Apple Inc.
Touch input device and keyboard device for electronic devices

Abstract:

A keyboard device and a touch input device are disclosed. The keyboard device may include several keys designed to generate a command to a computing system, and the touch input device may include a touch input surface designed to generate a touch input by contact with the touch input surface. In addition to carrying several keys, the keyboard device is designed to magnetically couple to the touch input device. Further, the keyboard device may include a transmitter coil and the touch input device may include a receiver coil such that the keyboard device can transmit power to the touch input device by inductive power transmission. The inductive charging can be used to power i) the touch input device, ii) a battery of the touch input device, and/or iii) an electronic device (e.g., smartphone, wearable device, or handheld device) located on the touch input surface.