Abstract:
A multipositional, multilevel user interface system including a keyboard over a base surface for a pointing device such as a mouse. The keyboard and base may be at a fixed angle or rotate relative to each other about a hinge axis to reveal the surface, providing a portable keyboard and pointing surface. A kickstand can support the keyboard above the base in an open position. The keyboard and pointing device can be used with two hands with the system resting in a user&#39;s lap. The keyboard can also swivel about an axis other than the hinge axis. The keyboard can swivel 180 degrees for left-handed use, and can be positioned at other detent angles for comfort. A mouse can also be stowed on the base with a magnetic, friction, or other coupling. The interface system can further include a communication interface and/or a processor to communicate with another computing device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/569,187 filed May 7, 2004; of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/915,510 filed Aug. 2, 2004; of U.S. patent application titled “Modified Keyboard And Systems Containing The Keyboard” with attorney docket number 20167/1200947-US2; and of U.S. patent application titled “Multi-Mode Pointing Device And Systems And Methods Using The Pointing Device” with attorney docket number 20167/1200947-US3, the contents of all four of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a user interface system, and more particularly to a user interface system with multiple input and/or output devices that can be positioned at one or more orientations and/or at multiple distances relative to each other.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Computer keyboards, mice, keypads, and other user interface devices are typically separate from each other and used on a stationary surface. In some cases, such as with laptop computers, a keyboard, touch pad, trackball, and/or cursor stick are integrated into the laptop housing. The keys, cursor stick, and/or buttons usually can move relative to the laptop housing, but each interface device generally does not move separately from the laptop housing. Some laptops include a mouse that is coupled to a laptop housing with a pivoting arm so that a user can move the mouse relative to the laptop housing. Nevertheless, reorientation of the laptop affects the orientation of the mouse and other interface devices. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a lapboard in its open position;  
         [0005]      FIG. 2B  is an isometric view of the lapboard components used for rotating and supporting keyboard support relative to base;  
         [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of the lapboard in its closed position;  
         [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of the lapboard in its closed position;  
         [0008]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of swiveling components that enable the swiveling keyboard to rotate; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of electronic components of the lapboard. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the present invention may be embodied as devices or methods. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.  
         [0000]     Illustrative Operating Environment  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of an environment in which the present invention may operate. However, not all of these components may be required to practice the invention, and variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.  
         [0012]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a network  100 , such as the Internet, enables communication among a number of devices, including a receiver  200 , a remote receiver  200   b , and a server  500 . Receiver  200  generally enables a user to interact with a virtual environment, such as a game, a simulation, and the like. For the virtual environment and other processing, receiver  200  executes both locally stored machine instructions and machine instructions that are communicated from a server  500 . Receiver  200  can communicate with server  500  through network  100  via a modem  10 , such as a cable modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, and the like. Receiver  200  also communicates with a display  10 , such as a high definition television, a standard definition television, a computer monitor, and the like.  
         [0013]     Receiver  200  communicates through a controller connection  202  to a lapboard  300  that enables the user to interact with the virtual environment. Controller connection  202  provides wired or wireless communication according to a local communication protocol, such as universal serial bus (USB), Bluetooth™, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and the like. Lapboard  300  is sometimes referred to as an icontroller, because it can be used as a hub for a number of peripheral interfaces. Lapboard  300  can also rest on a user&#39;s lap during use, so the term lapboard is used for convenience, but the term should not be construed as limiting. Lapboard  300  may include a fixed or a swiveling keyboard  330  and a mouse  340  for user input. Mouse  340  can be in wired or wireless communication with receiver  200 . Other devices can be used for user input and/or output, such as a joystick  356 , a track ball, a wheel, a pedal, a biometric sensor, a tactile feedback device, and the like. Lapboard  300  or receiver  200  can also communicate with a wired or wireless headset  350  for voice and/or other audio input and/or output. Headset  350  includes one or more speakers  352  and a microphone  354 . Lapboard  300  can also be configured to include some or all of the components of receiver  200 , such that a separate receiver  200  can be minimized or eliminated.  
