Abstract:
Keyboard input functionality is provided when a removable portion of the keyboard is docked into the base unit. The removable portion may be the undocked from the base unit. A keyboard removable portion may include alphanumeric functionality and may be of a reduced size for off-desk implementation. Since the base of the keyboard may be wired, it may also charge the removable portion of the keyboard. The base may also include the wireless receiver for cooperating with a wireless keyboard or wireless mouse.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a computer keyboard. More particularly, the present invention relates to a keyboard that includes a removable portion for controlling a graphical user interface and/or alphanumeric user input.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Conventional computer systems, especially computer systems using graphical user interface (GUI) systems, accept user input from a conventional input device, such as a keyboard for entering text, and a pointing device, such as a mouse for operating the graphical user interface.  
         [0003]     A traditional notion of user interaction is generally in front of a desktop computer or at least sitting within close viewing proximity to a display screen as with laptop computers. Conventional systems are problematic in meeting the challenge of user interaction for new media. The evolution of new media models of computing, such as digital television, digital music, digital movies, have changed the traditional view of the GUI, and the manner in which users can interact with their computers. In one example of a home theater environment, users may be sitting at couch at a distance away from a display screen. At one time, the users may want to manipulate a GUI to obtain and watch live TV or recorded TV, digital home movies and picture slideshows, or watch DVDs movies. In another example, users may want to work on their keyboard in other locations than the traditional desktop such in a lap-use environment. In this “lap-use” or “couch-use” environment, a traditional notion of desktop user interaction can be inefficient and frustrating for many individuals. Thus, the users do not realize the full benefits of experiencing new media computing and productivity software.  
         [0004]     What is needed is an apparatus and method to support user interaction for an untethered environment with a keyboard for manipulating the GUI for the new media technologies and productivity activities, such as creation and modification of electronic documents, spreadsheets, database fields, drawings, photos and the like.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention pertains to a computer keyboard includes a removable portion for controlling a graphical user interface and/or alphanumeric user input.  
         [0006]     In one aspect, a computer keyboard system includes a first keyboard with a microprocessor configured for operating a number pad with a key cluster or a biometric reader device. A second keyboard may have an alphanumeric section being removable from the first keyboard. The second keyboard may be nested within a receiving portion of the first keyboard and removably coupleable to the first keyboard. When the first keyboard and second keyboard are coupled together, the first keyboard includes a microprocessor operable to electrically charge a mobile power source in the second keyboard.  
         [0007]     In another aspect, keyboard input functionality is provided when a removable portion of the keyboard is docked into the base unit. The removable portion may be the undocked from the base unit. A keyboard removable portion may include alphanumeric functionality and may be of a reduced size for off-desk implementation. The base unit may also electrically charge the removable portion of the keyboard in a wired or wireless configuration. The base may also include the wireless receiver for cooperating with a wireless keyboard or wireless mouse.  
         [0008]     In one aspect, a wireless keyboard base unit may have a wireless transmitter to communicate with a host computer. A wireless removable alphanumeric section may be nestable within the base unit. The removable section may have a wireless transmitter to the host computer and may be rechargeable when nested in the base unit.  
         [0009]     In one aspect, a wired keyboard base unit may have multiple key configurations, such as a set of function keys, a number pad and/or a fingerprint reader. The base unit may be coupled to a host computer via wired signaling. The base unit may have a wireless receiver for a removable alphanumeric section. There may be coupling via wireless signaling if the removable section is nested with the base unit, or if the removable section is physically removed from the base unit. When in a nested arrangement, the removable section can be powered by the base unit for battery recharging power management.  
         [0010]     Thus, aspects and features of the present invention enable users to enjoy experiences of rich digital media, such as gaming with a computer system or navigate the Internet, send and receive electronic mail messages or Instant Messaging, operate spreadsheets, create documents and presentations with ease of operation in a new media environment.  
