WO1990008372A1

WO1990008372A1 - Universal image programmable keyboard

Info

Publication number: WO1990008372A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/000404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lee H. Grant
Original assignee: Grant Lee H
Priority date: 1989-01-23
Filing date: 1990-01-19
Publication date: 1990-07-26

Abstract

An image programmable keyboard (10, 110) comprises a display plane layer (12), a contact matrix layer (14) having a plurality of contact points (26A), and a low power grid (16) having a plurality of intersecting conductive wires (28). A space separates the contact matrix layer (14) and the low power grid (16). A microprocessor (18), connected to the keyboard (10, 110), stores in memory (76) the key functions and commands assigned to each contact point (26A) and the images to be displayed on the display plane (12). The key functions assigned to each contact point (26A) are user programmable and may be changed. A contact point (26A) is activated by making contact with a point (26B) on the low power grid (16).

Description

UNIVERSAL IMAGE PROGRAMMABLE KEYBOARD

Technical Field

The present invention broadly relates to an image programmable keyboard. More particularly, the invention relates to a keyboard having an image programmable plane, either above or below a matrix layer of conductive wires and a layer of contact points, so that the size, shape and function of a key region is programmable.

Background Art

Conventional alphanumeric keyboards having discrete keys made of liquid crystal displays (LCD) , light emitting diodes (LED) , or liquid plasma displays are well known. It is also known that a keyboard may be preprogrammed with several different keyboard configurations by storing each configuration on a discrete LED or LCD plane. Hence, the number of keyboard configurations is limited to the number of display planes in the keyboard.

Conventional alphanumeric keyboards have a preset number of discrete keys and the size of the discrete keys is limited to the physical size of the discrete key. Thus, while the function assigned to a particular key may change with each preprogrammed keyboard configuration, the keyboard itself has a preset number of keys and preset key size.

Several patents for programmable keyboards, having a plurality of preprogrammed keyboard configurations on a plurality of individual planes, disclose that the keypad labels may be changed to conform to a particular keyboard configuration. The desired board and keypad labels are selected either mechanically or electronically. For example, the Menn patent no. 4,633,227 describes a method wherein the boards are selected by manually turning a knob until the desired keyboard is selected. By turning the knob, the key labels associated with the selected keyboard becomes visible through clear plastic key caps. The keys themselves are also activated by a mechanical spring mechanism underneath the discrete key.

Similarly, the Ellis patent no. 3,956,745 discloses a multiple layer keyboard having multiple LCD layers, one layer for each preprogrammed keyboard. A switch is activated to connect and energize the LCDs on the keyboard layer selected.

The Bagley patent no. 4,078,257 discloses a programmable keyboard having discrete keys and a discrete number of preprogrammed keyboard configurations. A particular configuration is selected by keying in the configuration number. The top surface of the key pads are made out of programmable LEDs or LCDs so that the key pad labels are changed by reprogramming the LED/LCD.

Conventional keys are a preset size and have been designed to occupy a preset region on the keyboard. A key is activated by depressing the preasεigned discrete region on the keyboard. In Bagley, when a key region has been depressed, a first layer of conductive rows and a third layer of conductive, oppositely disposed columns, make contact with one another thus permitting current to flow. The key regions in Bagley are preset because in between the layer of rows and the layer of columns is a second layer of insulating material. The preset key regions are defined by voids in the insulation layer which permit the first layer of rows and the third layer of columns to come in direct contact with one another since the location of the keys are fixed. A depressed key is detected by a timing circuit which periodically scans the matrix of keys. The keys themselves are still not individually programmable and the function assigned to each key is still limited to the function preprogrammed on a particular LCD plane. In other programmable keyboards each key is define by a conventional raised key cap. The key is activated by depressing a mechanical spring underneath the keypad. Hence, the size of the key is defined by the size of th key cap. The key's physical location on the keyboard i also fixed by the location of the spring mechanisms. Touch sensitive display screens are also well known. The location touched, on the touch sensitive display screen, may be determined by: measuring the change in electrical impedance of the electrically conductive display screen, if the screen is an electrically conductive display screen; measuring the acoustic waves generated by touching the screen; or using photodetectors.

By placing photodetectors around the periphery of the screen, the photodetectors detect the location of interruptions to horizontal and vertical infrared beams crossing the screen's surface. Photodetectors have als been used, to determine the position touched, by measuring the amount of internal light reflected and trapped in between the CRT surface and a touch sensitive screen.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an image programmable keyboard having an image programmable keyboard display plane which allows a user to define key regions and the function associated with each key region. Since the key regions and their associated functions are user programmable, the keyboard display can be modified at the user's discretion. According to the present invention, the keyboard i comprised of the image programmable display plane, a conductive layer, which can be a matrix layer having at least one intersecting row and column of conductors, an a layer of conductive contacts for contacting the matri layer. The programmable image display plane can be located either above or below the matrix and grid layers. The keyboard regions are actuated by applying sufficient amount of pressure to the keyboard so that the matrix and grid layers contact one another.

When a region of the keyboard is actuated by the user applying pressure to the keyboard, an interrupt signal, is sent to a microprocessor. The microprocesso then retrieves the addresses of the contact points whic have come into contact with the grid layer. The microprocessor memory is programmed with the function assigned to at least certain of the contact points on the keyboard plane. The microprocessor decodes the address signal from the actuated contact points, determines the function associated with the actuated points, and generates the appropriate command signals be executed.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide an image programmable keyboard which allows user to define the key regions on the keyboard and the function to be performed when contact points associate with a key region are activated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a user programmable keyboard which is actuated by a user applying pressure to the keyboard.

Another object of the invention is to provide an image programmable keyboard which visually displays programmably defined key regions on the keyboard display plane and the function associated with the key regions. These, and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of th following description of the invention and accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1A is a block diagram of one embodiment of the universal programmable keyboard of the present invention. Figure IB is another block diagram of one embodiment of the universal programmable keyboard.

Figure 2A is a diagram of a low-power grid layer i the programmable keyboard.

Figure 2B is a diagram of a contact matrix layer o the programmable keyboard having a plurality of contact points which contact the low power grid of Figure 2A when pressure is applied to the keyboard of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram of a contact matrix layer an low power grid layer of a programmable keyboard with ke regions illustrated.

Figure 4A is a conceptual diagram of a plan view o a portion of a contact matrix layer positioned below th low power grid showing connections to the contacts of the contact matrix.

Figure 4B is a side view of the contact matrix relative to the low power grid particularly illustratin the sensing circuitry of the present invention.

Figure 5A is a block diagram illustrating how the activated contact closures are processed to generate binary addresses.

Figure 5B is a chart of exemplary addresses generated for contact points illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 5C is an illustration of an encoding arrangement employing several encoders.

Figure 5D is an illustration of an encoding arrangement employing a single encoder. Figure 5E is a circuitry for implementing the diagram of the encoding arrangement corresponding to Figure 5D.

Figure 6 is an illustration of a programmable logic array for decoding addresses from^'the contact matrix layer of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a flow chart diagram of decoding the activated contact points on the programmable keyboard.

Figure 8 is a block diagram further illustrating the command signals received and transmitted between the programmable keyboard and a microprocessor.

Figure 9 is a timing diagram corresponding to Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 10 is a detailed illustration of a portion of the timing diagram of Figure 9 indicated by phantom line A.

Figure 11 is a block diagram further detailing the "perform function key" 86 of the flow chart of Figure 7.

Figure 12 is a diagram of an -example of a default configuration for the programmable keyboard image plane/display.

Figure 13 is a diagram of another example of a configuration for the image plane of the programmable keyboard image plane/display wherein the keyboard keys are figures.

Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the programmable keyboard image plane/display.

Figure 15 is a diagram of yet another example of the keyboard image plane/display. Figure 16 is a diagram of a programmable keyboard programmed to have qwerty-style key pads.

Figure 17 is a diagram of yet another example of a programmable keyboard programmed as a piano-type keyboard.

Figure 18 is a diagram of a programmable keyboard programmed as a fretboard for a guitar-type instrument.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1A and IB, block diagrams of a universal image programmable keyboard 10, 110 are illustrated. It is contemplated that the universal image programmable keyboards 10, 110 of the present invention can be used in a number of applications, including a keyboard for a computer or a keyboard for a display monitor. While the present invention can be implemented by sharing the computing resources of such computer or monitor, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dedicated microprocessor 18 is use to control the operation of the universal image programmable keyboard 10, 110.

The programmable keyboard 10, 110 includes a numbe of layers: (1) a display plane 12, preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) , liquid plasma display, or light- emitting diode (LED) display; (2) a contact matrix laye 14 including a plurality of contact points 26A; and (3) a low-power grid 16.

The universal keyboard 10, 110 is connected, via a conventional interface 24, to a microprocessor 18. The^* microprocessor 18 receives command signals from the keyboard user and sends command signals to the keyboard 10, 110 to program the keyboard configurations and the keypad labels to be displayed. In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor 18 is dedicated to the keyboard 10, 110 and can be included within the keyboard 10, 110.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the low-power grid 16 is illustrated in Figure 2A and the contact matrix layer 14 is illustrated in Figure 2B. A slight space separates the low-power grid layer 16 from the contact matrix layer 14 so that none of the contact points 26A make contact with the low power grid 16 when pressure is not being applied by the user to the keyboard. The low-power grid layer 16 can be a conductive plane, or a matrix of wires 28, or trace lines, arranged at right angles with respect to one another and parallel to the plane of the display. The trace lines 28 are made out of a conductive material, and are at a potential which is different from the potential of the contact matrix layer 14. In the preferred embodiment, they may have a zero or negative voltage potential (V~) . The trace lines 28 intersect at intersection points 26B and are in contact with one another so that all lines 28 in the grid are at the same potential.

The density of trace lines 28 on the low power grid 16 is such that the grid 16 appears transparent to the user. It is to be understood that the purpose of the low power grid 16 is to provide a substantially see- through plane at a potential which is different than that of the contact matrix layer 14, and that other structures can be employed to achieve such a function.

The low power grid 16 is normally spaced apart from the contact matrix layer 14 until pressure is applied to a region of the low power grid 16. Such pressure causes contact to be made between the traces in that region of the low power grid 16 and contact points 26A of the contact matrix layer 14 in that region.

The space between the low power grid 16 and the contact matrix layer 14 can be maintained in several ways. The contact matrix layer 14 can have a raised edge around its perimeter so that when the low-power grid 16 rests on the ridge, it is elevated above the contact matrix 14. Transparent spacer bars can also be placed in between the low-power grid 16 and the contact matrix 14, perpendicular to the surface of the grid 16 and matrix 14.

Referring also to Figures 3, 4A and 4B, the contac matrix layer 14 includes a large number of contact points 26A. The contact points 26A are arranged on the contact matrix layer 14 so that they are in substantial relation with conductive portions of grid layer 16, i.e., an intersection point 26B or a trace line 28. Th contact points 26A on contact matrix layer 14 have a different potential from the potential of the trace lines 28 on the grid layer 16, e.g., the contact points 26A have a positive voltage potential (V⁺) . The trace lines 28 make contact with the contact points 26A, by the user applying a sufficient amount of pressure to a portion of the grid 50 so that at that location, the grid layer 16 indents far enough to make physical contact with the contact matrix layer 14 beneath it, thereby completing a circuit loop for each activated contact point 52 (e.g. designated E1-E6, F1-F6, and Gl- G6 as in Fig. 3) .

The keyboard user activates the contact points 26A by applying a sufficient amount of pressure to a spot 50 on the keyboard 10 so that the contact matrix layer 14 and the grid layer 16 come in contact with one another at that spot, designated E1-E6, F1-F6, and G1-G6.

In one embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 1A, the first layer of the keyboard 110 is the display plane 12 (an LCD, LED or liquid plasma display plane) . Beneath the display plane 12 is the low power grid 16 and the contact matrix layer 14, respectively. In this embodiment, the low-power grid 16 can be a conductive sheet, without regard to transmissiveness, since the low-power grid 16 will be disposed in back of the image producing display plane 12. In this embodiment it is important that the display plane 12 be capable of transmitting pressure applied by the user through to the low-power grid 16 and the contact matrix layer 14 without damage to the display plane 12. In an alternate embodiment, illustrated in Figure

IB, the first layer of the keyboard 10 is the low power grid 16. The front side of the grid 16 is covered with a transparent film, preferably a semimalleable material so that when the user touches the grid 16 he neither feels the trace lines 28 nor is affected by them.

Beneath the grid layer 16 is positioned the contact matrix layer 14 and the display plane 12, respectively. The low power grid 16, the contact matrix 14, and the film covering the low power grid are transparent so tha images produced by the display plane 12 are clearly visible to the user.

Referring to Figures 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 7 and 8, when any part of the low power grid 16, such as an intersection point 26B, makes contact with a contact point 26A, an interrupt signal 60, is provided to the microprocessor 18 along with the contact point addresses. An example of addresses supplied for the activated contact points 52 is provided in Figure 5B. Note that twelve bits of address information can define 4096 unique addresses. Eight bit addresses are shown i Figure 4B for 256 unique addresses. It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that the number of contact points actually used will depend upon the application of the keyboard, and that numbers in the thousands are anticipated. Referring to Figure 5A, the manner in which addresses are generated from the energized contacts 26A of contact matrix layer 14 will now be described in greater detail. Figure 5A is a simplified functional block diagram which is provided for purposes of explaining the general processing of contact closure signals from contact matrix layer 14 so as to generate binary addresses for evaluation by microprocessor 18. The detailed implementation of such processing is believed to be within the ordinary skill in the art and therefore, will not be discussed here.

