Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous keyboards and keypads have been designed with increasing attention to
ergonomics, ease of use, as well as an increased number of services provided
at a
keystroke. There have been several attempts at "internet keyboards" which make
use of
shortcut keys to launch web browsers and e-mail programs. None of these has
attempted
to ease the use of "emoticons" while chatting or e-mailing. "Emoticons" are
"emotion
icons". They are a series of characters that describe or convey emotions while
communicating, such as sarcasm : ) or shock :o . 'The "emoticons' are best
viewed when
you tilt your head to the left to view the first character of the emotion on
top.
There have been innumerable attempts at reconfiguring the arrangement of keys
or buttons on keyboards to allow users to access and input data quicker and
easier than
previously. One such attempt is L,eung Lap's re-arrangement of keys in U.S.
Pat. No.
6,241,406. In his embodiment., the keypad is located in a different position
than
conventionally for easier access. as well as the introduction of redundancy
keys so that
either hand can access similar commands such as the cursor keys. However,
there are no
new keys that are introduced to perform mundane or routine tasks. U.S. Pat.
No.
D336,084 and U.S. Pat. No. D350,537 both describe keyboards that have been
redesigned
to access keys easier. U.S. Pat. No, 6,010,260 adds two extra keys, a
''backspace" and a
"delete" key near the cursor keys for easy and quick access. In U.S. Pat. No.
5,243,331
McCausland rearranges a computer keypad that has a plurality of control keys
for
controlling the display of information on the display screen. Said keyboard is
programmed to perform specific tasks relating to a user's field, industry or
job, by the
manufacturer of the keyboard.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,474 William H. Koylance attempts to reduce the clutter
on
a keyboard through the elimination of the "function keys" and replaces them
with a
"special space" key that when depressed in combination with a number key,
performs the
same function as the appropriately numbered "function key". Although this
reduces
clutter, it does not necessarily make performing the task easier.
CA Pat. No. 2,030,656 describes a computer keyboard with efficient edit-
control.
A keyboard for a computer is :provided with a function-shift key, for
temporarily
changing a plurality of character keys to computer-control keys, edit-control
keys, and/or
cursor-control keys. The funetiot~-shift key is thumb-actuated, is disposed,
at least
partially, between two groups of character keys for thumb or index finger
actuation, or is
disposed for foot or leg actuated.
CA Pat. No. 2,222,748 describes an alphantunerical keyboard that is programmed
so that an alpha-character will always be generated when two mutually adjacent
keys are
depressed simultaneously, and that a numeral will always be generated when
only one
numeral key is depressed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,49E> Chou attempts to reduce the use of the mouse and
keyboard to perform tasks by introducing a turnable knob that will launch
programs,
input certain data or close programs by turning the knob. This has obvious
limitations
such as having to configure the knob to be able to perform these tasks and
then
remembering which selection the knob has to go to in order to perform the
task. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,416,498 describes an improved keyboard design that eases the strain on a
user in
order to increase productivity.
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Another variation on keyboard design is the use of an external mechanism in
order to facilitate the inputting of data. U.S. Pat. No 5,828,323 is a high
speed keyboard
for computers. Essentially it is a keyboard that can he operated as a
replacement or in
parallel with a conventional computer keyboard and it utilizes ten keys which
are
activated in pairs to produce coding signals that represent alphabetic symbols
of a
conventional keyboard. It is supposed to facilitate high speed typing,
unfortunately, it
doubles the number of keystrokes needed to input a single character. It works
by
pressing two keys simultaneously to display ono character. U.S. Pat. No.
6,310,608
describes a system and method of keyboard configuration for disabled user
access
wherein multiple keys such as a grouping of function keys will perform one
task.
Essentially one result or output i s sent to the computer from depressing any
of a grouping
of keys. This is for disabled persons or those who are physically challenged
and unable
to depress single keys.
There are also keypads that do specific tasks and are external input devices
that
connect to the computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,422 is one such example where an
external
keypad has buttons that perfornl copy, delete, and paste functions. This
eliminates the
conventional Ctrl-X for cut, so it increases efficiency by eliminating a
keystroke to
perform the same task. U.S. Pad. No. 4,917,516 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,966
both
describe external input devices that are dosigned to ease data input and
manipulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,335 describes an external input device that enables a user
to define
desired keys as coded keys which are associated with MACROS defined by the
user. The
device resides externally and is actually a peripheral device which will
interpret the
keystrokes and using read only memory (EEPROM) will execute a predefined code
that
will perform a specified operatic>n. U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,208 describes a
similar external
peripheral device that attaches between the keyboard and CPU to facilitate the
detection
of certain sequences of character°s which will alter the normal
function of a key according
to pre-defined specification. L.S. Pat. No. 4,761,252 describes an external
peripheral
device that facilitates the entry of pre-defined sequences of data characters
into a
computer or computer-controllec:l system, and preferably connected between the
computer
and its keyboard. U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,512 describes a method for entering data
comprised
of alpha, numeric and/or symbolic characters using a plurality of hard keys.
Said hard
keys are not unlike a telephone key matrix. Several patents describe pre-
defined or pre-
programmed keys which perform a particular function upon their activation.
U.S. Pat.
No. 4,200,913 describes a microcontroller which includes a random access store
which is
loadable by the customer during initial program load operation to store
customer selected
program routines for initializing tables in the store which define the
customer selected
character and symbol set. U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,121 describes a computer that is
programmed to respond to any specific key activation in a manner defined by
the current
displayed legend for that key. °rlae use of pre-defined keys also
pertains to calculators
and cash registers, as is evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,311, U.S. Pat. No.
5,414,426
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,296.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,447 describes a keyboard for use with a computer that has
an
array of keys including a space key and moth liable keys with apparatus for
detecting
when keys are pressed and generating a key <:ode corresponding to the keys
that are
pressed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,00M describes a method and apparatus for
selecting key
actions. To reduce the numbevr of keys on a calculator keyboard, two symbols
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representing possible operations or key actions are associated with each key
of a plurality
of keys.
U.5. Pat. No. 5,173,940 describes a keyboard controller which scans entered
input
sequences for an input sequence to activate a display blanking feature.
Many keyboards exist which make use of shortcuts to perform tasks. An example
of which is U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,519 which describes a keyboard wherein
depressing
certain keys in a sequence will perform various multimedia functions, such as
playing a
CD, or adjusting the volume. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,318 describes a
computer
keyboard with a computerized system for keyboard control of compact-disc read
only
memory (CD-ROM) audio of a computer. The keyboard has a plurality of keys for
entry
of one or more predetermined sequences of one or more keystrokes, each
predetermined
sequence corresponding to an audio function of the CD-ROM player. U.5. Pat.
No.
5,892,503 describes a multimedia keyboard wherein volume control, brightness
control,
contrast control, speakers and microphone are; all built into the keyboard,
and most
multimedia controls are one key operations, eliminating physical interface
with the
devices. CA Patent 2,187,537 describes a multimedia keyboard that has built-in
speakers, external headphone and microphone ,jacks. Also, floppy disk drive,
CD-ROM
disk drive and telecommunications components may be incorporated into said
multimedia
computer keyboard system.
U.S. Pat. No. D451,925, I_~.5. Pat. No. D451,518, U.S. Pat. No. D451,51'7,
U.S.
Pat. No. D450,056, U.S. Pat. l~Ic.~. D442,590, U.S. F'at. No. D439,903, U.S.
Pat. No.
D428,889 all pertain to the ornamental design for a keyboard, which entail
shortcut keys
for quick access to a variety of fu~netions. This allows the user to perform
an otherwise
lengthy and multiple keystroke functions at the push of a single key or
button. These
shortcut keys perform functions from Copying and Pasting to launching
programs.
None of the afore mentioned patents relate to the novel idea of a keyboard or
input device for a computer with special ke}~(s) or buttons) to display
"emoticon"
characters, signature icons or catch phrases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantage of using ''emoticons" is the amount of time it takes to type
in
the series of keystrokes to create a face or "emoticon". Said invention
eliminates lengthy
series of characters and replaces them with one keystroke, or click of the
mouse. A
partial list of "emoticons" can be viewed in Fig.l, however there exists an
almost infinite
number of combinations of "emoticons".
Such efficiency may be well appreciated by the growing number of Internet
users
who feel a need for quick communication especially with ''live chat" where
"emoticons"
are frequently used.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of said keyboard is the use of several keys or buttons that
denote
different "emoticons". This allows the user to type and depress the keys) or
buttons)
and the lengthy series of keystrokes appear automatically as a character
displayed on the
screen.
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In another embodiment, these preset or pre-defined keys) or buttons(s) can be
configured by the user to represent different "emoticons" which are listed in
the keyboard
or input device driver as a pre-defined list, but allow the user to input new
keystrokes to
define new or customized keystrokes or "emoticons'' as well as "signature
icons". These
signature icons can be extended to encompass such things as the insertion of
company
logos at the end of e-mails, documents or memos.
The process described herein can also be used to not only display images of
"emoticons" but of "signature inuages" as well. A "signature image" is an
image, icon or
picture that is a user's personal identifier, almast like a signature. It is
their trademark
identifier. One of, or all of the keys) or buttons) can be used to insert said
"signature
image" in an active application. A ''signature icon" may be the user's
picture, for
example, in a small image size that can then be attached or inserted into an e-
mail
message or an active application. Moreover, it is not an entirely unattainable
extension to
customize said keys) or button(~~) to display catch phrases or customized
slogans, or
frequently used words by the user. The keys) or buttons) can be programmed to
display
"Hello!" , or "Waaassssuuup!", c:>r "My name is User, 25, Male, from Toronto"
when said
keys) or buttons) are depressed.
The keys) or buttons) an the keyboard can be of any size, shape or
configuration. They may be libeled or not. The keys) or buttons) may be placed
anywhere on the keyboard for qu ck access, but the preferred embodiment would
have
the keys) or buttons) placed above the function keys grouped in a pattern, or
around the
cursor keys, or just to the left or rRght of the standard keyboard where it
may be grouped
with other shortcut or quick access keys. Said keyboard may be a conventional
or non-
conventional keyboard with PS~2, .AT, USB, Serial, Parallel, direct, ADB,
FireWire or
other port connection. Obviously in the coming years, new types of keyboard
and input
device adapters will be developed. This does not affect the use of the
"emoticon" keys)
or button(s), since the keyboard design using the "emoticon" keyboard layout
will
incorporate the new types of connectors. Said "emoticon" keys) or buttons) can
also
reside on a PDA or an electronic device that has a keyboard. There are many
such
devices with keyboards that could make use of said ''ernoticon" keys) or
buttons) such
as so-called "two-way pagers", ifaqs, PocketPCs, Visors or RIM Blackberry's.
Said
"emoticon" keys) or buttons) can be activated directly, or can be accessed
using the
standard ALT + keystroke, or Shift + keystroke sequence that is commonly used
on these
devices. There are obviously numerous ways of placing said keys) or buttons)
on these
handheld devices and the optimal configuration must be ultimately determined
by the
manufacturer of said handheld or electronic device.
Another variation of the invention is to have the keys) or buttons) reside on
an
external keypad or input device such as a mouse, either of which that attaches
to a USB,
PS/2, AT, direct, Serial, Parallel, ~'~DB, FireWire or other port connector.
Said buttons)
or keys) being specifically designed to be used for the sole purpose of
inputting or
displaying "emoticons" on the screen. rf'he separate keypad/input device can
be of
variable size, shape, colour and design and the keys) or buttons) may be of
different,
size, shape, colour, configuratic7n and materials. The inputting of
"emoticons" or the
displaying of "emoticon" characters will be the same as for the keyboard,
wherein, the
preset characters as well as the re-programmable keys) or buttons) can be
inputted using
pre-defined ASCII sequences to display the individual characters to represent
the
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"emoticon", or display the ASCII graphical character of the "emoticon" or use
the
keyboard or keypad driver to display graphical representations of the
"emoticons".
The "emoticons" can be displayed using ASCII values, ANSI values, HTML
codes, or any other keyboard or ISO convention t.o display the appropriate
values,
character sequences or images in the active application when the appropriate
key or
button is depressed.
Figs. 2 and 3 depict just two of the many methods of transmitting and
displaying
"emoticons" on a pre-defined ''emoticon" keyboard. There are almost infinite
embodiments of how keyboards, keypads and input devices can transmit a
keystroke or
button depression to a computer. We are not necessarily concerned with "how"
but
"what" is being transmitted. 'The actual interpretation of what to transmit
and display can
be handled either immediately at the keyboard level or through the Operating
System and
at any point in between. A keyboard controller can be modified so that it
interprets the
keystroke and sends the character sequence to the computer. Alternatively, a
scan code
can be sent from the keyboard controller and the Operating System can handle
the
interpretation and display of the character sequence or graphical
representation.
Figure 2 depicts one of the possible processes through which a keyboard,
keypad
or input device with a pre-defined set of "emoticons" from the manufacturer
will go
through. These are provided to illustrate the point, but many other processes
can be used,
and with the use of an "emoticc::~n" buttons) or keys) on a mouse the process
will
obviously be drastically different, for example, there is no keyboard
controller on a
mouse. The keyboard continually scans for depressed keys and once a key is
depressed a
scan code corresponding to the key or button pressed will be sent to the
keyboard
controller. The keyboard controller sends a code interrupt to the CPU. The
CPLJ finds
the character sequence corresponding to the code interrupt and sends the
sequence to the
Operating System. The OS then interprets the character sequence and determines
whether to display the ASCII sequence or an image in the active application.
Fig. 3 depicts another possible process, again one of many. The keyboard
continually scans for depressed keys and once a key is depressed a scan code
corresponding to the key or button pressed will be sent to the keyboard
controller. The
keyboard controller sends a multiple code interrupt to the CPU. The CPU finds
the
character sequence corresponding to the code interrupt and sends the sequence
to the
Operating System. The OS then interprets the character sequence and determines
whether the scan code is defined. If it is defined it «bill determine whether
to send the
ASCII characters or an image to the active application and will then forward
the
sequence. If it is not defined, the user will be prompted that the keys) or
buttons)
depressed is not defined and will ask for said keys) or buttons) to be
defined. The user
will then be able to choose from a pre-selected list of "emoticons" or will be
able to input
a new or customized "emoticc>n" character sequence, "emoticon" image,
''signature
icon", catch phrase or image. The character sequence or image will then be
received and
stored and assigned to the appropriate key{s) or buttons) for future use. The
OS will
then determine whether to send the ASCII characters or an image to the active
application
and will then forward the information to the active application.
