INTERACTIVE KEYBOARD WITH MULTIPLE DIFFERENT KEY ARRANGEMENTS
First Claim
1. A keyboard kit that is selectively configurable by an end user to provide differing key arrangements, comprising:
- a plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules; and
an underlying display device,where each of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules is at least partially see-through and includes mechanically-depressible keys, the underlying display device and plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules being configured such that, upon securing of a selected keyboard module of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules to the underlying display device, the selected keyboard module covers at least a portion of an operative surface of the underlying display device and enables through-key user viewing of dynamic keyboard imagery from the underlying display device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A keyboard kit that is selectively configurable by an end user to provide differing key arrangements is provided. The keyboard kit includes a plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules and an underlying display device. Each of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules may be at least partially see-through and include mechanically-depressible keys, the underlying display device and plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules being configured such that, upon securing of a selected one of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules to the underlying display device, the selected one of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules covers at least a portion of an operative surface of the underlying display device and enables through-key user viewing of dynamic keyboard imagery from the underlying display device.
65 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A keyboard kit that is selectively configurable by an end user to provide differing key arrangements, comprising:
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a plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules; and an underlying display device, where each of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules is at least partially see-through and includes mechanically-depressible keys, the underlying display device and plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules being configured such that, upon securing of a selected keyboard module of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules to the underlying display device, the selected keyboard module covers at least a portion of an operative surface of the underlying display device and enables through-key user viewing of dynamic keyboard imagery from the underlying display device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computing system having swappable and varied keyboard configurations, comprising:
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a display subsystem including a primary display for providing visual output; a keyboard subsystem including a secondary display and a kit of differently-configured keyboard modules, each of which includes mechanically-depressible keys and is configured to be secured to and positioned over an operative surface of the secondary display, where upon securing a selected keyboard module of the kit of differently-configured keyboard modules to the secondary display, said selected keyboard module permits through-key viewing of dynamic keyboard imagery produced by the secondary display; and a data-holding subsystem containing instructions executable by a logic subsystem, said instructions when executed being operative to, upon securing of said selected keyboard module to the secondary display, identify said selected keyboard module and then configure the computing system and secondary display to provide, for each mechanically-depressible key of said selected keyboard module, a visual output associated with the mechanically-depressible key and visually representative of an input command which will result from user operation of the mechanically-depressible key. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of enabling user selection of different key arrangements with respect to a keyboard, the different key arrangements being achieved through a kit including a plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules that are at least partially see-through and include mechanically-depressible keys, comprising:
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securing, via tool-free user manipulation, a first selected keyboard module of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules to an operative surface of an underlying display device to provide a first input mode of operation and so that dynamic keyboard imagery from the underlying display device is viewable through the first selected keyboard module; operating, through selected physical depression of keys, the first selected keyboard module; removing from the underlying display device the first selected keyboard module; securing, via tool-free user manipulation, a second selected keyboard module of the plurality of differently-configured keyboard modules to the operative surface of the underlying display device to provide a second input mode of operation and so that dynamic keyboard imagery from the underlying display device is viewable through the second selected keyboard module; and operating, through selected physical depression of keys, the second selected keyboard module. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification