MULTI-PURPOSE KEYBOARD
4,456,972 A
4,459,581 A
US 7,091,955 B2
Aug. 15,2006
4,527,250 A *
7/1985
4,906,117 A
3/1990 Birdwell
5,144,302 A *
5,146,615 A *
9/1992
9/1992
(*)
5,150,118 A
5,387,042 A
Notice:
5,450,078 A *
5,457,453 A *
(22)
Filed:
5,576,981 A *
5,601,489
5,667,319
5,865,546
6,018,334
Nov. 5, 2002
(65)
US 2003/0132916 A1
(63)
(2006.01)
(2006.01)
(2006.01)
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6,104,604 A
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6,606,669 B1
8/2003 Nakagiri
6,727,890 B1 *
4/2004
WO 01/11788
2/2001
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235/145 R
.... .. 708/140
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H03K 17/94
G06F 1/16
(52)
Sullivan ...... ..
Parker et al. ..
6, 1999.
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341/23
...... .. 341/22
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ABSTRACT
5/1978
U.S. Patent
Sheet 1 0f 6
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I35 FIJI-3
'40
1
Fig
APRTIOR
U.S. Patent
Sheet 2 0f 6
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U.S. Patent
Sheet 3 0f 6
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mm
hm
U.S. Patent
Sheet 4 0f 6
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0
q
C:
v
in?
LL.
I
5.
in'|
F1"
t
.
U.S. Patent
Sheet 5 0f 6
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F
F
10
5
Fig.
U.S. Patent
Sheet 6 6f 6
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1
MULTI-PURPOSE KEYBOARD
reference.
e-mail.
US. Pat. No. 5,514,855 deals With the above-mentioned
20
25
iZed keys.
preceded the computer. The standard arrangement of alpha
40
users of all ages With diverse needs and languages. Even so,
application.
45
pragmatic considerations.
The manufacturing process of keyboards is a relatively
expensive process. Therefore, keyboards are fabricated in
mass-produced series, in order to make them affordable to
the common PC user. HoWever, sometimes computer games
are not mass-produced, and their manufacturers cannot
attach a dedicated keyboard to each game or application
sold. In any event, if one looks at this issue from the users
point of vieW, it is not convenient to sWitch to a different
55
applications, comprising:
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speci?c application;
a ?xed part, into Which the removable part is installed, the
?xed comprising:
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input data;
storage device;
storage device;
III) a ?rst data-connection means from the reader to
lapsed.
means.
l0l-keys keyboard.
30
35
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storage device;
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draWings, Wherein:
prior art;
the invention,
the host.
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5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
20
the keyboard.
By setting the replaceable part of the keyboard on the
?xed part of the keyboard, clicking a key causes the same
effect as in a keyboard knoWn from the prior art.
As a result, the key contacts the electronic circuit. Due to
this contact, a number that is associated With the key is
submitted to the host computer.
25
30
35
40
50
55
60
games.
FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b illustrate a keyboard, according to a
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20
25
30
35
40
45
comprising:
data (ID).
2. The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein the removable part
60
including:
a plurality of keyboard keys; and
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for Which the removable part of the personal com