Abstract:
The invention relates to a removable keyboard attachment for a device such as a mobile telephone or personal digital assistant. The removable keyboard attachment is preferably arranged for pivotal connection to the device. The removable keyboard attachment includes a keyboard so as to enable ready input to the device via the keyboard.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a removable keyboard attachment for a device. The device may typically include an information device such as a mobile phone or personal digital assistant (PDA).  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Most portable devices like mobile phones and personal digital assistants do not have a keyboard for user input. Without a keyboard the method of inputting information to the device is very slow and cumbersome. Accordingly, it is extremely desirable and advantageous for keyboards to be provided for these portable devices.  
           [0003]    Although some attempts have been made to address the need to include a keyboard with such devices, the result has been an assembly which is no longer readily portable. For example, one solution has been to attach a keyboard to the front or lower surface of the device so that the keyboard becomes integral to the device. However, when the keyboard is no longer in use it must be removed from the device and then the user is left with the dilemma as to what to do with the keyboard. Given its size, it is difficult and cumbersome to carry and thus the portability feature of the overall device is lost.  
           [0004]    The present invention seeks to address the above problems.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a keyboard attachment including a keyboard member having a keyboard, electrical connection means for detachably connecting the keyboard to an electronic device and attachment means for detachably mounting the keyboard member to the electronic device, said attachment means enabling attachment and detachment of the keyboard member to the electronic device without any damage thereto.  
           [0006]    Preferably, the keyboard attachment is sized to be substantially the same or of a smaller dimension than the device. Preferably, the keyboard attachment is arranged to overlay a front face of the device when it is attached to the device.  
           [0007]    Preferably, during use of the device, the keyboard attachment is connected to the device by an electrical connection, for example a flexible or ribbon cable connected with mating end connectors.  
           [0008]    Preferably, the keyboard attachment includes means to enable the user to view the screen of the device when the keyboard attachment is positioned to overlay the front face of the device.  
           [0009]    Preferably, the viewing means is an aperture or opening in the keyboard attachment which is aligned with the display screen of the device so that the user can view the display screen through the aperture or opening. The viewing means may also include a transparent portion of the keyboard member.  
           [0010]    Preferably, the keyboard attachment is arranged to be connected to the device via a serial port and connector arrangement, or a universal serial bus (USB) and connector arrangement.  
           [0011]    In a preferred form of the invention, the keyboard attachment is arranged to be pivotably attached to the device or to a frame to which the device is attached. The keyboard attachment is preferably arranged to pivot between an in-use position in which it overlays the front face of the device and an access position in which the keyboard attachment is pivoted to a position away from the device and whereby the user can readily access the front face of the device.  
           [0012]    Locking means is preferably provided between the keyboard attachment or the keyboard and the device or the frame of the device, to enable the keyboard attachment or keyboard to be locked in the in-use position. The locking means preferably prevents accidental pivotable movement of the keyboard attachment or keyboard relative to the device.  
           [0013]    The removable keyboard attachment may additionally include a cover arranged to cover the entire keyboard or alternatively arranged to cover the viewing means so as to provide protection to the display screen of the device.  
           [0014]    The removable keyboard attachment may additionally include a light source to provide light to the device. The light source may run along either longitudinal side of the keyboard attachment.  
           [0015]    The removable keyboard attachment is preferably arranged to be secured to the device using a hinge attachment previously provided to attach a conventional cover to the device.  
           [0016]    Preferably, the keyboard attachment is substantially made of a plastics material. It is lightweight so that when the keyboard attachment is attached to the device to form a combined unit, the combined unit is not overly heavy as compared with the device alone.  
           [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a keyboard attachment for a device having a display screen and at least one input, said keyboard attachment incorporating a keyboard which is arranged to be connected to the device so that the keyboard can be used to provide input to the device, said keyboard attachment including support means arranged to support the device when it is connected to the keyboard attachment and wherein when the device is not in use, the keyboard attachment can be attached to the device to form a combined unit in which the display screen and said at least one input are located adjacent the keyboard attachment.  
           [0018]    Preferably, the support means is arranged so that the device during use is supported so that the display screen of the device can be readily viewed by the user.  
           [0019]    Preferably, the support means includes an inclined rest surface. The support means is preferably movable between a position in which it is at least partially contained within the keyboard member and a position in which it extends thereform.  
           [0020]    The support means may also include a serial port arranged to engage with a mating serial port on the device. In one preferred arrangement the support means includes at least one horizontal retraction member and at least one pivotal support arm pivotally attached to a free end of the at least one horizontal retraction member.  
           [0021]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a keyboard attachment for a device having a display screen and at least one input, said keyboard attachment including a keyboard member incorporating a keyboard which is arranged to be connected to the device so that they keyboard can be used to provide input to the device when it is connected to the device and a support means arranged to support the device during use thereof so that the display screen of the device can be readily viewed by the user and wherein the support means is movable between a position in which it is at least partially contained within the keyboard member and a position in which it extends therefrom.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable information device with conventional cover attached thereto in a closed position.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable information device incorporating a keyboard attachment with a cover in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The cover is shown in the closed position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but with the cover in the open position.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 but with the keyboard attachment and cover in the access position.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 is an assembly view of the device and keyboard attachment with cover as shown in FIGS.  2  to  4 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a side view of a portable information device, with a keyboard attachment and cover in an open or access position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the locking studs of the keyboard attachment and the corresponding apertures in the side wall of the device.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the hinge of the cover and the detent mechanism.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 9 is a side view of the device with a part of the side wall removed so that the hinge receiving aperture can be viewed.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 10 is a front view of a portable information device with a keyboard attachment in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention attached thereto.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 11 is a side view of the device and keyboard attachment shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 12 is a side view of a keyboard attachment and device in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 13 is a plan view of the keyboard attachment and device shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14 is a side view of the keyboard attachment and device shown in FIG. 12.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 15 is a top view of the keyboard attachment and device shown in FIG. 12 and showing schematically the retraction of the keyboard attachment into the device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 illustrates a device  10  to which a keyboard attachment  12 , in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, is pivotally attached. The keyboard attachment  12 , in this embodiment, includes a substantially planar keyboard member  14  and a protective cover  16 . Both the keyboard member  14  and protective cover  16  are connected to the device  10  in a manner whereby they can be separately pivoted relative to the device  10 . This form of connection enables the protective cover  16  to move between a closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 3. Similarly, the keyboard member  14  is connected to the device  10  so that it can be moved between an in-use position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and an access position, as shown in FIG. 4. In the in-use position the keyboard member  14  overlaps the front face of the device  10 . In the access position, the keyboard member  14  is located away from the device  10  so that the device  10  can be readily accessed by the user.  
         [0039]    The device  10  includes a display and touch screen  18  and may also include an input area  20 . The input area  20  contains inputs through which a user can provide simple input to the device  10 . The inputs may include an on/off button and up/down navigation buttons. However, other inputs in the form of simple ‘quick launch’ keys, 4-way navigation buttons, a plurality of alpha numeric or numeric buttons may also be included. However, to simplify the present Figures, only five such inputs  21  have been shown in the input area  20 .  
         [0040]    The device  10  has a serial port  22  which enables the device  10  to be electrically detachably connected to the keyboard member  14 . The serial port  22  of the device  10  is located in the bottom side  23  of the device  10 . This facilitates ready attachment of the device  10  to the keyboard member  14  via a serial port connector  24  located in the bottom side  25  of the keyboard member  14 .  
         [0041]    It is envisaged that the connection between the keyboard member  14  and the device  10  would be made via ribbon cable or other flexible cable having appropriately configured end connectors arranged to engage with the respective serial ports of the keyboard member  14  and the device  10 .  
         [0042]    The connection between the keyboard member  14  and the device  10  may also be achieved using a retractable connector. The connector would be retracted from the device  10  before use and would preferably, for aesthetic reasons, remain hidden from view when not in use. The connector would be connected to the port after the keyboard  14  is moved to a position in which it overlays the device  10 .  
         [0043]    Alternatively, connection between the keyboard member  14  and the device  10  may be achieved using a spring loaded connector. When the keyboard  26  is in an in-use position, the user pulls the spring loaded connector in an outward direction from the device  10  so as to release the connector. The connector is then snapped onto the connection port. The connector is preferably hidden from view when not in use.  
         [0044]    The connection between the keyboard member  14  and the device  10  may also be achieved via a wireless connection. For example, an infra red connection. Bluetooth technology may also be incorporated.  
         [0045]    Although, the serial ports of the respective device  10  and keyboard member  14  are envisaged to be located in their respective bottom sides  23 ,  25 , other positionings of the serial ports are envisaged. It is proposed however that the serial ports of the respective device  10  and keyboard member  14  be located adjacent to one another when the device  10  is in use so that the flexible or ribbon cable used to connect them can be kept at a minimum.  
         [0046]    Alternatively, the ribbon cable could be located at the top of the device  10 . This would have the advantage that the distance between the keyboard attachment  12  and the device  10  would always be kept at a minimum, regardless of positioning of the keyboard member  14 .  
         [0047]    The keyboard member  14  is sized to be substantially the same planar dimension as the device  10 . Adjacent its bottom side  25 , the keyboard member  14  incorporates a keyboard  26 . The keyboard  26  would preferably include all the features of a standard keyboard and is sized so that it is readily used by the user.  
         [0048]    The keyboard member  14  also includes an opening or aperture  28 , which as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is substantially rectangular. The opening  28  is positioned so that when the keyboard member  14  is in the in-use position, the opening  28  is coaxially aligned with the display screen  18  of the device  10 . Consequently, when the keyboard member  14  is in the in-use position, the user will have proper sight and full access to the display and touch screen  18  of the device  10 .  
         [0049]    The cover  16  may be made of a transparent material so that the screen  18  can be viewed even when the cover  16  is in the closed position. It will however be appreciated that the user will have to open the cover  16  to access the display and touch screen  18 .  
         [0050]    When a user wishes to use the keyboard  26  to input to the device  10 , the keyboard member  14  is pivoted to a position wherein it overlays the front face of the device. In this in-use position the inputs  21  of the input area  20  of the device  10  are covered so as to prevent use by the user. However, the user still has full access to the touch and display screen  18 . The user connects the keyboard member  14  to the device  10  using the connector  24  and then the device  10  is ready for use.  
         [0051]    When the device  10  is not in-use, the connection between the keyboard member  14  and device  10  can be disconnected. The protective cover  16  can then be pivoted to the closed position so that it overlays the display screen  18 . The protective cover  16  may be sized so that when it is in the closed position it only covers the opening  28  so as to protect the screen  18 . Alternatively, the cover  16  may be sized that it covers the entire keyboard member  14  when in the closed position so as to provide protection for the keyboard  26 . In this manner, the protective cover  16  would act to protect the entire front face of the device  10  in a fashion similar to that of the conventional protective cover illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0052]    The keyboard member  14  includes a locking member  80  for locking the keyboard member  14  to the device  10 . The locking member  80 , as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7, includes a pair of locking studs  82  mounted on a catch member  84 . The locking studs  82  are arranged to fit with corresponding apertures  86  formed in the bottom side  23  of the device  10 . The studs  82  are configured so that they engage into the apertures  86  when the keyboard member  14  is positioned to overlay the front face of the device  10 . The locking member  80  is unlocked to free the keyboard member  14  for pivotal movement by deflecting the catch member  84  away from the bottom side  23  of the device  10 , a sufficient distance to remove the studs  82  from their respective apertures  86 .  
         [0053]    The keyboard member  14  and protective cover  16  are pivotally connected to the device  10  by removing the conventional cover  100  (shown in FIG. 1) and then by pivotally connecting the cover  16  and keyboard member  14  to the existing pivot aperture  40  in the side wall  23   a  of the device  10 .  
