Front rear switchable keyboard

• US 20070201931A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Bowen, James Fallgatter
• Original Assignee: James Bowen, James Fallgatter
• Inventors: Bowen, James, Fallgatter, James
• Application Number:
  US11/363,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20070201931A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/486
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence

Abstract

A keyboard with a more standard qwerty key pattern on a top surface where an operators hands approach the keyboard from a front side for use as a standard keyboard for front data input and then the same keyboard electronically switches to two separate more 90 degree key patterns on the same top surface where an operators hands approach the keyboard from the two ends of the keyboard and then place the keyboard on the rear of a PDA or other host for rear key input. To also incorporate a cradle or attachment means for PDA'"'"'s and the like on the opposite side from the keyboard. To also be a PDA or held computer with fixed rear keyboard, and to allow more ergonomic key input.

Claims

1. A front rear switchable keyboard, comprising:

a keyboard having at least a first top surface of at least a first housing;

at least a first plurality of key positions disposed on said at least first top surface;

at least one indicia disposed on at least a portion of said at least a first plurality of key positions;

at least a portion of said key positions having at least a first and second output code assignment;

wherein when said top surface is facing in a first direction said at least first output code assignment is assigned to said key positions and is representative of said at least one indicia oriented in a first orientation being in the same direction in respect to each said at least one indicia;

wherein when said top surface is facing in a second direction being substantially opposite said first direction said at least second output code assignment is assigned to said key positions and is aligned in a second orientation being in at least two substantially opposing directions and can be irrespective of said at least one indicia; and

means to communicate said at least first and second output code assignment to a host.

2. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including

a means for switching from said at least a first output code assignment to said at least second output code assignment.

3. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including

a rear surface opposite said at least first top surface.

4. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 3, further including

a display disposed on said rear surface;

and

whereas said display being used to at least display input and output data to and from at least said plurality of key positions.

5. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 4, wherein

said display displays said key positions representative of said at least second output code assignment.

6. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 4, further including

at least one key for controlling input to said display.

7. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 3, further including

a holding means disposed on said rear surface to hold said host.

8. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including

a communications means for bi-directional communication to said host.

9. The front rear switchable keyboard as claimed in claim 1, further including

at least a second plurality of key positions disposed on a at least a second top surface of at least a second housing;

and

means to connect said at least first housing to said at least second housing.

10. A keyboard connected to or connectable to a host, comprising:

at least one housing having a top and a bottom surface;

a plurality of keys positioned on a top surface of said at least one housing, at least a portion of said plurality of keys being indicative of at least two different alphanumeric characters, grammatical characters or function inputs; and

a communication pathway for transmitting data to said host wherein a first of said at least two different alphanumeric characters, grammatical characters or function inputs is transmitted to said host when said top surface of said at least one housing is facing in a first direction and a second of said at least two different alphanumeric characters, grammatical characters or function inputs is transmitted to said host when said top surface of said at least one housing is facing in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction.

11. The keyboard of claim 10 wherein said at least one housing include at least two separate housing members each with a different set of said plurality of keys.

12. The keyboard of claim 10, further including

a display disposed on said bottom surface;

and

whereas said display being used to at least display input and output data to and from at least said plurality of key positions.

13. The keyboard of claim 12, further including

at least one key for controlling input to and from said display.

14. The keyboard of claim 10, further including

a holding means disposed on said bottom surface to hold said host.

15. A hand held keyboard, comprising:

a keyboard having a top surface;

a plurality of key positions disposed on said top surface in at least two groups;

two of said at least two groups being at least a split QWERTY left group for a left hand and a split QWERTY right group for a right hand;

said left group rotated clockwise substantially ninety degrees opposing said right group rotated counter clockwise substantially ninety degrees;

said plurality of key positions having an at least first output code assignment; and

means to communicate said at least first output code assignment from said plurality of key positions.

16. The keyboard of claim 15, further including

a rear surface opposite said top surface.

17. The keyboard of claim 16, further including

a display disposed on said rear surface;

and

whereas said display being used to at least display input and output data to and from at least said plurality of key positions.

18. The keyboard of claim 17, further including

indicia disposed at least a portion of said plurality of key positions;

and

wherein said display displays said plurality of key positions from said top surface and said indicia from said plurality of key positions.

19. The keyboard of claim 17, further including

means for bi-directional communication to and from a host via an antenna.

20. The keyboard of claim 16, further including

a holding means disposed on said rear surface to hold a host.

21. The keyboard of claim 20, further including

a communications means to communicate to said host.