Patent Application
20130222245
An input component of a computing device includes alphanumeric keys. One or more of the alphanumeric keys can include more than one function or command for the computing device. When accessing a secondary function or command, a user of the device can press and hold down a modifier key with a first finger while using another finger or hand to press additional alphanumeric keys. This can limit the range of motion of the user and lead to frustration if the user wants to continue to utilize the secondary functions or commands.
Various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the disclosed examples.
An input component of a computing device, such as a keyboard, can include alphanumeric keys with a first set of commands for the computing device. The alphanumeric keys include keys corresponding to a number, a letter of the alphabet, a function of the computing device, and/or a special action of the computing device. The first set of commands can be to input a number or letter and/or to input a function or command for the computing device. A subset of the alphanumeric keys, such as function keys, can include secondary commands for the computing device which can be inputted to the computing device if a modifier key, such as an Fn key, is accessed for a predetermined amount of time. In one example, the secondary commands can include media commands for the computing device.
If the controller detects the modifier key being accessed for the predetermined amount of time, the controller can transition and lock the subset of alphanumeric keys to the second set of commands and an illumination component can illuminate the modifier key if the subset of alphanumeric keys are locked to the second set of commands. As a result, a user friendly experience can be created for the user as the user can continue to access secondary commands without repeatedly accessing the modifier key. Additionally, the user can receive visual confirmation from the illumination component that the subset of alphanumeric keys are locked to the second set of commands.
The input component 100 can be integrated as part of the computing device 105 or externally coupled to a port of the computing device 105. The computing device 105 can be a laptop, a notebook, a tablet, a netbook, an all-in-one system, a desktop, a workstation, and/or a server. In another embodiment, the computing device 105 can be a cellular device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an E (Electronic)-Reader and/or any additional computing device coupled to an input component 100. As illustrated in
One or more of the alphanumeric keys 130 can be a modifier key 140. For the purposes of this application, a modifier key 140 is a key of the input component 100, such as an Fn key, which modifies and/or transitions a subset of the alphanumeric keys 135 from a first set of commands to a second set of commands. The subset of alphanumeric keys 135 can include function keys (e.g. F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12) of the input component 100. The first set of commands can correspond to alphanumeric input commands of the computing device 105. The second set of commands can correspond to media control commands of the computing device 105.
A controller 120 can detect if the modifier key 140 is accessed by a user for a predetermined amount of time. The user can be any person which can access the modifier key 140 by touching, pressing, and/or holding down the modifier key 140. By accessing the modifier key 140, the user can activate the modifier key 140. If the controller 120 detects the modifier key 140 being activated, the controller 120 can detect if the user continues to access or activate the modifier key 140 for a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time can be defined by the controller 120, the computing device 105, and/or by the user. For example, the predetermined amount of time can be 3 seconds. If the modifier key 140 is accessed and/or activated for the predetermined amount of time, the controller 120 can proceed to lock the subset of alphanumeric keys 135 to a second set of commands. In one embodiment, locking the subset of alphanumeric characters 135 to the second set of commands includes the controller 120 disabling a first set of commands corresponding to the subset of the alphanumeric keys 135.
While the subset of alphanumeric keys 135 are locked, if a key from the subset of alphanumeric keys 135 is accessed by the user, a second command, such as a media control command, can be inputted for the computing device 105. For the purposes of this application, a media command can be an instruction or function of the computing device 105 to execute or control a display, audio, and/or media playback setting of the computing device. In one embodiment, the media command can be a play command, a pause command, a stop command, a next command, a previous command, a forward command, a rewind command, a menu command, a change display settings command, an increase brightness command, a decrease brightness command, an increase volume command, and/or a decrease volume command.
As the subset of alphanumeric keys 135 are locked to the second set of commands, an illumination component 150 of the input component 100 can illuminate the modifier key 140. For the purposes of this application, the illumination component 150 is included within a chassis of the input component and can include a LED (light emitting diode), a bulb, a lamp, and/or any additional device which can light or illuminate the modifier key 140. In one embodiment, the illumination component 150 is coupled to the modifier key 140. A surface of the modifier key 140 can include one or more portions which are clear or transparent for the illumination component 150 to illuminate. One or more clear or transparent portions can be the shape or outline of alphanumeric text or characters displayed on the modifier key 140. In another embodiment, when illuminating the modifier key 140, the illumination component 150 illuminates a perimeter or outlined shape of the modifier key 140.
A chassis 290 includes a frame, an enclosure, and/or a to house components of the input component 200. In one embodiment, a composition of the chassis can include an alloy, a plastic, a carbon fiber, a fiberglass, and/or any additional element or a combination of elements in addition to and/or in lieu of those noted above. As shown in
A controller 220 can instruct the illumination component 250 to illuminate the modifier key 240 if the modifier key 240 is detected to be activated for a predetermined amount of time. The modifier key 240 can be activated if the user accesses the modifier key 240 by touching or pressing the modifier key 240. In one embodiment, the controller 220 is a keyboard controller included on the input component 200. In another embodiment, the controller 220 can be a processor or controller of the computing device which can be coupled to the input component 200 and the illumination component 250 through a port or communication bus of the computing device.
If the modifier key 240 is activated, the controller 220 determines if the modifier key 240 continues to be accessed and/or activated for a predetermined amount of time. In one example, the predetermined amount of time can be 3 seconds. The predetermined amount of time can be defined by the controller 220, the computing device, and/or by a user. When determining if the modifier key 240 continues to be activated for the predetermined amount of time, the controller 220 can determine if the user continues to touch or maintain contact with the modifier key 240 for the predetermined amount of time. If the user continues to touch or main contact with the modifier key 240, the modifier key 240 continues to remain activated. In another embodiment, the controller 220 can further determine if the modifier key 240 is accessed and/or activated a predetermined number of times before the predetermined amount of time elapses. In one example, if the predetermined amount of times is 3 times and the predetermined amount of time is 2 seconds, the controller 220 can detect if the modifier key 240 is accessed and/or activated 3 times before 2 seconds elapses.
If the controller 220 determines that the modifier key 240 is accessed or activated for the predetermined amount of time, the controller 220 can instruct the illumination component 250 to illuminate the modifier key to provide visual confirmation that a subset of alphanumeric keys 235 are locked to a second set of commands for the computing device. As noted above, the illumination component 250 is a hardware component of the input component which includes one or more light sources to output visible light to illuminate the modifier key 240. One or more light sources can include a LED, a bulb, a lamp, and/or any additional light source to illuminate the modifier key 240.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In another embodiment, as show in
The controller 220 can identify which of the alphanumeric keys 230 to illuminate with the illumination component 250. In one embodiment, the controller 220 instructs the illumination component 250 to illuminate the modifier key 240 without illuminating any other alphanumeric keys 230. In another embodiment, the controller 220 can instruct the illumination component 250 to illuminate the modifier key 240 and the subset of alphanumeric keys 230 which are locked to the second set of commands.
In other embodiments, the subset of alphanumeric keys 230 can include visual indicators on the surface of the subset of keys which identify a second command corresponding to the subset of keys 230. For example, a first key can include a visual mark corresponding to a play command and a second key can include a visual mark corresponding to a stop or menu command. As a result, when illuminating the subset of alphanumeric keys 230, the visual indicators corresponding to the second commands can be illuminated.
In other embodiments, all of the alphanumeric keys 230 can be illuminated. If all of the alphanumeric keys are illuminated, a first light source of the illumination component 250 can be used to illuminate the alphanumeric keys 230 not included in the subset of alphanumeric keys 235 a first color. A second light source of the illumination component 250 can be used to illuminate the modifier key 240 and the subset of alphanumeric keys 235 a second color. The first color is different from the second color. As a result, a user can receive visual confirmation that the subset of alphanumeric keys 235 are locked to the second set of commands and a location of the subset of the alphanumeric keys 235 can be easily identified.
Each of the keys from the subset of alphanumeric keys 335 include a first corresponding command and a second corresponding command. The first command can be to input a number, a letter, and/or to input a function or command for the computing device. The second set of commands can include secondary commands for the corresponding subset of alphanumeric keys, such as media commands for the computing device. As noted above, the media commands can be an instruction or function for the computing device to execute or control a display, audio, and/or playback setting of the computing device.
As shown in
When locking the subset of alphanumeric keys 335 to the second set of commands, the controller 320 can register an input from the modifier key 340 each time a key from the subset is accessed. In another embodiment, the controller 320 can lock the modifier key 340 into an activated state, such that the modifier key 340 is continually accessed. In other embodiments, when locking the subset of alphanumeric keys 335 to the second set of commands, the controller 320 can disable the first commands corresponding to the subset of alphanumeric keys 335.
In response to the subset of alphanumeric keys 335 being locked to the second set of commands, the controller 320 instructs the illumination component 350 to illuminate the modifier key 340. In one embodiment, the illumination component 350 additionally illuminates the subset of alphanumeric keys 335. In other embodiments, the illumination component 350 can illuminate all of the alphanumeric keys 330. The modifier key 340 and the subset of alphanumeric keys 335 can be illuminated a second color different from a first color used to illuminate the remaining alphanumeric characters 330.
The modifier key, such as an Fn key of the keyboard, transitions and locks the function keys of the keyboard to a second set of commands for the computing device if the function key is accessed and/or activated for the predetermined amount of time. If the modifier key is accessed or for the predetermined amount of time, the controller determines that the modifier key is activated for the predetermined amount of time and proceeds to lock the subset of alphanumeric keys to a second set of commands at 410. When locking the subset of alphanumeric keys to the second set of commands, the controller can register an input from the modifier key each time a key from the subset is accessed, lock the modifier key into an activated state, such that the modifier key 340 is continually activated, or disable a first set of commands corresponding to the subset of alphanumeric keys. As noted above, the second set of commands can correspond to media commands of the computing device.
If the subset of alphanumeric keys are locked to the second set of commands, an illumination component of the input component can illuminate the modifier key at 420. The modifier key can include one or more portions which are clear or transparent for the illumination component to illuminate. The illumination component includes a LED, lamp, bulb, and/or any additional lighting device which can illuminate the modifier key. The method is then complete. In other embodiments, the method of
If the modifier key is not activated for the predetermined amount of time, the controller can continue to detect for the modifier key being activated for a predetermined amount of time at 510. If the modifier key is activated for the predetermined amount of time, the controller can proceed to transition a subset of alphanumeric keys from the first set of commands and lock the subset of the alphanumeric keys to media control commands of the computing device at 520. As the subset of alphanumeric keys are locked to the second set of commands, an illumination component included within a chassis of the input component can illuminate the modifier key at 530. In one embodiment, the illumination component can also illuminate the subset of alphanumeric characters.
In other embodiments, the illumination component can include a first light source and a second light source. A first light source can be used to illuminate additional alphanumeric keys not included in the subset of alphanumeric characters locked to media commands. The second light source can be used to illuminate the modifier key and the subset of alphanumeric keys to a second color different from a color of the first light source at 540. The controller can then determine if a user has re-accessed the modifier key for a predetermined amount of time at 550.
If the modifier key is not accessed the user again, the modifier key can continue to be illuminated and the method can be complete. In another embodiment, the controller can continue to detect for a user accessing the modifier key for a predetermined amount of time at 550. If the modifier key is accessed for the predetermined amount of time, the controller can transition the subset of alphanumeric keys from the second set of commands and lock the subset of the alphanumeric keys to the first set of commands at 560. In one embodiment, the illumination component can also stop illuminating the modifier key and/or any additional alphanumeric keys of the input component. The method is then complete. In other embodiments, the method of
