A compact wearable self illuminating keyboard for portable devices

This invention describes a wearable keyboard for portable devices. The keyboard has no moving parts and is meant to be used as an accessory for a PDA or cell phone.

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Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc.
IPD Case #50T5816

Title:

A compact wearable self illuminating keyboard for portable devices

Abstract:

This invention describes a wearable keyboard for portable devices. The keyboard has no moving parts and is meant to be used as an accessory for a PDA or cell phone.

Inventors:

Thomas Patrick Dawson

Description of the Invention: Provide a concise technical description of your invention in the format outlined below on the following pages.

1: Explain the problems, issues or needs which led to the invention, and explain how others have addressed these problems, issues or needs.

There is a problem with providing text input for portable devices. A full size keyboard is too large to be practical for a small portable electronics device such as a PDA, cell phone or hand held game unit. Folding keyboards have been incorporated into some devices but these suffer from reliability issues and tend to break easily. When the keyboard breaks the device becomes un-useable since the keyboard is built into it. Another problem is that these cannot be used when standing up where there is no place to set the device down to perform typing and in locations where there is poor lighting. What is needed is a wearable self illuminating keyboard that will not break easily or wear out quickly.

2: Describe your invention in terms of how it solves the problems described in paragraph 1. Specifically identify the new or novel features of your invention. Describe the construction and operation of the invention including drawings (flow charts, schematics, block diagrams, mechanical drawings, photographs, etc.) You may attach documentation in the form of letters, memos, engineering notebook pages, etc. if available, or you may use as many invention disclosure data sheets as necessary. Be sure each page is signed, dated and witnessed.

This invention is an optical keyboard where a stylus (as is used for PDA input) is used to select keyboard entries. Using the stylus interrupts the path of light within the device and signals a keyboard selection (see figure 2. The selection result in an bit stream to the device that determines the selection based on which bits are absent, see figure 3. Since the keyboard has no moving parts is will be rugged and reliable. The internal diodes also provide illumination for the device.

One implementation of this invention places a small keyboard on the person's forearm, see figure 1. A cable connects the keyboard to the electronic device. See figure 1. The device is worn in a similar manner to a watch or bracelet. It constructed to be rugged and thin. If the keyboard breaks it can be replaced without affecting operation of the main electronics device. This allows the device to be used while standing up a...