US5164723A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Configurable keyboard
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1990-07-17
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Granted: 1992-11-17
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Expires: 2010-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A keyboard has a plurality of key operated switches, each including a key having a manually engagable key surface. The keyboard selectively determines the function produced by operation of the key operated switches, and displays on each key its current function. The display provides a sensible output indication corresponding to the current function of each key, and includes an elongate strip symbol bearing member located alongside each key and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of each key surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Israel D. Nebenzahl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/06; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/07; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A keyboard comprising: a plurality of key operated switches, each including a key having a manually engagable key surface lying generally in a plane; means for connecting the key operated switches to key operated utilization apparatus; and display means for providing through said key at said key surfaces a visually sensible output indication representing the function of each key and including an elongate symbol bearing strip member located alongside each key and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said key surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A keyboard comprising: a plurality of key operated switches, each including a key having a manually engagable key surface lying generally in a plane; means for connecting the key operated switches to key operated utilization apparatus; and display means for providing through said key at said key surfaces a visually sensible output indication representing the function of each key and including an elongate symbol bearing strip member located alongside each key and lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of said key surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said manually engagable key surface comprises a transparent surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said manually engagable key surface comprises a translucent surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and also comprising at least one illumination source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A keyboard according claim 1 and wherein said display means also comprises magnifying lens means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means comprises a double sided mirror disposed within each key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means comprises a plurality of mirrors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A keyboard according to claim 6 and wherein said double sided mirror includes a first reflecting surface and said symbol bearing member includes a selectably configurable mask associated with each key, said double sided mirror being operative to reflect illumination from a source of illumination located below the key and to direct said illumination to an adjacent key via a selectably configurable mask which displays the current function of said adjacent key.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A keyboard according to claim 6 and wherein said double sided mirror includes a second reflecting surface and said symbol bearing member includes a selectably configurable mask associated with each key, said second reflecting surface being arranged to receive illumination via a selectably configurable mask disposed adjacent thereto and to direct said illumination onto a manually engagable surface for display thereat of the current function of the corresponding key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 8 and wherein said selectably configurable mask comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means also comprises lens means having optical power.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said output indication of each key is viewed through said manually engageable key surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means light comprises reflecting surfaces having optical power.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means comprises an upwardly facing reflecting surface disposed interiorly of each of said keys.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and also comprising at least one downwardly facing reflecting surface disposed within each key.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 wherein said display means comprises an upwardly facing reflecting surface disposed interiorly of each of said keys, said keyboard also comprising at least one downwardly facing reflecting surface disposed within each key, and wherein said upwardly facing reflecting surface and said downwardly facing reflecting surface are the two sides of a double sided mirror.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said symbol bearing member comprises a selectably configurable mask.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said symbol bearing member comprises a replaceable template.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A keyboard according to claim 15 and wherein said downwardly facing reflecting surfaces are operative to reflect illumination from a source of illumination located below the key and to direct said illumination to adjacent keys via said symbol bearing member including a selectably configurable mask which displays the current function of said adjacent keys.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A keyboard according to claim 17 and wherein said selectably configurable mask comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A keyboard according to claim 1 and wherein said display means also comprises reducing lens means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-11-17 | 1996-05-18 | 1996-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-17 | 2000-05-18 | 2000-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-17 | 2004-05-18 | 2004-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |