Flexible Circuit Keyboard Nested in Stylus Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable electronic devices face challenges with inconvenient portability and high cost due to the need for external keyboards, which are not seamlessly integrated with the devices.

Innovation Solution

A compact input device that combines a stylus and a keyboard, featuring a flexible circuit board with a signal transmission module, allowing the keyboard to be folded or scrolled within the stylus body for efficient data transmission to a host device using wireless or wired communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an external keyboard is used with portable electronic devices, then keyboard input functionality is provided, but portability becomes inconvenient and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard input functionalityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the keyboard and stylus into a single integrated input device. The keyboard is constructed with flexible circuit board technology that allows it to be folded or rolled into a compact form that fits within the stylus body, enabling both keyboard input functionality and portable storage in one device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keyboard is nested within the stylus body when not in use. The flexible circuit board construction allows the keyboard to be folded or rolled into a compact form that fits inside the hollow interior of the stylus, creating a nested configuration where the larger keyboard is contained within the smaller stylus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If an external keyboard is used with portable electronic devices, then keyboard input functionality is provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard input functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stylus body serves multiple functions: it acts as both a writing/stylus tool and as a storage container for the keyboard. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and accessories, thereby reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If a flexible circuit board is used for the keyboard, then compactness and portability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyboard sizeVSAvoidcircuit board integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The keyboard is constructed using flexible circuit board technology, which replaces traditional rigid PCB structures with flexible thin films. This allows the keyboard to be folded or rolled into a compact form that fits within the stylus body, achieving significant volume reduction while maintaining electrical connectivity through the flexible circuit traces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8130122B2Input device with a flexible circuit board and related computer system

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 WISTRON CORP

AI summary

An input device includes a body, and a flexible circuit board connected to the body and receivable inside the body. A plurality of keys is disposed on the flexible circuit board. The input device further includes a signal transmission module installed inside the body and electrically connected to the flexible circuit board for transmitting data corresponding to signals generated by the plurality of keys to a host.