PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10642385-B1
Application Number: US-201715706202-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Touch input device and keyboard device for electronic devices

Abstract:
A keyboard device and a touch input device are disclosed. The keyboard device may include several keys designed to generate a command to a computing system, and the touch input device may include a touch input surface designed to generate a touch input by contact with the touch input surface. In addition to carrying several keys, the keyboard device is designed to magnetically couple to the touch input device. Further, the keyboard device may include a transmitter coil and the touch input device may include a receiver coil such that the keyboard device can transmit power to the touch input device by inductive power transmission. The inductive charging can be used to power i) the touch input device, ii) a battery of the touch input device, and/or iii) an electronic device (e.g., smartphone, wearable device, or handheld device) located on the touch input surface.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A touch input device suitable for use with a computing system, the touch input device comprising:
 a portable housing separate from the computing system, the portable housing defining an internal volume; 
 a touch sensitive layer disposed in the internal volume and covered by a touch input surface, the touch sensitive layer configured to detect a user input to the touch input surface; 
 a processor that translates the user input to the touch input surface and provides information corresponding to the user input to the computing system; and 
 an inductive charging module disposed in the internal volume and covered by the touch input surface, the inductive charging module configured to inductively charge a battery in an electronic device when the electronic device is in contact with the touch input surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The touch input device of  claim 1 , wherein the touch input surface lacks a display. 
     
     
       3. The touch input device of  claim 2 , further comprising a receiver coil disposed in the internal volume and configured to receive an induced current by inductive power transmission that results in the induced current providing energy to the battery. 
     
     
       4. The touch input device of  claim 3 , further comprising a magnet disposed in the internal volume and separate from the inductive charging module, the magnet configured to magnetically couple to a magnet of a keyboard device that includes a transmitter coil that is configured to provide an alternating electromagnetic field that is received by the receiver coil to generate the induced current. 
     
     
       5. The touch input device of  claim 1 , further comprising wireless communication circuitry capable of radio frequency communication that places the processor in communication with the computing system and a keyboard device, wherein when the processor is in communication with the keyboard device, the processor is capable of providing an electrical signal corresponding to the user input to the computing system via the keyboard device such that the processor lacks direct communication with the computing system. 
     
     
       6. The touch input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display assembly disposed laterally with respect to the touch input layer, the display assembly comprising a display touch input layer and a display layer, wherein the display assembly comprises a virtual application toolbar displayed on the display layer and selectable via the display touch input layer, wherein the virtual application toolbar is specific to an application executable by the computing system and displayed on the display layer. 
     
     
       7. The touch input device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the touch input surface overlays the touch sensitive layer, and 
 the touch sensitive layer overlays the inductive charging module. 
 
     
     
       8. A keyboard device suitable for use with a computing system, the keyboard device comprising:
 a keyboard device housing that defines an internal volume; 
 keys carried by the keyboard device housing; 
 a magnet disposed in the internal volume and configured to magnetically couple to a touch input device magnet; and 
 an inductive transmitter coil disposed in the internal volume and separate from the magnet, wherein:
 the inductive transmitter coil is at least partially covered by the keys, 
 the inductive transmitter coil is configured to transmit energy by inductive power transmission to a receiver coil of the touch input device, and 
 the energy transmitted by the inductive transmitter coil is configured to charge a battery in the touch input device or power a component of the touch input device. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The keyboard device of  claim 8 , further comprising a power source located in the internal volume and configured to supply the energy to the inductive transmitter coil. 
     
     
       10. The keyboard device of  claim 9 , wherein the power source comprises a battery that stores the energy that is transferred to the touch input device via the inductive transmitter coil. 
     
     
       11. The keyboard device of  claim 10 , further comprising a port configured to receive energy to charge the battery. 
     
     
       12. The keyboard device of  claim 8 , further comprising wireless communication circuitry disposed in the internal volume, the wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with the touch input device and receive a command defined by a touch input to the touch input device. 
     
     
       13. The keyboard device of  claim 12 , further comprising a circuit board disposed in the internal volume, wherein the circuit board is in communication with the computing system based on the wireless communication circuitry. 
     
     
       14. The keyboard device of  claim 8 , wherein the inductive power transmission is defined in part by an alternating electromagnetic field generated by the inductive transmitter coil. 
     
     
       15. A method for charging an electronic device that includes a battery and a receiver coil, the method comprising:
 by a touch input device:
 receiving, on and in contact with a touch input surface of the touch input device, the electronic device, the touch input device comprising a portable housing, the touch input surface configured to detect a user input and translate the user input to a computing system; 
 generating an alternating electromagnetic field by a transmitter coil located in an internal volume of the portable housing; and 
 inducing current, by the transmitter coil, when the electronic device is positioned on the touch input surface, the induced current configured to charge the battery. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the touch input device, a second alternating electromagnetic field by a second transmitter coil located in an external device; and 
 inducing current at a second receiver coil located in the internal volume, wherein the induced current is used to provide by the transmitter coil in the touch input device to generate the alternating electromagnetic field. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein receiving, at the touch input device, comprises receiving the electronic device on a surface that lacks a display the external device comprises a keyboard device. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising receiving, at the touch input device, electrical energy from an external power source. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein generating the alternating electromagnetic field is subsequent to receiving the electronic device. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a magnet in the internal volume, the magnet separate from the transmitter coil and the receiver coil; 
 magnetically coupling the touch input device to a magnet in a keyboard device to define a magnetic circuit; and 
 initiating the generating of the alternating electromagnetic field subsequent to determining the magnetic circuit is formed.

