Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
  • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
  • G06F3/0238—Programmable keyboards

Definitions

• the present invention relates to input devices for computers, particularly to an improved keyboard for a computer.
• Conventional keyboards for computers generally have between 80 and 110 discrete keys, each key performing one or more functions.
• the function of the key for example, for inputting a letter or a number, is generally displayed on, and fixed to, the surface of the key.
• keyboards are generally configured for specific tasks, for example, typing in English.
• many computers permit the keyboard to be configured by the user. The user might wish to change the function of a key when playing a game or when typing in a different language than the language for which the keyboard was set up.
• Display keyboards have been developed to overcome this problem.
• individual keys have a display which is configurable by a user. If the user changes the function, the display on the key changes to reflect this change, indicating the new function.
• an input device for a computer comprising: a character display device; and a plurality of input keys, each key adapted to present one or more characters displayed on said character display device to a user; wherein a first character displayed on said display device is selectable by depression of one of said input keys and a second character displayed on said display device is selectable by depression of another one of said input keys .
• the present invention provides an input device which permits multiple keys to select characters from a single character display device. In one embodiment an entire 100 plus keys on a keyboard can select characters from a single display device. Using only a single display device for a number of keys significantly reduces the cost and the power consumption of the input device.
• a computer is any electronic device which is capable of receiving information and performing a sequence of logical operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions to produce a result in the form of information or signals.
• the term "character” is used to indicate, for example, any letter, number, symbol or device. Additionally “character” is used to define an instruction in the form of a word or words which might be used on a keyboard, for example, "Caps Lock” or "Enter”.
• the input device is a keyboard for a personal computer.
• the input device is a mouse, a game control, a remote control device, an ATM user interface (UI) , a point of sale terminal, a telephone UI, a key-pad entry system, a calculator, a
• PDA personal digital assistant
• laptop a fax
• photocopier UI a vehicle UI such as a dashboard
• vehicle UI such as a dashboard
• the display device is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) .
• the display device is an array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) .
• the display device comprises organic LEDs, a TFT screen, or a plasma screen.
• the LCD is an electronic ink LCD.
• the display device is a back lit LCD or ChLCD.
• the plurality of input keys are arranged in an array.
• each input key is discrete from adjacent input keys .
• the input keys are provided on a deformable sheet.
• the display device is adapted to project an image of a displayed character.
• the display device comprises projection means for projecting an image of a displayed character.
• the projection means is provided by back lighting.
• At least one of the keys comprises an image display portion.
• the projection means is adapted to project an image of a displayed character onto one of said image display portions.
• the/each image display portion is adapted to display said character image to a user.
• the/each image display portion comprises a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side.
• a character image projected onto the image display portion first side is displayed on the image display portion second side.
• a character image is displayed on the image display portion by back projection.
• the image display portion is a translucent material.
• a character displayed on the display device is only visible to a user looking down a line substantially perpendicular to the surface of the display device .
• a character displayed on the display device is only visible to a user looking down a line perpendicular to the surface of the image display portion.
• a character displayed on the display device is only visible to a user looking down a line perpendicular to the surface of the image display portion.
• the input device further comprises at least one lens.
• the input device comprises a plurality of lenses.
• the/each lens is adapted to focus a character image on the respective image display portion. Additionally, or alternatively, the/each lens is adapted to enlarge a displayed character.
• The/each lens may be a Fresnel lens.
• the/each lens is arranged between a respective input key and the display device.
• the/each lens is integral with an input key.
• the/each lens defines an upper surface of a respective input key.
• At least one input key has a transparent portion.
• the transparent portion is a window.
• the lenses are arranged in an array.
• the lens array is a micro lens array.
• the input device further includes registering means for registering when one of said input keys is depressed.
• the registering means is arranged between the input keys and the display device.
• the registering means is a layer.
• the registering means comprises a circuit board.
• the lens array is integral with the registering means.
• the circuit board defines at least one aperture.
• the/each lens is located within one of said apertures.
• depression of an input key completes an electrical circuit.
• completion of the electrical circuit sends an instruction to a computer.
• each input key is adapted to display multiple characters.
• a first character displayed on a first input key portion is selected by depression of said first portion and a second character displayed on a second input key portion is selected by depression of said second portion.
• depression of said first input key portion completes one electrical circuit and depression of said second input key portion completes another circuit.
• depression of both portions together completes a third circuit.
• a key may comprise more than two depressible portions and a key may be ale, in turn to transmit more than three distinct electrical signals .
• the input device further comprises an input device housing.
• the display device is contained within the input device housing.
• the input device comprises a single display device and a plurality of input keys.
• toggling means are provided to toggle between alternative character displays on said character display device.
• the input device comprises a number of modules, each module comprising at least one display device, each display device being adapted to provide characters for selection by a plurality of keys .
• each module comprises a single display device and a plurality of input keys .
• a plurality of input devices can be interconnected to form a keyboard.
• the input device may have an internal power source.
• the internal power source is a battery.
• the first character displayed on said displayed device relates to a first character map.
• selection of the first character from said first character map instructs the display device to display a second character map.
• the input device comprises storage means for storing at least one character map.
• the input device is adapted to receive information from a portable storage device containing at least one character map or an external storage means.
• the input device provides haptic feedback to the user.
• the display device is modular.
• a configurable keyboard comprising: at least one character display device; a plurality of input keys, each key adapted to present one or more characters displayed on said character display device to a user; and an activation means; wherein, upon activation, the keys display a configuration displayed on the/each character display device.
• Such an arrangement permits the display of a user specific or random configuration to be displayed to a user. This is of use, for example to prevent personal identification number theft at chip and pin keypads.
• a chip and pin keypad is provided which presents a different arrangement of the numeric keys 0 to 9 to each user. A third party viewing the entry of the pin by the user would not be able to determine the pin merely by observing which keys are pressed.
• the displayed configuration is randomly generated.
• the displayed configuration is user specific .
• the activation means is a card reader.
• the activation means may include a biometric scanner.
• the biometric scanner may be an iris scanner or a fingerprint scanner.
• an input key for a system comprising: a key housing, and a character display device, the display device being arranged such the key displays one or more characters displayed on said character display device to a user; wherein actuation of the key results in a variation of the display.
• the key may be actuated by rotation. Alternatively or additionally, the key may be actuated by depression. Preferably, where the key is rotated the display rotates with the housing.
• a displayed character remains in a first orientation.
• the displayed character can be maintained in a single orientation despite rotation of the key position.
• the key can present multiple selectable characters.
• the key is square and displays a character at each corner. A particular character may be selected by depressing only a corner of the key.
• Figure 1 is an exploded view of an input device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 2 is an exploded front perspective view of an individual key, the key's associated registration unit and section of display;
• Figure 3 is an exploded rear perspective view of
• Figure 2 Figure 4 is a top view of the portion of the registration layer shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a plan view of a keypad displaying a first configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 6 is a plan view of the keypad of Figure 5 displaying a second configuration
• Figure 7 is a plan view of a configurable key displaying a first configuration according to a third embodiment of the present invention
• Figure 8 is a plan view of the configurable key of
• Figure 7 displaying a second configuration.
• the input device 5 is a keyboard 10 for a computer (not shown) .
• the keyboard 10 comprises a character display device 12 in the form of an LCD, a plurality of input keys 14 arranged in a key array 16, and a registration layer 18 comprising a plurality of registration units 20 arranged on a circuit board 22.
• the registration units 20 are arranged such that there is one registration unit 20 for each of the input keys 14.
• the keyboard 10 is arranged such that a first character 24a, in the form of a letter "A”, displayed on the LCD display 12 is selectable by depression of one of the input keys 14a and a second character 24b, in the form of a letter ⁇ X", displayed on said LCD display 12 is selectable by depression of another of the input keys 14b.
• Figures 2 and 3 show exploded front and rear perspective views respectively of an individual key 14a, the key's associated registration unit 20a and section of display 12.
• Each key 14 comprises an upper surface 26 and key sides 28.
• the key upper surface 26 also includes an image display portion 30 adapted to display the image of a character 24a projected from the display 12.
• Each registration unit 20 comprises a plurality of walls 32. As the key 14a is depressed, the key 14a slides over the outside of the registration unit walls 32, such that the registration unit 20 fits inside the key 14a. The key 14a can be depressed until engages a registration unit top wall surface 36.
• Each key 14 and registration unit 20 also includes a key spring 38 and a key switch 42.
• the key spring 38 is attached at a lower end 34 to the circuit board 22 and at an upper end 35 to the key upper surface underside 40.
• the spring 38 applies an upward force to the key 14a to maintain the key 14a in a rest position. As the key 14a is depressed, the spring 38 is compressed. Once the downward pressure on the key 14 has been released the key 14 returns to its rest position under the influence of the spring 38.
• the registration unit 20 also includes a key switch 42 mounted on the circuit board 22.
• the key 14a is provided with a switch contact 44 (best seen on Figure 3) which engages the key switch 42 on depression of the key 14a. Engagement of the key switch 42 by the switch contact 44 generates an instruction from the keyboard 10 to an associated computer (not shown) .
• each registration unit 20 Within each registration unit 20 is an aperture 46 defined by the circuit board 22. Referring back to Figures 3 and 4, the aperture 46 within the registration unit 20 permits an image 48 of a character 24a displayed on the display device 12 to be projected onto the underside of the image display portion 30.
• the image display portion 30 is made of a translucent material and the projected image 48 is clearly visible on the key upper surface 26.
• FIG. 5 a plan view of a keypad 105 displaying a first configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• the keypad 105 is a chip and pin keypad which is activated by the insertion of a chip and pin payment card 150a.
• the keypad 105 comprises a plurality of input keys 114 which permit the selection of numerals 124 displayed on a display device (not visible) .
• the numerals 124 are a random arrangement of the numbers "1" to ⁇ 9". This arrangement of numbers is generated upon insertion of the payment card 150a. Generation of such a random arrangement of characters 124 reduces the possibility of pin theft as a third party viewing the entry of the pin by the user would not be able to determine the pin merely by observing which keys 114 are pressed.
• FIG. 6 a plan view of the keypad 105 of Figure 5 displaying a second configuration, when a different user inserts their payment card 150b into the keypad 150, a second random configuration of numerals 124 is displayed.
• FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a configurable key 214 displaying a first configuration according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• the configurable key 214 comprises a key housing 252 and a character display device 212.
• the key 214 is part of an air conditioning system and the character display device 212 displays a character 224 representing the temperature. Rotation of the key 214 in the direction of arrow "A" reduces the temperature.
• the key 214 is rotated to the position shown in Figure 8, a plan view of the configurable key 214 of Figure 7 displaying a second configuration.
• the character display 212 rotates with the housing 252, however as the display device is configurable, the displayed character 24 can be maintained in the same relative position.
• a lens could be located within the circuit board aperture to enlarge or focus the character image on the image display portion.
• the image display portion could become transparent such that the actual character is visible through the key. In such a situation projection is not required.
• suitable display devices such as technologically advanced solutions, organic LEDs or TFT or plasma screens.
• more simple solutions such as a light box with changeable transparencies could be used to project the image.
• the input device can display a number of alternative character arrangements in a solution which has lower power consumption, is more durable and is cheaper to manufacture than conventional display keyboards.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

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Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

• 2006
  • 2006-02-24 GB GB0603841A patent/GB0603841D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2007
  • 2007-02-26 WO PCT/GB2007/000658 patent/WO2007096650A2/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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