Abstract: The keyboard assembly is suitable for use as a keyboard of a hand held computing device. The assembly has a base layer of a printed circuit board and includes a carrier layer having snap domes set out in an array aligned with keys of a keypad layer. An electroluminescent layer generates light in areas aligned with the keys to backlight the keys. An actuator layer having projections is aligned with the keys and snap domes. Pressing a key causes a snap dome to be deformed, closing a switch for the key and providing a snap action press and release feedback for the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data entry device to be worn on a person's wrist, similar to a wrist watch. Dimples are arrayed around the periphery of a digital display on the device. The dimples provide both a locating means for finger placement and a boundary for sensing the shift of a pressure point within, the shift in a preferred direction indicating a selection from a displayed menu to be made by lifting the finger from contact. A novel way of holding the device by its wrist band while fingering the dimples leads to a fluid method of keying functionalities for use as a phone and as an internet-enabled device.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a main body, a rotation detecting module, and a swivel hinge. The main body is disposed with a plurality of keys. The rotation detecting module is used for detecting the rotation of the main body. The swivel hinge is detachably connected to the main body. The swivel hinge includes an extending arm being rotatable with respect to the main body; and a supporting member pivotally engaging with the extending arm for supporting the main body.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a handheld type print label producing apparatus comprising: a housing that has a dimension along a longwise direction that is longer than a dimension along a width direction, and has a grip portion; a cartridge holder provided at one side of said housing along said longwise direction; a power source holder provided at the other side of said housing along said longwise direction; and a motor that drives at least one roller positioned on a feeding path, that is driven by power supplied from said power source device; wherein: a plurality of mechanisms is disposed in the interior of said housing so that a position of the center of gravity along said longwise direction of said handheld type print label producing apparatus to which said cartridge and said power source device are mounted falls within a range of said longwise direction corresponding to said grip portion.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a small form factor computer includes a number of keys and associated electrical contacts positioned between the top case portion of the computer and the feature plate. The attachment of the keyboard assembly during the manufacturing process can be accelerated by welding securing fasteners through small holes in the feature plate directly to the top case portion of the computer.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia thereon.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a main body and a support in the main body. The main body includes a bottom defining two slots and two opposite sidewalls each defining a receiving hole. The slots communicate with the receiving holes, respectively. The support includes a rotation member, two driving members and two connecting members received in the two slots, respectively. Each connecting member includes a first arm and a second arm, wherein two ends of the first arm are rotatably connected to the rotation member and the second arm, respectively, the second arm is further rotatably connected to one of the driving members, and the second arm moves together with the one of the two driving members, causing the connecting ends of the first arm and the second arm to extend out of one of the two slots.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a physical overlay that can be secured to a mobile device and that covers at least a portion of the mobile device's user interface. The overlay includes a front portion that has input areas, which may be openings or physical keys. The mobile device detects or is told that the overlay is installed, and the mobile device receives configuration data associated with the overly that tells the mobile device the locations of the input areas on the overlay so that the user interface can be adjusted accordingly. The overlay also includes side portions that allow the overlay to be secured to the mobile device.

Abstract: An improved input apparatus and method of enabling input improve handheld electronic devices having a housing and a processor apparatus disposed on the housing. The processor apparatus comprises a processor and a memory. The input apparatus includes an input assembly with an input device for providing input to the processor, a plurality of input members, and at least a first actuating element movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the actuating element actuates the input device. Each input member of the portion of input members is movable among an unactuated position and an actuated position. Each of a plurality of input members of the portion of input members, in the actuated position, is engageable with the actuating element to move it toward the second position. The input apparatus enables close arrangement of the input members to provide, for example, a compact keyboard layout.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing defining a dust opening, a plurality of rows of keys mounted in the housing with two of the a plurality of lines of the keys forming a horizontal gap and at least one cleaning device. Each of the cleaning devices is secured in one of the horizontal gaps. The cleaning device includes a driving rod and a cleaning brush. One end of the driving rod is rotatably fixed to the sidewall of the housing, and the other is driven to rotate the driving rod. The driving rod defines an outer threading thereon. The cleaning brush includes a sleeve and a plurality of arms fixed on the outer surface of the sleeve. The sleeve defines an inner thread cooperated with the outer thread of the driving rod. The driving rod rotates to move the cleaning brush along the driving rod.

Abstract: An operation apparatus that enables selection of a required menu item from a plurality of menu items without several pushes of operation keys, and an electronic device that is equipped with the operation apparatus. When a fingertip is moved while protrusion portions of an operation apparatus are being touched with the fingertip, this is detected by an electrostatic capacitance-type sensor, and a selection frame for selecting a menu item is moved horizontally/vertically. Then, when the selection frame reaches a required menu item, the menu item is selected. Thus, it is possible to select a required menu item from a plurality of menu items just by moving a finger while touching the protrusion portion, without several pushes of operation keys.

Abstract: An electronic device and a keypad structure thereof are disclosed. The keypad structure includes a first key group, a second key group and a third key group. The second key group is disposed on the left side of the first key group, and the third key group is disposed on the right side of the first key group. Each key area of the second key group is smaller than that of the first key group, and each key area of the third key group is also smaller than that of the first key group.

Abstract: An adjustable keyboard includes a first keying module situated pivotably with respect to the second keying module for providing a keyboard having improved ergonomics and comfort, and promoting improved productivity of a user. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are pivotably mounted on a base assembly having fixed opposing tenting angles. In one embodiment the first and the second keying modules are mounted on a pivot link assembly configured to pivot the keying modules with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first and the second keying modules are configured to also laterally separate. In one embodiment, first and second lift modules space a portion of the first and the second keying modules, respectively, from a supporting surface to form opposing tenting angles.

Abstract: A light-emitting keyboard is disclosed, which comprises: a light guide plate, configured with a light entrance surface, a light emitting surface and a via hole; a light source, disposed next to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate; a frame, disposed on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate; an opaque material disposed on the via hole. With the aforesaid structure, light from the light source can be prevented from being emitting out from the via hole and thus can be evenly emitted out of the light guide plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image display device having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which can maintain a primary color which is desired to be expressed, and prevent an interference of other unwanted colors and a change of the primary color at the time of application of a light source of each light emitting diode. The image display device comprises: a first optical filter layer containing a violet wavelength-absorbing material having a wavelength range of from 380 nm to 450 nm such as Bi2O3 so as to prevent light having a wavelength ranging from 380 nm to 450 nm from being leaked out to an undesired region of an image display portion of the image display device; and a second optical filter layer such as a blue color filter layer so as to allow a white light to be expressed in a desired region of the image display portion.

Abstract: A key arrangement includes a plurality of keys that are arranged in a regular grid of rows and columns. The columns include a first column, a last column, and at least one middle column. The keys in the first and last columns are smaller than the keys in the at least one middle column. A method for improving the ergonomics of a key arrangement on a keyboard of a fixed size is provided. A method for designing a key arrangement for a mobile communication device is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device having a concealed keyboard includes a first housing, a second housing rotatably coupled to the first housing, and a concealment cover coupled to a rear of the first housing. The first housing has a coupling edge and two sides that are substantially perpendicular to the coupling edge of the first housing. The second housing has a coupling edge and two sides that are substantially perpendicular to the coupling edge of the second housing. A receiving portion is formed on a rear surface of the first housing and is configured to receive the second housing. When the second housing is in the receiving portion, each respective side of the first housing and the second housing are co-terminal with one another. The concealment cover is exteriorly positioned with respect to the second housing when the second housing is in the receiving portion.

Abstract: A light-emitting keyboard is disclosed, which comprises: a light guide plate, configured with a light entrance surface, a light emitting surface, a bottom surface and a side surface in a manner that the light emitting surface is arranged opposite to the bottom surface, and the light entrance surface and the side surface are arranged respectively next and connecting to the light emitting surfaced and the bottom surface while being sandwiched therebetween; a light source, disposed next to the light entrance surface of the light guide plate; a frame, disposed on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate; a first reflector, disposed on the bottom surface of the light guide plate; and a second reflector, disposed on the side surface of the light guide plate. With the aforesaid structure, light from the light source can be fully utilized so that the overall brightness of the light-emitting keyboard can be enhanced.

Abstract: A key structure of a keyboard, comprising: a backplane and a plurality of key caps. The backplane is concaved a plurality of grooves. A frame is deposed on the groove, and outside of the frame two fixed bases and two positioning columns are correspondingly deposed on the opposite sides. A clamp is deposed on the fixed base. A link bar, consists of a cross bar and two struts. The cross bar and the struts are mutually perpendicular and shown as an upside-down U shape. A key cap, in which a convex column is extended from the inside of the key cap, and two clips are protruded respectively on the opposite sides of the convex column, as well as a slot is deposed on the clip. The clips are adapted to position the cross bar of the link bar to a clamp of a fixed base on the backplane. And two struts are adapted to be held by the positioning column, so that the two struts only can be moved up and down and will not mismatch.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a plurality of keys each having an in-use configuration and a stowed configuration, wherein a key when in the in-use configuration is configured to travel between a first relatively raised position and a second relatively lowered position under a user applied force and is configured to return to the first relatively raised position after removal of the user applied force and wherein a key when in the stowed configuration is unable to travel to the first relatively raised position.

Abstract: A keyboard and key structure thereof includes a keycap, an elastic element, a supporting element, a base and a frame. The elastic element is located below the keycap. The supporting element has a supporting part, a connecting part and an end part, wherein the supporting part supports the keycap and the connecting part connects the supporting part and the end part. The base supports the elastic element. The frame secures the end part on the base. A keyboard includes a plurality of key structures.

Abstract: A key structure having an improved light emitting efficiency is provided. The key structure includes a light guide plate, an isolation sheet, a circuit board, an elastic member, and a key cap sequentially disposed one on another in order. A circuit and a plurality of first electrical contacts are distributed on a top surface of the light guide plate. An optical structure is disposed at a bottom surface of the light guide plate. The isolation sheet has a light reflective surface facing the light guide plate. A light source emits a light into the light guide plate. The light is reflected by the optical structure to pass through the through holes configured at the isolation sheet, thus allowing more light outputting through the through holes, so as to improve the illumination of the key cap, and improve the light emitting efficiency.

Abstract: A keyboard overlay for use on a touch screen is disclosed, as well as novel key structures for use on overlays. The keyboard overlay and key structures have novel structures which can provide finger resting resistance, deceleration during actuation, pre-actuation cues, finger positioning cues, key identification cues, and other desired aspects of a keyboard optimized for touch typing. Methods for stowing and deploying the keyboard overlay to align with the virtual keyboard of a touch screen are also disclosed. The disclosed keyboard overlay can provide optimal touch typing characteristics for use on all known types of touch screens.

Abstract: A keyboard (1) with a horizontally arranged card reader. The card reader has a card insertion opening (2) and a card holder section (3). The card holder section (3) defines a plane for placing a card on the upper surface of the keyboard (1). The card holder section (3) is arranged next to the card insertion opening (2), into which the card can be inserted substantially parallel to the plane defined by the card holder section (3).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reconfigurable keyboard having electronically writable keys receives input signals from a configurer that, for a first setting, results in a first displayed key layout, and in a second setting, results in a second displayed key layout. Each setting is associated with a specific functionality of the keyboard, for example a particular language. A configurer operates to execute the particular layouts and functionalities, and can be disposed on a portable device such as a memory stick for use with different computers and keyboards.

Abstract: A keyboard with illuminating architecture includes a keyboard portion and a substrate carrying the keyboard portion, wherein the keyboard portion includes a plurality of pressing elements for receiving a pressing force from the user and inter-dependent mechanisms respectively under a force receiving surface of each pressing element for providing a moving stroke of the pressing element following the force direction, and the substrate has an assembling portion for assembling with the other end of the inter-dependent mechanism. Moreover, the surface of the substrate has at least one light guiding groove, which forms a light channel for transmitting light, and at least one inner sidewall of the light guiding groove is a light reflecting surface, so that the light in the light guiding groove is reflected by the light reflecting surface to the keyboard portion, thereby providing the pressing elements the brightness, and reducing whole keyboard thickness and thinning.

Abstract: Wireless handheld mobile communication device including a housing with a display above a keyboard exposed for user actuation. A length of the device is greater than the width. Each key of a right-hand keyfield has a longitudinal axis oriented at a left-to-right inclined angle while each key of a left-hand keyfield has a longitudinal axis oriented at a right-to-left inclined angle from the vertical centerline. A left boundary of the keyboard is located adjacent the left lateral side edge of the device and the right boundary of the keyboard is located adjacent the right lateral side edge of the device so that the keyboard spans a substantial entirety of the width of the device. When the device is cradled in a right hand of the user, the longitudinal axis of each key of said plurality of keys located on the right is oriented to be parallel with a widthwise axis of the user's right thumb.

Abstract: Wireless handheld mobile communication device and keyboard therefore having a keyfield including a plurality of depressible keys arranged in rows that are distributed about a vertical centerline (Vc) of the keyboard. Each of the depressible keys has a top engagement surface of which an upper inboard portion is raised relative a lower outboard portion thereof. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys is ramped from the lower outboard portion toward the upper inboard portion. Each top engagement surface is generally crest shaped, with the apex of the crest running generally diagonally across the respective key with the rest of the top engagement surface falling away from the crest toward the upper outboard portion and the lower inboard portion of the key. The top engagement surface of each of the depressible keys terminates at an upper edge thereof in an elevated ridge down from which the balance of the respective top engagement surface slopes.

Abstract: Keyboard apparatus and methods for processing keyboard depressions are disclosed. One disclosed keyboard apparatus includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys configured to be depressed in a concurrent depression state, and a plurality of key switch matrices. Each key switch of the plurality of key switch matrices may be configured to be actuated by a corresponding key of the keyboard. The keyboard apparatus may further include a keyboard controller configured to determine whether a sensed key depression in the concurrent depression state is a ghost key depression, based on sensed key switch states of respective key switches in each of the plurality of key switch matrices which correspond to the sensed key depression.

Abstract: A keyboard structure includes a light guide plate, a circuit board and a key sheet sequentially disposed on a reflecting sheet. A plurality of scattering and reflection points is located under the light guide plate and at least one light-emitting element on one side of the light guide plate. The key sheet has a one-piece formed body and a plurality of pressing portions. The plurality of pressing portions may be actuated to shift and conduct a sensor on the circuit board. Each pressing portion further has a light transmissive area. A light ray emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the light guide plate, and is reflected by the reflecting sheet to the light guide plate and the key sheet. Then, the light ray comes out of the key sheet through the light transmissive areas of the pressing portions.

Abstract: A keyboard stiffening system comprising a keyboard assembly having a plurality of key assemblies coupled to a support plate, the support plate having at least one extension extending from a bottom surface thereof to engage a support pan of the electronic device to secure the keyboard assembly to the support pan of the electronic device.

Abstract: A keyboard type input device used in conjunction with a wristwatch or a portable telephone has multiple key positions provided as character entry keys. Each key corresponds to one key in the selected row of the conventional QWERTY keyboard. A second set of control buttons provide for the selection of which row of a conventional QWERTY keyboard are represented by the character keys in addition to other functions such as case shift, and alpha-numerical control functions. A selected row is shown on a display, as visual feedback. Alternatively the keys are implemented as LCDs with pressure sensors and the characters of the selected row are displayed directly on the corresponding key positions. The keyboard finds particular use in portable devices as it demands less space than traditional keyboards.

Abstract: A self-luminous keyboard with brightness-enhanced keycaps of the present invention comprises a baseplate, a substrate arranged above the baseplate, a plurality of keycaps coupled to the substrate and able to move up and down, a circuit board triggered by the contact of the keycap to output a signal, and a light emitting element. The substrate has a plurality of via-holes each corresponding to one keycap. There is a light transmission path from the light emitting element through the via-hole to the keycap. In each light transmission path, there is a light concentration member, and the light emitted by the light emitting element is concentrated by the light concentration member and then transmitted to the keycap. Thereby, the brightness of the keycaps is enhanced to be higher than the brightness of the gap between the adjacent keycaps, and the recognizability thereof is promoted.

Abstract: A computer keyboard system with alternative exercise capabilities for the prevention of repetitive stress injuries in a user. The computer keyboard system has a computer keyboard and first and second non-typing, laterally movable exercise mechanisms retained by the computer keyboard. The exercise mechanisms are intermittently actuable as an alternative physical exercise to typing movements to prevent repetitive stress injuries. Operation of the keyboard can be impaired after a period of operation as measured by a typing parameter, such as keystrokes or typing time, and restored through actuation of the non-typing exercise mechanism.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a housing, which includes a front surface, a rear surface, and a top surface. The top surface has a key zone. A number of keys formed on the key zone. An air inlet is defined in the rear surface. A number of air outlets are defined in the key zone. A fan is received in the housing adjacent to the air inlet. The fan is configured for forcing air to flow into the housing through the air inlet. A heating element is positioned in the housing and configured to heat up the air in the housing. A switch is configured to switch on or off the heating element.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a first housing having a plurality of first magnetic elements, a keystroke module having a key portion disposed on the first housing, a second housing combining with the first housing and has an opening, and an actuating assembly. The keystroke module is disposed corresponding to the opening. The actuating assembly is disposed movably on the second housing and has a plurality of second magnetic elements. The keystroke module is not protruded from the opening and is at a packing position. When the actuating assembly is moved along an actuating direction, at least one first magnetic element and at least one second magnetic element attract to each other to shorten the distance, which brings the second housing to move relatively to the first housing so that the key portion of the keystroke module passes though the opening and is at a using position.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a housing with a top surface and a rear surface, a CPU (central processing unit) provided in the housing, a keyboard placed on the top surface of the housing and including a plurality of keys which input key data to the CPU, a display unit attached to the housing rotatably between a closed position in which the display unit covers the keyboard and an open position in which the keyboard is exposed, and at least one switch provided on the rear surface of the housing and configured to input key data to the CPU.

