Claims
- 1. A computer, comprising:
- a processor;
- memory coupled to said processor; and
- a keyboard coupled to said processor comprising:
- a substrate;
- a plurality of inflatable keys disposed on said substrate, each key being able to assume an expanded or inflated state and a compressed or non-inflated state;
- a membrane layer beneath said plurality of keys, said membrane layer having a bump adjacent each key;
- a first printed wiring board beneath said membrane layer, said first printed wiring board having a contact adjacent each bump;
- a spaced layer beneath said first printed wiring board, said spaced layer having an opening adjacent each contact;
- a second printed wiring board beneath said spaced layer, said second wiring board having a contact adjacent each opening; and
- circuitry coupled to said keyboard for generating signals responsive to said keys being pressed.
- 2. The computer of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises two substrate sections.
- 3. The computer of claim 2, wherein said substrate comprises a first section including keys to be operated by a right hand of a user and a second section including keys to be operated by a left hand of the user.
- 4. The computer of claim 1, wherein said keys has a top portion formed of a hard material and side surfaces formed of a flexible material.
- 5. The computer of claim 4, wherein said flexible material is a polymer material.
- 6. The computer of claim 5, wherein said flexible material is formed in the shape of a bellows.
- 7. The computer of claim 1, where a gas is used to inflate said inflatable keys.
- 8. The computer of claim 7, wherein each key has a valve through which said gas can pass into and out of said key.
- 9. The computer of claim 7, wherein said gas is air.
- 10. The computer of claim 1, wherein a pumping mechanism is used to inflate and deflate each key.
- 11. The computer of claim 10, wherein said pumping mechanism comprises a solenoid selectively coupling a valve to one of a pump and a vent.
- 12. The computer of claim 11, further including a regulator coupling said pump to said keys.
Parent Case Info
This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119 (e) (1) of provisional application number 60/009,194, filed Dec. 22, 1995.
US Referenced Citations (4)