KEYS DEACTIVATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to input devices for personal computers. In particular, the invention relates to a system and method for deactivating keys selectable on human interface devices.

Background

Gaming, whether on the ubiquitous personal computer (PC) or console platform, is fast gaining popularity worldwide. As a result, the PC and video gaming industries are posting record sales for portable and console hardware, software and accessories. Further, with the vast improvement of Internet technology, online gaming is also poised to take off as the next wave for PC gaming.

Typically, players use human interface devices (HIDs) such as keyboards and mice to interact with PC games. The genres of PC games range from First Person Shooter (FPS) games to Massive Multiplayer Online Role Player Games (MMORPGs). In order to play the PC games, the players generally use a combination of the "WASD" keys of the keyboard and the mouse as means for interacting with the PC games. Such a control scheme is commonly referred to as the "WASD/Mouse" combination. The "WASD" keys typically provide movements for game characters including forward, backward, left and right sidestepping. Additionally, the mouse is used for controlling the game characters' movement directions in which the players control the game characters for character interaction when they play the PC games. Furthermore, modifier keys such as "CONTROL" (CTRL), "ALT" and "SHIFT" are used in conjunction with other keyboard keys to serve as shortcut keys for most PC games. The shortcut keys are used to activate other game play functions during game play.

In the midst of playing a game, a player may unintentionally activate a button that disrupts the game. For example, the player may unintentionally press the "WINDOWS" key on keyboards when attempting to access the shortcut keys since the "WINDOWS" key is typically located on the keyboard together with the modifier keys. The "WINDOWS"

menu is then activated and the game will be abruptly interrupted for a short period before the player resumes game play by manually deactivating the "WINDOWS" menu. Such unintentional activation of the "WINDOWS" menu will thus bring about decreased satisfaction in the overall gaming experience for many players.

Hence, there affirms a need for a system and method that address the foregoing problems of using human interface devices for playing PC games.

Summary Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein provide a system and method for deactivating keyboard keys.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a system comprising a plurality of keys and an input. The plurality of keys is operable for communicating with a computing device, each of the plurality of keys having a function associated therewith, the function associated with each of the plurality of keys being executable by the computing device. The input means is operable for activating a deactivation state, at least one of the plurality of keys being operable during the deactivation state for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys. Operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus comprising an input means. The input means is operable for activating a deactivation state, at least one of a plurality of keys being operable during the deactivation state for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys, the plurality of keys being operable for communicating with a computing device, each of the plurality of keys having a function associated therewith, the function associated with each of the plurality of keys being executable by the computing device. Operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a computer implemented method comprising providing a plurality of functions being executable by a computing device, each of the plurality of keys being associated with one of a plurality of

functions and being operable for communicating with the computing device, the function associated with each of the plurality of keys being executable by the computing device. Additionally, the computer implemented method comprises detecting activation of a deactivation state. Lastly the computer implemented method comprises deactivating at least one of the plurality of keys, the at least one of the plurality of keys being operated during the deactivation state. Operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a machine readable medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions, which when executed, the instructions cause the machine to provide a plurality of functions being executable by a computing device, each of the plurality of keys being associated with one of a plurality of functions and being operable for communicating with the computing device, the function associated with each of the plurality of keys being executable by the computing device. Further, the instructions cause the machine to detect activation of a deactivation state. Lastly, the instructions cause the machine to deactivate at least one of the plurality of keys, the at least one of the plurality of keys being operated during the deactivation state. Operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a keyboard with a deactivation key used in conjunction with any keys of the keyboard for deactivating the keys according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an enhanced keyboard of FIG. 1 with a deactivation key used in conjunction with any keys of the enhanced keyboard for deactivating the keys;

FIG. 3 shows a peripheral device with a deactivation key used in conjunction with a gamepad according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a mouse with a deactivation key used in conjunction with any keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 for deactivating the key according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a graphical format of a software application, used in conjunction with the mouse of FIG. 3 and any keys of the keyboard of FIG. 1 for switching functions of the keys.

Detailed Description A system and method for deactivating keys selectable on human interface devices are described hereinafter for addressing the foregoing problems.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, the descriptions of embodiments of the invention are limited hereinafter to applications related to deactivation of keys selectable on human interface devices. This however does not preclude various embodiments of the invention from other applications that require similar operating performance. The fundamental operational and functional principles of the embodiments of the invention are common throughout the various embodiments.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention described hereinafter are in accordance with FIGs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, in which like elements are numbered with like reference numerals.

A first embodiment of the invention, a system for deactivating keys selectable on a human interface device (HID) such as a keyboard 100 is shown in FIG. 1. In the first embodiment, the system comprises a deactivation key 102 formed on the keyboard 100.

Alternatively, the deactivation key 102 is providable on a separate peripheral device, which uses a communication interface well known in the art for coupling to and communicating with a computer system (not shown) via keyboards or other HIDs coupled to the computer system. The communication interface is preferably one of a PS/2, Universal-Serial-Bus

(USB), Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), Radio-Frequency (RF) or Wireless USB.

With reference to the first embodiment, the deactivation key 102 is used in conjunction with a key 104 on the keyboard 100 for disabling the key 104. The keyboard 100 is preferably a wired keyboard coupled for communicating with the computer system via a communication interface (all not shown). The communication interface is one of a PS/2 or Universal-Serial-Bus (USB). Alternatively, the keyboard 100 is a wireless keyboard in wireless signal communication with the computer system via a communication interface (not shown), for example one of a Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), Radio-Frequency (RF) or Wireless USB. In addition, the keyboard 100 is preferably an IBM-compatible keyboard with a QWERTY keyboard layout design.

In one instance, the keys on the keyboard 100 need to be defined in a configuration state prior to being deactivated. A user (not shown) preferably uses a configuration button (not shown) provided on one of the keyboard 100 and a separate peripheral device for activating the configuration state. For example, the user presses the configuration button simultaneously with any selected keys on the keyboard 100 for defining a keys-group (not shown), which comprises one or more keys the user wishes to deactivate subsequently using the deactivation key 102. The keys-group is then stored in a user profile on the computer system or no the keyboard 100. Alternatively, the user can define the keys-group by first actuating and releasing the configuration button. The user then selects a plurality of keys on the keyboard 100 for defining the keys-group without need for simultaneous actuating of the configuration button. When the user has finished defining the keys-group, the user then actuates the configuration button again or a specially defined key such as the "ESC" key to store the keys-group into the user profile. To re-define a new keys-group, the user repeats the aforementioned sequence steps. Alternatively, the user may activate a software application (not shown) on the computer system, which allows the user to redefine a new keys-group by accessing the user profile using the software application.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the deactivation key 102 is preferably any key provided on the keyboard 100 such as the "ESC" key. Alternatively, the deactivation key 102 is a special key such as the deactivation key 202 additionally formed on a keyboard 200 as shown in FIG. 2. The keyboard 200 is similar to the keyboard of 100 but enhanced with multimedia function buttons 204 such as volume buttons, a play button, a fast-forward button and a reverse button. When the user wishes to deactivate the key 104 such as the

"WINDOWS" key in certain situations for example during PC gaming, the user simply actuates a combination of the "ESC" key together with the "WINDOWS" key in order to temporarily deactivate the function of the "WINDOWS" key. The user is then able to continue using the keyboard 100 for PC gaming without accidentally triggering the activation of the "WINDOWS" menu during PC gaming. The function of the "WINDOWS" key is restorable by actuating the combination of the "ESC" key together with the "WINDOWS" key again. Further, a combination of other keys on the keyboard 100 may also be defined as shortcut keys for restoring the function of the "WINDOWS" key.

Alternatively, by actuating and releasing the deactivation key 102, the key 104 is deactivatable. To restore the function of the deactivated key 104, the deactivation key 102 is actuated again. Hence, pressing the deactivation key 102 switches repeatedly between deactivation and activation of the key 104.

Yet alternatively, the keyboard 100 comprises an onboard controller (not shown) for deactivating the key 104. The controller is programmable to thereby enable selective transmissions of electrical signals sent by the keyboard 100 to the computer system when keyboard keys are actuated. Hence, when the deactivation key 102 is actuated for deactivating the key 104, the controller prevents electrical signals corresponding to actuation of the key 104 from being transmitted to the computer system. To restore the function of the key 104, the deactivation key 102 is actuated again which switches off the controller thereby re-activating the key 104.

However, yet again alternatively, a set of previously undefined keys for deactivation can be deactivated by actuating the deactivation key 102 simultaneously with keys on the keyboard 100 for selecting the keys the user wishes to deactivate subsequently using the deactivation key 102. When the user has selected the keys to be deactivated, the user then releases the actuation of the deactivation key 102 together with the plurality of keys. The user then actuates the deactivation key 102 again, which deactivates the functions of the plurality of keys. To restore the functions of the plurality of keys, a specially defined key such as the "ESC" key needs to be actuated.

A second embodiment of the invention, a system for deactivating keys selectable on a HID such as a gamepad 302 is shown in FIG. 3. The gamepad 302 comprises buttons 304 used for gaming purposes. Additionally, the system comprises a separate peripheral device 306 containing a deactivation button 308. The deactivation button 308 is used in conjunction with any buttons 304 on the gamepad 302 for disabling at least one of the buttons 304. The peripheral device 306 couples and communicates with the gamepad 302 via a communication interface 310. The communication interface 310 is preferably one of a PS/2, Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) ₅ Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), Radio-Frequency (RF) or Wireless USB. When the user wishes to deactivate the button 304, the user simply actuates a combination of the deactivation button 308 with the button 304 to temporarily deactivate the function of the button 304. The function of the button 304 is restorable by re-actuating the combination of the deactivation button 308 together with the button 304.

