Patent Publication Number: US-2011074688-A1

Title: Multi-position, multi-level user interface system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a divisional application that claims benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/121,772 filed on May 4, 2005, which claims benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 60/569,187 filed on May 7, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to user interface systems, and more particularly, to a user interface system with multiple input and/or output devices that can be positioned at multiple orientations and at multiple distances relative to each other. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Computer keyboards, mice, keypads, and other user interface devices are typically separate from each other and used on a stationary surface such as desk. The mobile computer, commonly referred to as laptop, includes a plurality of interface devices such as, for example, a keyboard, touch pad, trackball, and/or cursor stick. Contrary to the desktop environment, these interface devices are integrated into the laptop housing and are not adjustable to accommodate a users comfort and/or ergonomics. 
     The laptop interface devices, such as the keys, cursor stick, and/or buttons usually can move relative to the laptop housing, but do not move separately from the laptop housing. Thus, the re-orientation of the laptop affects the orientation of the mouse and other separate interface devices. In the laptop environment the user has no adjustability of the interface devices to accommodate their comfort, preferences and their particular ergonomics. 
     With the age of wireless interface devices, users of desk based systems are still finding themselves constrained to the desk due to the inability to manage the multiple interface devices when not seated at the desk and use of these interfaces in the living room environment is particularly difficult. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a user interface system that allows adjustability of the multiple input devices with respect to both each other and the surface on which they are supported and not require the user to sit at a desk to manage the same. It would also be desirable to provide a user interface system that allows independent adjustability of multiple input devices to ergonomically accommodate any user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the invention to provide a user interface system that includes multiple input devices and allows for positional adjustment of each input device with respect to each other. 
     It is another aspect of the invention to provide an integrated keyboard and user interface system in such a way as to allow for couch or floor use. 
     It is another aspect of the invention to provide an integrated keyboard and user interface system that takes up as little space in width so it can be used virtually anywhere. 
     These and other aspects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein the user interface system includes a base, a electronic keyboard pivotally coupled to the base, wherein the keyboard can rotate relative to the base to expose a surface of the base. A groove in opposing sides of the keyboard, along with a rotation guide limit the keyboards rotational movement in one plane about its rotation axis. 
     The keyboard can include at least one positioning mechanism to hold the keyboard in a rotated position relative to the keyboard support. A kickstand is provided that holds the keyboard in an open position relative to the base. The base provides a support surface for an electronic pointing device, such as, for example a mouse for communicating position information of the pointing device to a computing device. 
     A stowage coupler integrated into the keyboard support and/or the base functions to hold and secure a pointing device in a stowed location when not in use. A biometric sensor may also be provided on the keyboard for sensing a biological characteristic of a user for possible security applications. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the electronic user interface includes a processor, a peripheral communication hub in communication with the processor, a keypad in communication with the processor, a keyboard housing holding the processor, the peripheral communication hub, and the keypad, and a base pivotally coupled to the keyboard housing such that the keyboard housing pivots relative to the base. The peripheral communication hub enables communication between at least one electronic peripheral device and a remote computing device. 
     A keyboard support is hinged between base and the keyboard and is adapted to support the keyboard housing. The hinged connection between the keyboard support and the base enables the keyboard housing to pivot relative to the base to expose a surface of the base. 
     Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar components throughout the views: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an exemplary work environment where the user interface system of the present invention may be used; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a lapboard user interface in an open position according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the lapboard user interface components used for rotating and supporting the keyboard support relative to base according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the lapboard user interface with a keyboard and a mouse in a closed position, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of the lapboard user interface in its closed position according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the components that enable the swiveling keyboard of the lapboard user interface to rotate according to an aspect of the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of electronic components of the lapboard user interface according to an aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary environment in which the present invention may operate. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that not all of the shown 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. 
     A network  100 , such as the Internet or any other comparable computer network, 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 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  20 , such as a high definition television (HDTV), a standard definition television, a computer monitor (e.g., CRT, LCD, Plasma, etc.), or any other suitable known display device. 
     Receiver  200  communicates through a controller connection  202  to the user interface system or lapboard  300  of the present invention. The lapboard user interface system  300  enables the user to interact with the virtual environment. Controller connection  202  can be a wired connection  202   a,  or a wireless connection  202   b,  and is adapted to provide communication according to any one of a number of different local communication protocols, such as, for example, universal serial bus (USB), Bluetooth.™, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, RF, IR and any other suitably reliable protocol. 
     Lapboard  300  can be used as a hub for a number of peripheral interfaces (As used herein, Lapboard and user interface system are interchangeable descriptions of the same structure). User interface  300  can 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  includes a swiveling keyboard  330  and a mouse  340  for user input. Keyboard  330  and/or 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, for example, 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 may include a microphone  354  depending on the application. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of lapboard  300  in its open position according to an aspect of the invention. Lapboard  300  includes a base  310  that is pivotally 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 (i.e., upward from) base  310 , a larger surface area  342  of base  310  is available for supporting and 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 . The swivel axis  331  is also substantially perpendicular to the keyboard support  320 , and thereby is also perpendicular with respect to the pivotal axis  313  of hinge  312  (See  FIG. 4 ). Swiveling keyboard  330  can be rotated to any position convenient for a user, including swiveling 180 degrees for a complete reversal of the keyboard orientation and thereby a re-orientation of the hinge  312  location with respect to the user. This 180 degree functionality allows lapboard  300  to accommodate both left and right handed use. The ability to swivel the keyboard is also useful when adjusting 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 using an incorporated locking system, such as, for example, a detent, a pin, a rotational friction brake, and the like. 
     At a mouse end or end of surface area  342  of keyboard support  320 , a mouse stowage coupler  332   a  can be attached to, and/or incorporated into, keyboard support  320  and/or swiveling keyboard  322 . Mouse stowage coupler  332   a  assists in holding the mouse  340  in a secured position, such as when lapboard  300  is not in use. Mouse stowage coupler  332   a  can comprise rubber grips, a magnet, a hook, a loop and/or hook strip (e.g., Velcro.™), and the like. 
     Lapboard  300  can also include a bio metric sensor (or biosensor)  334  for providing an additional layer of security and enabling the detection of a unique user characteristic, such as a finger print, retina scan, DNA, etc. To provide status information, a visual indicator  336   a,  such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other suitable indicator 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  310 , and the like. Lapboard  300  can also include a navigation control, such as a 5-way navigation control  338 . The navigation control can be, for example, a touch pad, a plurality of appropriately arranged buttons and/or joysticks, etc. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of 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  320  is rotationally connected to the keyboard support arm  326 . 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 cutout  328  in keyboard support arm  326 . When keyboard support  320  is attached to keyboard support arm  326 , kickstand pin  318  further operates to assist in the support of keyboard support  320 . Those of ordinary skill will recognize that other configurations for kickstand  314  may be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, other configurations can include, 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 surface area  342  which is adapted for use as a mouse surface. 
       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 between the mouse stowage coupler  332   a  positioned on the keyboard support  320  and a stowage coupler flange  332   b  situated on the base  310 . 
     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 . Some keys can also 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 four 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  (as disposed on base  310 ) is on the left side. The swiveling keyboard  330  can then be rotated 180 degrees to be facing the user in the appropriate positions. 
       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   b  disposed on base  310  and the outer edge  332   a  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 any other computing device. Lapboard  300  can also act as a USB hub with one or more auxiliary USB jacks  366   a  through  366   c.  One or more of the auxiliary jacks can be used for communicating signals between mouse  340  and the computing device. In addition, or alternatively, an audio jack  350   a  is included for communication with an audio device such as a headset or connected speakers. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of lapboard  300  consisting of the base portion  310  and the keyboard support  320  and the swiveling keyboard portion  330 . As explained above, the base portion  310  is connected to the keyboard support  320  at an acute angle. In one embodiment, the hinge  312  provides a degree of rotation between the base  310  and the keyboard support about the axis of the hinge. In other embodiments, base  310  and keyboard support  320  can be in fixed connection with respect to each other such that an acute angle between the two is constantly maintained. In this fixed embodiment, the distance between base  310  and the angularly connected keyboard support  320  at the side opposite the connection, is such that a user may use a mouse or other pointing device under the angularly mounted keyboard (i.e., keyboard support with keyboard mounted thereon) with respect to the base. 
     According to another embodiment with a fixed angular connection between the base  310  and the keyboard support  320 , the base  310  is longer than the keyboard  330  such that the extended surface area  342  extends out from under the angularly mounted keyboard so as to provide an accessible pointing device surface ( 342 ). 
     A keyboard lower housing  338  rotates between a bearing plate  370  and keyboard support arm  326  of the 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 arm  320  such that bearing plate  370  remains stationary relative to keyboard support  320 . Keyboard lower plate (housing)  338  is not fixed to support arm  326 . Keyboard lower plate  338  is rather “held captive” to keyboard support arm  326  by bearing plate  370 . Bearing plate  370  is firmly affixed to keyboard support arm  320  while allowing keyboard lower plate  338  to rotate on the low friction bearing surface  376 , via 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. 
     The keyboard lower housing  338  includes grooves  382  disposed on the opposing sides thereof. Grooves  382  are adapted to receive a rotation guide  380 . The rotation guide  380  prevents keyboard  330  from being over rotated in any one direction, and can be operated to lock the keyboard  330  in a desired position, and/or may be released so as to rotate keyboard  330   180  degrees for right or left handed use. Any suitable mechanical or spring assisted mechanical device may operate as rotation guide  380 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a functional block diagram of an exemplary lapboard  300 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Lapboard  300  may include many more components than those shown. The components shown, however, are sufficient to disclose an illustrative embodiment for practicing the invention. 
     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. The mass memory generally includes a lapboard RAM  404 , a lapboard ROM  406 , and can include one or more permanent mass storage devices, such as a ROM, or one time write memory device, 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 . 
     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 and the like. Receiver interface unit  420  can be configured for wired or wireless communication via infrared signals, radio frequency signals, or any other suitable wireless protocol. Auxiliary interface units  422   a  and  422   b  can also communicate with controller  400  to enable additional peripheral devices, such as, for example, a joystick, steering wheel, foot pedals, etc. 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, etc. Interface units  422   a - 422   c  can use serial or parallel communication protocols, and be configured for wired or wireless communication. 
     Lapboard  300  also includes keypad(s)  430  (e.g., xxx and yyy of  FIG. 3   a ) 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 
     (See for example, visual indicators  336   a,    360  and  336   b ). A switch control interface  434  interprets activation of a 5-way control switch  338 , an embedded thumbstick, and/or any other switches or controls. 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 the biometric sensor  334 . 
     While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.