Versatile, configurable keyboard

• US 20050122313A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ashby, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/985,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20050122313A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

A computer keyboard is provided allowing configuration of the keys in any position. The keyboard includes a sensing surface capable of sensing the position of one or multiple, simultaneous finger presses. The position of the keyboard homekeys can be defined as the most comfortable, natural position of a user'"'"'s hands. The remaining keys may have their positions defined relative to the homekeys for ease of use. Also, the keyboard can automatically adjust the position of the non-homekeys based on a moving average of the actual location of the user'"'"'s depression of each such key.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a computer keyboard, comprising:

defining on a sensing surface of the keyboard a set of homekey positions for a user; and

defining on the sensing surface a set of non-homekey positions comprising positions of the remaining keys of the keyboard, such non-homekey positions being calculated and located relative to the homekey positions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein defining the homekey positions comprises:

placing the user'"'"'s hands in a preferred position for said user on said sensing surface;

pressing all of said user'"'"'s typing fingers on said sensing surface;

detecting a location of each of said user'"'"'s typing fingers, and;

defining said set of homekey locations as corresponding to said detected locations of said user'"'"'s typing fingers.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said keyboard is a membrane-type keyboard.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said keyboard is an on-screen keyboard.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said sensing surface comprises a matrix of pressure sensing points and pressing a user'"'"'s finger on said sensing surface activates one or more pressure sensing point at the same time.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said matrix of pressure sensing points is able to detect pressure applied from either side of said keyboard.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein one side of the keyboard carries fixed key positions indicated on said sensing surface.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein one side of the keyboard shows no fixed alphabetic key positions on said sensing surface.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein defining the non-home key positions comprises:

detecting typing by the user on areas other than said defined homekey positions;

calculating ergonomically optimum non-homekey positions for said user; and

redefining said non-homekey positions to be said calculated optimum positions.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said calculation is done by defining a moving average of a position of a last n presses of each key, where n is a predefined integer.

11. The method of claim 2 further comprising, prior to defining said homekey positions, selecting, by a user, a keyboard country or language, a keyboard layout type and a number N of typing fingers to be utilized by a user.

12. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of defining the homekey positions can be repeated by the user at any time to redefine said homekey positions.

13. The method of claim 2 wherein pressure activity in non-key areas of said sensing surface is treated as mouse activity.

14. A computer keyboard comprising:

a sensing surface whereon a position of multiple, simultaneous finger or key presses is detectable;

a homekey definition unit for defining anywhere on said sensing surface a set of homekey positions for a user as requested by said user, and;

a key definition unit for defining on said sensing surface a set of non-homekey positions comprising positions of the remaining keys of the keyboard, such non-homekey positions being calculated and located relative to the homekey positions.

15. The keyboard of claim 14 wherein:

in response to detecting all of said user'"'"'s typing fingers simultaneously on said sensing surface, said sensing surface detects a location of each said finger, and;

said homekey definition unit defines said homekey positions as said detected locations of said fingers.

16. The keyboard of claim 15 wherein said sensing surface comprises a membrane-type keyboard.

17. The keyboard of claim 15 wherein said sensing surface comprises an on-screen keyboard.

18. The keyboard of claim 15 wherein said sensing surface has a matrix of pressure sensing points.

19. The keyboard of claim 18 wherein said matrix of pressure sensing points is able to detect pressure applied from either side of said keyboard.

20. The keyboard of claim 14 wherein said key definition unit, in response to detection by said sensing surface of typing by the user on areas other than said defined homekey positions, calculates the ergonomically optimum non-homekey positions for said user and redefines said non-homekey positions to be said calculated optimum positions.

21. The keyboard of claim 20 wherein said calculating comprises defining a moving average of a position of a last n presses of each non-homekey key, where n is a predefined integer.