Patent ID: 6696985
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
Data entry device comprising:a keyboard with a surface having a plurality of key area positions embossed thereon shaped or positioned to accommodate the handicap of a disabled user each key area position containing an inscription thereon representing its character or function to be identified by a user; a circuit matrix disposed below said keyboard surface said circuit matrix being capable of detecting when any key area position is depressed to produce a multi-bit electrical signal representative of the location of the depressed key area position on the keyboard; a standard interface connector to connect the keyboard to a computer to provide key scan codes to the computer; a controller for converting the output of the circuit matrix in the depression of a key area to one which is recognizable by the computer so that the key scan code outputs the keyboard provides to the standard interface connector can be interpreted by the computer to correctly identify a selected character or function irrespective of the position or shape of the key areas on the keyboard and weighting algorithm software attributing greater weight to the row signals occurring in the center of the contact pattern of a key and less to those occurring around the periphery of the contact pattern and for providing a multi-bit output identifying the area of the keyboard selected by the user.