signature=100b692282aa1382ea78ab430e523ecc,External keyboard

摘要：

There is described a keyboard (100) including user-operable alpha-numeric keys (240). One or more identification devices (220) associated with the user-operable keys (240) are included in the keyboard (100). When placed in proximity to the keyboard (100), the one or more identification devices (220) selectively communicate with a digital apparatus (10) in response to user-actuation (250) of the user-operable keys (240). The keyboard (100) comprises a flexible substrate for enabling the keyboard (100) to be folded into a non-deployed inactive state, and unfolded into a deployed active state for communicating with the digital apparatus (10). When in proximity thereto, the keyboard (100) communicates with the apparatus (10) by way of near-field magnetic and/or electrostatic coupling. The keyboard (100) includes an intermediate resonant circuit (140, 150; C2, C3, L) for interfacing between the one or more identification devices (220) and the digital apparatus (10); the resonant circuit (140, 150; C2, C3, L) includes a component spatially disposed to overlay a first region (130) onto the digital apparatus (10) in use, and to overlay a second region (160) coupled to the one or more identification devices (220) in use for coupling signals therebetween. The keyboard (100) is especially useful for mobile telephones (10) and personal digital assistants (PDAs) for rendering data entry easier.

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