Modular keyboard
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsGULLERMO ANDRES, EDGARDO ORIEL ENDRIQUEZ, FELIX GUERRA, DEREK THOMAS NEWSOM, JOHN NORMAN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer user interface device is provided, made up of modules having separate sets of user interface features. For instance, a keyboard device has a first module bearing standard alphanumeric and control keys, and a second module, selected from a set of optional modules bearing specialized features such as multimedia controls, communication interfaces, or magnetic media readers. The modules are mechanically coupled together. An electrical interface allows user input signals, such as keystroke signals, to be consolidated on one module, preferably the specialized module, into a single signal stream, for coupling to the computer.
Claims9
A computer user interface device, for use by a user for communicating information to a computer, the user interface device comprising:
- a first module for producing a first set of user function signals based on user input operations;
- a second module for producing a second set of user function signals based on user input operations;
- means for coupling the first module with the second module;
- and
- circuitry for coupling the first and second user function signals to the computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.