Patent Abstract:
A computer system has a keyboard storage portion and carrier. The computer system may be a personal computer capable of generating a control signal. A keyboard holding carrier slides in and out of a processing housing. This enables selective positioning of a keyboard within the processing housing. A drive mechanism imparts reciprocal movement to the carrier and a drive control system is responsive to the control signal from the personal computer. Also included is a sensor connected to the drive mechanism that determines a position of the carrier relative to the personal computer.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to computers, in particular, to computer systems with a storage housing for its keyboard. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The computer has become an indispensable electronic machine for the industrialized world. In particular, computers are used by businesses and households for numerous automated tasks and other complex functions. The advent of the Internet and the World Wide Web are creating new opportunities for consumers and businesses to exploit information technology, such as electronic commerce, on-line bill paying, web surfing, web-based information services, and other services. 
     As computers are becoming one of the most important electronic appliances in society, they will be placed in various physical locations in offices or homes. In homes and offices there is usually a limited amount of desktop or countertop space. Home users may want to locate the computer on a kitchen countertop surface for use in finding recipes on the Internet or using the computer as a viewing device for television. These uses require space in terms of volume and surface area to setup the computer. 
     In general, computers systems, such as personal computers, are frequently supplied in desktop models with a separate keyboard. For example, a home user purchasing a computer receives a separate computer housing unit, a video display unit or monitor (which may or may not be integrated with the housing unit), a keyboard, a mouse, and a number of peripherals. The consumer must then find a flat surface on which to set or place the personal computer or the consumer purchases a desk dedicated for the computer. Extra desktop surface area is needed to place the keyboard and the keyboard increases the clutter in the area. In the example of the kitchen, preserving surface area is important so the home user can perform other tasks in the kitchen. 
     Exposed keyboards have problems for many users. The keyboard may be dislodged from the resting surface and be damaged. There are problems of liquids or drinks being spilled into the keyboard. With computer systems being place in more nontraditional locations, there is an increased potential for damage to keyboards. Also, conventional personal computers having exposed keyboard are susceptible to key failures. Since the exposed keyboard is unprotected, overtime air-borne dust particles may become lodged between the physical keys of the keyboard. This dust may cause contact problems in the keys and micro-switches that operate with the keys. While a keyboard may be attached to a sliding tray positioned below a desktop such that the user manually pulls out the keyboard for use, such mounting is feasible only in limited applications. Thus what is needed a device that preserves worktop surface space and reduces the potential for damage to a keyboard of a computer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a computer system having a keyboard, a keyboard storage portion and a carrier that overcomes the disadvantages in the prior art. 
     In one aspect of the present invention a computer system includes a processing unit, and a carrier that is movable relative to the processing unit. The carrier is sized for retaining a keyboard. A drive mechanism capable of moving the carrier in different directions. 
     In another aspect of the present invention the computer system includes a processing unit housing, in which the housing includes a keyboard storage portion. The keyboard storage portion is at least partially located within the housing. Also included is a movable carrier sized for retaining a keyboard thereon. The carrier has a first position at least partially disposed within the keyboard storage portion and a second position at least partially disposed outside of the keyboard storage portion. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention the computer system includes a keyboard having a battery connected to a charging connector. Also included is a carrier sized for retaining the keyboard. The carrier has at least a portion of a battery charger for charging the battery of the keyboard. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the computer system includes a processing unit, and a keyboard having a transmitter for transmitting a signal. Further included is a carrier that is sized to retain the keyboard. The carrier has a receiver for receiving the keyboard signal. The carrier is operatively coupled to the processing unit for processing the signal. 
     Another aspect of the present invention, includes a method of moving a keyboard for the computer system having a movable carrier sized to retain the keyboard, and a drive mechanism coupled to the carrier. The method includes providing a control signal to the drive mechanism, and moving the carrier by the drive mechanism. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of charging a keyboard for a computer system including a carrier having a portion of a battery charger. The method includes connecting the keyboard to a portion of the battery charger. And disconnecting the keyboard from the portion of the battery charger. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method of wireless communication in a computer system. A keyboard has a wireless transmitter. A movable carrier retains the keyboard. The method includes transmitting a signal from the transmitter. The signal is received by the carrier having a receiver mounted on it. The signal is processed by the computer system. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description thereof, presented in connection with the following drawings in which like reference numerals identifying the elements throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example of a computer system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the front right side of a computer system; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the front left side of the computer system; 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the computer system; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the computer system; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a drive mechanism and a carrier providing linear motion; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the carrier; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial view of a side of the keyboard and a lateral side of the carrier; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a drive mechanism; 
     FIG. 10 is schematic block diagram of another embodiment of the drive mechanism; 
     FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing an operation sequence of the computer system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the keyboard and the carrier in a hard-wired signaling arrangement; 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the keyboard and the carrier in a wireless signaling arrangement; 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the keyboard and carrier in an induced current charging arrangement; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the keyboard and carrier in a contact battery charging arrangement; and 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-16 illustrates a computer system according to the present invention designated generally by reference numeral  100 . The computer system  100  may be a personal computer  200 , such as shown in FIG. 1, and may further include a keyboard  201 , and a carrier  160  connected to a drive mechanism  180  and a drive control system  177 . 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example of a computing environment in which the computer system  100  of present invention may be implemented. The present invention may be implemented within a general purpose computing device in the form of a conventional personal computer  200 , including a processing unit  210 , a system memory  220 , and a system bus  230  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  210 . The system bus  230  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 includes read only memory (“ROM”)  240  and random access memory (RAM)  250 . 
     A basic input/output system  260  (“BIOS”), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the personal computer  200 , such as during start-up, is stored in ROM  240 . The personal computer  200  further includes a hard disk drive  270  for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic disk drive  280  for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk  290 , and an optical disk drive  291  for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk  292  such as a CD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive  270 , magnetic disk drive  280 , and optical disk drive  291  are connected to the system bus  230  by a hard disk drive interface  292 , a magnetic disk drive interface  293 , and an optical disk drive interface  294 , 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  200 . 
     Although the exemplary environment described herein employs a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk  290  and a removable optical disk  292 , it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of computer readable media which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, zip drives, random access memories (“RAMs”), read only memories (“ROMs”), and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment. 
     A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magnetic disk  290 , optical disk  292 , ROM  240  or RAM  250 , including an operating system  295 , one or more application programs  296 , other program modules  297 , and program data  298 . A user may enter commands and information into the personal computer  200  through input devices such as a keyboard  201  and pointing device  202 . The pointing device  202  may be a device, or a mouse. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  210  through a serial port interface  206  that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (“USB”). A monitor  207  or other type of display device, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) is also connected to the system bus  230  via an interface, such as a video adapter  208 . In addition to the monitor, personal computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers. 
     The personal computer  200  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  209 . The remote computer  209  may be another personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the personal computer  200 , although only a memory storage device  211  has been illustrated in FIG.  5 . The logical connections depicted in FIG. 5 include a local area network (“LAN”)  212  and a wide area network (“WAN”)  213 . Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, the Internet and the World Wide Web. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the personal computer  200  is connected to the local network  212  through a network interface or adapter  214 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the personal computer  200  typically includes a modem  215  or other means for establishing a communications over the wide area network  213 , such as the Internet or the world wide web. The modem  215 , which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus  230  via the serial port interface  206 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer  200 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     For a brief overview of the operation of the present invention, FIG. 5 illustrates the computer system  100  in the preferred embodiment shown with the carrier  160  in a first position (as shown in the solid lines) and a second position (as shown in the broken lines). The carrier  160  retains or supports the keyboard  201  for movement thereof. As shown in the solid lines, the first position is defined when the carrier  160  is substantially located, or at least a portion of it is located in a keyboard storage portion  104 . As shown in the dotted or broken lines, the second position is defined when the carrier  160  is in position to allow the keyboard  201  to be accessible or exposed to the user. Note the second position may be an extended location in which the keyboard  201  is substantially outside of the keyboard storage portion  104 . The drive mechanism  180  moves the carrier  160  between the first position and the second position. In general, the carrier  160  may operate similar to a compact disk (“CD”) tray system found in the art. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the computer system  100  further includes a housing  102 , and the keyboard storage portion  104 . The housing  102  encloses and protects at least some of the internal components of the personal computer  200 . The housing unit  102  preferably houses the processing unit  210 . The housing  102  includes a top wall  116 , right side wall  118 , left side wall  120 , and a front wall  122  in which the walls  116 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122  are interconnected. As shown in FIGS. 2,  3 , and  5 , the right and left side walls  118  and  120  may be stepped upwardly in the front so that a portion of the housing  102  is superimposed above the keyboard storage portion  104 . The housing  102  also includes a recess  127  which defines the keyboard storage portion  104  and the recess  127  is sized for the carrier  160 . The housing  102  also includes a rear internal wall  126  and a base  124  which forms the back and bottom boundaries of the recess  127  respectively. The base  124  forms the bottom of the housing  102 . 
     The keyboard storage portion  104  is disposed within the housing  102  to substantially enclose and retain the keyboard  201 . In the first position, the carrier  160  and the drive mechanism  180  are completely inside of the keyboard storage portion  104 . In one embodiment, the keyboard storage portion  104  may be opened at its left and right sides as shown in the figures. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the left and right sides of the keyboard storage portion  104  may be sealed or covered as desired. While illustrated as being open in FIGS. 2-5, the front face of the keyboard storage portion  104  may be enclosed or covered with a flap that is pivotally disposed on housing  102  above the keyboard storage portion  104  or on the base  124 . The flap would be mounted and function similar to a coverflap on a video cassette recorder. 
     The computer system  100  further includes a support  110  for a monitor  207  that may be employed to fixedly attach the monitor  207  to the housing  102 ; a camera  134 ; a proximity sensor  136 ; and a power button  142 . The camera  134  is preferably a digital type that is connected to the serial port interface  206  or the universal serial bus (not shown). The camera  134  may be built into the monitor  207  or provided as a separate component. The proximity sensor  136  senses the presence of a user who sits in front of the computer system  100 . The proximity sensor  136  may be a built into the monitor  207  or provided as a separate component and may be a passive infrared type. The camera  134  may also be used with the software to function as a proximity sensor. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the carrier  160  is mounted for movement between the first position at least partially inside of the keyboard storage portion  104 , and the second position at least partially external to the keyboard storage portion  104  in which the user may access the keyboard  201 . In a preferred embodiment, the carrier  160  is slidably disposed on the base  124  within the keyboard storage portion  104 . However, the carrier  160  may be slidably disposed on the side wall portions of the housing  102 . The carrier  160  is sufficiently sized to receive the keyboard  201  thereon, and includes a receiving portion  162  for retaining the keyboard  201  therein. The receiving portion  162  preferably includes a substantially level surface  161 , on which the keyboard  201  rests. The surface  161  may include a friction increasing material such as a rubberized material to minimize the lateral movement of the keyboard  201  while in transport or in use. The receiving portion  162  further includes a plurality of lateral side ledges that retain the keyboard  201  during use and transport to maintain the relative position in the receiving portion  162 . The receiving portion  162  preferably includes a right ledge  164 , a left ledge  166 , and a rear ledge  168 . The ledges  164 ,  166 ,  168  substantially define the receiving portion  162  of the carrier  160 . Referring to FIG. 8, if desired, the right ledge  164 , left ledge  166 , and rear ledge  168  may provide complementary mating surfaces to the respective right, left and rear of the keyboard  201 . This complementary structure assists in maintaining the relative position of the keyboard  201 . 
