Context sensitive labels for a hardware input device

• US 20060028451A1
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bathiche, Steven N.
• Application Number:
  US11/242,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028451A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

Hardware input devices can provide context sensitive labels which can change according to an application running on a computer and/or the function assigned to an input element. An illustrative aspect includes employing ink having two or more electroluminescent pattern layers with an input device. Based on the context of a computer associated with the input device, an illuminated pattern identifies the current functionality of one or more of the inputs of the input device.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a keyboard, comprising:

receiving a control signal from a computer representing a current context; and

causing a topography of a keyboard substrate to change responsive to the control signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said causing includes generating a raised portion on the keyboard substrate representing the current context.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the raised portion provides a user interface representing input options available to a user in the current context.

4. The method according to claim 3, further including presenting the input options on the raised portion in the form of at least one of text or icons.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing a label for each input option responsive to the control signal.

6. A keyboard comprising a configurable substrate, wherein responsive to a control signal representing a current context, said substrate changing topography to generate a user interface.

7. The keyboard according to claim 6, comprising labels representing various contexts associated with the user interface, wherein at least one label is configured to be displayed responsive to the control signal representing the current context of the user interface.

8. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing a method of configuring a keyboard, the method comprising:

receiving a control signal representing a current context of a computer system; and

causing a topography of a keyboard substrate to change responsive to the control signal.

9. The computer readable medium according to claim 8, wherein said causing includes generating a raised portion on the keyboard substrate representing the current context.

10. The computer readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the raised portion provides a user interface representing input options available to a user in the current context.

11. The computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the method further includes presenting the input options on the raised portion in the form of at least one of text or icons.

12. The computer readable medium according to claim 10, wherein the method further includes providing a label for each input option responsive to the control signal.