Acer Advanced Labs, Inc.

Phillips Tsai

Richard T Hsu

Sohrab Vossoughi

Stewart Hsu

An apparatus and method for expanding a portable computer keyboard (6) to approximate a full size desktop keyboard. The device and method include a linkage assembly (8) for automatically separating first and second keyboard portions (44, 46) from each other when the display module (22) of the computer is opened into its operating configuration. The linkage assembly is further adapted to automatically move the keyboard into a collapsed position when the display module is closed into the carrying or carrying configuration. In one embodiment, the keyboard portions are pivoted away from each other to form an angle therebetween to improve user hand and wrist orientation during use of the keyboard.

Expandable keyboard for a portable computer

An apparatus and method for providing a portable computer keyboard (6) with a forward and downward slope. The device and method include a linkage assembly (8) for automatically moving the keyboard into an inclined position when the display module (22) of the computer is opened into its operating configuration. The linkage assembly is further adapted to automatically move the keyboard into a substantially parallel orientation relative to the computer housing (10) when the display module is closed into the carrying or carrying configuration. A disabling mechanism (80) is coupled to the linkage assembly for preventing the linkage from moving the keyboard between the carrying and operating positions as the display module is opened and closed.

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Taipei, Taiwan

Phillips Tsai