HK1191710A - Flexible hinge and removable attachment - Google Patents

Description

Flexible hinge and removable attachment

This application claims priority under 35 u.s.c. § 119(e) to the following U.S. provisional patent applications, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/606,321, filed 3/2/2012, attorney docket No. 336082.01 and entitled "Screen Edge";

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/606,301, filed 3, month 2, 2012, attorney docket No. 336083.01 and entitled "Input Device Functionality";

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/606,313, filed 3/2/2012, attorney docket No. 336084.01 and entitled "Functional Hinge";

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/606,333, filed 3, 2/2012, attorney docket No. 336086.01 and entitled "use and Authentication";

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/613,745, filed 3/21/2012, attorney docket No. 336086.02 and entitled "use and Authentication";

U.S. provisional patent application No.61/606,336, filed 3/2/2012, attorney docket No. 336087.01 and entitled "Kickstand and Camera"; and

U.S. Provisional patent application No.61/607,451, filed 3/6/2012, attorney docket No. 336143.01 and entitled "Spanaway Provisional";

in addition, the present application also incorporates, by reference in its entirety, the following applications: U.S. patent application No. 13/470,633Submitted and proxied 5/14/2012Human case number 336564.01 and titled "Input Device Assembly".

Background

Mobile computing devices have been developed to add functionality that makes available to users in mobile environments. For example, a user may interact with a mobile phone, tablet computer, or other mobile computing device to check email, surf the web, compose text, interact with an application, and so forth.

However, because mobile computing devices are configured to be mobile, the devices may be exposed to a wide variety of environments with varying degrees of security for the computing devices. Accordingly, some devices have been developed to help protect mobile computing devices from their environment. However, conventional techniques for mounting and dismounting these devices from computing devices are sometimes difficult to dismount but provide good protection, and sometimes quite easy to dismount but provide limited protection.

Disclosure of Invention

Flexible hinges and detachable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device. The flexible hinge may be configured to support movement of the input device similar to a cover of a book such that the input device may act as a cover. The flexibility of the hinge can be achieved using various techniques, such as a support layer to add strength to the device to protect components (e.g., conductors for communication) from repeated connection and disconnection of the computing device.

The hinge may also be configured to provide a minimum bend radius to further protect the conductors and other components. Various techniques may be utilized, such as the use of embossing, intermediate ridges (mid-spine), material selection, and so forth. Additionally, techniques may be leveraged to provide mechanical rigidity to the connection portions used to connect the input device to the computing device, such as forming a layered structure using pins.

The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes the use of one or more protrusions (projections) that are configured to be detached from a corresponding cavity of the computing device along a particular axis, but mechanically fastened (bind) along other axes. These protrusions may also be used for various other purposes, such as transferring power or communications between devices.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Drawings

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. The entities represented on the figures may indicate one or more entities, and thus, singular or plural forms of the entities may be referred to interchangeably at the time of discussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment in an exemplary implementation that is operable to employ techniques described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary implementation of the input device of FIG. 1 in displaying the flexible hinge in greater detail.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary orientation of an input device relative to a computing device when overlaying a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary orientation of the input device relative to the computing device in a typing orientation.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary orientation of an input device relative to a computing device when a rear housing of the computing device is covered and a display device of the computing device is exposed.

Fig. 6 depicts an exemplary orientation of the input device including a portion configured to cover a rear of the computing device, which is used in this example to support a kickstand (kickstand) of the computing device.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary orientation in which the input device including portions of FIG. 6 is used to cover both the front and back of the computing device.

Fig. 8 depicts an exemplary implementation showing a perspective view of the connection portion of fig. 2 including a mechanical coupling protrusion and a plurality of communication contacts.

Fig. 9 depicts a cross-section taken along an axis showing the communication contacts (contacts) and a cross-section of the cavity of the computing device in greater detail.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section of a flexible hinge of a computing device, a connection portion, and an input device when oriented as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the input device serves as a cover for a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-section taken along an axis showing in more detail a magnetic coupling device and a cross-section of a cavity of a computing device.

Fig. 12 depicts an example of a magnetic coupling portion that may be utilized by an input device or computing device to implement a flux fountain.

Fig. 13 depicts another example of a magnetic coupling portion that may be utilized by an input device or a computing device to implement a flux fountain.

Fig. 14 depicts a cross-section taken along an axis showing in more detail a mechanical coupling protrusion and a cross-section of a cavity of a computing device.

Fig. 15 depicts a perspective view of a protrusion configured to communicate signals and/or transfer power between an input device and a computing device.

Fig. 16 illustrates a top view of a protrusion, wherein the surface is divided to support a plurality of different contacts.

Fig. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view of the protrusion of fig. 16 when disposed within a cavity of a computing device.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary implementation showing a support layer configured to support operation of a flexible hinge and protect components of an input device during operation.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary implementation in which a top view of the connection portion is shown.

Fig. 20 depicts a cross-sectional view of the connection portion of fig. 19.

Fig. 21 depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view of the first pin of fig. 20 when a metal ridge is secured to the plastic of the connecting portion to form a laminate structure.

Fig. 22 illustrates an exemplary system comprising various components of an exemplary device that may be implemented as any type of computing device as described with reference to fig. 1-21 in order to implement embodiments of the techniques described herein.

Detailed Description

Overview

A wide variety of different devices may be physically attached to a mobile computing device to provide a wide variety of functionality. For example, a device may be configured to provide at least a display device of a computing device with a cover to protect the display device from damage. Other devices may also be physically attached to the mobile computing device, such as an input device (e.g., a keyboard with a track pad) used to provide input to the computing device. Also, the functionality of these devices may be combined, such as providing a combined cover and input device. However, conventional techniques utilized to attach devices to computing devices may alternate between significant protection and corresponding complexity in installing and uninstalling the devices with limited protection but with relative ease of installation and uninstallation.

Techniques for removably and/or flexibly connecting an input device or other device (e.g., a cover) with a computing device are described herein. These techniques include the use of flexible hinges to promote a book-like rotational motion. Techniques may also be utilized to protect components of the input device during such movement, such as to support a minimum bend radius to protect conductors of the input device from flexible movement. These techniques may include material selection, use of intermediate ridges (mid-spine), support layers, and the like.

Techniques to promote a secure physical coupling between an input device and a computing device are also described. This may include using one or more protrusions configured to engage in corresponding cavities of the computing device, or vice versa. The protrusion is configured to remain mechanically secured within the cavity when the input device is "pulled" away from the computing device along one or more axes, but to allow disassembly along a particular axis. In this way, the input device may have a secure connection over a wide range of motion, yet still support ease of detachment.

Techniques are also described for increasing the mechanical stiffness of a connection portion to be used for connecting an input device to a computing device. The connection portion may include, for example, a projection (projection) formed of plastic to be disposed within a slot of the computing device, or vice versa. A ridge such as a metal (e.g. aluminium) strip may be secured to the projection to increase mechanical rigidity. This fixation may be performed by using a plurality of pins, so that the combination of pins, ridges and protrusions may form a layered structure with increased stiffness along the axis of the ridges. Also the pins can be used to support a wide variety of other functionalities such as attaching the ridges to the protrusions while the adhesive sets, thereby supporting a fast production cycle that is not limited by the amount of time used to let the adhesive set. The combination of the adhesive and the pin, once set, may further enhance the mechanical rigidity of the connecting portion. Further discussion of these and other techniques may be found in relation to the following sections.

In the discussion that follows, an exemplary environment is first described in which the techniques described herein may be utilized. Exemplary procedures are then described which may be executed in the exemplary environment, as well as in other environments. Thus, execution of the exemplary process is not limited to the exemplary environment, and the exemplary environment is not limited to execution of the exemplary process. Also, while an input device is described, other devices that do not include input functionality, such as a cover, are also contemplated. For example, these techniques are equally applicable to passive devices, such as covers having one or more materials (e.g., magnets, ferrous materials, etc.) configured and arranged within the cover so as to be attracted to magnetic coupling devices of the computing device, the use of protrusions and connecting portions, and so forth, as described further below.

Exemplary Environment

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 in an exemplary implementation that is operable to utilize techniques described herein. The illustrated environment 100 includes an example of a computing device 102 physically and communicatively coupled to an input device 104 via a flexible hinge 106. The computing device 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the computing device 120 may be configured for mobile use, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer as shown, and so forth. Thus, the computing device 102 may range from a full resource device with substantial memory and processor resources to a low resource device with limited memory and/or processing resources. The computing device 102 may also involve software that causes the computing device 102 to perform one or more operations.

Computing device 102 is illustrated, for example, as including input/output module 108. Input/output module 108 represents functionality related to input processing and output presentation of computing device 102. A wide variety of different inputs may be processed by the input/output module 108, such as processing inputs related to the functionality of keys corresponding to the input device 104, keys of a virtual keyboard displayed by the display device 110, to recognize gestures and cause operations corresponding to the gestures to be performed, the gestures may be recognized by touch screen functionality of the input device 104 and/or the display device 110, and so forth. Thus, the input/output module 108 may support a wide variety of different input technologies by discerning and leveraging the differentiation of input types including key presses, gestures, and the like.

In the illustrated example, the input device 104 is configured with an input portion that includes a keyboard and a trackpad having a QWERTY arrangement of keys, although other arrangements of keys are also contemplated. Also, other unconventional configurations, such as game controllers, configurations to simulate musical instruments, and the like, are also contemplated. Thus, the input device 104 and the keys incorporated by the input device 104 may assume a wide variety of different configurations to support a wide variety of different functionalities.

As previously mentioned, in this example, the input device 104 is physically and communicatively coupled to the computing device 102 using the flexible hinge 106. The flexible hinge 106 is flexible in that the rotational movement supported by the hinge is achieved by flexing (e.g., bending) of the material forming the hinge, as opposed to mechanical rotation supported by a pin, although that embodiment is also contemplated. Moreover, such flexible rotation may be configured to support motion in one or more directions (e.g., vertically in the figure) but to limit motion in other directions, such as lateral motion of the input device 104 relative to the computing device 102. This may be used to support consistent alignment of the input device 104 relative to the computing device 102, such as aligning sensors used to change power states, application states, and so forth.

The flexible hinge 106 may be formed, for example, using one or more layers of fabric, and may include a conductor formed as a flexible trace (trace) to communicatively couple the input device 104 to the computing device 102, and vice versa. Such communication may be used, for example, to communicate the results of a key press to the computing device 102, receive power from the computing device, perform authentication, provide supplemental power to the computing device, and so forth. The flexible hinge 106 may be configured in a variety of ways. Further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figures.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary implementation 200 of the input device 104 of FIG. 1 in displaying the flexible hinge 106 in greater detail. In this example, a connection portion 202 of the input device is shown that is configured to provide communicative and physical connections between the input device 104 and the computing device 102. The illustrated connection portion 202 has a height and cross-section configured to be received within a slot in the housing of the computing device 102, although this arrangement could be reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion 202 is flexibly connected to a portion of the input device 104 including the keys by using the flexible hinge 106. Thus, when the connection portion 202 is physically connected to the computing device, the combination of the connection portion 202 and the flexible hinge 106 supports movement of the input device 104 relative to the computing device 102 similar to a hinge of a book.

Through this rotational movement, a variety of different orientations of the input device 104 relative to the computing device 102 may be supported. For example, the rotational movement may be supported by the flexible hinge 106 such that the input device 104 may be positioned against the display device 110 of the computing device 102, thereby acting as a cover, as shown in the exemplary orientation 300 of fig. 3. Thus, the input device 104 may function to protect the display device 110 of the computing device 102 from damage.

As shown in the exemplary orientation 400 of fig. 4, a typing arrangement may be supported. In this orientation, the input device 104 lies flat against a surface and the computing device 102 is arranged at an angle to allow viewing of the display device 110, such as by using a stand 402 arranged on a rear surface of the computing device 102.

In the exemplary orientation 500 of fig. 5, the input device 104 may also be rotated so as to be disposed against a back side of the computing device 102, e.g., against a rear housing of the computing device 102 disposed on an opposite side of the display device 10 on the computing device 102. In this example, the flexible hinge 106 is caused to "wrap around" the connection portion 202 by the orientation of the connection portion 202 with respect to the computing device 102 to position the input device 104 behind the computing device 102.

This wrap around leaves a portion of the back of the computing device 102 exposed. This can be leveraged for a variety of functionality, such as allowing the camera 502 to be positioned behind the computing device 102 to be used, although a significant portion of the rear of the computing device 102 is covered by the input device 104 in this exemplary orientation 500. While the above describes a configuration of the input device 104 covering a single side of the computing device 102 at any one time, other configurations are also contemplated.

In the exemplary orientation 600 of fig. 6, the input device 104 is illustrated as including a portion 602 configured to cover the rear of the computing device. This portion 602 is also connected to the connecting portion 202 by using a flexible hinge 604.

The exemplary orientation 600 of fig. 6 also illustrates a typing arrangement in which the input device 104 lies flat against a surface and the computing device 102 is arranged at an angle to allow viewing of the display device 110. This is supported through the use of a stand 402 disposed on the back surface of the computing device 102 to contact the portion 602 in this example.

Fig. 7 depicts an exemplary orientation 700 in which the input device 104 including the portion 602 is used to cover a front side (e.g., the display device 110) and a back side (e.g., a side of the housing opposite the display device) of the computing device 102. In one or more implementations, electrical and other connectors may also be arranged along the face of the computing device 102 and/or the input device 104, for example, to provide auxiliary power when closed.

Naturally, a wide variety of other orientations are also supported. For example, the computing device 102 and the input device 104 may take some arrangement such that both lie flat against a surface, as shown in FIG. 1. Other examples are also contemplated, such as a tripod arrangement, a meeting arrangement, a presentation arrangement, and so forth.

Returning again to fig. 2, the connecting portion 202 is illustrated in this example as including magnetic coupling devices 204, 206, mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210, and a plurality of communication contacts 212. The magnetic coupling devices 204, 206 are configured to magnetically couple to complementary magnetic coupling devices of the computing device 102 through the use of one or more magnets. In this way, the input device 104 may be physically secured to the computing device 102 using magnetic attraction.

The connection portion 202 also includes mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 to form a mechanical physical connection between the input device 104 and the computing device 102. The mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 will be shown in detail with respect to fig. 8 discussed below.

Fig. 8 depicts an exemplary implementation 800 showing a perspective view of the connection portion 202 of fig. 2 including the mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 and the plurality of communication contacts 212. As illustrated, the mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 are configured to extend outwardly from the surface of the connecting portion 202, which in this example is perpendicular, although other angles are also contemplated.

The mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 are configured to be received within complementary cavities within the slot of the computing device 102. When so accommodated, the mechanical coupling protrusions 208, 210 promote mechanical fastening between the devices upon application of a force that is not aligned with the axis defined to correspond to the height of the protrusions and the depth of the cavity, further discussion of which may be found in relation to fig. 14.

The connection portion 202 is also illustrated as including a plurality of communication contacts 212. The plurality of communication contacts 212 are configured to contact corresponding communication contacts of the computing device 102 to form a communicative coupling between the devices, as shown and discussed in more detail with respect to the figures below.

Fig. 9 depicts a cross-section taken along axis 900 of fig. 2 and 8, showing one of the communication contacts 212 and a cross-section of the cavity of the computing device 102 in greater detail. The connection portion 202 is illustrated as including a protrusion 902 that is configured to be complementary to a slot 904 of the computing device 102, e.g., having a complementary shape, such that movement of the protrusion 902 within the cavity 904 is limited.

The communication contacts 212 may be configured in a variety of ways. In the illustrated example, the communication contacts 212 of the connection portion 202 are formed as spring-loaded pins 906 that are captured within cylinders 908 of the connection portion 202. The spring-loaded pin 906 is biased (bias) outward from the cylinder 908 to provide consistent communicative contact between the input device 104 and the computing device 102, such as communicative contact to contacts 910 of the computing device 102. Contact and thus communication can be maintained during movement or jostling of the device. A variety of other examples are also contemplated, including placement of pins on the computing device 102 and contacts on the input device 104.

In the example of fig. 9, the flexible hinge 106 is also shown in more detail. The flexible hinge 106 in this cross-sectional view includes a conductor 912 configured to communicatively couple the communication contact 212 of the connection portion 202 with an input portion 914 of the input device 104, the input portion 914 being, for example, one or more keys, a track pad, or the like. The conductor 912 can be formed in a variety of ways, such as a copper trace that has operational flexibility to allow operation as part of a flexible hinge, e.g., to support repeated flexing of the hinge 106. However, the flexibility of the conductor 912 may be limited, e.g., operation may be maintained for deflections performed above a minimum bend radius to conduct signals.

Thus, the flexible hinge 106 may be configured to support a minimum bend radius depending on the operational flexibility of the conductor 912 such that the flexible hinge 106 resists flexing below that radius. A variety of different techniques may be utilized. For example, the flexible hinge 106 may be configured to include first and second outer layers 916, 918, which may be made of fabric, microfiber cloth, or the like. The flexibility of the material used to form the first and/or second outer layers 916, 918 may be configured to support the flexibility described above such that the conductor 912 does not break or otherwise render inoperable during movement of the input portion 914 relative to the connection portion 202.

In another example, the flexible hinge 106 may include an intermediate ridge 920 between the connection portion 202 and the input portion 914. The intermediate ridge 920 for example comprises a first flexible portion 922 for flexibly connecting the input portion 904 to the intermediate ridge 920 and a second flexible portion 924 for flexibly connecting the intermediate ridge 920 to the connection portion 202.

In the illustrated example, the first and second outer layers 916, 918 extend from (and serve as a covering for) the input portion 914 through the first and second flexible portions 922, 924 of the flexible hinge 106 and are secured to the connecting portion 202, e.g., via clamping, adhesive, or the like. The conductor 912 is disposed between the first and second outer layers 916, 918. The intermediate ridges 920 may be configured to provide mechanical stiffness 926 to a particular location of the flexible hinge 106 to support a desired minimum bend radius, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figures.

Fig. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of the computing device 102, the connection portion 202 of the input device 104, and the flexible hinge 106 when oriented as shown in fig. 3, where the input device 104 acts as a cover for the display device 110 of the computing device 102. This orientation causes the flexible hinge 106 to bend as shown. However, by including the intermediate ridges 920 and sizing the first and second flexible portions 922, 924, as previously described, the bend does not exceed the operational bend radius of the conductor 912. In this way, the mechanical stiffness 926 provided by the intermediate ridges 920 (which is greater than the mechanical stiffness of the rest of the flexible hinge 106) may protect the conductor 912.

The intermediate ridges 920 may also be used to support a variety of other functionalities. For example, the intermediate ridges 920 may support motion along a longitudinal axis as shown in fig. 1, and also help limit motion along a transverse axis that may otherwise be encountered due to the flexibility of the flexible hinge 106.

Other techniques may also be employed to provide the desired flexibility at a particular point along the flexible hinge 106. For example, embossing may be used, wherein an area of the embossing, e.g., an area mimicking the size and orientation of the intermediate ridges 920, is configured to increase the flexibility of the material (such as one or more of the first and second outer layers 916, 918) at the location being embossed. An example of embossed lines 214 that increase the flexibility of the material along a particular axis is shown in fig. 2. However, it should be readily apparent that a wide variety of shapes, depths, and orientations of the wide variety of embossed regions to provide the desired flexibility of flexible hinge 106 are also contemplated.

Fig. 11 depicts a cross-section taken along axis 1100 of fig. 2 and 8, showing a cross-section of the magnetic coupling device 204 and the cavity 904 of the computing device 102 in greater detail. In this example, the magnets of the magnetic coupling device 204 are illustrated as being disposed within the connection portion 202.

The movement of the connection portion 202 and the slot 904 together may cause the magnet 1102 to be attracted to the magnet 1104 of the magnetic coupling device 1106 of the computing device 102, in this example, the magnet 1104 is disposed within the slot 904 of the housing of the computing device 102. In one or more implementations, the flexibility of the flexible hinge 106 may cause the connection portion 202 to "snap into" the slot 904. Also, this may also cause the connection portion 202 to "align" with the slot 904 such that the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 is aligned for insertion into the cavity 1002 and the communication contacts 208 are aligned with the corresponding contacts 910 in the slot.

The magnetic coupling devices 204, 1106 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the magnetic coupling device 204 may utilize a backing (backing) 1108 (e.g., such as steel) to cause the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1102 to extend outward from the backing 1108. Thus, the range of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1102 may be extended. A wide variety of other configurations may also be utilized by the magnetic coupling devices 204, 1106, examples of which are described and illustrated with respect to the following reference figures.

Fig. 12 depicts an example 1200 of a magnetic coupling portion that may be utilized by the input device 104 or the computing device 102 to implement a magnetic flux fountain. In this example, an arrow is used to indicate the alignment of the magnetic field (alignment) for each of the plurality of magnets.

The first magnet 1202 is arranged in a magnetic coupling device with a magnetic field aligned along an axis. The second and third magnets 1204, 1206 are arranged opposite the first magnet 1202. The respective magnetic fields of the second and third magnets 1204, 1206 are aligned substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first magnet 1202 and are generally opposite one another.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets are aimed at the first magnet 1202. This causes the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202 to expand further along the indicated axis, thereby increasing the range of the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202.

The effect can be further extended by using the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210. In this example, the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210 have magnetic fields that are aligned substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202. Also, the second magnet 1204 is disposed between the fourth magnet 1208 and the first magnet 1202. The third magnet 1206 is disposed between the first magnet 1202 and the fifth magnet 1210. Thus, the magnetic fields of the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210 can also be made to expand further along their respective axes, which can further increase the strength of these magnets, as well as the other magnets in the set. This arrangement of five magnets is suitable for forming a magnetic flux fountain. Although five magnets are described, any odd number of five and greater numbers of magnets may repeat this relationship to create an even greater strength magnetic flux fountain.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similar arrangement of magnets may be arranged "above" or "below" the arrangement shown, e.g., such that the magnetic fields of the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210 are aligned with corresponding magnets above or below those magnets. Also, in the illustrated example, the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210 are stronger than the second and third magnets 1204, 1206, although other implementations are also contemplated. Another example of a magnetic flux fountain is described in relation to the following discussion of the figures.

Fig. 13 depicts an example 1300 of a magnetic coupling portion that may be utilized by the input device 104 or the computing device 102 to implement a flux fountain. In this example, arrows are also used to indicate the alignment of the magnetic field for each of the plurality of magnets.

Like the example 1200 of fig. 12, a first magnet 1302 is arranged in a magnetic coupling device with a magnetic field aligned along an axis. The second and third magnets 1304, 1306 are arranged opposite the first magnet 1302. The alignment of the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets 1304, 306 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first magnet 1302 and generally opposite to each other, as in the example 1200 of FIG. 12.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets are aimed at the first magnet 1302. This causes the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302 to expand further along the indicated axis, thereby increasing the range of the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302.

This effect can be further extended by using fourth and fifth magnets 1308, 1310. In this example, the fourth magnet 1308 has a magnetic field arranged to be substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302. The fifth magnet 1310 has a magnetic field aligned to substantially correspond to the magnetic field of the second magnet 1304 and substantially opposite the magnetic field of the third magnet 1306. The fourth magnet 1308 is disposed between the third and fifth magnets 1306, 1310 in the magnetic coupling device.

This arrangement of five magnets is suitable for forming a magnetic flux fountain. Although five magnets are described, any odd number of five and greater numbers of magnets may repeat this relationship to create an even greater strength magnetic flux fountain. Thus, the magnetic fields of the first magnet 1302 and the fourth magnet 1308 can also be made to expand further along its axis, which can further increase the strength of this magnet.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similar arrangement of magnets may be arranged "above" or "below" the arrangement shown, e.g., such that the magnetic fields of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 are aligned with the corresponding magnets above or below those magnets. Also, in the illustrated example, the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 are stronger (individually) than the second, third and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1310, although other implementations are also contemplated.

Also, using magnets of similar size, example 1200 of fig. 12 may increase magnetic coupling, in contrast to example 1300 of fig. 13. For example, the example 1200 of fig. 12 uses three magnets (e.g., first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210) to primarily provide magnetic coupling, with two magnets (e.g., second and third magnets 1204, 1206) being used to "manipulate (steer)" the magnetic fields of those magnets. However, the example 1300 of fig. 13 uses two magnets (e.g., first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308) to primarily provide magnetic coupling, leaving three magnets (e.g., second, third and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1310) to be used to "manipulate" the magnetic fields of those magnets.

Accordingly, however, the example 1300 of fig. 13 may increase magnetic alignment capability using similarly sized magnets, in contrast to the example 1200 of fig. 12. For example, the example 1300 of fig. 13 uses three magnets (e.g., second, third, and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1310) to "manipulate" the magnetic fields of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 that are used to provide the primary magnetic coupling. Thus, the magnetic field arrangement of the magnets in example 1300 of fig. 13 may be closer than the arrangement of example 1200 of fig. 12.

Regardless of the technique employed, it should be readily apparent that the described "manipulation" or "aiming" of the magnetic field can be used to increase the effective range of the magnet, for example, as compared to using magnets of similar strength alone in a conventional aligned state. In one or more implementations, this results in an increase from a few millimeters when using a certain amount of magnetic material to a few centimeters when using the same amount of magnetic material.

Fig. 14 depicts a cross-section taken along axis 1400 of fig. 2 and 8, showing the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 and a cross-section of the cavity 904 of the computing device 102 in greater detail. As before, the protrusion 902 and the slot 904 are configured to have complementary sizes and shapes to limit movement of the connection portion 202 relative to the computing device 102.

In this example, the protrusion 902 of the connecting portion 202 further includes a mechanical coupling protrusion 208 disposed thereon, the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 configured to be received in a complementary cavity 1402 disposed within the slot 904. The cavity 1402 may be configured to receive the protrusion 1002, for example, when it is configured as a substantially elliptical post as shown in fig. 8, although other examples are also contemplated.

When a force is applied that is consistent with a longitudinal axis that follows the height of the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 and the depth of the cavity 1002, the user merely overcomes the magnetic coupling force applied by the magnet to separate the input device 104 from the computing device 102. However, when a force is applied along another axis (i.e., at another angle), the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 is configured to mechanically fasten within the cavity 1002. This creates a mechanical force to resist disassembly of the input device 104 from the computing device 102, in addition to the magnetic force of the magnetic coupling devices 204, 206.

In this way, the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 may bias the detachment of the input device 104 from the computing device 102 to simulate tearing a page from a book and to limit other attempts to separate the devices. Referring again to FIG. 1, a user may grasp the input device 104 with one hand, the computing device 102 with the other hand, and pull the devices away from each other, typically in this relatively "flat" orientation. By flexing the flexible hinge 106, the axes of the protrusion 208 and cavity 1402 may be generally aligned to allow disassembly.

However, in other orientations, such as those shown in fig. 3-7, the face of the protrusion 208 may tighten against the face of the cavity 1402, thereby limiting the disassembly and enhancing a secure connection between the devices. The protrusion 208 and cavity 1402 may be oriented relative to one another in the various other manners described to facilitate removal along a desired axis and to promote a secure connection along other axes without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. In addition to mechanical retention, protrusions 208 may be leveraged to provide a variety of other functionality, examples of which are discussed with respect to the figures below.

Fig. 15 depicts a perspective view 1500 of a protrusion configured to communicate signals and/or transfer power between the input device 104 and the computing device 102. In this example, the top surface 1502 of the protrusion is configured to communicatively connect with contacts disposed within the cavity 1402 of the computing device 102, or vice versa.

Such contact may be used for a variety of purposes, such as transferring power from the computing device 102 to the input device 104, transferring power from an auxiliary power source of the input device 104 to the computing device, communicating signals (e.g., signals generated from keys of a keyboard), and so forth. Also, as shown in the top view 1600 of fig. 16, the surface 1502 may be divided to support a plurality of different contacts, such as first and second contacts 1602, 1604, although other numbers, shapes, and sizes are also contemplated.

Fig. 17 depicts a cross-sectional view 1700 of the protrusion 208 of fig. 16 when disposed within the cavity 1402 of the computing device 102. In this example, the first and second contacts 1702, 1704 include spring features to bias the contacts outward from the cavity 1402. First and second contacts 1702, 1704 are configured to contact the protruding first and second contacts 1602, 1604, respectively. Also, first contact 1702 is configured as a ground that is configured to contact first contact 1602 of protrusion 208 before second contact 1704 contacts second contact 1604 of protrusion 208. In this way, the input device 104 and the computing device 102 may be protected from electrical shorts. A variety of other examples are also contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

FIG. 18 depicts an exemplary implementation 1800 showing a support layer 1802 configured to support the operation of the flexible hinge 106 and protect the components of the input device 104 during operation. As shown with respect to fig. 3-7, the flexible hinge 106 may be configured to support various degrees of bending in order to assume different configurations.

However, the material selected to form the flexible hinge 106, such as the first and second outer layers 916, 918 that form the flexible hinge 106, may be selected to support a desired "look and feel," and therefore may not provide a desired elasticity against tearing and stretching. Thus, in such instances, this can have an effect on the operability of the conductor 912. For example, as previously described, the user may grasp the input device 104 with one hand to pull it away from the computing device 102 by disengaging the protrusion 208 and releasing the magnetic attraction supported by the magnet. Therefore, without sufficient support from the first or second outer surfaces 916, 918 or other structures, this may result in the amount of force applied to the conductors being sufficient to break them.

Accordingly, the input device 104 may include a support layer 804 that may be configured to protect the flexible hinge 106 and other components of the input device 104. For example, the support layer 804 may be formed from a material having a higher tear and stretch resistance than the material used to form the first or second outer layers 916, 918, such as biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET), also known as Mylar.

The support provided by the support layer 1802 may thus help protect the material used to form the first and second outer surfaces 916, 918 of the flexible hinge 106. The support layer 1802 may also help protect components disposed through the hinge, such as the conductors 912 used to communicatively couple the connection portion 202 and the keys.

In the illustrated example, the support layer 1802 includes a portion 1804 configured to be disposed as part of the input portion 914 of the input device 104, which includes keys, trackpads, and the like, as shown in FIG. 1. The support layer 1802 also includes first and second tabs (tab) 1806, 1808 configured to extend from the portion 1804 through the flexible hinge 106 to secure to the connection portion 202. The tab may be secured in a variety of ways, such as including one or more holes as shown, into which a protrusion (e.g., a screw, pin, etc.) may be inserted to secure the tab to the connecting portion 202.

The first and second tabs 1806, 1808 are illustrated in this example as being configured to connect at approximately opposite ends of the connection portion 202. In this way, unwanted rotational movement, e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the connecting portion 202, may be limited. Thus, the conductor 912 disposed at the opposing midpoint of the flexible hinge 106 and the connection portion 202 may also be protected from tearing, stretching, and other forces.

In this illustrated example, the support layer 1802 further includes an intermediate ridge portion 1810 that is configured to form a portion of the intermediate ridge 920 described with respect to fig. 9 and 10. Thus, the support layer 1802 may also function to increase the mechanical stiffness of the intermediate ridge 920 and to facilitate a minimum bend radius, as also previously described. Although first and second tabs 1806, 1808 are illustrated, it should be readily apparent that the support layer 1802 may also utilize more or fewer tabs to support the described functionality.

FIG. 19 depicts an exemplary implementation 1900 in which a top view of the connection portion 202 is shown. The connecting portion 202 may be configured in a variety of ways and with a variety of materials, such as metal, plastic, and the like. These different materials may be selected according to the desired functionality.

For example, a designer may wish to ease insertion and removal of the connection portion 202 from a cavity of the computing device 102, and thus select a material that is smooth and has a relatively high resistance to wear. However, such materials may not provide the desired resistance to flexing, which may cause inconsistent contact between the connection portion 202 and portions of the computing device 102. Thus, a designer may choose to utilize multiple pins at the first, second, third, and fourth locations 1902, 1904, 1906, and 1908 along the longitudinal axis of the connecting portion 202 in order to provide a desired stiffness.

Fig. 20 depicts a cross-sectional view 2000 of the connection portion 202 of fig. 19. As illustrated, first, second, third and fourth pins 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 are utilized to secure the metal ridge 2010 in this example to the plastic 2012 used to form the top surface of the connecting portion 202. In this way, the pins in combination with the ridges 2010 and the plastic 2012 may form a layered structure that resists bending, e.g., along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the ridges 2010 and the height of the pins. It should be readily apparent that a wide range in the number and location of the pins is contemplated, and the foregoing discussion is merely one example thereof.

The use of pins may also support a variety of other functionalities. For example, the laminate structure may also be supported by using an adhesive between the metal ridges 2010 and the plastic 2012. However, the adhesive may have an amount of time available to cure before it is functional. However, by using pins, adhesive may be applied and then the pins inserted during curing to secure the metal ridges 2010 to the plastic 2012, thereby increasing the speed and efficiency of manufacturing. The pins may be configured in a variety of ways, examples of which are described in relation to the following figures.

Fig. 21 depicts an exemplary cross-sectional view of the first pin 2002 of fig. 20 when securing the metal ridge 2010 to the plastic of the connecting portion 202. In this example, the first pin 2002 is configured to include self-clinching functionality such that the pin may be secured within a relatively thin material, such as a piece of sheet metal. As such, metal ridge 2010 may cause pressure to be applied to head 2102 of pin 2002 to secure first pin 2002 to metal ridge 2010.

The first pin 2002 may also include a cylinder 2104 secured within the plastic 2104. Thus, first pin 2002 can be pressed through an appropriately sized hole in metal ridge 2010 to cause metal ridge 2010 to self-clinch and cylinder 2104 to be secured within plastic 2012. Various other types and configurations of pins may be utilized, such as screws, rivets, and so forth.

Exemplary System and device

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary system, indicated generally at 2200, that includes an exemplary computing device 2202 that represents one or more computing systems and/or devices that can implement the various techniques described herein. The computing device 2202, for example, may be configured to take the form of a mobile configuration using a formed housing and a size to be grasped and carried by one or more hands of a user, illustrative examples of which include mobile phones, mobile gaming and music devices, and tablet computers, although other examples are also contemplated.

The illustrated exemplary computing device 2202 includes a processing system 2204, one or more computer-readable media 2206, and one or more I/O interfaces 2208 communicatively coupled to each other. Although not shown, the computing device 2202 may also include a system bus or other data and command transfer system that couples the various components to each other. A system bus can include any one or combination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processor or local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. Various other examples are also contemplated, such as control and data lines.

Processing system 2204 represents functionality to perform one or more operations through the use of hardware. Thus, the processing system 2204 is illustrated as including hardware units 2210, which may be configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This may include a hardware implementation such as an application specific integrated circuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors. Hardware units 2210 are not limited by the materials from which they are formed or the processing mechanisms utilized therein. For example, a processor may include semiconductors and/or transistors (e.g., electronic Integrated Circuits (ICs)). In such a context, processor-executable instructions may be electronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable storage medium 2206 is illustrated as including memory/storage 2212. Memory/storage 2212 represents memory/storage capabilities associated with one or more computer-readable media. The memory/storage component 2212 can include volatile media (such as Random Access Memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as Read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). The memory/storage component 2212 can include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, a fixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., flash memory, a removable hard drive, an optical disk, and so forth). The computer-readable medium 2206 may be configured in a variety of other ways as further described below.

