A device, in particular a keyboard, for data or command entry is disclosed. The device is suitable for entering data or commands into an electronic processing system, in particular, into an electronic system or apparatus for controlling a respective installation, such as an entertainment centre such as a bowling centre.

A keyboard (110) comprises a base board (116), keys (112), pitfalls (120) and a mode control mechanism (118). The keys (112) include cups (1124), and the mode control mechanism (118) may switch the keyboard (110) especially the key cups (1124) between different modes. In case that the keyboard (110) is not in use, these cups (1124) can be received in the pitfalls (120) to reduce the profile of the keyboard (110). In case that the keyboard (110) is to be used, the keys (112) may be raised up and arranged on the base board (116) in order to enable long keystroke and provide good typing experience.

A keyboard finger guide includes two or more elongated planar guides that are in a parallel orientation to each other. A plurality of curvilinear dividers is secured to the guides in a perpendicular orientation and provide a tactile guide to align fingers on a keyboard. The upper surface of the dividers can include a nonabrasive and malleable material, or the dividers can be completely constructed from a malleable material so as to allow the shape of the device to conform to variances in keyboard manufacture and designs.

A touch input device includes a touch sensing element having at least two input parts partitioned by at least one partition line, a plurality of force sensors mounted on a bottom surface of the touch sensing element, and at least one support member mounted on the bottom surface of the touch sensing element to provide reaction force to an elastic sensing element in a vertical direction and serving as the partition line. In at least one of the two input parts, a moment based on a shearing force may be canceled by the support member.

A keyboard device includes a supporting plate, a keycap, a stopping structure and a switching module. The stopping structure is arranged between the supporting plate and the keycap, and located near an outer edge of the keycap. The switching module is located under the keycap and connected with the stopping structure. While the switching module is moved relative to the supporting plate in a second axial direction, the stopping structure is correspondingly moved. When the switching module is in a first status, the stopping structure is located near the outer edge of the keycap. When the switching module is in a second status, the stopping structure is moved to a position under the first outer edge of the keycap to stop the movement of the keycap.

A tactile communication tool for transforming a user input command into an audio output signal is provided. The tool presents a user with a housing, a plurality of buttons, a sound processing unit with a speaker, and an overlay set with a plurality of tactually discernable non-Braille characters or tactually discernable non-Braille images embossed upon it. The plurality of tactually discernable non-Braille images characters or tactually discernable non-Braille images can be positioned over the plurality of buttons such that when one of the buttons is pressed by a user, the user input command is processed, and an audio output signal is generated. The tool could also be used for providing input to a computer system. The overlay set could also be a plurality of individual tactile overlay keys.

A multipurpose elastic band to wrap around an object, the multipurpose elastic band including a main portion to elastically stretch around the object, and a protruded portion disposed along an entire base of the main portion to protrude a predetermined distance perpendicularly from the main portion and to elastically stretch along with the main portion.

The present description relates to devices, such as keyboards. One example can include a top portion and an opposing bottom portion and key switches that are mechanically retained in holes formed in the top cover. The example can also include electrical traces formed on the top cover that extend from the holes to a processing unit that is configured to receive electrical signals along the electrical traces when the key switches are closed.

A touch input device includes a touch sensing element having at least two input parts partitioned by at least one partition line, a plurality of force sensors mounted on a bottom surface of the touch sensing element, and at least one support member mounted on the bottom surface of the touch sensing element to provide reaction force to an elastic sensing element in a vertical direction and serving as the partition line. In at least one of the two input parts, a moment based on a shearing force may be canceled by the support member.

A key configured to be included in a keyboard is provided. The key includes a body having an upper surface that is contacted to provide input to a computer. The upper surface of the body has one or more openings. The key also includes one or more pins positioned in the body and aligned with the one or more openings, and one or more actuators coupled with the one or more pins. The one or more actuators configured to move the one or more pins to move through the one or more openings and project out from the upper surface of the body.