         [0054]    As best shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and  9 , the cover  16  includes a hinge plate  30  which includes a hinge pin  32  and a detent mechanism  34  mounted on an inner face  30   a  thereof. The hinge pin  32  and detent mechanism  34  are arranged to extend through an aperture  36  formed in a hinge plate  38  located on the keyboard member  14  and to locate within the aperture  40  formed in the side wall  23   a  of the device  10 . The detent mechanism  34 , aperture  36  and aperture  40  of the device  10  are arranged so that the cover  16  and keyboard member  14  are prevented from inadvertently falling back over the device  10  once they have been pivoted to the access position by the user.  
         [0055]    The protective cover  16  and keyboard member  14  are preferably made from lightweight materials such as a plastics material. This means that the additional weight of the device  10  with the keyboard attachment  12  is not that high. It will be appreciated that it is desirable to maintain the combined unit weight to a minimum. It will also be appreciated that the configuration of the keyboard member  14  and protective cover  16  is such that it does not increase the planar dimension of the device  10 , although there is necessarily some increase in the thickness of the combined unit as opposed to the thickness of the device  10  alone.  
         [0056]    The device  10  with pivotally connected keyboard attachment  12  is particularly advantageous because the user is provided with a complete keyboard  26  which the user can use to provide input to the device  10 . The combined unit and the flexible or ribbon connector  24  required to connect the keyboard attachment  14  to the device  10  can be readily carried by the user, thus there is no change in the portability of the device  10 . It will also be appreciated that the pivotal connection between the cover  16 , keyboard member  14  and the device  10  is such that the keyboard member  14  and cover  16  can be readily removed therefrom without damage thereto if required. Additionally, the keyboard member  14  and protective cover  16  can be pivoted to the access position where after the device  10  can still be connected via the serial port to a standard keyboard. This means that the user has the option to use the keyboard  26  on the keyboard member  14 , use the inputs  21  on the input area  20  or alternatively, when in an office environment, still attach the device  10  to a standard sized keyboard if required.  
         [0057]    It is envisaged that the underside of the protective cover  16  and/or the underside of the keyboard member  14  may be provided with a light source so that when the cover  16  is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover  16  can provide light to better view the display screen  18 . Alternatively, when the cover  16  and keyboard member  14  are both in the access position the light source from the underside of the keyboard member  14  could also be used to better view the display screen  18  of the device  10 .  
         [0058]    Although the above embodiment has been described with both a keyboard member  14  and a protective cover  16  it is envisaged that the protective cover  16  may not be included. The keyboard member  14  may not include a mechanism for providing protection to the display screen  18  of the device  10 , or alternatively, may include a snap fit cover or other component for covering the opening  28  of the keyboard member  14  so as to protect the screen  18 .  
         [0059]    The protective cover  16  could also be formed as a mini magnifying glass. This would enable the contents of the display screen  18  to be enlarged.  
         [0060]    The protective cover  16  may also be formed so as to include an internal aperture or a slot for holding a photo or the like.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In accordance with this second embodiment, the keyboard attachment  12 ′ is of substantially the same or slightly smaller dimension to the front face of the device  10 . The keyboard attachment  12 ′ has an inner surface  12   a ′ which includes a keyboard  26 ′ and an outer surface  12   b ′. The outer surface  12   b ′ acts as a cover when the keyboard attachment  12 ′ is secured to the device  10  so that the inner surface  12   a ′ is located adjacent the screen  18  of the device  10 .  
         [0062]    When the device  10  is not in use, the keyboard attachment  12 ′ can be hingedly connected to the device  10  using the hinges  40 . In this way, the device  10  and keyboard attachment  12 ′ can be readily attached together to form a combined unit. This combined unit can be readily carried by the user.  
