Patent Publication Number: US-2002000975-A1

Title: Keyboard with interchangeable device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to the field of computer keyboards and more specifically to a keyboard with interchangeable devices.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] A computer keyboard is a computer input/output device having a plurality of keys that is utilized by an operator to input text or other symbols into a computer&#39;s memory and/or for display on a monitor. A basic computer keyboard generally has keys for inputting alphanumerical characters as well as additional special keys, which perform specific functions. Another popular input device is a computer mouse. Physical manipulation of the computer mouse will translate to movements of a cursor around a screen. Typically these two input devices are provided as separate devices with separate connections to a computer. If the units are integrated, the computer mouse, or similar input item, becomes physically part of the keyboard and cannot be removed.  
       [0003] Thus, standard computer keyboards lack the ability for customization. Therefore, a user may buy a computer with a keyboard that is not suited to the user&#39;s taste or needs. What is needed is a computer keyboard with interchangeable devices.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] In one embodiment, a keyboard with an interchangeable device is disclosed. The keyboard comprises a standard, or near standard keyboard for use with a computer. The keyboard includes at least one device that can be inserted into the keyboard. The insertable device can be an input device such as a trackball or touchpad which can be removed and replaced with another input device.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0005] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts, and in which:  
     [0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a keyboard in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;  
     [0007]FIG. 2 illustrates the size of the keyboard;  
     [0008]FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary interchangeable modules;  
     [0009]FIG. 4 illustrates an interchangeable module with a connector; and  
     [0010]FIG. 5 illustrates a keyboard connector.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a keyboard  100  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Keyboard  100  includes a plurality of keys  102  for use in inputting information into a computer or similar device. Keys  102  for an English language keyboard are typically arranged in a standard QWERTY arrangement. However, any other standard or non standard configuration can be used, including configuration to support non-English languages. The alignment of the keys may also be altered to allow for ergometric arrangements of the keys  102 .  
     [0012] Keyboard  100  may also include a handrest  104  and indicator lights  106 . Handrest  104  is designed to allow the hands to rest comfortably while using keyboard  100  and to avoid repetitive stress injury. Indicator lights  106  are used to indicate such information as whether the caps lock key or numerical lock key are in the on or off position.  
     [0013] Keyboard  100  also includes an interchangeable module  108  which can be removed from keyboard  100  and replaced with another module  108 . Interchangeable modules  108  are further described in conjunction with FIG. 3. In use, keyboard  100  acts as a standard computer keyboard. As seen in FIG. 2 keyboard  100  is operable to be connected to a computer  202  or similar device which receives external inputs such as a terminal. A user (not pictured) depresses keys  102  on keyboard  100  which sends signals to computer  202  which are then interpreted by the operating system or program currently running on computer  202  and can then be displayed on the monitor  204  or stored internal to computer  202 . Interchangeable module  108  is shown in FIG. 1 near the bottom center of keyboard  100 . This is for illustration only. Interchangeable module can be located anywhere around the periphery of keyboard  100 . In one embodiment, multiple devices can be attached to keyboard  100 .  
     [0014] Turning to FIG. 3, keyboard  100  includes a connector port  302 . This allows keyboard  100  to be connected to a computer via a standard keyboard connector, such as a PS/2 connector. Of course, it is well-known that a keyboard can be connected to a computer using various other means including a universal serial bus cable, a serial port attachment, a wireless or infra red link, or a radio frequency/radio wave link. Thus, the connection between keyboard  100  and computer  202  can be any wired or wireless connection. Also pictured in FIG. 3 are optional indentations  304 , which may be formed on keyboard  100  in order to fit the lap of a user. Keyboard  100  can also be integrated into a laptop or similar computer.  
     [0015]FIG. 4 illustrates interchangeable modules  108 , which can be inserted into keyboard  100 . First module  108 A illustrates a touchpad module, which includes a touch sensitive pad  402  that translates the movement of fingers along the pad to the movement of the cursor around a computer display. Second module  108 B illustrates a trackball module that includes a rotating ball  404  that can be used to move a cursor around a computer display. Third module  108 C includes keys  406  that can be used to input special characters not readily supported by a standard keyboard, or form shortcuts or macros which consists of a combination of keystrokes that takes the place of lengthy or complex keystrokes. The shortcuts or macros can be either pre-programmed or programmed into the keyboard  100 . Other modules  108  can exist with other input means such as including joysticks, other types of pointing devices, or other types of input devices, or ports.  
     [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a view of interchangeable module  108  showing a connector  500 A as well as a view of keyboard  100  showing a connector  500 B. When interchangeable module  108  is inserted into keyboard  100 , connector  500 A connects with connector  500 B to integrate the interchangeable module  108  into the keyboard. When interchangeable module  108  is attached to keyboard  100 , keyboard  100  will recognize the module that is inserted and the keyboard operation will be configured to correspond to that module. This recognition can be done by the keyboard or by the computer. In one embodiment, the reconfigured keyboard  100  is recognized via the plug and play capabilities of the operating system. In one embodiment, the connection between the module  108  and keyboard  100  is an RS 232 connection although other types of connection would be known to those skilled in the art.  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a connector inside of keyboard  100  showing the connection between the connecting port  500 B and an EPROM  600  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. EPROM  600  is an erasable programmable memory, which can be used to store a program or routine that can be used to detect the type of interchangeable unit attached to connector  500 B. Then, a keyboard configurator  602  can be used in conjunction with EPROM  600  to configure the keyboard for use with a particular interchangeable module  108 . Once that information is programmed into the keyboard, the information can be outputted to a computer via port  602 A. Port  602 A is also the port whereby the input signals are sent to computer  202 .