         [0011]     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent and fully understood from the following detailed description illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an illustrative general-purpose digital computing environment in which one or more aspects of the present invention may be implemented;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a first keyboard arrangement according to one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a finctional block diagram of a keyboard arrangement shown in  FIG. 2  according to one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a removable keyboard portion according to one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of the keyboard arrangement and removable portion shown in  FIG. 4  according to one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a keyboard arrangement which operates with the removable portion of  FIG. 4  according one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a keyboard arrangement according to one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of an alternative keyboard arrangement according to one or more aspects of the present invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of the biometric secure process with keyboard arrangements according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0000]     Illustrative Operating Environment  
         [0021]     Keyboard input functionality is provided by way of a removable portion of a keyboard in wired or wireless communication with a keyboard base or host computer system. The removable portion of the keyboard can be used for “off-desk” tasks. A keyboard base can include a wireless receiver for the wireless removable portion or a wireless mouse. Various aspects of the present invention may at least be described in the general context of apparatus and computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Accordingly, it may be helpful to briefly discuss the components and operation of a general purpose computing environment on which various aspects of the present invention may be implemented. A host computer system can be used for processing data new media technology environment. Such an illustrative host computer system is illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]     Accordingly,  FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of an illustrative general-purpose digital computing environment that may be used to implement various aspects of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a computer  100  includes a processing unit  110 , a system memory  120 , and a system bus  130  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  110 . The system bus  130  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory  120  includes read only memory (ROM)  140  and random access memory (RAM)  150 .  
         [0023]     A basic input/output system  160  (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer  100 , such as during start-up, is stored in the ROM  140 . The computer  100  also includes a hard disk drive  170  for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive  180  for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk  190 , and an optical disk drive  191  for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  192 , such as a CD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive  170 , magnetic disk drive  180 , and optical disk drive  191  are connected to the system bus  130  by a hard disk drive interface  192 , a magnetic disk drive interface  193 , and an optical disk drive interface  194 , respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the personal computer  100 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media that may store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may also be used in the example operating environment.  
         [0024]     A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk drive  170 , magnetic disk  190 , optical disk  192 , ROM  140 , or RAM  150 , including an operating system  195 , one or more application programs  196 , other program modules  197 , and program data  198 . A user may enter commands and information into the computer  100  through input devices, such as a keyboard  200  and a pointing device  102 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices often are connected to the processing unit  110  through a serial port interface  106  that is coupled to the system bus  130 , but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). Further still, these devices may be coupled directly to the system bus  130  via an appropriate interface (not shown). A monitor  107  or other type of display device with a display screen is also connected to the system bus  130  via an interface, such as a video adapter  108 .  
         [0025]     The computer  100  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  109 . The remote computer  109  may be a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network node, and may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer  100 , although only a memory storage device  111  with related applications programs  196  have been illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  112  and a wide area network (WAN)  113 . Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.  
         [0026]     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer  100  is connected to the local network  112  through a network interface or adapter  114 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer  100  typically includes a modem  115  or other means for establishing a communications link over the wide area network  113 , e.g., to the Internet. The modem  115 , which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus  130  via the serial port interface  106 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer  100 , or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device.  
         [0027]     It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other techniques for establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed, and the system may be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Any of various conventional web browsers may be used to display and manipulate data on web pages.  
         [0000]     Illustrative Keyboard Environments  
         [0028]     Keyboard system arrangements in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 2-9 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , keyboard system  200  includes an alphanumeric section  201 , an editing section  203 , and a numeric section  205 . For reference purposes, the keyboard system  200  has a keyboard housing  219  which includes a front edge  209  adjacent to the user during normal use and a back edge  211  distal from the user during normal use. Accordingly, an object is said herein to be “behind” another object when it is between that object and the back edge  211 . An object is said herein to be “directly behind” another object when it is between that object and the back edge  211  and at least partially located within the lateral bounds of that object extending in the front-to-back direction. An object is said herein to be “in front of” another object when it is between that object and the front edge  209 . Further, the keyboard system  200  also a left edge  213  and a right edge  215 . The direction “lateral” defines the general directions from the left edge  213  to the right edge  215  and from the right edge  215  to the left edge  213 . A “key cluster” is defined as a group of keys, each of which is immediately adjacent, or in close proximity, to adjacent keys within the cluster and set apart from other keys on the keyboard by a distance larger than the spacing between the adjacent keys in the cluster.  
         [0029]     The alphanumeric section  201 , sometimes referred to as the QWERTY section, includes keys for each of the letters of the alphabet, each of the digits  0 - 9 , and various punctuation symbols. It should be recognized that the keys within the alphanumeric section  201  may include indicia and/or characters related to the English language or other languages. A function key section  202  may be located behind the alphanumeric section  201 . The editing section  203  may be located immediately to the right or left of the alphanumeric section  201 . The section  203  may include four cursor control arrow keys, and Delete, Insert, Home, End, PageUp, and PageDown keys. Keys or buttons for the sections  201 ,  202  and  203  may be mechanically depressible or electronic activated, such as touch display surface with associatively linked sensitive keys. Nevertheless, the cursor control devices may be D-pad, trackball type device, touch pad, or a thumb pad area that reads thumb movement with the use of and optical engine and the like.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-8 , in one arrangement keyboard system  200  includes a keyboard base  204  and a removable portion, such as an alphanumeric section  201 . Nevertheless, other sections of keyboard system  200  may be removable. For example, the alphanumeric section  201  and the editing section  203  for cursor control may be considered one removable portion as shown in  FIG. 8 . Turning to  FIG. 3 , keyboard system  200  may transmit data to the host computer  100  via a wireless connection. The wireless connection arrangement provides the user with untethered freedom to use the keyboard system  200  in a new media environment. The keyboard system  200  may include electronic components and software such as, a control circuitry  221 , a memory  223 , a receiver  225 , a transmitter  227 , an antenna  229 , electric power source  231 , and key mapping/matrix  223 , and a media control input  235  for the removable portion. The electric power source  231  provides the electric power to operate the keyboard system  200  components and other functions. In one arrangement, electric power source  231  may be embodied as a battery electrically connected to the various components of the keyboard system  200 . If desired, electric power source may implement one or more features of smart battery technology for communicating battery power capacity to host computer. The keyboard housing  219  encloses the aforementioned internal components of the keyboard system  200 , such as the control circuitry  221 , the memory  223 , the receiver  225 , and the transmitter  227 .  
         [0031]     Keyboard base  204  may include hardware and software configured to recognize which key is activated in the key mapping/matrix  223  and process electrical input from the media control input  235 . The control circuitry  221  includes one or more microprocessors (not shown) as known in the art for operating on electrical input. Control circuitry  221  is operatively connected to receiver  225 , transmitter  227 , memory  223 , and media control input  235 . The memory  223  may be any programmable type in which nonvolatile storage can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Possible alternatives include flash memory, flash ROM, RAM with battery backup from electric power source  231 .  
         [0032]     It should be recognized that the terms transmitter, receiver and antenna are used for ease of explanation in that they may embodied in many different alternatives forms. For example, a transmitter and a receiver can be embodied as a transreceiver or a bi-direction communication data port, such as with infrared communications. An antenna can be embodied for receiving or sending radio frequencies. Alternatively, an antenna can be embodied as a lens for infrared communication. Turning to  FIG. 3 , receiver  225 , transmitter  227  and antenna  229  provide a function of allowing the keyboard base  204  to connect wirelessly to the host computer  100  (See  FIG. 1 ) at a proximate distance. An operable distance may be approximately three feet to eighteen feet between and keyboard base  204  and host computer  100 . The operable distance can vary depending on a number of factors to include signal strength, obstructions in the transmission path, battery power, and the like. The receiver  225  is operatively coupled to the antenna  229  for receiving a wireless communication transmission including keystroke data, such as key scan codes or other data. The transmitter  227  is also operatively coupled to the antenna  229  for sending a wireless communication transmission or message, such key scan codes or other data.  
         [0033]     It should be recognized that host computer  100  includes a receiver and a transmitter (or a transceiver) operatively coupled to the processing unit  110  via the system bus or serial connection. The wireless connection may include infrared frequencies or radio-controlled frequencies, such as Bluetooth radio-frequency (“RF”) specification and protocols. One type of wireless connection may be the widely available communication standards such as, the Infrared Data Association (“IrDA”) specification and protocols, such as IrDA Data or IrDA Control. The IrDA communication protocols provides low-cost, short-range, cross-platform, point-to-point communications at various transfer rates for devices employing the standardize protocol. There are various suppliers of IrDA compatible hardware for transceivers and interfacing software modules. Nevertheless, the wireless connection may radio frequency based. The radio-controlled configuration may include a transmitter  227  and receiver  225  operating at 27 MHz, but other alternative frequencies may be implemented. Further, it is contemplated that keyboard system  200  may have Wi-Fi capability such that it can be communicate via a wireless network using 802.11b protocol to host computer  100 . Nevertheless, any appropriate wireless transmission protocol or wireless medium arrangement can be employed to connect keyboard system  200  to host computer  100  for operation.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  illustrates another arrangement of a keyboard system  300  according to one or more aspects of the present invention. Keyboard system  300  includes an alphanumeric section  301 , an editing section  303 , and a numeric section  305  similar to the features of keyboard system  200 . It should be recognized that keyboard system  300  includes the same structure and functions of keyboard system  200 , except where noted herein. Keyboard system  300  includes a keyboard base  304  and a removable section  336  including an alphanumeric section  301  with an editing section  303 . Keyboard base  304  is electrically connected to host computer  100  via a keyboard cord  340 , instead of a wireless connection.  
         [0035]     In one arrangement shown in  FIG. 8 , keyboard base  304  may be wirelessly connected to a wireless mouse  343 . In such an arrangement, the mouse  345  may be use known previously described wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth™ protocol. Mouse  343  may be operable when the removable section  336  is physically connected to the keyboard base  304  or when the section  336  is in wireless communication with the keyboard base  304 . Mouse  343  may be responsive to click events and scrolling features as known in the art. In one arrangement, keyboard base  304  may include a biometric device  345 , such as a fingerprinter reader. This configuration is useful for data and security features. In one functional arrangement, removable section  336  is prevented from being released from the keyboard base  304 , until fingerprint identification is received for a predetermined user or users. It should be recognized that the biometric device  345  may be located on the removable section  304  and may functionally cooperate with control circuitry  221  of keyboard base  204 . In a further arrangement, the keyboard base  304  may include several data ports  347  for communication with external devices, such as digital cameras and storage devices.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow process of operation involving a biometric security feature with a fingerprint. In step  400 , biometric device  345 , such as a fingerprint reader, scans a finger tip of a user&#39;s hand so as to store a digital fingerprint. For example, a thumbprint may be scanned by a fingerprint reader. In step  403 , the digital fingerprint is stored in memory. In step  405 , a processor with the keyboard base  204  and  304  or host computer  100  is configured to compare the received digital fingerprint with a predetermined fingerprint stored in a computer readable memory for a particular user or users. The computer readable memory may reside in the host computer  100  or may be memory  224  in keyboard base  204 ,  304 . In step  407 , if there is a fingerprint match between the received fingerprint and the predetermined fingerprint, then a signal is sent to release, decouple, or otherwise release the removable portion  236 , 336  from the keyboard base  204 ,  304 . In step  409 , the removal portion  236 ,  336  is then released from the base unit. In step  409 , if there is no match, then the removable portion  236 ,  336  are prevented from releasing and flow starts again at the fingerprint scanner to step  400 . Further, the there may be a light illuminated or other indication that the user was not authorized to obtain the removable portion. It should be recognized that in step  407 , a signal may also be sent to enable the key functions of the removable portion  236 ,  336  to allow a user to operate the alphanumeric section or other keys. In this situation, in step  409 , the enabling signal may then allow the key functions to operate. This feature would be advantageous to unlock the keyboard functions for an authorized user of the keyboard system. Nevertheless, the biometric feature can be used with the operating system or application software for execution with host computer  100 . It should be recognize that other biometric characteristics may be used and stored for the system. Such examples, may be a voice imprint or portions of a user&#39;s hand.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a removable section environment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. A wireless alphanumeric section  236  may have a body or housing  238  that may be configured to fit within a user&#39;s hand or hands. Body  238  may be formed with conventional manufacturing methods and can be formed of a desired shape with suitable plastic material. In one arrangement, wireless alphanumeric section  236  may be provided and adapted to interface electrically with a keyboard base  204 . In another arrangement, wireless alphanumeric section  236  may be configured to draw electrical power from keyboard  204  when physically coupled or nested therein. In yet another arrangement, wireless alphanumeric section  236  including body  238  is adapted to be physically coupled and uncoupled or nestable to provide removability with a keyboard base  204 . These features are discussed in detail herein. It should be recognized that keyboard housing  219  may be formed of various shapes and of suitable plastic materials. The housing  219  can be molded or otherwise formed with conventional manufacturing methods.  
         [0038]     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , it should be recognized that a plurality of keys or buttons are provided to operate the functions of the wireless alphanumeric section  236 . Section  236  includes a control circuitry  237  that is configured with hardware and software which provides for the section  236  to recognize which button/key is activated via key matrix  239 . Control circuitry  237  includes a microprocessor as known in the art for operating on electrical input such as digital data. Control circuitry  237  is operatively connected to a radio frequency transmitter  250  and computer readable memory  252 . The memory  252  may be a programmable type in which nonvolatile storage can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Further, wireless alphanumeric section  236  includes a mobile power source  256  for providing electrical power via one or more batteries and the like. Transmitter  250  is also operatively coupled to control circuitry  237  for transmitting signals via an antenna  254 . The signals are received by the host computer  100 , or keyboard base  204  via receiver/antenna  227  and  229 , or other electronic equipment, which is enabled to receive and process wireless signals. For example, the wireless signals may be received and processed by an appropriately configured wireless hub.  
         [0039]     With reference to  FIG. 5 , in one arrangement of keyboard system  200 , wireless alphanumeric section  236  may be removably coupled via a signal interface connection  265  to provide electrical coupling and physical connections to keyboard base  204 . In one such interface arrangement, keyboard base  204  may be electrically coupled to wireless alphanumeric section  236  by way of a bus type arrangement for bi-directional signaling and communications. In a bus type arrangement, data generated at the alphanumeric section  236  is transferred and processed by the keyboard base control circuitry  221 . This arrangement allows for faster processing of generated signals from alphanumeric section  236 . Alternatively, in another signal interface arrangement, keyboard base  204  may be electrically coupled to alphanumeric section  236  by way of a serial type connection. In these arrangements to provide mateable electrical connections, conventional male and female electrical connectors can be used for physical metal-to-metal contact to transmit electrical data signals. Functionally, when physical mating occurs, a connector of alphanumeric section  236  is sensed by logic in keyboard circuitry  221 . Advantageously, data generated by the keys of alphanumeric section  236  is processed by on-board control circuitry  237  and transferred to the keyboard base circuitry  221 . Thus, when the alphanumeric section  236  is electrically coupled to keyboard base circuitry  221 , data generated by way of a key indication of section  236  is transmitted by the keyboard base  204  to host computer  100  via the antenna  227  and transmitter  229 , rather than transmitter  250  and antenna  254  of alphanumeric section  236 . Likewise, in a wired configuration to host computer  100  of keyboard base  304 (see  FIG. 8 ), data generated by way of a key indication of section  336  is transferred by the keyboard base  304  to host computer  100  via a keyboard cord  350  and the like. It should be recognized that any conventionally appropriate electrical connectors for electrical signaling configuration may be used for the previously discussed connections.  
         [0040]     In one coupling arrangement, referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wireless removable alphanumeric section  236  may include a media interface  257  (shown in dotted lines in  FIG. 4 ) which is configured cooperate with signal interface connection  265  of control circuitry  221  of keyboard base  204 . For ease of explanation,  FIG. 5  shows in dotted lines, wireless removable alphanumeric section  236  with control circuitry  237  and the media interface  257 . Media interface  257  in conjunction with keyboard control circuitry  221  may be embodied in the numbers of formats to provide electrical and logical coupling. In one example, media interface  257  may be a component of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. The USB standard has wide spread use for connecting peripherals to computers. In this example, the control circuitry  221  may include the software to operate with the USB standard. In one embodiment, this Universal Serial Bus can be the Universal Serial Bus-On-the-GO (USB-OTG) standard configured for portable device-to-device communications without a general purpose computer. This implementation is useful in that USB-OTG has low power consumption of about 8 milliamps to preserve the battery operating life. In an USB-OTG implementation, using a topology of host/peripheral, the control circuitry  221  of keyboard base  204  acts as a host device and wireless removable alphanumeric section  236  becomes a peripheral device to the keyboard base  204 . Further, data transfer with the USB-OTG allows symmetric bi-directional communications between connected devices. In accordance with an embodiment, wireless removable alphanumeric section  236 ,  336  can send key input data to keyboard base  204 ,  304 . If desired, keyboard base  204 ,  304  may send control data to wireless removable alphanumeric section  236 ,  336  for data control purposes. These configurations of the wireless alphanumeric section  236 ,  336  are may be provided by way of media interface  257 . Nevertheless, other implementations for the media control interface are possible.  
         [0041]     With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in one operation, when the wireless removable alphanumeric section  236  is physically connected to the control circuitry  221  (see  FIG. 5 ), on-board control circuitry  237  may be configured to disable transmission of data signal, such as key codes or scan code signals, to the transmitter  250  and route those data signals to media interface  257 . Thus, data signals generated by a key, cursor device, or scrolling device, may be processed by the control circuitry  237  and transferred to media interface  257 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , media interface  257  passes this electrical information, such as scan codes, digital data and the like; to control circuitry  221  of keyboard base  204 . The electrical information is then forwarded to the transmitter  227  and antenna  229  and then transmitted to the host computer  100  or other electrical device. Alternatively, in a wired configuration of keyboard base  304  (see  FIG. 8 ), electrical information from control circuitry  221  is sent via a keyboard signaling cord  340  to host computer  100  rather than transmitter  227  and antenna  229 . Thus, keyboard base  204 ,  304  can retain the removable section  236 ,  336  for storage, allows for the user to manipulate the section  236 ,  336  in a desk type configuration when a complete set of keys may be needed. Keyboard designs in accordance aspects of the present invention allows user interaction for manipulating the GUI for the new media technologies and productivity activities, such as creation and modification of electronic documents, spreadsheets, database fields, drawings, photos and the like.  
         [0042]     In an aspect of physical removable coupling, with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , keyboard base  204 ,  304  may include a receiving portion  261 ,  361  which is the part of the keyboard housing  219 ,  319 . Receiving portion  261 ,  361  is designed to receive and retain wireless removable section  236 ,  336  therein, respectively. Receiving portion  261 ,  361  can enable connection to the keyboard control circuitry  221  shown in  FIG. 5  via connector  263 . (See  FIG. 6 ). The wireless removable section  236 ,  336  may be mateably disposed to the keyboard housing  219 ,  319  and to the keyboard processor in control circuitry  221 . In one configuration, the media control interface  257  may be formed as an electrical connector designed to mate with signal interface connection  265  formed as complementary connector  263  of the keyboard base  204 . It should be recognized that connector  263  includes electrical connections to the control circuitry  221  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Connection  265  may be within the receiving portion  261  or at a proximate distance from the receiving portion  261 . In one example, the connector arrangement may be a USB or mini-USB connecting standard. With the USB-OTG standard, the connectors can be provided for the smaller form factor for portable devices. The connector  263  may have a communication cable with the connector  263  at a device end (section  236 ) and the other end attached to the keyboard base  204 . Alternatively, the connector  263  may be stationary or mounted to the keyboard base  204 . Nevertheless, the media interface  257  and signal interface connection  265  may be of other shapes or designs for the intended use for physical removable coupling and electrically connecting the alphanumeric section  236 ,  336  and keyboard base  204 ,  304 .  
         [0043]     In one arrangement, shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , keyboard base  204 ,  304  with keyboard housing  219 ,  319  includes receiving portions  261 ,  361  formed as cavities or recesses. In this arrangement, the user may disengage removable section  236 ,  336  from the recesses or cavities of receiving portion  261 ,  361 . In another arrangement, removable section  236 ,  336  may be slidably attached or otherwise coupled to the keyboard base  204 ,  304 . In one arrangement shown in  FIG. 7 , receiving portion  261  may include a support surface  266 , and one or more grooves  267  for slidably guiding the removable section  236  or  336 (not shown) to mate with a connector  263 . In these configurations, body  238 ,  338  is in an abutment relationship with keyboard housing  219 ,  319 . Body  238 ,  338  may be attached or otherwise removably coupled to keyboard housing  219 ,  319  by way of a snap-fit arrangement. In another arrangement, body  238 ,  338  may be removable coupled to keyboard base  204 ,  304  by way of a spring-latch arrangement  270 . In such an arrangement, a biasing element, such as a spring, may be configured to force a portion of the removable section  236  out of the receiving portion  261 . In one operation with a spring-latch arrangement  265 , when removable section  236  is placed in receiving portion  261 , a biasing element becomes compressed. The removable section  236  may have a ledged or other portion that is latchable so that the section  236  fits and stays within the receiving portion  261  until released. Thus, when a releasing signal is received by control circuitry  221 , a latch may release the section  236  so that the biasing member moves the section  236  forward in the case of a slidable configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 . Likewise, the removable section  236  may be released upward and out of the receiving portion  261 . The releasing signal may originate from a source, such as host computer  100  or biometric device  345  (See  FIG. 8 ). Nevertheless, the releasing signal may emanate from a voice print recognizer which may serve as biometric device  345 , for example. Accordingly, body  238 ,  338  can be removably coupled with keyboard housing  219 ,  319  in a number of ways.  
         [0044]     In another coupling arrangement, wireless alphanumeric section  236  electrical power may be drawn from the keyboard power source  231 , instead of power source  256 . This power management configuration is particularly useful when keyboard base  304  is in a wired arrangement with host computer  100 . Functionally, when physical mating occurs, a connector of wireless alphanumeric section  236  is sensed by keyboard circuitry  221 . Electrical power from the power source  256  is temporarily disconnected via a switching arrangement. Advantageously, battery power of the alphanumeric section  236  is conserved and battery of power source  256  may be recharged. This feature can be implemented in a number of ways. For example, in an USB-OTG configuration, battery power may be drawn from the host device instead of the peripheral device. That is, keyboard base  204 ,  304  serves as a host device and the section  236 ,  336  serves as a peripheral device. It should be recognized that section  236 ,  336  may be powered by physical mating with a charging pins. In one arrangement, when the power source  256  is receiving power  302 , the control circuitry  237  may report to the host device  100 , that it is receiving external power. In such arrangement, a visual indication of the charging arrangement may be provided in the form of a graphical icon configured to operate with an appropriate event-driven operating system. Thus, a graphical user interface can have a display portion relevant to the type of power being received. In the context of the present invention, a displayed “object” may include text, graphics, and other related elements for a display, such as monitor  107  (See  FIG. 1 ) Alternatively, a battery of power source  256  may be inductively charged while mounted in receiving portion  261 ,  361 . Inductive charging can accomplish by well known methods.  
         [0045]     Alternate combinations of various aspects of the keyboard arrangements; either alone or in combination with one or more elements have synthetic effects to improve user interaction with a graphic user interface and/or efficiency of operation. For example, in one arrangement, a wired keyboard base unit  304  has a set of multiple key configurations, such as a set of function keys  302 , a number pad  305  and/or a fingerprint reader  345 . The base unit  304  may be coupled to a host computer  400  via wired signaling arrangement. The base unit may have a wireless receiver that removably couples via wireless signaling to a removable alphanumeric section when the removable section is away from the base unit. The removable section may include a wireless transmitter. When the removable alphanumeric section is physically nested with the base unit, there is wired signaling and battery recharging power management.  
         [0046]     Another example includes a wired keyboard base unit  304  with a set of multiple key configurations, such as a set of function keys  302 , a number pad  305  and/or a fingerprint reader  345 . The base unit  304  is coupled to a host computer via wired signaling. The base unit may have a wireless receiver for a removable alphanumeric section. There may be coupling via wireless signaling if the removable section is nested with the base unit, or if the removable section is physically removed from the base unit. When in a nested arrangement, the removable section can be powered by the base unit for battery recharging power management.  
         [0047]     Another example includes a wireless keyboard base unit  204  with multiple key configurations. The base unit  204  may have a wireless transmitter to communicate with host computer  100 . A wireless removable alphanumeric section  236  may be nestable within the base unit. The removable section may have a wireless transmitter to the host computer  100  and may be rechargeable when nested in the base unit.  
         [0048]     Yet another example includes a wireless keyboard base unit  204  with multiple key configurations. The base unit  204  may have a wireless transmitter to communicate with host computer  100 . A wireless removable alphanumeric  236  section may be nestable within the base unit  204 . The removable section  236  may have a wireless transmission to the host computer  100 , when removed from the base unit. When in a removable arrangement, the section  236  may disable the base unit keys and devices. When the removable section  236  is physically nested within the base unit  204 , the signaling may be coupled via physical connection to enable the base unit. The removable section  236  can be recharged when nested in the base unit  204 .  
         [0049]     If desired, the keyboard systems  200 ,  300  may have other group of keys or buttons for various functions. For example, there may be a pair of keys for Application Switching; a pair of keys for Copy and Paste; a pair of keys for Forward and Back; a pair of keys for Redo and Undo; a Key for Zooming. In a further arrangement, keyboard system  200 ,  300  can have an audio control section having a set of audio control keys, such as Command/Dictate On/Off, Microphone On/Off, Speech Correction On/Off, and the like. In another arrangement, the keyboards may have a telephony section having a set of keys, such as take call, transfer call, speaker phone, hold, conference call and the like. These sets of keys can be provided on the removable sections  236 ,  336  or other removable portions of keyboard systems  200 ,  300 .  
         [0050]     Although the invention has been defined using the appended claims, these claims are exemplary in that the invention may be intended to include the elements and steps described herein in any combination or sub combination. Accordingly, there are any number of alternative combinations for defining the invention, which incorporate one or more elements from the specification, including the description, claims, and drawings, in various combinations or sub combinations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant technology, in light of the present specification, that alternate combinations of aspects of the invention, either alone or in combination with one or more elements or steps defined herein, may be utilized as modifications or alterations of the invention or as part of the invention. It may be intended that the written description of the invention contained herein covers all such modifications and alterations.