Programmable keyboard for a typewriter or similar article

• US 4,633,227 A
• Filed: 12/07/1983
• Issued: 12/30/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcatel NV (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Menn, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/559,128
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 R, 340/365 VL, 340/706, 340/711, 340/712, 400/172, 400/485, 400/486, 200/5 A
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

There is disclosed a programmable keyboard apparatus for allowing a user to select any one of a predetermined number of different keyboard arrangements such as the Qwerty or the Dvorak arrangements. The keyboard contains a plurality of fixed input keys arranged in rows and columns and according to a standard typewriter keyboard format. Each key has positioned above the key an indicating area whereby the designation or symbol for the key is automatically changed by the apparatus each time a different format is selected. In this manner, the user can experiment with keyboard formats which enable more rapid typing with fewer errors. The construction is extremely economical, and therefore, in utilizing the apparatus a user will have access to different keyboard arrangements which will increase the users ability to type or enter data.

The keyboard disclosed can be used as a computer keyboard which will also enable a rapid change of symbols while permitting the operator to view the symbols for each different format through the respective windows.

Claims

1. A programmable keyboard apparatus for allowing a user to select any one of a predetermined number of keyboard arrangements to enable the entry of alphanumeric data via said keyboard, said aparatus comprising:

a plurality of fixed input keys arranged in rows and columns according to a standard typewriter keyboard format each said key includes a top surface having a straight top edge from which extends a partial circular section with said circular section containing more than 180 degrees;

separate indicating areas, each one associated with one of said keys and positioned proximate to each key in said format for selectively displaying a proper symbol associated with said key and indicative of a character to be provided by said key according to said keyboard arrangements, each said separate indicating area including a transparent window positioned proximate said straight top edge of said associated key;

means, associated with said indicating areas, for selecting any one of said predetermined number of arrangements to cause each indicating area to display that symbol associated with that character to be furnished by said key according to said selected keyboard arrangement, said selector means including a switch capable of being moved into any one of a predetermined number of positions indicative of selecting a particular keyboard arrangement; and

means, coupled to said switch, for moving a predetermined distance upon a movement of said switch said means including an elongated slide member having parallel longitudinal slots one for each row of keys with each slot positioned over an associated row of keys and having areas between said slots that are positioned beneath said transparent windows in each of said rows, and indicia means coupled to said slide with said indicia being indicative of said symbols whereby when said means is moved, said slide moves to cause a selected symbol to appear in said window indicative of said character to be provided.

2. The programmable keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first one of said keyboard arrangements is the Qwerty arrangement.

3. The programmable keyboard apparatus according to claim 2, wherein another keyboard arrangement is the Dvorak arrangement.

4. The programmable keyboard apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said keys is of the type providing mechanical feedback to a user.

5. The programmable keyboard apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said keys is fabricated from a silicone rubber body.

6. The programmable keyboard according to claim 1, further including switching means coupled to said switch to provide a signal indicative of which one of said predetermined arrangements is selected, and

memory means coupled to said switching means and operative to provide at an output a plurality of signals indicative of the character associated with each of said keys according to said selected arrangement and in response to said signal.

7. The programmable keyboard according to claim 6, further including a segmented display module positioned beneath each window and decoder means responsive to said plurality of signals for causing said display to indicate the character associated with each of said keys according to said selected arrangement.

8. The programmable keyboard according to claim 1, wherein each of said keys and said associated separate indicating areas is framed to visually separate one from the other.

9. The programmable keyboard according to claim 1, wherein said keyboard format has at least eleven keys in a top first row, with at least eleven keys in a second row underlying said first row, with at least eleven keys in a third row underlying said second row, and at least ten keys in a fourth bottom row underlying said third row.