KEYBOARD WITH MACRO KEYS MADE UP OF POSITIONALLY ADJUSTABLE MICRO KEYS

摘要

An adjustable keyboard where a macro key is (or can be) made up of multiple, proximate micro keys by adjusting a vertical, at-rest position of the micro keys individually. More specifically, the micro keys forming the macro key are set in a high position, while micro keys surrounding the micro keys forming the macro key will generally be set in the low position. In this way, traditional data entry keyboard keys (that is, macro keys) can be built up in an arbitrary fashion, according to the desires and needs of the user, from a larger matrix of micro keys.

主权项

1. A keyboard assembly comprising:
a frame; and a plurality of discrete key sub-assemblies; wherein: the frame and the plurality of key sub-assemblies define an up direction and a down direction; the plurality of key sub-assemblies are each mechanically connected to the frame; each key sub-assembly includes an upwards-facing surface and an elevation control sub-sub-assembly; each elevation control sub-sub-assembly is structured, located and connected so that: (i) an at-rest position of the key sub-assembly can be adjusted between at least a high at-rest position and a low at-rest position, (ii) the upwards-facing surface is free to move in the down direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position, and (iii) the upwards-facing surface is mechanically biased in the up direction at least when the key is in the high at-rest position; and in the high at-rest position, the upwards-facing surface of the key sub-assembly will be higher than when the key sub-assembly is in its low at-rest position.