MODIFIER KEYS IN A KEYBOARD

• US 20120112932A1
• Filed: 11/04/2010
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Parker May
• Original Assignee: Parker May
• Inventors: May, Parker
• Application Number:
  US12/939,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20120112932A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1664 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1667 Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of the integrated keyboard independently from the main body adjusting the tilt angle integrally with the main body G06F1/166
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664

Abstract

One example embodiment includes a keyboard for providing an output signal to an external device. The keyboard includes a keypad. The keypad includes a first key, where the first key is configured to provide a first signal to a logic device when depressed and a second key, wherein the second key is configured to provide a second signal to the logic device when depressed. The keyboard also includes the logic device. The logic device is configured to output a first output signal to an external device if only the first key is depressed, a second output signal to an external device if only the second key is depressed and a third output signal to the external device if the first key is depressed and the second key is depressed.

Claims

1. A keyboard for providing an output signal to an external device, the keyboard comprising:

a keypad, wherein the keypad includes;

a first key, wherein the first key is configured to provide a first signal to a logic device when depressed; and

a second key, wherein the second key is configured to provide a second signal to the logic device when depressed; and

the logic device, wherein the logic device is configured to output;

a first output signal to an external device if the first key is released without the second key being depressed;

a second output signal to an external device if the second key is released without the first key being depressed; and

a third output signal to the external device if the first key is released while the second key is depressed.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the set of keys include the core keys of a QWERTY keyboard.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the first key includes an alpha numeric key.

4. The keyboard of claim 3, wherein the second key includes an alpha numeric key.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the logic device includes a processor.

6. The keyboard of claim 1 further comprising a memory, wherein the memory includes the first output signal, the second output signal and the third output signal.

7. The keyboard of claim 6, wherein the memory is configured to include a lookup table.

8. The keyboard of claim 7, wherein the logic device is further configured to lookup the first output signal, the second output signal and the third output signal in the lookup table.

9. The keyboard of claim 6, wherein the lookup table includes table 1.

10. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising:

a hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to move the keyboard to the rear of a mobile device for back typing.

11. A system for providing input on a mobile device, the system comprising:

a keypad, wherein the keypad includes a set of keys;

a memory, wherein the memory is configured to contain a lookup table of keystroke combinations; and

a logic device, wherein the logic device is configured to;

receive a signal from one or more of the keys in the set of keys;

lookup the keystroke combination in the lookup table;

determine the correct signal to send to an attached mobile device; and

output the correct signal to the attached mobile device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the logic device receives a first signal from one or more keys in the set of keys if the key is depressed by the user.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the logic device receives a second signal from one or more keys in the set of keys if the key is released by the user.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the logic device is further configured to determine which key of the set of keys was released first if two keys of the set of keys are depressed.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the logic device is further configured to output the correct signal only after at least one key in the set of keys has been released.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the logic device includes a processor.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of keys include the core keys of a QWERTY keyboard.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the set of keys include the keys of a QWERTY keyboard.

19. A method of manufacturing a system for providing input on a mobile device, the method comprising:

provide a keypad, wherein the keypad includes a set of keys;

provide a memory, wherein the memory is configured to contain a lookup table of keystroke combinations; and

provide a logic device, wherein the logic device is configured to;

receive a signal from one or more of the keys in the set of keys;

lookup the keystroke combination in the lookup table;

determine the correct signal to send to an attached mobile device; and

output the correct signal to the attached mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the logic device includes a processor.