Patent · US Expired

Keyboard interface device

US5992817A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
50References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 1998
Grant dateNov 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 4, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S248/918
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A keyboard has a key array including keys, a top surface having a front edge and a back edge, and a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface. An interface device for use with the keyboard includes a base, a front standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion, and a back standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion. The keyboard-contacting portions are spaced such that, when the base is positioned over the key array, the key array is positioned between the keyboard-contacting portions so as to align the base in a front-to-back orientation relative to the key array. The keyboard-contacting portions are both supported by the top surface of the keyboard. The interface device also includes a key-contacting mechanism mounted on the base in a fixed orientation relative to the standoffs, and a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the interface device to the keyboard.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.