1642 results about "Computer keyboard" patented technology

A system and method is disclosed for recommending items to individual users using a combination of clustering decision trees and frequency-based term mapping. The system and method of the present invention is configured to receive data based on user action, such as television remote control activity, or computer keyboard entry, and when a new item data is made available from sources such as television program guides, movie databases, deliverers of advertising data, on-line auction web sites, and electronic mail servers, the system and method analytically breaks down the new item data, compares it to ascertained attributes of item data that a user liked in the past, and produces numeric ranking of the new item data dynamically, and without subsequent user input, or data manipulation by item data deliverers, and is tailored to each individual user. A embodiment is disclosed for learning user interests based on user actions and then applying the learned knowledge to rank, recommend, and / or filter items, such as e-mail spam, based on the level of interest to a user. The embodiment may be used for automated personalized information learning, recommendation, and / or filtering systems in applications such as television programming, web-based auctions, targeted advertising, and electronic mail filtering. The embodiment may be structured to generate item descriptions, learn items of interest, learn terms that effectively describe the items, cluster similar items in a compact data structure, and then use the structure to rank new offerings. Embodiments of the present invention include, by way of non-limiting example: allowing the assignment of rank scores to candidate items so one can be recommended over another, building decision trees incrementally using unsupervised learning to cluster examples into categories automatically, consistency with “edge” (thick client) computing whereby certain data structures and most of the processing are localized to the set-top box or local PC, the ability to learn content attributes automatically on-the-fly, and the ability to store user preferences in opaque local data structures and are not easily traceable to individual users.

An improved opaque computer keyboard cover (10) which covers only the three- or four alpha-numeric rows of the keyboard (12). Function and format keys (12) are not covered which provides a one-size-fits-all design. This configuration eliminates the need to order from 3000 various keyboard cover sizes. This cover is for use in keyboarding instruction and prevents peeking to accelerate user memorization. This cover can also be imprinted with a language option layout or Dvorak keyboard layout thus fully conforming the keyboard layout to one of the 60 or so languages available in the computer operating system keyboard preference options.

This invention is an ergonomic method and apparatus for integrating the operation of computer keyboards and cursor control devices. It employs hand location detection to determine when the mouse hand is absent from its keyboard typing position or is present at the mouse. A detector output automatically transforms the functions of a set of keyboard keys lying under the non-mouse hand from their original actions into new actions which can include mouse clicks, keyboard shortcuts and macros. These keys usually include the home keys (a s d f, or j k l ;). The new functions are preprogrammed into this set of keys at an inactive level, and do not affect actions unless the hand position sensor detects that the mouse hand is absent from its keyboard typing position or is present at the mouse. This invention allows the non-mouse hand to actuate clicks at the keyboard by using the home keys as click switches, and also makes it possible for the non-mouse hand to type, with a single keystroke, keyboard shortcuts not normally available to it. When the mouse hand returns to the keyboard the keys automatically revert to their default functions. This method increases working speed, reduces the number of trips back and forth between keyboard and mouse, and relieves stress on the mouse hand. It is of special value to persons with carpal tunnel syndrome or Repetitive Strain Injuries. Detection of hand position or location is accomplished by sensors at the keyboard and / or at the pointing device, or by software detection of any data output from the mouse (movement or click) or from any keypress on the mouse side of the keyboard. This invention can be embodied solely as software, as firmware in an external device or keyboard, or as any combination of software and firmware. It essentially converts the non-mouse side of the keyboard into single-key macros: mouse buttons, tool selection keys, and special function keys. It can also be used to temporarily assign an alternate set of actions to mouse motion, mouse buttons and scrolling devices. Optionally this invention includes a floating on-screen palette which serves as an indicator of transformation and provides a map of the new functions. With simultaneous transformation of both a keyset and its corresponding palette, the palette always displays the new functions in the same geometric pattern as the actual layout of the new functions on the keyboard. This enables eye-to-hand pattern transfer for intuitive tool selection via the keyboard without using the mouse.

A computer keyboard has a grid of conductors forming a plurality of intersections, with force-sensitive resistor (FSR) elements located between the conductors at the intersections. A plurality of keys are located above the intersections and exert force on the conductors and FSR elements during key presses. A resistor network sub-circuit is connected to some of the conductors, and is switchable between low and high resistance values. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is coupled to the resistor network sub-circuit. A microprocessor grounds a conductor and tests another conductor for a threshold voltage level while the resistor network is switched to the high resistance value. The microprocessor switches the resistor network to the low resistance value upon detecting the threshold voltage level and subsequently receives from the ADC a digital value of a voltage on the tested conductor.

The present invention provides a systems, methods, and products for enhanced user navigation to compliment (but not necessarily replace) a computer keyboard and mouse by providing a robust navigation interface. The present invention may comprise: a minimally necessary group of commands; combining the functionality a set of at least two command calls into a single logical button; for a single button, prioritizing a set of command calls from first to last and then calling each until one is accepted; logically remapping commands to buttons for a navigational device coupled to a physically rotate-able display device; and mapping a substitute command to a logical button for when the button is engaged in a predetermined manner other than the primary manner in which the logical button is engaged (e.g., double-clicking, flicking, press-and-hold, etc.) so that a substitute command can in fact be issued, among others.

A waterproof, submersible computer keyboard can include true-type keys, a waterproof flexible internal keyboard switch membrane, a PCB sealed in a waterproof airtight compartment housing that is sealed in a manner preventing failure of the waterproof seal from temperature and pressure changes associated with cleaning, submersion and machine washing. The keyboard can further include a plurality of drain holes in the keyboard base for water drainage and non-corrosive components including stainless steel screws, aluminum stabilizers and a gold plated USB connector.

An interface apparatus includes a base element, an interface element, and an attachment mechanism for attaching the interface element to the base element. The attachment mechanism is pivotable within a plurality of degrees of freedom. The interface element is an extensible member which is, in two of its embodiments, pivotally mounted so as to be rotatably adjustable about a pivot point with respect to a primary member. The primary member may be a base member or another display member. These members may be computer keyboards or displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), audio speakers, or the like such as are used in desk top or lap top computers and terminals.

A computer keyboard includes a base membrane and a upper membrane each having a number of electric contacts aligned with each other, a spacer layer disposed between the membranes for separating the contacts of the membranes from each other and having a number of openings aligned with the contacts of the membranes for allowing the contacts of the upper membrane to be actuated to engage with the contacts of the base membrane, and a number of symbols aligned with the contacts of the membranes for indicating the contacts of the membranes. A graphic overlay is attached onto the upper membrane, and the symbols are applied onto the graphic overlay or applied onto the base membrane.

A treadmill assembly comprising a substantially horizontal tread assembly including oppositely extending front and rear ends, a tread and a controller for controlling movement of the tread, a support structure extending proximate the rear end of the tread assembly to a distal top end substantially above the rear end of the tread assembly, a table top member mounted to the distal top end of the support structure, the top member including a substantially flat work surface and a front edge, the work surface having dimensions suitable to support a computer keyboard and a control assembly including at least one input button for providing command signals for controlling the controller, the control assembly supported by the table top member adjacent the front edge of the table top member.

A computer keyboard is provided allowing configuration of the keys in any position. The keyboard includes a sensing surface capable of sensing the position of one or multiple, simultaneous finger presses. The position of the keyboard homekeys can be defined as the most comfortable, natural position of a user's hands. The remaining keys may have their positions defined relative to the homekeys for ease of use. Also, the keyboard can automatically adjust the position of the non-homekeys based on a moving average of the actual location of the user's depression of each such key.

A computer system includes one or more scroll bar sensors for scrolling up and down and left and right in a document or data displayed on the computer's display. The scroll bar sensors include capacitive touchpad sensors and are coupled to an electrical circuit. Localized capacitance charges are caused by the placement of an operator's finger on or near the sensor. These capacitance variations are processed by the electrical circuit to determine the location of the operator's finger on the scroll bar sensor. An operator can cause the computer system to display any section of a document or data by touching different portions of a scroll bar sensor. The computer system 100 also can determine relative motion of the operator's finger as the finger moves from one end of a scroll bar sensor to another end, thereby causing the computer to scroll through the document at a rate proportional to the operator's finger motion.

A system and a method are disclosed for an system that includes a computer with a display unit running the client application software with attached plurality of capture devices for recording audio, video and snapshot (video or computer display monitor) content. A computer keyboard or a tablet is used to control the recording or snapshot of the dynamic classroom content. The client computer may be placed in a classroom and is connected via a network (Internet or LAN / WAN) to a server computer for publishing or remotely storing a “primitive” data session. The client software allows the authorized student or instructor to add additional static content, edit the consolidated content and publish the “primitive” or “organized” data session, which results in enhanced, collaborative content development.

A school, home or commercial desk that can be used for traditional tasks and yet provides readily available access to computer equipment. The computer in a desk (10) is comprised of a desk body (24) that houses the internal components of a standard computer; a desk top (12) that houses the flat panel screen (18) beneath a view panel (20) that is mounted flush with the surface of the desk top (12); a keyboard tray (14) that holds the standard computer keyboard; and a support system of four adjustable legs (42). The desk top (12), keyboard tray (14), and legs (42) are all adjustble to suit the users specific ergonomic needs. The desk body (24) consists of a front panel (28), back panel (30), right side panel (32),and left side panel (34), bottom panel (36), and top panel (38) that give the computer in a desk (10) its shape, support and access to available, installed computer components. Furthermore, the computer in a desk (10) can be used for traditional and computer related tasks regardless of the user adjusted.

An ergonomic control system is disclosed for monitoring and / or controlling ergonomic settings of one or more adjustable furniture units at a user's worksite. The furniture units may include, e.g., a table, a chair, a worksite lighting mechanism, a thermostat, computer monitor, and computer keyboard, and a phone. The control system is distributed over a network, with a central administration subsystem receiving ergonomic current setting data regarding adjustable furniture units from worksites in use. Such current setting data is associated with the current worksite user and stored for subsequent comparison with preferred ergonomic settings thereby to identify users whose settings may be detrimental to their health.

3D music visualization process employing a novel method of real-time reconfigurable control of 3D geometry and texture, employing blended control combinations of software oscillators, computer keyboard and mouse, audio spectrum, control recordings and MIDI protocol. The method includes a programmable visual attack, decay, sustain and release (V-ADSR) transfer function applicable to all degrees of freedom of 3D output parameters, enhancing even binary control inputs with continuous and aesthetic spatio-temporal symmetries of behavior. A “Scene Nodes Graph” for authoring content acts as a hierarchical, object-oriented graphical interpreter for defining 3D models and their textures, as well as flexibly defining how the control source blend(s) are connected or “Routed” to those objects. An “Auto-Builder” simplifies Scene construction by auto-inserting and auto-routing Scene Objects. The Scene Nodes Graph also includes means for real-time modification of the control scheme structure itself, and supports direct real-time keyboard / mouse adjustment to all parameters of all input control sources and all output objects. Dynamic control schemes are also supported such as control sources modifying the Routing and parameters of other control sources. Auto-scene-creator feature allows automatic scene creation by exploiting the maximum threshold of visualizer set of variables to create a nearly infinite set of scenes. A Realtime-Network-Updater feature allows multiple local and / or remote users to simultaneously co-create scenes in real-time and effect the changes in a networked community environment where in universal variables are interactively updated in real-time thus enabling scene co-creation in a global environment. In terms of the human subjective perception, the method creates, enhances and amplifies multiple forms of both passive and interactive synesthesia. The method utilizes transfer functions providing multiple forms of applied symmetry in the control feedback process yielding an increased level of perceived visual harmony and beauty. The method enables a substantially increased number of both passive and human-interactive interpenetrating control / feedback processes that may be simultaneously employed within the same audio-visual perceptual space, while maintaining distinct recognition of each, and reducing the threshold of human ergonomic effort required to distinguish them even when so coexistent. Taken together, these novel features of the invention can be employed (by means of considered Scene content construction) to realize an increased density of “orthogonal features” in cybernetic multimedia content. This furthermore increases the maximum number of human players who can simultaneously participate in shared interactive music visualization content while each still retaining relatively clear perception of their own control / feedback parameters.

A computer keyboard comprises a touch control display panel comprising a display unit, a plurality of touch sensing units, and a display control unit. The display unit is utilized for displaying icons of control keys. The touch sensing units are utilized for sensing pressed status of the control keys, and transmitting pressure sensing signals and position signals to a host. The display control unit is utilized for receiving icons of the control keys from the host, and making the display unit display icons of the control keys. When an external force presses one of the control keys of the touch control display panel, a specific touch sensing unit senses pressed status of a position corresponding to the pressed control key, and make the host start or terminate an executable program according to link of the executable program corresponding to the pressed control key.

Prior miniaturzed palm-top computers have reduced-size keyboards which are not useful for standard typing. The present invention provides a folding pocket-sized computer, comprising up to a 12'' screen, a central processing unit, data storage and input means and a full size computer keyboard. It does this by having the keyboard divided into two halves hingedly connected along a fold line, whereby one of the keys is split along the fold line to permit folding of the keyboard, and by folding the screen and abutting the sections of the screen with no intervening frames.

