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US5548477A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Combination keyboard and cover for a handheld computer

Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
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Filing: 1995-01-27
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2015-01-27
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Abstract

Abstract A device (10) adding keyboard input to a handheld computer (12) lacking such input (such as pen computers and personal digital assistants) includes a keyboard (11) and a planar motion pivot mechanism (30). Planar motion pivot mechanism (30) includes a body (31) formed as a boot that encloses an end of the handheld computer (12), and a pivot pin (32). The user simply rotates keyboard (11) from a nonoperational position substantially covering the handheld computer display (14), to an operational position at substantially a right angle to the display (14).

Inventors

  • 👤 Rajendra Kumar
  • 👤 II John W. Morrison

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 22:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/0206; H04M1/0208; H04M1/0225; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1622; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1632; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/163; G06F2200/1634; H04M1/0231; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/22

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 85 words
A device comprising: a handheld apparatus having a display including a first surface from which at least a portion of the display may be viewed; a first input to said handheld apparatus including a second surface, said first input movable between an operational position and a nonoperational position; and, a planar motion mechanism carrying said first input and allowing planar motion between said second surface and said first surface whereby said first input may be selectably moved between said operational position and said nonoperational position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 85 words
A device comprising: a handheld apparatus having a display including a first surface from which at least a portion of the display may be viewed; a first input to said handheld apparatus including a second surface, said first input movable between an operational position and a nonoperational position; and, a planar motion mechanism carrying said first input and allowing planar motion between said second surface and said first surface whereby said first input may be selectably moved between said operational position and said nonoperational position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
A device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first input is a keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
A device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said planar motion mechanism includes a pivot pin and a body carried by said handheld apparatus and carrying said pivot pin and said keyboard, said keyboard rotating about said pivot pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 29 words
A device, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said handheld apparatus has an end and said body is a boot that encloses said end of said handheld apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
A device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said keyboard is at substantially a right angle to said display when said keyboard is in said operational position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
A device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said keyboard substantially covers said display when said keyboard is in said nonoperational position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
A device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said handheld apparatus is one of a pen computer and personal digital assistant.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4237540A Cited
US5268816A Cited
US5057676A Cited
US5241303A Cited
US5278779A Cited
US5383138A Cited
US5276589A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-08-20 2000-02-19 2000-08-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-08-20 2004-02-19 2004-08-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-08-20 2008-02-19 2008-08-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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