IMPROVED MEMBRANE COMPUTER KEYBOARD AND METHOD

摘要

A computer keyboard (11) having an output port (41) through which scan codes are directed to a computer CPU (13) over a cable (12), the keyboard (11) of the kind having a touch activated membrane switch (18) onto which one of a plurality of key layout overlays (24) can be installed. Each of a plurality of different stored data tables (38) is operable when selected to determine the particular scan code that is directed through the keyboard output port (41) over the cable (12) in response to a membrane switch (18) being activated. Each overlay (24) being coded in a way (28) that can be read by an overlay code identification device (29) which automatically operates (Fig. 3) in response to a coded (26) key layout overlay (24) being installed onto the keyboard (11) to read the overlay code (26), which is then used by a data table selector to select a particular data table (38) for use with the installed overlay (24).