U.S. patent application number 16/392867 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for extending the battery life of a keyboard device coupled to a dual-display computing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dell Products L. P.. Invention is credited to Jace W. Files, John Trevor Morrison, Gerald Rene Pelissier.
Application Number | 20200343057 16/392867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005147450 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200343057 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Files; Jace W. ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
EXTENDING THE BATTERY LIFE OF A KEYBOARD DEVICE COUPLED TO A
DUAL-DISPLAY COMPUTING DEVICE
Abstract
In some embodiments, a keyboard may comprise internal light
sources to backlight keycaps. In addition, the keyboard may provide
one or more unobstructed paths for light from an external light
source located beneath the keyboard to reach the keycaps. When the
keyboard is placed onto the external light source, the keycaps
within the keyboard may be illuminated from the external light
source. When the keyboard is placed on a display device of a
dual-display computing device, one display device may be used to
present text and images to a user while the other display device
provides backlighting for the keyboard. Software may manage the
image shown on the display device located under the keyboard device
to alter the appearance of the keycaps. The keyboard battery life
may be extended by disabling key backlights within the keyboard
when the dual-display computing device provide the backlight.
Inventors: |
Files; Jace W.; (Round Rock,
TX) ; Morrison; John Trevor; (Round Rock, TX)
; Pelissier; Gerald Rene; (Mendham, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dell Products L. P. |
Round Rock |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005147450 |
Appl. No.: |
16/392867 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/1446 20130101;
H01H 2219/037 20130101; H01H 2219/039 20130101; H01H 13/83
20130101; H01H 2219/038 20130101; G06F 3/0202 20130101; G09G 5/10
20130101; G09G 2360/144 20130101; G09G 2380/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01H 13/83 20060101
H01H013/83; G06F 3/02 20060101 G06F003/02; G09G 5/10 20060101
G09G005/10; G06F 3/14 20060101 G06F003/14 |
Claims
1. A keyboard device comprising: a keyboard controller, a plurality
of keys, one or more keyboard communication interfaces, one or more
keyboard batteries, and one or more unobstructed pathways through
the keyboard device to enable an external light source located
below the keyboard device to illuminate individual keycaps of the
plurality of keys, wherein the one or more unobstructed pathways
comprise at least one of a transparent material or one or more
areas devoid of material, and wherein the external light source
comprises a display device of a dual-display computing device; and
wherein placing the keyboard device on the display device or the
dual-display computing device causes the dual-display computing
device to: determine, based on ambient light data received from one
or more ambient light sensors of the dual-display computing device,
that an amount of ambient light associated with the dual-display
computing device satisfies an ambient light threshold; determine
that the keyboard device is located on the display device; instruct
the keyboard device to disable one or more internal backlights
located in the keyboard device; and cause the display device to
emit an amount of light sufficient to backlight a plurality of
keycaps of a keyboard device.
2. The keyboard device according to claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of key backlights; one or more backlight drivers;
wherein: the plurality of key backlights are disposed within the
plurality of keys such that, when the plurality of key backlights
are enabled, at least a subset of the plurality of keys are
backlit; the one or more backlight drivers allow the keyboard
controller to enable or disable the plurality of key backlights;
the plurality of key backlights are powered by the one or more
keyboard batteries stored in the keyboard device; the keycaps are
backlit by light originating from the plurality of key backlights
in response to the keyboard controller determining that: the
keyboard device is not located on top of the external light source;
and ambient light data received from an ambient light sensor
indicates that an amount of ambient light satisfies a predetermined
threshold.
3. The keyboard device according to claim 2, further comprising:
the ambient light data provided by the ambient light sensor
indicating an amount of ambient light; wherein the keyboard
controller is operable to: disable the plurality of key backlights
in response to determining, based on the ambient light data, that
an ambient light level satisfies a predetermined ambient light
threshold; and enable the plurality of key backlights in response
to determining, based on the ambient light data, that the ambient
light level does not satisfy the predetermined ambient light
threshold.
4. The keyboard device according to claim 2, further comprising: a
keyboard battery sensor to determine a remaining battery level of
the one or more keyboard batteries; wherein the keyboard controller
is operable to: disable the plurality of key backlights in response
to determining, based on the ambient light data, that an ambient
light level satisfies a predetermined ambient light threshold; and
enable the plurality of key backlights in response to determining,
based on the ambient light data, that the ambient light level does
not satisfy the predetermined ambient light threshold.
5. The keyboard device according to claim 1, wherein: the keyboard
device is coupled in a fixed position relative to either a first
display device or a second display device of a dual-display
computing device using at least one of: a mechanical coupling
mechanism; an electromechanical coupling mechanism; or a magnetic
coupling mechanism to retain the keyboard device.
6. The keyboard device according to claim 5, wherein: the keyboard
device determines a presence of the dual-display computing device
after being coupled to the dual-display computing device using at
least one of: an electromechanical sensor; an optical sensor; or a
magnetic sensor.
7. The keyboard device according to claim 5, wherein the external
light source comprises one of the first display device or the
second display device.
8. A system comprising: a keyboard device comprising: a plurality
of keys; and one or more unobstructed pathways to enable light from
an external light source located below the keyboard device to pass
through the unobstructed pathways to illuminate individual keycaps
of the plurality of keys, wherein the one or more unobstructed
pathways comprise at least one of transparent material or one or
more areas devoid of material; and a dual-display computing device
comprising: a first display device; and a second display device;
wherein based on the dual-display computing device determining
that: an amount of ambient light associated with the dual-display
computing device satisfies an ambient light threshold; and the
keyboard device is located on an external light source comprising
either the first display device or the second display device,
disabling one or more internal backlights located in the keyboard
device; and causing at least a portion of the external light source
to emit light, to backlight individual keycaps of a plurality of
keys of the keyboard device.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the dual-display
computing device further comprises: a memory storage device to
store software instructions; and one or more processors to execute
the software instructions to: perform a modification to an
illumination of individual keycaps of the plurality of keys,
wherein the modification comprises at least one of: turning on and
off a backlight of individual keycaps of the plurality of keys;
modifying an intensity of the backlight of individual keycaps of
the plurality of keys; or modifying a color of the backlight of
individual keycaps of the plurality of keys.
10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more
processors further execute the software instructions to: display a
specialized input area on a portion of the second display device
that is not located below the keyboard device, wherein the
specialized input area comprises at least one of: a trackpad; a
numeric keypad; or a plurality of commands used by a particular
software application.
11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more
processors further execute the software instructions to: receive
ambient light data from an ambient light sensor located in the
first display device or the keyboard device; determine, based on
the ambient light data, an amount of ambient light associated with
the dual-display computing device; and modify, based on the amount
of ambient light, an image presented on the second display device
to modify the backlight of individual keycaps of the plurality of
keys.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein modifying, based on
the amount of ambient light, the image presented on the second
display device to modify the backlight of individual keycaps of the
plurality of keys comprises: retrieving a previously stored
keyboard brightness profile; and modifying a brightness of
individual keycaps such that individual keycaps of the plurality of
keys are perceived as having a uniform brightness compared to other
keycaps of the plurality of keys.
13. The system according to claim 8, wherein: the keyboard device
is coupled to the dual-display computing device in a fixed position
using at least one of: a mechanical coupling device, an
electromechanical coupling device, or a magnetic coupling
device.
14. The system according to claim 8, wherein: the dual-display
computing device determines a presence of the keyboard device based
on sensor data received from at least one of a electromechanical
sensor, an optical sensor, or a magnetic sensor.
15. A method, comprising: receiving, by one or more processors of a
dual-display computing device, ambient light data from one or more
ambient light sensors located in the dual-display computing device,
the dual-display computing device comprising at least a first
display device and a second display device; determining, by the one
or more processors and based on the ambient light data, that an
amount of ambient light associated with the dual-display computing
device satisfies an ambient light threshold; determining, by the
one or more processors, to backlight a plurality of keycaps of a
keyboard device; based on determining, by the one or more
processors, that the keyboard device is located on an external
light source: disabling one or more internal backlights located in
the keyboard device; and causing at least a portion of the external
light source to emit light, wherein the light emitted by the
external light source travels through one or more unobstructed
pathways in the keyboard device to backlight individual keycaps of
a plurality of keys of the keyboard device.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the external light source
comprises one of the first display device or the second display
device.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining, by the
one or more processors, that the keyboard device is not located on
the external light source; determining, by the one or more
processors, that a remaining battery level of batteries used to
power the keyboard device satisfy a predetermined battery
threshold; and enabling the internal backlights located in the
keyboard device to backlight the individual keycaps of the
plurality of keys.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining, by the
one or more processors, that the keyboard device is not located on
the external light source; determining, by the one or more
processors, that a remaining battery level of keyboard batteries
used to power the keyboard device fail to satisfy a predetermined
battery threshold; and disabling the internal backlights located in
the keyboard device to prolong a battery life of the keyboard
batteries.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining, by the
one or more processors, that the keyboard device is connected to
the dual-display computing device by a universal serial bus (USB)
cable; and enabling the internal backlights located in the keyboard
device, wherein the internal backlights are powered by power from
the USB cable.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: determining, by the
one or more processors, that keyboard batteries powering the
keyboard device comprise rechargeable batteries; and recharging, by
the one or more processors, the keyboard batteries using the power
from the USB cable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates generally to keyboard devices capable
of increasing the visibility of keycaps in poorly lit environments
using either illumination from light sources internal to the
keyboard or illumination provided by an external light source and
the extension of battery life obtained from using an external light
source.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] As the value and use of information continues to increase,
individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and
store information. One option available to users is information
handling systems. An information handling system generally
processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or
data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing
users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because
technology and information handling needs and requirements vary
between different users or applications, information handling
systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how
the information is handled, how much information is processed,
stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the
information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The
variations in information handling systems allow for information
handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or
specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline
reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In
addition, information handling systems may include a variety of
hardware and software components that may be configured to process,
store, and communicate information and may include one or more
computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
[0003] Dual-screen computing devices are gaining in popularity with
the advent of thinner screens (e.g., using technologies such as
organic light emitting diode (OLED) or the like). Such devices
normally provide a keyboard-like interface by displaying a keyboard
overlay on one of the touch-screens. However, users tend to prefer
a mechanical keyboard as it provides more tactile feedback and
because most users are used to providing input using a mechanical
keyboard. In addition, users prefer a mechanical keyboard with
backlit keys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This Summary provides a simplified form of concepts that are
further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary
is not intended to identify key or essential features and should
therefore not be used for determining or limiting the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0005] In some embodiments, a keyboard may use one or more internal
light sources to backlight keycaps when the keyboard is used in dim
lighting. In addition, for each keycap that is backlit, the
keyboard may provide one or more unobstructed paths for light, from
an external light source located beneath the keyboard, to reach the
keycap. An unobstructed path may pass through (i) a transparent
material, (ii) voids within the keyboard, or both. When the
keyboard is placed onto the external light source (e.g., a display
screen of dual-screen device), the keycaps within the keyboard may
be illuminated by the external light source instead of by the
internal light sources.
[0006] When the keyboard is placed on a display device of a
dual-display computing device, one display device of the
dual-display computing device may be used to present text and
images to a user while the other display device may be used as an
external light source to provide backlighting to the keyboard.
Software executing on the dual-display computing device may manage
the image shown on the display device located under the keyboard
device to alter the appearance of the keycaps. The system
comprising the dual-display computing device and the keyboard may
extend the life of one or more keyboard batteries by disabling key
backlights within the keyboard when the display device is available
to provide the backlighting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may
be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when
taken in conjunction with 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 same
reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or
identical items.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an architecture of a
dual-display computing device according to some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates vertical and horizontal orientations of
the dual-display computing device according to some
embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates book and vertical tablet orientations of
the dual-display computing device according to some
embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates tent, presentation, horizontal tablet,
and clamshell orientations of the dual-display computing device
according to some embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a keyboard device coupled to
a dual-display computing device according to some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating layers within the
dual-display computing device that may have optical significance
when an external light source provides backlighting for the keycaps
on the keyboard device.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a detail diagram of a key mechanism with internal
and external backlighting according to some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 8 a detail diagram of an alternative key mechanism with
internal and external backlighting according to some
embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process that manages the battery
life of a keyboard device according to some embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 10A is a detail view of an alignment and/or coupling
mechanism for a keyboard device and a dual-display computing device
illustrating the use of a mechanical latch according to some
embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 10B is a detail view of an alignment and/or coupling
mechanism for a keyboard device and a dual-display computing device
illustrating the use of a shaped protrusion and a shaped
indentation according to some embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 10C is a detail view of an alignment and/or coupling
mechanism for a keyboard device and a dual-display computing device
illustrating the use of magnets according to some embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a detail view of a section of a keyboard device
illustrating how a display located below the keyboard device may
alter the on/off state, intensity, color, and temporal pattern of
the keyboard device backlighting according to some embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an architecture of a keyboard
device according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling
system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of
instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine,
classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,
store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce,
handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data
for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example,
an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g.,
desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal
digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server
or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable
device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and
price. The information handling system may include random access
memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central
processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM,
and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of
the information handling system may include one or more disk
drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external
devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as
a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or video display. The
information handling system may also include one or more buses
operable to transmit communications between the various hardware
components.
[0023] An embodiment of a mechanical keyboard ("keyboard")
described herein may provide key backlights that are internal to
the keyboard. The keyboard may be part of an information handling
system, such as dual-screen device. The key backlights may
illuminate keycaps from underneath, making legends on the keycaps
readable even in dim ambient lighting. The keyboard may include an
ambient light sensor (ALS) to monitor the ambient lighting. The
keyboard may disable the key backlights to conserve keyboard
battery life when information collected from the ambient light
sensor (ALS) indicates that the key backlights are not needed. The
keyboard may include a keyboard battery sensor to monitor the
remaining charge of one or more keyboard batteries. The keyboard
battery sensor may disable the key backlights to preserve the
remaining keyboard for communication purposes when the battery
charge level drops below a predetermined battery charge threshold
(e.g., 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or the like) to extend a battery life of
the battery.
[0024] For each keycap that is backlit, the keyboard may further
include one or more unobstructed paths for light from an external
light source located beneath the keyboard to reach the keycap such
that light from the external light source may be used to illuminate
the keycaps from underneath. An unobstructed path may pass through
(i) a transparent material, (ii) voids within the keyboard, or
both.
[0025] The keyboard may be used with a dual-display (e.g.,
dual-screen) computing device and may wirelessly communicate with
the dual-display computing device having a first display device and
a second display device. In some configurations, the keyboard may
be placed adjacent to the dual-display computing device and the
first display device and the second display device may be used to
present (e.g., display) text, images, or other data. The
dual-displays of the dual-display computing device may be
positioned in one or multiple physical orientations, such as, for
example, a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation, book
orientations, tablet orientations, presentation orientations, tent
orientations, or clamshell orientations. The keyboard may enable
the key backlights that are internal to the keyboard if (i) the
ambient light sensor (ALS) indicates that the ambient light is
below a predetermined threshold and (ii) the keyboard battery
sensor indicates that sufficient (e.g., at least a predetermined
amount of) battery charge remains (e.g., 30%, 20%, 10% or the
like). When the key backlights are enabled, the backlights may draw
power from the one or more keyboard batteries, causing the one or
more keyboard batteries to be depleted at a much higher rate than
if the key backlights were disabled. In this way, by using the key
backlights under specific conditions and not using them otherwise,
battery life of the dual-display computing device may be
extended.
[0026] In some configurations, the dual-display computing device
may be opened to a clamshell orientation in which the first display
device may present text and images while the keyboard is placed on
top of the second display device. In such configurations, the
second display device may provide the external source of
illumination for the keyboard. The system comprising the keyboard,
the dual-display computing device, and software executing on the
dual-display computing device may determine that the keyboard is
positioned on the second display device and may manage the second
display device to conserve keyboard battery life and to enhance the
user's experience. As non-limiting examples, the system may disable
the key backlights that are internal to the keyboard and may cause
the second display device to function as a backlight to provide
illumination to the bottom of the keyboard to backlight the
keycaps. The illumination provide by the second display device may
travel through the transparent bottom of the keyboard and may be
focused on the keycaps by a lensing system within the keyboard. A
first portion of the second display device (e.g., that is beneath
the keyboard) may display a white image to provide an external
backlight while a second portion of the second display device that
surrounds the keyboard may display a black image. In some cases, a
third portion of the second display device may be used to display
an area to be used as a trackpad. The trackpad area may be a white
area (or a colored area) within the black image.
[0027] In some cases, the system may change the image in a portion
of the second display device that is beneath a specific key of the
keyboard in order to change the on/off state, intensity, or color
of the backlighting provided to that specific key. The system may
manage the color and intensity of key backlighting for individual
keys, groups of keys, or the entire keyboard. For example, a set of
color-coded keys may be provided for a specific application, such
as a word processing application, a presentation graphics
application, a gaming application, or the like.
[0028] The keyboard may couple to the dual-display computing device
in such a way that the keyboard is held in a position that aligns
the keyboard with a particular portion of the second display
device. For example, the keyboard may couple to the dual-display
computing device and may be held in place on the second display
device using mechanical latches, by the alignment of mechanical
protrusions and indentation, by magnets, by electromagnets, by
other types of alignment and coupling devices, or combinations
thereof. The keyboard may be substantially the same width as the
second display device but may be shorter in a front-to-back
direction than the second display device. In some cases, the system
may permit alignment and coupling between the keyboard and the
second display device (or the first display device) in more than
one position. For example, the system may enable the keyboard to be
positioned with one edge of the keyboard substantially above one
edge of the second display device.
[0029] In some cases, the keyboard may be positioned on the second
display device in a position that places the rear of the keyboard
near (substantially adjacent to) the first display device. In this
position, the portion of the second display device that extends
beyond the footprint of the keyboard may be located in front of the
keyboard--between the keyboard and a user. Since the second display
device may be touch sensitive, the system may provide a track pad
function using this portion of the second display device. To
provide the trackpad function, the system may display an image on
the second display device illustrating a touch target (e.g.,
trackpad area). The system may receive touch inputs from the second
display device. The touch inputs may be interpreted as requests to
move the cursor, simulate the depression of one or more mouse
buttons, or other input-related functions. In some embodiments, the
touch target may be a rectangular portion of the display.
[0030] In some cases, the system may compensate for differences in
the paths that the key backlight may follow as the light travels
from the second display device to the keycaps when the keyboard is
positioned on the dual-display computing device (e.g., the second
display device is being used to provide the backlight). For
example, measurements of the actual or perceived brightness of each
of the keys on the keyboard may be taken and stored in the system
as a keyboard brightness profile. Later, when the keyboard is
positioned at the same location on the dual-display computing
device and is backlit by the second display device, the system may
adjust the image displayed under each key to be brighter or dimmer
based on the keyboard brightness profile to make each key appear to
have the same backlight intensity. Multiple keyboard brightness
profiles may be saved. For example, each of the two display devices
may have a separate brightness profile and each location of
multiple attachment locations for the keyboard on each display
device may have a particular brightness profile.
[0031] In some cases, the system may use an ambient light sensor
(ALS) located within the dual-display computing device (or near
each display device) to determine when key backlighting is to be
used and how much light intensity is to be provided by the
backlighting. Based on data provided by the ALS, the system may
modify the image displayed (e.g., light projected) by the second
display device to increase or decrease the intensity of the light
reaching the keycaps.
[0032] In this document, the keyboard is described as being located
on the second display device purely for illustration purposes. It
should be understood that the keyboard may be placed on either the
first display device or the second display device and that what is
being performed when using the keyboard on the second display
device may also be performed when the keyboard is on the first
display device. If the keyboard is placed on the first display
device, then the second display device may present text and images
and the first display device may provide keycap backlight
illumination and, in some cases, a track pad function. If the
keyboard is placed on the second display device, then the first
display device may present text and images and the second display
device may provide keycap backlight illumination and, in some
cases, a track pad function.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an architecture of a computing
device according to some embodiments. In some implementations, the
computing device 100 may include two (or more) housings while in
other implementations the computing device 100 may include a single
housing (e.g., a tablet form factor). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
computing device 100 may include a first housing 108 coupled to a
second housing 110 via one or more hinges 106. The hinges 106 may
enable the two housings 108, 110 to be positioned at different
angles relative to each other in different orientations (e.g.,
various vertical orientations and various horizontal orientations).
