Membrane computer keyboard and method
US5450078A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2219/026
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer keyboard having an output port through which scan codes are directed to a computer CPU over a cable, the keyboard of the kind having a touch activated membrane switch onto which one of a plurality of key layout overlays can be installed. Each of a plurality of different stored data tables is operable when selected to determine the particular scan code that is directed through the keyboard output port over the cable in response to a membrane switch being activated. Each overlay being coded in a way that can be read by an overlay code identification device which automatically operates in response to a coded key layout overlay being installed onto the keyboard to read the overlay code, which is then used by a data table selector to select a particular data table for use with the installed overlay.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.