Description:
FIELD 
     The following description relates to peripheral input devices. In particular, the following description relates to keyboard devices and touch input devices designed to pair, both by magnetic coupling and wireless communication, with another input device or a computing system. Regarding the magnetic coupling, each of the keyboard device and the touch input device may include one or more magnets. The coupling and pairing allow for device charging and/or software updates, including firmware updates. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Touch input devices, such as keyboard devices and touchpads, are used as input mechanisms to electronic devices such as desktop computers and laptop computers. Keyboard devices include an assembly of keys, with each of the keys providing a recognized input, when depressed, to the electronic device. Touchpads include a flat surface designed to receive a touch input by contact with the flat surface using a finger of a user. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a touch input device suitable for use with a computing system is described. The touch input device may include a housing separate from the computing system. The housing may define an internal volume. The touch input device may further include a touch sensitive layer disposed in the internal volume and covered by a touch input surface configured to receive a touch input. The touch input device may further include a processor that translates the touch input across the touch input surface. The touch input device may further include an inductive charging module disposed in the internal volume and covered by the touch input surface. The inductive charging module can be configured to inductively provide energy by inductive power transmission to an electronic device located on the touch input surface. 
     In another aspect, a keyboard device suitable for use with a computing system is described. The keyboard device may include a keyboard device housing that includes keys and an internal volume. The keyboard device may further include a magnet disposed in the internal volume and configured to magnetically couple to a magnet of a touch input device. The keyboard device may further include an inductive charging module that includes a transmitter coil disposed in the internal volume and configured to transmit energy by inductive power transmission to a receiver coil of the touch input device. 
     In another aspect, a method for charging an electronic device that includes a battery and a receiver coil is described. The method may include receiving, at a touch input device, the electronic device. The touch input device may include a touch input surface through which motion across the touch input surface is translated and provided to a computing system. The method may further include generating an alternating electromagnetic field by a transmitter coil located in an internal volume of the touch input device. The method may further include inducing current at the receiver coil when the electronic device is positioned on the touch input surface. In some instances, at least some of the induced current is stored as energy in the battery. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a system that includes a computing system, a keyboard device, and a touch input device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the keyboard device and the touch input device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of the keyboard device and the touch input device shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of the keyboard device and the touch input device shown in  FIG. 3 , further showing a portable electronic device positioned on the touch input surface; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a circuit diagram of showing a transmitter coil transferring power to a receiver coil through an inductive, or wireless, method, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a wearable electronic device that can be charged by a touch input device described herein; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a handheld device that can be charged by a touch input device described herein; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a pointing device that can be charged by a touch input device described herein; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a keyboard device that includes an internal power supply designed to store energy usable by the keyboard device and/or to charge another device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a touch input device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view of the touch input device shown in  FIG. 10 , further showing a portable electronic device positioned on the touch input surface; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a touch input device, showing the touch input device having a display assembly positioned substantially across a surface of the touch input device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a system that includes a computing system, a keyboard device, and a touch input device, showing the touch input device used in conjunction with a handheld device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the system shown in  FIG. 13 , showing the display assembly of the touch input device presenting input commands based on the program, or software application, in use by the user on the computing system, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a keyboard device that includes an internal power supply designed to store energy in order to charge another device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a system, showing the computing system taking the form of a laptop computer device, in accordance with some described embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a detailed view of a computing system that can represent computing systems described herein used to implement the various techniques described herein, in accordance with some described embodiments; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a flowchart showing a method for charging an electronic device that includes a battery and a receiver coil, in accordance with some described embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that, according to common practice, various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that dimensions of various features and elements of the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     The following disclosure relates to peripheral devices used in conjunction with a computing system. The computing system may include, for example, a desktop computing device or a laptop computing device. The keyboard device may include several keys, with each key (or in some cases, a combination of keys) capable of providing an input to the computing system. The touch input device is designed to translate motion of a movement of a user, or an object carried by the user, across a touch input surface (of the touch input device) with a finger of a user. This translated motion can be correlated to a command to the computing system. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the keyboard device and the touch input device may include separate bodies, or individual modules that can be separated. However, each of the keyboard device and the touch input device can include magnets positioned in their respective housings such that the magnets form external magnetic fields that magnetically couple together the keyboard device and the touch input device. It should be noted that the keyboard device and the touch input device can be separated by a force that overcomes a magnetic force provided by the magnetic circuit. 
     In addition to having multiple keys, the keyboard device may include an inductive charging module that can transmit energy (such as electrical energy). For example, the inductive charging module may include a transmitter coil. Furthermore, in addition to the touch input surface, the touch input device may include a receiver coil designed to receive the energy from the transmitter coil by way of inductive power transmission or inductive power transfer. The energy can be used to power the touch input device, or a device positioned on the touch input device. Alternatively, the energy can be stored in an internal power supply (battery) of the touch input device. 
     A system described herein may include a keyboard device centrally located (to a user) with respect to the computing system and the touch input device, thereby making the keyboard device the “centerpiece,” or central hub, of the system. In this manner, keyboard devices described herein are designed as multi-functional devices that provide a primary input (by virtue of the keys) to the computing system, as well as a power output to the touch input device and other devices (including electronic devices and accessory devices) configured to receive energy by inductive power transmission. Further, in some instances, a keyboard device may transfer software and/or firmware updates received from the computing device to the touch input device and other devices that are in communication with the keyboard device and/or the touch input device. Also, a device (such as an electronic device or accessory device, as non-limiting examples) in communication with the keyboard device may transmit information to the keyboard device. This information can be relayed or communicated to the computing system. The computing system may transmit information (such as the software or firmware updates) to the device, via the keyboard device, based upon the information communicated by the device and relayed to the computing system. 
     In some instances, the touch input device also includes an inductive charging module that can use the energy received from the keyboard device and provide the energy to an electronic device. For example, the touch input device may include a transmitter coil capable of inductively charging a receiver coil in an electronic device that is positioned on the touch input surface. The electronic device may include a mobile wireless communication device (smartphone, tablet computer), a wearable electronic device (watch), or a handheld device (digital stylus) suitable for use with the touch input surface. 
     While some embodiments describe the keyboard devices providing inductive charging by receiving energy from a computing system, some keyboard devices may act as a “standalone” device designed to receive energy independently from the computing system. These keyboard devices may include a port that receives energy from an external power source, such as a wall outlet. Further, in some instances, the energy can be stored in a power supply within the keyboard device. Similarly, some touch input devices may act as a “standalone” device designed to receive energy independently from the keyboard device. These touch input devices may include a port that receives energy from an external power source, such as a wall outlet, and in some instances, the energy can be stored in a power supply within the touch input device. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-18 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a system  100  that includes a computing system  110 , a keyboard device  120 , and a touch input device  130 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The computing system  110  may include a housing  112  and a display assembly  114  supported and carried by the housing  112 . The housing  112  may include metal (such as aluminum or an alloy that include aluminum), a rigid plastic, rubber, silicone, or a combination thereof. The display assembly  114  may include a display layer that includes a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, an organic light-emitting diode display, or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display, as non-limiting examples. 
     In addition to the housing  112  and the display assembly  114 , the computing system  110  may further include several operational components, such as circuit boards having processor circuits and storage (memory) circuits, audio modules, flexible circuits, and microphones, as non-limiting examples. The operational components may be positioned in the housing  112 , and may be used in conjunction with the display assembly  114 , the keyboard device  120 , and/or the touch input device  130 . Also, the computing system  110  may include a stand  116  rotationally connected to the housing  112 . The stand  116  is designed to support the housing  112 , the display assembly  114 , and the aforementioned operational components. 
     The keyboard device  120 , also referred to as a peripheral device (to the computing system  110 ), may include a housing  122 , or keyboard device housing, that carries keys  124 , with each key of the keys  124  being designed to provide an input or command to the computing system  110  that can be recognized and processed by the computing system  110 . The keys  124  may be distributed in accordance with a QWERTY configuration, commonly known in the art for keyboards, and may include a row for numbers and row for various function keys. As shown, the computing system  110  is in communication with the keyboard device  120  by a cable  118  electrically coupled to both the computing system  110  and the keyboard device  120 . In this regard, the computing system  110  may receive energy (electrical energy) from an external source (not shown), such as a wall outlet, and transfer at least some of the energy to the keyboard device  120 . 
     The touch input device  130 , also referred to as a peripheral device (to the computing system  110 ), may include a housing  132 , or touch input device housing, that defines a touch input surface  134  designed to receive touch input in the form of a gesture or swipe, as non-limiting examples, by a user. The gesture or swipe can correlate to a command to the computing system  110 . In this regard, the touch input device  130  may be in communication with the computing system  110  by way of the keyboard device  120 . The communication between the touch input device  130  and the keyboard device  120  may include wireless communication using Bluetooth® protocol, as an example. Further, when the touch input device  130  is in communication, or paired, with the keyboard device  120 , the touch input device  130  can also be paired with the computing system  110 . In this regard, an additional user-initiated pairing between the touch input device  130  and the computing system  110  is not required, and the system  100  is simplified. The touch input device  130  may include a conductive sensing touch input device that includes a grid of wires designed to detect where the touch input(s) occur. Alternatively, the touch input device  130  may include a capacitive sensing touch input device that includes multiple capacitors that change their stored charge in a location corresponding to the touch input(s). 
     Also, the touch input device  130  may receive at least some of the energy provided by the computing system  110  to the keyboard device  120 . This will be further discussed below. The touch input surface  134  may define a receiving surface for an electronic device (not shown). Further, some electronic devices, when placed on touch input surface  134 , may receive at least some of the energy transferred to the touch input device  130  in order to charge a battery of the electronic device. This will also be further discussed below. Also, in order to enhance the overall appearance of the system  100 , the keyboard device  120  may include a dimension  126  that is equal in length, or at least substantially similar in length, as a dimension  136  of the touch input device  130 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the keyboard device  120  and the touch input device  130  shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown, the keyboard device  120  may magnetically couple to the touch input device  130  by magnets in the respective housings of the keyboard device  120  and the touch input device  130 . For example, as shown in the enlarged view, the keyboard device  120  may include magnets  142  disposed in an internal volume defined by the housing  122  of the keyboard device  120 . Also, the touch input device  130  may include magnets  144  disposed in an internal volume defined by the housing  132  of the touch input device  130 . The magnets  142  in the keyboard device  120  are aligned proximate to a sidewall component of the housing  122  of the keyboard device  120 , and the magnets  144  in the touch input device  130  are aligned proximate to a sidewall component of the housing  132  of the touch input device  130 . Further, the magnetic polarity of the magnets  142  are aligned such that they can readily form a magnetic circuit with the magnets  144  of the touch input device  130 . Although a discrete number of magnets are shown, the number of magnets in each device may vary. However, for the purposes of magnetically coupling the keyboard device  120  with the touch input device  130 , the number of magnets  142  in the keyboard device  120  may equal the number of magnets  144  in the touch input device  130 . 
     Also, the keyboard device  120  may further include a transmitter coil  146 , or primary coil, disposed in the keyboard device  120 , and the touch input device  130  may further include a receiver coil  148 , or secondary coil, disposed in the touch input device  130 . In this regard, the keyboard device  120  is designed to transfer energy (including electrical energy) to the touch input device  130  through inductive charging, or wireless charging. The energy received by the touch input device  130  can be i) used to power operational components of the touch input device  130 , ii) stored in an internal power supply of the touch input device  130 , and/or iii) used to charge/recharge an electronic device positioned on the touch input surface  134 . These features will be shown and discussed further below. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram  200  of the keyboard device  120  and a schematic diagram  201  of the touch input device  130  shown in  FIG. 2 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The keyboard device  120  may include storage and processing circuitry  202  that includes hard disk storage, nonvolatile memory (such as flash memory or another electrically programmable read-only memory) or volatile memory. The storage and processing circuitry  202  may further include a processor, such as a microprocessor or other integrated circuit, used to process a program(s) or algorithm(s) stored on the storage circuitry. Some programs may include instructions for handling a request from the touch input device  130  to provide electrical energy, as well as sending (and monitoring) the electrical energy to the touch input device  130 . The storage and processing circuitry  202  may be used to carry communication protocols for wireless communication with the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) or the touch input device  130 , which may include IEEE 802.11 protocols (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth® protocol, as examples. 
     The keyboard device  120  may further include I/O circuitry  204 , or input-output circuitry, that allows receipt of data from the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and/or the touch input device  130 . The I/O circuitry  204  may include a circuit board electrically coupled to the keys. The I/O devices  206  may include inputs such as the keys, data and power ports, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and in some instances, a display that provides a dynamic function row of virtual keys. 
     The keyboard device  120  may further include wireless communication circuitry  208  that facilities a pairing  270 , or wireless authentication and communication between the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and/or the touch input device  130 . The wireless communication circuitry  208  can include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® circuits  210  and related radio frequency (RF) components for handling RF wireless signals. The wireless communication circuitry  208  may further include antennas  212 , which may include a single band, or alternatively a dual-band antenna, that can cover Wi-Fi bands, such as 2.4 Gigahertz (“GHz”) and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth® bands (2.4 GHz). 
     The keyboard device  120  may further include an inductive charging module  214 . The inductive charging module  214  may include a transmitter coil  146  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that includes a wire that can be at least partially wrapped around an iron core. At least one of the I/O devices  206  may be used to receive an alternating current to the inductive charging module  214  that causes the inductive charging module  214  (that is, the transmitter coil  146 ) to form an alternating electromagnetic field that induces an alternating electrical current to one of the inductive charging modules  264  of the touch input device  130 . Alternatively, the keyboard device  120  may include a power source  216  that stores energy that can be converted to electrical energy to supply current to the inductive charging module  214 . In this manner, the I/O circuitry  204  may include a power inverter that converts direct current (“DC”) to an alternating current (“AC”) that is then provided to the transmitter coil  146  such that the transmitter coil  146  generates the alternating electromagnetic field. 
     The touch input device  130  may include storage and processing circuitry  252  that includes hard disk storage, nonvolatile memory (such as flash memory or another electrically programmable read-only memory) or volatile memory. The storage and processing circuitry  252  may further include a processor, such as a microprocessor or other integrated circuit, used to process a program(s) or algorithm(s) stored on the storage circuitry. In this regard, the storage and processing circuitry  252  may include circuitry for translating motion (or a touch input) applied to a touch input surface of the touch input device  130 . The resulting translation of the motion (or the touch input) may be communicated to the storage and processing circuitry  252  of the keyboard device  120  by a signal (or signals), which can include RF signals. Some programs may include instructions for requesting electrical energy from the keyboard device  120 , as well as monitoring the received electrical energy. Also, the storage and processing circuitry  252  may include a program for initiating communication with the keyboard device  120  based upon a magnetic coupling between the magnets  142  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the magnets  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). However, a sufficient proximity between the respective wireless communication circuitry of the keyboard device  120  and the touch input device  130  may suffice (for purposes of establishing communication). The storage and processing circuitry  252  may be used to carry communication protocols for wireless communication with the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) or the keyboard device  120 , which may include IEEE 802.11 protocols (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth® protocol, as examples. Further, when the touch input device  130  is in wireless communication with the keyboard device  120  by, for example, Bluetooth® protocol, the touch input device  130  may be in communication with the computing system  110  via the keyboard device  120  (assuming the keyboard device  120  is in communication with the computing system  110 ). In this regard, an additional communication, such as an additional Bluetooth® pairing is not required between the touch input device  130  and the computing system  110 . 
     The touch input device  130  may further include I/O circuitry  254 , or input-output circuitry, that allows receipt of data from the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and/or the keyboard device  120 . The I/O devices  256  may include inputs such as the touch input surface  134 , data and power ports, light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), and in some instances, a display that provides a dynamic function row of virtual keys. 
     The touch input device  130  may further include wireless communication circuitry  258  that facilities a pairing  270 , or wireless communication between the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and/or the keyboard device  120 . The wireless communication circuitry  258  can include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® circuits  260  and related RF components for handling RF wireless signals. The wireless communication circuitry  258  may further include antennas  262 , which may include a single band, or alternatively a dual-band antenna, that can cover Wi-Fi bands, such as 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth® bands (2.4 GHz). 
     Also, when the touch input device  130  is paired with the keyboard device  120 , the wireless communication circuitry  208  of the keyboard device  120  may transmit information to the wireless communication circuitry  258  of the touch input device  130 . For example, the keyboard device  120  may receive software and/or firmware updates from a computing system (such as the computing system  110  shown in  FIG. 1 ) downloaded from a network server when the computing system determines a software and/or firmware update is available, and provide the software and/or firmware updates to the touch input device  130 . Further, when an electronic device (shown below) is positioned on a touch input surface of the touch input device  130 , the electronic device may include wireless communication circuitry used to send a request to the touch input device  130  to determine whether a software and/or firmware update is available. The touch input device  130  can communicate this request to a computing system (such as the computing system  110  shown in  FIG. 1 ) via the keyboard device  120 . If a software and/or firmware update is available, the computing system  110  can download the software and/or firmware update from a network server, and send the update to the touch input device  130  via the keyboard device  120 . The touch input device  130  can then communicate and upload the software and/or firmware update to the electronic device. Alternatively, during instances when the touch input device  130  is in direct communication with the computing system  110 , the software and/or firmware can be downloaded directly to the touch input device  130  (without first being transmitted to the keyboard device  120 ). 
     The touch input device  130  may further include inductive charging modules  264 . The inductive charging modules  264  may include a receiver coil  148  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), or secondary coil, that includes a wire that may at least partially wrap around an iron core. In this manner, when the transmitter coil  146  of the inductive charging module  214  in the keyboard device  120  generates an alternate electromagnetic field (based on the alternating current), an induced current can be provided to the receiver coil  148  of the inductive charging modules  264  in the touch input device  130 . The I/O circuitry  254  may include a rectifier that converts the induced AC to DC that can be stored in a power source  266  of the touch input device  130 . Also, the I/O circuitry  204  of the keyboard device  120  and the I/O circuitry  254  of the touch input device  130 , in combination with the storage and processing circuitry  202  of the keyboard device  120  and the storage and processing circuitry  252  of the touch input device  130 , may initiate an inductive charging process subsequent to a magnetic coupling between the magnets  142  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the magnets  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In this regard, the magnets  142  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the magnets  144  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may include electromagnets that are monitored for changes in external magnetic fields produced by the aforementioned magnets in order to determine whether the magnetic coupling is established. This may also provide a foundation for an authentication of the touch input device  130  by the keyboard device  120 . Accordingly, at least the storage and processing circuitry  202  may include stored programs for initiating inductive charging and for authentication. 
     The inductive charging modules  264  may further include a transmitter coil designed to receive an alternating electrical current that causes the transmitter coil to generate an alternating electromagnetic field that induces an alternating electrical current to a receiver coil in an electronic device that is positioned on the touch input surface  134  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Alternatively, the touch input device  130  may include a power source  266  that stores energy that can be converted to electrical energy to supply current to the transmitter coil. In this manner, the I/O circuitry  254  may include a power inverter that converts DC to AC that is then provided to the transmitter coil such that the transmitter coil generates the alternating electromagnetic field. The various features shown and/or described in the schematic diagram  200  of the keyboard device  120  and the schematic diagram  201  of the touch input device  130  may be included in any keyboard device and touch input device, respectively, shown and described herein. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of the keyboard device  120  and the touch input device  130  shown in  FIG. 3 , further showing a portable electronic device  300  positioned on the touch input surface  134 . The portable electronic device  300  may include a mobile wireless communication device (smartphone) or a tablet computer device. As shown, the keyboard device  120  is magnetically coupled to the touch input device  130  by way of the magnets  142  in the keyboard device  120  and the magnets  144  in the touch input device  130 . Also, the magnetic coupling between the magnets  142  in the keyboard device  120  and the magnets  144  of the touch input device  130  provide sufficient proximity between the transmitter coil  146  and the receiver coil  148  such that transmitter coil  146  can induce current (by a generated alternating external magnetic field) to the receiver coil  148 . The computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) may provide the energy via the cable  118 . 
