Patent Application
20170003754
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to input devices of a computing assembly, such as keyboards.
Computers can include keyboards to receive input from users of the computer. The keyboards include several keys associated with different sets of functions. For example, in one mode of operation, pressing the “A” key causes the lowercase letter “a” to be input into the computer. Different modes of operation of the computer can cause the actuation of the same key to produce different functions. For example, in another mode of operation (such as when the “Shift” key is concurrently depressed), pressing the “A” key causes the uppercase letter “A” to be input into the computer.
Some keys are associated with different functions that may not be readily understood or memorized by users. For example, pressing the “F2” key alone may cause the last action taken by the computer to be undone (such as by removing the last text string that was input into a word processing program), while concurrently pressing the “Control” and “F2” key can cause the word processing program to open a print dialog screen or concurrently pressing the “Control” key, the “Alternate” key, and the “F2” key can cause the word processing program to prompt the user to open another file.
The number of functions that can be associated with the same keys or combination of keys can be large and difficult for users to memorize. While some keys do include labels printed on the keys that indicate some of the functions associated with the keys, these printed labels are static and do not change when the functions of the key changes. For example, while the “F2” key may have indicia printed thereon stating “Undo” or the like, to represent the function of undoing the last user action, it may not be possible for indicia to be printed on the “F2” key to indicate the changing functions of the key when combinations of one or more other keys also are depressed along with the “F2” key. As a result, a user may need to refer to a list or table of the various functions associated with different combinations of key presses, which can be a time consuming and laborious chore for the user.
In accordance with one embodiment, a system includes an input device and one or more processors. The input device includes keys operatively coupled with first light devices that emit first light out of the keys. The input device is associated with different modes of operation. The one or more processors activate the first light devices to emit the first light out of the keys responsive to a selected mode of operation being a first mode of operation. The one or more processors deactivate the first light devices to stop emitting the first light out of the keys responsive to the selected mode of operation being a different, second mode of operation. The one or more processors activate the first light devices to indicate the selected mode of operation. The one or more processors perform first functions associated with the keys during the first mode of operation responsive to actuation of the first keys. The one or more processors perform different, second functions associated with the keys during the second mode of operation and responsive to actuation of the first keys.
In one embodiment, a device includes keys and first light devices. The keys are associated with different functions in different modes of operation performed by a system such that activation of the keys during a first mode of operation causes the system to perform first functions and actuation of the first keys during a second mode of operation causes the system to perform different, second functions. The first light devices are operatively coupled with the keys. The first light devices emit first light out of the keys responsive to operation in the first mode of operation. The first light devices emit the first light to indicate the first mode of operation. The first light devices do not emit the first light out of the keys responsive to the keys operating in the second mode of operation.
In one embodiment, a method includes forming a first light transmissive window in an exterior coating of a key in an input device of a system, placing a first light device in the key such that the first light device emits light out of the key through the first light transmissive window responsive to activation of the first light device, and operatively coupling the first light device in the key with one or more processors of the system such that the one or more processors control the activation the first light device to emit the light out of the key responsive to a selected mode of operation being a first mode of operation and to stop emitting the light out of the key responsive to the selected mode of operation being a different, second mode of operation.
It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, as claimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obfuscation. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments.
For example, actuating different ones or combinations of the “Shift” key 106, the “Control” key 106, the “Alternate” key 106, the “Capitalization lock” key 106, the “Number lock” key 106, or other key 106 can cause the input device 102 and/or system 100 to change modes of operation. Pressing one or more of these keys 106 or another key 106 in combination with actuation of a selected key 106 (e.g., a key representing a letter, number, or symbol) can result in different functions being performed by the system 100. As described and shown herein, the keys 106 may include light devices inside the keys 106 that are activated or deactivated to indicate to a user which function will be performed responsive to actuation of different keys 106. For example, in a first mode of operation of the system 100 and/or input device 102, pressing the key 106 associated with the number “1” can result in the number “1” being input to and displayed on the output device 104. Responsive to pressing the “Shift” key 106, however, the mode of operation changes to a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, a light device inside the key 106 associated with the number “1” can begin emitting light that exits from a light transmissive window in the key 106. This window can be in the shape of the explanation point symbol “!” to notify a user that pressing the “1” key 106 will result in the explanation point symbol “!” to be input to the system 100 instead of the number “1” being input. Releasing the “Shift” key 106 can cause the system 100 and/or input device 102 to revert back to the first mode of operation (where pressing the “1” key 106 results in the number “1” being input into the system). The light device inside the “1” key 106 may deactivate such that light is no longer generated responsive to returning to the first mode of operation.
In one aspect, the modes of operation of the input device 102 (and the lights generated inside the keys 106) change responsive to a combination of keys 106 being concurrently actuated. For example, pressing the “Shift” key 106, “Control” key 106, or “Alternate” key 106 alone can result in a change in the mode of operation of the system 100 and/or input device 102, and pressing a combination of the “Shift” key 106, “Control” key 106, and/or “Alternate” key 106 can result in a change in the mode of operation of the input device 102 and/or system 100.
Optionally, changing a mode of operation may cause actuation of one or more keys 106 to perform an editing function. For example, actuating the “Control” key 106 may change the mode of operation such that, upon then actuating the “X” key 106, a portion of alphanumeric text and/or symbols shown on the output device 104 may be cut from the document being edited on the output device 104.
In addition to or as an alternate to a single light device inside the key 106 activating or deactivating responsive to changing modes of operation. Keys 106 can each include multiple light devices, with different light devices and/or different combinations of light devices being activated or deactivated responsive to changing modes of operation. Optionally, a color of light generated inside a key 106 may change responsive to a change in the mode of operation. In one aspect, only a single light device within a key 106 is activated or deactivated, and/or changes color, responsive to a mode of operation changing. Alternatively, two or more light devices within each key 106 or at least one key is activated and/or changes color responsive to a mode of operation changing.
One or more processors 108 may be included in the input device 102 and/or system 100 to detect actuation of the keys 106, determine the mode of operation of the system 100 and/or input device 102, and/or to direct the output device 104 to display various alphanumeric symbols or other symbols responsive to actuation of one or more keys 106 and based on the selected mode of operation. The one or more processors 108 can represent one or more microprocessors, controllers, field programmable gate arrays, switches, or the like. In one aspect, the one or more processors 108 can represent two or more different devices performing different functions. For example, the one or more processors 108 can represent switches that are controlled to change the mode of operation of the input device 102 and one or more microprocessors that identify actuations of keys 106 and direct the output that is displayed on the output device 104 based on the mode of operation and which key 106 or keys 106 are actuated.
The key 106 also includes a second light transmissive window 202. The second light transmissive window 202 shown in
Optionally, the key 106 may include a different number of light transmissive windows 200, 202 (or even a single light transmissive window 200, 202) and/or a different number of light devices (or even a single light device). For example, the symbol representing a first function to be performed by pressing the key 106 in a first mode of operation (e.g., the number “1”) may be printed on the key 106 and the second light transmissive window 202 may be provided to represent the explanation point symbol “!” in the second mode of operation. During the first mode of operation, the light device inside the key 106 may not generate light so that light does not exit the key 106 through the second light transmissive window 202, while in the second mode of operation, the light device is activated to generate light so that light does exit the key 106 through the second light transmissive window 202.
A key cover 406 is positioned over the light devices 402, 404 such that the light devices 402, 404 are between the substrate 400 and the key cover 406. The key cover 406 can be clear to permit light to pass through the cover 406. The key cover 406 may include an interior coating 408 that changes the color of the light generated by the light devices 402, 404. This coating 408 may be a painted coating of a semi-opaque color. The coating 408 can change the color of the light generated by the light devices 402, 404 to a different light that exits the key 106 through the light transmissive windows 200, 202. The coating 408 may be the same color between both light devices 402, 404 and the light transmissive windows 200, 202, or may have different colors between one light device 402 and the light transmissive window 200 and between the other light device 404 and the light transmissive window 202. Alternatively, the coating 408 may not be included in the key 106.
A light dam 410 is positioned between the light devices 402, 404. The light dam 410 represents a block or other body that is located between the light devices 402, 404. The light dam 410 assists in preventing or prevents the light generated from one light device 402, 404 from exiting the key 106 through a light transmissive window 200, 202 associated with another light device 402, 404. For example, the light dam 410 can help prevent or prevent the light generated by the light device 402 from exiting the key 106 through the light transmissive window 202 and/or can prevent or help prevent the light generated by the light device 404 from exiting the key 106 through the light transmissive window 200. In one aspect, the coating 408 on the cover 406 may diffract the light generated by the light devices 402, 404 such that light generated by the light device 402 is blocked by the light dam 408 and diffracted by the coating 408 such that little to no light generated by the light device 402 exits the key 106 through the light transmissive window 202 and light generated by the light device 404 is blocked by the light dam 408 and diffracted by the coating 408 such that little to no light generated by the light device 404 exits the key 106 through the light transmissive window 200. While some light generated by the light device 402 may exit from the key 106 through the light transmissive window 202 and/or some light generated by the light device 404 may exit from the key 106 through the light transmissive window 200, the amount of light from the light device 404 exiting through the light transmissive window 200 may be dimmer than the light from the light device 402 that exits through the light transmissive window 200, and the light from the light device 402 exiting through the light transmissive window 202 may be dimmer than the light from the light device 404 that exits through the light transmissive window 202.
An exterior coating 412 may be provided on the coating 408 of the key 406 or directly on the key 406. The exterior coating 412 can include an opaque paint or other coating on the coating 408 or key 406. The light transmissive windows 200, 202 can be formed by cutting away portions of the exterior coating 412, such as by ion etching through an entire thickness of the exterior coating 412. Optionally, the exterior coating 412 can be printed or painted on the coating 408 or key 406 without covering all of the coating 408 or key 406 such that the light transmissive windows 200, 202 are formed.
In contrast to the key 106 shown in
With continued reference to the flowchart of the method 600 shown in
At 606 in the flowchart of the method 600 shown in
At 608, an exterior coating is formed on the key cover.
At 610 of the flowchart of the method 600 shown in
At 612 of the flowchart of the method 600 shown in
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, various aspects may be embodied as a system, method or computer (device) program product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment including hardware and software that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”
Aspects are described herein with reference to the figures, which illustrate example methods, devices and program products according to various example embodiments. Although illustrative example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that this description is not limiting and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.
It is to be understood that the subject matter described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description herein or illustrated in the drawings hereof. The subject matter described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings herein without departing from its scope. While the dimensions, types of materials and coatings described herein are intended to define various parameters, they are by no means limiting and are illustrative in nature. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects or order of execution on their acts.
