Portable keyboard and speaker assembly

A portable keyboard includes: a polygonal pillar-shaped main body having a battery embedded therein; a key assembly connected to the main body, the key assembly having a plurality of key arrangements; and a connecting member formed to extend down to the bottom of the key assembly while connecting the key assembly and the main body to each other, wherein at least one key arrangement in the key assembly allows information to be entered by a touch, a first element is provided to the main body, a second element is provided to the key assembly, and the first element and the second element are attached to each other by magnetic force such that the key assembly is wound.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable keyboard and a speaker assembly, and more particularly, to a keyboard with enhanced portability that can be used wirelessly and a speaker assembly using this keyboard.

BACKGROUND ART

With the rapid development of the internet and multimedia, a variety of portable devices or multimedia products using the internet and multimedia are commercially available to meet users' needs. Such portable devices or multimedia products are getting smaller and more complex for most efficient use, making it portable enough to carry around, allowing the user to enter information as they wish, and organically combining different features.

These portable devices or multimedia products require a wireless keyboard or other input devices to enter text. However, such input devices as wireless keyboards are quite bulky and not easy to carry around.

Moreover, conventional portable keyboards are bulky and usually not foldable, so they are not that convenient when you are out and about. Also, these portable keyboards are not easy to set up because they are connected to other products by wires in most cases.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable keyboard with enhanced portability that can be rolled up like a scroll.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable device that makes it easy to set up a portable terminal on it.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable keyboard comprising: a polygonal pillar-shaped main body having a battery embedded therein; a key assembly connected to the main body, the key assembly having a plurality of key arrangements; and a connecting member formed to extend down to the bottom of the key assembly while connecting the key assembly and the main body to each other, wherein at least one key arrangement in the key assembly allows information to be entered by a touch, a first element is provided to the main body, a second element is provided to the key assembly, and the first element and the second element are attached to each other by magnetic force such that the key assembly is wound.

The connecting member may comprise: a pattern sheet having a printed circuit pattern formed therein; and a front sheet and a rear sheet, placed on the top and bottom of the pattern sheet to protect the pattern sheet.

The key assembly may have at least one mechanical key arrangement, the mechanical key arrangement may comprise a key placed on the top to be pressed by a user; a key support (dummy) placed underneath the key to support the key, the key support having a through-hole to pass the lower end of the key; and a dome formed on the pattern sheet.

The second element may be provided at the bottom of the key.

A separation preventing part having a larger diameter than the through-hole may be formed at the bottom end of the key.

The main body may comprise: a setup part having a pair of rotary members, wherein the rotary member may comprise a hinge part rotatable while fixed at the main body; a fitting part extending from the hinge part, the fitting part having a slot to fit a mobile terminal in; and a supporting part extending from the fitting part to restrain the mobile terminal.

The main body may comprise: a hinge fixing part recessed inward from the main body to provide a space where the hinge part is rotatable; a protruding part formed on one side of the hinge fixing part, the protruding part having the fitting part inserted and fitted thereinto; and a recessed part having the supporting part fitted therein, so that the exterior of the main body maintains a polygonal shape.

The first element or the second element may be made of a magnet or steel sheet.

A metal sheet may be further provided underneath the rear sheet.

The first element may be a magnet, and wherein the key assembly may comprise: a key pressed by a user; and an elastic member provided underneath the key to support the key, wherein the elastic member may be made of steel.

A light source may be formed on the pattern sheet so that light leaks around the key.

The first and second elements may be magnets, the first element may be covered with a yoke.

An internal battery supplying power to operate the keyboard and a printed circuit board connected to the internal battery may be provided inside the main body, and a charging IC chip may be formed on the printed circuit board.

In case that the key assembly comprises a plurality of hotkeys, different terminals may be allocated to the hotkeys, respectively, so that the hotkeys are paired with the corresponding terminals when pressed.

In case that the key assembly comprises a single hotkey, a predetermined order may be set up to allocate multiple terminals to the hotkey so that the hotkey is paired with the different terminals in the predetermined order when pressed.

A touchpad may be provided on the outer surface of the main body, to move a cursor or mouse arrow in the direction of a touch.

An electronic ink may be placed on the pattern sheet, to change the order of key arrangements or key input values.

An NFC module may be provided in the main body.

The key assembly may comprise a plurality of hotkeys, the hotkeys may be ordered to set NFC tags, and a Bluetooth or WIFI connection may be established through the set NFC tags.

If terminals are allocated to all of the hotkeys, the previously allocated terminals may be automatically deleted to connect with newly tagged terminals.

If terminals are allocated to all of the hotkeys, the user may be informed that terminals tagged afterwards are not to be allocated, and the previously allocated terminals may be deleted to allocate newly tagged terminals

If terminals are allocated to all of the hotkeys, the user may be informed that terminals tagged afterwards are not to be allocated, and the previously allocated terminals may be deleted to allocate newly tagged terminals

At least one of a power key, a speaker, an internal battery charging port, a pairing key, and a an external battery charging port may be formed at one end portion of the main body.

A polyurethane (PU) material may be used for the front sheet and the rear sheet, and a PET film may be used for the pattern sheet.

A hall sensor may be provided in the main body, and a magnet may be provided in the key assembly, so that power supply is controlled based on whether the hall sensor and the magnet come into contact with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a portable keyboard offers enhanced portability because it can be rolled up like a scroll.

Moreover, a portable keyboard with two speakers can be used to implement a stereos assembly.

In addition, a capacitive or pressure-sensitive keyboard can be used for a thinner profile to make it easier to roll it up in various shapes.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a portable keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffixes “unit” and “part” used in the following description are given only for the purpose of ease of description of the present specification and do not have an important meaning or role in and of themselves.

First of all,FIG. 1is an overall perspective view of a rectangular portable keyboard100according to one embodiment of the present invention,FIGS. 2A and 2Bare a side view and partial enlarged view of the portable keyboard100ofFIG. 1in a rolled-up position,FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of the portable keyboard100ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 4is a top plane view of the portable keyboard in an opened position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable keyboard100may be formed into a polygon, more specifically, a rectangle or a pentagon, and is almost identical in internal structure and configuration, except for its profile. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of rolling up the portable keyboard100into a rectangular or pentagonal shape.

FIG. 5is a partial cross-sectional view of a key assembly120according to one embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 17is an internal schematic view of a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 1, 5, and 17, the portable keyboard100according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body110with an internal battery101, in the shape of a polygonal pillar, a key assembly120connected to the main body110and having a plurality of key arrangements, and a flexible connecting member135connecting the key assembly120and the main body110and extending to the bottom of the key assembly120. At least one key arrangement121or125of the key assembly120allows information to be entered by touch, and also allows the key assembly120to be rolled up. To this end, in one embodiment of the present invention, a touch-type keyboard is used for part of the key assembly120. More specifically, a capacitive or pressure-sensitive keyboard is used for some key arrangements.

The key assembly120has a plurality of arrangements, and althoughFIG. 4illustrates first to fifth key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125, only four key arrangements may be provided if needed.FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate that the first key arrangement121is touch-type. The first key arrangement121is usually touch-type, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the fifth key arrangement125may be touch-type.

Referring toFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5, the connecting member135includes a pattern sheet170with a printed circuit board pattern173formed on it, and a front sheet160and a rear sheet180that are placed on the top and bottom of the pattern sheet170and protect the pattern sheet170. The connecting member136according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the front sheet160, the pattern sheet170, and the rear sheet180. Since these sheets are made of thin material, the first key arrangement121in the first row of the key assembly120can be easily rolled up. In this instance, the connecting member135extends to the bottom of the mechanical key arrangements122,123,124, and125.

FIG. 2Aillustrates that the first key arrangement121is touch-type and the other key arrangements122,123,124, and125are mechanical.FIG. 2Billustrates that the mechanical key arrangements are being rolled up. As shown inFIG. 2B, the connecting member135has a bending portion191. To make the connecting member135bend like that, in one embodiment of the present invention, PU (polyurethane) material is used for the front sheet160and the rear sheet180, and a PET film is used for the pattern sheet170.

