Keyboard

• US 6,492,977 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1998
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy John Marshall
• Original Assignee: Timothy John Marshall
• Inventors: Marshall, Timothy John
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kovalick, Vincent E.
• Application Number:
  US09/171,852
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 364/189, 380/52, 705/25, 902/20
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems

Abstract

An improved keyboard comprises a base, and a plurality of keys, and a grid surrounding some of the keys which can be projected onto a screen, and in which some of the keys control the functions of others of the keys.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising a base on which are mounted a plurality of keys and on which there is a grid on the base which surrounds at least some of the keys, there being means to show on a display unit controlled by the keyboard a representation of the grid, and means to identify on the display unit at least some of the keys and their position relative to the grid, in which the display of the grid can be varied by the addition or omission of part of the displayed grid, and there is an array of keys substantially centrally positioned relative to the other keys and that the function of these keys can be changed by operation of other keys.

2. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which there are a plurality of key types in groups, each of which have a specific function or operation.

3. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which there are five key types and one of said types of keys comprise a group of keys which operate on the other key groups changing the operation of the other keys.

4. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which one of said types are KeyPage keys of sufficient number to cover the alphabet and other function keys.

5. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 including Option and Action keys the operation of which varies depending on the KeyPage keys in use.

6. A keyboard as claimed in claim 5 in which said Option key is a fixed key, not linked with the KeyPage group of keys, and at least one of the Option keys is fixed as a system key which is used to control the computer system.

7. A keyboard as claimed in claim 1 in which said five key types include KeyPage, PageSelect, Action Key, Option and Function, and said PageSelect keys comprise a group of keys which operate on the other key groups for changing the operation of the other keys.

8. An electronic keyboard for operating a computer comprising a base on which are mounted a plurality of keys and on which there is a grid on the base which surrounds at least some of the keys, said grid being permanent with said base, there being means to show said grid on a video display screen controlled by the keyboard, and means to identify on said display screen at least some of the keys and their position relative to the grid, and including an array of keys substantially centrally positioned relative to the other keys and means for changing the function of said centrally positioned keys by the operation of said other keys and in which keyboard there are five different key types and one of said types of keys comprise a group of keys which operate on the other key groups changing the function of the other keys.

9. A keyboard as claimed in claim 8 in which said five different key types include KeyPage, PageSelect, Action Key, Option and Function, and said PageSelect keys comprise a group of keys which operate on the other key groups for changing the function of the other keys.

10. A keyboard as claimed in claim 9 in which said Option key is a fixed key, not linked with the KeyPage group of keys, and at least one of the Option keys is fixed as a system key which is used to control the computer system.

11. An electronic keyboard for controlling electronic equipment comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) a plurality of at least three different types of keys mounted on said base;

(c) said plurality of keys including at least KeyPage and PageSelect keys;

(d) a raised or depressed grid on said base surrounding said KeyPage keys;

(e) means for displaying said grid on a video screen for viewing by the user;

(f) said PageSelect keys being positioned outside of said grid for controlling said KeyPage keys; and

(g) electronic equipment connected to and controlled by said electronic keyboard.

12. The electronic keyboard of claim 11 wherein said plurality of keys further include at least one of Action keys, Function keys or Option keys positioned outside of said grid.