Replacing Keyboard Characters

Abstract

A computer keyboard is refurbished by applying to its keys stickers each bearing a character designating the action of a respective key. For application of the stickers to the keys, the stickers are configured and arranged on an application tape in a layout congruent with the layout of the keys by a digital scan of the keyboard. The stickers are temporarily attached to the application tape by a peelable adhesive and then permanently attached to the keys by a pressure-sensitive permanent adhesive.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus for refurbishing a computer keyboard, which apparatus comprises:
 a first digital image of the keyboard;   a sticker sheet comprising a plurality of stickers respectively corresponding to the keys of the keyboard and each bearing a character designating the action of a respective key and a back layer to which the stickers are releasably attached and removable therefrom for attachment to their respective keys; and   an adhesive for attaching the stickers to their respective keys;   wherein the stickers are configured and arranged on the back layer in a layout congruent with the layout of the keys on said first digital image.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus for refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 1  including a front layer of application tape engaging the stickers, whereby the stickers may be peeled off the back layer and applied to the keys of the keyboard in congruence therewith. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus for refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is pressure sensitive. 
     
     
         4 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard comprising a plurality of keys manually operable by engagement of a user's fingers with contact surfaces thereof and bearing characters to designate their action, which method comprises:
 providing apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 ;   optically scanning the keyboard to produce said first digital image thereof;   creating a second digital image of the keyboard by delineating on the first digital image the boundaries of the contact surfaces of the keys;   creating a third digital image of the keyboard by superimposing on the second digital image characters corresponding to the keys within the respective boundaries thereof;   printing the third digital image on to an image transfer sheet comprising a clear front layer releasably secured to a back layer by a first adhesive;   cutting through the front layer around the delineated boundaries to separate the printed images of individual keys from the surrounding portion of the front layer;   peeling the surrounding portion of the front layer off the back layer to leave the printed images of the individual keys attached to the back layer;   laying application tape over the printed images of the individual keys attached to the back layer, which application tape has a releasable coating of a second adhesive which adheres to the printed images of the individual keys;   peeling the application tape away from the back layer to lift the printed images of the individual keys off the back layer, with the first adhesive on the back of the printed images;   overlaying the keyboard with the application tape carrying the printed images of the individual keys, locating the printed images of the individual keys congruently with the keys of the keyboard, and pressing the printed images of the individual keys on to the corresponding keys of the keyboard and into adherence therewith by the first adhesive between the printed images and the keys; and   peeling the application tape away from the keyboard to leave the printed images of the individual keys adhered to the corresponding keys by the first adhesive on the back of the printed images and remove the second adhesive from the front of the printed images.   
     
     
         5 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 4  including cleaning the contact surfaces of the keys with a cleansing agent before overlaying the keyboard with the application tape. 
     
     
         6 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the adherence of the first adhesive to the keys of the keyboard is greater than the adherence of the second adhesive to the printed images of the keys. 
     
     
         7 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are substantially the same as the characters on the keys before the keyboard is refurbished. 
     
     
         8 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the back layer is opaque. 
     
     
         9 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are different from the characters on the keys before the keyboard is refurbished. 
     
     
         10 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are one of:
 a character set simplified in relation to that of the keyboard before refurbishment, in a different language therefrom 
 a font enlarged relative thereto or 
 gaming characters. 
 
     
     
         11 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are in a different language therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are in a font enlarged relative thereto. 
     
     
         13 . A method of refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the characters superimposed on the second digital image are gaming characters. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for refurbishing a computer keyboard comprising:
 a plurality of keys manually operable by engagement of a user's fingers with contact surfaces thereof and bearing characters to designate their action, which apparatus comprises a first digital image of the keyboard,   an image transfer sheet printed with printed images of the keys delineated with boundaries of the contact surfaces thereof and, within the delineated boundaries, characters respectively corresponding to the keys, all configured and arranged congruently with said first digital image,   wherein the printed images have on backs thereof a coating of a first adhesive for adhering the printed images to the keys of the keyboard and the image transfer sheet has a clear front layer releasably attached by a second adhesive.   
     
     
         15 . Apparatus for refurbishing a computer keyboard as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the first and second adhesives are respectively such that the first adhesive adheres the printed images to the keys of the keyboard more strongly than the second adhesive adheres the printed images to the front layer.