Compact keyboard system

A compact keyboard for entry of character data into a computerized system comprising:

• a character formation key formed by a plurality of bars capable of being activated for providing light, said bars being arranged in a mosaic pattern;
• means for causing light to be emitted from each said bar when such bar is in an activated lit condition;
• each of said bars being switchable between an activated lit condition and an off condition, with the activated ones of said bars emitting light so as to display a character;
• and,
• entry means for causing a displayed character to be entered into a computerized system,
• each of said bars associated with respective switch means in the vicinity thereof, said switch means switchable by a user between on and off conditions thereof, and means for activating and deactivating said bars in response to switching said respective switch means between said on and off conditions,
• said entry means further comprising confirming display means for displaying a character being formed by the user based on which of said bars are in an activated lit condition.

A compact keyboard for entry of data into a computerized system comprising:

• a character formation key formed by a plurality of bars capable of being activated for providing light, said bars being arranged in a mosaic pattern;
• means for causing light to be emitted from each said bar when such bar is in an activated lit condition;
• each of said bars being switchable between an activated lit condition and an off condition, with the activated ones of said bars emitting light so as to display a character;
• and,
• entry means for causing a displayed character to be entered into a computerized system,
• each of said bars being switchable between its activated and its off conditions by a user,
• said entry means further comprising separate character display means, means for displaying on said separate character display means a character being formed by the user based on which of said bars are in an activated lit condition, and a separate data entry means associated with said separate character display means so that if said separate character display means displays the character that a user intends to form by said bars such user can enter the desired character by pressing said separate data entry means.

A compact keyboard for entry of data into a computerized system comprising:

• a character formation input key means including:
• a plurality of display segments each having an active and an inactive state, said display segments combinable by selective activation to form a character;
• activating means for activating and deactivating separate ones of said display segments to form said character;
• first entry means for causing a character displayed by said segments to be entered into a computerized system,
• separate display means, separate from said plurality of display segments, responsive to a character-forming sequence of operations of said activating means by displaying for user verification, after each operation in said sequence, at least one complete character corresponding to the ones of said display segments activated during said sequence, and
• separate entry means associated with said separate display means for verifying a complete character displayed on said separate display means and for causing the complete character to be entered into the computerized system,
• thereby terminating said character-forming sequence is prior to completion for the character being formed.