Electronic keyboard template
First Claim
1. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs in a computer system comprising a primary display screen, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
- a template display screen separate from said primary display screen and positioned proximate to and aligned with said designated keys, said template display screen displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; and
driving circuitry that generates said icons on said template display screen in response to control signals.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs is responsive to command signals transmitted by designated function keys on a computer keyboard. The template includes an LCD display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed by the function keys, control circuitry, and driving circuitry for generating the display of the icons on the LCD screen. In a preferred embodiment, the control circuitry includes a microprocesor, a Random-Access-Memory, and a digital Look-Up-Table, and the driving circuitry comprises a matrix driver and a refresh sequencer. The driving circuitry may further include a DC-to-DC convertor, and a plurality of shift registers for energizing pixel locations designated within a grid system on the LCD screen. In an alternative embodiment, the control circuitry may be external to the template (e.g., within the keyboard).
101 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs in a computer system comprising a primary display screen, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
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a template display screen separate from said primary display screen and positioned proximate to and aligned with said designated keys, said template display screen displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; and driving circuitry that generates said icons on said template display screen in response to control signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18)
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8. An electronic keyboard template for software applications programs, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, the template comprising:
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a display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; driving circuitry for generating the display of said icons on said screen in response to control signals; and control circuitry for generating said control signals which control the display of said icons on said display screen, said control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and a Random-Access-Memory and a digital Look-Up-Table. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. An electronic keyboard template for software applications programs, said programs being responsive to said command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
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a display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; and driving circuitry for generating the display of said icons on said screen in response to control signals, said driving circuitry comprising a matrix driver and a refresh sequencer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
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a display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; driving circuitry for generating the display of said icons on said screen in response to control signals, said selector circuitry for selecting a predefined set of said icons, said set of icons being appropriate for use with a given one of said software applications programs.
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15. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
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a display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals from said designated keys; driving circuitry for generating the display of said icons on said screen in response to control signals; and program circuitry for defining a user designated set of said icons.
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16. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated function keys on a computer keyboard, said template comprising:
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an LCD display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed by said function keys, said LCD screen having pixel locations designated within a grid system on said display screen; control circuitry for generating control signals which control the display of said icons on said display screen, said control circuitry comprising a microprocessor, a Random-Access-Memory and a digital Look-Up-Table wherein said Look-Up-Table stores digital values representative of said icons to be displayed on said screen; and driving circuitry for generating the display of said icons on said screen in response to said control signals, said driving circuitry comprising a matrix driver, a refresh sequencer, and a plurality of shift registers for energizing said pixel locations of said display screen.
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17. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs in a computer system comprising a primary display screen, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated function keys on a computer keyboard, said software programs being operated within a host computer, said template comprising:
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a template display screen separate from said primary display screen and positioned proximate to and aligned with said designated keys, said template display screen displaying icons representative of operations performed in response to command signals form said designated keys; interceptor circuitry for receiving signals transmitted from said host computer and generating an activation signal in response thereto; and enable circuitry for enabling said template in response to a first mode of said activation signal, and disabling said template in response to a second mode of said activation signal.
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19. An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs, said programs being responsive to command signals transmitted by designated function keys on a computer keyboard, said software programs being operated within a host computer, said template comprising:
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interceptor circuitry for receiving signals transmitted from said host computer and generating an activation signal in response thereto; enable circuitry for enabling said template in response to a first mode of said activation signal, and disabling said template in response to a second mode of said activation signal; and repeater circuitry for repeating signals received from said keyboard and said host when said template is disabled.
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Specification