Extended user input
View Patent ↗An apparatus has a first body part, a second body part, and a support mechanism configured to keep the first and second body parts together while enabling a user to move the first and second body parts between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the first and second body parts are stacked and the support mechanism is sandwiched between the first and second body parts. The apparatus further has user input equipment positioned such that the user input equipment is behind the first body part and accessible to the user when the first and second body parts are in the open configuration and the user input equipment is not accessible to the user when the first and second body parts are in the closed configuration.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first body part comprising a keypad;
a second body part comprising a display;
a support mechanism configured to keep the first and second body parts together while enabling a user to move the first and second body parts between a closed configuration and an open configuration; wherein:
in the closed configuration, the first and second body parts are stacked and the support mechanism is sandwiched between the first and second body parts; and
the apparatus further comprising user input equipment comprising at least one of a key separate from said keypad and a touchpad positioned such that the user input equipment is located behind the display when the first and second body parts are in the open configuration.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , the support mechanism comprising a tilt bridge.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tilt bridge is configured to cause in the open configuration that the second body part protrudes away from the first body part and the tilt bridge is accessible by the user.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tilt bridge is configured to cause in the open configuration that the first and second body parts tilt towards the user when placed for use on a desk in front of the user.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the user input equipment is supported by the tilt bridge.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the user input equipment is supported by the tilt bridge.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the user input equipment is supported by the tilt bridge.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , the second body part comprising a display on an exterior surface of the second body part, wherein the user input equipment is so positioned that the user is able to hold the apparatus with one or two hands and access the user input equipment behind the display when the first and second body parts are in the opened configuration.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 , the second body part comprising a display on an exterior surface of the second body part, wherein the user input equipment is so positioned that the user is able to hold the apparatus with one or two hands and access the user input equipment behind the display when the first and second body parts are in the opened configuration.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a communication interface and a processor configured to cause the communication interface to send to external equipment information indicative of the use of the user input equipment.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication interface to receive from the external equipment feedback information and the apparatus further comprising a user interface configured to provide the user with feedback based on the feedback information.
12. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a communication interface and a processor configured to cause the communication interface to send to external equipment information indicative of the use of the user input equipment.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the communication interface to receive from the external equipment feedback information and the apparatus further comprising a user interface configured to provide the user with feedback based on the feedback information.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to run an application, to receive input for the application from the user input equipment, and to pass the received input to the application.
15. A method comprising:
keeping with a support mechanism a first body part comprising a keypad and a second body part comprising a display of an apparatus together while enabling a user to move the first and second body parts between a closed configuration and an open configuration; wherein:
in the closed configuration, keeping the first and second body parts stacked and the support mechanism sandwiched between the first and second body parts; and
user input equipment comprising at least one of a key separate from said keypad and a touchpad is located behind the display when the first and second body parts are in the open configuration.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising causing by a tilt bridge in the open configuration that the second body part protrudes away from the first body part and the tilt bridge is accessible by the user.
17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising causing by a tilt bridge in the open configuration that the first and second body parts tilt towards the user when placed for use on a desk in front of the user.
18. The method of claim 15 , sending to external equipment information indicative of the use of the user input equipment.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising receiving from the external equipment feedback information and providing the user with feedback based on the feedback information.
20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising running an application, receive input for the application from the user input equipment, and passing the received input to the application.