A third embodiment of the invention, a system for deactivating keys on a HID is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a mouse 400 has deactivation key 402 formed thereon. The deactivation key 402 is used in conjunction with any key 104 for disabling the key 104. Alternatively, the deactivation key 402 is formed on one of a trackball, touchpad, digitizing pen, gamepad, graphics tablet, headphones and joystick (all not shown). The mouse 400 is preferably a wired mouse coupled for communicating with the computer system via a communication interface being one of a PS/2 or Universal-Serial-Bus (USB). Alternatively, the mouse 400 is a wireless mouse in wireless signal communication with the computer system via a communication interface being one of a Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), Radio-Frequency (RF) or Wireless USB. In order for the user to deactivate the key 104, a combination of the deactivation key 402 together with the keyboard key 104 is actuated. The function of the key 104 is then temporarily deactivated. To restore the function of the key 104, the deactivation key 402 is re-actuated together with the key 104. Alternatively, a combination of other keys may be defined as shortcut keys for restoring the function of the key 104.

Further alternatively, a group of keys, for example, on a keypad (not shown) is definable prior to being deactivatable using the deactivation key 402 on the mouse 400. The mouse 400 comprises memory means (not shown) for storing the group of keys being defined.

The group of keys is retrievable from the memory means for deactivation thereof when the deactivation key 402 is reactivated.

A fourth embodiment (not shown) of the invention comprises a sound transducer for transducing speech sound commands into data signals for transmission to the computer system thereby deactivating keys of HIDs such as the keyboard 100. The sound transducer is preferably one of a microphone and speaker headset (all not shown). The data signals are preferably pre-programmed and pre-associated with a plurality of instructions provided by an Operating System (OS) installed on the computer system. The OS is preferably one of Microsoft Windows, LINUX, UNIX and Mac OSX. The plurality of instructions comprise at least one of an activate-key instruction and deactivate-key instruction.

Before the keys of the keyboard 100 can be deactivated via user issued speech sound commands, the user has to pre-define a plurality of keys for deactivation when the speech sound commands are received by the computer system. The plurality of keys for deactivation is definable using one of the methods in the aforementioned key-configuration phase, which allows the storage of the keys-configuration into the user profile. Hence, when the computer system receives and interprets speech sound commands corresponding to the plurality of instructions, the computer system then deactivates the plurality of keys as defined in the user profile accordingly. To re-activate the plurality of keys, the user issues another set of speech sound commands in which the computer system then activates the plurality of keys accordingly.

FIG. 5 lists functions 500 of a software application that is activated upon pressing the deactivation key 402 located on the mouse 400. The software application is also preferably activatable by one of the deactivation key 102 and deactivation key 202. The functions 500 comprise options that allow the user to have more control over the disabling or changing the function of the key 104. The options are respectively: a key, a modify- key-function, a key-function-modification-timeout, a revert-to-original-function, a swap- function-of-key, a shortcut-for-adding-function-to-key and an initiate-"change-function"- profile-on-computer-startup. The key option specifies the key 104. The modify-key- function option then allows the user to define a new function assignable to the key 104.

Additionally, the key-function-modification-timeout defines a timeout period in which the new function assigned to the key 104 under the modify-key-function option will be active.

The revert-to-original-function, which accepts a Yes or No value, defines whether if the key 104 reverts back to a factory-assigned function after being assigned the new function by the user. The swap-function-of-key option allows the user to specify whether the function of the key 104 is to be swapped with another key of the keyboard 100. For example, the user may use the swap-function-of-key option to swap existing functions of the "WINDOWS' key with the "Tab" key. Further, the shortcut-for-adding-function-to- key option enables the user to use a pre-defined shortcut key under the software application 400 for assigning a new function to the key 104 instead of using the modify-key-function option. Convenience is thus provided for a user who frequently needs to change function to the key 104 without having to always use the software application 400 for this purpose. Lastly, the initiate-"change-function"-profile-on-computer-startup option allows the user to decide whether if the key 104 is assigned the new function defined under the modify-key- function option upon system startup. This is achievable by loading a key-profile corresponding to the value defined in the modify-key-function option into computer memory when the computer system starts.

In the foregoing manner, a system and method for deactivating keys selectable on human interface devices are described according to embodiments of the invention for addressing the foregoing disadvantages. Although more than one embodiment of the invention are disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.