GB2167218A - Computer key and keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

A key unit 3 for connection to a computer keyboard has an upper surface provided with an electrically or electronically operable character display system 1 which is capable of activation, inactivation and variation. A computer keyboard is furthermore provided which comprises key units of the aforementioned type wherein each key unit is suitably connected to the computer circuitry and the computer being programmed to activate, inactivate or vary the character displayed by the character display system. In a preferred arrangement each key top 3 is provided with a dot matrix array of light emitting diodes each having its own unique address code and suitably connected to the circuitry beneath the key units. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved computer key and keyboard This invention is concerned with improved computer keys and keyboards.

The key caps on a computer key board are normally engraved with the function and the layout of the country/application for which it is to be used. Example: Querty, Azerty, Arabic, also for special applications, insurance broking, scientific etc. They can only be changed by replacing with new key caps or by sticking on lables.

Many kinds of different keyboard layouts are required. IBM (RTM), for example, have more than 19.

When computer programs are run only some of the keys are at any time able to be used at any particular moment in a program.

Various keys have to be used with the label bearing no relation to the actual function of that key at that particular moment in the program.

Different programs allow all sorts of script to be written to the monitor or printer, i.e.

Arabic, Sandscrit, etc., but normally the keyboard would then have to be dedicated to one of these languages by changing key caps or using sticky labels. This makes it impractical to change back to another keyboard layout.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a key unit adapted for connection to a computer keyboard and whose upper surface, in an operational position, is provided with an electrically or electronically operable character display system which is capable of activation, inactivation and variation.

In accordance with a further aspect the invention also provides a computer keyboard which comprises one or more key units according to the first aspect and wherein each key unit is electrically or electronically connected to the computer circuitry and the computer is programmed whereby it can activate, inactivate and vary the computer displayed by said system.

Preferably all key caps, i.e. their uppermost surfaces have a separate display cap which is either blanked or labelled with its present function and rendered inactive or active from within the program currently in use in the computer.

The character display system may be, for example, a high resolution dot matrix light emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD).

By using key units and computer keyboards according to the invention the following advantages may be achieved.

Keys could be labelled in any language and changed with the loading of a new program.

Providing that sufficient keys were made available on the keyboard most keyboard layouts could be labelled from within the program, thus a standard keyboard could be constructed which would be suitable for most applications, even scientific.

There would be less chance for mistakes during word processing or data input as only those keys that could be used would be labelled and active at any one time in the program.

The keyboard would be totally interactive with the program labelling, blanking and activating keys as the program was used.

Some programs are written to display the present functions of the "Function Keys" on the bottom or top line of the screen display, this is in order to avoid confusion by the operator. (Function Keys are usually unlabelled or labelled during the running of a particular program with an overlay.) With the present invention this would not be required, instead the programmer would use his time to program the Key Caps, which is the place that the information should be, instead of referencing the keys on the screen.

In order that the invention may be further explained, brief details of examples of applications are described below.

When the caps lock key was pressed the keyboard would be labelled in capital letters.

When shift was pressed the keyboard would show its upper case label.

When control was pressed only those keys capable at that moment in the program of being used will be labelled and activated. Any keys which could not be used at that moment in the program would be blanked, i.e. inactivated.

When special application programs were run, for example an Insurance Brokers package, a key could be labelled "open new policy" rather than have to remember that this was done with the key i.e. A or, etc.

The keyboard would be especially useful for first time users and for programs that are only occasionally used, where the hundreds of key strokes are not so well remembered by the operator.

In certain embodiments of the invention each and every key on a computer keyboard comprises a small dot matrix software programmable, i.e. labelled and activated screen.

In order to construct such a display on a key cap with the present technology a matrix of diodes or liquid crystal are designed and built. L.C. has the advantage of very low power consumption but is difficult to read in certain lighting conditions and there would normally be a gap between the display and the actual top of the key, which would have to be translucent.

Apart from the power consumption, which is somewhat greater though still in m/amps, a key may be constructed of tiny light emitting diodes with a matrix of approximately 40X50 and with the top of the diodes forming the top of the key and making the slightly grainy finish that most people prefer. Such an arrangement is preferred.

Each LED/LC dot of the key top matrix must have its own address, i.e. Al to A200 and the method of activating each LED/LC dot at each address is well known and documented.

The key tops may be constructed by personnel suitably experienced in manufacturing micro circuits. The drivers which handle the switching on/off of the LED's or LC's may be separated and encapsulated in each key top or, alternatively, all in one circuit and on the circuit board beneath the keys either as a single unit or a multiple unit depending upon economics or other considerations.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment and in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a block of 100 keys, each with a matrix of 300 diodes for high resolution, Figure 2 shows the uppermost surface of a key unit, Figure 3 is a side view of Fig. 2, and Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating relationship between key units and computer keyboard.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, the keyboard could be thought of as a single screen divided into 100 blocks/keys. In the example shown there is a diode matrix of 15X20=300 for each key/block. A matrix of from 70 to 300 diodes could be used for each key/block, the actual amount would depend on the resolution required. Each key/block would have its own unique code i.e. A, B, C, D, E, F, etc. Each LED within each key/block would also have its own unique code, i.e. A1-300 (in the case of A 15X20 matrix) B1-300 etc. A total of 30,000 diodes divided into 100 separate key/blocks are provided in the above example with 30,000 unique codes to identify each key/block and diode within the key/block.

Fig. 2 shows the LED's arranged close together to form a matrix woth the tops of the LED's designed to create the slightly rough texture that most operators prefer, on the key tops.

Fig. 3 shows in more detail the slightly rough texture formed by the key tops of LED's 1. A flexable ribbon cable 2 is provided to connect the key top 3 with a circuit board below (not shown). Connection could also be made with sliding or contact switches, infrared or the like (the method used should allow free and easy movement for the keys). Preferred connection may be determined by reliability and cost factors.

Fig. 4 is purely diagrammatic in showing one suitable format for connecting electrically or electronically each keytop to the computer keyboard.

Overall, Figs. 1 to 4 illustrate only one em bodiment. The actual circuitry may be partly encapsulated in the key tops. Each key unit could be electronically indentical at the time of manufacture. The indentifying codes are programmed subsequently.

The illustrated embodiment utilizes LED's.

LCD's could also be used. The circuitry for driving LC's would be different but the end result would be the same. Each dot LED or LC being capable of being switched on or off using codes and with other dots forming any required character be it letter, numeral, symbol or punctuation.

Claims (11)

1. A key unit adapted for connection to a computer keyboard and whose upper surface, in an operational position, is provided with an electrically or electronically operable character display system which is capable of activation, inactivation and variation.

2. A key unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display system comprises a dot matrix of light emitting diodes.

3. A key unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display system comprises a liquid crystal display.

4. A key unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the matrix size is of the order approximately 40X50 or 20X15.

5. A key unit as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the top of the key is constituted by the top of the light emitting diodes and so provides a slightly grainy or rough textured finish to the key.

6. 6. A computer keyboard comprising one or more key units as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each key unit is electrically or electronically connected to the computer circuitry and the computer is programmed whereby it can activate, inactivate and vary the character displayed by the character display system.

7. A keyboard as claimed in claim 6, wherein all key caps have a separate display cap which is either blanked or labelled with its present function and rendered inactive or active within the program currently in use in the computer.

8. A keyboard as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein each key comprises a dot matrix software programmable screen.

9. A keyboard as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each light emitting diode, or liquid crystal dot, of the key top has its own address.

10. A keyboard as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 incorporating drivers for handling the switching on/off the light emitting diodes or liquid crystal displays wherein said drivers are separated and encapsulated in each key top or are alternatively all provided in one circuit and on one circuit board beneath the keys of the keyboard.

11. A keyboard as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 comprising a block of keys