Computer keyboard providing an alert when typing in Caps Lock mode

• US 6,970,158 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harry E. Emerson
• Original Assignee: Harry E. Emerson
• Inventors: Emerson, Harry E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US10/427,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 943 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/172, 341/22, 341/23, 341/27, 400/487, 400/476, 400/477, 400/485, 400/486, 400/489
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A computer keyboard providing an audible alert and a visual alert to the user when the keyboard is in the CAPS LOCK mode of operation. A computer system including a computer keyboard providing an audible alert and a visual alert to the user when the keyboard is in the CAPS LOCK mode of operation. A computer keyboard and a computer system having a timer to turn off the CAPS LOCK mode after a period of time during which no keyboard keys are struck.

Claims

1. A computer system for providing an audible alert to a user typing on a keyboard when said keyboard is in CAPS LOCK mode, comprising:

(a) means to determine if said keyboard is in CAPS LOCK mode, said CAPS LOCK mode being entered into when the CAPS LOCK key is activated and causing alphabetic characters associated with typed alphabetic character keys to be presented on-screen in capital letters;

(b) means to detect user keystrokes;

(c) means within said computer system to generate an audible alert;

(d) a timer associated with said CAPS LOCK key and having a duration limit, said timer being expired when said duration limit is exceeded;

(e) means to generate said audible alert when an alphabetic character key is typed while said keyboard is in said CAPS LOCK mode and after said timer has expired; and

(f) means to start or restart said timer each time said CAPS LOCK key is activated into said CAPS LOCK mode, and when an alphabetic character key is typed while in said CAPS LOCK mode.

2. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said audible alert will be generated when the first alphabetic character key is typed while said keyboard is in said CAPS LOCK mode and after said timer has expired, said timer being started or restarted each time said CAPS LOCK key is activated into said CAPS LOCK mode, and when an alphabetic character key is typed while in said CAPS LOCK mode.

3. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said software function resides within said keyboard.

4. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said software function resides within a keyboard driver.

5. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said software function resides within the operating system.

6. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said software function resides within a supplemental module to the operating system.

7. A computer system as recited in claim 1 wherein said software function resides within an application program.

8. A computer system for automatically turning off the CAPS LOCK mode, comprising:

(a) means to determine if said keyboard is in CAPS LOCK mode, said CAPS LOCK mode being entered into when the CAPS LOCK key is activated;

(b) means to detect user keystrokes;

(c) a timer associated with said CAPS LOCK key and having a duration limit, said timer being expired when said duration limit is exceeded;

(d) means for said timer to be started or restarted each time said CAPS LOCK key is activated into said CAPS LOCK mode, and after each alphabetic key is typed while in said CAPS LOCK mode; and

(e) means to turn off said CAPS LOCK mode upon expiration of said timer.

9. A computer system as recited in claim 8 further comprising a means for alerting the user when said CAPS LOCK mode is turned off as a result of the expiration of said timer.

10. A computer system as recited in claim 8 wherein said software function resides within said keyboard.

11. A system as recited in claim 8 wherein said software function resides within a keyboard driver.

12. A computer system as recited in claim 8 wherein said software function resides within the operating system.

13. A computer system as recited in claim 8 wherein said software function resides within a supplemental module to the operating system.

14. A computer system as recited in claim 8 wherein said software function resides within an application program.

15. A method of operation of a computer system for providing an audible alert to a user typing on a keyboard when said keyboard is in CAPS LOCK mode, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering into CAPS LOCK mode when the CAPS LOCK key is activated, said CAPS LOCK mode causing alphabetic characters associated with typed alphabetic character keys to be presented on-screen in capital letters;

(b) activating a timer when entering said CAPS LOCK mode, said timer to expire after a pre-determined unit of time;

(c) detecting user keystrokes while in said CAPS LOCK mode;

(d) restarting said timer when alphabetic character keyboard keys are typed while said timer is active and prior to the expiration of said timer, said computer system still being in said CAPS LOCK mode; and

(e) generating said audible alert when an alphabetic character keyboard key is typed while said keyboard is in said CAPS LOCK mode and after said timer has expired.

16. A method of operation of computer system for automatically turning off the CAPS LOCK mode, comprising the steps of:

(a) entering into said CAPS LOCK mode when the CAPS LOCK key is activated, said CAPS LOCK mode causing alphabetic characters associated with typed alphabetic character keys to be presented on-screen in capital letters;

(b) activating a timer when said CAPS LOCK key is activated, said timer having a duration limit;

(c) expiring said timer when said duration limit is exceeded;

(d) restarting said timer if an alphabetic key is typed while in said CAPS LOCK mode; and

(e) turning off said CAPS LOCK mode upon expiration of said timer.