Patent Publication Number: US-2021192091-A1

Title: Secure input mode of keyboards

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A keyboard can be utilized as an input device for an electronic device. For example, a keyboard can be utilized to provide inputs for letters, numbers, and/or other symbols or characters to an electronic device, among other possibilities. Examples of electronic devices having a keyboard can include laptop computers, desktop computers, and/or mobile devices, among other types of electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a secure input mode of a keyboard consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example of keys displaying a corresponding character consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a keyboard having keys and a controller consistent with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a computing device and a keyboard consistent with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Keyboards can utilize keys to receive key presses from a user. The key presses can correspond to an input for a computing device. As used herein, the term “keyboard” can, for example, refer to a device utilizing an arrangement of buttons (e.g., keys) to input information into a computing device. Utilizing these keys can allow for keyboards to input characters, such as letters, numbers, and/or other symbols via the keys of the keyboard to a computing device. As used herein, the term “key” can, for example, refer to a button control an input to a computing device. As used herein, the term “computing device” can, for example, refer to a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, storage and/or networking equipment, among other types of computing devices. 
     Keyboards may be utilized to input sensitive information into a computing device. For example, a user may input information such as passwords, social security numbers, credit card information, a personal identification number (PIN), and/or other sensitive information. Someone watching a user input this information may be able to determine the sensitive information being input via the keyboard by observing the keys used by the user as the user inputs the sensitive information. For instance, an observer may watch the keys input by a user as the user inputs a password. The observer may be able to determine the password by watching the keys the user presses to input the password. 
     Secure input mode of keyboards, according to the disclosure, can protect sensitive information as it is input via a keyboard. For example, the characters on the keys of the keyboard can be modified by various character modification techniques in order to stop an observer from observing input of sensitive information via a keyboard. The character modification of keyboard keys may utilize a secure input mode on the keyboard, where passwords and sensitive content can be protected by various ways of hiding the data input to the keyboard via the various ways of character modification. 
     Security input mode according to the disclosure, can refer to information determined by the type of users who may be directly or indirectly accessing the system, the type of data, including classification levels, compartments, and categories that are processed on the computing device, and the type of levels of users, and formal access approvals that the users may have. 
     As the keyboard enters a secure input mode, the keyboard can create a secure input mode and modify the characters displayed on the keys based on the security level of the secure input mode. The modification of some keyboard keys may be accomplished through electronic ink (E-ink) display organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, and/or some other technology. As used herein, the term “modification” can, for example, refer to an act or process of changing a character displayed on a key of the keyboard to display a different character from the original character. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a secure input mode of a keyboard  100  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , keyboard  100  can include key  102 - 1  having display  108 - 1 , key  102 - 2  having display  108 - 2 , key  102 - 3  having display  108 - 3 , key  102 - 4  having display  108 - 4 , key  102 - 5  having display  108 - 5 , key  102 - 6  having display  108 - 6  and key  102 -M having display  108 -M. Keys  102 - 1 ,  102 - 2 ,  102 - 3 ,  102 - 4 ,  102 - 5 ,  102 - 6 ,  102 -M can be referred to collectively herein as keys  102 , Similarly, displays  108 - 1 ,  108 - 2 ,  108 - 3 ,  108 - 4 ,  108 - 5 ,  108 - 6 ,  108 -M can be referred to collectively herein as displays  108 . 
     In one example, controller  104  can be a chip, an expansion card, or a stand-alone device that interfaces with a peripheral device. This may be a link between two parts of a computing device. As used herein, the term controller can be a device used to control another device and/or a port to receive and send information. 
     Controller  104  can determine that keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode. For example, controller  104  can determine that keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode either contextually by identifying the information entered in keyboard  100  and/or manually using some other signal. 
     In one example, controller  104 , can determine the type of user expected to access the system by an authentication process, Once authentication is completed, controller  104  may determine that keyboard  100  is in secure input mode. 
     Controller  104  can modify displays  108  in response to the determination that keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode. For example, based on that determination, controller  104  can modify a display  108  of the keys  102  by randomizing a location of characters associated with each key  102 , distorting a font of characters associated with each key  102 , adjusting a font size of characters associated with each key  102 , adjusting a font contrast of characters associated with each key  102 , adjusting an intensity level of a backlight of each display  108 , blacking out characters associated with each key  102 , changing a character associated with each key  102  to a different symbol, and/or and/or combinations thereof. 
