Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a foldable device that includes: a flexible display including: a first part; a second part; and a third part provided between the first and second parts; a first body supporting the first part; and a second body supporting the second part, each of the first and second body are configured to move between a first and a second position, in response to each of the first and second bodies being provided in the first position, the first body and the second body form a receiving space, the third part forms a curved portion of the flexible display and the curved portion is provided within the receiving space, and wherein the first part is configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the flexible display with respect to the first body in response to the first and second bodies moving between the first and second positions.

<CIT> discloses an input pen accommodation mechanism for use with a tablet input apparatus. The mechanism comprises a pen accommodation part for accommodating an input pen for coordinate data input, and holding members for holding the input pen as accommodated in the pen accommodation part. The holding members are in elastic contact with the input pen. The pen accommodation part is constituted by a first concave portion and a second concave portion deeper than the first concave portion, the two portions being connected lengthwise. The holding members are located within the first concave portion so as to pinch the input pen sideways within the pen accommodation part.

<CIT> discloses a pen holder for a mobile phone with a pen receiving body which can be fastened to the back of a mobile phone with a substantially planar contact surface, the pen receiving body having a groove for receiving a pen, a pen fixing means arranged in an area of the groove, which is designed as a magnet and/or latching element, wherein the pen receiving body is designed to taper from the groove to the edge of the pen receiving body.

The invention is set out in the attached set of claims. The description relates to securely storing an input device relative to a computing device. One example includes a housing and a trough defined in the housing and configured to receive at least a portion of an input device. This example also includes a pair of opposing levers that are contained in the trough when the trough is empty and that pivot proud out of the trough around and against the input device installed in the trough.

This example is intended to provide a summary of some of the described concepts and is not intended to be inclusive or limiting.

The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the concepts conveyed in the present document. Features of the illustrated implementations can be more readily understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numbers in the various drawings are used wherever feasible to indicate like elements. Further, the left-most numeral of each reference number conveys the figure and associated discussion where the reference number is first introduced. Where space permits, elements and their associated reference numbers are both shown on the drawing page for the reader's convenience. Otherwise, only the reference numbers are shown.

The present concepts relate to devices, such as computing devices that can be controlled by, or otherwise communicate with a separate input device. Many portable computer form factors such as smart phones, tablets, and notebook computers can benefit from having a complementary input device, such as a stylus and/or mouse. However, the user experience is diminished when the input device is lost or misplaced. Various techniques have been tried to retain the input device on the computing device when not in use. However, those that are convenient and store the input device in a readily accessible fashion tend not to be reliable and the input device can get knocked off and lost. Other techniques that offer enhanced retention lack convenience and users tend not to utilize them and then eventually lose the input device. For instance, some existing techniques totally encase the input device in the device. This configuration consumes a large amount of device real estate and causes the device to be thicker (e.g., the device has to be thicker than the input device). The present implementations address these and/or other aspects. In the present implementations, the device includes a surface that includes a trough for receiving and storing the input device when the input device is not being used. The trough can be part of a retention assembly that provides retention forces to retain the input device so it is does not fall out and is retained until the user removes the input device. In order to ensure that the input device is retained, the retention assembly can provide retention forces both perpendicular to and parallel to the surface. Thus, the retention assembly can be characterized as a 'multi-axis retention assembly'. These and other aspects are described below.

Introductory <FIG> and <FIG> collectively show an example system 100A that can include a device <NUM> and a corresponding input device <NUM>. <FIG> shows the input device removed from device <NUM> for use. <FIG> shows the input device <NUM> securely stored in the device <NUM>. <FIG> is a close-up view that is similar to <FIG> and <FIG> is a close-up view that is similar to <FIG>. <FIG> is an elevational view looking down at the first surface with the input device <NUM> loaded in the device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in this case the device <NUM> is manifest as a notebook computer. Other example devices can include, tablets, smart phones, desktop computers, etc. In this example, the input device <NUM> is manifest as a digital stylus <NUM>. Other input device examples can include mice, earbuds, etc. One such example is described below relative to <FIG>. In this implementation, the stylus <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, a sensing tip <NUM>, and one or more external selectors <NUM>.