Of course, additional housings may be attached via additional
hinges to create a computing device with multiple housings.
[0034] A first display device 102 may be located in the first
housing 108 and, in some cases, a second display device 104 may be
located in the second housing 110. The first display device 102 may
comprise a first display backlight 180 and the second display
device 104 may comprise a second display backlight 182. The first
display backlight 180 and the second display backlight 182 may be
operable to provide illumination for a keyboard 170 when the
keyboard 170 is positioned on the first display device 102 or on
the second display device 104. Alternatively, the first display
device 102 and the second display device 104 may be active displays
that produce their own illumination and do not require a backlight.
As non-limiting examples, the first display device 102 and the
second display device 104 may be displays based upon LED or OLED
technologies. When the first display device 102 and the second
display device 104 are active displays, the first display device
102 or the second display device 104 may be able to provide
backlight for the keyboard 170 positioned on the display without
the need of a backlight. The keyboard 170 may be powered by one or
more batteries 184.
[0035] A first portion of the components of the computing device
100 may be located in the first housing 108 (e.g., behind the first
display device 102) while a remaining portion of the components of
the computing device 100 may be located in the second housing 110
(e.g., behind the second display device 104). As a non-limiting
example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the components located in the
first housing 108 may include at least one central processing unit
(CPU) 112, a graphics process unit (GPU) 114, and a memory (e.g.,
computer-readable media) 116. The CPUs and the GPU may generally be
referred to as processors. The GPU 114 may be integrated into the
CPU 112 or may be a separate device from the GPU 114. The CPU 112
may communicate input/output (I/O) signals 118 via multiple I/O
ports 120. The I/O ports 120 may include video ports (e.g., a video
graphics adapter (VGA) port, a digital video interface (DVI) port,
a high definition media interface (HDMI) port, a ThunderBolt.RTM.
port, or the like), audio ports (e.g., microphone jack, headphone
jack, and the like), data ports (e.g., universal serial bus (USB)
ports compliant with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and the like), communication
ports (e.g., Ethernet and the like), another type of port, or any
combination thereof. In some cases, the computing device 100 may
include at least one digital signal processing (DSP) processor 122
to perform audio (and video) signal processing. The GPU 114 may
provide two or more lanes of embedded DisplayPort (eDP) output 124
that are sent to the first display device 102 in the first housing
108 and two or more lanes of DisplayPort (DP) output 126 that are
sent (e.g., wirelessly or via a cable) to the second display device
104 in the second housing 110.
[0036] A first data bus 128 in the first housing 108 and a second
data bus 130 in the second housing 110 may distribute data among
the various components of the computing device 100. As a
non-limiting example, the data buses 128, 130 may distribute data
from the I/O signals 118, the I/O ports 120, a first set of sensors
146, a second set of sensors 148, and additional components 144. As
a non-limiting example, the data buses 128, 130 may distribute data
by receiving data from a component of the computing device 100 and
transmitting the data to one or more of the other components of the
computing device 100.
[0037] The second housing 110 may include a remaining portion of
the components of the computing device 100. In some cases, the
components in the second housing 110 may be located behind the
second display device 104. The second housing 110 may include the
additional components 144 (e.g., keyboard, touchpad, trackball,
speaker, microphone, Wi-Fi antenna, Bluetooth antenna, Zigbee
Antenna, cellular antenna, and the like), the second set of sensors
148, a power input 150 (e.g., alternating current (AC) or direct
current (DC) input), a charger 152, and a battery 154. The battery
charger 152 may be used as a power source to provide power instead
of (or in addition to) the battery 154 when the battery 154 is
depleted or inoperable. In some cases, data cables may run through
the hinges 106 to connect the components of the computing device
100 located in the first housing 108 with the components of the
computing device 100 located in the second housing 110. In other
cases, a first wireless transceiver in the first housing 108 and a
second wireless transceiver in the second housing 110 may provide
wireless communications between (1) the components of the computing
device 100 located in the first housing 108 and (2) the components
of the computing device 100 located in the second housing 110.
[0038] The first set of sensors 146 and the second sensors 148 may
include one or more of a touch-screen sensor, an accelerometer, a
gyroscope, an electronic compass (e-compass), a barometer, a
magnetometer, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, an imaging sensor
(e.g., a camera), a fingerprint sensor, a global positioning
satellite (GPS) sensor, another type of sensor, or any combination
thereof.
[0039] The first set of sensors 146 may comprise a keyboard
presence sensor 160(1) and the second sensors 148 may comprise a
keyboard presence sensor 160(2). As non-limiting examples, the
keyboard presence sensors 160(1), 160(2) may be Hall-effect sensors
that are responsive to a keyboard magnet 172 located within the
keyboard 170. Detecting that the keyboard 170 is present on the
first display device 102 or the second display device 104 may
trigger software executing on a dual-display computing device 100
to manage the display where the keyboard 170 has been placed such
that the image presented on the display may determine the
characteristics of backlight illumination provided to the keyboard
170 by the dual-display computing device 100.
[0040] In FIG. 1, the first set of components of the computing
device 100 shown as being located in the first housing 108 and the
remaining set of components shown as located in the second housing
110 are purely for illustration purposes. Depending on the
implementation, different components of the computing device 100
may be housed in one or both of the housings 108, 110. As a
non-limiting example, when the computing device 100 is designed for
graphics processing, the GPU 114 and supporting hardware (e.g.,
graphics support chips, graphics memory, and the like) may be
housed in the second housing 110. As another example, in some
cases, the ports 120 may be located in the first housing 108, in
the second housing 110, or split between the two housings 108, 110.
As a further example, the battery 154 may include multiple power
cells, with a portion of the power cells located in the first
housing 108 and zero or more of the power cells located in the
second housing 110. In some cases, which components of the
computing device 100 are located in each of the housings 108, 110
may be determined by the thermal characteristics of the components.
As a non-limiting example, the components may be distributed
between the housings 108, 110 to enable each of the housings 108,
110 to heat to approximately the same temperature. Doing so may
avoid grouping components that generate the most heat into the same
housing, thereby causing one housing to be hotter than the other
housing. In addition, while the computing device 100 is illustrated
as having two display devices 102, 104, in some cases the computing
device 100 may have a single display device, e.g., when the
computing device 100 is configured as a tablet (e.g., all
components in a single housing) or a laptop computing device (e.g.,
with a display in the first housing and input devices, such as a
keyboard and touchpad, in the second housing).
[0041] Software instructions implementing an operating system and
one or more applications, including at least one application
capable of receiving stylus input, may be stored in the memory 116.
The software instructions may be executed by the CPU 112, by the
DSP processor 122, or any combination thereof.
[0042] Thus, a computing device may include a first housing coupled
to a second housing by one or more hinges. The computing device 100
may include software that may change the image presented on the
second display device 104 when the keyboard 170 is known to be in
contact
[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 illustrating different orientations
of a dual-display device (e.g., the computing device 100 of FIG. 1)
according to some embodiments. The computing device 100 may include
at least two display devices 102, 104. The computing device 100 may
be displayed in a vertical (e.g., portrait) orientation 202 or a
horizontal (e.g., landscape) orientation 204. As a non-limiting
example, in the vertical orientation 202, the first display device
102 may be on one side (e.g., the left side or the right side), the
second display device 104 may be on another side (e.g., the right
side or the left side), and the hinge 106 may join the first
display device 102 to the second display device 104. Additional
examples of the vertical orientation 202 are illustrated in FIG. 3.
In the horizontal orientation 204, the first display device 102 may
be located at the top (or the bottom) of the computing device 100
with the hinge 106 in the middle and the second display device 104
may be located at the bottom (or the top) of the computing device
100. Additional examples of the horizontal orientation 204 are
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0044] A bezel 206(1) may surround the first display device 102 and
a bezel 206(2) may surround the second display device 104. The
camera and the ambient light sensor (ALS) 162(1) may be embedded
into the bezel 206(1) and the camera and the ALS 162(2) may be
embedded into the bezel 206(2), as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 illustrating additional vertical
orientations of a dual-display device according to some
embodiments. Additional examples of the vertical orientation 202
may include a book orientation 302 and a vertical tablet
orientation 304. As a non-limiting example, in a first book
orientation 302(1), the first display device 102 may be on the left
and the second display device 104 may be on the right. Alternately,
in a second book orientation 302(2), the second display device 104
may be on the left and the first display device 102 may be on the
right.
[0046] In the vertical tablet orientation 304, the first display
device 102 may be on the left and the second display device 104 may
be on the right. In a first vertical tablet orientation 304(1), if
the first display device 102 is facing a user, then the second
display device 104 may be rotated approximately 180 degrees, e.g.,
facing away from the user. If sensor data from the camera confirms
that the user is not viewing the first display device 102, the logo
may be displayed on the first display device 102. An intensity
(e.g., a brightness) of the logo may be determined based on an
amount of ambient light striking the first display device 102, as
determined by sensor data from the ALS 162(1). As a non-limiting
example, if the amount of ambient light is relatively low (e.g.,
relatively dark environment), then the logo may be displayed with a
relatively low intensity. If the amount of ambient light is
relatively high, (e.g., relatively bright environment) then the
logo may be displayed with a relatively high intensity. If sensor
data from the sensors indicates that the computing device 100 has
been placed on a table (or another surface) with the second display
device 104 facing down on the table (or other surface), then the
logo may not be displayed.
[0047] In a second vertical tablet orientation 304(2), the second
display device 104 may be facing the user while the first display
device 102 may rotated approximately 180 degrees to face away from
the user. In the vertical tablet orientation 304(2), sensor data
from the camera may be used to determine that the user is not
viewing the second display device 104. In response, the logo may be
displayed on the second display device 104. An intensity (e.g., a
brightness) of the logo may be determined based on an amount of
ambient light striking the second display device 104, as determined
by sensor data from the ALS 162(2). As a non-limiting example, if
the amount of ambient light is relatively low (e.g., relatively
dark environment), then the logo may be displayed with a relatively
low intensity. If the amount of ambient light is relatively high,
(e.g., relatively bright environment), then the logo may be
displayed with a relatively high intensity. If sensor data from the
sensors indicates that the computing device 100 has been placed on
a table (or another surface) with the first display device 102
facing down on the table (or other surface), then the logo may not
be displayed.
[0048] In 304(1), 304(2), if the user re-orients the computing
device 100 to a horizontal orientation, e.g., by turning the
computing device 100 about ninety degrees to either the right or
the left, one or more of sensors 146, 148 (e.g., the gyroscopes
158, the magnetometer 159, or the like) of FIG. 1, may determine
that the computing device 100 has been re-oriented and adjust the
displayed logo accordingly. As a non-limiting example, if the
sensors 146, 148 determine that the computing device 100 has been
rotated (e.g., relative to a center of the computing device 100)
about ninety degrees to the right, the logo may be rotated about
ninety degrees to the right. If the sensors 146, 148 determine that
the computing device 100 has been rotated (e.g., relative to a
center of the computing device 100) about ninety degrees to the
left, the logo may be rotated about ninety degrees to the left.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 illustrating additional horizontal
orientations of a dual-display device according to some
embodiments. Additional examples of the horizontal orientation 204
may include a tent orientation 402, a presentation orientation 404,
a horizontal tablet orientation 406, and a clamshell orientation
408.
[0050] In 402(1), the first display device 102 may be at the top
facing the user while the second display device 104 may be at the
bottom facing away from the user. In 402(2), the second display
device 104 may be at the top facing the user and the first display
device 102 may be at the bottom facing away from the user. In the
tent orientation 402(1), sensor data from the camera may be used to
determine that the user is not viewing the first display device
102. In response, the logo may be displayed on the first display
device 102. An intensity (e.g., a brightness) of the logo may be
determined based on an amount of ambient light striking the first
display device 102, as determined by sensor data from the ALS
162(1). As a non-limiting example, if the amount of ambient light
is relatively low (e.g., relatively dark environment), then the
logo may be displayed with a relatively low intensity. If the
amount of ambient light is relatively high, (e.g., relatively
bright environment). then the logo may be displayed with a
relatively high intensity.
[0051] In 404(1), the first display device 102 may be at the top
facing the user and the second display device 104 may be at the
bottom facing down. In 404(2) the second display device 104 may be
at the top facing the user and the first display device 102 may be
at the bottom facing down. In the tent orientation 402(2), sensor
data (e.g., image data) from the camera may be used to determine
that the user is not viewing the second display device 104. In
response, the logo may be displayed on the second display device
104. An intensity (e.g., a brightness) of the logo may be
determined based on an amount of ambient light striking the second
display device 104, as determined by sensor data from the ALS
162(2). As a non-limiting example, if the amount of ambient light
is relatively low (e.g., relatively dark environment), then the
logo may be displayed with a relatively low intensity. If the
amount of ambient light is relatively high, (e.g., relatively
bright environment). then the logo may be displayed with a
relatively high intensity.
[0052] In 406(1), the first display device 102 may be facing the
user and the second display device 104 may be facing away from the
user. In the horizontal tablet orientation 406(1), sensor data from
the camera may be used to determine that the user is viewing the
first display device 102. In response, the logo may be displayed on
the second display device 104. An intensity (e.g., a brightness) of
the logo may be determined based on an amount of ambient light
striking the second display device 104, as determined by sensor
data from the ALS 162(1). As a non-limiting example, if the amount
of ambient light is relatively low (e.g., relatively dark
environment), then the logo) may be displayed with a relatively low
intensity. If the amount of ambient light is relatively high,
(e.g., relatively bright environment). then the logo may be
displayed with a relatively high intensity. Based on sensor data
from the sensors (e.g., gyro, magnetometer, or the like), if the
computing device 100 determines that the computing device 100 has
been placed on a surface (e.g., the user is not holding the
computing device 100) with the second display device 104 facing
down (e.g., towards the surface), then the logo may not be
displayed on the second display device 104.
[0053] In 406(2), the second display device 104 may be facing the
user and the first display device 102 may be facing away from the
user. In the horizontal tablet orientation 406(2), sensor data from
the camera may be used to determine that the user is viewing the
second display device 104. In response, the logo may be displayed
on the first display device 102. An intensity (e.g., a brightness)
of the logo may be determined based on an amount of ambient light
striking the second display device 104, as determined by sensor
data from the ALS 162(2). As a non-limiting example, if the amount
of ambient light is relatively low (e.g., relatively dark
environment), then the logo may be displayed with a relatively low
intensity. If the amount of ambient light is relatively high,
(e.g., relatively bright environment). then the logo may be
displayed with a relatively high intensity. Based on sensor data
from the sensors (e.g., gyro, magnetometer, or the like), if the
computing device 100 determines that the computing device 100 has
been placed on a surface (e.g., the user is not holding the
computing device 100) with the first display device 102 facing down
(e.g., towards the surface), then the logo may not be displayed on
the first display device 102.
[0054] In 406(1), 406(2), if the user re-orients the computing
device 100 to a vertical orientation, e.g., by turning the
computing device 100 about ninety degrees to either the right or
the left, one or more of sensors 146, 148 (e.g., the gyroscopes
158, a magnetometer, or the like) of FIG. 1, may determine that the
computing device 100 has been re-oriented and adjust the displayed
logo accordingly. As a non-limiting example, if the sensors 146,
148 determine that the computing device 100 has been rotated (e.g.,
relative to a center of the computing device 100) about ninety
degrees to the right, the logo may be rotated about ninety degrees
to the right. If the sensors 146, 148 determine that the computing
device 100 has been rotated (e.g., relative to a center of the
computing device 100) about ninety degrees to the left, the logo
may be rotated about ninety degrees to the left.
[0055] In 408(1), the first display device 102 may be at the top
facing the user and the second display device 104 may be at the
bottom facing the user (e.g., in a position where traditionally, a
keyboard is located in a laptop). In 408(1), in some cases, a
QWERTY-based keyboard may be displayed on the second display device
104 and used to receive keyboard input. In 408(2), the second
display device 104 may be at the top facing the user and the first
display device 102 may be at the bottom facing the user (e.g., in a
position where traditionally, a keyboard is located in a laptop).
In 408(2), in some cases, a QWERTY-based keyboard may be displayed
on the first display device 102 and used to receive keyboard
input.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view 500 of the dual-display
computing device 100 opened to a clamshell orientation 408 and
having the keyboard 170 positioned on the second display device 104
of the dual-display computing device 100. The first display device
102 of the dual-display computing device 100 may display text and
graphics. The second display device 104 may provide backlighting to
the keyboard 170. A portion 502 of the second display device 104
may be used as a specialized input area, such as a trackpad, a
numeric keypad, application specific commands, a gaming controller,
or the like. While the portion 502 is sometimes referred to herein
as trackpad 502, it should be understood that a user may configure
the portion 502 to provide different functions depending on the
application being used in the foreground. For example, for an
accounting application, the portion 502 may be configured as a
numeric keypad, for a gaming application, the portion 502 may be
configured to include game specific commands, and so on.
[0057] Although the keyboard 170 is described herein being placed
on the second display device 104, it should be understood that the
dual-display computing device 100 may, in some cases, be
re-oriented such that the second display device 104 is viewed by
the user and the keyboard 170 is placed on the first display device
102. The dual-display computing device 100 refers to any device
with at least two display devices. As described herein, the
keyboard 170 may be placed on a particular display device of the at
least two display devices.
[0058] The keyboard 170 may be portable and use a wireless
technology to communicate (e.g., exchange signals with) the
computing device 100. Portable refers to the ability of the
keyboard 170 to be physically small and light weight such that it
may be easily carried by the user. Wireless refers to the ability
of the keyboard 170 to be wirelessly operable within a
predetermined distance (e.g., 1 meter) from the dual-display
computing device 100. For example, the keyboard 170 and the
dual-display computing device 100 may exchange communications
(e.g., commands, data, and the like) via Bluetooth, near field
communications (NFC), Zigbee, infrared beaming, or another type of
wireless communication protocol (e.g., without being connected by a
cable).
[0059] In some cases, a keyboard image may be displayed on the
second display device 104 when the dual-display computing device
100 is in the clamshell orientation 408. In such cases, touch input
detected on the second display device 104 may be converted to
virtual keystrokes. However, the user may, in some cases, prefer
the touch and feel of a physical keyboard, such as the keyboard
170.
[0060] Though the keyboard 170 is a distinct and separate device
from the dual-display computing device 100, the keyboard 170 may
operate in conjunction with the dual-display computing device 100
and may be positioned on one of the display devices 102, 104, such
as, the second display device 104, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The
keyboard 170 may be relocated from the display devices 102, 104
such that the keyboard 170 is not in contact with any portion of
the computing device 100. Even when relocated, the keyboard 170 may
continue to provide input to the dual-display computing device 100.
In some embodiments, the keyboard 170 may be moved up to one meter
away from the dual-display computing device 100 while remaining
communicatively coupled to the computing device 100. Of course,
when the keyboard 170 is not in contact with the either of the
display devices 102, 104, the keyboard 170 may not benefit from
backlighting provided by one of the display devices 102, 104.
[0061] The keyboard 170 may be temporarily held in place on the
second display device 104 by one or more keyboard retainers 530.
The one or more keyboard retainers 530 may couple the keyboard 170
to the dual-display computing device 100 and may align the keyboard
170 to one or more predesignated positions 534 on the second
display device 104. For example, an individual keyboard retainer
selected from the one or more keyboard retainers 530 may include
(i) a mechanical matching of the keyboard 170 to the dual-display
computing device 100, (ii) a magnetic attraction between a magnet
or metal component of the keyboard 170 and a magnet or metal
component of the dual-display computing device 100, (iii) the
alignment of a depression on the keyboard 170 with a projection of
the dual-display computing device 100 or vice versa, or
combinations thereof.
[0062] In some cases, the keyboard 170 may couple to the second
display device 104 in one of multiple positions. The dual-display
computing device 100 may automatically determine (i) the presence
of the keyboard 170 and (ii) the particular position of the
keyboard 170 on one of the display devices 102, 104. Based on the
particular position, the computing device 100 may adjust what is
being displayed (e.g., adjust a location of the backlight area and
a location of the trackpad area) on the second display device 104.