It is to be understood that contact matrix layer 1 can have a large number of contact points 26A, for example, three thousand or more such points. A connection is provided to each of such points as indicated in Figure 5A. The designations Pll through PMN are used to reference these connections, where M represents the row number, and N represents the column number for the particular point. Resistors 56 are show in Figure 5A connected to the line for point PIN and line PMN, it being understood that similar resistors ar connected to the other lines for the other points. The other resistors and connections are not shown in Figure 5A in order to simplify the figure. The low power grid 16 is shown with dashed lines t indicate that it is positioned in front of the contact matrix layer 14 and pressure is applied through the gri 16 to matrix 14. When a particular contact point 26A makes contact with the low power grid 16, a current flows through an associated resistor 56. This, in turn, generates a voltage which is then detected. It is also to be understood that in place of the sensing of a voltage dropped across a resistor, sensing of current flowing through connecting traces can be employed to detect the presence of the contact between a contact point 26A and the low power grid 16. In such a case, sensing coils 54 can be used.

Each of the points 26A is connected to a multiple- point encoder 100. The multiple-point encoder 100 scan each of the points associated with it, and provides a unique address identifying any points which are determined to be in contact with the low power grid 16. The addresses supplied by the multiple-point encoder 10 have Y bits, where 2^Y = number of points to be encoded. The addresses supplied by each multiple-point encoder

100 are supplied to a first in first out ("FIFO") memor 102. The contents of FIFO memory 102 are supplied to the microprocessor via bus 104 under control of microprocessor 18. The multiple-point encoder blocks 100 are shown as a plurality of devices to indicate tha under the present state of the art all of the contact points 26A in the contact matrix layer 14 cannot be handled by a single chip. It is envisioned that an LSI or VSLI chip can be constructed which would handle suc point-to-address-conversion.

Each of the multiple-point encoders 100 scans eac of the lines corresponding to contact points 26A connected to it in a sequential manner. Thus, the addresses provided by each multiple-point encoder 100 an associated FIFO 102 are also provided sequentially. It is to be understood that each multiple-point encode 100 provides a Y-bit address, and that all of the Y-bi addresses collectively provided by all multiple-point encoders 100 can uniquely identify each of the contact points 26A in contact matrix layer 14.

Microprocessor 18 enables each of the FIFO memori 102 sequentially so that as each set of addresses come in from each of the FIFO memories 102, the microprocessor 18 can append to such addresses the additional significant bits which distinguishes those addresses from addresses coming from other FIFO memories 102 associated with other contact points in the contact matrix layer 14.

Preferably, each of the multiple-point encoders 100 operates concurrently so that all points on the contact matrix layer 14 are scanned in the time required for one of the multiple-point encoders to scan through all of its points. Preferably, the frequency of the clocks applied to each of the FIFO memories 102 and the speed of each of the FIFO memories 102 is high enough to permit the microprocessor 18 to read out all of the FIFO memories 102 during a single access cycle by the microprocessor 18. In a typical application of the present invention, only a small portion of the possible contact points 26A will be in contact with the low power grid 16 at any one time. It is therefore believed that the above requirements can easily be met by existing technology.

Referring to Figures 5C and 5D, alternate encoding arrangements are illustrated. In Figure 5C, several multiple-point encoders, for example four encoders, 100a, 100b, 100c, lOOd may be associated with the keyboard 10. The user defines the valid key regions by programming into a look-up table, the addresses which define valid key regions. Each encoder 100a, 100b,

100c, lOOd scans the contact points within its region that are defined as valid contact points, to determine whether they have been activated. For example, the contact points 26A making up the key regions 33, 35, 36 within the keyboard region assigned to the first encoder 100a are scanned by the encoder 100a to ascertain whether any of the valid contact points 26A have been activated. The sum of the contact points scanned by each encoder 100a, 100b, 100c, lOOd is equal to or less than the total number of points in a single encoder. Referring now to Figure 5D, another encoder arrangement is illustrated wherein one multiple-point encoder 100 is associated with the keyboard 10. The keyboard's contact matrix 14 has multiple-contact point 26A. The display plane 12 is programmed so that images of the user defined, valid contact points 130, in the user defined key regions 33, 35, 36, are formed. Thus, the valid contact points 130 are visible to the user. To activate a key region, the user presses at least one of the illuminated regions above the valid contact points 130.

Referring to Figure 5E, circuitry for implementing the encoding approaches of Figure 5D will now be discussed. The contact points 26A are connected in sequence to a muliplexer (or multiplexers) 132 having a least the same number of address locations as there are contact points 26A in the contact matrix layer 14. The user supplies the microprocessor 18 with the addresses of the contact points 26A which fall within a key region, referred to as valid address locations. The microprocessor 18 writes the valid address locations into a first memory 134, loads into a read counter 136 the starting and ending locations in memory 134 of thes valid addresses, and instructs the read counter 136 whe to begin and end reading out the address locations. Th adresses being read out of memory 134 are applied to th select input of multiplexer 132. The muliplexer 132 routes to its output, the logic state for the contact points 26A corresponding to the valid address location being applied to it from memory 134. The logic state data from the multiplexer 132 is stored in a second memory 136 at the corresponding valid address location. Memory 136 communicates with microprocessor 18 so that microprocessor 18 needs only read out the logic state information stored at the "valid locations" in memory 136, thus reducing the number of address locations that it operates on.

The encoding circuitry of Figure 5D may also be implemented by a contact plane 14 having approximately eighty contact points 26A evenly spaced across the plane 14. The contact points 26A are available to be used as valid key regions and conventional scanning circuitry, employed to scan conventional keyboards, is used to detect the contact points that have been activated. While the number of contact points is fewer than the number in the previously described circuitry, the number of valid key regions is still arbitrary and user definable.

Referring also to Figure 6, the addresses of the activated contact points 52 (Figure 3) can be evaluated by the microprocessor 18, by comparing the addresses to information stored in a look up table to determine whether (1) the addresses of the activated contact points 52 define a valid key region and (2) to identify the commands associated with that address location which are to be acted upon by the microprocessor 18. These commands can include many tasks, such as the execution of a program to change the keyboard key region images and decoding therefor, the outputting to the computer CPU or monitor 20 a character for display on the monitor 20, the sending of a sequence of commands to the CPU, etc.

Alternatively, a programmable logic array 76 as shown in Figure 6, can be supplied with each of the contact points 26A as inputs. The output of the programmable logic array 76 is an instruction word which is to be executed by the microprocessor 18.

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the activated contact points 52 are detected by a sensing circuit 54 or 56 at each row and column of the contact matrix 14, which detects current or electromagnetic flow. The sensing circuit can be a resistor 56 (or a current sensing coil 54) which determines whether a voltage potential (or magnetic flux) is present, and hence, whether current is flowing through the contact points 26A.

In the case of voltage sensing, if a voltage potential is detected, this means that a contact point 26A has come into contact with the low power grid 16, and an interrupt signal 60 is sent to the microprocessor 18. Whenever any of the contact points 26A comes into contact with the low power grid 16, current will flow from the +V supply and through sensing resistor R_s, Fig. 4B. The interrupt signal 60 alerts the microprocessor 18 to look at its data bus for addresses from the FIFO's 102.

Referring to Figure 4A, a conceptual top view is shown of the low power grid 16 relative to the contact matrix layer 14, and the connections to each of the contact points 26A in contact matrix layer 14. The large circles labeled 26A correspond to the contact points 26A and the diagonal lines extending to the bottom left of each of the large circles 26A represent electrical connections thereto. It is to be noted that each of these electrical connections are collected in a bus 27 of P-wires each. The multiple-point encoders 100 connect to each of the contact points 26A. The low power grid 16 is shown by way of intersecting vertical and horizontal traces 29 and 31, respectively. As such, the entire low power grid 16 is at one potential, such as +V.

Referring to Figure 7, when the microprocessor 18 receives the address of the interrupt signal 60, the presence of an address signal is verified in step 72 to determine whether an interrupt signal 60 is actually present, or whether the signal was a false closure such as caused by key bounce. Key bounce occurs when a mechanical contact opens and closes and before steady contact has been achieved. To verify the presence of a valid interrupt signal 60, the microprocessor 18 is preprogrammed to wait a predetermined time period, 28 msec, for example, to make sure that current flow in the low power grid 16 continues to be present. If an interrupt signal 60 is verified 72 as being present, the microprocessor 18 retrieves the address signals from the FIFO's 102 durin the current clock cycle.

The microprocessor 18 signals the image RAM 68 to ignore further access requests and concurrently causes the address data 64 to be placed on data bus 64 for transmission to the microprocessor 18 for processing. In the present invention, microprocessor 18 has several tasks, including: 1) controlling and displayin the images of the key region images on the display plane 12, 2) detecting and validating activation of contact points 26A in the contact matrix layer 14, and 3) communicating with the monitor/computer 20. Each of these tasks require processing time from microprocessor 18. Thus, in Figure 8, microprocessor 18 is shown communicating with image RAM 68 as well as with keyboard detection grid 16 and matrix 14. Since both blocks share resources, the microprocessor 18 disables communication with one block when communicating with the other. Referring also to Figures 9 and 10, timing diagrams corresponding to Figures 7 and 8 are illustrated. Figure 10 is a detailed illustration of the timing diagram of Figure 9, indicated by phantom line A. The image RAM 68 outputs data 64 during a clock cycle. If an interrupt signal 60B is received on line 60A during a current clock cycle 67, communication to the RAM 68 is disabled at the end of the clock cycle, thus permitting the keyboard to transmit keyboard detection information, generated by activating contact points 26A, and the addresses of the activated contact points 26A during this time. The address data is latched, thus preventing interruptions from occurring while the address data is being transmitted to the microprocessor 18.

The microprocessor 18 decodes the address signal using a look-up table or programmable logic array 76 to determine whether the activated contact points fall within a valid key region, step 78. If the activated points occur in a region defined as "not valid", then the contact point is ignored and the microprocessor 18 waits for another interrupt signal, step 72.

If the activated contact point 52 occurs within a "valid" key region, the function assigned to that address location is performed. The function to be performed at a particular address location is stored in the look-up table. Hence, if the commands stored in th look-up table, for a particular address location corresponding to the activated contact point, is a command for the microprocessor 18 to modify the image displayed on the keyboard, step 80, then the microprocessor changes the image data stored in the image RAM 68, steps 81, 83 and 85.

If the keyboard image is not to be modified, then the microprocessor 18 checks to see if the key function is to be performed, step 82. If yes, then the microprocessor 18 checks to see if the key function has been pre-defined and preprogrammed into the microprocessor, step 84. The user programs into the microprocessor memory 76 the function to be performed when a particular set of contact points 26A are activated. Every contact point 26A is defined as falling in either a valid or invalid key region.

If the function has already been preprogrammed int the microprocessor 18, the function is performed, step 86. Preprogrammed functions may include drawing a character, step 92, a figure, step 93, or coloring, step 94, see Figure 11. If the function has not previously been preprogrammed into the microprocessor 18, the user may concurrently define the key function because the key regions are defined by the user. The user may program the microprocessor 18 to activate points within the liquid crystal display 12 to visually change the keyboard configuration; to assign different functions to new key regions; or to modify an image on the monitor when a particular function is performed, for example, i steps 88 and 90, it is determined whether the key region depressed is meant to provide a character input. If so, the ASCII code for the appropriate character is sent to the monitor/computer 20 for displaying on the monitor and processing by the computer.

As previously discussed, the status of each contact point 26A, as either a valid or invalid key region, is programmed into the microprocessor 18. Referring to Figure 3 , the user may program the microprocessor 18 to perform a key function only if a preselected number of contact points 26A are activated. Similarly, if the keyboard user depresses contact points within a region 50, that encompasses both a valid key region and an invalid key region, the microprocessor 18 is programmed to decide whether enough contact points within the valid key region have been activated to perform the assigned key function.

Referring to Figures 12 - 15, Figure 12 depicts one example of a "default" configuration which a user may program to be displayed as the keyboard when a "Home" 38 key is touched. The "Home" key 38 is the area occupied by the letters H-O-M-E. The default configuration, or any other keyboard configuration the user desires, is programmed into the microprocessor 18 by the user. Specifically, the user programs the microprocessor 18 to respond to the activation of the intersection points 26B and contact points 26A under a preselected region: in this example, under the "Home" region 38. When the "Home" region in connection with key region images of Figures 13-15 is activated by the user, the default keyboard is displayed. This is illustrated in Figure 12. The default keyboard has been programmed to have three key regions: the "Shape" key 30, the "Paint" key 32, and the "Write" key 34. The microprocessor 18 is programmed to display the following segments within the LCD:

= s

= H

= A

= P

= E

so that the word "Shape" will appear on the keyboard 10 110 where the alphanumeric symbols represent row and column addresses of segments on the LCD display 12. Th user also programs the microprocessor 18 to perform a series of commands (or functions) when at least certain regions of the "Shape" key are activated. The process is repeated for the "Paint" 32 and "Write" 34 keys.

To choose the "Shape" key 30, the user presses dow on the keyboard 10, on the word "Shape" 30, so that the low power grid 16 makes physical contact with contact points 26A on the contact matrix layer 14 beneath the characters "S-h-a-p-e". If the programmer has previously programmed the microprocessor 18 to respond to the activation of these particular contact points by changing the keyboard image configuration to the configuration illustrated in Figure 13, the keyboard 10 allows the user to select a variety of different "shapes". The shapes 46, 48, 51, 53, 55, 57, 58, and 6 define key regions and are all reduced to codes which have been programmed into the microprocessor 18.

Like the "Home" key, the individual "shapes" keys 46, 48, 51, 53, 55, 57, 58, and 61 are activated by pressing on the key regions so that the low power grid 16 depresses enough to make contact with the contact points of the contact matrix 14 beneath it. If the use selects the "square" shaped key 46, by pressing any spo covered by the visually displayed square shaped key 46, contact is made with the corresponding contact points o the contact matrix layer 14. An interrupt signal 60 is sent to the microprocessor 18 informing the microprocessor 18 that contact points have been activated; the addresses for the points are then retrieved and validated. Next, the microprocessor 18 sends out a command reconfiguring the keyboard 10, to display the keyboard illustrated in Figure 14 as this i what the user has programmed the microprocessor 18 to d if a preselected number of the contact points in the square key region 46 are activated.

In the example, the keyboard 10 has been programme to allow the user to select the size of the shape he ha selected. Since the user has chosen a square, he selects the size of the square he desires to print on his monitor 20. If he wants to select the middle sized square 36, he merely touches the middle sized square key 36 illustrated on the LCD keyboard 10.

If the user next selects the "Home" key 38, by touching the area of the screen occupied by the word H-O-M-E, the keyboard 10 will be reconfigured to the default keyboard configuration illustrated in Figure 12. Similarly, to select the "paint" function, the user depresses the "paint" key 32, by pressing, for example, intersection point C9 on the"low power grid 16, which makes contact with the contact matrix layer 14 beneath it. The interrupt signal 60 sent to the microprocessor 18 informs the microprocessor 18 that contact point C9 has been activated. If the user programmed the microprocessor 18 to respond to the activation of contact point, C9, by reconfiguring the keyboard to the keyboard illustrated in Figure 15, the keyboard will be reconfigured to display the keys illustrated and to perform the functions associated with the key regions displayed.

To color the square selected black, the user selects the "black" key 40 by pressing the low-power grid 16 over the region where the word "black" appears. Intersection point 117 and contact point 117 on the low-power grid 16 and contact matrix 14, respectively, make physical contact, thus sending a signal to the microprocessor 18. The microprocessor 18 looks up the address signal to check its validity and performs the function assigned to that activated contact point. The square displayed on the user's monitor 20 is colored black.

To select the "write" key 34, the user first returns to the default keyboard configuration, by pressing the home (HOME) key 38. The default keyboard, illustrated in Figure 12, is displayed. The user selects the "write" 34 key, by pressing the low power grid 16 over the "write" key 34 region with enough forc so that the corresponding intersection points 26B on th low-power grid 16 contact the contact points 26A on the matrix 14. The address signals are sent to the microprocessor 18, which reconfigures the LCD 12 into a conventional qwerty-style keyboard, as illustrated in Figure 16, and operates like a conventional qwerty-styl keyboard.

Referring to Figure 16, another example of the use programmable keyboard 42 is illustrated. The keyboard 42 may be programmed to have keys 44 resembling a conventional qwerty-style keyboard. Each individual display plane keypad 44 can be individually programmed and labelled by the user. The user may programmably adjust the size and shape of the keys 44 to suit his individual needs. Reference is now to Figures 17 and 18 further examples of the user programmable keyboard are illustrated. The keyboard 104 of Figure 17 has been programmed as a piano or organ-type keyboard wherein th key regions 106 are the piano or organ-type keys. Similarly, the keyboard 108 of Figure 18 has been user programmed to be a fretboard of a guitar-type instrumen having strings 112 and frets 114.

Having thus described the invention, the present invention provides for a universal programmable keyboar adaptable for potentionally all uses and all languages, thus making the keyboard intuitive and easy to use. Th applications of the keyboard depends only upon the skil and imagination of the user. Because of its design, th keyboard may be extremely thin, light weight and requires little power. The keyboard may be built to be any size or shape depending on its desired use. It is recognized that those skilled in the art may make various modifications or additions to the preferred embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present contribution to the art. Accordingly, it is understood that the protection sought and to be afforded hereby should be deemed to extend to the subject matter claime and all equivalence thereof within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1. An image programmable keyboard in which a user applies pressure to key regions in order to initiate key functions, comprising: means for providing one or a plurality of programmable images of key regions; means responsive to pressure applied to the keyboard for identifying the regions on the keyboard to which pressure is being applied; means for providing an address signal corresponding to the identified regions; means for decoding the address signal and generating a preselected command signal corresponding to the regions identified; and means for responding to the command signal.

2. The keyboard of Claim 1, wherein the means responsive to the applied pressure comprises: first means having at least one row of conductors and at least one column of conductors; and second means spaced apart from the first means and having a plurality of contact points for contacting the conductors thereby identifying regions on the keyboard wherein, the first and second means are aligned with one another such that the pressure applied to keyboard regions causes contact between the conductors of the first means and the contact points of the second means which are located in those regions.

3. The keyboard of Claim 1, wherein the means fo responding includes means for modifying the image shape, size, or function of the key region provided by the programmable image means.

4. The keyboard of Claim 1, wherein the decoding means determines whether the address signal originates from a valid key region.

5. The keyboard of Claim 4, wherein the decoding means includes a programmable memory means for storing validity data for at least some of the keyboard regions.

6. The keyboard of Claim 5, wherein the validity data can be preprogrammed or user programmable.

7. The keyboard of Claim 2 having a plurality of layers, wherein: the first means is the first layer; the second means is positioned beneath the first layer; and the key region image means is positioned beneath the second means, the first means and the second means being substantially transparent.

8. The keyboard of Claim 2 having a plurality of layers, wherein: the key region image means is the first layer the first means is positioned beneath the first layer; the second means is positioned beneath the first means; and further wherein the key region image means is suitably deformable so that pressure applied by th user to a region of the key region image means is in turn applied to the portions of the first and second means which are positioned beneath the region of the key region image means to which the pressure is applied.

9. The keyboard of Claim 1, wherein the key regio image means is a liquid crystal display.

10. An image programmable keyboard, comprising: means for visually defining one or a plurality of programmable key regions; means for forming a matrix having at least one intersecting row and column of conductors; means for contacting a region of the matrix means having a plurality of conductive contacts to generate an address signal corresponding to the address location of the region contacted, the contact means and the matrix means having a space therebetween; means for decoding the address signal and generating a command signal corresponding the decoded address signal; and means for responding to the command signal.

11. The keyboard of Claim 10 having a plurality of layers, wherein: the matrix means is the first layer; the contacting means is positioned beneath the first layer; and the key region defining means is position beneath the second means, the matrix means and the contacting means being substantially transparent.

12. The keyboard of Claim 10 having a plurality o layers, wherein: the visually defined key region means is the first layer; the matrix means is positioned beneath the first layer; the contacting means is positioned beneath th matrix means; and further wherein the visually defined key region means is suitably deformable so that pressure applied by the user to a region of the keyboard is in turn applied to the portions of the matrix and contact means which are positioned beneath the region of the key region means to whic the pressure is applied.

13. An image programmable keyboard in which a use applies pressure to regions of the keyboard, comprising means for providing one or a plurality of programmable key regions; means responsive to pressure applied to a region of the keyboard; means for providing an address signal corresponding to the keyboard region where pressur is being applied; means for decoding the address signal and generating a preselected command signal corresponding to the decoded address signal; and means for executing the command signal.

14. The keyboard of Claim 13, wherein the programmable key region means includes a user programmable memory that visually displays at least certain of the key regions.

15. The keyboard of Claim 14, wherein the memory includes preprogrammed images.

16. The keyboard of Claim 13 wherein the programmable key region means is such that pressure can be transmitted therethrough.

17. The keyboard of Claim 13, wherein the means responsive to pressure includes: first means having a plurality of first conductors; and second means spaced apart from the first mean having a plurality of second conductors for contacting the first conductors thereby identifyin the regions pressed.

18. The keyboard of Claim 17, wherein the first and second conductors short out where pressure is applied to the key region.

19. The keyboard of Claim 17, wherein the first means is comprised of at least one row and one column o conductors.

20. The keyboard of Claim 17, wherein the second means is comprised of a plurality of conductive contact points.

21. The keyboard of Claim 13, wherein the decodin means includes means for identifying whether the keyboard region pressed is one of the key regions.

22. The keyboard of Claim 21, further comprising means for generating one of the preselected command signal when less than the predetermined ratio of the address signals, during a preselected time interval, ar within one of the valid key regions.

23. The keyboard of Claim 21, wherein in the decoding means the user can define the keyboard locations which are the key regions and the command signal to be generated corresponding to the region pressed.

24. The keyboard of Claim 13, wherein the executing means includes means for visually defining th regions on the keyboard to be key regions and performin the command signals associated with certain regions on the keyboard.

25. The keyboard of Claim 17 having a plurality layers, wherein: the first means is the first layer; the second means is positioned beneath the first layer; and the programmable key region means is positioned beneath the second means, the first means and the second means being substantially transparent.

26. The keyboard of Claim 17 having a plurality layers, wherein: the programmable key region means is the first layer; the first means is positioned beneath the first layer; the second means is positioned beneath the first means; and further wherein the programmable key region means is suitably flexible so that pressure appli by the user to a region of the keyboard is also applied to the portions of the first and second means which are positioned beneath the programmabl key region means to which the pressure is applied.