Keypad indicating arrangement including virtual key

• US 20030174073A1
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Tec Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Koppich, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,170,429 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

The present invention provides a keypad having a plurality of keys, each having a predetermined function for a respective plurality of selective operations. An indicating arrangement is provided for identifying a selected one of the plurality of keys. As a special feature of the present invention, the indicating arrangement can include one or more virtual keys, selectively programmable to emulate the predetermined function of one or more of the plurality of keys.

Claims

1. A keypad comprising:

a plurality of keys each having at least one predetermined function for a respective plurality of selective operations; and

an indicating arrangement for identifying a selected one of the plurality of keys.

2. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the indicating arrangement indicates an active operational state of the selected key.

3. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the indicating arrangement comprises actuable color means for producing a predetermined color on the selected key.

4. The keypad of claim 3 wherein the color means comprises an actuable illumination element.

5. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the indicating arrangement comprises a display for displaying indicia on the selected key.

6. The keypad of claim 5 wherein the means to display indicia comprises an actuable alphanumeric display.

7. The keypad of claim 1 wherein the indicating arrangement comprises at least one virtual key selectively programmable to emulate the at least one predetermined function of the selected key.

8. The keypad of claim 7 wherein the virtual key is displaced from the plurality of keys.

9. The keypad of claim 7 wherein the indicating arrangement further comprises means for producing a visible distinction on at least one of the selected key and the virtual key.

10. The keypad of claim 9 wherein the means for producing comprises actuable color means to produce a predetermined color.

11. The keypad of claim 9 wherein the means for producing comprises an actuable illumination element.

12. The keypad of claim 7 wherein the means for producing comprises a display for displaying indicia on at least one of the selected key and the virtual key.

13. The keypad of claim 12 wherein the display comprises an actuable alphanumeric display.

14. The keypad of claim 7 wherein the at least one virtual key comprises a plurality of virtual keys, each selectively programmable to emulate the predetermined functions of a respectively plurality of keys.

15. The keypad of claim 14 wherein the indicating arrangement further comprises means for producing a visible distinction on at least one of a predetermined virtual key and its respective counterpart selected key.

16. The keypad of claim 15 wherein the means for producing a visible distinction comprises producing a visible distinction between a plurality of respective pairs of predetermined virtual keys and their respective counterpart keys.

17. The keypad of claim 16 wherein the means for producing a visible distinction comprises means for actuably selecting from at least one of differences in color and illumination.

18. The keypad of claim 16 wherein the means for producing a visible distinction comprises an actuable display for displaying variable indicia on each of the plurality of respective pairs.

19. The keypad of claim 7 wherein the at least one virtual key is selectively programmed to consecutively emulate the predetermined functions of a plurality of the keys.

20. A keypad comprising:

a plurality of keys each having at least one predetermined function for a respective plurality of selective operations; and

an indicating arrangement for identifying a selected one of the plurality of keys, wherein the indicating arrangement comprises at least one virtual key selectively programmable to emulate the at least one predetermined function of the selected key.