FLEXIBLE DATA INPUT DEVICE

• US 20020134828A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wearable Technologies Ltd. (Blackline Safety Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Eleksen Limited (Peratech Limited)
• Inventors: Walkington, Stuart Mark, Chapman, Christopher, Sandbach, David Lee
• Granted Patent: US 6,585,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/60.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/0085 Layered switches integrated into garment, clothes or textile
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/01 Woven wire screen
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means. The data input device is configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction and may be reconfigured into two operational configurations. In a first flexible configuration the device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and in a second rigid configuration the data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of the device about the first axis is inhibited.

Claims

1. A data input device suitable for inputting data to electronic processing means and configured to produce an output in response to a mechanical interaction, wherein

said data input device has a first flexible configuration, in which said device may be bent or flexed about a first axis, and

a second rigid configuration in which said data input device is substantially rigid such that bending or flexing of said device about said first axis is inhibited.

2. A data input device according to claim 1, wherein the maximum beam thickness of said data input device is larger in said second rigid configuration than in said flexible configuration.

3. A data input device according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in said first flexible configuration, said device may be reconfigured from an operational configuration in which said electronic processing means is displaced from said keyboard to a wrapped up configuration in which said device is bent about a first and second axis about said electronic processing means.

4. A data input device according to claim 3, wherein said first and second axis are parallel.

5. A data input device according to any preceding claim, wherein said device comprises a support layer.

6. A data input device according to claim 5, wherein the maximum beam thickness of said support layer is increased in said second rigid configuration compared to said first flexible configuration.

7. A data input device according to claims 5 or 6, wherein said support layer is of substantially flat in cross sectional profile in said first flexible configuration and of arched cross-sectional profile in said second rigid configuration.

8. A data input device according to any preceding claim, wherein said device is reconfigured from said first flexible configuration to said second rigid configuration by a reconfiguration means.

9. A data input device according to claim 8, wherein said reconfiguration means is under-surface layer of said device having a first portion and a second portion separated by a gap having a closure means, said closure means arranged to configure said device in the first flexible configuration when said gap is open and to configure said device in the second rigid configuration when said gap is closed.

10. A data input device according to claim 9, wherein closure means is a zip fastener.

11. A data input device according any of claims 5 to 10, wherein said support layer is a semi-flexible sheet of material.

12. A data input device according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein said support layer is a layer of semi-flexible material having a plurality of corrugations arranged parallel to said axis of bending.

13. A data input device according to claim 12, wherein, in said first flexible configuration, said corrugations facilitate bending of said support layer about said first axis.

14. A data input device according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein said support layer comprises

a plurality of semi-flexible support rods disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to one another and substantially parallel to said first axis of bending;

and

said rods are bound together by a plurality of intertwined fabric fibres.

15. A data input device according to claim 14, wherein said rods are of larger cross-sectional diameter than said fabric fibres.

16. A data input device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said fabric fibres are multi-filament polyester yams.

17. A data input device according to claims 14 to 16, wherein, in said second rigid configuration, said semi-flexible rods are disposed in an arched configuration such that bending of said support layer about an axis is inhibited.

18. A data input device according to claims 5 to 10, wherein said support layer comprises a plurality of support portions.

19. A data input device according to claim 18, wherein, in said second rigid configuration, each of said portions is of arched cross-sectional profile and in said first flexible configuration, each of said portions is of a substantially flat cross-sectional profile.

20. A data input device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein said support portions are elongate lengths of sprung steel.

21. A data input device according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein said support portions extend substantially perpendicular to the first axis about which said support layer is bent to reconfigure said data input device from an operational configuration to a second rigid configuration.

22. A data input device according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein said support portions are mounted onto a fabric sheet.

23. A data input device according to claims 5 to 10, wherein said support layer is an inflatable compartment.

24. A data input device according to claim 23, wherein, in said first flexible configuration, said compartment is deflated and, in said second rigid configuration, said compartment is inflated.

25. A data input device according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said device further comprises an inflation means.

26. A data input device according to claim 25, wherein said inflation means is a finger pump.

27. A data input device according to any preceding claim, wherein said data input device is a keyboard.

28. A data input device according to any of claims 1 to 26, wherein said data input device is a games console.

29. A data input device according to any preceding claim, wherein said electronic processor is selected from the group comprising a hand-held electronic processor and a mobile phone.