Thin electronic data input device

A thin foldable data input device for generating electrical signals for transmission to an electronic device in response to an operators finger strokes, the data input device comprising at least two subparts with each subpart having a top face and a bottom face and foldable along neighboring sides, and transmission means connected to at least one sub-part to transmit the electrical signals generated from the electronic circuitry to the electronic device, each subpart comprising;

• a thin circuit board having a top surface;
• thin electronic circuitry affixed to the circuit board to generate electrical signals for transmission to an electronic device in response to an operators finger strokes,
• said electronic circuitry including:
• at least one node positioned on the top surface of the circuit board and electrically coupled to the circuit board for generating an electrical signal associated with that node for transmission to the electronic device, each node having;
• a first portion and a second portion that are exposed and touchable by an operators finger and are spaced apart and electrically isolated from each other by a gap, so that when an operator's finger touches the exposed first portion and second portion of the node the first portion is electrically connected to the second portion through the operator's finger to generate the electrical signal associated with that node for transmission to the electronic device,
• the electrical signal signaling that the gap has been closed for that node;
• at least one electrical coupling to electrically connect the electronic circuitry of the sub-part to electronic circuitry of at least one other adjacent sub-part;
• and at least one hinge adapted to attach the sub-part to at least one other adjacent sub-part so that adjacent sub-parts can fold with respect to one another face to face,
• wherein all the sub-parts connect to form the data input device.