IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,250,708
Granted Patent B2
US 9,250,708 · App. 13/706,848 · Granted Feb 2, 2016

Stylus keyboard

Inventor: Vijayarani Natarajan (Norcross, GA)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
G06F3/0221G06F3/0202G06F3/0231G06F3/03545G06F2200/1632
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,250,708
App. No.
13/706,848
Granted
Feb 2, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A combination of a stylus and a keyboard. A collapsible keyboard portion is coupled to a stylus tip. When in a collapsed state, the apparatus may be used as a stylus, or stored in a receptacle or a user's pocket. When a keyboard is needed, the stylus keyboard may be unrolled or unfolded, and used to control an electronic device via a wireless connection between a transceiver on the stylus keyboard and the electronic device.

Claims (40)

1. A device comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed by a collapsible keyboard when the collapsible keyboard is in a collapsed state, the collapsible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge portion, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the rollable keyboard portion being rolled around the edge portion to form a cylindrical shaft that acts as a stylus body, and wherein the collapsible keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the edge portion;

a transceiver that wirelessly transmits keystrokes;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the collapsible keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the collapsible keyboard, and a profile associated with an electronic device.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising

a first fastening mechanism that retains the collapsible keyboard in the collapsed state; and

a second fastening mechanism located on an opposite edge portion of the collapsible keyboard, wherein the second fastening mechanism retains the collapsible keyboard in an extended state on a surface external to the device.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stylus tip is conductive, and wherein the stylus tip is used to operate a resistive touch screen.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein communications are enabled between the transceiver and the electronic device in response to a keystroke combination detected at the collapsible keyboard.

6. A stylus comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed from a flexible keyboard, the flexible keyboard comprising a rollable keyboard portion comprising touch-sensitive regions and an edge region that is attached to the touch-sensitive regions, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the rollable keyboard portion being rolled around the edge region to form a cylindrical shaft that acts as a stylus body, and wherein the flexible keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the edge region;

a transceiver that wirelessly transmits keystrokes to a mobile device;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the flexible keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores

a unique identifier that identifies the flexible keyboard to the mobile device, and

a profile associated with the mobile device.

7. The stylus of claim 6 , wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

8. The stylus of claim 6 , further comprising a battery.

9. The stylus of claim 8 , further comprising a contact point in electrical communication with the battery, wherein the contact point enables charging of the battery by an external power source.

10. The stylus of claim 9 , wherein the external power source comprises the mobile device.

11. The stylus of claim 8 , wherein the mobile device comprises a receptacle that houses the stylus handle, and wherein the battery is inductively charged when the stylus is located at the receptacle.

12. A device comprising:

a stylus handle that is formed by a foldable keyboard when the foldable keyboard is in a folded state, the foldable keyboard comprising a foldable keyboard portion comprising a plurality of fold lines and touch-sensitive regions, wherein the stylus handle is formed by the foldable keyboard portion being collapsed to act as a stylus body, and wherein the foldable keyboard does not include a separate stylus body;

a stylus tip attached to the foldable keyboard;

a transceiver that wirelessly transmit keystrokes to an electronic device;

a memory;

a processor; and

a bus that connects the foldable keyboard to each of the memory, the processor, and the transceiver, wherein the memory stores a unique identifier that identifies the foldable keyboard to the electronic device, and a profile associated with the electronic device.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the foldable keyboard is inserted into a receptacle of a mobile device when the foldable keyboard is in the folded state.

14. The device of claim 12 , further comprising a mobile device, the mobile device comprising:

a receptacle; and

a mechanical switch located within the receptacle, wherein upon activation of the mechanical switch by insertion of the device within the receptacle, the mobile device charges a battery of the device, wherein upon deactivation of the mechanical switch by removing the device from the receptacle, the mobile device launches an application to receive a command from the device.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein one of the touch-sensitive regions comprises a navigation pad.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the command comprises a keystroke combination.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2012
From: NATARAJAN, VIJAYARANI
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 029419/0143 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140160025A1 · Jun 12, 2014