For example, the keyboard 170 may couple to one of the display
devices 102, 104 with a first (e.g., front) edge of the keyboard
170 near the hinge 106. As another example, the keyboard 170 may
couple to the one of the display devices 102, 104 in a position
where a second (e.g., rear) edge of the keyboard is furthest from
the hinge 106, as described in more detail in FIG. 10.
[0063] The keyboard 170 may provide multiple options for
backlighting the keys on the keyboard 170. One of the multiple
options may be selected based on an amount of ambient light falling
on the keyboard 170, a battery level of a battery of the computing
device 100, a battery level of the batteries in the keyboard 170,
or any combination thereof.
[0064] A first option may include not providing a backlight to the
keys. The first option may be selected when the keyboard 170 is
used in a well-lit environment where backlighting the keys would
not make a perceivable difference. Since the first option does not
draw energy from batteries in the keyboard, the first option may be
relatively energy efficient and prolong the battery life of the
keyboard 170. If the batteries are not used to power backlights
within the keyboard 170, the life of the batteries may be extended,
enabling the batteries to power the keyboard 170 for several weeks
or even several months (e.g., between 1 month to 6 months). When
rechargeable batteries are used to power the keyboard 170,
attaching the keyboard 170 to the computing device 100 using a USB
cable may enable the keyboard to charge the batteries via USB.
[0065] A second option may include using lights that are internal
to the keyboard 170 to backlight the keys. The internal lights may
be powered by the keyboard's internal batteries (e.g., the
batteries 184 of FIG. 1). Because the internal lights use energy
from the keyboard's internal batteries, the second option is less
energy efficient as it relates to the battery life of the keyboard
170. When the keyboard's internal batteries are used to power
backlights within the keyboard 170, the battery life of the
keyboard's internal batteries may be a reduced to a period of time
such as several hours (e.g., between 6 to 12 hours).
[0066] A third option may include using a light source that is
external to the keyboard 170 to provide a backlight to the keys.
For example, one of the display devices 102, 104 may be used as a
light source external to the keyboard 170 to backlight the keys.
Because the third option does not use the keyboard's internal
batteries to backlight the keyboard 170, the third option may be as
energy efficient as the first option in terms of the battery life
of the batteries in the keyboard 170. The third option is described
in more detail herein (e.g., FIG. 6 and FIG. 11).
[0067] Using an ALS (e.g., the ALS 162(1) or 162(2) of FIG. 1)
located within the dual-display computing device 100, software
executing on the dual-display computing device 100 may monitor the
ambient light level and dim the backlighting of the keyboard 170 in
bright environments (e.g., in which an ambient light level
satisfies a predetermined threshold). In addition, when the
keyboard 170 is positioned on (and backlit by) the second display
device 104, the software may dim the backlighting of the keyboard
170 by reducing an intensity of the backlight provided by the
second display device 104 or by changing what is being displayed on
the second display device 104 under each key.
[0068] In some cases, the keyboard 170 may occupy less than the
total surface area of the second display device 104. For example,
when the keyboard 170 is positioned on a portion (e.g.,
three-fifths) of the second display device 104 that is closest to
the hinge 106, then a remaining portion (e.g., two-fifths) of the
second display device 104 closest to the user may be accessible
(and visible) to the user. Because the second display device 102 is
touch sensitive, the exposed display area may be touch-sensitive.
In some cases, the software executing on the dual-display computing
device 100 may disable the remaining portion of the second display
device 104 to prevent false triggering or accidental input. In
other cases, the software executing on the dual-display computing
device 100 may enable the second display device 104 to accept touch
inputs via the remaining area of the second display device 104. For
example, the software may use the accessible (e.g., remaining)
portion of the second display device 104 to provide a touch-input
area, such as a trackpad, a numeric keypad, application-specific
shortcut keys, or the like. To illustrate, the touch-input area may
provide shortcut keys for commonly used commands in a particular
application, including productivity applications (e.g., Office
suites), gaming applications, and the like.
[0069] The dual-display computing device 100 may determine the
presence of the keyboard 170 on one of the display devices 102, 104
to enable the software executing on the dual-display computing
device 100 to manage the keyboard backlight by selecting a
particular option of the previously described options. For example,
a presence of the keyboard 170 may be determined using one or more
electrical contacts between the dual-display computing device 100
and the keyboard 170, a micro switch (e.g., a protrusion on a
bottom of the keyboard 170 may cause a micro switch in an indent on
the bezel of one of the display devices 102, 104 to be closed), an
optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an inductive or capacitive
proximity sensor, a magnetic field sensor, or any combination
thereof. In some cases, a magnet within the keyboard 170 may be
sensed by the computing device 100 using a Hall-effect sensor (or
other magnetically sensitive sensor) located within the computing
device 100. For example, when the keyboard 170 is placed on one of
the display devices 102, 104, the magnet in the keyboard 170 may be
within a predetermined distance (e.g., 3 centimeters (cm) or less)
of a Hall-effect sensor (e.g., the sensor 160(1) or 160(2) of FIG.
1), causing the computing device 100 to determine the presence of
the keyboard 170.
[0070] In some cases, e.g., when the keyboard 170 may be coupled at
one of multiple positions on the second display device 104, two or
more sensors in the computing device 100 may be used to determine
not only the presence of the keyboard 170 but also the specific
position of the keyboard 170.
[0071] The keyboard 170 may include a wireless transceiver for
communication with the dual-display computing device 100. For
example, the keyboard 170 and the dual-display computing device 100
may exchange commands and information via Bluetooth, NFC, infrared
beaming, or other wireless communication links and protocols in
lieu of cables. Communication from the keyboard 170 to the
dual-display computing device 100 may include, for example,
information associated with key depression and key releases,
ambient light sensor readings, keyboard battery level information,
and other keyboard-related information, as described herein.
Communication from the dual-display computing device 100 to the
keyboard 170 may include, for example, commands to enable, disable,
or change the intensity of the internal keyboard backlight, and
other commands, as described herein.
[0072] The keyboard 170 may be powered by one or more batteries
located in the keyboard 170. The one or more batteries may be
rechargeable and/or replaceable. The one or more batteries may
power a controller (e.g., keyboard controller) that monitors and
communicates keystrokes, provides a backlight to the keys, and
communicates wirelessly with the dual-display computing device 100.
The controller may be implemented in hardware, software, or a
combination thereof.
[0073] The keyboard 170 may include a battery sensor for
determining a battery level of the one or more batteries. The term
battery level refers to a percentage of battery charge remaining in
the one or more batteries. The battery level may be determined as a
percentage between 0 percent (corresponding to a fully discharged
battery) and 100 percent corresponding to a fully charged battery.
The battery level sensor may provide battery level data to the
controller within the keyboard 170. The controller may provide the
battery level data to the dual-display computing device 100. When
the dual-display computing device 100 is not located on the second
display device 104, the controller may reduce or disable the
internal keyboard backlight when the battery level drops below a
predetermined battery charge threshold (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%, or the
like). For example, the controller may reduce a level of the
internal backlight when the battery level satisfies a first
threshold (e.g., <=30%) and disable the internal backlight when
the battery level satisfies a second threshold (e.g., <=10%).
Reducing and/or disabling the keyboard internal backlights may
prolong the life of the batteries to enable the keyboard 170 to
continue to be used for a longer period of time.
[0074] The keyboard 170 may include an ambient light sensor (ALS)
for determining the level of ambient lighting. The ALS in the
keyboard 170 may provide the ambient light level to the controller
in the keyboard 170 and the controller may provide the ambient
light level to the dual-display computing device 100. When the
keyboard 170 is not placed on one of the display devices 102, 104,
the controller may disable the internal keyboard backlights when
the ambient light level is above a predetermined ambient light
threshold. Disabling the internal keyboard backlights in a high
ambient light level environment may prolong the battery life by not
incurring the power drain power caused by the backlights.
[0075] In addition to enabling or disabling the internal keyboard
backlights, the ambient light level determined by the ALS may be
used to adjust (e.g., dim or brighten) the internal keyboard
backlights according to the ambient lighting conditions. In
addition to providing an improved user experience, adjusting a
brightness level of the internal keyboard backlights according to
ambient lighting conditions may prolong keyboard battery life.
[0076] Thus, the keyboard 170 may be coupled to one of the display
devices 102, 104 of the dual-display computing device 100. The
keycaps 702 of the keyboard 170 may be backlit (i) using backlights
internal to the keyboard 170 or (ii) from an external light source
(e.g., external to the keyboard), such as one of the display
devices 102, 104. The backlight provided by the external source may
conserve battery power and increase battery life for the battery in
the keyboard 170, enabling the keyboard 170 to be used for a longer
period of time.
[0077] The keyboard 170 may be temporarily attached to one of the
display devices 102, 104 using a coupling mechanism between the
keyboard 170 and the dual-display computing device 100. For
example, the coupling between the keyboard 170 and the dual-display
computing device 100 may use a combination of (i) magnets or (ii)
magnets and metal plates. For example, the keyboard 170 may include
magnets and the computing device 100 may include magnets or metal
plates. As another example, the computing device 100 may include
magnets and the keyboard 170 may include magnets or metal plates.
In some cases, the magnets in the computing device 100 may be a
permanent magnet or an electro-magnet that is under software
control.
[0078] An ambient light sensor (ALS) in the keyboard 170 may
provide information that enables software executing in the
computing device 100 to determine whether the keycaps 702 should be
backlit (e.g., illuminated) and an intensity of the illumination.
The dual-display computing device 100 may determine the presence of
the keyboard 170 and adjust the display device on which the
keyboard 170 has been placed to provide an external backlight to
the keyboard 170. When using the internal keyboard backlights, the
keyboard 170 may use data provided by a battery sensor to determine
whether to use the internal backlights and if used, an intensity of
the internal backlights.
