Keyless keyboard and a method of using them

• US 6,796,734 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liangang Ye
• Original Assignee: Liangang Ye
• Inventors: Ye, Liangang
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOAI AN D
• Application Number:
  US10/314,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20030106781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/100, 400/414, 400/653, 345/76, 345/173, 345/168, 341/20, 341/22, 361/680, 361/681
• US Class Current: 400/472
• 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 plurality keypanels and a fold line in between tow adjacent keypanels, along the fold lines, the keypanels can be folded, wherein the keypanels from substantially smooth surface when unfolded, wherein the surface is divided into a plurality of keyareas and a unique keystroke signal can be generated by the keyarea when the keyarea is pressed; and

a connector through which the signals from keypanels are transmitted to the electronic device;

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

wherein the second panel and a second panel are continuously connected along the fold line between them at both top and bottom portion; 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.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

a fourth panel connected to the third panel on both top portion and the bottom portion; and

an add-on panel, wherein the add-on panel has a top portion and a bottom portion, and wherein the top portion of the add-on panel is removably electronically connected to the top portion of the fourth panel.

3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein all panels comprising touch screens and display screens, wherein add-on panels increase the display screen size and provide additional keys.

4. A method for inputting data using a keyless keyboard by a human user to an electronic device, wherein the keyless keyboard having a first keypanel, a second keypanal and a third keypanel, wherein each keypanel having top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the keypanels having smooth surface, the method comprising:

connecting the keyless keyboard to the electronic device;

unfolding the keyless keyboard on a flat surface;

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

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

5. The method as in claim 4 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.