Displaying information on keys of a keyboard

• US 6,961,048 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2002
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Levon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu, Amare
• Application Number:
  US10/052,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/170, 345/156, 345/171, 345/172, 341 20- 22, 400/472, 400/474, 400/476, 400/483, 434112-115
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/002 Writing aids for blind persons devices for Braille writing G09B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for displaying information on the keys of a keyboard. The method includes receiving a request to change the configuration of the keyboard from a first configuration to a second configuration. The method further includes determining information to display on the keys of the keyboard in the second configuration, and displaying the information on the keys of the keyboard.

Claims

1. A keyboard, comprising:

a plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys is operable to be depressed, and wherein each key comprises a matrix of pins capable of rising above the surface of the key and displaying a Braille character; and

a control unit adapted to;

cause a first set of symbols to be displayed on the plurality of keys in a first mode and a second set of symbols to be displayed on the plurality of keys in a second mode, wherein the first set of symbols and the second set of symbols are each indicative of symbols corresponding to input characters of each of the plurality of keys, and wherein the first mode is a Braille configuration mode and wherein the second mode is a non-Braille configuration mode;

detect a selection of a particular key of the plurality of keys; and

provide information indicative of an input character corresponding to the particular key to a processor-based system in response to detecting the selection of the particular key.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each key comprises a sleeve for each of the pins of the matrix and wherein each of the sleeves comprises an upper coil for causing the associated pin to rise above the surface of the key.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein each sleeve comprises a magnetically movable object positioned below an associated pin, wherein the movable object is adapted to rise in response to the upper coil being energized.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the movable object is adapted to fall in response to the upper coil not being energized, and wherein the associated pin becomes flush with the surface of the key in response to the fall of the movable object.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a configuration selection device coupled to the control unit and configured to allow a user to select either the first mode or the second mode.