Keyless keyboard and a method of using them

• US 20030106781A1
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liangang Ye
• Original Assignee: Liangang Ye
• Inventors: Ye, Liangang
• Granted Patent: US 6,796,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5R
• 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 2009/0221 the switches being fixed to the operator's hand, e.g. integrated in a glove or fixed to a ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/056 Modular conception
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 reductible in size, e.g. for transportation

Abstract

A novel keyless keyboard uses membrane switches or touch screen to generate keystroke signals, without traditional keycaps. The keyless keyboard can be folded to further reduce its size during storage. The keyless keyboard unfolds into a keyboard of normal desktop keyboard size for easy use. When touch screen is used, the keyboard is also a display screen.

Claims

1. An apparatus for data input into an electronic device, comprising:

a) a plurality keypanels and a fold line in between two adjacent keypanels, along the fold lines, the keypanels can be folded, wherein the keypanel comprises a substantially smooth surface, wherein the surface is divided into a plurality of keyareas and a unique keystroke signal can be generated when the keyarea is pressed; and

b) a connector through which the signals from keypanels are transmitted to the electronic device.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein one keypanel further comprising a toggle key, and wherein a keyarea on the keypanels generates a different keystroke signal before and after the toggle key is pressed.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1,

wherein keyareas in a keypanel are arranged into columns and rows;

wherein each rows are perpendicular to the fold lines; and

wherein each column is parallel to the fold lines.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1,

wherein the apparatus comprises more than two keypanels and each keypanel has a top portion and a bottom portion;

wherein a first panel and a second panel are contiguously connected along the fold line between them at both top and bottom portions; and

wherein the second panel and a third panel are connected on the top portions and not connected on the bottom portion where the bottom portions can be separated.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the keypanel comprises a touch screen.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the size of keyarea is adjustable according to the sizes of a user'"'"'s fingers.

7. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the keypanel further comprises a displaying screen.

8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the touch screen and display screen comprises:

a) a layer of clear protective coat;

b) a layer of pressure sensitive sheet;

c) a layer of liquid crystal display; and

d) a layer of hard backing.

9. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the keypanel comprises a membrane switch.

10. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each keypanel is less than 90 mm high, less than 60 mm wide and less than 2 mm thick.

11. The apparatus for data input into an electronic device as in claim 1, further comprises:

a plurality of keydots, each having a first surface and second surface wherein the first surface is adapted to be temporarily attached to a human finger tip; and

wherein the second surface can be pressed against the keyareas on the keypanels to generate keystroke signals.

12. The apparatus for data input into an electronic device as in claim 1, further comprises:

a housing, mechanically and electronically connected to a keypanel and the connector; and

an electronic circuit board housed inside the housing for processing the signals generated by the keyareas on the keypanels, and for generating keystroke signals.

13. A method for inputting data using a keyless keyboard by a human user to an electronic device, comprising:

connecting the keyless keyboard to the electronic device;

unfolding the keyless keyboard on a flat surface, wherein the keyless keyboard having smooth surface;

splitting the bottom portion between the second and third keypanel; and

hitting the corresponding keyarea with finger to input the desired key.

14. The method as in claim 13 further comprising:

attaching keydots to the user'"'"'s fingers; and

hitting a desired keyarea on the keyless keyboard with a finger that is covered by a keydot.