The device <NUM> can include a housing <NUM> and first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, the surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> are separated by a thickness T and thereby define a volume within the housing <NUM>. Various electronic components <NUM> and/or other components, such as thermal management components can be positioned in the volume. Various types of electronic components <NUM> can be employed, such as processors, memory, storage, and/or batteries, among others. The electronic components <NUM> are shown in 'ghost' (e.g., dashed lines) because they would be obscured by the first surface <NUM> in this view. Consumers tend to prefer relatively thin devices, as such the volume available for the electronic components is limited, especially in the z reference direction (e.g., device thickness).

The device <NUM> can also include a multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> for releasably retaining the input device <NUM>. In this case, multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> can securely retain the input device <NUM> until the user removes the input device. For instance, the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> can retain the input device <NUM> even when the user loads and unloads the device <NUM> into their backpack and the input device <NUM> rubs against the backpack. In order to securely retain the input device, the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> can provide retention forces both perpendicular to, and parallel to, the first surface <NUM>. Stated another way, at least some component of the retention forces can be parallel to the first surface and some other component of the retention forces can be perpendicular to the first surface. In some configurations, still other components of the retention forces may be in other intermediary orientations. From another perspective, in some implementations, at least some, but less than all of the total retention forces are parallel to, and perpendicular to, the first surface.

<FIG> shows that in this example configuration, the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> includes a trough <NUM> extending from the first surface <NUM>, part way into the device thickness T (e.g., into the device volume). The multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> also includes first and second levers <NUM> (e.g., a pair of opposing levers). The levers <NUM> can transition or toggle from an empty position in <FIG> to a loaded position in <FIG> where the levers <NUM> grasp and hold the input device <NUM>. Note also that the levers <NUM> can have a profile specific to the input device. For instance, the profile can include recesses <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> can ensure that the levers do not inadvertently activate the selector <NUM> (e.g., avoid contact between the levers and the selector). In this case, there are four recesses <NUM> positioned so that no matter what orientation the input device <NUM> is inserted into the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> (e.g., tip <NUM> positioned at either end of the trough and/or the selector <NUM> facing up (away from the device hinge) or down (toward the device hinge), the selector <NUM> will be adjacent to an individual recess <NUM>. In this implementation, the levers <NUM> run along a majority of a length of the input device <NUM>. An alternative implementation is described below relative to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the input device <NUM> positioned in the trough and the levers <NUM> positioned around at least a portion of the input device and applying retention forces to the input device. These aspects are described in more detail below relative to <FIG>.

<FIG> collectively show an input device <NUM> insertion sequence into the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. <FIG> are elevational views looking down a length of the input device (e.g., along the x reference direction or axis (along a long axis of the input device)). <FIG> shows the input device <NUM> in the deployed position (e.g., unloaded or not in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>). <FIG> shows the input device <NUM> installed in multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> for storage (e.g., 'stowed,' 'stored,' or 'loaded' position). <FIG> and <FIG> show the transition from the deployed position of <FIG> to the stored position of <FIG>.

<FIG> show additional details of the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. In this case, the levers <NUM> can include upper inwardly facing edges (UIFEs) <NUM> and lower inwardly facing edges (LIFEs) <NUM>. The levers <NUM> can deploy (e.g., rotate or pivot) around fulcrums <NUM>. As will be explained below, the pivoting levers <NUM> can provide a technical solution of effectively increasing a depth of the trough <NUM>.

The multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> can include magnetic elements <NUM> in the trough <NUM>. In this case, the magnetic elements <NUM> are positioned in the bottom of the trough <NUM> between the levers <NUM>. The magnetic elements <NUM> positioned in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> of the device <NUM> can operate cooperatively with magnetic elements <NUM> positioned in the input device <NUM>. Namely, the magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> can create a magnetic attraction (e.g., magnetic forces) between the input device <NUM> and the device <NUM> in the z reference direction (e.g., normal or perpendicular to the first surface <NUM>) that pulls the input device toward the bottom of the trough. The term 'magnetic elements' means that at least one of the magnetic elements is a magnet and the corresponding magnetic element is either another magnet or a ferromagnetic material.

Starting at <FIG>, the input device <NUM> is out of the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. For instance, assume that a user has been using the input device <NUM> to control the device <NUM>, such as to draw on a display of the device <NUM>. Note that with the input device <NUM> removed (e.g., an empty or unloaded configuration) an entirety of the levers <NUM> (and other multi-axis retention assembly components) are below the first surface <NUM> (e.g., between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>). As such, from an aesthetic standpoint, the planar nature of the first surface is not interrupted by elements of the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>.

Assume at this point, that the user is ready to return the input device <NUM> to the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. The user can simply generally align the input device <NUM> over the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> as shown. At this point, attractive magnetic forces between the magnetic elements <NUM> in the device <NUM> and the magnetic elements <NUM> in the input device <NUM> can begin to draw the input device <NUM> into the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. Once the magnetic forces attract the input device toward the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>, the process progresses automatically and the input device <NUM> can be locked in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> without further action by the user as will be explained below.

At <FIG>, the magnetic forces acting between the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> and the input device <NUM> in the z reference direction (e.g., perpendicular to the first surface <NUM>) are causing the input device to contact the LIFEs <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the magnetic attractive forces in the z reference direction causing the input device <NUM> to force the LIFEs <NUM> downward. This downward movement causes the levers <NUM> to rotate or pivot around the fulcrums <NUM>. The rotation causes the UIFEs <NUM> to rotate upward and inward (e.g., in the positive z direction and toward one another).

Note that until this point, an entirety of the levers <NUM> were below the first surface <NUM> (e.g., between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>). Now, the upper portions of the levers <NUM> including the UIFEs <NUM> are above the first surface <NUM> (e.g., proud to the first surface). <FIG> shows the input device <NUM> fully received in the multi-access retention assembly <NUM>. At this point, the magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> are touching one another (or are in close proximity separated by physical surfaces) and are supplying a retention force (e.g., magnetic force) in the z reference direction (e.g., normal to the first surface <NUM>). Further, the levers <NUM> have rotated around the fulcrums <NUM> until the UIFEs <NUM> are fully engaged against the input device <NUM> (e.g., against the sides of the body <NUM>). This engagement of the body <NUM> by the UIFEs <NUM> can provide retention forces in the x and y reference directions.

The combination of the retention forces in the z reference direction provided by the magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> and the retention forces in the x and y direction provided by the engagement of the levers <NUM> on the body <NUM> can securely retain the input device <NUM> in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> in a broader range of use case scenarios than can be obtained with a single retention force yet the input device is easy for the user to stow and remove. For instance, a normal retention force alone can maintain the input device <NUM> in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> if the device <NUM> is carried upside down. However, the normal magnetic force tends not to retain the input device in a sliding contact scenario in the x and/or y direction, such as when the user slides the device <NUM> into and/or out of their backpack. However, the addition of the retention forces created by the UIFE's tends to retain the input device <NUM> in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> in these sliding contact scenarios as well as other scenarios where the normal magnetic forces alone are not sufficient.

In this illustrated configuration of <FIG>, the x and y direction retention forces can be enhanced because the UIFEs <NUM> contact above a widest point of the input device <NUM>. In this case, the widest point of the body <NUM> occurs horizontally through a midpoint (e.g., half) of the thickness of the input device TID. In this case, this widest point is generally aligned with the first surface <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The UIFEs <NUM> extend up past the widest point and are biased toward each other to grasp and retain the input device <NUM>. This configuration can be especially effective at providing x and/or y direction retention forces. Further, this effective configuration is achieved with a multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> that is completely below the first surface <NUM> (e.g., hidden) when the input device is removed.