     In some examples, controller  104  of the keyboard  100  can modify the character displayed on the keys by randomizing a location of a character associated with each key to change the keys layout. Key location randomization can guard against an instance where a rogue observer can watch a user&#39;s hands to see keys  102  they press. As used herein, the term “key location randomization” can, for example, refer to randomly labeling keys across the keyboard  100  from a QWERTY layout to a non-QWERTY layout. Key location randomization disallows an outside observer to know the keys being typed in the keyboard. For example, when a key is being pressed by a user, the keyboard registers it as a key press for the labeled key, not what key would normally be in that QWERTY context. 
     For example, the location of a key associated with the character “L” may be changed from it&#39;s location in a QWERTY layout to a different location in a non-QWERTY layout. For instance, the locations of the letters “L” and “R” may be swapped such that a rogue observer may think the user is pressing the letter “R” when the user is actually pressing the letter “L”. 
     Controller  104  can modify display  108 - 1  of key  102 - 1  by randomizing a location of character from a QWERTY layout to a non-QWERTY layout. For example, when a key is being pressed by a user, the keyboard registers it as a key press for the labeled key and displays the key associated with the character, instead of the QWERTY layout. For example, the display of the associated keys L and R may be changed to display R and L instead of the QWERTY layout. 
     Using key location randomization controller  104  can hide the data input to protect sensitive information. Controller  104  may randomly label keys  102 -M across the keyboard  100  in a non-QWERTY fashion via location randomization. As a key  102 - 1  is being pressed by a user, controller  104  registers it as a key press for the labeled key  102 - 1 , not what key  102 - 1  would normally be in that QWERTY context. 
     In some examples, controller of the keyboard can modify the character displayed on the keys by key font distortion. As used herein, the term “key font distortion” can, for example, refer to changing an image from an original version to a misshapen version. Key font distortion, according to the disclosure, can be used to mask the keys with a distorted or misleading image. For instance, the font of the keys may be distorted for added security. 
     Controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in secure input mode and for example, modify display  108 - 2  of key  102 - 2  by distorting a font of a character of key  102 - 2 . 
     For example, controller  104  can distort a character of a key  102 - 2  displaying a letter, for example the letter X, from the original display to a distorted display. For example, the letter X may be distorted and placed at an angle with uneven lines to make it appear like the letter Y. In this instance, key  102 - 2  will display  108 - 2  as a distorted image of the letter X to mislead an unexpected observer. 
     In some examples, controller of the keyboard can modify the character displayed on the keys by key font size adjustment. As used herein, the term “font” can, for example, refer to a graphical representation of text. As used herein, the term “key font size adjustment” can, for example, refer to adjusting a size of a typeface, point size, weight, color, design and/or adjusting the size of other graphical representations of the text. 
     For example, controller  104  can cause display  108 - 1  of key  102 - 1  to adjust a font size of the character associated with key  102 - 1 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , display  108 - 1  can display “4” as the character associated with key  102 - 1 . Controller  104  cause display  108 - 1  to adjust the size of the 4 of key  102 - 1  smaller, larger, adjust the weight, color and/or other portions of the 4 to adjust the font size. Adjusting font size of a character associated with key  102 - 2  from font size 12 to size 6, making it more difficult to read from a distance when displayed on display  108 - 2   
     In some examples, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode and modify display  108 - 2  of key  102 - 2  by adjusting a font text. For example, controller  104  can change the graphical representation of key  102 - 2  from Arial to Brush Script MT, among other types of font text. 
     In some examples, controller of the keyboard can modify the character displayed on the keys by key font contrast. As used herein, the term “key font contrast” can, for example, refer to adjusting the background of the key and the font of the key such that the difference in color between the background of the key and the font of the key is very small, making it more difficult for an outside observer to read the key display. For example, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode and, for example, modify display  108 - 3  of key  102 - 3  by adjusting a font contrast of a character of key  102 - 3  such that the color of the character of key  102 - 3  and the color of the background of key  102 - 3  are similar. For instance, controller  104  can adjust the background of key  102 - 3  to blue and the font key  102 - 3  to indigo thus, making the display hard to read by an outsider. In some examples, keyboard  100  can include red, green; and blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED) keys  108  that include a backlight. As used herein, the term “backlight”, for example; refers to a form of internal light source to an RGB LED key, used to produce visible image. 
     Controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in secure input mode and for example, change the intensity level of the backlights of keys  102  to make it more difficult to see the display. The term “intensity level” can, for example, refer to the strength and/or sharpness of a color of light that passes through a key surface, perceived by the human eye. 
     For example; controller  104  can lower the intensity level by dimming the backlight of the keys  102  based on the secure input mode entered by the keyboard. 
     For example, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  having RGB LED keys with backlight has entered in a secure input mode. As keyboard  100  enters in a secure input mode, controller  104  may dim the backlight of key  102 - 4  by reducing the sharpness of RGB LED colors of keyboard  100 . As a result, display  108 - 4  of key  102 - 4  may be harder to see as less light will pass through the surface of key  102 - 4 . 
     For example, controller  104  can increase the intensity level by brightening the backlight of the keys  102  based on the secure input mode entered by the keyboard. 
     For example; as controller  104  determines keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode, controller  104  may brighten the backlight of key  102 - 4  by increasing the sharpness of RGB LED color. As a result, display  108 - 4  of key  102 - 4  may be harder to see as excessive light will pass through the surface of key  102 - 4 . 
     In some examples, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode and, for example, modify display  108 - 3  of key  102 - 3  by blacking out display  108 - 4  of key  102 - 4 . As used herein, the term “blackout” can, for example, refer to keyboard keys deliberately kept off and/or are kept hidden from displaying characters. 
     For example, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode and deliberately, for example, blackout key  102 - 3  by hiding display  108 - 3 . 
     In some examples, controller  104  may determine keyboard  100  is in a secure input mode and, for example, and modify display  108 - 3  of key  102 - 3  by changing a character associated with each key to a different symbol. For example, controller  104  can modify the character of the keys  102  by changing a key  102  from, for instance, an “L” to a symbol. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , display  108 - 5  of key  102 - 5  can be modified such that display  108 - 5  displays a cross shape rather than a “1”. 
     In some examples, controller of the keyboard can modify the character displayed on the keys by modifying the keys to display symbols, instead of letters. 
     For example, controller  104  can cause display  108 - 2  of key  102 - 2  to display a symbol instead of a letter associated with key  102 - 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , display  108 - 2  can display “+” symbol as the character associated with key  102 - 1  instead of the letter E, for example, of the original display. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example of keys  202  displaying a corresponding character consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , keys  202  can include a corresponding display  208 . Controller  204  can be connected to keys  202 . 
     Controller  204  can modify the characters displayed on keys  202  in response to the controller determining the keyboard is in a secure input mode. 
     Keys  202  can include key  202 - 2  having display  208 - 2 , and a controller  204  to modify the character displayed on keys  202  as controller  204  determines the keyboard is in the secure input mode. Controller  204  can modify the character of key  202 - 2  by changing a character associated with each key to a different symbol. 
     For example, controller  204  may determine the keyboard is in a secure input mode and modify display  208 - 2  of key  202 - 2  to display a picture instead of a character. For instance, the picture can be a tree instead of a letter, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . However, examples of the disclosure are not limited to the picture being a tree. For example, the picture can be any other symbol (e.g., a cross, a bird, a dog, etc.) 
     Keys  202  can include key  202 - 4  having display  208 - 4 , and controller  204  to modify the character displayed on keys  202  as controller  204  determines the keyboard in a secure input mode. Controller  204  can modify the character of key  202 - 4  by changing a character associated with each key to a different symbol. For example, controller  204  may determine keyboard in a secure input mode and modify the display of key  202 - 4  to display a symbol, for example a plus symbol, instead of a letter, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Keys  202  can include key  202 - 6  having display  208 - 6 , and controller  204  to modify the character displayed on key  202 - 6  as controller  204  determines keyboard in secure input mode. Controller  204  can modify the character of key  202 - 6  by adjusting the graphical representation of text that may include a different typeface, point size, weight, color, design and/or other graphical representation. For example, controller  204  may determine keyboard in a secure input mode and modify the display of key  202 - 6  to display  208 - 6  in a reduced font size, instead of a standard font size, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Keys  202  can include key  202 - 8  having display  208 - 8 , and controller  204  to modify the character displayed on key  202 - 8  as controller  204  determines the keyboard is in a secure input mode. Controller  204  can modify the character of key  202 - 8  by masking the keys with a distorted or misleading image. For example, controller  204  may determine the keyboard is in a secure input mode and modify the display of key  202 - 8  to display  208 - 8  such that the character “X” is displayed in a distorted manner instead of a clearly marked X, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a keyboard  300  with keys  302  having displays  308  and controller  304  consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , keyboard  300  can include key  302 - 1  having display  308 - 1 , key  302 - 2  having display  308 - 2 , key  302 - 3  having display  308 - 3 , key  302 - 4  having display  308 - 4 , key  302 - 5  having display  308 - 5 , key  302 - 6  having display  308 - 6  and key  302 -M having display  308 -M. Keys  302 - 1 ,  302 - 2 ,  302 - 3 ,  302 - 4 ,  302 - 5 ,  302 - 6 ,  302 -M can be referred to collectively herein as keys  302 . Similarly, displays  308 - 1 ,  308 - 2 ,  308 - 3 ,  308 - 4 ,  308 - 5 ,  308 - 6 ,  308 -M can be referred to collectively herein as displays  308 . 