         [0063]    The keyboard attachment  12 ′ when attached to the device  10  covers the front face of the device  10  so that the keyboard  26 ′ is located substantially adjacent to the display screen  18  and the inputs  21  on the device  10 . In this manner accidental damage to the display screen  18  is prevented. The keyboard  26 , being located on the inner surface  12   a ′ of the keyboard attachment  12 ′, is also similarly protected.  
         [0064]    It will also be appreciated that the connection between the keyboard attachment  12 ′ and device  10  when attached to form a combined unit is such that it is effectively “sealed”. Accordingly, dirt or other material cannot contact the screen  18  or the keyboard  26  so as to cause damage thereto.  
         [0065]    As best illustrated in FIG. 11, the keyboard attachment  12 ′ includes a support  50  for the device  10 . The support  50  extends from the keyboard attachment  12 ′ and includes an inclined rest surface  52  against which the rear surface of the device  10  can be rested during use. The angle of inclination of the rest surface  52  is such that when the device  10  is rested there against, the display screen  18  of the device  10  is readily viewed by the user. The angle of inclination is preferably about 60° from the horizontal.  
         [0066]    The support  50  may be permanently connected to the keyboard attachment  12 ′ or may be snapped connected or otherwise fitted to the keyboard attachment  12 ′ as required.  
         [0067]    The keyboard attachment  12 ′ is arranged to be connected to the device  10  via a serial port located on one side  25 ′ of the keyboard attachment  12 ′. Alternatively, the serial port may be located in a portion of the support  50  or another extension of the keyboard attachment  12 ′. In either case, the serial port located in the extension or the support  50  would be arranged to be electrically connected to the keyboard attachment  12 ′. The device  10  includes a mating serial port on the bottom side  23  of the device  10  or in an alternative appropriately located position on the device  10 .  
         [0068]    As shown in FIG. 10, and as described above, the keyboard attachment  12 ′ can be hingedly connected to the device  10  via hinges  40  when the keyboard  26  is not in use. However, other means for attaching the keyboard attachment  12 ′ to the device  10  are envisaged. For example, the keyboard attachment  12 ′ may be snap fitted or clipped to the device  10 .  
         [0069]    FIGS.  12  to  15  illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the keyboard attachment  12 ″ is of a similar configuration to that described in relation to the embodiment of FIG. 10. However, instead of including a separate support  50 , the keyboard attachment  12 ″ includes a retractable support device support  60 . The retractable support device  60  includes a horizontal retraction member  62  and a pair of pivotable support arms  64 . The horizontal retraction member  62  is arranged for sliding engagement with a portion or opening  65  in the keyboard attachment  12 ″, whilst the pivotable support arms  64  are pivotable between a storage and an in-use position. In the in-use position the pivotable support arms  64  are arranged so that a device  10  can be positioned there against so that the display screen  18  of the device  10  can be readily viewed by the user. When device  10  is not in use, the pivotable support arms  64  can be pivoted to a position where they lie substantially against the retractable member  62  and so that the retractable member  62  together with pivotable support arms  64  can then be retracted into the portion or opening  65  of the keyboard attachment  12 ″. To achieve this, the keyboard attachment  12 ″ will need to include an appropriately configured portion or opening  65  which is arranged to receive the retractable support device  60  when it is not in-use.  
         [0070]    The horizontal retraction member  62  is preferably made from a plastic material, whilst the pivotable support arms  64  are preferably made from a material such as aluminum. This choice of material provides the required strength to each of the components while minimizing the weight thereof.  
         [0071]    The keyboard attachment  12 ″ of FIGS.  12  to  15  attaches to the device  10  in the same manner as described in relation to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0072]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the keyboard attachments described herein can be readily attached and detached from a device by a user without causing any damage to the device. The keyboard attachments described herein in relation to FIGS.  1  to  11  may be fitted to a user&#39;s device simply by removing the existing cover. Alternatively, devices may be sold to the user with a keyboard attachment already fitted.  
         [0073]    While the embodiments described herein are preferred it will be appreciated from the specification that various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein which may be made by those skilled in the art are within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.