Keyboard with programmable keys

• Main Authors: BOSA ROLAND, SHINDE AVINASH, LAVELLE MARK, KEHOE AIDAN, PATE CHRISTOPHER, KUTTY NANDA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.12.2006
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICESUSING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION; CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; EDUCATION; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS; SEALS

Embodiments of the present invention provide programmable keys in a keyboard that provide the user with added functionalities and versatility to enhance the usage of the computer for game play or the like. In one embodiment, a keyboard for use with a computer comprises a plurality of keys which include a plurality of programmable function keys each being programmable to have multiple shift states to provide different macro functions among the multiple shift states to be inputted to the computer; a plurality of macro shift buttons which represent the multiple shift states and which are configured to be pressed to toggle among the multiple shift states for the plurality of programmable function keys; and a macro record button configured to start and stop macro recording of the macro functions of the programmable function keys.