Docking device

The disclosure relates to a docking device and an assembly comprising the docking device and a tablet computer. The docking device comprises a pair of frame members defining receiving space for receiving the tablet computer, each frame member includes a connection portion and a supporting portion; and a virtual input device pivotably mounted within an opening between the connection portions.

BACKGROUND

With increasing development of science and technology, a tablet computer has been introduced into the market. The tablet computer is a mobile computer and often integrated into a flat, tablet screen, and may be primarily operated by touching the tablet screen. In a tablet computer, the processor may be part of the tablet screen. The tablet computer usually provides a user interface with the processor through the tablet screen. Via the tablet screen, the use may input an instruction into the tablet computer to control operations of the tablet computer. Generally, when the user wants to input a character or a symbol into the tablet computer, an on-screen keyboard is enabled and shown on the tablet screen of the tablet computer. The on-screen keyboard is a virtual keyboard simulating the real keyboard device. By touching an icon of the on-screen keyboard, a corresponding character or symbol is inputted into the tablet computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “leading”, “trailing”, “transverse” etc., are used with reference to the orientation of the figures being described. Because components of various examples disclosed herein can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be limiting. It is also to be understood that the examples illustrated in the drawings, and the specific language used herein to describe the same are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein are to be considered to fall within the scope of the disclosure.

In the existing tablet computers, since the tablet computer is light and portable, the tablet screen is often small. Thus, the on-screen keyboard is also small, and not very convenient for a user to input. In addition, if the user touches the tablet screen of the tablet computer docked in a docking device or storage device, it also causes stability problem.

According to an example of the disclosure, a docking device for a tablet computer is provided, comprising: a pair of frame members defining a receiving space for receiving the tablet computer, each frame member includes a connection portion and a supporting portion; and a virtual input device pivotably mounted within an opening between the connection portions.

The virtual keyboard device can project an image of the desired virtual keyboard in front of a user of the tablet computer, and can sense user interaction with the virtual keyboard, thus facilitating the user to input and avoiding stability problem.

FIG. 1is a schematic view of a docking device10integrated with a virtual keyboard device30according to an example of the present disclosure. The docking device10includes a pair of frame members19defining a receiving space17for receiving the tablet computer20. In an example, each frame member19includes a connection portion12and a supporting portion11which supports the docking device10on a table and is provided with a hinge15and a connector16. The connection portions12define an opening13therebetween. In an example, at least one of the supporting portions11includes at least one I/O port18(as shown inFIG. 3). In an example, each of the supporting portions11includes a transverse extension14, so as to provide stable support. In an example, each frame member19is substantially L-shaped.

The docking device10further includes a virtual keyboard device30pivotably mounted within the opening13of the connection portion12. In an example, the virtual keyboard device30is mounted to the connection portions12via binges (not shown).

FIG. 2is an enlarged view of a virtual keyboard device30according to an example of the present disclosure. The virtual keyboard device30comprises a housing31, and a virtual keyboard module (not shown) enclosed in the housing31.

As shown inFIG. 2, the housing31may define a projection hole32and a sensor hole33, and the virtual keyboard module includes a projector element (not shown) aligned with the projection hole32, a sensor element (not shown) aligned with the sensor hole33, and a processor (not shown). The projector element is shown to include a keyboard projector or projection system, which in an example, is configured to project a keyboard image34to an input area in front of the tablet computer20and proximate to a user, such that, a user can input data into the tablet computer20. In an example, the projector element can project a virtual image of a keyboard34in front of the tablet computer20. In an example, the projector element includes a laser diode or diode laser and a diffractive optical element, for projecting an image of the desired keyboard interface34in front of a user of the tablet computer, as shown inFIG. 5. Further, the sensor element is mounted within the housing31and is aligned with the sensor hole33. The sensor element is configured to sense user interaction with the virtual keyboard34that is projected in front of a user. In an example, the sensor element comprises a CMOS (Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) camera and a sensor chip.

FIG. 3is a schematic view of an assembly1including a tablet computer20and a docking device10according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the assembly is at a standing user position.FIG. 4is a schematic view of an assembly1including a tablet computer20and a docking device10according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the assembly is at a storage position.

As shown inFIG. 1, the docking device10is provided with a hinge15and connector16on respective supporting portions11. The hinges15are used to pivotably connect the tablet computer20to the docking device10.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the assembly includes a docking device10and a tablet computer20received in the receiving space17of the frame members19and pivotably connected to the supporting portion11via the hinge15.FIG. 3shows that the assembly is located at the standing user position. When the assembly is located at the storage position shown inFIG. 4, the tablet computer20rotates via the hinges15to be placed in the plane defined by the frame members19, so that the tablet computer20can be stored in it space saving manner.

The tablet computer20includes a plurality of electronic components, comprising at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one power supply unit.

FIG. 5is a schematic view of a virtual keyboard layout34generated by the docking device10according to an example of the present disclosure. The virtual keyboard34shown inFIG. 5is only an example, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 6is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the docking device10according to an example of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, each supporting portion11is provided with a hinge15and a connector16. Cables (not shown) pass through the hinges15and the supporting portions11, thereby providing communication between the virtual keyboard device30and the connectors16. In an example, the connectors16are substantially rectangular in cross-section shape, and fit within corresponding interface ports (not shown) of the tablet computer20for providing locking function.

Having described an example of the docking device of the present disclosure, and in particular the docking device integrated with the virtual keyboard device, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosure may be modified in both arrangement and detail.