Highly mobile keyboard with automatic password transmission

Abstract

A collapsible compact touch-type keyboard for mobile devices. The keyboard includes a plurality of separate parts that together form a keyboard with keys large enough to allow efficient touch-typing. The plurality of parts includes at least a first and a second base each retaining a plurality of keys. A wireless transmitter exists within at least one of the parts to send keyboard events to a computer.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A keyboard peripheral comprising:
 a key array;   a wireless interface within the keyboard to communicate directly with a host device; and   a controller disposed within the keyboard, the controller to retain user-defined data within the keyboard;   wherein responsive to at least one of a pressure event, a finger touch gesture or a key event, when a wireless link with the host is operational, the controller uses the user-defined data to automatically send a user-defined password through the wireless interface to the host, without the need for a manual password entry.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the keyboard is a touch type keyboard peripheral. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the keyboard automatically signals a user when the physical distance between the keyboard and the host exceeds a threshold while the keyboard is in a collapsed state. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the keyboard triggers the host to generate a user discernable output to assist in locating the host. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the keyboard triggers the host to generate an output to assist a user in physically locating the host. 
     
     
         6 . The keyboard peripheral of  claim 1  wherein the key event is a single press of any single key on the array without requiring any other key event in combination.