Mouse emulation keyboard system

• US 6,469,694 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Es Beta, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peter J. Mikan
• Inventors: Mikan, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sheng, Tom V.
• Application Number:
  US09/547,946
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 345/157, 345/160, 345/163, 345/168, 345/172
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

The mouse emulation keyboard relates to improved methods, devices and system for electronic digital computer keyboards which has bifurcated plug compatible cable for mouse port and keyboard port. The arrow keys on the keyboard transparently emulate the functions of a pointing device such as a mouse. The keyboard is waterproof with silicone rubber cover without loss of tactile feedback and operability. The keyboard can be used for normal keyboard functions. Upon depressing a mouse mode key the arrows keys emulate the functions of a pointing device such as a mouse. Control, Windows and Alternate keys are made dual function to emulate left, middle and right mouse button functions.

Claims

1. An integrated mouse emulation keyboard system for use with an electronic digital computer on a shop floor comprising:

a) a bifurcated plug connected to the keyboard;

b) means for emulating arrow keys on said keyboard;

c) wherein control, windows and alternate keys have dual functionality; and

d) wherein said bifurcated plug is connected to a mouse port and a keyboard port of the computer connected to said keyboard system.

2. The integrated mouse emulation keyboard system of claim 1 wherein following keys are backlit;

a) CAPS Lock;

b) Dual function key Number Lock &

F5;

c) Dual function key Scroll Lock &

F6; and

d) Mouse key with mouse icon.

3. A process of integrating a pointing device into a keyboard for alphanumeric data entry into a computer from a single device comprising the steps of:

a) adding the following dual function keys to said keyboard;

(i) Second Key/flag for dual function keys;

(ii) Dual function key F10 &

F1;

(iii) Dual function key F11 &

F2;

(iv) Dual function key F12 &

F3;

(vi) Dual function key Insert &

F4;

(vii) Back Lit Dual function key Number Lock &

F5;

(viii) Back Lit Dual function key scroll lock &

F6;

(ix) Dual function key Print Screen &

F7;

(x) Dual function key Pause &

F8;

(xi) Dual function key Break &

F9;

(xii) Dual function key Big/Middle Brackets;

(xiii) Dual function key tilde &

hyphen;

(xiv) Dual function key Quotes &

Colon;

(xv) Dual function key period &

greater than symbol;

(xvi) Dual function key forward/back slash;

(xvii) Dual function key End &

Mouse/arrow right;

(xvii) Dual function key Home &

mouse/arrow left;

(xix) Dual function key Page Up &

Mouse/arrow up;

(xx) Dual function key Page Down &

mouse/arrow down;

(xxi) Dual function key Control &

left mouse button;

(xxii) Dual function key Windows &

middle mouse button;

(xxi) Dual function key ALT &

right mouse button;

(xxiv) Back lit mouse key with mouse icon; and

b) connecting a bifurcated plug to a mouse port and a keyboard port of the computer connected to said keyboard.