US5287526A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System for selectively modifying codes generated by a touch type keyboard upon detecting predetermined sequence of make/break codes and expiration of predefined time interval
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-06-22
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2010-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for enhancing the operation of computer keyboards. The keyboard includes a plurality of keys, and code generation means for producing make and break codes when keys are depressed and released. The invention comprises a processor coupled to receive the generated codes. The processor detects a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, and a break code of the target key. A timer determines whether the interval of time between the trigger key make code and the target key break codes exceeds a predetermined non-zero triggering interval. If the sequence is not detected, or if the triggering interval is not exceeded, then the processor outputs the codes produced by the code generation means. However if the sequence is detected and if the triggering interval is exceeded, modified codes are output. Embodiments are described in which non-touch-type keys, such as the control key, can be typed using only the touch-type portion of a keyboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris L. Wolf
- 👤 Michael F. Maikowski
- 👤 Winston N. Martin
- 👤 Walter E. Lindsley, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:51
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03M; H03M11/00; H03M11/02; H03M11/04; H03M11/06; H03M11/08; H03M11/14; H03M11/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improvement comprising processing means coupled to receive the codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising: detection means for detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, and a break code of the target key; timing means, coupled to the detection means and including means for defining a predetermined non-zero triggering interval, said timing means determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds the predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and output means, coupled to the timing means and the detection means, for modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and for outputting the modified codes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improvement comprising processing means coupled to receive the codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising: detection means for detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, and a break code of the target key; timing means, coupled to the detection means and including means for defining a predetermined non-zero triggering interval, said timing means determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds the predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and output means, coupled to the timing means and the detection means, for modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and for outputting the modified codes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the triggering interval is less than 500 milliseconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the triggering interval is in the range of 130-170 milliseconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the triggering interval is about 150 milliseconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the timing means determines whether the code sequence interval exceeds the triggering interval in response to detection of said sequence by the detection means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the trigger key is a space bar, wherein the target key is a touch-type key, and wherein the modified codes comprise a control key make code, and the make and break codes for the touch-type key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the trigger key comprises a first touch-type key, wherein the target key comprises a second touch-type key, and wherein the modified codes comprise the make and break codes of a non-touch-type key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement of claim 1, wherein the output means outputs the codes produced by the code generation means without modification if the sequence has not been detected or if the triggering interval is not exceeded.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improved method for processing codes produced by the code generation means comprising the steps of: detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, and a break code of the target key; determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds a predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and outputting the modified codes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improved method for processing codes produced by the code generation means comprising the steps of: detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, and a break code of the target key; determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds a predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and outputting the modified codes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the triggering interval is less than 500 milliseconds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the triggering interval is in the range of 130-170 milliseconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the triggering interval is about 150 milliseconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining whether the code sequence interval exceeds the triggering interval is performed in response to detection of said sequence.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the trigger key is a space bar, wherein the target key is a touch-type key, and wherein the modified codes comprise the control key make code, and the make and break codes for the touch-type key.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved method of claim 9, further comprising the step of outputting the codes produced by the code generation means without modification if the sequence has not been detected or if the triggering interval is not exceeded.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved method of claim 9, wherein the trigger key comprises a first touch-type key, wherein the target key comprises a second touch-type key, and wherein the modified codes comprise the make and break codes of a non-touch-type key.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improvement comprising processing means coupled to receive the codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising: detection means for detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, a break code of the target key, and a break code of the trigger key; timing means, coupled to the detection means and including means for defining a predefined non-zero triggering interval, for determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds the predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and output means, coupled to the timing means and the detection means, for modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and for outputting the modified codes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a computer keyboard system comprising a plurality of keys and code generation means for producing a make code when a key is depressed and a break code when a key is released, an improvement comprising processing means coupled to receive the codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising: detection means for detecting a sequence of codes serially including a make code of a trigger key, a make code of a target key different from the trigger key, a break code of the target key, and a break code of the trigger key; timing means, coupled to the detection means and including means for defining a predefined non-zero triggering interval, for determining whether a code sequence interval between the trigger key make code and the target key break code exceeds the predetermined non-zero triggering interval; and output means, coupled to the timing means and the detection means, for modifying the codes produced by the code generation means to produce modified codes when the sequence of codes has been detected and the triggering interval has been exceeded, and for outputting the modified codes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer keyboard system comprising: a plurality of keys including first and second null keys and a target key, code generation means for producing make and break codes when keys are depressed and released, respectively, the code generation means including means for producing first null make and break codes in response to depression and release of the first null key, means for producing second null make and break codes in response to depression and release of the second null key, and means for producing target make and break codes in response to depression and release of the target key; and processing means coupled to receive the sequence of codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising detection means for detecting a sequence of codes that serially includes the second null make code and the target make code, and output means coupled to the processing means and responsive to the detection of said sequence of codes, for outputting modified codes in place of said sequence of codes, the modified codes comprising the first null make code followed by a second function make code different from the target make code.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer keyboard system comprising: a plurality of keys including first and second null keys and a target key, code generation means for producing make and break codes when keys are depressed and released, respectively, the code generation means including means for producing first null make and break codes in response to depression and release of the first null key, means for producing second null make and break codes in response to depression and release of the second null key, and means for producing target make and break codes in response to depression and release of the target key; and processing means coupled to receive the sequence of codes produced by the code generation means, the processing means comprising detection means for detecting a sequence of codes that serially includes the second null make code and the target make code, and output means coupled to the processing means and responsive to the detection of said sequence of codes, for outputting modified codes in place of said sequence of codes, the modified codes comprising the first null make code followed by a second function make code different from the target make code.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second null keys comprise first and second control keys.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second null keys comprise first and second Alt keys.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the first and second null keys comprise first and second Shift keys.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 18, wherein when the codes produced by the code generation means comprise a sequence of codes serially including the first null make code and the target make code, the output means outputs the codes produced by the code generation means without modification.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of keys does not include any key that, when depressed when no other key is depressed, will cause the code generation means to produce the second function make code.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the detection means includes means for detecting a second sequence of codes serially including the second null make code and the second null break code, and wherein the output means includes means responsive to the detection of the second sequence for outputting modified codes in place of the detected codes, the modified codes comprising the make and break codes of a key different from the second null key.
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-14 | 1997-08-16 | 1998-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-14 | 2001-08-16 | 2002-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-14 | 2005-08-16 | 2006-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |