Multipurpose keyboard using digitizer pad featuring spatial minimization of a pressure contact area and method of making same
First Claim
1. A multipurpose keyboard, comprising:
- an electronic pressure sensing means for simultaneously detecting the leading and trailing edges of at least one pressure contact area;
a programmable processing means for receiving location data for at least one spatial dimension from the electronic pressure sensing means and interpreting the location data;
a programmable controller means cooperatively associated with the processing means and for controlling the processing means;
at least one location data transmission means for each spatial dimension detected, transmitting location data from the electronic pressure sensing means to the processing means; and
an interchangeable active sensing element means cooperatively associated with the electronic pressure sensing means for depressing at least one pressure contact area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multipurpose keyboard incorporating an electronic pressure sensing device, a digitizer pad featuring spatial minimization of a pressure contact area capable of locating the leading and trailing edges of the pressure contact area is described. A processor coupled to the electronic pressure sensing device is programmed to sense when various regions on a simple, fully interchangeable template overlay and the underlying electronic pressure sensing device are depressed. The sensed region is associated by the processor with a particular key identification on the template overlay. The variation of the resistance in the digitizer pad enables the processor to detect the actuation of more than one key on the template overlay at the same time, thereby defecting key rollover. A method of fabrication for a multipurpose keyboard is also described.
149 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A multipurpose keyboard, comprising:
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an electronic pressure sensing means for simultaneously detecting the leading and trailing edges of at least one pressure contact area; a programmable processing means for receiving location data for at least one spatial dimension from the electronic pressure sensing means and interpreting the location data; a programmable controller means cooperatively associated with the processing means and for controlling the processing means; at least one location data transmission means for each spatial dimension detected, transmitting location data from the electronic pressure sensing means to the processing means; and an interchangeable active sensing element means cooperatively associated with the electronic pressure sensing means for depressing at least one pressure contact area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of providing a multipurpose keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electronic pressure sensing means for simultaneously detecting the leading and trailing edges of at least one pressure contact area; providing a programmable processing means for receiving location data for at least one spatial dimension from the electronic pressure sensing means and interpreting the location data; providing a programmable controller means cooperatively associated with the processing means for controlling the processing means; providing at least one location data transmission means for each spatial dimension detected, for transmitting location data from the electronic pressure sensing means to the processing means; and providing an interchangeable active sensing element means cooperatively associated with the electronic pressure sensing means for depressing at least one pressure contact area.
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11. A multipurpose keyboard, comprising:
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a digitizer pad operable to simultaneously detect the leading and trailing edges of at least one pressure contact area; a programmable processor operable to receive location data for at least one spatial dimension from the digitizer pad, the processor further operable to interpret the location data and associate the location data with a predetermined known position; a programmable controller cooperatively associated with the processor and operable to control the processor; at least one location data transmission bus for each spatial dimension, operable to transmit location data from the digitizer pad to the processor; and an interchangeable mechanical actuator cooperatively associated with the digitizer pad and operable to be depressed in at least one pressure contact area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of providing a multipurpose keyboard, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a digitizer pad operable to simultaneously detect the leading and trailing edges of at least one pressure contact area; providing a programmable processor operable to receive location data for at least one spatial dimension from the digitizer pad, the processor further operable to interpret the location data and associate the location data with a predetermined known position; providing a programmable controller cooperatively associated with the processor and operable to control the processor; providing at least one location data transmission bus for each spatial dimension, operable to transmit location data from the digitizer pad to the processor; and providing an interchangeable mechanical actuator cooperatively associated with the digitizer pad and operable to be depressed in at least one pressure contact area.
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Specification