Embodiments are directed to a sensing membrane that is coupled with electrical terminals of a key switch and a light source. This may allow the membrane to be both configured to transmit a signal in response to actuation of keyboard key cap and illuminate an illuminable symbol of key cap. In one aspect, the membrane includes a set of deformable layers separated by a spacer layer. Terminals of the key switch are connected to distinct ones of the set of deformable layers and positioned within a cavity defined by the spacer layer. A light assembly may be positioned along and configured to move with one of the set of deformable layers. Depression of a key cap toward the set of deformable layers causes the set of terminals to move and initiate a switch event.

The utility model provides an ergonomic keyboard, comprising a left-hand keypad, a right-hand keypad, a user proximal end and a user distal end, wherein the left-hand keypad comprises a plurality of first key columns and a plurality of first key rows, the plurality of first key columns are in a first radial arrangement, and the included angles between every two first straight lines where the first key columns are located are 2-8 degrees; and the right-hand keypad comprises a plurality of second key columns and a plurality of second key rows, the plurality of second key columns are in a second radial arrangement, and the included angles between every two second straight lines where the second key columns are located are 2-8 degrees. The utility model further provides a portable computer, comprising a host and a display screen, wherein the host comprises a keyboard with the technical features of the ergonomic keyboard described above. The ergonomic keyboard of the utility model takes the special angles and structures of human arms, wrists and hands into account, and can effectively improve the operation comfort and input accuracy.

A foldable portable keyboard includes a first input module, a second input module, a connecting unit and a handgrip unit. The first input module has opposing front and back faces, and opposing first and second ends. The second input module has opposing front and back faces, and opposing first and second ends. The connecting unit is configured to be connected to the first end of the first input module and the first end of the second input module. The handgrip unit is configured to be engaged to the second end of the first input module and the second end of the second input module. The first input module and the second input module are configured to be in a flat configuration or in a folded configuration.

An electronic device is provided that uniformalizes (makes uniform) pressing sensitivities of operation switches such as a plurality of immediate output switches. A system includes a PC which is connected to a communication line, and an audio interface device which is connected to the PC and which has an immediate output switch which outputs to the PC a reproduction start command signal of an audio file which is assigned in advance, according to a user operation. A processor of the audio interface device converts an output value of the immediate output switch using a conversion table to a level value among a plurality of levels, and outputs the converted value. The conversion table is a table which converts different output values of the immediate output switch for the same pressing force into the same level value.

An input method is provided by embodiments of the present invention, relating to the communications field, and invented to improve the input experience of a user. The input method includes: providing an input interface on a touch display screen, where the input interface includes a virtual soft keyboard distributed in a sector area around a lower left corner or lower right corner of the input interface; receiving an input instruction which is input by a user through the virtual soft keyboard; and displaying input information corresponding to the input instruction. An input apparatus and a terminal device are also provided by embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is applicable to a mobile device or a handheld device.

A keyboard includes rows of keys defining a keyboard axis and side borders of the keyboard, the keyboard axis disposed mediate the side borders of the keyboard, the rows of keys disposed in series with each other along the keyboard axis, and the keyboard axis being disposed at an acute or obtuse angle relative to a user of the keyboard and being generally aligned along a length of an arm of the user holding the keyboard. Each key may be also defined by a unique region of numeric values or a unique region of color pixels allowing ease in changing keyboard location, size and orientation.

An apparatus and method for arranging a keypad in a wireless terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for arranging a keypad in a wireless terminal to conveniently perform a key input in the wireless terminal, the apparatus including: a display unit for displaying the keypad in at least one of a right and left side on a screen of the display unit in a horizontal mode of the wireless terminal; and a controller for controlling the display unit to display the keypad in the right and/or left side on the screen of the display unit in the horizontal mode of the wireless terminal.

An input system includes a first base portion and a second base portion that each include a keying surface. A base portion manipulation mechanism couples the first base portion to the second base portion. The base portion manipulation mechanism includes a moveable coupling that is configured to allow relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion into at least one of a tented orientation and a splayed orientation. A locking mechanism provides a biasing force that causes an engagement between portions of the moveable coupling that resists relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion absent an unlocking force, wherein the locking mechanism is responsive to the unlocking force that overcomes the biasing force to allow relative movement of the first base portion and the second base portion into the at least one of the tented orientation and the splayed orientation.

A portable data terminal including a main housing, a landscape-oriented large display screen disposed on a top front portion of the main housing and extending nearly an entire width of the main housing, a keyboard disposed on top of the main housing and rearward to the display screen, and left and right battery housings serving as ergonomic handle grips disposed on an underside of the main housing to accommodate two-handed grasping of the device, the keyboard being constructed and arranged to receive input from a pair of thumbs while corresponding hands are grasping and supporting the main housing. In an embodiment, the main housing includes a central housing portion extending downwardly on the underside of the main housing and having an extended front face for containing a scan engine/data reading mechanism and first and second cameras positioned on opposite lateral sides of the scan engine.

An input method is provided by embodiments of the present invention, relating to the communications field, and invented to improve the input experience of a user. The input method includes: providing an input interface on a touch display screen, where the input interface includes a virtual soft keyboard distributed in a sector area around a lower left corner or lower right corner of the input interface; receiving an input instruction which is input by a user through the virtual soft keyboard; and displaying input information corresponding to the input instruction. An input apparatus and a terminal device are also provided by embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is applicable to a mobile device or a handheld device.