Abstract: A data input arrangement may include a first array of input keys defining a first shape extending across a first typing surface thereof; and a second array of input keys defining a second shape extending across a second typing surface thereof. The first and second arrays are contiguous with one another so that the first and second shapes create a non-linear surface extending across the data input arrangement. The non-linear surface enables users to tactilely locate individual keys of the first and second arrays.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys each of which is associated with indicia corresponding to at least one of alphabetic characters, numbers, or commands. The keys of the plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters number fewer than 26 and greater than nine. No more than two alphabetic characters are associated with each of the keys associated with alphabetic characters. At least one of the keys associated with alphabetic characters is associated with two alphabetic characters and at least one number. The numbers are arranged and displayed in the format of a phone keypad and the letters are arranged and displayed in a keyboard layout.

Abstract: A device and method for determining key registration settings in a stenographic device, includes providing a plurality of keys making up a standard stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position, a depressed position, and a range of depression positions between the resting position and the depressed position, receiving information indicating a depression depth of a key on the standard stenographic keyboard, and a processor communicatively coupled to a display and the plurality of keys, the processor operable to cause the display to graphically show, for at least one of the keys, a depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a keyboard apparatus comprising: a collapsible keyboard comprising five substantially rigid frames, the frames comprising a central frame, two end frames, and two intermediate frames, each intermediate frame located between an end frame and the central frame; each pair of adjacent frames being relatively pivotably connected together along a folding axis, the folding axes being substantially mutually parallel; and a plurality of keys mounted on the frames. Another exemplary aspect comprises a keyboard apparatus as above, further comprising a collapsible cradle assembly detachable from the collapsible keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a main body including a plurality of input keys and a hanger mounted on the main body including a hook for hanging the keyboard.

Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard having a mount and a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of unbroken adjacent rows is provided. Each row is comprised of an arcuate portion, a left portion, and a right portion. The left and right portions extend tangentially from the left and right sides of the arcuate portion, respectively. The arcuate portion, of each row is convex to the user side of the keyboard, and at least two keys in each arcuate portion are elongated. Alphanumeric indicia on the keys can be arranged in the QWERTY pattern.

Abstract: A foldable keyboard includes a base, a receiving module, and connecting assemblies. The base includes a number of touch panel units. The receiving module includes a number of plates. The plates are pivotably connected to each other in series. The connecting assemblies are for biasing touch panel units into the folded configuration when the base is covered by the plates.

Abstract: A flexible touch-type keyboard includes a flexible keyboard module, a receiving assembly for receiving the flexible keyboard module, and a cover. The receiving assembly is connected to one end of the flexible keyboard module; and the cover connected to the opposite end of the flexible keyboard module. The flexible keyboard module is withdrawn from the receiving assembly and automatically rolled back into the receiving assembly by pulling the cover away from the receiving assembly different distances.

Abstract: A tape printing system includes an input device, at least consisting of a key input unit and a display, and a printing device, consisting of a thermal head and a head driving circuit in separate from the input device. Further, there are plural kinds of key input units 1 and those or displays 2 so that plural kinds of tape printing systems 100 can be created by combining any one of the plural kinds of key input units and any one of plural kinds of displays.

Abstract: A chassis includes a base board defining a receiving space, a clapboard detachably received in the receiving space, and two fasteners. The receiving space includes a sidewall, and a plurality of fixing posts extend from the sidewall. Two fixing columns each defining a fixing hole extend from opposite ends of the base board, neighboring the sidewall. The clapboard includes a main body defining a plurality of engaging holes to engage with the plurality of fixing posts of the base board, and two fixing portions each defining a through hole extending from opposite ends of the main body. The two fasteners are passed through the through holes of the fixing portions and engaged in the fixing holes of the fixing columns, respectively.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a keyboard assembly, a display positioned adjacent the keyboard assembly, a processor structured to receive inputs from the keyboard assembly and to output to the display as a function of the inputs, the processor further structured to run a disambiguation routine. The keyboard assembly includes a printed circuit board, a primary conductor portion, a secondary conductor portion, and a keyboard assembly. The printed circuit board has a plurality of electrical contacts. The conductor assembly has a plurality of primary conductors and a plurality of secondary conductors, each the primary conductor and secondary conductor structured to correspond to, and engage and close, at least one of the plurality of electrical contacts. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keys each having one or more indicia thereon.

Abstract: A user interface with a keypad having a reduced form factor is provided. The keypad includes a plurality of multi-position keys, each of which has a plurality of toggle positions for making a plurality of data selections. The user interface may also include a plurality of function keys and a screen for displaying the data. The user interface reduces the number of keys needed on a keypad and minimizes the number of finger movements, thereby reducing the number of errors made when using the user interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.