Identification code and tab system

• US 6,216,947 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph A. Barna
• Original Assignee: Joseph A. Barna
• Inventors: Barna, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/401,000
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382, 235/145.R, 235/386, 235/146, 235/149.A, 341/23, 341/22, 400/447
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0224 Key guide holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48

Abstract

The present invention includes is a system that includes an identification code reader that reads the identification code on a keypad overlay and displays the keypad type for which the keypad overlay is designed. The identification system includes a keypad overlay that has an identification code positioned thereon. The system also includes an identification code reader operative to read the identification code. The identification code reader has a database of information associated with a plurality of keypad overlays. In particular, the database stores information that associates each of the plurality of identification codes to specific keypad types for each of the plurality of identification codes. Each of the identification codes is associated with a keypad overlay that specifies the functions of keys on a specific keypad type. In response the identification code reader reading the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay, the identification code reader is operative to display the specific keypad type associated with the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay.

Claims

1. A system for associating a keypad overlay with the type of keypad for which said keypad overlay is designed for use, said system comprising:

an identification code; and

a keypad overlay having an identification tab connected to and extending from said keypad overlay, said identification tab being detachable from said keypad overlay and including said identification code,

said identification code being positioned on said identification tab and being indicative of a specific type of keypad upon which said keypad overlay is to be placed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification tab is connected to the keypad overlay by a connector.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the connector forms an integral portion of the body and the identification tab.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification code is a set of symbols.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the identification code is a bar code.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a layer of material connected to a surface the keypad overlay and connected to a surface of the identification tab and the layer extending from the keypad overlay to the identification tab, each of the surfaces being located on the same side of the keypad overlay.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the identification tab is operative to facilitate removal of the layer of material upon detachment of the identification tab from the keypad overlay.

2. A substantially planar member for use in conjunction with a keypad, said planar member comprising:

a body portion for use as a keypad overlay; and

a detachable identification tab connected to and extending from said body portion, said identification tab being detachable from said body portion and including an identification code,

said identification code being positioned on said identification tab and being indicative of a specific type of keypad upon which said body portion is to be placed when said body portion is used as a keypad overlay.

3. A system for identifying a keypad overlay for a keypad, said system comprising:

an identification code; and

a keypad overlay having an identification tab connected to and extending from the keypad overlay, the identification tab being detachable from the keypad overlay and including the identification code;

the identification code being positioned on the identification tab and being indicative of a specific type of keypad overlay for a keypad.

10. A substantially planar member for use in conjunction with a keypad, said planar member comprising:

a body portion for use as a keypad overlay;

a detachable identification tab connected to and extending from said body portion, said identification tab being detachable from said body portion and including an identification code;

said identification code being positioned on said identification tab and being indicative of a specific type of keypad overlay for a keypad.

11. A system for identifying a keypad overlay for a keypad, said system comprising:

an identification code; and

a keypad overlay including the identification code;

the identification code being indicative of a specific type of keypad overlay for a keypad.

12. A system for identifying a keypad overlay with a specific type of keypad, comprising:

an identification code reader operative to read an identification code positioned on the keypad overlay,

the identification code reader having a database of information associated with a plurality of keypad overlays,

the database storing information that associates each of a plurality of identification codes to a specific keypad overlay;

each of the identification codes being associated with a keypad overlay that specifies the function of keys on a keypad type; and

the identification code reader operative to display, in response to the identification code reader reading the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay, the specific keypad type associated with the identification code positioned on the keypad overlay.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the identification code reader is a bar code reader.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the identification code is located on an identification tab, the identification tab connected to and extending from a keypad overlay and the identification tab being detachable from the keypad overlay.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the identification tab is connected to the keypad overlay by a connector.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the connector forms an integral portion of the body and the identification tab.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the identification code is a set of symbols.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the identification code is a bar code.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising a layer of material connected to a surface the keypad overlay and connected to a surface of the identification tab and the layer extending from the keypad overlay to the identification tab, each of the surfaces being located on the same side of the keypad overlay.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the identification tab is operative to facilitate removal of the layer of material upon detachment of the identification tab from the keypad overlay.