Front rear switchable keyboard
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A front rear switchable keyboard, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A keyboard connected to or connectable to a host, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A hand held keyboard, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification