US4879548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flat keyboard arrangement
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1988-02-02
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A flat keyboard arrangement includes a color of blocks. Each block corresponds to a key unit and is liquid crystal display having a screen divided into a number capable of producing any natural color. A table is provided for storing color data of the blocks, and for storing function data representing the function assigned to blocks. A driver circuit is provided for driving the color liquid crystal display to illuminate one or more colors in accordance with the data stored in the table. A transparent touch switch arrangement is placed on the color liquid crystal display. The transparent touch switch arrangement has transparent sheet in which a plurality of transparent touch switches are located correspondingly to the blocks of the screen to define touch keys.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Mitarai
- 👤 Hachizou Yamamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/0238; H; H01; H01H; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/01; H01H2219/012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A flat keyboard arrangement comprising: a color liquid crystal display means having a screen divided into a number of blocks, said blocks corresponding to an equal number of key units and capable of producing any natural color; table means for storing color data for each of said blocks, and for storing function data representing a function assigned to each of said blocks, wherein said table means stores both a color and a function for each of said blocks; means for driving said color liquid crystal display means to display said blocks in colors in accordance with the color data stored in said table means; and a transparent touch switch arrangement placed on said color liquid crystal display means, said transparent touch switch arangement having a transparent sheet in which a number of transparent touch switches comprising said key units are located correspondingly to said blocks of the screen to define touch keys.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A flat keyboard arrangement comprising: a color liquid crystal display means having a screen divided into a number of blocks, said blocks corresponding to an equal number of key units and capable of producing any natural color; table means for storing color data for each of said blocks, and for storing function data representing a function assigned to each of said blocks, wherein said table means stores both a color and a function for each of said blocks; means for driving said color liquid crystal display means to display said blocks in colors in accordance with the color data stored in said table means; and a transparent touch switch arrangement placed on said color liquid crystal display means, said transparent touch switch arangement having a transparent sheet in which a number of transparent touch switches comprising said key units are located correspondingly to said blocks of the screen to define touch keys.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A flat keyboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a key unit setting means for setting color data and function data in said table means for each of said number of blocks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flat keyboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said table means further stores mode data identifying a plurality of particularly set and stored table arrangements for said number of blocks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flat keyboard arrangement as claimed in claim 3, further comprising means for selecting a mode corresponding to one of said plurality of stored arrangements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flat keyboard arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising position detecting means for detecting the enablement of a transparent touch switch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |