboards that operate with portable computers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Compact or portable computers are becoming as common as conventional desktop computers. Portable computers come in a variety of designs and sizes and, most commonly, are configured to comprise lightweight computers that are small enough to be carried and fit easily in a limited space, such as a briefcase. As used herein, the term “portable computer” refers to, without limitation, all movable computers including laptop, notebook, subnotebook, hand-held, palm pilot, personal digital assistant (PDA), and other similar computing devices, but not including desktop computers. 
     Desktop computers are often designed with detachable input/output (I/O) devices such as monitors, keyboards, and mice. This allows users to configure the desktop computer to include the desirable quality and position of I/O devices in a most ergonomic manner. For example, full size keyboards are typically attached to desktop computer via a long cable. 
     In contrast with the ergonomic advantages of desktop computers, portable computers are typically designed with I/O devices physically and electrically attached within the casing of the computer. For example, the screen of a portable computer is often encased within the lid of the portable computer, which swings upward from the base via a hinged connector. Portable computer keyboards are relatively small and normally are awkwardly mounted within the base of the portable computer. The small size and awkward position of the portable computer keyboard causes frustration and reduces user productivity. In some cases, portable computer keyboards may cause repetitive wrist discomfort, pain, and injury. 
     To minimize the effect of these problems, some portable computers are designed with tiltable feet that swing out from underneath the base, thereby titling the keyboard toward the user. For further details on tilting the keyboard in a portable computer, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,036 issued to Lin et al. Other portable computers may be designed to be movable forwardly, away from the base of the computer in a sloped, tilted orientation. In this manner, the keyboard emulates the use orientation of a separate desktop computer keyboard. For further details on movable keyboards, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,615 issued to Sellers. 
     The solutions described in patent &#39;036 and &#39;615 attempt to improve the ergonomics and utility of portable computer keyboards. However, these attempts often fail to provide the comfort and size provided by a desktop keyboard. Some portable computers provide an auxiliary keyboard port located on one of their sides to connect a standard desktop keyboard to the portable computer using a keyboard cable. However, connecting a desktop keyboard to the side of the portable computer often reduces needed surface space on an often crowded desk or a person&#39;s lap. Some manufacturers make keyboard stands that suspend a standard desktop keyboard over the top of the base of the portable computer. However, elevating a standard desktop keyboard may not provide the required ergonomics to comfortably use the portable computer. More importantly, other buttons or controls on the base or touchpad become inaccessible or invisible to the user. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the computer industry to provide a keyboard that functions with portable computers without defeating portability, limited space usage, or accessibility and visibility of controls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises of a snap-on keyboard configured to operate with a computer. The keyboard comprises a platform having a plurality of surfaces, and configured to house a plurality of components. The components convert mechanical signals into electrical signals to the computer. The keyboard further comprises a set of keys attached to one of the plurality of surfaces of the platform. The set of keys are configured to provide input signals to the computer, the input signals being responsive to a mechanical force. The keyboard further comprises a connector attached to at least a portion of one of the plurality of surfaces of the platform. The connector is configured to automatically connect to a receiving connector attached to the computer in response to a force exerted from the platform towards the computer. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a computer system having a base that includes a plurality of surfaces. The computer system further comprises a detachable snap-on keyboard configured to snap onto one of the plurality of surfaces of the base in response to a force exerted downwardly from the keyboard to the base. Wherein the keyboard includes a connector that is geometrically aligned with a receiving connector, which is attached to the base. 
     A further embodiment of the invention comprises a portable computer having a base with a plurality of surfaces. This embodiment of the portable computer comprises a lid secured to a rear portion of the base. The lid is moveable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position. The portable computer further comprises a connector attached to one of the plurality of surfaces. The connector is geometrically configured to align with and connect to a receiving connector that is attached to a detachable keyboard. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer and a keyboard in a separated or undocked position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer and keyboard of FIG. 1 in a docked or engaged position in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base of the portable computer of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the keyboard of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the electrical connectors which connect the keyboard to the base of the laptop. 
     FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the pin-style electrical connector shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  5 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer and a keyboard in a separated or undocked position. As noted above, the portable computer  100  may, among other products, be a notebook, subnotebook, hand-held, palm pilot, or PDA computer. The portable computer  100  comprises a base  110  connected to a lid  120  using one or more connector hinges (not shown in this figure). If operation of the computer  100  is desired, the lid  120  is folded outwardly away from the base  110  to an open position, as shown in this figure. If the computer  100  is to be shut down or stowed away, the lid  120  is folded inwardly toward the base  110  to a closed position (not shown in this figure). In portable computers, the lid  120  often includes the monitor or screen  130 , which allows the user to operate and view various computer applications. In this embodiment, the computer  100  includes an auxiliary electrical connector  140  that, when connected to a keyboard, allows a user to control and enter data into the computer via a detachable keyboard  150 . 
     The keyboard  150  comprises a platform containing a set of keys, such as a key  151 , which serve as mechanical input devices which convert the mechanical actions into electronic signals as with a standard computer keyboard. The keyboard  150  may include any set of typewriter-like keys that allow a user to enter data into a computer. Typically, the keyboard  150  includes alphanumeric keys, punctuation keys, and special function keys. Although there is not a single standard computer keyboard, the most commonly used keyboard is the enhanced 101-key keyboard that conforms to a QWERTY keyboard layout. Other keyboards include the original PC keyboard (with 84 keys) and the AT keyboard (also with 84 keys). Any one of these keyboards, or those developed in the future, may be used in implementing the invention. 
     The keyboard  150  includes an electrical connector  440  (see FIG. 4) located on its bottom surface which is physically compatible for forming an electrical connection with the connector  140 . As shown in FIG. 1, the connector  140  is positioned on the upper surface  115  of the base  110  to conveniently mate with the connector  440  of the keyboard  150 . Accordingly, the connector  140  may, for example, be located in the upper right corner of the base  110  and be substantially aligned with the location of the connector  440 . Alternatively, the connector  140  may be located on the front or side surfaces of the base  110 ; and consequently connector  440  will be placed in a position on the keyboard  150  that geometrically aligns with the location of the connector  140 . The connectors  140  and  440  may be any kind of connector that electrically couples a keyboard with a computer, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, serial pin connector, etc. Alternatively, each of the connectors  140  and  440  includes one or more contact points which, when placed in contact with the contact points of the other connector, allow electronic signals to flow between the computer  100  and keyboard  150 . 
     The keyboard  150  may include one or more latches  154  that can mechanically engage the keyboard  150  with the base  110  of the computer  100 . In one embodiment each latch  154  mates with a recess  144  located on the upper surface of the base  110 . Each latch  154  includes a locking surface  154 a that can catch or latch with an edge or lip (not shown) within the recess  144 . The lip allows the latch  154  to hook securely and to be released when a lateral force is applied to it. This form of connection will prevent shifting or wobbling of the keyboard  150  during use, which could result in discomfort of the user. The keyboard  150  preferably contains one or more release buttons  158  that are mechanically coupled to the latches to apply the necessary lateral force to release the latches allowing the keyboard  150  to be removed from the base  110 . 
     In this embodiment, to dock the keyboard  150  onto the computer  100 , the keyboard  150  is aligned over the base  110 . The alignment of the keyboard  150  with the base  110  is proper when two conditions are satisfied. The first condition is the alignment of the connector  140  with the connector  440 , so that when the keyboard is attached, electronic signals may flow between the keyboard  150  and the computer  100  via the connectors  140  and  440 . The second condition is the physical alignment of the latches  154  with the recesses  144  on the upper surface of the base  110  so that, when the keyboard  150  is placed over the base  110 , the latches  154  fit into the respective recesses  144  and the locking surfaces  154   a  of the latches connect with the respective lips of the recesses and secure the keyboard  150  into place. After alignment of the keyboard  150  over the base  110 , the keyboard  150  is pushed toward the base  110 , in the direction of the arrow  155 , to lock the base  110  substantially underneath the keyboard  150 . 
     Alternatively, the keyboard  150  may be releasably attached to the base  110  or a surface upon which the computer  100  rests with clamps, velcro, suction cups, weights, or other connecting mechanisms or arrangements commonly used in the industry to attach two panels together. These methods of attachment may be used individually or in conjunction. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer  100  and keyboard  150  of FIG. 1 in a docked or engaged position. It is desirable to have the lowest surface  159  of the keyboard  150  lie flush with a supporting surface, such as a desk top, to prevent tipping or wobbling during use. The base  110  may protrude past the opening  111  of the keyboard  150  (not shown in this figure) to allow for access to a touchpad or other input device located on the base. It is desirable that the keyboard  150  not rise to a level that obstructs a user&#39;s view of the screen  130 . Snapping-on the keyboard  150  to the base  110  allows the laptop to provide the user with the comfort of a desktop computer while retaining the basic size and simplicity of a laptop. As used herein, the term “snap-on” or “snapping-on” refers to the mechanism of placing and securing the keyboard  150  onto a recipient device, such as a portable computer. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base  110  of the portable computer of FIG.  1 . In this embodiment, the electrical connector  140  is positioned on the upper surface  115  of the base  110  to conveniently mate with the connector  440  which is located on the lower surface of the keyboard  150  (see FIG.  4 ). As noted above, the connector  140  may be placed on any surface of the base  110 . The connector  140  may contain one or more spring mounted gold plated contact pins (shown in FIGS.  5  and  6 ). When the keyboard  150  is not connected, the pins protrude above the upper surface  115  of the base  110 . The pins retract down into the base  110  when substantially continuous pressure is applied from above. This configuration allows the pins to remain in contact with a level surface (not shown) that is substantially flush with the base  110 . The pins typically extend below the upper surface  115  of the base  110  and connect to a wire or electrically conductive member (not shown in this figure). 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the keyboard  150 . The electrical connector  440  may comprise one or more conductive plates  460  which contact the pins  160  of connector  140  to provide an electrical connection when the keyboard is connected to the base. The plates  460  provide a larger conductive surface area to allow for an extended period of use before wear. For example, one or more of the latches  154  (FIG. 1) may wear down allowing the keyboard  150  to shift slightly when connected to the base  110 . Because contact points between the conductive plates  460  and the pins  160  may exist anywhere on the plates  460 , the electrical connection between the base  110  and the keyboard  150  remains intact. 
     Alternatively, the connector  440  may be located on the front, rear or one of the lateral surfaces of the keyboard  150 . The location of the connector  440  depends directly on the ability to geometrically align connector  440  to connector  140  when the keyboard  150  is snapped-on to the base  110 . 
     Alternatively, each of the connectors  140  and  440  may be a standard male or female peripheral device connector found on many computers for connecting mice and keyboards. Since most laptop computers are already equipped with this type of connector, it may be cost-effective for manufacturers to add this type of port to the upper surface  115  of the base  110 . Alternatively, a port may be artificially added to the upper surface  115  of the base  110  externally by running an electric cord that positions a moveable connector on the upper surface  115  of the base  110 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of connector  140  and connector  440  which are used to electrically connect the keyboard  150  to the base  110  of the portable computer  100 . It is desirable to configure the two connectors to automatically form an electrical connection when the user snaps-on the keyboard  150  to the base  110 . Alternatively, the user may be required to physically mate the connector  140  with the connector  440  before it is possible to snap-on the keyboard  150  to the base  110 . 
     Upon pressing the one or more keys of the keyboard  150 , the electrical signal representative of the key pressed travel from the keyboard  150  through the connectors  440  and  140  into the computer  100 . The connectors  140  and  440  may utilize a USB data transfer format without using the standard physical connector associated with a USB format. A USB data transfer format may also supply the keyboard  150  with an electrical power thereby eliminating the need for an additional cord or battery. Additionally, a USB format allows a user to install or remove the keyboard  150  during operation (also known as “hot swapability”) without performing a lengthy installation routine. Although a USB connection transfers data in a serial format, the connection allows for much faster data transfer than the standard serial port found on most personal computers. 
     Alternatively, or in addition to the connectors  140  and  440 , the keyboard  150  may contain a retractable cord which is used to connect the keyboard  150  to the computer  100  if the computer  100  is not equipped with a compatible direct connector. Most modern portable computers include a serial port which allows connecting an external keyboard instead of the laptop keyboard. The retractable cord which makes this connection is hidden from view unless used. 
     FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the pin style connector shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  5 . The connector comprises a pin  160 , a spring  162 , an electrical connector  164 , and a wire  166 . The round upper portion of the pin  160  makes electrical contact with one of the plates of connector  440  shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The spring  162  exerts an upward force on the pin which causes the pin to extend beyond the upper surface  115  of the base. A housing  163  is formed in the base  110  and provides room for the pin  160  to retract into when a force is applied from above. Although the pin retracts, it maintains electrical contact with the plate connector  440  as the keyboard  150  is latched onto the base  110  of the computer  100 . 
     In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention overcomes the long-standing need for providing a conventional keyboard configured to be snapped-on to a portable computer thereby offering the typing comforts of a desktop computer. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather by the foregoing description. All changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.