Versatile keyboard input and output device

Abstract

A versatile keyboard input and output device is described. The keyboard device includes a housing having a plurality of buttons, with each button individually clickable, and a capacitive sensing element under each button for touch sensing. The versatile keyboard input and output device further includes a lighting element under each button to provide selective lighting for each button, and a plurality of button glyphs for the plurality of buttons respectively, wherein the button glyphs are selectively visually changeable. The keyboard input device also includes a haptic feedback mechanism included in the housing for providing haptic feedback for the plurality of buttons.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation (divisional) application of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 710,230 by S. Myers et al., filed on Feb. 22, 2010, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is generally related to electronic user input output devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Gaming, or more particularly, electronic video gaming, is becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages. Generally speaking, video games involve interaction with a user interface to generate both visual and audible feedback on an electronic device. Modern video games also use other ways of providing interaction and information to the player, such as feedback via haptic peripherals, such as vibration or force feedback, with vibration sometimes used to simulate force feedback. The electronic systems used to play video games are generally referred to as platforms. A platform refers to a s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a keyboard device that improves user interaction and physical design for both accepting user input and providing feedback. It utilizes advanced touch-sensitive and light-enabling technology to enhance the user's keyboard experience. The technical effects of this invention are improved user interaction and more optimized feedback.

Problems solved by technology

PC-based video games are generally more rich and complex than the other types of games, in many cases requiring very complex control systems built around the traditional mouse and keyboard paradigm.

Such functionality is very difficult to replicate using console game controllers and hand-held gaming devices.

As the gaming industry moves more towards satisfying this desire for more mobile platforms, a key obstacle has been continually encountered.

This obstacle revolves around translating a full gaming keyboard experience into a small form factor.

A typical laptop computer system may have a keyboard of sufficient size to enable an acceptable gaming experience, however most laptops are too large to be considered truly on-the-go mobile.

Hence, the demand exists for mobile gaming devices that are even smaller than a typical laptop, but the obstacle remains.

This obstacle is a tremendous challenge for many reasons.

For example, one reason relates to the fact that MMOs typically utilize the entire PC keyboard (including letters, numbers, F-keys, Page up, Page down, Tab, Escape, etc), and shrinking every function into a small portable form factor is both a mechanical challenge and a usability nightmare.

Having too many buttons on a small device becomes very confusing to the user.

This greatly changes the learned interaction between the player and the input, resulting in slower response times and a less satisfying gaming experience.

However, blindly activating all of those map keys only with your thumbs presents a much greater challenge.

However, virtual buttons on a touch screen still has drawbacks.

These drawbacks include, for example, the fact that virtual buttons do not have the same tactile feedback as physical buttons (e.g., even with haptics).

Virtual buttons are generally not accessible without taking your eyes off the play area of the screen and looking at them.

Additionally, virtual buttons still require a relatively large screen to be effective since they require your fingers to occlude the screen.

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