Keys Deactivation System and Method

Abstract

Personal computer (PC) and online gaming are gaining popularity around the world. Typically players use human interface devices (HIDs) such as keyboards and mice for playing PC games. Many of the modern PC games use a control scheme commonly known as the “WASD/Mouse” which is a combination of the “WASD” keyboard keys and the mouse as means for interacting with the PC games. Additionally, for expansion on existing game control functions, modifier keys are used in conjunction with other keyboard keys to serve as shortcut keys for activating such game control functions. However, due to close positioning of the “WINDOWS” key with the modifier keys on the keyboards, the “WINDOWS” menu might be activated accidentally during normal PC game play especially when players frequently access the shortcut keys. An embodiment of the invention describes a system and method for deactivating keys selectable on human interface devices.

1 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of keys 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; and   an input means being 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,   wherein operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.   
     
     
         2 . The system as in  claim 1 , the at least one of the plurality of key being deactivated by one of deactivating the function associated with each thereof and disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The system as in  claim 1 , the input means further being operable for deactivating the deactivation state,
 wherein the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys remains deactivated subsequent the deactivation of the deactivation state.   
     
     
         4 . The system as in  claim 1 , the input means further being operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         5 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a release key being operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         6 . The system as in  claim 1 , the input means comprising:
 a sound transducer for transducing speech sounds into data signals for transmission to the computing device, the data signals associated with at least one of a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising an activate the deactivation state instruction and a deactivate the deactivation state instruction.   
     
     
         7 . The system as in  claim 1 , the input means being one of a switch, a toggle and a button. 
     
     
         8 . The system as in  claim 1 , the plurality of keys being keys of one of a keyboard and a peripheral device. 
     
     
         9 . The system as in  claim 8 , the input means being a peripheral in signal communication with one of the keyboard and the computing device. 
     
     
         10 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller, the plurality of keys being coupled to the controller, the controller for communicatively intercoupling the plurality of keys with the computing device,   wherein the controller is for disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 an input means being 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; and   wherein operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the at least one of the plurality of key being deactivated by one of deactivating the function associated with each thereof and disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the input means further being operable for deactivating the deactivation state,
 wherein the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys remains deactivated subsequent the deactivation of the deactivation state.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the input means further being operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a release key being operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the input means comprising:
 a sound transducer for transducing speech sounds into data signals for transmission to the computing device, the data signals associated with at least one of a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising an activate the deactivation state instruction and a deactivate the deactivation state instruction.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the input means being one of a switch, a toggle and a button. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , the plurality of keys being keys of one of a keyboard and a peripheral device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as in  claim 18 , the input means being in signal communication with one of the keyboard and the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a controller, the plurality of keys being coupled to the controller, the controller for communicatively intercoupling the plurality of keys with the computing device,   wherein the controller is for disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         21 . 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;   detecting activation of a deactivation state; and   deactivating at least one of the plurality of keys, the at least one of the plurality of keys being operated during the deactivation state,   wherein operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.   
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 21 , deactivating at least one of the plurality of keys comprising one of:
 deactivating the function associated with each of the at least one of the plurality of keys; and   disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device.   
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 detecting deactivation of the deactivation state,   wherein the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys remains deactivated subsequent the deactivation of the deactivation state.   
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 detecting reactivation of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         25 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing an input means operable for at least one of activating and deactivating the deactivation state.   
     
     
         26 . The method as in  claim 25 , providing an input means comprising:
 providing one of a switch, a toggle and a button.   
     
     
         27 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing a release key being operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         28 . The method as in  claim 21 , the plurality of keys being keys of one of a keyboard and a peripheral device. 
     
     
         29 . The method as in  claim 28 , providing an input means comprising:
 providing a peripheral in signal communication with one of the keyboard and the computing device.   
     
     
         30 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing a controller, the plurality of keys being coupled to the controller, the controller for communicatively intercoupling the plurality of keys with the computing device,   wherein the controller is for disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         31 . 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; and   detect activation of a deactivation state; and   deactivate at least one of the plurality of keys, the at least one of the plurality of keys being operated during the deactivation state,   wherein operating at least one of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys impedes execution of the function associated therewith.   
     
     
         32 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of programming instructions, which when executed, the instructions cause the machine to:
 deactivate the function associated with each of the at least one of the plurality of keys; and   disable communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device.   
     
     
         33 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of programming instructions, which when executed, the instructions cause the machine to:
 detect deactivation of the deactivation state,   wherein the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys remains deactivated subsequent the deactivation of the deactivation state.   
     
     
         34 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of programming instructions, which when executed, the instructions cause the machine to:
 detect reactivation of the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys.   
     
     
         35 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein an input means is provided and operable for at least one of activating and deactivating the deactivation state. 
     
     
         36 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 35 , wherein the input means is one of a switch, a toggle and a button. 
     
     
         37 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein a release key is provided and operable for reactivating the deactivated at least one of the plurality of keys. 
     
     
         38 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , the plurality of keys being keys of one of a keyboard and a peripheral device. 
     
     
         39 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 38 , wherein the input means comprising a peripheral in signal communication with one of the keyboard and the computing device. 
     
     
         40 . The machine readable medium as in  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of keys are coupled to the controller, the controller for communicatively intercoupling the plurality of keys with the computing device, wherein the controller is for disabling communication between the at least one of the plurality of keys and the computing device for deactivating the at least one of the plurality of keys.