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`US006696985B2
`
`(12)United States Patent
`
`
`Houston
`
`(10)Patent No.:US 6,696,985 B2
`
`Feb.24,2004
`(45)Date of Patent:
`
`(54)REFORMABLE KEYBOARD WITH
`VARIABLE KEY DESIGN
`
`5,861,823 A 1/1999 Strauch et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341/22
`
`
`
`
`
`5,872,561 A * 2/1999 Figie et al. ................. 345/168
`
`6,094,197 A 7/2000 Buxton
`
`et al. .............. 345/358
`
`6,102,594 A 8/2000 Strom ........................
`
`400/486
`(75)Inventor: John S. Houston, Hopewell Junction,
`
`
`
`
`
`NY (US)
`
`(73)Assignee: International Business Machines
`
`
`
`
`
`Corporation, Armonk, NY (US)
`
`Primary Examiner-Michael Horabik
`
`
`
`Assistant Examiner-Hung Dang
`
`
`
`
`(74)Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Floyd Gonzalez
`
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 379 days.
`
`*cited by examiner
`
`Key patterns configured to accommodate the handicaps of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the disabled user are imprinted or embossed on a sheet of
`
`
`
`
`
`conformable material. A matrix of sensing circuits for a
`
`
`
`keyboard are placed under the sheet to detect when and
`
`
`
`where the sheet is depressed and provides an output to a
`
`
`
`
`
`keyboard controller indicating which portion of the key­
`
`
`
`board has been contacted. The keyboard controller relates
`
`
`
`
`the position data to the keyboard pattern on the sheet and
`
`(51)Int. Cl.7 ............................................... H03M 11/00
`
`
`
`
`
`provides key signals to the computer interface connector of
`
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl. ............................................ 341/21; 341/26
`
`
`
`
`the keyboard that are indistinguishable by a computer sys­
`
`(58)Field of Search .............................. 341/26; 361/21,
`
`tem from the QWERTY outputs of a standard keyboard. This
`
`
`
`361/22, 34; 400/87, 127, 128, 483, 485
`
`
`
`enables the disabled user to carry this keyboard from one
`
`
`
`
`computer system to another and simply exchange it for the
`
`
`
`
`
`standard keyboard for the computer. Since the keyboard can
`
`
`
`be configured to accommodate the users handicap, no
`
`
`
`changes need be made to the operating system or any
`4,121,048 A 10/1978
`
`
`
`Dev Choudhury ... ... .. 178/17 C
`
`
`
`software of the computer in order to allow the disabled user
`
`
`
`4,198,539 A 4/1980 Pepper, Jr. ... .. ... ... ... ... .. 178/18
`
`
`
`to use the computer. Furthermore, other users are not
`
`
`
`4,293,734 A 10/1981 Pepper, Jr. ... .. ... ... ... ... .. 178/18
`
`
`
`
`required to do anything special to start using the computer
`
`5,661,505 A 8/1997
`
`
`Livits ......................... 345/169
`
`
`system once the standard keyboard is re-installed.
`
`
`
`
`5,675,329 A 10/1997 Barker et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341/22
`
`5,718,590 A 2/1998
`
`Choate ....................... 434/227
`
`12 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`5,790,103 A * 8/1998 Willner ...................... 345/168
`
`(21)Appl. No.: 09/841,626
`
`
`
`(22)Filed:Apr. 24, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`
`
`
`
`US 2002/0154037 Al Oct. 24, 2002
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`302b 302c
`
`304b 304c
`
`R R
`
`T T
`
`r
`
`t
`
`302a
`
`304a
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 1
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`

`

`Sheet 1 of 5
`U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2004
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`
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`US 6,696,985 B2
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 2
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent
`Feb.24,2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 5 US 6,696,985 B2
`
`[IJITJ
`
`[[][I)
`00
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`[I)IT]
`
`REDUCED
`STANDARD
`SIZE KEYS
`SIZE KEYS
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`00 ENLARGED
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`FIG.3
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 3
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent Feb.24,2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 5 US 6,696,985 B2
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`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 4
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`

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`
`U.S. Patent Feb. 24, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 5 US 6,696,985 B2
`
`(404
`
`r 504 514
`
`I
`
`PROGRAM MEMORY
`I/ 508
`(ROM)
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`NON-VOLATILE
`502
`DATA MEMORY
`(EEPROM)
`
`512 -I'--..
`
`BUFFER
`
`WORKING MEMORY
`V 506
`(RAM)
`
`L/ 510
`INPUT /OUTPUT INTERFACE
`
`FIG.5
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 5
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`

`

`U.S. Patent Feb.24,2004
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`
`
`US 6,696,985 B2
`
`600
`START
`
`COMPUTER
`602
`ENERGIZED
`
`WEIGHTING
`610
`ALGORITHM
`
`612
`PROVIDES
`SCAN CODE
`
`NO
`
`COMPUTER 614
`FIG.6
`DEENERGIZED
`
`END 618
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 6
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`
`
`US 6,696,985 B2
`
`1
`
`REFORMABLE KEYBOARD WITH
`
`VARIABLE KEY DESIGN
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`2
`Therefore 1t 1s an object of the present invention to
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provide a keyboard which can be adapted to accommodate
`
`
`the handicaps of a specific user.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`keyboard adapted to the specific handicaps of various users
`5
`
`
`U.S. patent application, Ser. No.09/841,673, filed on even
`
`
`
`which keyboard can be used with any computer system
`
`
`
`date herewith and entitled "Interchangeable Keyboard with
`
`
`
`
`
`without requiring special programming or modification of
`
`Self Defining Keys".
`
`the computer system.
`
`
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to the field of computer
`In accordance with the present invention, a key pattern
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`
`
`
`
`keyboards and more particularly, to computer keyboards that
`
`
`
`of the disabled the handicaps configu red to accommodate
`
`can be shaped and configured for use by the disabled.
`
`
`user is imprinted or embossed on a sheet of compliant
`
`
`
`
`are15 material. A matrix of sensing circuits for the keyboard
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`placed under the material to detect when the material is
`The disabled are presented with a number of challenges
`
`
`
`
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`pressed and provides an output to a keyboard controller
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`
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`for performing functions which other users take for granted
`
`
`
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`indicating which portion of the keyboard has been con­
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`
`
`when it comes to using computer systems. Most people take
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`
`
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`tacted. The keyboard controller relates the personal data to
`
`it for granted that they can walk up to any personal computer
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`
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`compliant material and provides 20 the keyboard pattern on the
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`
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`and start typing. However, there are a variety of disabilities
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`
`
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`key signals to the computer interface connector of the
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`
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`which make it difficult or impossible for some people to use
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`
`keyboard that are indistinguishable by a computer system
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`
`
`a standard keyboard. For example, one person may be
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`
`from the output of a standard keyboard. This enables the
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`unable to manage multiple keys such as those used in shift
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`disabled user to carry this keyboard from one computer
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`
`
`and control sequences while another person may find it
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`
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`system to another and simply exchange it for the standard
`25
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`difficult to type because of the size of or the spacing between
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`
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`keyboard for the computer and start typing. Since the
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`keys. There is not one keyboard layout that will accommo­
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`
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`keyboard can be configured to accommodate the users
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`date all handicaps. In many cases, a computer keyboards has
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`
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`handicap, no changes need be made to the operating system
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`to be tailored to the disabilities of the particular individual.
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`
`
`or any software of the computer in order to allow the
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`
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`Furthermore, other users 30 disabled user to use the computer.
`
`
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`There are many standard keyboard designs with keys that
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`
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`are not required to do anything special to start using the
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`
`
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`snap in and out of place. Such keyboards could be remapped
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`computer system once the standard keyboard is re-installed.
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`for the disabled by moving keys and then redefining the
`keyboard's layout to the computer's operating system. The
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`above identified related application, which is hereby incor­
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`
`
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`porated by reference, discloses how such a standard key-35
`The present invention and its object features and advan­
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`
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`
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`board design can be configured for use by certain disabled
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`tages can be best understood by reading the following
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`individuals to enable its use in connection with most per­
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`description of embodiments thereof while referring to the
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`computer's soft­sonal computers without reconfigu ring the
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`attached figures of which:
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`ware to recognize the variation in key position. However,
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`not all disabilities can be accommodated using such a
`40
`QWERTY layout;
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`standard keyboard design. For instance, some people with
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of various key size and key spacing
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`fine motor control difficulties and those suffering from visual
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`alternations for keyboards for the disabled;
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`problems may require larger keys and/or greater spacing
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`FIG. 3 is a plan view of a multifunction key in accordance
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`between keys. Meanwhile other individuals who have lim­
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`45 with the present invention;
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`ited movement of their limbs, fingers and/or hands may find
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`it easier to have keys that are positioned closer together.
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`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a switch matrix and controller for
`Furthermore, people with cognitive difficulties or missing
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`use in a keyboard of the present invention;
`
`limbs or fingers would find it difficult or impossible to use
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`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the controller of FIG. 4; and
`the multiple key sequences of standard type keyboard
`
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`FIG. 6 is a operational flow diagram of the controller in
`design.
`50 the keyboard.
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`To design and produce keyboards adapted for each handi­
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`capped individual's particular disability would be cost pro­
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`
`
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`hibitive using standard keyboard manufacturing processes
`EMBODIMENT
`
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`
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`requiring special molds to form nonconforming keys and
`FIG. 1 shows a keyboard with a standard QWERTY
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`other parts of the special keyboard. However even after the 55
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`layout. Included in the keyboard 100 are a plurality of
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`special keyboard is in existence, it may not operate properly
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`well-known alphanumeric control key members 102 having
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`with a computer because the keyboard will not generate key
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`indicia 104 representing the character to be printed. The
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`scan codes that can be correctly identified by the computer
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`keyboard further includes a plurality of operating keys 106
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`system or computer's operating without reconfigu ring the
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`and row of customer programmable keys 108. The keyboard
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`application software. This leaves a disabled individual
`60
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`includes two shift keys 110 and 112 for use in notifying the
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`unable to use computer systems to search for a computer
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`processing unit to shift the data of a depressed control key
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`expert to specifically reconfigure a computer system to his or
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`102 from the lower case to the upper case. The keyboard also
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`her needs. Once reconfigu red, that computer system then
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`includes a caps key 114 which is pushed simultaneously
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`becomes a problem for others to use with a standard key­
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`with one of the character keys to print capitals.
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`board. Further, the disabled individual is unable to apply 65
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`skills acquired with the use of the modified computer system
`For many disabled users the standard keyboard of FIG. 1
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`to other computer systems without these modifications.
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`is difficult or impossible to use and a different keyboard
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a standard keyboard with a
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`US 6,696,985 B2
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`4
`3
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`make code pulses, fact, it would be which pulse will be transmitted over the
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`configuration would be more suitable. In
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`desirable to have a keyboard structure
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`row conductors that could be tailor to the keyboard controller 404. The strobe
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`pulse is applied accommodate to each column conductor many times in the
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`made for each disabled user which could a
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`variety of different handicaps. For instance,
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`period as pointed out it takes for a human to contact and remove pressure
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`above, certain of the disabled with motor control problems
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`over extending pattern a contact 5 from the fabric. Therefore,
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`need a keyboard with personalized key size or spacing
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`a number of columns encompassing different row patterns is
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`between the keys. As shown in FIG. 2, a number of different
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`produced by the finger of the user. The finger contact pattern
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`can extend over more than one of the printed or embossed
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`key size/key spacing combinations can be provided. People
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`areas defined on the fabric. For instance, in attempting to
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`with motor control difficulties may require larger keys
`produce
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`a lower case "t" in the pattern of FIG. 3, the user
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`and/or greater spacing between the keys while people with
`10
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`may also contact portions of the areas 304b and 304c, to
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`limited motion disabilities may require smaller keys which
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`user, the intention of the eliminate ambigu ity as to the
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`are closer together.
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`controller employs a weighting algorithm attributing greater
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`People with limited cognitive ability or missing append­
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`weight to the row signals occurring in the center of the
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`ages may require different and/or multifunctional key con­
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`contact pattern and less to those occurring around the
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`figurations. FIG. 3 shows multifunctional keys to eliminate
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`15 periphery. Thus the weighting algorithm determines what X,
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`the need for simultaneous contact of two different keys to
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`Y coordinate positions 402 in the matrix the user intended to
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`capitalize characters. In accordance with the present
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`contact and the controller knowing the character or function
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`invention, each of the character keys 302, 304 are divided
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`embossed over that area of the matrix 400 determines the
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`into three areas all relating to the same character. Touching
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`intended target of the disabled user. When the controller
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`any position of 302 or 304 other than the 302b or 302c areas
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`20 determines that the lower case "t" was intended, it generates
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`will result in generation of a lower case character being
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`the proper multi-bit scan code for the depressed key of the
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`generated. Touching area 302b or 304b will produce an
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`keyboard interface 408 and provides it to a computer 410
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`upper case version of the contacted letter area. Contacting
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`through the keyboard connector 408. This keyboard con­
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`areas 302c or 304c will produce a control function. One such
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`nector is a standard keyboard connector which, with certain
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`and enable the 25 exceptions, will plug into any computer
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`control function could be to lock in upper case letter
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`
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`keyboard providing the proper scan codes to operate with
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`generation when any "c" area of any character is contacted.
`that computer.
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`This enables the larger "a" areas of the character areas to be
`The described keyboard matrix can use capacitive
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`used by the disabled when capitalizing. To return to gen­
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`switches in which changes in the capacity are used to detect
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`eration of lower case characters, the "c" area of any char­
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`arrangements 403. Other detecting 30 contact with the material
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`acter is contacted producing the lower case version of that
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`can include those used in mechanical keyboards where studs
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`character and all subsequent characters until one of the "b"
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`make physical contact to close a connection and a membrane
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`or "c" areas is contacted. While described in terms of
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`
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`type keyboard in which the sensing switches are contained
`characters of the keyboard, the same three area keys can be
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`in membrane layers.
`used in term of the control functions on the keyboard. The
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`Another form for a keyboard is one that makes use of a
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`key patterns of FIGS. 2 and 3 and other key patterns can be 35
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`smart fabric which embed conductors such as those mar­
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`configured to accommodate various disabilities of the users.
`
`keted by Tactex Controls Inc. Such smart fabrics contain a
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`matrix unit Referring now to FIG. 4, a rectangu lar switch
`
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`large number of pressure sensing zones made up of pressure
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`
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`400 is utilized in the keyboard 100 for outputting a signal
`
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`sensitive elastomers. Pressure exerted on the elastomer by
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`representing the depression of any control key designated as
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`the user changes the pore size of the elastomer changing its
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`a shift key in the keyboard 100. This matrix unit includes a 40
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`light scattering characteristics which change is detected by
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`plurality of input row conductors Rn -Rn inclusive and a
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`a web of fiber optics interconnecting the pressure sensing
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`plurality of output column conductors CSuch z-Cn inclusive.
`zones.
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`row and column conductors have at their intercepts a sensing
`Keyboards can also be configured using techniques dis­
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`device 402. Overlying the matrix 402 is a compliant plastic
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`closed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,198,539 and 4,293,734 to detect
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`or fabric material 403 (shown here in phantom) containing
`45
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`contact to a surface embossed with a key pattern.
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`embossed patterns 405, such as those shown in FIG. 3, at
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`least one for each of the characters in a normal keyboard.
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`As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 404 includes: a
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`Certain of the function keys are also configured in this
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`microprocessor 504, a volatile working memory 506; a read
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`manner. However, other of the keys can take other forms
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`only memory (ROM) 508 containing the microprocessors
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`such as those shown in FIG. 2 so that the keyboard can
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`operating system and application software; an input/output
`50
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`contain a multiplicity of different types of keys that best
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`interface 510 and a buffer 512 used in interfacing the
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`meet the needs of the disabled person.
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`computer 410 and the matrix 400; and a bus 514 connecting
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`the elements of the controller. The keyboard controller 404
`A controller 404 on the keyboard 100 is used to detect a
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`also includes a non volatile lookup table memory 502 in
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`signal called a make code when the overlying fabric or
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`which the pressed key areas, identified through use of the
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`plastic material is depressed and a break code when the
`55
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`weighting algorithm from the x-y positional information
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`finger pressure on the fabric is removed. The controller is
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`provided by the matrix for each of the keyboard keys, are
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`used to detect both a make and break code signal to
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`stored along with the corresponding serial multi-bit scan
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`eliminate any false or missed key signal which may occur
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`codes to be provided to the CPU 410. When the multi-bit
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`when the make codes for more than two keys overlap. To
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`X-Y coordinate data generated by the weighting algorithm
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`produce the make and break code signals, each column 60
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`matches one stored in the lookup table in non volatile
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`pulse scanned by a strobe conductor C1 to Cn is successively
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`memory, the controller transmits the corresponding scan
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`in a manner that is well known in the art. The strobe pulse
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`code to the keyboard-PC interface 508. The scan code is
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`is generated by the controller and provided to the matrix on
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`transmitted to the PC 410 through the keyboard buffer for
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`connection 406. If any section of the fabric on a column has
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`instance to a second keyboard controller located in the PC
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`been depressed at the time of the generation of a scanning
`65
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`where they are recognized as the appropriate characters or
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`strobe pulse, for that column, one or more of the row
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`control codes.
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`conductors will be energized by the strobe pulse to produce
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 8
`
`

`

`
`
`US 6,696,985 B2
`
`6
`5
`As shown in FIG. 6, after the computer is turned on (step
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`5.The data entry device of claim 4 wherein the multi­
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`functional key areas have specific upper character and
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`600)and the computer is energized (step 602), the keyboard
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`character control function areas set within a character area.
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`awaits contact from the user (step 604). The controller then
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`6.The data entry of claim 5 wherein the controller
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`determines if there was a proper key stroke occurred (step
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`includes a lookup table responsive to the multi-bit output of
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`606). If it has, a weighting algorithm (step 610) is applied to 5
`QWERTY
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`the weighting algorithm to provide a standard
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`determine the area intended to be contacted. After the
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`scan code recognizable by a computer to the interface
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`weighting algorithm has identified, the apparent intended
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`connector as a character or function represented an inscrip­
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`key area and the standard QWERTY scan code is selected
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`tion selected by the user.
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`for the intended key area (step 612). The keyboard then goes
`7. The data entry device of claim 1, wherein the circuit
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`back and resets and awaits the next contact area (step 614). 10
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`matrix provides the bits of the multi-bit binary code to the
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`After typing is completed, the computer is deenergized (step
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`controller as a sequence of parallel outputs each parallel
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`616)and the process ends (step 618).
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`output associated with a column of the matrix.
`Above we have described two embodiments of the present
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`8.Data entry device comprising:
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`invention. Of course those skilled in the art may provide
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`a keyboard with a surface having a plurality of key area
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`modifications of the described embodiments for instance the 15
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`positions embossed thereon shaped or positioned to
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`interface terminal on the keyboard could be USE connector
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`accommodate the handicap of a disabled user each key
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`and the on board keyboard controller could be programmed
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`area position containing an inscription thereon repre­
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`to communicate with the computer through the USE inter­
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`senting its character or function to be identified by a
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`face. Therefore it is understood that the invention is not
`user wherein:
`20
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`limited to the described embodiments but encompasses the
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`at least the character key areas are multi-functional
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`spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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`areas enabling typing either upper or lower character
`I claim:
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`types with a single stroke; and
`1. Data entry device comprising:
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`
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`wherein the multi-functional key areas have specific
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`a keyboard with a surface having a plurality of key area
`upper character and character control function areas
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`positions embossed thereon shaped or positioned to 25
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`set within a character area;
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`accommodate the handicap of a disabled user each key
`a circuit matrix disposed below said keyboard surface said
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`area position containing an inscription thereon repre­
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`circuit matrix being capable of detecting when any key
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`senting its character or function to be identified by a
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`area position is depressed to produce a multi-bit elec­
`user;
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`trical signal representative of the location of the
`30
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`a circuit matrix disposed below said keyboard surface said
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`depressed key area position on the keyboard;
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`circuit matrix being capable of detecting when any key
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`a standard interface connector to connect the keyboard to
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`area position is depressed to produce a multi-bit elec­
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`a computer to provide key scan codes to the computer;
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`trical signal representative of the location of the
`and
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`depressed key area position on the keyboard;
`a controller for converting the output of the circuit matrix
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`
`35
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`a standard interface connector to connect the keyboard to
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`in the depression of a key area to one which is recog­
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`a computer to provide key scan codes to the computer;
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`nizable by the computer so that the key scan code
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`a controller for converting the output of the circuit matrix
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`outputs the keyboard provides to the standard interface
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`in the depression of a key area to one which is recog­
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`connector can be interpreted by the computer to cor­
`nizable by the computer so that the key scan code
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`rectly identity a selected character or function irrespec­
`40
`outputs the keyboard provides to the standard interface
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`tive of the position or shape of the key areas on the
`
`
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`connector can be interpreted by the computer to cor­
`keyboard.
`9.The data entry device of claim 8 including weighting
`
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`rectly identify a selected character or function irrespec­
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`algorithm software for providing a multi-bit output identi-
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`tive of the position or shape of the key areas on the
`
`
`45 fying the area of the keyboard selected by the user.
`
`keyboard and weighting algorithm software attributing
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`
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`greater weight to the row signals occurring in the center 10.The data entry device of claim 9, wherein the con­
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`of the contact pattern of a key and less to those
`
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`
`troller includes a look-up table responsive to the multi-bit
`
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`occurring around the periphery of the contact pattern
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`output of the weighting algorithm to provide a standard scan
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`and for providing a multi-bit output identifying the area
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`code recognizable by a computer to the interface connector
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`
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`of the keyboard selected by the user.
`
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`
`50 as a character or function represented an inscription selected
`
`
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`
`2.The data entry device of claim 1 including weighting
`
`by the user.
`
`
`
`
`algorithm software for providing a multi-bit output identi­
`11.The data entry device of claim 9, wherein the con­
`
`
`
`
`
`fying the area of the keyboard selected by the user.
`
`
`
`
`
`troller includes a look-up table responsive to the multi-bit
`
`
`
`3.The data entry device of claim 1, wherein the controller
`
`
`output of the weighting algorithm to provide a standard
`
`
`
`55 QWERTY scan code recognizable by a computer to the
`
`
`
`
`
`includes a look-up table responsive to the multi-bit output of
`
`
`
`the weighting algorithm to provide a standard scan code
`
`
`
`
`
`interface connector as a character or function represented an
`
`
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`recognizable by a computer to the interface connector as a
`
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`inscription selected by the user.
`
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`
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`character or function represented an inscription selected by
`
`
`12.The data entry device of claim 8, wherein the circuit
`the user.
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`
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`matrix provides the bits of the multi-bit binary code to the
`
`
`
`
`4.The data entry device of claim 1, wherein at least the
`
`
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`60 controller as a sequence of parallel outputs each parallel
`
`
`character key areas are multi-functional areas enabling typ­
`
`
`output associated with a column of the matrix.
`
`
`ing either upper or lower character types with a single
`stroke.
`
`* * * * *
`
`IPR2020-00778
`Apple EX1009 Page 9
`
`