Abstract:
A 3D electronic data input device with a key mapping card which changes from the prior 2 dimensions layout to 3 dimensions layout, has input keys and a mouse mounted on different sides of the keyboard. It also has electronic circus and connection devices. The key mapping card plays critical role to help users to find needed keys. There are several different sizes of the said keyboards to accommodate different hand sizes. The keyboard can hold and even be integrated with electronic device such as PDA.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to electronic data input devices, and particularly, to hand controlled electronic data input keyboard for PDA, cellular phones, computers, TV, and other electronic devices.  
           [0003]    2. Prior Art  
           [0004]    All previous works can be categorized into three categories:  
           [0005]    First category, keyboards used for desktop computers and other electronic devices. These keyboards all apply 2 dimensions layout, meaning all keys are put on same side of a keyboard. The standard keyboard requires two hands to input data and it is too big to carry around.  
           [0006]    Another problem is that the traditional keyboards have to be put on a support surface and users need to sit.  
           [0007]    The third problem is that traditional keyboards cause physical injuries because users have to be in certain sitting position which hurts back and neck.  
           [0008]    There are some efforts to put keys on top and bottom sides of keyboard such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,949,401, 5,410,333, and 6,127,949. All of them create difficulty for users to find out which key they should press for a given letter if they forget the layout. All of them cannot hold PDA. They fail to utilize the space on sides of keyboards. And they have to be used in restricted circumstances, such as help of support surface or arm.  
           [0009]    Second category: voice recognition device. In terms of physical size, it is the smallest and very flexible. This device can also help reduce physical injuries because it doesn&#39;t require special sitting position. However, besides the accuracy issue associated with the device, this device cannot be used in most occasions because users will make a lot of noise when they are doing input.  
           [0010]    The last category is the hand writing which is used in all PDAs. As we all know, the writing speed is very slow.  
           [0011]    To accommodate the needs of PDA, interactive TV, cellular phone and other model electronic devices, a new keyboard needs following features:  
           [0012]    1. It can be operated efficiently without being put on a surface so that a user can use it in any circumstances, such as traveling, in bus/car, in meeting, sitting on sofa, laying down on bed, etc.  
           [0013]    2. It is portable, meaning the size is small enough to be put into pocket.  
           [0014]    3. Input speed is at least as fast as traditional desktop keyboard This means that it is easy to find out keys and all fingers are used.  
         OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE MENTION  
         [0015]    The current data input device, keyboard, is same as the keyboard on the mechanic typewriter. It is designed for use in very restricted environment: it has to be put on a hard surface and users have to sit. This was fine for mainframe and personal computers. However, the new generation of electronic devices such as PDA and cellular phones require, on top of fast data input speed, input devices can be used in any circumstances, and easy to be carried around. Integration of TV, computer and Internet creates demand for input device which can be conveniently used while sitting on a couch  
           [0016]    The first objective of the present invention, therefore, is to create a new electronic keyboard which allows users to have full flexibility in terms of body position and working environment.  
           [0017]    The 2nd object of the present invention to provide a keyboard, which allows user easily to find keys that they want to press.  
           [0018]    The 3rd object of the present invention, therefore, is to create a new electronic keyboard which keys are laid out in 3 dimensions, meaning the keys are put on different sides of a board or pad, or put on different pieces of said device and the said pieces can be assembled in such a way to allow fingers operate in 3 dimensions.  
           [0019]    The 4th object of the present invention, therefore, is to create a new electronic keyboard which can be used by one or two hands in any occasions such as walking, driving, meeting, etc.  
           [0020]    The 5th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which is convertible so that its size can be reduced so small so that it can be easily carried around.  
           [0021]    The 6th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which allows users to use their fingers in comfort and efficient way so that the input speed is same as a full size keyboard.  
           [0022]    The 7th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which generates as many alphanumeric characters and symbols as a full size keyboard without interaction among non thumb fingers.  
           [0023]    The 8th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which combines keyboard and mouse functions together.  
           [0024]    The 9th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which lets user to sit/stand in any positions to prevent physical injuries.  
           [0025]    The 10th object of the present invention to provide a keyboard which allows user to use two hands and one hand if he/she chooses to do so.  
           [0026]    The 11th object of the present invention to provide a two hand controlled keyboard which allows users to operate by single hand if one of the two hands cannot be used.  
           [0027]    The last objective is to change a PDA to a true palm size computer.  
           [0028]    In order to achieve these objects, a 3D electronic data input device with a key mapping card which changes from the prior 2 dimensions layout to 3 dimensions layouts, has input keys mounted on different sides of the keyboard, if necessary, even two different keyboards, a mouse on the side, and electronic circus. The key mapping card plays critical role to help users to find needed keys. The keys associated with thumb are on one side and the keys associated with non-thumb fingers are on different sides of the keyboard. There are at least 1 keys associated with thumb, which are called thumb-keys. There is at least one key associated with each non-thumb finger. There are several different sizes of the said keyboards to accommodate different hand sizes.  
       
    
    
       [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is front view of the 3D device. The keys shown on the front are controlled by both thumbs. The keys shown on the sides can be controlled by index fingers, thumbs, or other fingers.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 2 is the top side view of the keyboard in FIG. 1.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 is back view of the device in FIG. 1. There are two sets of keys. One set are controlled by left hand non-thumb fingers and the other set are controlled by right hand non-thumb fingers.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 4 is front view of the 3D device with space in the middle for holding a PDA.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 is same as FIG. 4 with a PDA mounted in the middle.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 6 is front view of the 3D device which has two moving parts which can be pulled apart towards each side. Once pulled apart, as shown in FIG. 6, the middle space can hold a PDA. It also can be pushed in to make the keyboard size small. It is also convertible.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 7 is same as FIG. 6. It is shown the status when the keyboard is pushed in.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 8 is same as FIGS. 6 and 7, which shows the status when the keyboard is converted. is front view of the 3D device for two hand use which is integrated with PDA with compact key layout.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 9 is an integrated design by combining the keyboard with a PDA. The key mapping card is installed at the top. The card can be pushed into the PDA.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 10 is the back view of the device in FIG. 9.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 11 is an integrated design by combining the keyboard with a PDA. The key mapping card is displayed on the PDA screen.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 12 is different design of the integrated device by combining the keyboard with a PDA. It has covers on top and bottom. The keys and screen are on the insides as shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 13 is the device shown in FIG. 12. It shows when the said integrated device is open at 180°. In this status, a user can use one hand to operate the device.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 14 The said integrated device is open at 360° which is ready for two hand operate. The back view is same as FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the design. There are four major parts of the device:  
         [0044]    First part: the boy of the keyboard  100  in FIG. 1. There are electronic circuits, micro chips, and other components inside the body  100  to make the keyboard functional.  
         [0045]    Second part: the keys on front and side of the body such as  102  and  103  in FIG. 1. The front keys, in general, are controlled by thumbs. The side keys can be controlled by index fingers or other fingers.  
         [0046]    Third part: The keys on the back of the said body  100 . In general, these keys are controlled by non thumb fingers.  
         [0047]    Fourth part: the key mapping card  101  in FIG. 1, which is on the front of the body. This is a critical part of the keyboard, it helps users to find the keys on the back of the body. Since there are so many keys, it is impossible for a regular user to remember all the association between alphanumeric characters and keys, a key component of the said device is the key map card, which tells the association between alphanumeric characters and keys. It can be easily read when the said device is in use. It is even more convenient than the traditional keyboard because some keys on the traditional keyboard are covered by fingers.  
         [0048]    Fifth part: The strips  104  and  106  in FIG. 1 can help user to hold the said device.  
         [0049]    The map card  101  in FIG. 1 itself can be an input device same as a small key pad. In case a user can only use one hand, he/she can put the said device face up and use one hand to operate it.  
         [0050]    The thumb rest area  110  in FIG. 1 is for thumbs to rest when non-thumb fingers are typing. This provides force to balance the pushing force that non-thumb fingers create when they are typing.  
         [0051]    To reduce number of keys on the thumb side in FIG. 1, there are several functions paired on the same keys, they are Page Up and Page Down (P-Up/Down key), Insert and Delete, End and Home. The alternate functions are controlled by SHIFT key.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2 is side view of the said keyboard in FIG. 1. There are keys on sides of the said keyboard for various purposes.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 3 is the back view of the said device. Row  303  is the home key row for left hand, and row  308  is the home key row for right hand. Row  304  and  307  are finger forward rows, and  302 ,  312  are finger backward rows. Row  330  and  332  are controlled by right hand index finger. Row  320  and  322  are controlled by left hand index finger. Row  334  are controlled by right hand middle finger. Row  324  are controlled by left hand middle finger. Row  336  are controlled by right hand ring finger. Row  326  are controlled by left hand ring finger. Row  338  are controlled by right hand little finger. Row  328  are controlled by left hand little finger. The row  301 ,  305 ,  306 , and  315  hold keys which are rarely used. Therefore, these rows are not as important as the home, forward, and backward rows.  
         [0054]    Once the “Func Lock” key in FIG. 3 is activated, the number keys on row  305  and  306  become function keys same as F1, F2, . . . , F10.  
         [0055]    The said keyboard in FIG. 1 can be used for PDA, desktop computer, interactive TV, etc. The said 3D input devices can be connected by cable or wirelessly.  
         [0056]    A said 3D keyboard which middle part  401  is open for holding a PDA is depicted in FIG. 4. The key mapping card is separated into two parts  402  and  403 . PDA connector has two parts  405  and  407 , which is used to connect to a PDA and to hold on a PDA. Part  405  is the base for plug  407 . Base  405  has a socket. Part  407  has two plugs on both sides, one side plug is inserted into the socket of base  407 , the other plug is inserted to socket of a PDA Part  407  is customized for different PDAs. The connector can be turned to different angles.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 5. is the said keyboard shown in FIG. 4 with a PDA mounted.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 6 is a compact design of the keyboard shown in FIG. 4. The keyboard can be pulled towards left and right sides. Keyboard in FIG. 6 is at fully stretched out status, the middle part is for mounting PDA. FIG. 7 is at slide in status. FIG. 8 is a convertible design of the keyboard FIG. 6. Its size is reduced by 50% when it is folded.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 9 shows integrated keyboard and PDA. It shows the mapping card  902  is mounted at top of the said device. FIG. 10 is the back view of the said integrated device shown in FIG. 9. Since it is critical to have the key map card, a slot is built in to hold the key map card. The map card can be pulled out once the device is in use. The card can be pushed in the slot for carrying around. This is a true palm size note book which can be used for taking meeting notes, writing e-mail on road, etc.  
         [0060]    [0060]FIG. 11 shows the said device in FIG. 9 with the mapping card displayed on the screen.  
         [0061]    FIGS.  12  to  17  give a different design of the proposed integrated device in FIG. 9. The integrated electronic device according to FIG. 9, wherein there are two separated pads. The thumb controlled keys, mapping card, and screen are placed on one of the said pads. One side of the said pad is used as cover. The non-thumb finger controlled keys are placed on the other one of the said pads. One side of the said pad is used as cover. The two said pads are connected by huoye. When the two said pads are closed to each other, the said electronic device is fully protected by the covers. The two said pads can be opened towards side or towards top. The keys and LCD are not exposed to outside when the two parts are closed. FIG. 12 is at the status when the device is open at 45° angle. The PDA can be opened in two ways. The first one is to open toward right side as shown in FIGS.  12  to  14 . FIG. 14 is the operating status after turning the cover by 360°. When it is open at 180°, it can be used for one hand input. FIGS.  15  to  17  show the design open from top.