Keyboard with improved function and editing sections

• US 6,910,818 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 06/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cauthom, James H., Vong, William H., Fry, Kenneth V., McLoone, Hugh E., Hayes, Jonathan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAU, MINH H
• Application Number:
  US09/843,799
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 400472-489, 345/168, 345/172, 341/21, 341/22, 341/26, 341/176, 434/227, 434/231, 434/232
• US Class Current: 400/477
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

A keyboard having an improved function key section and an improved editing section. A row of keys is located behind the alphanumeric section. The row of keys includes individual predefined command keys. The groupings of the predefined command keys may be made based on the functionality of the keys, their use on common applications or programs, and/or other by other grouping techniques. Further, the keys within each group may be ordered based on chronological order of use, frequency of use, or by a correlation to a graphical toolbar. Each of at least two adjacent groupings of keys behind the alphanumeric region consists of exactly three keys, and each of at least three adjacent key groupings in the entire row consists of exactly three keys. The keys are each capable of functioning as predetermined command keys in a first mode and standard function keys in a second mode. A Function Lock key may be used to convert these keys from their use in one mode as their predefined command keys to another mode where they become standard function keys. These keys are preferably primarily labeled as their command keys and secondarily labeled as standard function keys. The editing section includes a first key cluster having a plurality of keys forming a two dimensional array of cells. At least one key occupies a single cell and a Delete key occupies at least two cells. A key cluster is located behind and spaced from the editing section, and consists of an Undo key and a Redo key.

Claims

1. A keyboard comprising:

an alphanumeric section;

a plurality of keys located behind said alphanumeric section, said plurality of keys each functioning as predetermined command keys in a first mode and standard function keys in a second mode; and

a function lock selector, said function lock selector being actuable to change the functionality of the plurality of keys between said first and second modes and maintain said selected mode until a subsequent actuation of said function lock selector is performed, wherein three keys of said plurality of keys are from the set of;

(a) New, Open, and Close keys;

(b) Reply, Forward, and Send keys;

(c) Spell, Save, and Print keys; and

(d) Help, Find, and Desktop keys, when operated in said first mode.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein said keys of said plurality of keys are arranged in a row, said row being spaced from said alphanumeric section.

3. The keyboard of claim 2, wherein said row includes first, second and third key clusters each consisting of exactly three keys.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein three keys of said plurality of keys each has an upper surface and a front side surface, wherein said upper surface of each said key is labeled with its respective predetermined command as operated in said first mode.

6. The keyboard of claim 5, wherein said front side surface of each said key is labeled with its standard function key label as operated in said second mode.

7. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein said function lock selector includes a Function Lock key.

8. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising a function lock indicator that indicates whether the keys are operating in said first mode or in said second mode.

9. The keyboard of claim 8, wherein said function lock indicator includes a light-emitting member.

4. The keyboard of claim 4, said row of keys further having a fourth key cluster laterally spaced from said first, second, and third key clusters, wherein said fourth key cluster consists of exactly three keys.

10. A keyboard comprising:

an alphanumeric section;

a plurality of keys located behind said alphanumeric section, said plurality of keys each functioning as predetermined command keys in a first mode and standard function keys in a second mode;

a function lock selector, said function lock selector being actuable to change the functionality of the plurality of keys between said first and second modes and maintain said selected mode until a subsequent actuation of said function lock selector is performed;

an editing section, said editing section being laterally disposed from said alphanumeric section; and

a key cluster located behind and spaced from said editing section, said key cluster consisting of an Undo key and a Redo key.

11. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein said keys of said plurality of keys are arranged in a row, said row being spaced from said alphanumeric section.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein said row includes first, second and third key clusters each consisting of exactly three keys.

13. The keyboard of claim 12, said row of keys further having a fourth key cluster laterally spaced from said first, second, and third key clusters, wherein said fourth key cluster consists of exactly three keys.

14. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein three keys of said plurality of keys each has an upper surface and a front side surface, wherein said upper surface of each said key is labeled with its respective predetermined command as operated in said first mode.

15. The keyboard of claim 14, wherein said front side surface of each said key is labeled with its standard function key label as operated in said second mode.

16. The keyboard of claim 10, wherein said function lock selector includes a Function Lock key.

17. The keyboard of claim 10, further comprising a function lock indicator that indicates whether the keys are operating in said first mode or in said second mode.

18. The keyboard of claim 17, wherein said function lock indicator includes a light-emitting member.