Viewed from another perspective, the pivoting levers <NUM> can increase an effective depth of the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> when the input device <NUM> is present (e.g., stored) compared to when the input device is removed. This can be evidenced by comparing <FIG> and <FIG>. Recall that in many thin form factor devices, space, especially space in the z reference direction, is at a premium. Assume in this example that an allocated depth DT of the trough <NUM> is fixed as an absolute value or percentage value of the device thickness T as shown in <FIG>. This allocated depth DT of the trough <NUM> may not be adequate to provide the desired retention forces on the input device <NUM> in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. However, in comparing the loaded or storage configuration of 3D to the empty configuration of <FIG> shows that an effective depth (DE) of the multi-axis retention assembly is increased by the pivoting levers <NUM>. Thus, the levers <NUM> provide an example implementation of how the present concepts can provide a technical solution that effectively increases a depth of the multi-axis retention assembly beyond the occupied or static depth D when an input device is stored in the multi-axis retention assembly, but conform to the depth DT when the input device <NUM> is removed. Thus, the present concepts can utilize the pair of opposing levers to provide desired retention forces in a thin device and a shallow trough. Stated another way, the trough depth DT can be less than a thickness of the input device and yet the multi-axis retention assembly can effectively retain the input device even if external forces are applied to the device in any or all of the x, y, and z reference directions. From still another perspective, the present concepts can allow less device real estate, especially less z direction real estate to be allocated to the trough while still providing desired (e.g., specified) retention forces in multiple directions.

The inventive concepts allow the relatively shallow trough <NUM> in device <NUM> to provide relatively high retention forces for storage of input device <NUM>. When the input device <NUM> is placed into the trough <NUM>, material raises and clamps the input device <NUM> for additional mechanical retention. The magnetic elements <NUM> and <NUM> can attract the input device <NUM> to the trough <NUM> and the input device <NUM> mechanically adjusts the levers <NUM> to articulate and clamp the input device <NUM>. Further, by using a combination of magnets and levers to generate the retention forces, the levers do not need to wrap all the way around the input device. Instead, the levers can generate retention forces parallel to the first surface by wrapping only partially around the input device and the magnetic elements can provide retention forces perpendicular to the first surface. Thus, the magnetic elements and the levers can operate cooperatively to achieve a better functionality than can be obtained with either component alone.

<FIG> show multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> that can include trough <NUM> formed relative to surface <NUM> of device <NUM>. The multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> can include magnetic elements <NUM> and mechanical levers <NUM> near the trough opening. When the input device <NUM> is placed into the trough <NUM> the input device becomes magnetically coupled to a lower surface <NUM> (<FIG>) in the trough <NUM>. The magnetic coupling of the input device <NUM> to the lower surface <NUM> in the trough <NUM> causes rotation of the rotatable levers <NUM> so that they will move to a position at which the levers <NUM> are in contact with the surface of the input device <NUM>. The levers <NUM> can have an inner surface that has a shape that allows contact between a relatively large amount of surface area of the lever (e.g., UIFEs <NUM>) that faces the input device when the levers <NUM> are rotated by the input device being magnetically coupled to the surface <NUM> in the trough <NUM>. Stated another way, the inner surface shape of the levers <NUM> can approximate an outer surface shape of the input device <NUM> that is contacted by the levers <NUM>. This aspect can further increase retention forces between the levers <NUM> and the input device <NUM>.

In some implementations, the pivoting levers <NUM> can contact the input device <NUM> above its midpoint. A curved input device <NUM> may be widest at its midpoint and have a decreasing dimension above the midpoint. By contacting the input device above its midpoint, the device curvature may allow the levers <NUM> to exert greater retention forces than would otherwise be the case. This can be accomplished with a trough depth that is equal to or less than half the thickness of the input device. Thus, the present implementations can provide a technical solution of a relatively shallow trough depth, while the pivoting nature of the levers <NUM> can effectively engage a greater proportion of the input device as though the trough was actually deeper.

Note also, that in some implementations, the levers <NUM> can function as, and/or trigger, a switch that controls another functionality. For instance, the levers <NUM> can function as a switch that is off (e.g., electrically open) when the input device <NUM> is removed from the device <NUM>. The switch remains open unless the input device <NUM> is restowed and causes the levers <NUM> to pivot and contact the bottom of the trough <NUM> as indicated at <NUM> in <FIG>. In this example, then the levers <NUM> are pivoted by the input device <NUM>, the levers can contribute to the switch (electrically closing) that turns on charging of the input device <NUM>. When the input device is removed and the levers return to the orientations of <FIG> the switch 'opens' and charging stops. Controlling other functionalities beyond this example with the levers is contemplated. Other switch configurations associated with the pivoting levers are also contemplated.

<FIG> collectively show another system 100B that includes device <NUM> and input device <NUM>. The input device <NUM> can be stored in multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> that is formed relative to first surface <NUM>. In this case an elastomeric material <NUM> (shown in cutaway) is positioned over the first surface <NUM> including over the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the elastomeric material <NUM> can stretch to allow the input device <NUM> to be stored in the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>. <FIG> shows the elastomeric material <NUM> can assume a generally planar shape conforming to first surface <NUM> when the input device is removed. The planar shape assumed by the elastomeric material <NUM> can generally obscure the multi-axis retention assembly so that it appears as though it is not there (e.g., that the first surface is continuous). When the user wants to stow the input device <NUM>, the user simply positions the input device close to the 'hidden' multi-axis retention assembly and the magnetic elements (shown and discussed relative to <FIG>) do the rest.

<FIG> collectively show another system 100C that includes device <NUM> and input devices <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>). In this case, input device <NUM>(<NUM>) is manifest as a collapsible mouse and input device <NUM>(<NUM>) is manifest as a stylus. The input device <NUM>(<NUM>) can be stored in multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>(<NUM>) and input device <NUM>(<NUM>) can be stored in multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>(<NUM>). The input devices <NUM> can be reliably retained by the multi-axis retention assemblies <NUM> yet are easily removed and restowed as desired by the user.

In this implementation, multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>(<NUM>) includes two pairs of levers <NUM>(<NUM>)A and <NUM>(<NUM>)A and <NUM>(<NUM>)B and <NUM>(<NUM>)B. In this case, the pairs of levers are positioned proximate to the ends of the multi-axis retention assembly <NUM>(<NUM>) and hence they capture the ends of the input device <NUM>. This configuration can provide effective retention of the input device <NUM> and can occupy less device thickness in the central region of the multi-axis retention assembly than may be the case when the levers run through the central region.

Individual elements of the multi-axis retention assemblies <NUM> can be made from various materials, such as metals, plastics, and/or composites. These materials can be prepared in various ways, such as from formed sheet metals, die cast metals, machined metals, 3D printed materials, molded or 3D printed plastics, and/or molded or 3D printed composites, among others, and/or any combination of these materials and/or preparations can be employed.

The present multi-axis retention assembly concepts can be utilized with any type of device, such as but not limited to notebook computers, smart phones, wearable smart devices, tablets, vehicles, appliances, and/or other types of existing, developing, and/or yet to be developed devices.

Various methods of manufacture, assembly, and/or use for multi-axis retention assembly <NUM> are contemplated beyond those shown above relative to <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A device (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) defining a volume between opposing first and second surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a trough (<NUM>) defined in the housing (<NUM>) and configured to receive at least a portion of an input device (<NUM>); and,
a pair of opposing levers (<NUM>) that are contained in the trough (<NUM>) when the trough (<NUM>) is empty and configured to pivot proud out of the trough (<NUM>) around and against the input device (<NUM>) installed in the trough (<NUM>);
wherein the levers (<NUM>) are configured to rotate above the first surface (<NUM>) and contact the input device (<NUM>) when the input device (<NUM>) is installed in the trough (<NUM>).