Abstract:
A two-part keyboard separately connects to an electronic device to input data to the electronic device. The two-part keyboard includes first and second housings that respectively have a keyboard portion. The two-part keyboard also includes a base, a connector, and a controller for receiving and processing a signal. Two ends of the base respectively and movably connect to the first and second housings. Due to the connection between the base and the first and the second housings, the first and the second housings may move toward or backward. The controller electrically connects to the connector and the keyboard portions on the first and the second housings. The base is contained within the first and the second housings when the first and the second housings move toward to contact. The base is exposed between the first and the second housings to electrically connect to the electronic device.

Description:
This Application claims priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 091212438 filed on Aug. 12, 2002. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to a two-part keyboard for separately connecting to an electronic device for inputting data to the electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the aggressive competition in the market, new techniques are constantly introduced into kinds of electronic devices. New products are developed to increase competitiveness in many fields, such as mobile phone, PDAs and electronic portable translators. Mobile phones are amongst others. 
     Besides the basic requirements “light, thin, short, small” for design, so far the development trends of the mobile phones are gradually moving to the goal of all-purpose-functions. Besides phone book, some of the mobile phones also function as a PDA to assist a user to manage personal data. In addition, some additional functions, such as internet browsing function, e-mail access function, e-dictionary or even multi-media function, strengthen the practicability and the convenience of the mobile phones. 
     Nevertheless, in contrast to the increasingly powerful additional functions of mobile phones, the original instant input interface for inputting phone number or short messages are obviously insufficient. The instant input interface referred to here are directed to method for user&#39;s instant input, excluding external (such as from PC) data loading wiredly or wirelessly. There are two most common input methods, one of them is to input by the intrinsic keyboard of the mobile phone, and the other is by voice recognition. They are all accomplished by means of recognition and possess certain convenience. However, when a great deal of information need to be input, it usually takes too much time. In addition, the accuracy of recognition also needs improving. 
     To deal with this problem, some mobile phones are equipped with a mini keyboard. The present invention is therefore directed to the further improvement of such keyboards so as to meet higher demands. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main aspect of the present invention provides a two-part keyboard, which can be opened to both sides. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a two-part keyboard, which is connected to an electronic device by the connector located between the two keyboard parts. Data can be input into the electronic device by way of the two-part keyboard. 
     Still another aspect of the present invention provides a two-part keyboard, whose connector&#39;s height can be adjusted according to the available electronic devices. 
     Again another aspect of the present invention provides a two-part keyboard, which can be connected with different electronic devices by replacing or adjusting a base or the connector. 
     The two-part keyboard of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing, a base, a controller and a connector. The first housing includes a first keyboard part and the inside of the first housing has a first space. A first outlet of the first space is on the right surface of the first housing. The second housing includes a second keyboard part and the inside of the second housing has a second space. A second outlet of the second space is on the left surface of the second housing. 
     The base has a left side part which movably connects to the first housing and a right side part which movably connects to the second housing. The controller for receiving and processing the input data is electrically connected with the first keyboard part and the second keyboard part. The connector for electrically connecting to the electronic device is installed on the base and electrically connecting to the controller. 
     When the first and the second housings move towards each other to conjoin, the left side part and the right side part of the base are respectively received in the first space and the second space via the first outlet and the second outlet. When the first and the second housings move away from each other, the left side part and the right side part respectively come off from the first space via the first outlet and from the second space via the second outlet. At this time, part of the base and the connector are exposed out of the first housing and the second housing to render the connector electrically connected to a electronic device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is an illustrative diagram showing the two-part keyboard of the present invention when two sides of the keyboard partially conjoin. 
     FIG. 1 b  is an illustrative diagram showing the two-part keyboard of FIG. 1 a  when two sides of the keyboard are drawn apart. 
     FIG. 1 c  is an illustrative diagram of embodiment when the embodiment of FIG. 1 b  connects to an electronic device. 
     FIG. 2 a  is an explosive view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.    
     FIG. 2 b  is an explosive view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.    
     FIG. 3 b  is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 b.    
     FIG. 3 c  is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 c.    
     FIG. 4 a  is a cross-sectional view dissected along line I-I′ of the embodiment of FIG. 1 a.    
     FIG. 4 b  is a cross-sectional view dissected along line I-I′ of the embodiment of FIG. 1 b.    
     FIG. 5 a  is a cross-sectional view dissected along line I-I′ of another embodiment of present invention when two sides of the keyboard partially conjoin. 
     FIG. 5 b  is a cross-sectional view dissected along line I-I′ of the embodiment of FIG. 5 a  of present invention when two sides of the keyboard are drawn apart 
     FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the synchronizing device of the two-part keyboard. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention provides a two-part keyboard, as shown in FIG. 1 a . The two-part keyboard can be opened to both sides, as shown in FIG. 1 b , for separatably connecting to an electronic device  700  for inputting data to the electronic device  700  via the two-part keyboard. FIG. 1 c  is an illustrative figure for the embodiment when the two-part keyboard of the present invention connects to the electronic device  700 . For a preferred embodiment, the electronic device  700  mentioned here is a mobile phone, but not therefore limited to. It may be PDA, digital camera and any other similar acceptable electronic device in which data are input as well. 
     The two-part keyboard of the present invention includes a first housing  100 , a second housing  200 , a base  300 , a controller  400  and a connector  410 . As shown in FIG. 1 a  and  1   b , the first housing  100  includes a first keyboard part  110 , and the first keyboard part  110  includes at least one key. As far as an embodiment is concerned, the first keyboard part  110  is disposed on the upper surface of the first housing  100 . However, the first keyboard part  110  may be also located on the sides or on the bottom surface of the first housing  100 . As shown in FIG. 1 b , the inside of the first housing  100  has a first space  510 , and a first outlet  114  of the first space  510  is on the left side part  212  of the first housing  100 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b , the second housing  200  includes a second keyboard part  210 , which includes at least one key. As far as a embodiment is concerned, the second keyboard part  210  is disposed on the upper surface of the second housing  200 . However, the second keyboard part  210  may be also located on the sides or on the bottom surface of the first housing  200 . As shown in FIG. 1 b , the inside of the second housing  200  has a second space  520 , and a second outlet  214  of the second space  520  is on the left side part  212  of the second housing  200 . 
     As far as the preferred embodiment is concerned, the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  respectively have a single layer membrane circuit. However, in other embodiments, the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  may also respectively have a printed circuit or triple layer membrane circuit. The structure of the keys on the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  may be elastic rubber structure, scissor structure, spring leaf structure and any other structure that provides similar functions. 
     As shown in FIG. 1 b , base  300  has left side part  310  and right side part  330 . The left side part  310  movably connects to first housing  100 . Apropos of embodiments, left side part  310  movably connects to the inner wall of the first space  510  through first outlet  114  and right side part  330  movably connects to second housing  200 . As far as the embodiment is concerned, right side part  330  movably connects to the inner wall of the second space  520  through second outlet  214 . By means of base  300 , the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  may slide toward each other or away from each other. 
     FIG. 2 a  is an explosive view of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 a , controller  400  is electrically connects to the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  for receiving and processing the input data from the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210 . As far as the embodiment in FIG. 2 a  is concerned, controller  400  is disposed on the first keyboard part  110  or the second keyboard part  210 . Nevertheless, controller  400  may also be installed on a back plate  600  beneath base  300 , as shown in FIG. 2 b , or independently installed on the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 . In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , controller  400  is respectively electrically connects to the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210 . Alternatively, the first keyboard part  110  may also electrically connect to controller  400  via the second keyboard part  210 , or the second keyboard part  110  may also electrically connect to controller  400  via the first keyboard part  210 . 
     As far as the preferred embodiment is concerned, controller  400  is IC. Alternatively, controller  400  may be printed circuit, transistor or any other that provides similar functions as well. In this embodiment, controller  400  electrically connects to the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  via cable  430 . Nevertheless, controller  400  may also electrically connect to the first keyboard part  110  and the second keyboard part  210  via other means of connection, such as wires, thin film circuit or printed circuit. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , connector  410  is installed on base  300  and electrically connects to controller  400 . Connector  410  separatably electrically connects to the electronic device, and transmits the input data from controller  400  to the electronic device. Apropos of the embodiment, connector  410  electrically connects to the electronic devoice via a connecting slot (not shown here) inserted in the electronic device. To be especially noted, the two-part keyboard of the present invention may connect to different types of electronic devices by replacing different connectors  410 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is a top view of the embodiment when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  conjoin. As shown in FIGS. 1 b  and  3   a , when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide toward each other to conjoin, the left part  310  of base  300  is received in the first space  510  via the first outlet  114 , and right part  330  of base  300  is received in the second space  520  via the second outlet  214 . 
     FIG. 3 b  is a top view of the embodiment when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other. As shown in FIGS. 1 b  and  3   b , when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  respectively slide away from each other, a part of left part  310  departs from the first space  510  via the first outlet  114 , and a part of right part  330  departs from the second space  520  via the second outlet  214 . At this time, connector  410  and a part of base  300  are exposed out of the first housing  100  and the second housing  200 , and situated between a right side part  112  of the first housing  100  and a left side part  212  of the second housing  200 . Connector  410  now electrically connects to the electronic device  700 . 
     As far as the embodiment is concerned, side surfaces, which are near both end surfaces, of base  300  respectively have protrusions  390  which are perpendicular to the move direction of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 , as shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b . When the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other to a determined position, protrusions  390  respectively engage with the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  so as to render base  300  not to detach from the first outlet  114  and the second outlet  214 . However, in another embodiment (not shown here), it is also possible that the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  respectively have protrusions  390 , and base  300  has slot. When the first housing  100  or the second housing  200  slide away from each other to a determined position, protrusions  390  respectively engage with the slot of base  300  so as to render base  300  not to detach from the first outlet  114  and the second outlet  214 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 b  and  3   c , when connector  410  is exposed between the right side part  112  and the left side part  212 , connector  410  may electrically connect to the electronic device  700 . Apropos of embodiments, the electronic device  700  connects to connector  400  via a connecting slot in a direction that is parallel to the upper surface of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200  and simultaneously parallel to the right side part  112  or the left side part  212 . Besides, when the electronic device  700  electrically connects to connector  410 , the electronic device  700  is parallel to the upper surface of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 . However, the electronic device  700  may connect to connector  410  in other direction as well, and when the electronic device  700  electrically connects to connector  410 , the electronic device  700  may also be parallel to a surface that sandwiches a certain angle with respect to the upper surface of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 b ,  2   a  and  2   b , the two-part keyboard of the present invention further includes a back plate  600 . One end of back plate  600  movably connects to the first housing  100  and the other end may movably connect to the second housing  200  as well. In addition, back plate  600  is situated beneath base  300 . Apropos of embodiments, back plate  600  movably connects to the inner walls of the first space  510  and the second wall  520  respectively via the first outlet  114  and the second outlet  214 . However, in another embodiment, respectively via bottom, back plate  600  may also movably connect to bottom surfaces of the first housing  100  and the second housing  200 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 b  and  3   b , when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other, a part of back plate  600  is exposed between the right side part  112  of the first housing  100  and the left side part  212  of the second housing  200 . Now, back plate  600  together with the right side part  112  and the left side part  212  define a third space  530 . As shown in FIG. 3 c , when the electronic device  700  electrically connects to connector  410 , a part of the electronic device  700  is received in the third space  530 , and back plate  600  touches a back side of the electronic device  700  for supporting the electronic device  700 . 
     Please refer to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b . As shown in FIG. 4 a , the two-part keyboard of the present invention further includes an elevating device  800 . When the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other, as shown in FIG. 4 b , elevating device  800  lifts base  300  upwards. Apropos of embodiments, the two-part keyboard of the present invention may connect to electronic devices of different thickness by replacing or adjusting elevating device  800  or base  300 . 
     As far as the embodiments in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are concerned, elevating device  800  includes at least an elastic element  810 . One end of elastic element  810  connects to base  300  with the other connecting to back plate  600 . When the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other, base  300  lifts up via the elastic force of elastic element  810 . Apropos of embodiments, elastic element  810  may be spring, elastic rubber, sponge, or any other that provides similar functions. 
     Besides, as shown in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , the upper surfaces  370  of the left part and the right part of base  300  respectively have incline surfaces  820 . The incline surfaces  820  simultaneously incline downwards and outwards. Because elastic element  810  provides base  300  with a upward elastic force, the incline surfaces  820  respectively touch the upper edge of the first outlet  114  and the upper edge of the second outlet  214  when the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide away from each other. Now the upper edge of the first outlet  114  and the upper edge of the second outlet  214  respectively slide outwards along the incline surfaces  820 . As shown in FIG. 4 b , base  300  gradually rises via the inclination of the incline surfaces  820  relative to the first housing  100  and the second housing  200 . When the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  slide towards each other, the upper edge of the first outlet  114  and the upper edge of the second outlet  214  respectively slide along the incline surfaces  820  forcing base  300  to move downwards. 
     FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  show another embodiment of elevating device  800 . As shown in FIG. 5 a , elevating device  800  includes slot  830  and axle  850 . Slot  830  is located on bottom surface of base  300 . Slot  830  includes a central part  831  which is near the center of bottom surface and an outer part  833  which is near two sides of bottom face. The central part  831  is closer to the upper surface  370  of base  300  than the outer part  833 . One end of axle  850  connects to the inner wall of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 , with the other end being sleeved into slot  830 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5 a , when the first housing  100  or the second housing  200  slides toward the center of base  300 , axle  850  travels along slot  830  from the outer part  833  of slot  830  to central part  831  for guiding downward movement of base  300 . When the first housing  100  or the second housing  200  slides away from each other, axle  850  moves to outer part  833  from central part  831  of slot  830  for guiding upward movement of base  300 . However, in another embodiment, axle  850  may connect to base  300  and slot  830  is situated on inner side of the first housing  100  or the second housing  200 . 
     The two-part keyboard of the present invention further includes a synchronizing device  900 . Synchronizing device  900  respectively connects to the first housing  100  and the second housing  200 . Via synchronizing device  900 , the first housing  100  and the second housing  200  may slide away from each other at equal speed. As the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, synchronizing device  900  includes a first rack  910 , a second rack  920  and a gear  930 . First rack  910  connects to the first housing  100  and is parallel to the sliding direction of the first housing  100 . Second rack  920  connects to the second housing  200  and is parallel to the sliding direction of the second housing  200 . Gear  930  rotatably connects to back plate  600 . The first rack  910  and the second rack  920  respectively engage with two ends of a same diameter of gear  930 . When the first housing  100  slides inwards, the first rack  910  drives gear  930  to rotate, which drives the second rack  920  to render the second housing  200  to slide inwards at a speed equal to a speed of the first housing  100 . When the first housing  100  slides outwards, the first rack  910  drives gear  930  to rotate, which drives the second rack  920  to render the second housing  200  to slide outwards at a speed equal to a speed of the first housing  100 . 
     To be particularly noted, FIG. 6 illustrates merely one of the possible embodiments of synchronizing device  900 . In other words, synchronizing device  900  may also be embodied via any other elemental combination which accomplishes equal efficacy. 
     By means of the detailed descriptions of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the subject invention, it is the expectation that the features and the gist thereof are plainly revealed. Nevertheless, these above-mentioned illustrations are not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Instead, it should be well understood that any analogous variation and equivalent arrangement is supposed to be covered within the spirit and scope to be protected and that the interpretation of the scope of the subject invention would therefore as much as broadly apply.