Input/output interface 2208 represents functionality that allows a user to enter commands and information to computing device 2202, and also allows information to be presented to the user and/or other components or devices using various input/output devices. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitive or other sensors configured to detect physical touches), a camera (e.g., which may utilize visible or non-visible wavelengths, such as infrared frequencies, to discern motion as gestures that do not involve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, a network card, a haptic response device, and so forth. Thus, the computing device 2202 may be configured to support user interaction in a variety of ways.

Computing device 2202 is also illustrated as being communicatively and physically coupled to an input device 2214 that is physically and communicatively detachable from computing device 2202. In this way, a wide variety of different input devices may be coupled to computing device 2202 in a wide variety of configurations to support a wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device 2214 includes one or more keys 2216, which can be configured as pressure sensitive keys, mechanical switch keys, and the like.

The input device 2214 is also illustrated as including one or more modules 2218 that may be configured to support a wide variety of functionality. The one or more modules 2218, for example, may be configured to process analog and/or digital signals received from the keys 2216 to determine whether a keystroke is expected, to determine whether an input indicates a resting pressure, to support authentication of the input device 2214 for operation with the computing device 2202, and so forth.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context of software, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modules include routines, programs, objects, units, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. As used herein, the terms "module," "functionality," and "component" generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniques described herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniques may be implemented on a variety of commercially available computing platforms having a variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer-readable media can include a variety of media that can be accessed by computing device 2202. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise "computer-readable storage media" and "computer-readable signal media".

"computer-readable storage medium" may refer to media and/or devices capable of persistently and/or non-transiently storing information, as opposed to merely a signal transmission, carrier wave, or signal per se. Accordingly, computer-readable storage media refers to non-signal bearing media. Computer-readable storage media include hardware such as volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media and/or storage devices implemented in a method or technology suitable for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, logic units/circuits, or other data. Examples of computer readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical storage, hard disks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or other storage devices, tangible media, or an article of manufacture suitable for storing the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer.

"computer-readable signal medium" may refer to a signal-bearing medium configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of computing device 2202, such as via a network. Signal media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, data signal or other transport mechanism. Signal media also includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware unit 2210 and computer-readable medium 2206 represent modules, programmable device logic, and/or fixed device logic implemented in hardware form that may be utilized in certain embodiments to implement at least some aspects of the techniques described herein, such as to execute one or more instructions. The hardware may include components of integrated circuits or systems-on-chips, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and other implementations using silicon or other hardware. In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device to perform program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied by hardware, as well as hardware utilized to store instructions for execution (e.g., the computer-readable storage media described above).

Combinations of the foregoing may also be utilized to implement the various techniques described herein. Thus, software, hardware, or executable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/or logic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage medium and/or may be implemented by one or more hardware units 2210. The computing device 2202 may be configured to implement particular instructions and/or functions corresponding to software and/or hardware modules. Thus, implementation of modules executable as software by the computing device 2202 can be achieved at least in part in hardware, for example, through use of a computer-readable storage medium and/or the hardware unit 2210 of the processing system 2204. The instructions and/or functions may be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (e.g., one or more computing devices 2202 and/or processing systems 2204) to implement the techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

Conclusion

Although exemplary implementations have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations defined in the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed features.

Claims (8)

1. An input device, comprising:

an input portion (914) comprising a plurality of keys configured to generate signals to be processed as input by a computing device;

a connection portion (202) comprising:

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a computing device so as to communicate the generated signal; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a detachable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and

a flexible hinge (106) configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge having one or more conductors configured to communicatively couple a key with a communication contact.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge is configured to not exceed a minimum bend radius defined at least in part according to a flexibility of the one or more conductors used to communicatively couple the connection portion with the plurality of keys.

3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge is bendable by an amount sufficient to orient the input device as:

a first orientation relative to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and

a second orientation relative to the computing device to cover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device, the rear portion being opposite a side of the housing that includes the display device.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the connection portion is configured as a protrusion configured to be received within a slot of a housing of a computing device, the protrusion including the at least one communication contact and the magnetic coupling device.

5. An input device as described in claim 4, wherein:

the at least one communication contact is located at an approximate midpoint of the projection along a longitudinal axis of the projection; and

at least a portion of the conductor is located at a corresponding approximate midpoint of the flexible hinge.

6. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible hinge comprises: a middle protrusion; a first flexible portion flexibly connecting the input portion with the intermediate projection; and a second flexible portion flexibly connecting the intermediate projection to the connecting portion.

7. An input device (104) comprising:

an input section (914) configured to generate a signal to be processed as input by a computing device;

a connection portion (202) comprising:

at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with a computing device so as to communicate the generated signal; and

a magnetic coupling device to form a detachable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and

a flexible hinge (106) configured to flexibly connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge configured to not exceed a minimum bend radius defined at least in part according to an operational flexibility of a conductor used to communicatively couple the connection portion with a plurality of keys.

8. An input device (104) comprising:

an input section (914) configured to generate a signal to be processed as input by a computing device;

a connection portion (202) configured to be removably attachable to a computing device and comprising at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device so as to communicate the generated signal; and

a flexible hinge (106) configured to flexibly and communicatively connect the connection portion to the input portion, the flexible hinge being bendable by an amount sufficient to orient an input device to: a first orientation relative to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and a second orientation relative to the computing device to cover at least a rear portion of a housing of the computing device, the rear portion being opposite a side of the housing that includes the display device.