     Controller  304  determines that keyboard  300  is in a secure input mode and modifies the character displayed on the display of the key  302 -M using a type of character modification associated with a security level of the secure input mode in response to the keyboard  300  being in the secure input mode. As used herein, the term “security level” can, for example, refer to a value in the policy associated with security content to determine the threshold of required security. For example, a security level can be based on a type of sensitive information being input into keyboard  300 . Sensitive information may range, for example, from password to financial data. Security levels can be determined by controller  304  and categorized into tiers of security level. 
     Controller  304  can determine that keyboard  300  is in a secure input mode by identifying the information entered in keyboard  300 . In one example, controller  304 , can determine the type of user expected to access the system by an authentication process. Once authentication is completed, controller  304  may determine that keyboard  300  is in secure input mode and modify the characters displayed on display  308 -M of key  302 -M to stop an observer from observing input of sensitive information via a keyboard. 
     In one example, if keyboard  300  is not in a secure input mode, controller  304  may determine, for example based on the content being used, that keyboard  300  can enter secure input mode and determine the security level. 
     As keyboard  300  enters the secure input mode, controller  304  may modify a character displayed on display  308 -M of key  302 -M using a type of character modification associated with a security level of the secure input mode in response to keyboard  300  being in the secure input mode. For example, the type of character modification can be different based on the security level of the secure input mode, as is further described herein. 
     A security level of the secure input mode can be assigned based on the sensitivity or secrecy of the information entered in the keyboard. A security level, for example, can include a high level security having a highest degree of protection. One example of a high level security can be a user&#39;s social security number, credit card number, PIN number, password, etc. Unauthorized disclosure of such information can result in serious damage to the user. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify display of the key characters by randomizing a location of character from a QWERTY layout to a non-QWERTY layout, key font distortion, backlight dimming, symbol replacement, and/or other modification techniques to hide the data input to protect sensitive information. 
     For example, controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security, and modify display  308 - 2  of key  302 - 2  by adjusting a font text by changing the graphical representation of key  302 - 2  from Arial to Brush Script MT- 2 . 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify display of the key characters displayed on the keys by randomizing a location of key character and changing the keys layout, Key location randomization randomly labels keys across the keyboard in a non-QWERTY fashion. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security and modify display  308 - 1  of key  302 - 1  by randomizing a location of character from a QWERTY layout to a non-QWERTY layout. For example, when a key  308 - 1  is being pressed by a user, the keyboard  300  registers it as a key press for the labeled key and displays the key associated with the character, instead of the QWERTY layout. For example, the display of the associated keys L and R may be changed to display R and L instead of the QWERTY layout. 
     In one example, controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  may randomly label keys  302 -M across the keyboard  300  in a non-QWERTY fashion. As a key  302 - 1 , for example, is pressed by a user, controller  304  registers it as a key press for modified key  302 - 1 , not what key  302 - 1  would normally be in that QWERTY context. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a high level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify display  308  of key  302  by blacking out the entire display. 
     For example, controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  is in a secure input mode with a high level security and deliberately, for example, modify display  308 - 3  of key  302 - 3  by blacking out display  308 - 4  of key  302 - 4 . 
     In some examples, controller  304  may, based on the security level identified, blackout the entire display  308 - 6  of key  302 - 6 . 
     In some examples, a security classification, for example, can include a medium level security having a reasonable degree of protection. Unauthorized disclosure of which is undesirable. One example of a medium level security can be a user&#39;s work zip code. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a medium security level. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify display of the key characters by key location randomization, key font distortion, backlight dimming, symbol replacement, and/or other modification techniques to hide the data input to protect sensitive information. 
     Controller  304  can may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a medium security level and modify the character displayed on the keys by key font size adjustment. Font, as used herein, is a graphical representation of text that may include a different typeface, point size, weight, color, design and/or other graphical representation. 
     For example, controller  304  can determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a medium security level and modify display  308 - 2  of key  302 - 2  by adjusting font size on the labels on key  302 - 2  from size 12 to size 6, making it more difficult to read from a distance when displayed on display  308 - 2 . 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a medium security level and modify display  308 - 2  of key  302 - 2  by distorting a font of a character of key  302 - 2 . Controller  304  can mask the key  302 - 2  with a distorted image, for instance, the font of key  302 - 2  may be distorted, for instance, the font of key  302 - 2  may be distorted, to modify display  308 - 2 . 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a medium security level. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify the display of the key characters by key font contrast. Key font contrast, according to the current disclosure, is adjusting the background of the key and the font of the key very closely making it more difficult for an outside observer to read. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in secure input mode with a medium level security and modify display  308 - 3  of key  302 - 3  by adjusting a font contrast of a character key  302 - 3 , For instance, controller  304  can very closely adjust the background of key  302 - 3  to blue and the font key  302 - 3  to indigo by making the display hard to read by an outsider. 
     Keyboards can have a red, green, and blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED) key that includes a backlight, According to the current disclosure, controller  304  can dim the backlight of the keys based on the determination that keyboard  300  is in a secure input mode with a medium level security. 
     In one example, controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in secure input mode with a medium security level and modify display  308 - 4  of key  302 - 4  by dimming the backlight of key  302 - 4  according to medium level security. 
     In some examples, a security classification, for example, can include a low level security having a lesser degree of protection. Unauthorized disclosure of which is undesirable. One example of a low level security can be a user&#39;s phone number. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a low level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  can modify display of the character of key  302 - 6  by adjusting the graphical representation of text that may include a different typeface, point size, weight, color, design and/or other graphical representation. 
     For example, controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a low level security and modify the display of key  302 - 6  to display  308 - 6  in a reduced font size, instead of a standard font size. 
     Controller  304  may determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a low level security. Based on that determination, controller  304  may modify the character displayed on the keys by modifying the keys to display symbols, for example, instead of letters. 
     For example, controller  304  determine keyboard  300  in a secure input mode with a low level security and modify the display  308 - 2  of key  302 - 2  to display a symbol character instead of a letter associated with key  302 - 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , display  308 - 2  can display “+” symbol as the character associated with key  302 - 1  instead of the letter E, for example, of the original display. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a computing device  414  and a keyboard  400 , consistent with the disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , computing device  414  can be connected with keyboard  400 . Keyboard  400  can include key  402 - 1  having display  408 - 1 , to key  402 -M having display  408 -M. Keys  402 - 1  to  402 -M can display characters such symbols, numbers, special characters, neon characters, rainbow characters, non-Latin alphabet, and characters the like. 
     Computing device  414  can generate signal indicating keyboard  400  is in secure input mode based on security level determined by controller  404 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , keyboard  400  can include keys  402 - 1  to  402 -M and a controller  404 . Controller  404  can receive a signal indicating keyboard  400  is in a secure input mode. The signal received by controller  404  may include a security level of the secure input mode. Controller  404  can determine the security level for the secure input mode based on the received signal. 
     Controller  404  may modify the display, for example  408 -M, of key  402 -M, of the keyboard  400  using character modification techniques based on the security level of the secure input mode. For example, controller  404  may modify the character displayed on  408 - 1  of key  402 - 1  to represent a symbol, instead of a letter based on level of security input received computing device  414 . 
     For example, controller  404  may receive a high security level, medium security level, and/or a low level security. Controller  404  can modify the character displayed on key  402 -M based on the security level determined by computing device  414 . For example, if controller  404  receives a medium level security input from computing device  414 , it may modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M to make the font smaller. In another example, if controller  404  receives a high security input from computing device  414 , it may modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M to distort the font by masking key  402 - 3  with a distorted image. 
     In one example, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by randomizing a location of the characters associated with key  402 -M. 
     In one instance, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by distorting a font of the characters associated with key  402 -M. 
     In one example, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by adjusting a font size of the characters associated with key  402 -M. 
     In one instance, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by adjusting a font contrast of the characters associated with key  402 -M. 
     In one example, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by adjusting an intensity level of a backlight of display  408 -M 
     In one instance, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by blacking out the characters associated with key  402 -M. 
     In one instance, controller  404  can modify display  408 -M of key  402 -M by changing a character associated with key  402 -M to a different symbol. 
     Controller  404  of computing device  414  can remove the character modification of key  402 -M in response to keyboard  400  exiting the secure input mode. For example, as a user terminates his secured activity, for example logging out, keyboard  400  may exit secure input mode. As keyboard  400  exits secure input mode, controller  404  can remove character modification from keys  408 - 1  to  408 -M. For example, controller  404  can remove the character modification from keys  402  such that the displays  408  of keys  402  display the original characters on displays  408  in, for instance, a QWERTY layout. 
     The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures may be identified by the use of similar digits. For example,  102  may reference element “ 02 ” in  FIG. 1 , and a similar element may be referenced as  202  in  FIG. 2 . Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a plurality of additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. Further, as used herein, “a plurality of” an element and/or feature can refer to more than one of such elements and/or features.