     The carrier  160  and housing  102  may further include a structure to assist for movement of the carrier  160 . This may include an adaptation of any dependable linear guides such as used on a sliding drawer structure. In a preferred embodiment, a left track  170  and a right track  172  allow the carrier  160  to move relative to the base  124  and the housing  102  including the processing unit  210 . This movement is substantially linear in a reciprocal or back and forth manner. The left track  170  and a right track  172  are mounted on the bottom surface  174  underneath the carrier  160 . In one arrangement, the tracks  170  and  172  may embody linear guides mounted on the right ledge  162  and left ledge  164 . The tracks  170  and  172  may be movable in guides on the base  124 . As shown in FIG. 6, in another arrangement, the left track  170  or the right track  172 , or a separate structure, may include a plurality of gear teeth  176  that cooperates and engages with the drive mechanism  180 . The cooperative features of the drive mechanism  180  and carrier  160  will be explained below. It will be appreciated that the carrier  160  may be any surface for retaining the keyboard  201  and need not include ledges. Also the tracks  170  and  172  may be any type of device, similarly found on many drawers, that allows substantially linear movement of the carrier  160 , such as ball bearings, roller bearings, or rollers. 
     The drive mechanism  180  includes a number of different embodiments, for example, a gearing drive or a spring drive. The drive mechanism  180  provides power or motion to the carrier  160  in response to a control signal  400  from the computer system  100 . In one arrangement, the drive mechanism  180  may be in the form of a solenoid unit (not shown) or a solenoid activates a movable member. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the drive mechanism  180  includes a motor  182 , and a gear  184 . The motor  182  includes a shaft  192  that rotates about an axis in which the shaft  192  imparts rotary motion to the gear  184 . The gear  184  includes a plurality of teeth  186  that engages complementary gear teeth  176  of the carrier  160 . In one arrangement the gear  184  has a circular periphery and the shaft  192  is mounted at the center of the gear  184 . In yet another arrangement, the shaft  192  may include a worm gear  181  that engages the gear  184 . In the worm gear  181  arrangement, the shaft  192  rotates about its axis, and the shaft  192  is disposed at a tangential position on the periphery of the gear  184 . It can be appreciated that the gearing arrangement shown is exemplary in that the arrangement may include a plurality of gears of varying diameters to control speed or geometries for gear design. In addition, the gearing arrangement may include a complement of pulleys and gears to move the carrier  160 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the drive mechanism  180  that includes a spring  194  biased towards pushing the carrier  160  away from the rear wall  126  of the keyboard storage area  104 . The spring  194  is adapted to engage a rear surface of the carrier  160 . In the spring  194  arrangement, the drive mechanism  180  includes a latch  178 . The latch  178  may be electrical/mechanical device that retains the carrier  160  in the position enclosed within the keyboard storage portion  104 . The latch  178  prevents the spring  194  from releasing energy to push the carrier  160  in a forward direction. The latch  178  also prevents the carrier  160  from traveling inadvertently forward out of the keyboard storage portion  104 . Upon release of the latch  178  the carrier  160  is unlocked thereby allowing the spring  194  to create a pushing force sufficient to transport the carrier  160  to an extended position. The user merely pushes the carrier  160  back in place to reattach the carrier  160  to the latch  178 . 
     In the event the computer system  100  is unpowered or there is an inadvertent malfunction, an emergency bypass is provided. The emergency bypass is disposed proximate to the keyboard storage portion  104  to activate the latch  178  without the aid of the drive processing unit  196 . The emergency bypass may be in the form of a button or other device. One can appreciate, the spring  196  may be in many forms or shapes and may be a plurality of springs based on the designer choice. 
     In general, the drive control system  177  receives the control signal  400  and actuates the drive mechanism  180  thereby causing the carrier  160  to travel from an enclosed position within the keyboard storage portion  104  to an extended position. Likewise if desired, the control signal  400  will cause the drive mechanism  180  to reverse direction to retract the carrier  160  from the extended position to an enclosed position within the keyboard storage portion  104 . The drive control system  177  is operatively coupled to the processing unit  210  via an appropriate interface, such as the serial port interface  206  or specially designed interface connected to the system bus  230 . The control signal  400  may be electronic or mechanical if desired by the designer. In an electronic signal arrangement, the control signal  400  is generated from the computer system  100 . In a mechanical signal arrangement, the control signal  400  is generated by a button, dial, or switch that generates a physical force. 
     The control signal  400  is generated from the computer system  100 . The computer system  100  includes a software program for processing input data received from a control signal device  301 . The control signal device  301  may be of various forms, the device  301  may include a depressible button  140 , a software command, a proximity sensor  136 , the camera  134 , a virtual button on a touch sensitive screen (not shown), a depressible button on the input device  202 , a scanner (not shown) that could recognize a discriminate an imprint of a thumb or a retina, an audible or audio sensor (not shown) for recognizing a verbal command from a user or similar input methods and devices. The software program may be implemented in the operating system  295 , application programs  296 , or other program modules  297  depending on the designer&#39;s preference. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the drive control system  177  may include a signal processing unit  188 , and a sensor  190 . The signal processing unit  188  receives the control signal  400  and instructs or switches the motor  182  to rotate the shaft  192  clockwise or counter clockwise. When the motor  182  rotates the shaft  192  clockwise, the carrier  160  travels in a linear direction away from the rear wall  126  of the keyboard storage portion  104  and towards an extended position. Likewise, when the shaft  192  rotates counter-clockwise, the carrier  160  travels rearward towards the rear wall  126 . The sensor  190  senses the position of the carrier  160 . In a preferred arrangement, the sensor  190  may determine when the carrier  160  is substantially within the keyboard storage portion  104  and also determines when the carrier  160  is in an extended position. The signal processing unit  188  may include circuitry connected to a microprocessor, an application specific processor, relays, and/or switches. If desired, the signal processing unit  188  may include interfacing software to process the control signal  400  and inputs from the sensor  190  and motor  182 . 
     The sensor  190  cooperates with the signal processing unit  188  and the motor  182 . Alternatives for the sensor  190 , includes a rotary encoder that generates pulses; or a timer device configured to advance the length of the carrier  160 . In the timer device arrangement, the motor  182  operates for a predetermined time period associated with the length of the carrier  160 . Optionally, the sensor  190  may determined the quantity or length of the carrier  160  exposed from the keyboard storage area  104 . This is useful for situations where the full keyboard  201  is not required or when only a pointing device  202  is needed be exposed for use. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, the drive control system  177  may alternatively include a drive processing unit  196  connected to the computer system  100 , and a position sensor  198 . The position sensor  198  indicates to the computer system  100  via the drive processing unit  196  that the carrier  160  in the enclosed position or has been released forward. The position sensor  198  may be in the form of a switch or a microswitch disposed in the base  124 ; a switch combined with the latch  178  disposed at the rear end or front end of the keyboard storage portion  104 ; or any other appropriate location within the keyboard storage portion  104 . In a preferred arrangement, the carrier  160  engages or depresses the switch or a microswitch to retain it in a normally closed position. When the carrier  160  moves forward, the switch is released and opens in which drive processing unit  196  senses the opened position. In this opened position, the drive processing unit  196  transmits a signal to the computer system  100  for processing. The drive processing unit  196  may include a relay, and a microprocessor with related circuitry. If desired, the drive processing unit  196  may include interfacing software to process the control signal  400  and input from the position sensor  198 . 
     FIG. 11, illustrates a schematic of the control flow of the present invention including the operation of the drive control system  177 . The control may begin with a detection of the carrier  160  in the first position at step S 400 . The control signal  400 , such as a keyboard request command, is made from any implemented control signal device  301  at step S 402 . Control proceeds to step S 404  where the carrier  160  is advanced forward, in a first direction (i.e. out of the keyboard storage portion  104 ) by the drive mechanism  180 . In a gearing arrangement for the drive mechanism  180 , a timer or encoder determines when the carrier  160  has reached the second position. At step S 406  the extended position is detected. The control is then transferred to step S 408  where the signal processing unit  188  waits to detect a retract signal. If a retract signal is detected control is transferred to step S 410  where the carrier  160  reverses direction to travels towards the keyboard storage portion  104  back to the first position. If at step S 400  is carrier  160  is not in the first position, control is transferred to step S 408 . It is fully appreciated that one skilled in the art could implement the present invention in various alternative steps. For example, there may steps to turn on indication lights of the carrier  160  position status. 
     The keyboard  201  may provide signals directly to the serial port interface  206  of the computer  200  or may do so via a component on the carrier  160 . FIG. 12, illustrates one signal relationship between the keyboard  2101  and the carrier  160 . In the FIG. 12, the keyboard  201  transmits data to the personal computer  200  via a wired or cabled connection through the carrier  160 . The keyboard  201  transmits data through its output  302 . The keyboard output  302  is attached to a keyboard cable or cord  304  that includes a connector  305 . The connector  305  is then removably mated with a complementary keyboard carrier connector  306  on the carrier  160 . The carrier connector  306  is configured to be attached to send data to an interface of personal computer  200 , such as the serial port interface  206  or a dedicated keyboard port (not shown). The keyboard cord  304 , connector  305 , and carrier connector  306  may be a conventional design and function. For instances, the connector  305  may be in the form of a DIN or a mini DIN connector; the keyboard carrier connector  306  may be a mating connector with the appropriate pin-out of DIN connectors. Also the carrier  160  may include a connection for a pointing input device, such as a mouse  202 . The point device arrangement, may include conventional connectors and functional interfaces, such as an RS-232 interface, a PS/2 interface (not shown), or a mini-DIN connector (not shown). 
     FIG. 13, illustrates an arrangement between the keyboard  201  and the carrier  160  where the keyboard  201  transmits data to the personal computer  200  via a wireless connection. The wireless connection arrangement provides the user additional freedom to use the keyboard  201 . The keyboard  201  includes a mobile power source  309 , such as a battery; an encoder/decoder processor  308 ; and a transmitter  310 . The carrier  160  includes a receiver  312  operatively coupled to the processing unit  210  by way of a connection an interface of the personal computer  200 , such as the serial interface port  206  or a dedicate port (not shown). The keyboard  201  will generate and transmit scan codes to the receiver  312 . The wireless connection may include infrared frequencies or radio-controlled frequencies. The infrared red wireless configuration may include the standard Infrared Data Association (“IrDA”) protocols for point-to-point communications or other infrared wireless device technology. The radio-controlled configuration may include a transmitter  310  and receiver  312  operating at 49 MHz, but other alternative frequencies may be implemented. Also the carrier  160  may include a wireless receiver to receive signals from a pointing input device, such as a mouse  202  with a transmitter (not shown). If desired, the receiver  312  on the carrier  160  may receive wireless data from the mouse  202  and keyboard  201 . 
     To make the keyboard  201  more mobile, it may also be battery powered, and the carrier  160  may be used to recharge the keyboard battery. FIG. 14, illustrates the carrier  160  including the keyboard  201  with an induced current charging arrangement. The keyboard  201  is configured for wireless operation and includes a mobile power source  309 , such as a battery; a transmitter; and a charging coil  314  and associated circuitry (not shown). The mobile power source  309  may include a rechargeable battery. The carrier  160  includes a complementary shaped power source, such as a carrier coil  322 . The carrier coil  322  is preferably attached to a power source and may be attached to a power receptacle on computer  200 . The charging coil  314  and carrier coil  322  are configured such that when the keyboard  201  is disposed on the carrier  160  there is an electrical coupling between the charging coil  314  and carrier coil  322 . The electrical coupling causes an induced current in the charging coil  314  for providing the induced current to the mobile power source  309  for charging. Because the keyboard  201  consumes low power, the mobile power source  309  will last extended periods of time. The keyboard  201  in the induced charging arrangement, is advantageous because the keyboard  201  will be retained in the carrier  160  for extended periods of time. This allows the keyboard  201  to be charged overnight or other times thus saving the user the cost of replacing conventional batteries. In this arrangement, the keyboard storage portion  104  proximate the rear wall  126  may include some minor shielding from stray magnetic flux potentially associated with the charging coil  314  and carrier coil  322 . 
     The keyboard  201  may be battery power and have a direct current charging arrangement with the carrier  160 . FIG. 15, illustrates the carrier  160  including the keyboard  201  in a direct charging contact arrangement. The keyboard  201  includes a mobile power source  309 , such as a battery; and a transmitter  310 . The mobile power source  309  may include a rechargeable battery. In this arrangement, the keyboard  201  includes a charging receiver  316  having a pinned connector adapted to engage and contact an interfitting connector of an electrical power source  318  on the carrier  160 . The power pin connector  318  is coupled to any power source as described with respect to the carrier  160 . The pinned connector is commonly implemented with charging mobile phone batteries or other well-known methods. The keyboard  201  also includes a charging controller  320  configured to monitor capacity of the mobile power source  309 . In this arrangement, electrical current is transferred from the electrical power source  318  to the charging receiver  316  by way of the physical metal-to-metal contact of the pinned connection. It is recognized other electrical sources may be used such as a step-down AC-to-DC charger or other methods such as a physical plug may be used to provide power to charge the mobile power source  309 . After the battery is charged, the keyboard is disconnected from the electrical power source  318 . Because the keyboard  201  will be in the carrier  160  for an extended period of time and provides a continuous charging when in the carrier  160 , the charging arrangement avoids the replacement of conventional batteries. Thus saving the user time and frustration of replacing conventional batteries and saving the cost of periodically replacing the conventional batteries. 
     FIG. 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the carrier mechanism  160  that allows for incline adjustability of the keyboard  201 . Carrier  160  in this embodiment includes a secondary carrier  161 , pivotal arms  163 ,  163 ′, a motorized pivot  165 ,  171 , a secondary pivot  167 , and a height adjuster  169 . The secondary carrier  161  is connected to the carrier  160  at motorized pivots  165 ,  171 . The motorized pivots  165 ,  171  are fixedly disposed in the linear direction of the carrier  160  and includes a motor (not shown) and associated gearing (not shown). In operation, the motor causes the pivotal arm  163 ,  163 ′ to rotate clockwise in which the cooperation of the gearing of the motor and pivotal arm  163 ,  163 ′ lifts the arm  163 ,  163 ′ upward. In turn, the secondary carrier  161  rotates about the secondary pivot  167  and is simultaneously lifted upward. This action causes the secondary carrier  161  to be inclined relative to the carrier  160 . Optionally, the motorized pivots  165 ,  171  may be manual in which the user moves the secondary carrier  161  into position. In this embodiment, the carrier  160  may include the drive mechanism  180 , a wireless or wired arrangement for receiving output of the keyboard  201  as described earlier according to the present invention. The secondary carrier  161  is sized to retain or support the keyboard  201 . 
     In lieu of the disclosure of computer system  100  being a personal computer  200  such as shown in FIG. 1, it is fully appreciated that one of ordinary skilled in the art could implement the present invention with other computer systems; for example a network computing system and separate terminals. In this alternative embodiment the moveable keyboard carrier  104  could be coupled to a terminal housing similar to that of computer housing  102 . Further, computer system  100  could be what is commonly known as a Internet appliance or network appliance. The computer system  100  primarily accesses the Internet and operates software off the Internet. Such an arrangement would also preferably include a processing unit, a video display, a screen, a housing, and a keyboard. 
     There are other advantages to the present invention besides providing protection of the keyboard  201  or preserving worktop space. It is advantageous to present the keyboard  201  to the user, when it is required by an application program  296  or when the user desires to have it exposed for use. For example, the keyboard  201  is not required for all software applications; home and business users may use a personal computer for Internet browsing or occasional data entry. In one application of the present invention, the computer system  100  presents the keyboard  201  for heavy data processing, such as word processing and electronic spreadsheet applications. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is use for an additional security measure. An exposed keyboard is a security risk that may allow unauthorized individuals to access the computer. Individuals may use the keyboard to enter passwords or other commands to electronically break into a computer. Enclosing the keyboard or making it inaccessible to unauthorized users provides additional security protection. 
     While these particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is recognized that various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the herein-described invention shall be limited solely by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6