Keyboard assembly

Abstract

A keyboard device includes electric switches and keys. Each key is configured, when individually pressed, to actuate one or more of the switches simultaneously. At least one of the keys is configured, when individually pressed, to actuate two or more of the switches simultaneously.

1 . A keyboard device comprising: 
 electric switches; and    keys, each configured when individually pressed to actuate one or more of the switches simultaneously and at least one of which configured when individually pressed to actuate two or more of the switches simultaneously.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the switch is a dome switch.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising actuators, each actuator associated with one of the keys for actuating one or more of the switches in response to depressing the respective key.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the actuators has at least two arms, each configured to actuate a different one of the switches.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein at least one of the actuators has at least two arms, one of the arms for actuating one of the switches and another of the arms for maintaining the balance of the respective key when the key is depressed.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the keys are arranged in rows and the switches are arranged in rows between the rows of keys, with each switch positioned between two adjacent keys of the same row.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each switch is configured to be actuated by more than one of the keys.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each switch is configured to be actuated by four diagonally adjacent keys.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a system that, when any of the switches is activated, determines which key has been pressed, using a look-up table in electronic memory that defines which switches correspond to each key.