Programmable computer keyboard

Claim 2

A key switch for a manual data input device, including an actuator part 6 adapted to generate an output and incorporating an integral display device (10) which is programmable to display a legend indicative of the function of the key.

Claim 3

A key switch according to claim 1 including two relatively movable members, one of which forms a base (4) and is adapted to be mounted on a motherboard and the other of which forms a keytop, and a display device (10) which is mounted in the keytop and connected to the motherboard by a flexible connector (12).

Claim 4

An assembly of key switches according to claim 1 or claim 2 which are arranged in an array so as to form a keyboard.

Claim 5

A keyboard for manual input of data to a computer, comprising an array of programmable display devices (14) and a flexible membrane overlay (16) having a respective transparent contact portion overlying each display device whereby the application of pressure to the membrane over one of the display devices causes' a corresponding signal to be generated by the keyboard.

Claim 6

A keyboard for manual input of data to a computer, comprising an array of programmable display devices (14) and a flexible membrane overlay (16) having a respective transparent contact portion overlying each display device whereby the application of pressure to the membrane over one of the display devices causes' a corresponding signal to be generated by the keyboard.

Claim 7

A keyboard according to claim 4 for manual input of data to a computer, comprising a motherboard, a plurality of display devices arranged in a regular matrix, a first set of -parallel, conductive flexible strips (22, 24, 26) overlying the said matrix' and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel, conductive flexible strips (18, 20) overlying the said first set and extending in a second direction at an angle to the first direction, and so arranged that each intersection (32, 34) of the strips overlies one of the said display devices, the said strips being transparent over at least part of each intersection and being normally resiliently spaced apart and being adapted to make electrical contact at regions of the intersections when pressure is applied to them.

Claim 8

A keyboard according to claim 5 in which each said intersection comprises a transparent region (33) and a contact region (40).

Claim 9

A keyboard according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which strips include interdigitated contact members on the mutually facing contact regions.

Claim 10

A keyboard according to any of claims 3 to 7 further comprising memory means adapted to store a plurality of different sets of functions and corresponding legends for the keys of the keyboard, so as to provide various different keyboard layouts.