[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view 600 of various layers of
the keyboard 170. The keyboard 170 includes a keyboard enclosure. A
length 602 of the keyboard 170 may be less than or equal to a
widest dimension of each of the display devices 102, 104. A width
604 of the keyboard 170 may be less than or equal to a narrowest
dimension of each of the display devices 102, 104. In some cases,
the width 604 of the keyboard 170 may be one-half to two-thirds of
the narrowest dimension of the second display device 104 to enable
a remainder of one of the display devices 102, 104 to be used as
the trackpad 502. In some cases, the width 604 of the keyboard 170
may match the narrowest dimension of the second display device 104
such that the entire display device is covered by the keyboard 170.
In some cases, the width 604 of the keyboard 170 may be no more
than one half of the narrowest dimension of one of the display
devices 102, 104, allowing a portion of one of the display devices
102, 104 to be used to display content while enabling the keyboard
to be used on a remaining portion of the display device. A height
606 of the keyboard 606 may be fairly thin (e.g., between about 1
millimeter (mm) to about 100 mm) to enable a user to view the first
display device 102.
[0080] A bottom layer of the keyboard 170 may comprise a light
separating mask 612. The light separating mask 612 may be a
transparent panel with an opaque mask coupled to the transparent
panel. The pattern of the opaque mask may correspond to the
placement of keys on a keyboard assembly 608 that is located above
the light separating mask 612. The pattern of the opaque mask may
provide an opaque border around key borders while the center of
each key remains open and therefore transparent. The light
separating mask 612 allows light from the second display device 104
to travel directly upwards towards a specific key while reducing
the amount of light that reaches the specific key from a
neighboring portion of the second display device 104. In some
cases, the transparent panel and the opaque mask may be two
separate components that are combined to form the light separating
mask 612.
[0081] A middle layer of the keyboard 170 may include a lensing
system 610. The pattern of the lensing system 610 may correspond to
the placement of keys on the keyboard assembly 608 that is located
above the lensing system 610. The pattern of the lensing system 610
may provide one or more lensing elements for each backlit key on
the keyboard 170. The one or more lensing elements for any
individual key may be located between the keycap of the key and the
portion of the second display device 104 located directly below the
key. The lensing system 610 may redirect the light from the second
display device 104 to focus the light onto a point or area on a
keycap 702 of the key. For example, the one or more lensing
elements may have a plano-convex shape, a plano-concave shape, or
another type of geometric shape. Each lensing element of the
lensing system 610 may include a Fresnel lens, a cylindrical lens,
a lenticular lens, or combinations thereof.
[0082] A top layer of the keyboard 170 may include a keyboard
assembly 608. The keyboard assembly 608 may include, for example, a
keyboard controller and, for each of a plurality of keys, a keycap,
a return mechanism, a press sensing mechanism, and one or more key
backlights. The keyboard controller may detect depressions and
releases of the keys and report them to an external device, such as
the computing device 100 of FIG. 1. The return mechanism may cause
the keycap to return to a resting position after each depression.
The press sensing mechanism may detect the depression and release
of each key. The one or more key backlights may provide
illumination for each key from within the keyboard 170. The keycap
of each key of the keyboard 170 may include a translucent or
transparent area to enable a backlight to illuminate each key.
[0083] Each backlit key on the keyboard 170 may include voids
(e.g., void areas) where light may pass from the second display
device 104 to the lensing system 610 located below each key and
from the lensing system 610 to each keycap. In some cases, portions
of the return mechanism may be fabricated from transparent
materials to increase the transparent properties of each key.
[0084] Thus, the keyboard 170 may include multiple layers to
provide a conventional keyboard functionality and to control the
path of illumination from an external light source when
backlighting the keycaps 702 from the external light source, such
as one of the display devices 102, 104.
[0085] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a key mechanism 700
according to some embodiments. For example, each of the keys of the
keyboard 170 of FIG. 1 may use a mechanism similar to the key
mechanism 700. A keycap 702 (e.g., the character `F` is used for
illustration purposes in FIG. 7) may be placed above a butterfly
mechanism 704. The butterfly mechanism 704 may lift the keycaps 702
due to magnetic repulsion. When a user applies an amount of
pressure that is greater than a predetermined amount to the keycap
702, the butterfly mechanism 704 may move from a first height to a
second height (e.g., that is lower than the first height), and
cause the keyboard 170 of FIG. 1 to register a key press of a
particular key (e.g., the `F` key is illustrated in FIG. 7).
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the key may include two key
backlights 708(1), 708(2) which may be integrated with (e.g.,
attached to) the butterfly mechanism 704. Of course, in some cases,
less than two key backlights (e.g., one key backlight) or more than
two key backlights (e.g., three key backlights, four key
backlights, or the like) may be integrated into the butterfly
mechanism 704. The plurality of key backlights 708 for all of the
keys 700 on the keyboard 170 may be referred to collective as the
keyboard backlight or the keyboard backlights.
[0087] In some cases, the plurality of key backlights 708 may
include lenses to focus the backlight onto one or more specific
areas 710 of the keycap 702. For example, the key backlights 708
may illuminate the alphanumeric character or symbol on the keycap
702 (the letter "F" in FIG. 7).
[0088] The base 706 of each individual key 700, may include one or
more open areas 716 devoid of material or components. Light
originating from an external light source 714 located below the key
700 may travel (e.g., shine) through one or more unobstructed
pathways 712 to illuminate the keycap 702, as an alternative to
using the key backlights 708. The one or more unobstructed pathways
712 may include transparent material such as, for example, a light
separating mask 612 or a lensing system 610 or one or more open
areas 716. Using the external light source 714 to illuminate the
key 700 and turning the key backlights 708 off may result in
prolonging a battery life of the keyboard 170 when the external
light source 714 is used.
[0089] Thus, the keys 700 on the keyboard 170 may be backlit (e.g.,
illuminated). When backlit, the source of the illumination may be
the key backlights 708 that are located within the key 700 or the
external light source 714. The external light source 714 may be
used when available to increase the keyboard's battery life and
enable the keyboard 170 to be used for a longer period of time as
compared to using the internal backlights powered by the keyboard's
battery.
[0090] FIG. 8 is a diagram 800 illustrating an alternate key
mechanism 800 that includes multiple backlight options according to
some embodiments. The keys are attached to the keyboard 170 of FIG.
1 via two pieces 804(1) and 804(2) that interlock similar to a pair
of scissors. A dome 802 may serve as a spring to lift the keycap
702.
[0091] The key mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8 shows a first
portion 810 of a switch that is part of the base 706 and a second
portion 808 of the switch that is part of the scissor mechanism
804. FIG. 8 shows the scissor mechanism when the keycap 702 is not
depressed. When the keycap 702 is depressed, switch parts 808, 810
may come into contact with or into proximity to each other to
signal a key depression.
[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the key may comprise one or more
key backlights 708(1), 708(2), 708(3), 708(4) which may be
integrated with (e.g., attached to) the scissor mechanism 804. In
some cases, the key backlights 708 may include lenses to focus the
backlight onto specific areas of the keycap 702.
[0093] The base 706 of each individual key 800, may include one or
more open areas 716 ("voids") that are devoid of material or
components. When an external light source 714 (e.g., one of the
display devices 102, 104) is being used, light originating from the
external light source 714 located below the key 800 may travel
through one or more unobstructed pathways 712 to illuminate the
keycap 702. Alternately, if the external light source 714 is not
being used, the key backlights 708 located within the key 800 may
be used to illuminate the keycap 702. The one or more unobstructed
pathways 712 may include transparent material such as, for example,
a light separating mask 612, a lensing system 610, one or more open
areas 716, or any combination thereof. Using the external light
source 714 to illuminate the key 800 and turning the key backlights
708 off may result in a substantial extension of the battery life
of the keyboard 170 of FIG. 1 when the external light source 714 is
available.
[0094] Thus, each key 800 of the keyboard 170 may be illuminated
using (i) the key backlights 708 that are internal to the key 800
(e.g., powered by batteries in the keyboard 170) or (ii) the
external light source 714 (e.g., one of the display devices 102,
104). Using the external light source 714 may enable the key
backlights 708 to be unused, thereby prolonging the battery life of
batteries in the keyboard 170. In this way, the user can use the
keyboard 170 for a longer period of time while enjoying the
experience of using backlit keys.
[0095] In the flow diagram of FIG. 9, each block represents one or
more operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a
combination thereof. In the context of software, the blocks
represent computer-executable instructions that, when executed by
one or more processors, cause the processors to perform the recited
operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include
routines, programs, objects, modules, components, data structures,
and the like that perform particular functions or implement
particular abstract data types. The order in which the blocks are
described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any
number of the described operations can be combined in any order
and/or in parallel to implement the processes. For discussion
purposes, the process 900 is described with reference to FIGS. 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, as described above, although other models,
frameworks, systems and environments may be used to implement this
process.
[0096] FIG. 9 is a process 900 that includes enabling a keyboard
backlight based on various conditions. The process 900 may be
performed by hardware and/or software located within a keyboard
170, within the dual-display computing device 100 of FIG. 1 or a
combination thereof. For example, a controller within the keyboard
170 may directly control the internal backlights, including turning
the internal backlights on and off and modifying (e.g., adjusting)
a brightness of the internal backlights. The computing device 100
may wirelessly communicate with the keyboard 170 to instruct the
keyboard to turn the internal backlights on or off, modify the
brightness of the internal backlights, display a trackpad (or other
input area), modify a color of one or more keys, or the like.
[0097] At 902, ambient light data from ambient light sensor (ALS)
associated with a keyboard may be received. At 904, a determination
may be made whether the ambient light data satisfies an ambient
light threshold (e.g., is the environment dimly lit). If a
determination is made that "yes" the ambient light data satisfies
the ambient light threshold (e.g., the environment is dimly lit),
then the process may proceed to 906. If a determination is made
that "no" the ambient light data does not satisfy the ambient light
threshold (e.g., environment is brightly lit), then the process may
proceed to 902, where additional data may be received from the ALS.
For example, in FIG. 1, the computing device 100 may receive
ambient light data from at least one of the ALS 162(1), 162(2). The
computing device 100 may determine, based on the ambient light
data, whether the ambient light in an external environment
satisfies an ambient light threshold, indicating that the
environment is dimly lit. If the computing device 100 determines
that the environment is dimly lit, then the computing device 100
may determine whether an external backlight or an internal
backlight can be used to backlight the keys. If the computing
device 100 determines that the environment is not dimly lit (e.g.,
the environment is brightly lit), then the computing device 100 may
continue to monitor the data provided by the ALS 162.
[0098] At 906, a determination may be made whether the keyboard has
been placed on a display device (e.g., an external light source).
If a determination is made, at 906, that "yes" they keyboard has
been placed on the display device, then the process may proceed to
914 (e.g., where the external light source may be used as a
backlight). If a determination is made, at 906, that "no" the
keyboard has not been placed on the display device, then the
process may proceed to 908 (e.g., where the internal backlight may
be used if the internal batteries have at least a predetermined
battery level). For example, in FIG. 5, if the computing device 100
determines that the keyboard 170 has been placed on the display
device 104, then the computing device 100 may instruct the keyboard
170 to turn off (or not turn on) the internal backlight and may
configure the display device 104 to provide a backlight to the
keyboard 170 and, in some cases, a specialized input area 502
(e.g., for a trackpad or other specialized keys).
[0099] At 908, a determination may be made whether the keyboard's
battery level satisfies a predetermined battery level. If a
determination is made, at 908, that "yes" the keyboard's battery
level satisfies the predetermined battery level (e.g., battery
level is N % or greater, where N=20, 30, 40 or the like), then the
process may proceed to 912, where the keyboard's internal backlight
is enabled, and the process may proceed to 902. If a determination
is made, at 908, that "no" the keyboard's battery level does not
satisfy the predetermined battery level (e.g., battery level is
less than N %), then the process may proceed to 910, where the
keyboard's internal backlight is disabled, and the process may
proceed to 902. For example, in FIG. 5, if the computing device 100
determines that the keyboard 170 in not located on either of the
display devices 102, 104, then the computing device 100 may
determine a battery level of a battery in the keyboard 170. If the
battery level is greater than a predetermined amount (e.g., 30%,
40%, 50% or the like), then the computing device 100 may instruct
the keyboard 170 to turn on the internal backlight. If the battery
level is less than or equal to the predetermined amount (e.g., 30%,
40%, 50% or the like), then the computing device 100 may instruct
the keyboard 170 to not turn on (or turn off) the internal
backlight. In some cases, such as in a dimly lit environment, if
the keyboard's battery level is below the predetermined threshold
and the internal backlight is currently not being used, the user
may manually turn on the internal backlight. In response, the
computing device 100 may display a warning message indicating that
the keyboard's battery level is low and providing one or more
recommendations. For example, the recommendations may include
suggesting that (i) the user obtain new batteries or (ii) the
keyboard be connected to the computing device using a cable (e.g.,
USB cable) to enable the computing device to power the keyboard
(and recharge the batteries in the keyboard if the batteries are
rechargeable).
[0100] At 914, the keyboard's internal backlight may be disabled.
At 916, the external display device located below the keyboard may
be used to backlight the keyboard, and the process may proceed to
902. For example, in FIG. 5, if the computing device 100 determines
that the keyboard 170 has been placed on the display device 104,
then the computing device 100 may instruct the keyboard 170 to turn
off (or not turn on) the internal backlight and may configure the
display device 104 to provide a backlight to the keyboard 170 and,
in some cases, a specialized input area 502 (e.g., for a trackpad
or other specialized keys).
[0101] Thus, a keyboard may be backlit using a variety of systems
and techniques as described herein. For example, the keyboard may
include an internal backlight that is powered by batteries internal
to the keyboard. The keyboard may be capable of using an external
light source (e.g., one of the display devices 102, 104) to
backlight the keys. If ALS data indicates that the keyboard has
been placed in a dimly lit environment, the keys may be backlit to
improve the user's typing experience. If the keys are to be backlit
due to a dimly lit environment and the keyboard is determined to
have been placed on an external light source (e.g., one of the
display devices 102, 104), then the external light source may be
used and the internal backlight may not be used. In this way, the
length of time that the keyboard can be powered by the keyboard's
internal batteries may be increased. If the keys are to be backlit
due to a dimly lit environment and the keyboard is not located on
an external light source, then the internal backlight may be used
if the keyboard's battery level is above a predetermined threshold
(e.g., 10%, 20%, 30% or the like). In some cases, in a dimly lit
environment, if the keyboard's battery level is below the
predetermined threshold and the internal backlight is not used, the
user may override the "internal backlight off" setting to turn on
the internal backlight. In response, the computing device may
display a warning message indicating that the keyboard's battery
level is low and providing one or more recommendations. For
example, the recommendations may include obtaining new batteries,
connecting the keyboard to the computing device using a cable
(e.g., USB cable) to enable the computing device to power the
keyboard (and recharge the batteries in the keyboard if the
batteries are rechargeable), and the like.
[0102] FIG. 10 is a detail view 1000 illustrating various
techniques that may be employed to retain a keyboard 170 on a
dual-display computing device 100. The keyboard 170 may be
temporarily attached to the dual-display computing device 100 using
mechanical latches, alignment of mechanical features, friction
pads, gravity, magnetism, hook and loop fasteners, another type of
retention technique, or combinations thereof.
[0103] FIG. 10A illustrates one of a plurality of mechanical
latches that may couple the keyboard 170 to the dual-display
computing device 100. At each latch location, a spring-loaded latch
1002 may exit the keyboard 170 via a keyboard latch aperture 1004.
The spring-loaded latch 1002 may enter the dual-display computing
device 100 via a laptop latch aperture 1008. Inside the
dual-display computing device 100, the spring-loaded latch 1002 may
grasp a peg 1006 and hold the keyboard 170 onto the dual-display
computing device 100. To remove the keyboard 170 from the
dual-display computing device 100, a user may press a release 1010
to displace the spring-loaded latch 1002 and free the spring-loaded
latch 1002 from the peg 1006.
[0104] FIG. 10B illustrates one of a plurality of alignment
features that the keyboard 170 and the dual-display computing
device 100 may employ to retain the keyboard 170 in a particular
position. A shaped protrusion 1012 on the keyboard 170 may seat
into a shaped indentation 1014 on the dual-display computing device
100. The shaped protrusion 1012 and the shaped indentation 1014 may
be complementary shapes and sizes such that the shaped protrusion
1012 fits within the shaped indentation 1014. Note that, in some
cases, the shaped protrusion 1012 and the shaped indentation 1014
may be reversed, with the shaped protrusion 1012 on the
dual-display computing device 100 and the shaped indentation 1014
on the keyboard 170.
[0105] FIG. 10B illustrates that a magnetic field sensor 1024
(lower) located in the dual-display computing device 100 may sense
the proximity of a magnet 1016 (upper) located in the keyboard 170
to detect the presence of the keyboard 170 above a display panel
1020. For example, the magnetic field sensor 1024 may be a
Hall-effect sensor or similar sensor.
[0106] FIG. 10C illustrates one of a plurality of magnetic
retainers that the keyboard 170 and the dual-display computing
device 100 may use to retain the keyboard 170 in one or more
positions. The upper magnet 1016 in the keyboard 170 may attract a
lower magnet 1018 in the dual-display computing device 100, thereby
pulling the keyboard 170 and the dual-display computing device 100
together to align the keyboard 170 with the dual-display computing
device 100. In some cases, the upper magnet 1016 and the lower
magnet 1018 may be permanent magnets, such as, for example,
rare-Earth magnets. The magnetic retainer may be used for the
dual-display computing device 100 when the display panel 1020
(e.g., one of the display devices 102, 104 of FIG. 1) covers a
large portion (50% or more) of the top surface of the dual-display
computing device 100 and does not allow room for mechanical latches
or other alignment features.
[0107] Also illustrated in FIG. 10C are an upper magnet sensor 1022
located in a keyboard 170 and a lower magnet sensor 1024 located in
a dual-display computing device 100. The lower magnet sensor 1024,
the upper magnet sensor 1022, or both may be used for detection of
the presence of the keyboard 170 on a display panel 1020 of the
dual-display computing device 100. The upper magnet sensor 1022, if
present, may allow the keyboard 170 to sense the proximity of a
lower magnet 1018 to determine that the keyboard 170 is located on
the display panel 1020. The lower magnet sensor 1024, if present,
may allow the dual-display computing device 100 to determine the
proximity of an upper magnet 1016 to determine that the keyboard
170 is in position on the display panel 1020. In cases where only
the upper magnet sensor 1022 or only the lower magnet sensor 1024
is provided, the device capable of detecting the presence of the
keyboard 170 on the display panel 1020 may communicate such status
to the other device. For example, if only the upper magnet sensor
1022 is provided, the keyboard 170 may determine that the keyboard
170 is positioned on the display panel 1020 and may communicate
this information to the dual-display computing device 100. If only
the lower magnet sensor 1024 is provided, the dual-display
computing device 100 may determine that the keyboard 170 is
positioned on the display panel 1020 and may communicate this
information to the keyboard 170.
[0108] The techniques illustrated in FIG. 10 may be used in
conjunction with each other. For example, the magnets of FIG. 10C
may be combined with shaped protrusions 1012 and shaped
indentations 1014 of FIG. 10B. In this example, the magnets may be
used to detect the presence or absence of the keyboard 170 while
the protrusions 1012 and indentations 1014 may be used to
temporarily hold the keyboard in a particular position.
Alternately, the magnets may be located in the protrusions 1012 and
in the indentations 1014 to temporarily hold the keyboard in a
particular position and enable detection of the presence or absence
of the keyboard 170. As yet another alternative, the magnets may be
used to temporarily hold the keyboard in a particular position
while the protrusions 1012 or the indentations 1014 may include a
microswitch that is activated when the protrusions are placed in
the indentations, causing the computing device 100 to detect the
presence of the keyboard 170.
[0109] FIG. 11 is a detail view 1100 illustrating how a second
display device 104 of a dual-display computing device 100 can
control the on/off state, intensity, and color of keys on a
keyboard 170 when the backlight for the keyboard 170 is provided by
the second display device 104.
[0110] When the keyboard 170 is located on (e.g. over a portion of)
the second display device 104 and the backlight for the keyboard
170 is being provided by the second display device 104, the
dual-display computing device 100 may control the appearance of
each key on the keyboard by changing the image being displayed on
the second display device 104 on the portion of the second display
device 104 that is beneath the key. For example, the dual-display
computing device 100 may control whether or not the key is backlit,
an intensity of the key backlight, a color of the key backlight,
and the like. By changing the appearance of specific areas of the
second display device 104, software on the dual-display computing
device 100 may control the appearance of keys on the keyboard 170,
either individually or in groups, including the ability to change
the coloring of the key or make the keys blink. For example, when a
prompt is displayed, the "Y" key cap and the "N" key cap may each
blink to indicate that the user may select "Y" for "yes" or "N" for
"no" to respond to the prompt.
[0111] As non-limiting example, if a first display portion 1102 of
the second display device 104 that is beneath the `G` key is
programmed to show a white field, then the light from the white
field may be focused onto a first keycap 1122 above the white field
to illuminate the letter `G` on the first keycap 1122. The light
may pass through a light separating mask 612 and a first lens 1112
in passing from the first display portion 1102 of the second
display device 104 to the first keycap 1122. If a second display
portion 1104 of the second display device 104 that is beneath the
`H` key is programmed to show a black field, then the absence of
light from the black field may cause a second keycap 1124 above the
black field to darken the letter `H` on the second keycap 1124.
Minimal light, if any, may pass through the light separating mask
612 and a second lens 1114 in passing from the second display
portion 1104 of the second display device 104 to the second keycap
1124. If a third display portion 1106 of the second display device
104 that is beneath the `J` key is programmed to show a gray field
where the gray field is darker than the white field and brighter
than the black field, then the light from the gray field may be
focused onto a third keycap 1126 above the gray field to illuminate
the letter `J` on the third keycap 1126 and the letter `J` may
appear to be dimmer than the left `G` described above. The light
may pass through the light separating mask 612 and a third lens
1116 in passing from the third display portion 1106 of the second
display device 104 to the third keycap 1126. If a fourth display
portion 1108 of the second display device 104 that is beneath the
`K` key is programmed to show a green field, then the light from
the green field may be focused onto the keycap above the green
field to illuminate the letter `K` on a fourth keycap 1128 and the
letter `K` may appear to be green. The light may pass through the
light separating mask 612 and a fourth lens 1118 in passing from
the fourth display portion 1108 of the second display device 104 to
the fourth keycap 1128. If a fifth display portion 1110 of the
second display device 104 that is beneath the `L` key is programmed
to alternate between the white field and the black field with a
period of 1 second, then the light from the white field may be
focused onto a fifth keycap 1130 above the white field to
illuminate the letter `L` on the keycap and the absence of light
from the black field may cause the fifth keycap 1130 above the
black field to darken the letter `L` on the fifth keycap 1130. The
light may pass through the light separating mask 612 and a fifth
lens 1120 in passing from the fifth display portion 1110 of the
second display device 104 to the fifth keycap 1130. The letter `L`
may appear to blink on and off with a period of 1 second.
[0112] In some embodiments, the ability to change the brightness of
individual keys by controlling the intensity of a display field
below the key may be used to compensate for differences in the
light path associated with each key. As a non-limiting example, if
a first key appears to be dimmer than a second key because of
differences in the key sizes, differences in the key mechanisms, or
other differences between the keys, then the intensity of the
display area under the second key may be reduced such that the
brightness of both keycaps appears to be approximately (e.g.,
imperceptibly) the same. In this way, the intensity of all keys on
the keyboard 170 may be adjusted to be brighter or dimmer by
changing the appearance of the second display device 104 under each
key until all keys appear to have a similar or same brightness. The
resulting display intensities may be saved and recalled each time
that the keyboard 170 is placed onto the second display device
104.
[0113] Thus, the dual-display computing device 100 may change the
on/off state, the intensity, and the color of keycaps 702 when the
keyboard 170 is located on the second display device 104 and the
second display device 104 is providing the backlighting of the
keyboard 170 by changing the appearance of areas of the second
display device 104 that lie directly beneath affected keys. The
dual-display computing device 100 may also cause the appearance of
the keycaps 702 to change over time by changing the appearance of
portions of the second display device 104 over time.
[0114] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an architecture of a keyboard
170 according to some embodiments. In some implementations, the
keyboard 170 may comprise a keyboard controller 1202. As a
non-limiting example, the keyboard controller 1202 may be a
microprocessor or microcontroller that directs the operation of all
elements of the keyboard 170. The keyboard 170 may comprise a
keyboard memory 1204 and one or more keyboard I/O ports 1206. In
some embodiments, the keyboard controller 1202 may be a single-chip
microcontroller where the keyboard controller 1202, the keyboard
memory 1204 and the one or more keyboard I/O ports 1206 reside in a
single package. Software instructions implementing an operating
system and one or more applications, including at least one
application capable of scanning a plurality of keys 1222,
communicating keystrokes to an external device, and managing key
backlights 708 may be stored in the keyboard memory 1204 and
executed by the keyboard controller 1202.
[0115] The keyboard controller 1202 may communicate with other
elements of the keyboard 170 via keyboard buses 1208. As
non-limiting examples, the keyboard controller 1202 may communicate
with a keyboard ambient light sensor 1210, one or more keyboard
communication interfaces 1212, a key interface 1214, one or more
backlight drivers 1216, and a keyboard battery sensor 1218 via the
keyboard buses 1208.
[0116] The keyboard ambient light sensor 1210 may provide one or
more parameters to the keyboard controller 1202 that are indicative
of the ambient light level outside of the keyboard 170. As a
non-limiting example, the keyboard controller 1202 may use this
information, by itself or in combination with other information, to
make a determination regarding when the key backlights 708 should
be turned on or off.
[0117] The one or more keyboard communication interfaces 1212 may
provide a wireless interface to an external device. As a
non-limiting example, the external device may be a dual-display
computing device 100. As non-limiting examples, the one or more
keyboard communication interfaces 1212 may provide a Bluetooth
link, an NFC link, a Zigbee link, a Wi-Fi link, an optical link, a
proprietary communication link, or combinations thereof. The
communications interface 1212 may be capable of providing wireless
communications (e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, or the like),
wired communications (e.g., via USB), or both. For example, when a
USB cable is used to connect the keyboard 170 to the computing
device 100, the USB cable may enable the computing device 100 to
provide power (e.g., via USB) to the keyboard 170. The power
provided from the computing device 100 via the USB cable may be
used to power the keyboard 170, including the plurality of key
backlights 708, and to charge the one or more batteries 1220 (if
the batteries 1220 are rechargeable).
[0118] The key interface 1214 may provide one or more input and/or
output lines to the plurality of keys 1222. Using the key interface
1214, the keyboard controller 1202 may be able to determine the
pressed/released state of each individual key selected from the
plurality of keys 1222 and may communicate the status of the
plurality of keys 1222 to the external device. As non-limiting
examples, the key interface 1214 may provide a single line to each
key comprising the plurality of keys 1222, may provide a matrix of
row lines and columns lines that intersect at individual keys, may
provide a single serial line to a plurality of keys, or
combinations thereof.
[0119] The one or more backlight drivers 1216 may control the
on/off state of the key backlights 708 that are located through the
keyboard 170. Under the command of the keyboard controller 1202,
the one or more backlight drivers 1216 may turn the key backlights
708 on such that keycaps 702 are illuminated using energy provided
by one or more keyboard batteries 1220 or may turn the key
backlights 708 off such that the keycaps 702 are either not
illuminated or are illuminated from an external source of
illumination. In some embodiments, the one or more backlight
drivers 1216 may control the intensity of the illumination.
[0120] The keyboard battery sensor 1218 may sense one or more
electrical characteristics of the one or more keyboard batteries
1220 and may report the electrical characteristics to the keyboard
controller 1202 such that the keyboard controller 1202 may estimate
the percentage of the battery life that is remaining.
[0121] The one or more keyboard batteries 1220 may comprise one or
more energy-storage devices. The one or more keyboard batteries
1220 may be a source of electrical energy to operate the keyboard
controller 1202, the keyboard memory 1204, the one or more keyboard
I/O ports 1206, the keyboard ambient light sensor 1210, the one or
more keyboard communication interfaces 1212, the key interface
1214, the one or more backlight drivers 1216, the keyboard battery
sensor 1218, the key backlights 708 and other electrical components
that might be located within the keyboard 170. The one or more
keyboard batteries 1220 may be replaceable or rechargeable.
[0122] Thus, a keyboard 170 may include software that monitors the
plurality of keys 1222 for activity and reports the key activity to
an external device via the one or more keyboard communication
interfaces 1212. Software may also make a determination as to
whether or not the one or more backlight drivers 1216 should be
used to illuminate the key backlights 708 based upon parameters
provided by the keyboard battery sensor 1218 and the keyboard
ambient light sensor 1210.
[0123] The example systems and computing devices described herein
are merely examples suitable for some implementations and are not
intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or
functionality of the environments, architectures and frameworks
that can implement the processes, components and features described
herein. Thus, implementations herein are operational with numerous
environments or architectures, and may be implemented in general
purpose and special-purpose computing systems, or other devices
having processing capability. Generally, any of the functions
described with reference to the figures can be implemented using
software, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry) or a combination
of these implementations. The term "module," "mechanism" or
"component" as used herein generally represents software, hardware,
or a combination of software and hardware that can be configured to
implement prescribed functions. For instance, in the case of a
software implementation, the term "module," "mechanism" or
"component" can represent program code (and/or declarative-type
instructions) that performs specified tasks or operations when
executed on a processing device or devices (e.g., CPUs or
processors). The program code can be stored in one or more
computer-readable memory devices or other computer storage devices.
Thus, the processes, components and modules described herein may be
implemented by a computer program product.
[0124] Furthermore, this disclosure provides various example
implementations, as described and as illustrated in the drawings.
However, this disclosure is not limited to the implementations
described and illustrated herein, but can extend to other
implementations, as would be known or as would become known to
those skilled in the art. Reference in the specification to "one
implementation," "this implementation," "these implementations" or
"some implementations" means that a particular feature, structure,
or characteristic described is included in at least one
implementation, and the appearances of these phrases in various
places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same implementation.
[0125] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with several embodiments, the invention is not intended
to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents as can be reasonably included within the scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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