User input device with expanded functionality
First Claim
1. A user input device comprising:
- at least a first hardwired user input mechanism, wherein a plurality of functions are assignable thereto;
at least a first dedicated function indicator for indicating the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism;
a function-change user input mechanism that transmits a function-change signal when user actuated; and
a controller configured to;
change the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to the function-change signal;
change the function indicated by the first dedicated function indicator responsive to the function-change signal; and
generate one or more signals related to the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to actuation thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention can include systems and methods for expanding the functionality of user input devices. In particular, the present invention can expand the functionality of user input devices by changing the functions assigned to hardwired user input mechanisms responsive to user actuation of a function-change user input mechanism and/or responsive to automatic detection of an application change. Each hardwired user input mechanism can have an associated function indicator that visually indicates the function assigned to the hardwired user input mechanism. The present invention also can change the function indicated by the function indicators when there is a change in the functions assigned to the hardwired user input mechanisms.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A user input device comprising:
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at least a first hardwired user input mechanism, wherein a plurality of functions are assignable thereto; at least a first dedicated function indicator for indicating the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism; a function-change user input mechanism that transmits a function-change signal when user actuated; and a controller configured to; change the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to the function-change signal; change the function indicated by the first dedicated function indicator responsive to the function-change signal; and generate one or more signals related to the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to actuation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A user input device comprising:
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at least a first hardwired user input mechanism, wherein a plurality of functions are assignable thereto; at least a first dedicated function indicator for indicating the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism; and a controller configured to; automatically detect an application change; change the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to the detected application change; change the function indicated by the first dedicated function indicator responsive to the detected application change; and generate one or more signals related to the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to actuation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for expanding the functionality of a user input device, the method comprising:
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detecting a function-change signal from a function-change user input mechanism; changing the function assigned to a first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to the function-change signal; changing the function indicated by a first dedicated function indicator responsive to the function-change signal, wherein the first dedicated function indicator indicates the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism; and generating one or more signals related to the function assigned to a first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to actuation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for expanding the functionality of a user input device, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting an application change; changing the function assigned to a first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to the detected application change; changing the function indicated by a first dedicated function indicator responsive to the detected application change, wherein the first dedicated function indicator indicates the function assigned to the first hardwired user input mechanism; and generating one or more signals related to the function assigned to a first hardwired user input mechanism responsive to actuation thereof. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification