Digital display keyboard

• US 7,301,532 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerod M. Dobry
• Original Assignee: Jerod M. Dobry
• Inventors: Dobry, Jerod M
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro; Leonid
• Application Number:
  US10/774,864
• Time in Patent Office: 1,387 Days
• Field of Search: 345/172, 345/168, 345/170, 345/156, 345/171
• US Class Current: 345/172
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/012 programmable

Abstract

A digital keyboard has a plurality of keys having a top key surface having means for displaying images and indicia thereon. While the images/indicia can be composed of any picture, illustration, words or combination thereof, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is to display predetermined images and/or words on key caps representing shortcut key sequences for performing functions related to a user'"'"'s current in process computer software applications as opposed to using a mouse to perform those same function through activation and selection from drop down menus or icons. Alternatively, a digital display screen forming an integral part of a keyboard whereupon information related to software applications can be displayed.

Claims

1. A digital keyboard comprising:

a) a plurality of individual keycaps corresponding to alpha-numeric characters and a variety of functions associated with a keyboard;

b) a digital display on an upper surface of each of selected keycaps indicating a function to be carried out by pressing a selected keycap;

c) means for acquiring a command code representing the function from a computer software application, and assigning said acquired command code to each said selected keycap;

d) each said function representing a plurality of tasks using only a single keystroke;

e) a first touch sensitive screen on said keyboard adjacent said keycaps containing a first digital key field, said first digital key field divided into individual fields containing icons representing specific functions in an application program being run from said keyboard;

f) said first digital key field selectively changing as a user cycles through different programs which are being run, said first digital key field having a title area which displays the program being run and which changes as the program changes; and

g) said keyboard having a second touch sensitive screen containing a second digital key field, said second digital key field having a pull down menu for selecting a keyboard shortcut, specific functions for display on and execution by said selected keycaps and individual fields in said first digital key field.

2. The digital keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said display is an LCD screen.

3. The digital keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said acquiring and assigning means is a computer program.

4. The digital keyboard as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for acquiring and assigning is able to acquire and assign a plurality of functions associated with a plurality of computer software applications.