Control of a presentation computer is accomplished by a wireless optical pointer that projects an encoded control cursor onto a projection screen in an interactive presentation system. The optical pointer is selectively operable in a position-dependent, control cursor spot projection mode by actuation of a first push button switch that enables remote initiation of various computer keyboard commands and / or pointing device (mouse, touch pad, track ball) position-dependent cursor operations, e.g., select, move, left click, right click and double click. Operation of the pointer in a presentation function selection mode is initiated by actuation of a second push button switch in which a predetermined spatial image pattern can be projected onto the screen by gesturing, thereby enabling remote annotating or highlighting an object on the display screen. Optionally, operation of the pointer in the presentation function selection mode can be initiated by stylus actuation of a control switch which allows the presenter, while standing in close proximity or within reach of a presentation screen, to underline a word, highlight an object, circle an object, strike out a word or object, insert a note next to a word or object, or annotate an object or word with a check mark. These actions are performed by manually drawing a stylus across the area of the presentation screen that is to be annotated, marked or highlighted.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for tilting a keyboard of portable computer, in a manner that a rear end of the keyboard is raised up to a predetermined height by opening its cover, so that the user can operate keys of the keyboard more conveniently. The apparatus for tilting the keyboard of a portable computer of the invention can radiate heat generated from various electric components on a main PCB of a base, during operating the computer, through a ventilation space formed between a keyboard cage on the top side of the base and a bottom side of the keyboard when opening the cover. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises: a keyboard of which both sides of a front portion are rotatably joined by hinge means to a front portion of a keyboard cage formed on a base. A cover is rotably engaged with the base by hinge means mounted within an interior of a rear side portion of the base to be engaged with at least a protruding member of the cover. At least one sector gear is formed on the protruding member, and there is at least one slider moved forwardly and rearwardly in the rectilinear direction according to opening and closing the cover, for moving the rear end of the keyboard upwardly and downwardly.

An integrated manual control input device is provided for use in a computer system having a graphical user interface. The device comprises a pointing actuator mounted to a computer keyboard between preselected ones of the keys for engagement by a user's index finger. The pointing actuator includes a coil in the form of a cylinder that, when carrying a current, produces a magnetic field to drive a ferromagnetic slug to provide tactile feedback to a user of the control input device.

An end-user interface system for a computer, telephone or other electronic apparatus used to access the Internet or operating in standalone mode for navigating, displaying, and manipulating folders and files, web page links, and Internet bookmarks, such that each displayed folder, file, web page link, or Internet bookmark is displayed in a cell on a grid. To activate or further explore a particular file, an end-user activates a key on a computer keyboard or numeric keypad of a telephone or other electronic apparatus that corresponds to a particular option located within a cell on the grid. Hierarchical information such as file or folder structure, web site organization, or Internet bookmarks are arranged into the grid configuration. Use of the interface allows the manipulation of hierarchical data structures using a simple keypad having keys which correspond to the physical organization of the displayed grid, thus alleviating the need to use cumbersome or confusing point and click devices.

The bag computer is a computer / bag combination or computer made to mount on a bag so the display can pivot into the line of sight of the operator. Several embodiments include: A computer with the pivoting display near the bag's front top and a keyboard near the front bottom. The keyboard may pivot and there may be a pointing device on the display back: A two panel computer pivotally held to the bag front: a computer / bag combination with a display pivotally attached to the bag front. Other computer embodiments illustrating various computer mounting means including: Inside and outside computer parts attached through the bag front; Fasteners positioned on the computer body's display side or projecting from the computer body's back: A mounting flange around the computer body perimeter: Two hanger bars or two attachments on the right and left sides of the computer body front.

A computer system is provided that allows a computer user to easily and effectively maximize the value and utility of the computer system's display screen. In a preferred embodiment, a laptop computer system includes a keyboard unit that includes a computer keyboard mounted to (or within) a system base. A flat-panel display is pivotally mounted relative to the system base, i.e., the back wall thereof. The flat panel display provides a display screen for displaying computer-generated images. An advantageous mounting assembly is provided proximate the back wall of the system base to join the flat panel display to the system base and permit rotational and pivotal motion of the flat panel display relative to the system base. A receiver or port for use in connecting the laptop computer's processor to an ancillary processing system is advantageously provided proximate a front wall of the system base. Rotational motion of the flat panel display relative to the system base permits repositioning of the flat panel display to facilitate optimal viewing by the user, either independent of or in combination with the aforementioned pivotal motion. In further preferred embodiments, the display screen is detachable and may be mounted on a system stand.

A securing assembly includes a chassis comprising a top wall, a keyboard mounted on the top wall of the chassis, at least one securing member pivotably mounted on the chassis, and at least one elastic member. The chassis defines a positioning hole therein. The at least one securing member has a securing portion for locking the keyboard, a releasing portion for unlocking the keyboard, and a positioning portion engaging in the positioning hole of the chassis for positioning the securing member. The at least one elastic member is attached to the at least one securing member and the chassis for urging the at least one securing member to pivot, thereby unlocking the keyboard.

A computer keyboard connected with a computer for instruction and information input, the keyboard comprises the numeric keys, letter keys, function keys and symbolic keys. Only one set of numeric keys is arranged, and the set of numeric keys are arranged in the middle part of the keyboard, the letter keys are separated into two sets by the numeric keys, the two sets of letter keys lie on the left and right sides of the numeric keys respectively. The letter keys have the same order as those on a conventional keyboard, both sets of the letter keys are arranged slantwise; the function keys and symbolic keys are arranged in a left-right balanced manner. The keyboard of the invention makes a break through at the arrangement of the keys, it is easy to remember by human brain and convenient to operate, and can speed up the input speed and reduce typing error.