Flexible Hinge and Removable Attachment

Abstract

Flexible hinge and removable attachment techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a flexible hinge is configured to communicatively and physically couple an input device to a computing device and may implement functionality such as a support layer and minimum bend radius. The input device may also include functionality to promote a secure physical connection between the input device and the computing device. One example of this includes use of one or more protrusions that are configured to be removed from respective cavities of the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. Other techniques include use of a laminate structure to form a connection portion of the input device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 an input portion comprising a plurality of keys that are configured to generate signals to be processed by a computing device as inputs;   a connection portion comprising:
 at least one communication contact configured to form a communicative coupling with the computing device to communicate the generated signals; and 
 a magnetic coupling device to form a removable magnetic attachment to the computing device; and 
   a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion, the flexible hinge carrying one or more conductors that communicatively couple the signals with the communication contact.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion has a complementary shape to a computing device housing. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein movement of the connection portion with respect to the computing device housing is limited when the connection portion is magnetically bound to the computing device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the connection portion is configured to be removed from the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connection portion comprises at least one communication contact configured to receive power from the computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises first and second outer layers that are physically secured to the connection portion and are configured to act as an outer surface of the plurality of keys of the input portion and the flexible hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the first outer layer is formed as a continuous fabric layer that covers the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second outer layer is formed from a material that is different from a material of the first outer layer. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the device comprises a third layer disposed in between the first and second outer layers and the third layer is formed from a material that has a higher resistance to tearing and stretching than the first outer layer. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible hinge is flexible in an amount that is sufficient to:
 orient the device in a first orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a display device of the computing device; and   orient the device in a second orientation with respect to the computing device to cover at least a portion of a housing of the computing device that is opposite a side of the computing device that includes the display device.   
     
     
         11 . A device comprising:
 a housing configured to support a mobile form factor;   a display device supported by the hosing;   one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware and disposed within the housing, the one or more modules configured to process signals received from an input device that is coupled to a side of the housing; and   a connection portion configured to couple the housing to the input device using:
 at least one contact configured to form a communicative coupling with at least one pin of the input device; and 
 at least one magnet configured to form a magnetic attachment with the input device. 
   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the connection portion of the device has a complementary shape to a connection portion of the input device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the connection portion is disposed on a side of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a channel that includes at least one cavity configured to receive a protrusion of the input device to permit removal of the input device from the channel along a particular axis. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the particular axis is defined by a depth of the cavity and the cavity is configured to restrict removal of the input device from the computing device along other axes. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 a housing of a computing device and an input device that are configured to be physically and communicatively coupled using:
 a connection portion comprising:
 at least one communication contact configured to communicate signals generated by an input portion of the input device and configured to communicate power generated by the computing device; and 
 a magnetic coupling device that is configured to form a removable magnetic attachment between the housing and the input device; and 
 
 a flexible hinge that is configured to flexibly connect the connection portion, the flexible hinge carrying one or more conductors that communicatively couple the signals with the communication contact. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the signals are generated by one or more of a plurality of keys of the input portion and are to be processed by the computing device as inputs. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the connection portion has a complementary shape to the housing of the computing device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein movement of the connection portion with respect to the housing of the computing device is limited when the connection portion is magnetically bound to the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the input device is configured to be physically removed from the computing device along a particular axis but mechanically bind along other axes.