For Actuating Function Key Only Patents (Class 400/476)
  • Patent number: 8749962
    Abstract: A mobile computing device is disclosed. The mobile computing device comprises a housing that includes a section to retain a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly includes at least a keypad façade that carries a plurality of keys. The keypad façade of the keypad assembly is contoured to adjoin and be substantially flush with the section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Crooijmans, Yoshimichi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7311455
    Abstract: A typing keyboard is provided for minimizing non-productive hand movements. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys for entering alphanumeric text, the keys being positioned according to a conventional keyboard layout, and at least one modifier key for assigning commonly-used keyboard functions to predetermined ones of the keys positioned near a normal resting position of a user's typing fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Matias Corporation
    Inventor: Edgar Matias
  • Publication number: 20030206122
    Abstract: A computer keyboard which can generate additional symbols not presently available from keyboards including the trademark and service mark symbols. A computer keyboard having additional symbol keys. A computer keyboard having symbol characters shared on keys of the numeric keypad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Harry E. Emerson
  • Publication number: 20030201917
    Abstract: An apparatus for inputting opening and closing parentheses simultaneously by a single keystroke and method for the same are proposed. The keyboard is augmented with a parenthesis key. The opening and closing parentheses are simultaneously input by pressing the parenthesis key, wherein the key codes for opening parenthesis, closing parenthesis and cursor right are successively generated. Therefore, opening and closing parentheses are simultaneously input and cursor is placed between the opening and closing parentheses to facilitate typing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Chin Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 6639523
    Abstract: An arrangement of a plurality of status keys in a keyboard for entering information in an electronic device. The keyboard comprises a plurality of regular keys connected to a resistive strip at a plurality of locations for providing a first signal when one of the regular keys is pressed and the first signal is indicative of the location associated with the pressed regular key; a plurality of resistors, each having a different resistance, connected in series to the resistive strip, and separately connected in parallel to the status keys so that the resistors can be selectively by-passed by pressing one or more status keys, wherein a second signal is provided when one of the regular keys is pressed together with at least one status key, and wherein the second signal is indicative of the resistance the status key for identifying the pressed status key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Terho Kaikuranta, Bror Svarfvar
  • Patent number: 6320519
    Abstract: A keyboard with key codes switchable by means of a single modifier key and a method of control thereof are provided. When a modifier key such as an Alt key, a Ctrl key, or a Shift key is pressed and then immediately released, the set of key codes is switched to another if no other modifiable key stroke is inserted during the press-and-release operation. Consequently, multimedia hot keys will be obtained by switching the key code set to another set of key coding that represents individual multimedia functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Chang Hsu, Huang-Hsiao Kao, Min-Shan Chuang
  • Patent number: 5897257
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to a type of keyboard with expandable function keys, on the keyboard are a number of expanded function keys, said function keys are connected to the additional I/O cable for the microprocessor in the circuit structure in the keyboard, to coordinate with the original keyboard scanning matrix, forming a new scanning matrix, hence the default codes of said function keys may coordinate with the execution of the application programs in the window system, so the operator may directly control the existing functions of a peripheral device (multimedia) on the keyboard, with the control panel operation displayed on the monitor screen, with one IRQ connector pin of said microprocessor being connected jointly to the negative poles of three LED diodes, while the positive poles of each LED diode is connected to one line of the scanning matrix, so said keyboard may be compatible with an XT microprocessor in its application; so said function keys may be defined in the original scanning matrix th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Silitek Corporation
    Inventor: Rich Chen
  • Patent number: 5648772
    Abstract: A control console for a program-controlled machine tool consisting of a base, an ergonomically positioned control panel including a plurality of function keys, and a display screen. The control panel and the display screen are provided in a common control console housing. In a recess of the housing a plurality of separate control panels is provided, which can be alternatively positioned with respect to the control surface of the control console housing. The functional elements of those control panels are connectable to the associated elements in the control console via electric connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Friedrich, Manfred Kuisel
  • Patent number: 5348407
    Abstract: A portable ink-jet printer and sheet feeder which can be battery powered. The printer may be manually fed paper for operation independent of the sheet feeder. The printer and sheet feeder are mounted on a base and locked at 90 degrees to one another. They may then be rotated into two operating modes in which automatic sheet feeding occurs, one of which provides a straight paper feed path for relatively stiff print media and/or printing relatively dense graphics. A paper output system includes a pair of wings and a deflector which place various arches in the paper as it emerges from the printer to maintain it over the previously printed sheet to permit it to dry. The printer may be configured by driving a print carriage having an arrow thereon to different positions adjacent a menu. When the arrow is opposite a desired configuration option, the option is selected by pressing a button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Ng L. Hock, James J. Girard, Lee G. Keen, James L. K. Chan, Chuin K. Lim
  • Patent number: 5336002
    Abstract: Alphanumeric keyboards are described for use with one hand to enter data. Each keyboard includes a plurality of individually movable alphanumeric keys that are each assigned a different letter of the alphabet. The keys are positioned side-by-side in multiple rows such that when four fingers of one hand are positioned over a home position, these fingers can depress all the letters by moving less than three key positions from the home position. Specialized key features are provided on the keyboard to facilitate the execution of multi-key combinations.A right-hand keyboard and a left-hand keyboard are disclosed as interchangeable with a conventional keyboard in a supporting shell. Alternatively, both the right-hand and left-hand keyboards are supported on opposite sides of a common rotatable member pivotably mounted in the supporting shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Malcolm G. Russo
  • Patent number: 5017030
    Abstract: A keyboard usable on a typewriter or a computer terminal and configured in accordance with ergonomic principles uses chording of one thumb and one finger to type the characters of the English alphabet. The keyboard includes right and left preloaded palm pads which are shaped and contoured to fit the hands. The palm pads support the hands and operate the SHIFT and SHIFT LOCK functions. The punctuation keys are not affected by the SHIFT function. Movement of the writing position or cursor with respect to the medium is controlled by thumb-operated keys which are pushed in the direction of the desired movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Jay A. Crews
  • Patent number: 4609908
    Abstract: A repeat control apparatus for a serial keyboard interface apparatus has a one-chip microprocessor which serves as a keyboard controller. A RAM section in the microprocessor includes an area for holding a set value RCD.sub.A for repeat start timing control, an area for holding a set value RCD.sub.B for repeat time interval control, a counter area for permitting RCD.sub.A to be set as a preset value and for making a sequential down count according to the number of pollings from a terminal main unit, and a counter area for permitting RCD.sub.B to be set as a preset value and for making a sequential down count according to the number of pollings from the terminal main unit. The terminal main unit performs the polling operation with respect to a keyboard controller. The number of pollings is counted on the side of the keyboard controller, after the key operation has been performed. When the count value reaches a value initially set from the terminal main unit, a repeat operation is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Amano