Keyboard with flexible display and prompt capability

A method of providing interactive communications between a user of a keyboard having a programmable display membrane covering an array of pressure sensitive keys, and a processing system in order to complete a task which includes plural functions, comprising the steps of:

• displaying on the programmable display membrane of the keyboard the location and function of keys to be used to effect a first desired function;
• generating data from the keyboard indicating actuation of keyboard keys;
• receiving said data at the processing system;
• displaying new information on the programmable display membrane of the keyboard in response to said data, said displayed new information indicating the location and function of keys to be used to effect a second desired function, the keys being programmable such that a single key may perform an unlimited number of functions;
• displaying the informational text on the programmable display membrane of the keyboard at continuous locations including locations between keys as well as overlying keys not used to effect the currently desired function;
• and
• repeating the steps of generating and receiving data and displaying new key locations and functions until the task has been completed.