Multilingual keyboard system

• US 5,387,042 A
• Filed: 06/04/1993
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl W. Brown
• Original Assignee: Carl W. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Carl W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hendrickson, Lynn D.
• Application Number:
  US08/071,697
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 364/419.17, 340/711, 345/168, 345/171, 345/172, 400/109, 400/111, 400/484, 400/485, 400/489, 400/490, 400/472, 400/477
• US Class Current: 400/477
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0224 Key guide holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A multilingual keyboard system (10) including a customized keyboard unit (12) is provided to operate in conjunction with a central processing unit (14) and a logic system (16) having unique software in order to facilitate multilingual typing from a single keyboard. The keyboard (12) includes customized keys (20) which are shaped to receive label panels (70) on one of several selectable templates (18). Each template (18) corresponds to a particular character set which the user desires to utilize as an alternate character set to that appearing on the key labels (52) on the keyboard (12). The keyboard (12) also includes a keyboard mode toggle key (36) for toggling between a standard mode of operation and the selected alternate mode. The logic system (16) includes software having keymapping schemes associated with each selectable alternate mode. Changing templates (18) permits usage of multiple alternate modes with the same equipment.

Claims

1. A keyboard and template combination adapted to be utilized as input to processing devices for receiving keyboard input in the form of signals corresponding to the condition of the individual keys thereon, comprising:

a keyboard member having a plurality of keys arrayed thereon in a keyboard layout, the keyboard and the keyboard layout conforming in size, arrangement and shape to conventional keyboards utilized for such purposes, the keys having a keytop corresponding in size, shape and contour to conventional keytops, at least some of the keytops including key labels displaying a primary character typically generated by the processing devices in response to depressing the associated key, at least certain ones of the keys being further provided with a template detent formed underneath a front portion of the keytop, the template detent having a vertical extent greater than the range of vertical motion of the key during usage;

at least one template member adapted to mate with said keyboard member, said template member including a plurality of alternating key windows and label panels, the key windows being adapted to fit over selected ones of the keys and the label panels being adapted to rest within the template detents in such a manner that the label panels do not physically interfere with the travel of the keys during use, the label panels being provided with alternate key labels, each alternate key label corresponding to the desired alternate output of the one of the keys with which the alternate key label is associated and in the template detent of which key the label panel rests; and

switching means for causing the processing devices to interpret keystrokes from said keyboard as either a default keyboard character set, corresponding to the key labels, or an alternate character set, corresponding to the alternate key labels, depending on the condition of said switching means.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein

the keytops of at least those keys situated visually intermediate the user and one of the alternate key labels is provided with a rear slope portion such that a visual path is provided to the alternate key label.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein

the portions of the keys other than the keytops are shaped so as to facilitate insertion and removal of said templates.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein

multiple interchangeable ones of said templates are provided, each said template having appearing thereon an array of the alternate key labels corresponding to selected associated character set, and

template selection means are provided to cause the processing devices to interpret keystrokes of the keys to correspond to the selected one of said templates.

5. In a computer system adapted to receive character generation input from a keyboard, the improvement comprising:

providing a keyboard having an approximately conventional key layout thereon, including a plurality of individual keys, at least a majority of the keys having key labels thereon;

providing a template corresponding to an alternate character set from the character set of the key labels on the keys of said keyboard, said template including alternate key labels shown thereon; and

providing logic means for interpreting activations of ones and combinations of ones of the keys,

wherein

the keys of said keyboard are [physically altered]substantially congruent in size and upper shape to those keys found on conventional keyboards, including a keytop having an upper surface contoured to comfortably receive the fingertip of a user, and selected ones of the keys including a front overhang extending over a template detent, the template detent being formed to receive a portion of said template therein such that said template may lie flat on the upper surface of said keyboard and such that said template does not interfere with the operation of the key, the template detent being formed so as to receive associated portions of said template thereunder such that the alternate key labels are apparent to the user in physical conjunction with the associated key,

said logic means is provided with input to identify whether a standard keymapping scheme, associated with the key labels, or an alternate keymapping scheme, associated with said template, is to be utilized, and

said logic means is provided with input to identify the particular alternate character set selected.

6. The improvement of claim 5 wherein

the selected ones of the keys further include a sloping rear portion to facilitate insertion and removal of the template and to facilitate visual accessibility of the alternate key labels.

7. The improvement of claim 5 wherein

each said template includes an identification coding, recognizable by said logic means, corresponding to a specific alternate keymapping scheme;

and

the alternate key labels appearing on said template depict at least one character generated by the corresponding key when said alternate keymapping scheme is invoked.

8. The improvement of claim 7 wherein

the identification coding is embodied in a physical tab structure depending from said template;

and

tab reading means for receiving the tab structure and sensing the identification coding thereon is associated with said logic means to facilitate selection of the specific corresponding alternate keymapping scheme.

9. The improvement of claim 5 wherein

said logic means includes custom programming for inputting into the computer system, the custom programming corresponding to the particular computer system;

a plurality of mutually unique keymapping schemes corresponding to the available ones of said templates; and

signal recognition means for receiving signals from said keyboard unit and generating desired output corresponding to the unique combination of activated keys in response to input determining the identification of the particular template in use and the activation status of the alternate keymapping scheme.