Web configurable human input devices

• US 20080168187A1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Panay, Panos, Ranta, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,650,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A web configurable human input device is provided. The device includes at least one mechanical control element having a dynamically alterable appearance. In some embodiments, the appearance of the at least one mechanical control element is dynamically altered in response to the execution of an input device web script. An example of such a web configurable human input device is an active keyboard in which the at least one mechanical control element having a dynamically alterable appearance is one of an array of keys of the active keyboard. When the active keyboard is connected to a web-enabled device, at least one key of the array of keys is configured to alter its appearance in response to the execution of the input device web script.

Claims

1. A web configurable human input device comprising:

at least one mechanical control element having a dynamically alterable appearance;

wherein the appearance of the mechanical control element is dynamically altered in response to execution of an input device web script.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the web configurable human input device is an adaptive keyboard that is connectable to a web-enabled client device.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the at least one mechanical control element is one of an array of keys of the adaptive keyboard, and wherein, when the adaptive keyboard is connected to the web-enabled client device, at least one key of the array of keys is configured to alter its appearance in response to the execution of the input device web script, which takes place upon an occurrence of a predetermined event.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the predetermined event is a depression of a key of the array of keys of the adaptive keyboard.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the predetermined event is one of an expiration of a timer and a reception of data from a source different from the adaptive keyboard.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the web configurable human input device is an adaptive mouse that is connectable to a web-enabled client device.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the at least one mechanical control element is a scroll wheel of the adaptive mouse, and wherein, when the adaptive mouse is connected to the web-enabled client device, the scroll wheel is configured to alter its appearance in response to the execution of the input device web script, which takes place upon an occurrence of a predetermined event.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the web configurable human input device is an adaptive game controller that is connectable to a web-enabled client device.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the at least one mechanical control element is a game control element of the adaptive game controller, and wherein, when the adaptive game controller is connected to the web-enabled client device, the game control element is configured to alter its appearance in response to the execution of the input device web script, which takes place upon an occurrence of a predetermined event.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the predetermined event is a change in a mode of a computer game that runs on the web-enabled client device.

11. A client system comprising:

a web-enabled client device; and

a web configurable human input device, connectable to the web-enabled client device, having a dynamically alterable appearance,

wherein, when the web configurable human input device is connected to the web-enabled client device, the appearance of the web configurable human input device is dynamically altered in response an execution of an input device web script.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the web-enabled client device comprises:

a program memory that stores a dynamic display driver for the web configurable human input device; and

a host controller, coupled to the program memory, configured to execute the dynamic display driver.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the web enabled client device further comprises a data memory, coupled to the host controller, that stores the input device web script, and wherein the host controller helps execute the input device web script.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the input device web script is downloaded from a web server and stored in the data memory.

15. The system of claim 12 and further comprising a browser extension, stored in the program memory, through which the input device web script, that is stored on a web server, communicates in real time with the web configurable human input device.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the web configurable human input device comprises a microcontroller that is configured to communicate with the host controller and to thereby receive commands to dynamically alter the appearance of the web configurable human input device.

17. A system comprising:

a web server that stores an input device web script;

a web-enabled client device that communicates with the web server; and

a web configurable human input device, connectable to the web-enabled device, having a dynamically alterable appearance,

wherein, when the web configurable human input device is connected to the web-enabled client device, the appearance of the web configurable human input device is dynamically altered in response an execution of the input device web script.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the input device web script is executed on the web server and communicates in real time with the web configurable human input device through a browser extension on the web-enabled client device.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the input device web script is downloaded to, and executed on, the web-enabled client device.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the input device web script is modifiable on the web server and is independent of particular web-enabled client devices and web configurable human input devices.