Characters, numbers, etc. are printed on some part126bof the top surface126cof a key126, the top surface126cis in contact with one side of the main body110, the side126dof the key126is spaced apart from the side126dof a nearby key126, and the side140aof a key supporting part140is sloped. Adjacent sides140amay be placed parallel to each other when they are rolled up, so that they are not in contact with each other. Even if the sides140aare in contact with each other, the two key support parts140, which are brought close to each other by the contact, should make a right angle. In this case, the sides126dof the keys126also should be placed in such a way that they are not in contact with each other.

In this instance, the key126may be brought into contact with the top surface140bof the key supporting part140. The width D2of the top surface140bis smaller than the width D3of the key supporting part140because the width D1of the key126is smaller than the width D2of the top surface140band the side140ais sloped.

Meanwhile, the width L of the main body110is associated with the widths D3of the key support parts140in the key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125. Since the widths D3of the key support parts140increase with the width L, the main body110too large in size may make it difficult to form the key assembly120. To increase the size of the main body110, it is necessary that the key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125are widely spaced.

Moreover, the key126has a separation preventing part126a, which is a lateral extension of the bottom, to prevent it from falling off. The separation preventing part126ais formed in such a way that a portion extending through a through-hole140cin the key supporting part140and contacting a dome150has a larger diameter than the through-hole140c.

As shown inFIG. 4, a touchpad105is provided on the outer surface of the main body110. The touchpad105functions to move a cursor or mouse arrow in the direction of a touch. More specifically, the position of the cursor or mouse arrow on the mobile terminal200paired with the portable keyboard100is changed by touching the touchpad105in a particular direction.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a combination of a mechanical keyboard and a touch-type keyboard (capacitive or pressure-sensitive) is employed. The electrostatic keyboard is able to detect even a gentle press on a key since it generates a signal by sensing a voltage difference, unlike the mechanical keyboard, whereas the mechanical keyboard generates a signal by sensing a pressure difference.

The main body110includes a setup part220that can be unfolded outwards where the mobile terminal200can be set up. The setup part220includes a pair of rotary members221and222. That is, the rotary members221and222are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other, and can be folded onto or unfolded from the main body110as they rotate in opposite directions. Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to two rotary members221and222, the present invention is not limited thereto and three or more rotary members221and222may be included and they may rotate in the same direction as well.

FIGS. 8 and 9are perspective views of the portable keyboard100when the setup part220is in a folded-up position according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 10 and 11are perspective views of the portable keyboard100when the setup part220is in an opened position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 8 to 11, the rotary members221and222will be described more concretely. The rotary members221and222each include a hinge part223that is rotatable while fixed at the main body110, a fitting part225that extends from the hinge part223and has a slot to fit the mobile terminal200in, and a supporting part224that extends from the fitting part225and restrains the mobile terminal200from moving. The hinge part223, the fitting part225, and the supporting part224are integrally formed, and shaped like a plate with a slot to fit the mobile terminal200in. The rotary members221and222may form an approximately U-shape.

To connect with the rotary members221and222, the main body110includes a hinge fixing part213that is recessed inwards from the main body110and provides space where the hinge part223can rotate, a protruding part215that is formed on one side of the hinge fixing part213that the fitting part225can be inserted and fit into, and a recessed part214for fitting the supporting part224in. With these parts fitting together, the main body110has a flat, polygonal profile. That is, the rotary members221and222, which are rotatable around the hinge part223, come into close contact with the main body110when folded onto the main body110, thus making the main body110flat in appearance.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of the key assembly120and the connecting member135according to one embodiment of the present invention. First off, a mechanical key arrangement will be described. The mechanical key arrangement includes a key126to be pressed by the user that is placed on the top, a key support140(dummy) that is placed underneath the key126, supports the key126, and has a through-hole140cto pass the lower end of the key126through, and a second element130provided at the bottom of the key126. Besides, a dome150is provided on the pattern sheet170.

The connecting member135includes a pattern sheet170placed under the key support140and having a dome150, a front sheet160placed over the pattern sheet170, and a rear sheet180placed under the pattern sheet170and supporting the pattern sheet170.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, magnetic force is used to keep the key assembly120from being unrolled as the key assembly120is rolled up around the main body110.

That is, the main body110and the key assembly120have a first element119and the second element130, respectively. The first element119and the second element130each may be a magnet or a steel sheet. More specifically, if the first element119is a steel sheet, the second element130may be a magnet or a steel sheet, and if the first element119is a steel sheet, the second element130may be a magnet.FIG. 3illustrates that the second element130is a steel sheet.

If the first element119and the second element130are both magnets, the first element119is covered with a yoke119ato further improve the magnetic force. Using the yoke119ain this way, the N and S poles of the first element119are aligned opposite to the N and S poles of the second element130. The first and second elements119and130aligned opposite to each other may be fixed at a given position by the attractive force of the adjacent magnets.

Moreover, the attractive force between the first and second elements119and130may be further improved by the yoke119a. That is, the lines of magnetic force are deflected to the space between the first and second elements119and130so that the lines of magnetic force formed between the first and second elements119and130can be increased. Hence, the adhesion force between the first and second elements119and130is increased.

If the second element130is a steel sheet, the magnet119and the steel sheet130come into contact with each other by magnetic force when the portable keyboard110is rolled up, making it easy to roll up the key assembly120. If the first element119and the second element130are both magnets, the magnet119is embedded in each side118,118a,118b,118c, and118dwithin the main body110as shown inFIG. 16, and the magnet130is provided under the key126, thereby making it easy to roll up the main body110and the key assembly120by the attractive force between the magnets119and130.

As shown inFIG. 14, a connector175is provided on one side of the pattern sheet170and electrically connected to a printed circuit board103provided in the main body110.FIG. 17is an internal schematic view of a main body according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 17, an internal battery101is provided in the portable keyboard100, and the internal battery101is connected to the printed circuit board103, which is a control part, by a cable102. The positions of the printed circuit board103and internal battery101may be changed.

A metal sheet190is further provided underneath the rear sheet180. The metal sheet190is made of an aluminum-containing material, and serves to put a weight on the key assembly120and allow the key assembly120to be rolled up, forming a polygonal shape.

FIGS. 5 and 7are views for explaining a connection between the key126and the pattern sheet170according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, an eye-catching decoration may be put up in order to get light leak around the key126. To this end, in one embodiment of the present invention, a light source171is placed on the pattern sheet170. The light source171may be an LED.FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate that light beams L1and L2from the light source171are leaking out of the key126.

InFIG. 6, a raised dome150is formed underneath the key126. If the edge of the key126is pressed, the dome150may not be correctly pressed.FIG. 7depicts a structure for preventing this. An X-shaped elastic member145is provided underneath the key126, the elastic member145is brought into contact with the pattern sheet170, and second domes146and146′ are formed between the elastic member145and the pattern sheet170. With this structure, if the top side of the key126is pressed, the portion pressed by the elastic member145and the opposite portion press the second domes146and146′ while being kept horizontal. In this instance, no magnet or steel sheet is needed since the elastic member145is made of steel.

The electrostatic or pressure-sensitive key arrangement121according to one embodiment of the present invention may work by means of the devices provided on the pattern sheet170, and other components like a physical key126are not necessary.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare side views of the portable keyboard100in a rolled-up position. Referring toFIG. 2A, a power key111, a charging port112, a pairing key113, and a speaker129are formed on one side of the main body110.

The power key111is for supplying power to the portable keyboard100, and the charging port112is for charging the internal battery101embedded in the portable keyboard100. The pairing key113is a button used to pair the portable keyboard100with the mobile terminal200. That is, a nearby mobile terminal200can be detected and wirelessly connected by pressing the pairing key113. The speaker129on the portable keyboard100, apart from the speaker on the mobile terminal200, allows the user to listen to music, etc. when the portable keyboard200is paired with the mobile terminal200and the user wants to play music, etc.

FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view of the mobile terminal being set up on the portable keyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the user makes a key entry using the key assembly120while the main body110is paired with the mobile terminal200, the mobile terminal200plays music, video, etc. and sends a signal to the portable keyboard100to output sound through the speaker129. That is, when the portable keyboard100sends a key input signal to the mobile terminal200, the mobile terminal200receives it and plays music or video.

FIG. 13is a partial perspective view of an end portion of the main body110according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 13, the portable keyboard100's battery status part114, battery charge indicator115, wireless connection indicator116, a Caps lock indicator117, etc. are placed on one side of the main body110.

That is, a battery indicator114a, a charge status indicator light114bthat shows how much charge is left in the battery, a Bluetooth indicator116a, a Bluetooth connection indicator light116bthat shows if a Bluetooth connection is established, a battery charging indicator115a, and a charge indicator light115bthat shows if the battery is charged are provided. Also, a Caps lock indicator117aand an indicator light117bare provided to let the user know if it is uppercase or lowercase.

Meanwhile, power can be supplied depending on whether the setup part220is opened, rather than whether the key assembly120is rolled up. That is, power may be supplied when the rotary members221and222are unfolded, and the power supply may be stopped when the rotary members221and222are folded up. Also, when the key assembly120is opened, power may be supplied, and the power supply may be stopped when the key assembly120is rolled up.

If the user wants to use the speaker129while the key assembly120is in a rolled-up position, the power key111may be used.

In case the user wants to supply power depending on whether the key assembly120is rolled up, magnets (not shown) may be embedded in the fifth key arrangement125and hall sensors may be embedded in the main body110, so as to detect whether the key assembly120is rolled up, by using the magnet and the hall sensor139. Also, the hall sensors may be embedded in the main body110and the magnets138may be embedded in the rotary members221and222, so as to detect whether the rotary members221and222are unfolded, by using the hall sensor139and the magnet138. The positions of the hall sensor139and magnet138can be inverted. The hall sensor139will be described later.

Although the foregoing description has been made with respect to an example in which the key assembly120can be easily rolled up by the first and second elements119and130being held together by attractive force, other various methods, apart from the method using attractive force, may be used. For example, as shown inFIG. 13, slots161may be formed on each side of the main body110, and bosses162corresponding to the slots161may be formed at the ends of each of the key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125, so that the key assembly120can be easily rolled up by a concavo-convexed coupling of the slots161and the bosses162. This will be described later.

The portable keyboard100according to the present invention may use short-range communication technologies such as Bluetooth, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), infrared data association (IrDA), UWB (Ultra Wideband), ZigBee, NFC (Near Field Communication), and so on.

Among them, an NFC module provided in the portable keyboard100supports device-to-device contactless short-range wireless communication from a distance of 10 cm or so. The NFC module can work in either card mode, reader mode, or P2P mode. In order for the NFC module to work in card mode, the portable keyboard100may further include a security module for storing card information. The security module may be a physical medium such as UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) (e.g., SIM (Subscriber Identification module) or USIM (Universal SIM), Secure micro SD, or a sticker, or a logical medium (e.g., embedded SE (Secure element) embedded in the mobile terminal. SWP (Single Wire Protocol)-based data exchange may occur between the NFC module and the security module.

If the NFC module works in card mode, the portable keyboard100may transmit card information stored in it to the outside, like traditional IC cards.

If the NFC module works in reader mode, the portable keyboard100may read data from external tags. Data the mobile terminal receives from tags may be encoded in the NFC data exchange format defined by the NFC forum. In addition, the NFC form defines four record types. Specifically, the NFC defines four record types (Record Type Definition): smart poster, text, URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), and general control. If data received from a tag is smart poster type, the control part may execute a browser (e.g., internet browser). If data received from a tag is text type, the control part may execute a text viewer. If data received from a tag is URI type, the control part may execute a browser or make a phone call. If data received from a tag is general control type, the control part may execute a proper operation depending on what to control.

If the NFC module works in P2P mode, the portable keyboard100may perform P2P communication with another mobile terminal. In this case, LLCP (Logical Link Control Protocol) may be used for P2P communication. For P2P communication, a connection may be established between the portable keyboard100and another mobile terminal. The established connection may be divided into connectionless mode that is finished after an exchange of one packet and connection-oriented mode that allows for continuous packet exchange. Data such as electronic name cards, contact information, digital photographs, or URLs, and setup parameters for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections may be exchanged through P2P communication. However, P2P mode may be used efficiently for exchange of small-size data because the working distance of NFC communication is short.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the key assembly120includes a plurality of hotkeys, the hotkeys are ordered to set NFC tags, and a Bluetooth or WIFI connection can be established through the set NFC tags.

If terminals are allocated to all of the hotkeys, no more terminals tagged afterwards can be allocated. In this case, the previously allocated terminals may be automatically deleted to connect with newly tagged terminals. Otherwise, the user may be informed that terminals tagged afterwards cannot be allocated, and the previously allocated terminals may be deleted to allocate newly tagged terminals.

Moreover, if terminals are allocated to all of the hotkeys, the allocated terminals may be deleted by pressing the hotkeys long. Once the allocated terminals are deleted, new terminals can be allocated.

Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, electronic ink is placed on the pattern sheet170to change the characters, numbers, etc. printed on the keys126of any one of the key arrangements. The electronic ink is a black-and-white display in which multiple capsules are provided between two panels, each capsule functions as a pixel, and white and black particles move in response to an electronic signal.

The electronic ink commonly refers to types of ink that are applicable to a variety of electronic part materials such as printed circuit boards (PCB, FPCB, etc.), displays (LCD, PDP, OLED, etc.), RFID, smart labels, and so on. The electronic ink may be classified into metal ink, ceramic ink, molecular ink, etc. In this case, paste ink, nano ink, etc. can be used as the metal ink. These types of metal ink have conductivity and therefore act as a circuit when printed on a circuit board by a printing technique.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first key arrangement121may work as electrostatic type by using the electronic ink, and at the same time, the order or input values of the keys on the first key arrangement121may be changed. For example, the keys F1and F2on the first key arrangement121may be changed to number keys 1 and 2.

Using the above method, the fifth key arrangement125may work as touch type. Usually, the fifth key arrangement125works as electrostatic type and is used as a typical keyboard using electronic ink. Also, the fifth key arrangement125may be switched to arrow keys when playing music or video.

In one embodiment of the present invention, hotkeys may be provided as shown inFIG. 15. The key assembly120may include a plurality of hotkeys.

As shown inFIG. 15A, different terminals T1, T2, and T3may be allocated to different hotkeys K1, K2, and K3, respectively, by the user10. If the terminals T1, T2, and T3are allocated to the hotkeys K1, K2, and K3in a one-to-one basis, the hotkeys are paired with the corresponding terminals when pressed.

For example, if the terminal T1is allocated to the hotkey K1, the hotkey K1is paired with the terminal T1when pressed.

Although the foregoing description has been made with respect to a plurality of hotkeys, a plurality of terminals T1, T2, and T3may be paired with a single hotkey HK in one embodiment of the present invention. To this end, it is necessary to set up an order for the terminals T1, T2, and T3to be allocated to the hotkey HK.

Once a predetermined order is set up to allocate the terminals T1, T2, and T3, the hotkey HK may be paired with the different terminals T1, T2, and T3in the predetermined order when pressed. For example, if the hotkey HK is configured to be paired with the terminal T1when pressed once, the terminal T2when pressed twice, and the terminal T3when pressed three times, the hotkey HK may be pressed three times in a row to be paired with the terminal T3.

FIG. 19is a block diagram for explaining the portable keyboard according to the present invention. The portable keyboard may include a wireless communication part230, a key input part240, an output part250, a power supply part270, a sensor part105, and a display part260. The components shown inFIG. 19are not necessary to implement the portable keyboard, so the mobile terminal described in this specification may have more or less components than those listed above.

More specifically, the wireless communication part230, among these components, may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the portable keyboard100and the wireless communication system such as a mobile terminal200.

Typically, the wireless communication part230may be a short-range communication module231, and may include at least one among a wireless internet module, a broadcast receiving module, a mobile communication module, and a location information module.

The key input part240is for entering numbers, characters, etc. required for the user to use the mobile terminal by means of the portable keyboard. Data collected by the key input part240may be transmitted to the mobile terminal by the controller290.

The sensor part105may include at least one among a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, an RGB sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a finger scan sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and an optical sensor. The sensor part105functions to move the mouse arrow or cursor on the mobile terminal200by capturing the user's motion.

The output part250may include at least either an audio output part251or an optical output part252. The audio output part251may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit230or stored in the memory, in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The audio output part251may output an audio signal (e.g., a call signal reception sound and a message reception sound) associated with a particular function performed by the portable keyboard. The audio output part251may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and so on.

The optical output part252may illuminate the outer edges of the keys126when the user opens the portable keyboard100. The optical output part252may be a light source171, for example.

The display part260is used to show various statuses to the user. The display part260may include a battery status part114that shows how much charge is left in the battery, a battery charge indicator115that shows how much the battery is charged, a wireless connection indicator116that shows if a wireless connection such as Bluetooth or WiFi is established, and a Caps lock indicator117that lets the user know if it is uppercase or lowercase.

The power supply part270may supply power to the internal battery101or an external battery271for a mobile terminal or the like under control of the control part290. That is, the power supply part270includes the internal battery101, which may be an embedded battery capable of charging, and may be detachably attached to the terminal body for charging or the like. In this case, the mobile terminal may be internally powered to supply the power required for the operations of the components.

The power supply part270may include a charging IC chip104for voltage boosting, a charging port112for charging the internal battery101, and a USB port108for charging the external battery271embedded in the mobile terminal200.

FIGS. 18A and 18Bare views for explaining charging of the internal battery and the external battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. Externally-supplied voltages are often different from voltages used in portable keyboards. In this case, it is necessary to boost or lower the voltage. Referring toFIG. 18A, when 5V power enters the charging port112through a cable107, the voltage should be converted to a voltage suitable for the internal battery101. To this end, the charging IC chip104is provided in the printed circuit board103to convert the voltage. That is, the voltage drops from 5V to 3.7V by the charging IC chip104. In this case, the charging IC chip104performs the same function as a DC/DC converter.

In this instance, external power may be applied through the charging port112, and the charging port112may be configured as an example of an interface to which an external power source for supplying power to charge batteries is electrically connected.

In another example, the power supply part270may be configure to charge batteries in a wireless manner without using the connection port. In this case, the power supply part270may receive power from an external wireless power transmitter by using either one or both of inductive coupling based on magnetic induction and magnetic resonance coupling based on electromagnetic resonance.

Meanwhile, the mobile terminal200and the portable keyboard100need to be electrically connected through the USB port108, in order to charge the external battery271of the mobile terminal, in which case voltage adjustment is needed as well.

That is, referring toFIG. 18B, power is supplied from the internal battery101by the cable102, and the voltage of the internal battery101is about 3.7V. The voltage needs to be boosted to a voltage of about 5V to charge the external battery271, which is done by the charging IC chip104. Once the voltage is boosted by the charging IC chip104, the external battery271is charged to the boosted voltage through a cable106. To this end, the USB port108is provided on one surface of the main body110in one embodiment of the present invention. That is, the cable106is connected to the USB port108. Consequently, voltage drop is required to charge the internal battery101, and voltage boosting is required to charge the external battery271. These conversions are done by the charging IC chip104, and the voltage drop and the voltage boosting are opposite processes.

Typically, the controller290controls the overall operations of the portable keyboard, as well as the above operations associated with applications. The controller290may provide proper information or functions to the user or process them by processing input or output signals, data, information, etc. by the above-described components or running the applications stored in the memory.

Hereinafter, a portable keyboard and speaker assembly according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. First of all,FIG. 20Ais an overall perspective view of the portable keyboard100when the setup part220is in an opened position according to one embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 20Bis an overall perspective view of the portable keyboard100when the setup part220is in a folded-up position according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 20A and 20B, the portable keyboard100according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body110with an internal battery (not shown) embedded therein, in the shape of a polygonal pillar, a key assembly120connected to the main body110and having a plurality of key arrangements, and a flexible connecting member135connecting the key assembly120and the main body110and extending to the bottom of the key assembly120. In this case, slots161are formed on each side at two opposite ends of the main body110, and bosses162with a shape corresponding to the slots161are provided at two opposite ends of the key assembly120. The key assembly120is rolled up as the bosses162are inserted into the slots161.

The key assembly120has a plurality of arrangements, and althoughFIG. 20Aillustrates first to fifth key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125, only four key arrangements may be provided if needed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, if the first to fifth key arrangements121,122,123,124, and125are all mechanical, the connecting member135includes a front sheet160, a pattern sheet170, and a rear sheet180as well. Since these sheets are made of thin material, the first key arrangement121in the first row of the key assembly120can be easily rolled up. That is, the key assembly with keys126with a constant height can be seamlessly rolled up by means of the connecting member135.

AlthoughFIGS. 20A and 20Billustrate that the main body110is a pentagonal pillar, the present invention is not limited thereto and the main body110may be a rectangular or triangular pillar as in the foregoing embodiment.

The first key arrangement121is identical to that of the foregoing embodiment, except that it is mechanical. That is, the main body110includes a setup part220that can be unfolded outwards where the mobile terminal200can be set up. The setup part220includes a pair of rotary members221and222.

FIG. 21is a schematic cross-sectional view of the portable keyboard in a rolled-up position according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 21, it can be seen that a power key111, a charging port112, a pairing key113, and a speaker129are formed on one side of the main body110.FIG. 21illustrates that the first key arrangement121is touch-type and the second to fifth key arrangements122,123,124, and125are mechanical.FIG. 22is a view for explaining a speaker assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Speakers129and129′ are formed on one side of the portable keyboard100, and stereo sound may be created using the two speakers129and129′.

More specifically, if the user wants to play music on the mobile terminal200and listen to it through the portable keyboard100, sound can be output simultaneously from two portable keyboards100and100′ by wirelessly connecting the mobile terminal200and the first portable keyboard100′ and wirelessly connecting the first portable keyboard100′ and the second portable keyboard100, thereby creating stereo sound.

In this case, the mobile terminal200is a first source, the first portable keyboard100′ is a first sink and at the same time a second source, and the second portable keyboard100is a second sink. The wireless connections may be a Bluetooth wireless connection, for example. The Bluetooth chipset has to forward what it receives signals. This is so-called ‘ShareMe’ feature. The ShareMe feature provides a low-delay wireless connection from a source to two sink devices simultaneously.

For the wireless connection, A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) and AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile) protocols may be used.

Meanwhile, when rolling up or opening the portable keyboard100according to one embodiment of the present invention, a hall sensor139may be used to turn the power on/off depending on whether the key assembly120is rolled up or not. For example, the key assembly120and the main body110may be separated from each other to supply power by opening the key assembly120, and the power may be automatically turned off by rolling up the key assembly120. Further, power may be supplied depending on whether the setup part is opened, rather than whether the key assembly120is rolled up. That is, power may be supplied when the rotary members221and222are unfolded, and power supply may be stopped when the rotary members221and222are folded up.

In case the user wants to supply power depending on whether the key assembly120is rolled up, a magnet may be embedded in the fifth key arrangement125and a hall sensor139may be embedded in the main body110so as to detect whether the key assembly120is rolled up, by using the magnet and the hall sensor139. Also, the hall sensor139may be embedded in the main body110and the magnet138may be embedded in the rotary members221and222, so as to detect whether the rotary members221and222are unfolded, by using the hall sensor139and the magnet138. The positions of the hall sensor139and magnet can be inverted.

The above-described portable keyboard is not limited to the configurations and methods according to the above-described embodiments, but instead all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention.

Therefore, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are not limiting, but only an example in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is expressed by claims below, not the detailed description, and it should be construed that all changes and modifications achieved from the meanings and scope of claims and equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

A keyboard that can be rolled up and a keyboard assembly according to embodiments of the present invention are applicable to mobile terminals.