Physical Keyboard Integrating Wireless Network Card Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physical keyboards for tablet computers separate key-in data input and network access functions, leading to a suboptimal user experience and increased costs due to the need for separate devices like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi routers.
Innovation Solution
A physical keyboard with integrated wireless network card and antenna capabilities, allowing both key-in data input and network access through spring-loaded pins and short-distance wireless communication, and optionally converting wireless networks into WLANs like Wi-Fi for multi-terminal access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices (Bluetooth keyboard and Wi-Fi router) are used for data input and network access, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the device quantity increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the keyboard functionality and wireless network access functionality into a single integrated device. The physical keyboard includes a card slot for inserting wireless network cards, allowing the keyboard to simultaneously serve as both an input device and a network access device, thereby reducing the total number of devices needed while maintaining functional optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The physical keyboard is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data input device and as a network access device. By incorporating a card slot that accepts wireless network cards (such as 4G or 5G network cards), the keyboard can establish network connections and share them with mobile terminals, making it a universal device that performs multiple functions
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices are used for data input and network access, then specialized functionality is achieved, but user cost increases due to purchasing multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the keyboard and network card receiver into a single device, allowing users to purchase one integrated device instead of two separate devices. This reduces the total cost while maintaining the specialized functionality of both keyboard input and wireless network access through the integrated card slot and antenna system
3Ease of operation
If a physical keyboard with integrated wireless network card is used, then device quantity is reduced and user experience is improved, but device structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the wireless network card slot, antenna, and keyboard components into a unified structure. The card slot is built into the keyboard housing, and the antenna is either integrated into the keyboard or the network card itself, creating a compact integrated device that improves user experience while managing internal structural complexity through design consolidation
Data Source
AI summary
A physical keyboard and a network access method are provided. The physical keyboard is provided with a card slot, and after a wireless network card is inserted into the card slot, the physical keyboard is connected to a wireless network by the wireless network card so that the mobile terminal can achieve network access through the wireless network connected to the physical keyboard while the key-in data input of the mobile terminal is accomplished. The physical keyboard of the present disclosure not only has the key-in data input function but also can achieve the network access by means of the wireless network card. Moreover, the network connected to the wireless network card may be converted into the WLANs such as a Wi-Fi network by the physical keyboard 10 to provide access points for other terminals, and this improves the using experience and meanwhile saves the consumption cost of the user.