Keyboard with macro keys made up of positionally adjustable micro keys
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorXavier R. Guerin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An adjustable keyboard where a macro key is (or can be) made up of multiple, proximate micro keys by adjusting a vertical, at-rest position of the micro keys individually. More specifically, the micro keys forming the macro key are set in a high position, while micro keys surrounding the micro keys forming the macro key will generally be set in the low position. In this way, traditional data entry keyboard keys (that is, macro keys) can be built up in an arbitrary fashion, according to the desires and needs of the user, from a larger matrix of micro keys.
Claims20
A keyboard assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- a plurality of discrete key sub-assemblies;
- wherein:
- the frame and the plurality of key sub-assemblies define an up direction and a down direction;
- the plurality of key sub-assemblies are each mechanically connected to the frame;
- each key sub-assembly includes an upwards-facing surface and an elevation control sub-sub-assembly;
- each elevation control sub-sub-assembly is structured, located and connected so that:
- (i) an at-rest position of the key sub-assembly can be adjusted between at least a high at-rest position and a low at-rest position, (ii) the upwards-facing surface is free to move in the down direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position, and (iii) the upwards-facing surface is mechanically biased in the up direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position;
- and
- in the high at-rest position, the upwards-facing surface of the key sub-assembly will be higher than when the key sub-assembly is in its low at-rest position.
A computer program product comprising software stored on a software storage device, the software comprising:
- first program instructions programmed to send a set of output signals;
- and
- second program instructions programmed to receive a set of input signals;
- wherein:
- each output signal of the set of output signals respectively controls an at-rest position of a discrete, upwardly-biased key on a keyboard;
- and
- each input signal of the set of input signals respectively corresponds to a vertical position of a key on the keyboard.
A keyboard assembly comprising:
- a frame;
- a plurality of key members;
- a plurality of key output signal generators;
- and
- a plurality of elevation control systems;
- wherein:
- the frame and the plurality of key members define an up direction and a down direction;
- each key member is mechanically connected to the frame respectively through one of the elevation systems of the plurality of elevation systems;
- each key member includes an upwards-facing surface;
- each elevation control sub-sub-assembly is structured, located and connected so that:
- (i) an at-rest position of the key sub-assembly can be adjusted between at least a high at-rest position and a low at-rest position, (ii) the upwards-facing surface is free to move in the down direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position, and (iii) the upwards-facing surface is mechanically biased in the up direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position;
- the plurality of key members are respectively associated with the plurality of key output signal generators;
- and
- each key output generator is structured to output a signal based upon whether its associated key member is being depressed by a user, with the signal being caused by at least one of the following mechanisms:
- (i) an electrical switch opens and closes based upon position of the key member, (ii) an optical switch opens and closes based upon position of the key member, and (iii) a magnetic field is changed based upon position of the key member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.