A flexible device, comprising a housing (10) and a flexible element (20), and further comprising a driving element (30) received in the housing (10). The driving element (30) may drive the flexible element (20) to be received in the housing (10) when working. By enabling the housing (10) to receive the driving element (30), the length of the flexible device can he effectively reduced, so that the flexible device is easy to carry.

A portable device (e.g., a wireless device such as a cell phone) is provided with a flexible keyboard and a flexible display screen. Such flexible components may be stored in the housing of the portable device when not in use. The flexible display screen and flexible keyboard may be expanded from the housing when the flexible components are utilized by a user. Non-flexible display and input components may be provided on the exterior of the portable device such that the device may be used, in some form, while the flexible components are stored. In one embodiment, a portion of the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) may be utilized when the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) is stored in said first housing.

A controller and methods for controlling a retractable keyboard are disclosed. The controller may control and monitor an extend operation of the retractable keyboard using a first pin, and control and monitor a retract operation of the retractable keyboard using a second pin. Open drain signaling may be used on the pins to allow control and monitoring through the same pin. To control and monitor the extend (or retract) operation using a single pin, the controller releases the voltage at the pin to a floating high state to activate the muscle wire to extend (or retract) the keyboard. During the operation, the controller checks the voltage state at the pin. If the voltage at the pin has been pulled to low by the closing of a limit switch, the controller determines that the extend (or retract) operation has completed and in response drives the pin to a low voltage state to deactivate the muscle wire.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to input devices configured for use with computing devices. The present invention relates to input device configured with a plurality of input members grouped into contoured-shaped bowls on a portion of the input devices. The input device may also be configured for use with multiple hand positions and multiple profiles based on the hand positions. The input device may enable switching between user-programmable profiles, and may include sensory feedback indicating the profiles active on the input device.

A portable electronic device includes a display panel disposed on a front side of the portable electronic device and a back-side keyboard disposed on a rear side of the portable electronic device. The back-side keyboard includes an icon layer and a touch sensing layer. The icon layer provides a plurality of icons. The touch sensing layer is utilized to sense the exact positions of fingers at the rear side of the portable electronic device. Each of the icons is triggered to realize an input operation of the icon when the icon is pressed by a finger from the rear side towards the front side of the portable electronic device. A user is allowed to use their longer fingers to perform an input operation from the rear side of the portable electronic device, for avoiding the drawback of using the thumbs to input and increasing the user experiences for input operation.

A folding keyboard includes a number of keypads, a number of telescopic rods arranged on opposite sides of the number of keypads, and a number of connecting cables for electrically coupling the number of keypads together. The number of keypads are combined into a unified piece by the number of telescopic rods being in a contracted state. The number of keypads are separated from each other by the telescopic rods being in an extended state. The number of keypads separated from each other can be stacked on top of each other.

A keyboard device according to one embodiment includes: a box-shape body, comprising a first side-wall and a second side-wall arranged opposite to and is pivotably openable relative to the first side-wall; a support assembly, configured to be connected detachably to the first side-wall of the box-shape body such that the box-shape body is adapted to support the electronic apparatus; and a flexible membrane keyboard which is connected with an internal surface of the second side-wall of the box-shape body and switchable between an unfolded condition in which the flexible membrane keyboard functions as a keyboard of the electronic apparatus and a folded condition in which the flexible membrane keyboard is received within the box-shape body. The keyboard device of the embodiments of the disclosure may function as both a keyboard for the electronic device and a support, and is provided with a limited size so as to facilitate portability thereof.

A folding keyboard includes a number of keypads, a number of telescopic rods arranged on opposite sides of the number of keypads, and a number of connecting cables for electrically coupling the number of keypads together. The number of keypads are combined into a unified piece by the number of telescopic rods being in a contracted state. The number of keypads are separated from each other by the telescopic rods being in an extended state. The number of keypads separated from each other can be stacked on top of each other.

Input devices having a thin profile and good comfort and feel are disclosed. In embodiments, an input device includes a sensor layer configured to effectuate a key press upon application of an activation force, and a collapsible layer coupled to the sensor layer. The collapsible layer may be configured to collapse in response to a collapsing force that is substantially equal to the activation force. When the collapsible layer collapses, the sensor layer may simultaneously effectuate the key press in response to application of the collapsing force.

A mechanical keyboard with reduced number of keys includes many mechanical keys which are divided into a function section and an alphanumeric section disposed at one side of the function section. Each mechanical key has a keycap. The keycap has a light-transmitting character symbol on a top surface thereof. At least one mechanical key is a self-defined key in the function section or the alphanumeric section. Each keycap of the self-defined key has a top wall and a side wall facing a user. The top wall and the side wall respectively have a light-transmitting character symbol. Each self-defined key has a first lighting module and a second lighting module which are alternatively activated to light. The first lighting module corresponds to the top wall of the self-defined key. The second lighting module corresponds to the side wall of the self-defined key.