         [0000]     Illustrative Lapboard  
         [0014]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of lapboard  300  in an open position, allowing simultaneous use of the mouse and keyboard without significantly extending the keyboard&#39;s footprint. One embodiment of lapboard  300  is permanently fixed in an open position as shown. Another embodiment is hinged, and shown in  FIG. 2A  in its open position. In this hinged embodiment, lapboard  300  includes a base  310  that is rotationally coupled by a hinge  312  to a keyboard support  320 . Base  310  and keyboard support  320  rotate relative to each other about hinge  312 . When keyboard support  320  is rotated away from base  310 , a larger surface area of base  310  is available for moving mouse  340 . Keyboard support  320  is also rotationally coupled to swiveling keyboard  330  such that swiveling keyboard  330  rotates about swivel axis  331  and in a plane substantially parallel to an upper surface  322  of keyboard support  320 . Swiveling keyboard  330  can be rotated to any position convenient for a user, including swiveling 180 degrees for left handed use. The ability to swivel the keyboard is also useful when placing lapboard  300  in the user&#39;s lap while seated. Swiveling keyboard  330  can be allowed to rotate freely at all times or can be fixed in one or more positions with a detent, a pin, a rotational friction brake, and the like.  
         [0015]     At a mouse end  324  of keyboard support  320 , a mouse stowage coupler  332  can be attached to, and/or incorporated into, keyboard support  320  and/or swiveling keyboard  322 . Mouse stowage coupler  332  can hold mouse  340  in position, such as when lapboard  300  is not in use. Mouse stowage coupler  332  can comprise a magnet, a hook, a loop and/or hook strip (e.g., Velcro™), and the like. Lapboard  300  can also include a biosensor  334  for detecting a characteristic of a user, such as a finger print and the like. To provide status information, a visual indicator  336 , such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like can be included with lapboard  300  and/or the receiver. Other visual effects can also be included, such as backlighting of swiveling keyboard  330 , a light over base  10 , and the like. Lapboard  300  can also include a navigation control, such as a 5-way navigation control  338 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 2B  is an isometric view of exemplary lapboard  300  components used for rotating and supporting keyboard support  320  relative to base  310 . A keyboard support arm  326  is rotationally coupled to base  310  via hinge  312 . When lapboard  300  is fully assembled, keyboard support arm  326  is attached to keyboard support  320 . In one embodiment, keyboard support arm  326  forms a channel and includes a cutout  328  through which a kickstand  314  can travel as keyboard support arm  326  is rotated relative to base  310 . Kickstand  314  rotates about a kickstand hinge  316  that is coupled to base  310 . Kickstand  314  can be allowed to rotate to a position that is slightly beyond perpendicular to base  310  to a locking position. As kickstand  314  rotates, a kickstand pin  318  travels in the channel formed by keyboard support arm  326 . When keyboard support  320  is attached to keyboard support arm  326 , kickstand pin  318  supports keyboard support  320 . Other configurations can be used, such as a pin in a track on a bottom surface of keyboard support  320 , a rack and pinion, a spring, a support rod, and the like. In addition to the support components described above,  FIG. 2B  also illustrates an extent of a mouse surface  342 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of lapboard  300  in its closed position. Mouse  340  can be held in a stowed position on base  310  by a friction fit with a stowage coupler flange  332   a . Swiveling keyboard  330  can have a variety of key layouts for conventional or specialized use. For example, one embodiment includes a numeric keypad  360  located on a left side of swiveling keyboard  330 . Numeric keypad  360  may have a convention configuration of keys, or a modified configuration of keys for special purposes. For example, some keys can be configured for specific uses, such as navigating a cursor. For instance, arrow key sets  362   a  and  362   b  can be arranged in an inverted-T for easy navigation with three fingers. Multiple sets of arrow keys enable both left-handed persons and right-handed persons to use swiveling keyboard  330  and mouse  340  concurrently. For left-handed persons, lapboard  300  can be rotated 180 degrees so that mouse  340  is on the left side. Swiveling keyboard  330  and mouse  340  can then be rotated 180 degrees to be facing the user in the appropriate positions.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a front view of lapboard  300  in its closed position. Mouse  340  is shown held in its stowed position by a friction fit between stowage coupler flange  332   a  and an outer edge  348  of keyboard support  320 . To assist with the friction fit, and ease of holding, mouse  340  can be formed with a concave perimeter  346 . Lapboard  300  includes a receiver jack  364  for connecting the lapboard to a computing device such as receiver  200 , a personal computer (PC) or other computing device. Lapboard  300  can also act as a USB hub with one or more auxiliary jacks  366   a  through  366   c . One of the auxiliary jacks can be used for communicating signals between mouse  340  and the computing device. In addition, or alternatively, an audio jack  368  is included for communication with an audio device such as a headset.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of swiveling components that enable the swiveling keyboard to rotate. A keyboard lower housing  338  rotates between a bearing plate  370  and keyboard support  320 . Bearing plate  370  can be formed from an ultra high molecular weight material or other strong and light material that provides low friction. Bearing plate  370  is slightly force fit into a rotation tray  339  of keyboard lower housing  338 . The slight force fit keeps the swiveling keyboard from rotating too freely, yet enables a user to rotate the swiveling keyboard with a small amount of finger force. Bearing plate  370  is also attached to keyboard support  320  such that bearing plate  370  remains stationary relative to keyboard support  320 . Keyboard lower housing  338  rotates on bearings  374   a  and  374   b . The bearings can be formed from a low friction plastic, metal, or other material. The bearings are allowed to rotate within bearing holes  375   a  and  375   b , which are formed in bearing plate  370 . The bearings are held in place by a spring  372 , which is attached to bearing plate  370 . The bearings roll along a bearing surface  376  within rotation tray  339 . Bearing surface  376  includes hollows  378  into which the bearings are forced by spring  372  when keyboard lower housing  338  is rotated. These hollows provide detent positions for holding the swiveling keyboard at a fixed angle. A user can overcome the detent positions with finger force. Other rotation and/or detent mechanisms can be used for the swiveling keyboard.  
         [0000]     Illustrative Lapboard Electronics  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary lapboard  300 , according to one embodiment of the invention. Lapboard  300  may include many more components than those shown. For example, lapboard  300  may include some or all of the components of the receiver to enable direct communication between lapboard  300  and an online game service. The components shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention.  
         [0021]     Lapboard  300  includes a controller  400  and a mass memory in communication with each other via a bus  402 . In one embodiment, controller  400  includes a peripheral hub  401 , such as a USB hub, to control all peripheral communication with receiver  200 . An example of such a controller includes a CY7C66113-PVC from Cypress Semiconductor Corp. In another embodiment, controller  400  may comprise a general purpose processor that may perform some or all of the processing done by the separate receiver. The mass memory generally includes a lapboard RAM  404 , a lapboard ROM  406 , and can include one or more permanent mass storage devices, including a flash memory, and the like. The mass memory stores control code  410  for controlling the operation of lapboard  300 . A lapboard BIOS  412  is also provided for controlling low-level operation of lapboard  300 .  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, controller  400  communicates with the receiver or other computing device via a receiver interface unit  420 , which is constructed for use with serial or parallel communication protocols, including USB, Ethernet, and the like. Receiver interface unit  420  can be configured for wired or wireless communication via infrared signals, radio frequency signals, and the like. In another embodiment, receiver interface  420  may include some or all of the components of a separate receiver. For example, receiver interface  420  may include a modem and/or other circuitry for communicating through the Internet and/or other networks. Receiver interface  420  may also include security circuitry and/or software for encryption/decryption, digital rights management, and/or other controls. Auxiliary interface units  422   a  and  422   b  can also communicate with controller  400  to enable additional peripheral devices, such as a joystick, wheel, and the like to communicate with the receiver or other computing device. A similar interface unit is provided as a pointer interface unit  422   c  for communicating with a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, electronic pen, and the like. Interface units  422   a - 422   c  can use serial or parallel communication protocols, and be configured for wired or wireless communication.  
         [0023]     Lapboard  300  also includes keypad  430  in communication with controller  400 . Keypad  430  may include circuitry for interpreting activations of keys. One or more visual indicators  432 , such as light emitting diodes, are in communication with controller  400  and provide status indications such as power setting, disk drive access activity, network communication activity, and the like. A switch control interface  434  interprets activation of a 5-way control switch, an embedded thumbstick, and/or other switches. Lapboard  300  further includes an audio interface  436  for communicating with audio devices such as a headset, speakers, hi-fi equipment, and the like. A biometric sensor interface  438  processes signals of a biometric sensor.