Folding keyboard for a personal digital assistant

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless folding keyboard for a personal digital assistant which has a stand for supporting the personal digital assistant in the appropriate orientation to receive the wireless signals.

1 . A combination of a wireless folding keyboard for a personal digital assistant and a stand for supporting said personal digital assistant, wherein said personal digital assistant has a first port for wireless communication, said folding keyboard comprises a second port for wireless communication and said stand is adapted to support said personal digital assistant in an orientation whereby said first and second port are in wireless communication with each other, and wherein said keyboard further comprises a battery, a plurality of keys and computer software for wirelessly communicating a keystroke signal from said second port when a key is struck.  
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said wireless communication comprises infrared communication and said first and second ports are infrared ports.  
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said stand for supporting a personal digital assistant comprises a stylus-shaped element having a first end sized to be removably received in a stylus-receiving cavity of said personal digital assistant, and a rigid elongated element pivotally connected to said first end, whereby when said first end is received in said stylus-receiving cavity said rigid elongated element may be pivoted to support said personal digital assistant in an orientation whereby said first and second port are in wireless communication with each other.  
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein personal digital assistant is hingedly connected to said folding keyboard and said stand supports said personal digital assistant in an orientation to permit wireless communication between said first and second ports.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 3  further comprising a hinge to removably and hingedly connect said personal digital assistant to said folding keyboard in an orientation to permit wireless communication between said first and second ports.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein the screen display of the personal digital assistant is rotated 90 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the screen display of the personal digital assistant is rotated 90 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein said hinge comprises a stylus-shaped rod which is sized and shaped to fit into the stylus cavity of said personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein said hinge when removably installed on said keyboard thereby locks said keyboard in an open position.