Keyboard system for tablet computer

Abstract

The utility model relates to a keyboard system for a tablet personal computer, the keyboard system is arranged on a protective shell of the tablet personal computer, the keyboard system comprises a USB connector, a USB concentrator module, a PD charging module, a USB audio decoding module, a keyboard module and a Hall device, the USB connector is used for being connected with the tablet personal computer, the PD charging module and the USB concentrator module are electrically connected with the USB connector, and the USB audio decoding module is electrically connected with the keyboard module. The PD charging module comprises at least one USB interface used for being connected with external equipment. The USB audio decoding module, the keyboard module and the Hall device are respectively and electrically connected with the USB concentrator module, the USB audio decoding module comprises an earphone interface used for being connected with an earphone, the keyboard module comprises keys used for character input, and the Hall device is electrically connected with the USB concentrator module. The Hall device is used for obtaining state information of the protective shell and sending the state information to the keyboard module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of keyboards and relates to a keyboard system for a tablet computer. Background Art

[0002] With the popularity of tablet computers in daily work, more and more consumers choose to use tablet computers to edit documents, make PPTs, process emails, etc. In addition, some specific applications can also be used in various fields such as architectural design, programming development, and financial management. Using tablet computers can make it easier for us to complete our work tasks.

[0003] Tablet computers have the following shortcomings: they use a touch screen for input, which is not as efficient as a traditional keyboard, and there is no input feedback from a traditional keyboard, which is not in line with the usage habits of the general public; the space is compact, and there is usually only one USB port. When an external keyboard is connected and a USB flash drive is used for data exchange or charging, the device needs to be plugged in and out, which is very inconvenient; most tablet computers have cancelled the 3.5mm headphone jack, and 3.5mm headphone jacks cannot be used on tablet computers. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to overcome the problems existing in the related art, the present application aims to provide a keyboard system for a tablet computer, which can improve the input efficiency of the tablet computer, enhance the input feel, and protect the tablet computer from damage without affecting the portability of the tablet computer.

[0005] The present application is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0006] The technical solution is to provide a keyboard system for a tablet computer, which is arranged on a protective shell of the tablet computer, and includes a USB connector for connecting the tablet computer, a USB hub module, a PD charging module, a USB audio decoding module, a keyboard module and a Hall device, wherein the PD charging module and the USB hub module are electrically connected to the USB connector respectively, and the PD charging module includes at least one USB interface for connecting an external device;

[0007] The USB audio decoding module, the keyboard module and the Hall device are electrically connected to the USB hub module respectively, the USB audio decoding module includes an earphone interface for connecting to earphones, the keyboard module includes keys for character input, and the Hall device is used to obtain status information of the protective shell to send to the keyboard module.

[0008] The keyboard system of the present technical solution is arranged on the protective shell of the tablet computer and combined with the protective shell, so that the protective shell can protect the tablet computer while having the input efficiency and feel of a traditional keyboard. It also supports charging through the USB interface and the use of ordinary headphones. When not charging, the USB interface can also have the function of connecting to standard USB external devices, thereby maintaining the portability of the tablet computer.

[0009] In one implementation of the technical solution, the USB connector is a USB Type-C connector, and the TYPE-C connector is electrically connected to the PD charging module and the USB hub module via a data cable.

[0010] In one embodiment of the technical solution, the keyboard module includes a key module, a matrix scanning circuit and a microprocessor, the key module includes a plurality of keys for character input, the key module is used to trigger the matrix scanning circuit to realize character input, the matrix scanning circuit is electrically connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor is electrically connected to the USB hub module.

[0011] In one embodiment of the technical solution, a touch panel module for touch input is further included, and the touch panel module is electrically connected to the microprocessor of the keyboard module.

[0012] In one implementation of the technical solution, the headphone jack is a 3.5 mm standard jack or a USB TYPE-C jack.

[0013] In one embodiment of the technical solution, at least one of the USB interfaces is a USB Type-C interface compatible with the PD charging protocol.

[0014] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent through a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same components in the exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural block diagram of a keyboard system shown in one embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection structure of a USB connector shown in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 3It is a circuit structure schematic diagram of the PD protocol module shown in one embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 4 It is a circuit structure schematic diagram of a USB hub module shown in an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 5 1 is a circuit structure schematic diagram of a USB audio decoding module shown in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 6 It is a circuit structure schematic diagram of the headphone interface of the USB audio decoding module shown in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 7 It is a circuit structure principle diagram of the keyboard module shown in one embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 8 is a circuit structure schematic diagram of a touch panel module shown in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in some embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in some embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] This embodiment provides a keyboard system for a tablet computer, which is arranged on a protective shell of the tablet computer, and includes a USB connector for connecting the tablet computer, a USB hub module, a PD charging module, a USB audio decoding module, a keyboard module and a Hall device, wherein the PD charging module and the USB hub module are electrically connected to the USB connector respectively, and the PD charging module includes at least one USB interface for connecting an external device;

[0027] The USB audio decoding module, keyboard module and Hall device are electrically connected to the USB hub module respectively. The USB audio decoding module includes a headphone interface for connecting to headphones, the keyboard module includes keys for character input, and the Hall device is used to obtain status information of the protective shell and send it to the keyboard module.

[0028] In this way, the keyboard system is set on the protective case of the tablet computer and combined with the protective case, so that the protective case can protect the tablet computer while having the input efficiency and feel of a traditional keyboard. It also supports charging through the USB interface and the use of ordinary headphones. When not charging, the USB interface can also have the function of connecting to standard USB external devices, thereby maintaining the portability of the tablet computer.

[0029] In this embodiment, the Hall device is set at an appropriate position on the protective shell, and the Hall device sends spatial state information such as the opening or closing of the protective shell to the tablet computer, and sends it to the keyboard module through the USB hub module to support functional requirements related to the spatial state. According to actual needs, the Hall device can be one or more. For example, when the protective shell is opened, the Hall device sends a detection signal that the protective shell has been opened to the keyboard module and the tablet computer, so that the keyboard module and the tablet computer are activated. When the protective shell is closed, a detection signal is given to the keyboard module and the tablet computer, so that the keyboard module and the tablet computer are put into sleep or shut down, etc.

[0030] In this embodiment, the USB connector is a USB Type-C connector, which is electrically connected to the PD charging module and the USB hub module via a data cable. The USB connector is used to be plugged into the interface of the tablet computer, and the type of the USB connector can be selected and set according to the interface of the tablet computer to adapt to different tablet computers.

[0031] For example, Figure 2 As shown in , a circuit connection structure schematic diagram of a USB connector of a Type-C connector is shown.

[0032] In this embodiment, the PD protocol module includes a USB interface compatible with the PD charging protocol. Preferably, the USB interface is a USB Type-C interface. The PD protocol module completes the switching between the charging state and the discharging state, as well as the protocol handshake and other functions. For example, the PD protocol module charges the tablet computer by connecting the charger through the USB interface, and discharges the tablet computer by connecting the mobile phone and other electronic devices. In addition, the USB interface can also connect storage devices such as USB flash drives, as well as standard USB external devices such as printers.

[0033] For example, Figure 3 As shown in , a circuit structure schematic diagram of the PD protocol module is shown.

[0034] In this embodiment, the USB hub module expands a single-channel USB signal connected to the USB connector into multiple USB signals, which are respectively provided to the keyboard module, the USB audio decoding module, the Hall device and other standard USB external devices for use.

[0035] For example, Figure 4As shown in , a circuit structure schematic diagram of a USB hub module is shown.

[0036] In this embodiment, the USB audio decoding module is used to convert the USB signal transmitted by the USB hub module into an analog audio signal and output it through the headphone interface. The headphone interface is preferably a standard 3.5 mm interface, so that a large number of headphones with 3.5 mm interfaces on the market can be used on the tablet computer to avoid resource waste. The headphone interface can also be a USBTYPE-C interface to accommodate other types of headphones.

[0037] For example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , a circuit structure schematic diagram of a USB audio decoding module is shown.

[0038] In this embodiment, the keyboard module is used to complete the text and character input function, and the keyboard module includes a key module, a matrix scanning circuit and a microprocessor. The key module includes a plurality of keys for character input, and the key module is used to trigger the matrix scanning circuit to realize character input. The matrix scanning circuit is electrically connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor is electrically connected to the USB hub module. Preferably, the keyboard module is a laptop keyboard.

[0039] For example, Figure 7 As shown in , the circuit structure principle diagram of the keyboard module is shown.

[0040] In this embodiment, in order to realize touch input, the keyboard system also includes a touchpad module for touch input. The touchpad module is electrically connected to the microprocessor of the keyboard module. The touchpad module communicates with the MCU microprocessor of the keyboard module through interfaces such as I2C to send input signals to the tablet computer.

[0041] For example, Figure 8 As shown in , a circuit structure schematic diagram of the touch panel module is shown.

[0042] The embodiments of the present application have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or improvements to the technology in the market, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A keyboard system for a tablet computer, characterized in that: The keyboard system is arranged on the protective shell of the tablet computer, and includes a USB connector for connecting the tablet computer, a USB hub module, a PD charging module, a USB audio decoding module, a keyboard module and a Hall device, wherein the PD charging module and the USB hub module are electrically connected to the USB connector respectively, and the PD charging module includes at least one USB interface for connecting an external device; The USB audio decoding module, the keyboard module and the Hall device are electrically connected to the USB hub module respectively, the USB audio decoding module includes an earphone interface for connecting to earphones, the keyboard module includes keys for character input, and the Hall device is used to obtain status information of the protective shell to send to the keyboard module.

2. The keyboard system for a tablet computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The USB connector is a USB Type-C connector, and the Type-C connector is electrically connected to the PD charging module and the USB hub module via a data cable.

3. The keyboard system for a tablet computer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The keyboard module includes a key module, a matrix scanning circuit and a microprocessor. The key module includes a plurality of keys for character input. The key module is used to trigger the matrix scanning circuit to realize character input. The matrix scanning circuit is electrically connected to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor is electrically connected to the USB hub module.

4. The keyboard system for a tablet computer according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a touch panel module for touch input, and the touch panel module is electrically connected to the microprocessor of the keyboard module.

5. The keyboard system for a tablet computer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The headphone jack is a standard 3.5 mm jack or a USB TYPE-C jack.

6. The keyboard system for a tablet computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the USB interfaces is a USB Type-C interface compatible with the PD charging protocol.

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