Method and apparatus for inputting data
First Claim
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1. A data input apparatus for a data processing device, comprising:
- a keyboard base having a plurality of switches;
a keyframe mateable with said keyboard base, said keyframe configured to engage one or more of said plurality of switches to uniquely identify said keyframe;
a plurality of keys disposed within said keyframe; and
, circuitry associated with said keyboard base for generating character data associated with respective ones of said plurality of keys.
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Abstract
A data input apparatus for use with data processing devices is disclosed. The apparatus includes a keyboard base having a plurality of switches, a keyframe, and a plurality of keys arranged on the keyframe. The keyframe mates with the keyboard base, which has circuitry for generating character data associated with the plurality of keys. Moreover, upon mating, the keyframe can engage one or more of the plurality of switches to be uniquely identified according to the arrangement of the plurality of keys on the keyframe.
71 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A data input apparatus for a data processing device, comprising:
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a keyboard base having a plurality of switches;
a keyframe mateable with said keyboard base, said keyframe configured to engage one or more of said plurality of switches to uniquely identify said keyframe;
a plurality of keys disposed within said keyframe; and
,circuitry associated with said keyboard base for generating character data associated with respective ones of said plurality of keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for inputting object-orientated data to a computer, comprising:
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a plurality of keys;
a keyboard base;
a keyframe connectable to said keyboard base and identifiable by the computer, and wherein said keyframe is configured to accommodate said plurality of keys; and
,circuitry in said keyboard base having switches actuateable by said plurality of keys and said keyframe for generating and transmitting data specifying an arrangement of said plurality of keys and a key character to the computer upon actuation of one of said plurality of keys. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for use with a keyboard base of a computer, the keyboard base having a matrix of switches engageable with a plurality of keys, the apparatus comprising:
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a keyframe configured to accommodate the plurality of keys; and
,wherein said keyframe includes a means for transmitting one or more keyframe identifier signals to the computer upon a mating of said keyframe to the keyboard base. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer system comprising:
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a CPU;
a display unit connected to said CPU for displaying symbols; and
,a keyboard having circuitry associated therewith to communicate with said CPU, said keyboard further comprising;
a plurality of keys;
a keyboard base having one or more switches actuatable by said plurality of keys; and
,a keyframe mateable with said keyboard base, wherein a mating of said keyframe to said keyboard base causes one or more signals to be transmitted to said CPU identifying an arrangement of said plurality of keys on said keyframe. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 28, 29)
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24. A data input apparatus for a data processing device, comprising:
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means for arranging a plurality of keys for generating character data;
means for identifying said means for arranging; and
means for transmitting signals based on said means for identifying to a CPU to generate said character data associated with said means for arranging; and
means for connecting said means for transmitting, said means for identifying, and said means for arranging to each other. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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30. A method of entering data into a CPU for one of multiple target groups, the method comprising the steps of:
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A) arranging a plurality of keys on separate keyframes for each of the multiple target groups;
B) selecting a target group having an associated keyframe;
C) connecting said associated keyframe to a keyboard base; and
D) actuating keys on said associated keyframe to transmit signals to said CPU.
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31. A method of reconfiguring a keyboard for multiple target groups, the keyboard having a keyboard base to which any one of at least first and second keyframes may be connected, the method comprising the steps of:
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arranging a plurality of keys on respective first and second keyframes for two of the multiple target groups;
connecting a first keyframe associated with a first and second target group to the keyboard base, wherein the keyboard base identifies said first keyframe and enables data transmission therefrom; and
replacing said first keyframe with a second keyframe associated with a second target group, wherein said keyboard base identifies said second keyframe and enables data transmission therefrom.
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Specification