       FIG. 4  further shows the touch input device  130  including a transmitter coil  158  capable of receiving energy, by way of the induced current to the receiver coil  148 . Also, the portable electronic device  300  may include a receiver coil  310 . Using at least some of the energy received by the receiver coil  148 , the transmitter coil  158  can generate an alternating electromagnetic field that induces electrical current (AC) to the receiver coil  310  of the portable electronic device  300 . The electrical current received by the receiver coil  310  can be stored as electrical energy in a battery (not shown) in the portable electronic device  300  subsequent to a rectifier (not shown) converting the induced AC to DC. As a result, the touch input device  130  can serve as an input device that receives a touch input as well as an inductive charging, or wireless charging, station for the portable electronic device  300 . 
     In addition to receiving energy to charge a battery in the portable electronic device  300 , the portable electronic device  300  may receive software updates as well as firmware updates through the touch input device  130 . As described above, a computing system (not shown) can download the software and/or firmware update, and send the update to the portable electronic device  300  via the keyboard device  120  and the touch input device  130 . Alternatively, during instances when the touch input device  130  is in direct communication with the computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), the software and/or firmware can be downloaded directly to the touch input device  130  (without first being transmitted to the keyboard device  120 ). 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a circuit diagram  400  of showing a transmitter coil  446  transferring power to a receiver coil  448  through an inductive, or wireless, method, in accordance with some described embodiments. The exemplary illustration in  FIG. 5  may also be referred to as an inductive power transfer. As shown, the transmitter coil  446  is connected to an AC power source  450 . In some embodiments (not shown), the AC power source  450  is replaced by a DC power source connected to an oscillator circuit in order to produce an oscillating electrical current. The receiver coil  448  is connected to a DC power source  460  that can include a rechargeable battery, as a non-limiting example. 
     While receiving AC from the AC power source  450 , the transmitter coil  446  generates an external magnetic field  452  having an alternating magnetic polarity. When the receiver coil  448  is within range of the transmitter coil  446 , the external magnetic field  452  passes through the receiver coil  448 . The alternating magnetic polarity induces an electromotive force at the receiver coil  448 . The induced electromotive force corresponds to an induced alternating current to the receiver coil  448 , which passes through components, such as rectifiers and filters, to produce a DC current used to power (charge/recharge) the DC power source  460 . The transmitter coil  446  may be present in a keyboard device described herein, and the receiver coil may be present in a touch input device described herein. Furthermore, the transmitter coil  446  may be present in a touch input device described herein, and the receiver coil may be present in an electronic device described herein that includes a rechargeable battery. 
       FIGS. 6-8  show various types of electronic devices that can include a rechargeable battery and a receiver coil, and as a result, can be charged/recharged by a touch input device described herein. In some cases, the various types of electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, may be charged/recharged by a transmitter coil located in a keyboard device. The electronic devices shown in  FIGS. 6-8  represent consumer electronic devices and accessory devices suitable for use with a computing system described herein. It should be noted that the electronic devices shown in  FIGS. 6-8  is not an exhaustive list, and other types of electronic devices are possible. Also, at least some electronic device shown in  FIGS. 6-8  may include a metal housing that can otherwise interfere with induced power transmission. However, at least some portion of a housing described for the electronic devices includes a non-metal portion, or a substantially reduced metal portion, to prevent the blocking of the induced power transmission. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a wearable electronic device  502  that can be charged by a touch input device described herein. As shown, the wearable electronic device  502  may include a housing  504  and a display assembly  506  carried by the housing  504 . The wearable electronic device  502  may further include a band  508  designed to couple with a band  510  to secure the housing  504  (and any components carried by the housing  504 ) to an appendage of a user. The wearable electronic device  502  may further include a receiver coil  512  that can receive an induced current used to charge a battery  514 , with the receiver coil  512  and the battery  514  both located in the housing  504 . Other components—processor circuits, wireless circuits, audio modules, microphones, buttons, switches, etc.—may be present in the wearable electronic device  502  and may receive power from the battery  514 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a handheld device  522  that can be charged by a touch input device described herein. The handheld device  522  may include a digital stylus designed to interact with a display assembly. Further, the handheld device  522  may be used to provide an input to a touch input surface  134  of the touch input device  130  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). In this regard, the handheld device  522  may include a tip region  524  designed to interact with a display assembly or a touch input surface. The handheld device  522  may further include a housing  526 . Within the housing  526 , the handheld device  522  may further include a receiver coil  528  that can receive an induced current used to charge a battery  530 , with the receiver coil  528  and the battery  530  both located in the housing  526 . Other components—processor circuits, wireless circuits, audio modules, microphones, buttons, switches, etc.—may be present in the handheld device  522  and may receive power from the battery  530 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of a pointing device  532  that can be charged by a touch input device described herein. The pointing device  532  may be referred to as a “mouse” that is suitable for use with a computing system described herein. The pointing device  532  may include a housing  534 . Within the housing  534 , the pointing device  532  may further include a receiver coil  536  that can receive an induced current used to charge a battery  538 , with the receiver coil  536  and the battery  538  both located in the housing  526 . Other components—processor circuits, wireless circuits, audio modules, microphones, buttons, switches, etc.—may be present in the pointing device  532  and may receive power from the battery  538 . 
     The keyboard device  120  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) can be referred to as a wired keyboard device as the keyboard device  120  is electrically coupled to a computing system  110  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). However, in some instances, a keyboard device described herein does not require a wired connection and may communicate with a computing system described herein by wireless communication. 
     For example,  FIG. 9  illustrates a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a keyboard device  620  that includes an internal power supply  628  designed to store energy usable by the keyboard device  620  and/or to charge another device, in accordance with some described embodiments. The keyboard device  620  may include any feature(s) described herein for a keyboard device. As shown, the keyboard device  620  may include a housing  622  and keys  624  that are carried by the housing  622 . Also, the keyboard device  620  may include magnets  642  arranged along a sidewall  644  of the housing  622  in a manner similar to a manner previously described for magnets in a keyboard device. Accordingly, a device, such as a touch input device described herein, can magnetically couple to the keyboard device  620  along the sidewall  644 . 
     A partial internal view  626  of the keyboard device  620  shows the internal power supply  628  within an internal volume  630  (defined by the housing  622 ) that provides a space for components (circuit boards, processor circuits, wireless circuits, light elements, etc.). The internal power supply  628  may include a rechargeable DC battery. The keyboard device  620  may include a port  632  that includes a connector  634  designed to electrically couple with an external power supply  636  by a cable  638 . The external power supply  636  may receive AC from a wall outlet and then convert AC to DC. The cable  638  may also include circuitry (not shown) designed to convert AC to DC. The external power supply  636  may also store energy, similar to a battery or battery pack. The external power supply  636 , when electrically coupled to the connector  634 , can provide energy to the internal power supply  628 , which can be stored in the internal power supply  628  for later use. In this regard, the internal power supply  628  may supply energy to a transmitter coil  646  positioned in the internal volume  630 . The energy provided by the internal power supply  628  may pass through a power inverter (not shown) in order to switch from DC to AC, thereby allowing a touch input device (such as the touch input device  130 , shown in  FIG. 1 ) or an electronic device (such as those shown in  FIGS. 6-8 ) to receive energy through inductive power transfer. 
     In order to communicate with a computing system, touch input device, or electronic device described herein, the keyboard device  620  may include wireless communication circuitry, such as the wireless communication circuitry  208  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). As a result, the keyboard device  620  may be referred to as a wireless keyboard device that does not require cables to connect to a computing system. In other words, the wireless keyboard device and its components lacks an electrically coupling to cables that are coupled to a computing system described herein. Also, any electronic device shown in  FIGS. 6-8  may include wireless communication circuitry used to establish communication with the keyboard device  620 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a touch input device  730 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The touch input device  730  may include any feature(s) described herein for a touch input device. As shown, the touch input device  730  may include a housing  732  that defines an internal volume to carry several components, such as storage and processor circuits, wireless circuits, battery, and a touch input layer for a touch input surface  734  (defined in part by the housing  732 ). The touch input device  730  is designed to translate motion of a movement of a user, or an object carried by the user, across the touch input surface  734 . The translated motion can correspond to motion of a cursor (not shown) presented on a display of a computing system described herein, or can correspond to an object (or objects) drawn in a software application (shown below). 
     The touch input device  730  may further include a support  736  places the touch input surface  734  at a non-zero angle with respect to a horizontal plane (not shown). The support  736  may also at least partially define the internal volume, and as a result, may also carry components. Also, the touch input device  730  may further include magnets  744  positioned in the internal volume proximate to a sidewall  746  (of the housing  732 ). The magnets  744  are designed to magnetically couple with a device, such as a keyboard device shown and described herein. Also, the touch input device  730  may further include a receiver coil  748  positioned in the internal volume proximate to the sidewall  746 . Using the receiver coil  748 , the touch input device  730  can receive energy by inductive power transmission by a transmitter coil in a keyboard device shown and described herein. The touch input device  730  may further include a transmitter coil  760  designed to transfer energy, received by the receiver coil  748 , to an electronic device (not shown) that is capable of receiving energy by inductive power transmission. It should be noted that the material(s) of the housing  732  in a location corresponding to the touch input surface  734  may include a non-metal material, or a substantially reduced amount of metal. 
     Also, in some embodiments, the touch input device  730  may include one or more transmitter coils, with at least one of the transmitter coils positioned along a sidewall of the touch input device  730 . For example, the touch input device  730  may include a sidewall  756  that is parallel, or at least approximately parallel, with respect to the sidewall  746 , and perpendicular, or at least approximately perpendicular, with respect to the touch input surface  734 . The touch input device  730  may include a transmitter coil (not shown) positioned internally in the touch input device  730  and along the sidewall  756 , allowing a device (not shown) to be inductively charged by the transmitter coil when the device includes a receiver coil within sufficient proximity to the sidewall  756  to induce current in the receiver coil. The touch input device  730  may further include an additional transmitter coil (not shown) positioned internally in the touch input device  730  and along a sidewall  758  that is perpendicular, or at least approximately perpendicular, with respect to the sidewall  746  and the touch input surface  734 . The additional transmitter coil may also be configured to inductively charge a device within sufficient proximity to the sidewall  758   
     Also, in some instances, the touch input device  730  may include a display assembly  770  designed to illuminate and present visual information in the form of textual information, an application toolbar, and/or icons representing a particular command associated with a software program. When the touch input device  730  is in communication with a computing system described herein, either through a direct wireless communication with the computing system or an indirect wireless communication via a keyboard device described herein, the display assembly  770  may also be in communication with the computing system. In this regard, the display assembly  770  may present visual information in accordance with, or specific to, a software application(s) running on the computing system. This will be further shown below. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a cross sectional view of the touch input device  730  shown in  FIG. 10 , taken along line A-A, further showing a portable electronic device  800  positioned on the touch input surface  734 . As shown, the housing  732  may include a first housing part  741  that combines with a second housing part  742  to form an internal volume  750  for components, such as the transmitter coil  760  and a battery  762 . Also, the portable electronic device  800  may include a receiver coil  802  capable of receiving energy, by inductive power transmission, from the transmitter coil  760 . The received energy at the receiver coil  802  can be used to provide energy that charges a battery  804  located in the portable electronic device  800 . It should be noted that an external alternating electromagnetic field  780 , or alternating external electromagnetic field, generated by the transmitter coil  760  is capable of passing through i) the touch input surface  734  and ii) the portable electronic device  800  such that the external alternating electromagnetic field  780  reaches the receiver coil  802  (when the portable electronic device  800  is positioned on touch input surface  734 , as shown in  FIG. 11 ). Also, the touch input device  730  may include a touch input layer  738 , or touch sensitive layer, used to detect a touch input to the touch input surface  734 . The touch input layer  738  can be positioned between the first housing part  741  (in a location corresponding to the touch input surface  734 ) and the transmitter coil  760 . 
     The display assembly  770  may include multiple layers. For example, as shown in the enlarged view, the display assembly  770  may include a touch input layer  772  designed to detect a touch input to the display assembly  770 . In this regard, the touch input layer  772  may form a capacitive coupling with a user in a location corresponding to the user&#39;s touch input to the display assembly  770 . The touch input layer  772  may include a multi-touch layer that enables the display assembly  770  to recognize more than one point of contact. The display assembly  770  may include further a display layer  774  designed to present visual information, as noted above. The display layer  774  may include a display layer that include a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, an organic light-emitting diode display, or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display, as non-limiting examples. Also, in some embodiments, the display assembly  770  may further include a force detection layer  776  designed to measure an amount of force applied to the display assembly  770  by the user. The amount of force may correspond to a particular type of input. In this regard, the display assembly  770  can provide different inputs, based on the amount of force applied to the display assembly  770 , to a computing system described herein that is in communication with the touch input device  730 . Also, it should be noted that the touch input device  730  may include any feature described for the touch input device  130  described in  FIG. 3 , and accordingly, the touch input device  730  in  FIG. 11  may be in wireless communication with a computing system described herein. 
     Also, the size of a display assembly (located on a touch input device) is not limited and may extend substantially across an entire surface of the touch input device. For example,  FIG. 12  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a touch input device  830 , showing the touch input device  830  having a display assembly  870  positioned substantially across a surface  834  of the touch input device  830 , in accordance with some described embodiments. The touch input device  830  may include any feature(s) described herein for a touch input device. For example, the touch input device  830  may include a housing  832  that includes an internal volume that carries magnets  844  and a receiver coil  848 . 
     The touch input device  830  may further include a transmitter coil  860  designed to generate an alternating electromagnetic field to inductively charge a device placed on the surface  834 . However, as shown, the display assembly  870  substantially covers (including a majority of) the surface  834 , which defines a surface previously used as a touch input surface. In this manner, the transmitter coil  860  may generate an alternating electromagnetic field to inductively charge a device placed on the display assembly  870 . When the display assembly  870  substantially covers the surface  834 , a display layer (similar to the display layer  774  shown in  FIG. 11 ) of the display assembly  870  may be positioned between the surface  834  and the transmitter coil  860 . 
     Although the display assembly  870  substantially covers the surface  834 , the display assembly  870  may include a touch input layer (similar to the touch input layer  772  shown in  FIG. 11 ) that allows the display assembly  870  to act as a touch input mechanism for the touch input device  830 . For example, the display assembly  870  may receive gestures and touch inputs that are communicated to a keyboard device and/or a computing system (both of which are previously shown and described). 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate a system  900  that includes a computing system  910 , a keyboard device  920 , and a touch input device  930 . The computing system  910 , the keyboard device  920 , and the touch input device  930  may include any feature(s) described herein for a computing system, a keyboard device, and a touch input device, respectively. Also, both the keyboard device  920  and the touch input device  930  may be in communication with the computing system  910 . Also, the system  900  shows the keyboard device  920  in wired communication with the computing system  910 . Alternatively, the keyboard device  920  can be in wireless communication with the computing system  910 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an isometric view of a system  900  that includes a computing system  910 , a keyboard device  920 , and a touch input device  930 , showing the touch input device  930  used in conjunction with a handheld device  950 , in accordance with some described embodiments. As shown, a user  952  can guide the handheld device  950  along a touch input surface  934  of the touch input device  930 . The motion  936  across the touch input surface  934  is represented by a dotted line. The motion  936  of the handheld device  950  can be detected by the touch input device  930  and communicated to the computing system  910  such that a program  962  (or software application that is run by an operating system of the computing system  910 ) presents a corresponding motion  966  on a display  914  of the computing system  910 . It should be noted that a digit (finger, thumb) of the user  952  can also be used to formulate the motion  936  detected by the touch input device  930 . 
     Also, the touch input device  930  further includes a display assembly  970 . The computing system  910  can communicate to the touch input device  930  the program  962  in use by the user  952  and the display assembly  970  can subsequently present visual information in accordance with the program  962 . For example, the program  962  may include a drawing or sketching/designing program. When the computing system  910  communicates the type or genre of the program  962  to the touch input device  930 , the display assembly  970  can receive a command to present icons specific to the program  962 . As shown in the enlarged view, the display assembly  970  can display a virtual application toolbar that includes icons, such as a first icon  982 , a second icon  984 , and a third icon  986  (with additional icons present), with the first icon  982 , the second icon  984 , and the third icon  986  associated with the program  962 . The first icon  982  includes a graphical illustration of a “pointer tool” that can be selected on the display assembly  970  and subsequently used to “grab” or “drag” a graphical item displayed on the program  962 . The second icon  984  includes a graphical illustration of a “line tool” that can be selected on the display assembly  970  and subsequently used to draw a line on the program  962 . The third icon  986  includes a graphical illustration of a “delete command” that can be selected on the display assembly  970  and subsequently used to erase a graphical item displayed on the program  962 . Accordingly, the user  952  may depress the display assembly  970  in a location corresponding to a desired icon, and the depressed icon can be registered as an input to the display assembly  970 . The input (of the selected/depressed icon) can be communicated to the computing system  910 , and in particular, to the program  962 , causing the program  962  to recognize the selected/depressed icon and activate a function associated with the selected/depressed icon. For example, if the selected/depressed icon is the third icon  986 , the program  962  can receive a command to remove a highlighted portion (or portion selected prior to selecting/depressing the third icon  986 ) of a graphical display item (such as the corresponding motion  966 ). 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the system shown in  FIG. 13 , showing the display assembly  970  of the touch input device  930  presenting input commands based on the program  972 , or software application, in use by the user  952  on the computing system  910 , in accordance with some described embodiments. As shown, the program  972  presented on the display  914  and in use by the user  952  may include a calculator, and accordingly, the program  972  is different from the program  962  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). The keyboard device  920  may include keys  924  that can be used with the program  972 . For instance, when the user  952  depresses a key  928  (such as a number key that provides an input of a number between and including “1” through “0”), the number represented by the key  928  may display on the program  972 . This information can be communicated to the touch input device  930 . In response, the display assembly  970  may adjust what is presented to display a new virtual application toolbar with new icons usable with the program  972 . 
     As shown in the enlarged view, the display assembly  970  can display a virtual application toolbar that includes icons, such as a first icon  992 , a second icon  994 , and a third icon  996  (with additional icons present). The first icon  992  includes a graphical illustration of a “division” corresponding to an operation to obtain a quotient (between a dividend and a divisor) that can be displayed on the program  972 . The second icon  994  includes a graphical illustration of a “subtraction” corresponding to removing a number from another number, either (or both) of which can be displayed by the program  972 . The third icon  996  includes a graphical illustration of an “addition” corresponding to combining a number with another number, either (or both) of which can be displayed by the program  972 . The user  952  may depress the display assembly  970  in a location corresponding to a desired icon, and the depressed icon can be registered as an input to the display assembly  970 . The input (of the selected/depressed icon) can be communicated to the computing system  910 , and in particular, to the program  972 , causing the program  972  to recognize the selected/depressed icon and activate a function associated with the selected/depressed icon. For example, if the selected/depressed icon is the third icon  996 , the program  972  can receive a command to combine two numbers. In some instances, the computing system  910  may communicate information related to the program  972  to the touch input device  930  without the user  952  having to first depress the key  928 , and the display assembly  970  can display relevant icons (specific to the program  972 ) in a manner shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The system  900  can substitute the touch input device  830  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) for the touch input device  930  (shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). In this manner, when the touch input device  830  is in communication with the computing system  910 , the computing system  910  may communicate a software program presented on the display  914  (that is in use by the user  952 ). The display assembly  870  may receive the communication and adapt to present information in accordance with the software program. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the program  972  includes a calculator. When the touch input device  830  receives information from the computing system  910  related to the program  972 , the display assembly  870  may present visual information representing a calculator, thereby allowing the user  952  to interact with the display assembly  870  and input a command (or commands) by depressing the display assembly  870 , with the command(s) detectable by a touch input layer of the display assembly  870 . Accordingly, the functions features of a program (such as a calculator) are made available on the display assembly  870 , and any inputs or gesture to the display assembly  870  may can be translated to the computing system  910  as a command to the program  972 . 
     Also, the display assembly  870  may be programmable by the user  952 . For instance, the user  952  may interact with the computing system  910 , causing the computing system  190  to instruct the touch input device  830  to present a selected image (still or dynamic) on the display assembly  870 . This allows the touch input device  830  to provide a customizable touch input mechanism by way of the selected image on the display assembly  870 . 
     Touch input devices are shown as receiving energy by inductive power transmission from a keyboard device. However, in some instances, a touch input device described herein does not require a keyboard device for energy and may directly connect to an external power source. For example,  FIG. 15  illustrates a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a touch input device  1030  that includes an internal power supply  1028  designed to store energy in order to charge another device, in accordance with some described embodiments. The touch input device  1030  may include any feature(s) described herein for a keyboard device. As shown, the touch input device  1030  may include a housing  1032  and a touch input surface  1034 . Also, the touch input device  1030  may include magnets  1044  arranged along a sidewall  1046  of the housing  1032  in a manner similar to a manner previously described for magnets in a touch input device. Accordingly, a device, such as a keyboard device described herein, can magnetically couple to the touch input device  1030  along the sidewall  1046 . Also, the touch input device  1030  may further include a receiver coil  1048  suitable for use with a receiver coil previously described. 
     A partial internal view  1026  of the touch input device  1030  shows the internal power supply  1028  within an internal volume  1040  (defined by the housing  1032 ) that provides a space for components (circuit boards, processor circuits, wireless circuits, light elements, etc.). The internal power supply  1028  may include a rechargeable DC battery. The touch input device  1030  may include a port  1052  that includes a connector  1054  designed to electrically couple with an external power supply  1058  by a cable  1066 . The external power supply  1058  may receive AC from a wall outlet and then convert AC to DC. The cable  1066  may also include circuitry (not shown) designed to convert AC to DC. The external power supply  1058  may also store energy, similar to a battery or battery pack. The external power supply  1058 , when coupled to the connector  1054 , can provide energy to the internal power supply  1028 , which can be stored in the internal power supply  1028  for later use. In this regard, the internal power supply  1028  may supply energy to a transmitter coil  1064  positioned in the internal volume  1040 . The energy provided by the internal power supply  1028  may pass through a power inverter (not shown) in order to switch from DC to AC, thereby allowing an electronic device (such as those shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , as non-limiting examples) to receive energy through inductive power transfer when placed on the touch input surface  1034 . 
     In order to communicate with a computing system, keyboard device, or electronic device described herein, the touch input device  1030  may include wireless communication circuitry, such as the wireless communication circuitry  258  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). As a result, the touch input device  1030  may be referred to as a wireless touch input device that can operate and charge devices independently of a keyboard device. Also, any electronic device shown in  FIGS. 6-8  may include wireless communication circuitry used to establish communication with the touch input device  1030 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of a system  1100 , showing the computing system  1110  taking the form of a laptop computer device, in accordance with some described embodiments. As shown, the computing system  1110  may include a display housing  1112  coupled to a base portion  1120  in a manner that allows the display housing  1112  to rotate with respect to the base portion  1120 , or vice versa. The display housing  1112  may include a display assembly  1114 . The base portion  1120  may include keys  1124  designed to provide an input to a processor circuit (not shown) in the computing system  1110 . The computing system  1110  may further include a touch pad  1126  designed to receive a touch input that translates motion (to the touch pad  1126 ), which may provide a command or input to the computing system  1110 . The system  1100  may further include a touch input device  1130  that is separate from the base portion  1120 . The touch input device  1130  may include a housing  1132  that defines a touch input surface  1134 . The touch input device  1130  is designed to translate motion of a movement of a user, or an object carried by the user, across the touch input surface  1134 . The base portion  1120  and the touch input device  1130  may include any feature(s) previously described for a keyboard device and a touch input device, respectively. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a detailed view of a computing system  1200  that can represent computing systems described herein used to implement the various techniques described herein, in accordance with some described embodiments. For example, the detailed view illustrates various components that can be included in computing system  1200  described in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the portable electronic device  300  shown in  FIG. 4 , the devices shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , the portable electronic device  800  shown in  FIG. 11 , the computing system  910  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , and the computing system  1110  shown in  FIG. 16 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the computing system  1200  can include a processor  1202  that represents a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the computing system  1200 . The computing system  1200  can also include a user input device  1208  that allows a user of the computing system  1200  to interact with the computing system  1200 . For example, the user input device  1208  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, and so on. Still further, the computing system  1200  can include a display  1210  that can be controlled by the processor  1202  (e.g., via a graphics component) to display information to the user. A data bus  1216  can facilitate data transfer between at least a storage device  1240 , the processor  1202 , and a controller  1213 . The controller  1213  can be used to interface with and control different equipment through an equipment control bus  1214 . The computing system  1200  can also include a network/bus interface  1211  that couples to a data link  1212 . In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  1211  can include a wireless transceiver. 
     As noted above, the computing system  1200  also includes the storage device  1240 , which can include a single disk or a collection of disks (e.g., hard drives). In some embodiments, the storage device  1240  can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory or the like. The computing system  1200  can also include a Random-Access Memory  1220 , or RAM, and a Read-Only Memory  1222 , or ROM. The Read-Only Memory  1222  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The Random-Access Memory  1220  can provide volatile data storage, and stores instructions related to the operation of applications executing on the computing system  1200   
       FIG. 18  illustrates a flowchart  1300  showing a method for charging an electronic device that includes a battery and a receiver coil, in accordance with some described embodiments. The electronic device may include any one of mobile wireless communication device (smartphone, tablet device), a wearable electronic device (electronic watch), a handheld device (digital stylus), and a pointing device (mouse), as non-limiting examples. The receiver coil in the electronic device is designed to receive energy, by inductive power transmission, from a transmitter coil. The energy can be used to charge/recharge the battery in the electronic device. 
     In step  1302 , the electronic device is received at a touch input device. The touch input device includes a touch input surface through which motion across the touch input surface is translated and provided to a computing system. The touch input surface is also configured to receive a single “motionless” input, similar to a mouse click. In this regard, the touch input device can be used as a touch pad, or the like, by using the touch input surface. 
     In step  1304 , a transmitter coil, located in an internal volume of the touch input device, generates an alternating electromagnetic field. By receiving AC, the transmitter coil can generate the alternating electromagnetic field. Also, the transmitter coil (and the receiver coil) can be made from an electrically conductive material, such as copper. 
     In step  1306 , current is induced at the receiver coil (of the electronic device) when the electronic device is positioned on the touch input surface. The receiver coil may use a rectifier to transfer AC to DC so that at least some of the induced current is stored as energy in the battery. Also, in order for the touch input device to receive energy, the touch input device may include its own receiver coil to receive, by inductive power transmission, AC from a transmitter coil from an external device, such as a keyboard device. Also, the touch input device may include a port designed to receive energy from an external source, such as a wall outlet. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170915
Publication Date: 20200505
Grant Date: 20200505
Priority Date: 20170915
Inventors: SONG, QIAOJIAN
PRABHAKAR, ALOSIOUS PRADEEP
PEREIRA, SHAWN
VEERASAMY PANNEERSELVAM, SURENDAR
ENG, WEE CHUN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F2203/0384", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04886", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0381", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0381", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04886", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0384", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0383", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00045", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0383", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00045", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/00034", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/0384", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1692", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1683", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1669", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0213", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/03547", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0393", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 70461257