US 2002/0154037 A1 · Reformable keyboard with variable key design

Abstract

Key patterns configured to accommodate the handicaps of the disabled user are imprinted or embossed on a sheet of conformable material. A matrix of sensing circuits for a keyboard are placed under the sheet to detect when and where the sheet is depressed and provides an output to a keyboard controller indicating which portion of the keyboard has been contacted. The keyboard controller relates the position data to the keyboard pattern on the sheet and provides key signals to the computer interface connector of the keyboard that are indistinguishable by a computer system from the QWERTY outputs of a standard keyboard. This enables the disabled user to carry this keyboard from one computer system to another and simply exchange it for the standard keyboard for the computer. Since the keyboard can be configured to accommodate the users handicap, no changes need be made to the operating system or any software of the computer in order to allow the disabled user to use the computer. Furthermore, other users are not required to do anything special to start using the computer system once the standard keyboard is re-installed.

Claims9

Dependent claims

Data entry device comprising:

a keyboard with a surface having a plurality of key area positions embossed thereon shaped or positioned to accommodate the handicap of a disabled user each key area position containing an inscription thereon representing its character or function to be identified by a user;
a circuit matrix disposed below said keyboard surface said circuit matrix being capable of detecting when any key area position is depressed to produce a multi-bit electrical signal representative of the location of the depressed key area position on the keyboard;
a standard interface connector to connect the keyboard to a computer to provide key scan codes to the computer;
and
a controller for converting the output of the circuit matrix in the depression of a key area to one which is recognizable by the computer so that the key scan code outputs the keyboard provides to the standard interface connector can be interpreted by the computer to correctly identify a selected character or function irrespective of the position or shape of the key areas on the keyboard.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reformable keyboard with variable key design

Life of this patent

Reformable keyboard with variable key design

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9