System and method for configuring a computer keyboard
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of:
- generating a key qualifier signal for a user selected key on a keyboard responsive to a user depressing the user selected key;
transmitting the key qualifier signal to a word-key pair assignment process;
receiving the key qualifier by a function key preference configuration subprocess of the word-key pair assignment processcomparing, by the function key preference configuration subprocess, the received key qualifier and keys available for assigning;
selecting between sending a hit signal and sending a miss signal by the function key preference configuration subprocess responsive to the comparing, wherein the hit signal initiates steps in an acquisition process and the miss signal initiates steps in a restitution process, wherein the steps in the acquisition process include;
assigning the user selected key to a unique word or expression entered by the user, thereby creating a key-word pair, wherein the assigning includes;
sending an update key status signal to a key interface process by the word-key pair assignment process responsive to the key qualifier signal; and
outputting data signals responsive to the update key status signal by the key interface process, including data signals indicating to update a first stored list of available keys and a second stored list of user defined words or expressions;
and wherein the steps in the restitution process include;
prompting the user to select between i) accepting a word or expression in the second list that is currently assigned to the user selected key and ii) modifying the currently assigned word or expression; and
updating the second list responsive to the user selecting to modify the currently assigned word or expression.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer keyboard is set up a with full-scale programmable hotkeys for users. The user easily defines words/word sequences he/she frequently uses for word processing. By depressing a dedicated key, the corresponding predefined word/word sequence is immediately displayed to the user.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for a computer keyboard, comprising the steps of:
-
generating a key qualifier signal for a user selected key on a keyboard responsive to a user depressing the user selected key; transmitting the key qualifier signal to a word-key pair assignment process; receiving the key qualifier by a function key preference configuration subprocess of the word-key pair assignment process comparing, by the function key preference configuration subprocess, the received key qualifier and keys available for assigning; selecting between sending a hit signal and sending a miss signal by the function key preference configuration subprocess responsive to the comparing, wherein the hit signal initiates steps in an acquisition process and the miss signal initiates steps in a restitution process, wherein the steps in the acquisition process include; assigning the user selected key to a unique word or expression entered by the user, thereby creating a key-word pair, wherein the assigning includes; sending an update key status signal to a key interface process by the word-key pair assignment process responsive to the key qualifier signal; and outputting data signals responsive to the update key status signal by the key interface process, including data signals indicating to update a first stored list of available keys and a second stored list of user defined words or expressions; and wherein the steps in the restitution process include; prompting the user to select between i) accepting a word or expression in the second list that is currently assigned to the user selected key and ii) modifying the currently assigned word or expression; and updating the second list responsive to the user selecting to modify the currently assigned word or expression. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A computer program product, stored on a computer readable medium, for use with a computer keyboard, the computer program product having instructions for execution by a computer, wherein the instructions, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to implement a method comprising the steps of:
-
generating a key qualifier signal for a user selected key on a keyboard responsive to a user depressing the user selected key; transmitting the key qualifier signal to a word-key pair assignment process; receiving the key qualifier by a function key preference configuration subprocess of the word-key pair assignment process comparing, by the function key preference configuration subprocess, the received key qualifier and keys available for assigning; selecting between sending a hit signal and sending a miss signal by the function key preference configuration subprocess responsive to the comparing, wherein the hit signal initiates steps in an acquisition process and the miss signal initiates steps in a restitution process, wherein the steps in the acquisition process include; assigning the user selected key to a unique word or expression entered by the user, thereby creating a key-word pair, wherein the assigning includes; sending an update key status signal to a key interface process by the word-key pair assignment process responsive to the key qualifier signal; and outputting data signals responsive to the update key status signal by the key interface process, including data signals indicating to update a first stored list of available keys and a second stored list of user defined words or expressions; and wherein the steps in the restitution process include; prompting the user to select between i) accepting a word or expression in the second list that is currently assigned to the user selected key and ii) modifying the currently assigned word or expression; and updating the second list responsive to the user selecting to modify the currently assigned word or expression. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A computer system comprising:
-
a processor; and a storage device connected to the processor, wherein the storage device has stored thereon a keyboard-user program for controlling the processor, and wherein the processor is operative with the program to execute the program for performing the steps of; generating a key qualifier signal for a user selected key on a keyboard responsive to a user depressing the user selected key; transmitting the key qualifier signal to a word-key pair assignment process; receiving the key qualifier by a function key preference configuration subprocess of the word-key pair assignment process comparing, by the function key preference configuration subprocess, the received key qualifier and keys available for assigning; selecting between sending a hit signal and sending a miss signal by the function key preference configuration subprocess responsive to the comparing, wherein the hit signal initiates steps in an acquisition process and the miss signal initiates steps in a restitution process, wherein the steps in the acquisition process include; assigning the user selected key to a unique word or expression entered by the user, thereby creating a key-word pair, wherein the assigning includes; sending an update key status signal to a key interface process by the word-key pair assignment process responsive to the key qualifier signal; and outputting data signals responsive to the update key status signal by the key interface process, including data signals indicating to update a first stored list of available keys and a second stored list of user defined words or expressions; and wherein the steps in the restitution process include; prompting the user to select between i) accepting a word or expression in the second list that is currently assigned to the user selected key and ii) modifying the currently assigned word or expression; and updating the second list responsive to the user selecting to modify the currently assigned word or expression. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification