Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-19
2001-01-09
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S036000, C463S042000, C463S046000, C463S047000, C273S14800B, C273S14800B, C345S168000, C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171187
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an interface device for a central processing unit or a network terminal. It also relates to a computer keyboard, a portable computer and an accessory for a games console with ergonomic buttons.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Several interface devices exist which are used for transmitting information from a user to a central processing unit or a network terminal. The principal interface device for a computer is the keyboard. The original computer keyboards had their overall shape and the shape and layout of their keys similar to those of typewriters.
Keyboards are also known whose ergonomics have been improved by the addition of numerical keys and of keys for the four operations grouped in the form of a separate keypad located to the right of the alphabetic keys.
Subsequently many function keys have been added to keyboards because of the growing complexity of the hardware and software present on the market. They make it possible to access either pre-programmed functions initially existing in the read only memory of the computer or functions programmed by means of software.
In order to further improve the user's comfort and the speed of typing over a long period without fatigue, keyboards with curved shapes have been considered.
The interface means present on portable computers have followed the same evolution.
The ergonomics of function and control keys present on games consoles or on their interface devices forming accessories have also been improved.
In the case of games software products, all of the keys can be used to obtain multiple luminous play effects visible on the screen. The user will apply his skill by pressing appropriate keys at the correct time and by repeating this same operation many times. During prolonged use of a conventional keyboard, this can result both in a reduction in the speed of keying and furthermore in fatigue in the muscles and tendons of the fingers, hands and wrists.
A disadvantage of interface devices of the prior art and of the corresponding keyboards is the fact that these means of control are generally located on the upper face of the interface device, the keyboard of the computer, the case of the portable computer or the games console or its accessories. Access to some of them is therefore often not very ergonomic.
EP-A-0 520 090 discloses a keyboard incorporating on one of its side faces a mouse having specific functions which do not replace keys of the keyboard.
The document “Patent Abstract of Japan”, vol. 16, No. 70 (P-1315) discloses a mouse provided with ten digital keys enabling a user to directly enter a digital input through this mouse instead of through the keyboard of the computer.
The document “Patent Abstract of Japan”, vol. 10, No. 202 (P-477) discloses a combination of a conventional keyboard and of a pedal-type keyboard the keys of which are connected in parallel with function-keys of the conventional keyboard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is to propose an interface device for a central processing unit or a network terminal which provides additional means of control with a different arrangement, especially adapted to the positions of the user's hands.
According to the invention, the interface device between a user and a central processing unit or a network terminal comprising a casing comprising first means of controlling said central processing unit accessible on the upper face of the said casing, and second means of controlling said central processing unit or network terminal, said second means of control being disposed on at least one of the lateral faces of said casing, is characterized in that said second means of control are connected within said casing to means of control among the said first means of control.
The invention is based on the observation that, in many cases, it is difficult to access certain keys without having to move the forearm, to extend one or more fingers excessively and to contort the hand. This generally happens when the user wishes to use the most distant keys located at the right and left extremities with respect to the orientation of the marking of signs on the keys.
Because of the tendency towards the profusion of the number of keys on the upper face, the lateral disposition of the new controls is particularly astute.
Preferably, the lateral disposition and the position along the lateral face also makes it possible for the user to touch the other accessible keys with the palm of the hand or with the fingers which remain free.
Different types, shapes and sizes of control means, particularly in the form of buttons, can be used. The button or buttons added to the lateral faces of the keyboard according to the invention will either be physically connected, in particular to the key connections, or connected directly to the microprocessor controlling the interface device.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a computer keyboard comprising a support casing, an assembly of keys, particularly alphanumeric keys, typographic keys and function keys, is characterized by similar control means in the form of buttons placed on its lateral faces.
According to second aspect of the invention, a portable computer casing will comprise the same types of control means on its lateral faces.
According to the third aspect of the invention, a games console will comprise an accessory having identical control means placed on its lateral faces.
The use of these additional buttons will, in particular, make it possible to obtain the same result as using the known keys and will therefore be ergonomically well adapted to certain video games.
Advantageously, it is also possible to provide an interface device according to the invention furthermore comprising, at the two front corners of the upper face of the said casing, at least two pressure zones, left and right respectively, and, inside the said casing under each pressure zone, means of detecting pressure applied on the said pressure zone, and arrangements are made to generate, in response to the detection of pressure, a control, particularly a jolt control to be sent to the central processing unit.
In a preferred embodiment of such an interface device according to the invention, the latter furthermore comprises at least one frontal pressure zone and, within this casing under this frontal pressure zone, means of detecting pressure applied on the said frontal pressure zone, and arrangements are made to generate, in response to the detection of pressure on this frontal pressure zone, a frontal jolt control to be sent to the central processing unit. In a particular embodiment, there are provided two frontal pressure zones located in the proximity of the left and right pressure zones respectively.
Return means are preferably provided in order to apply a return force substantially opposing the pressure forces applied by a user. They can for example comprise return springs. The upper face of the casing generally has at least two elastically deformable pressure zones.
In a particular embodiment, the means of detection comprise switch means, for example microswitches, or any other contact, connected in parallel to the two connectors of a predetermined key located on the upper face of the casing in such a way that a detection of pressure on a pressure zone by the corresponding detection means is equivalent to the pressing down of the predetermined key.
By an arrangement of the user's hands on either side of the keyboard or console accessory, the on-screen game of pinball will, thanks to the invention, be as pleasant to play as a pinball table game.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 32282 (1986-11-01), Baer
patent: 5317505 (1994-05-01), Karabed et al.
patent: 5611731 (1997-03-01), Bouton et al.
patent: 5621436 (1997-04-01), Solhjell
patent: 5644113 (1997-07-01), Date et al.
patent: 5694123 (1997-12-01), Selker et al.
patent: 37 07 049 (1988-11-01), None
patent: 0 520 090 (1992-12-01), None
patent: 6-043322 (1986-03-01), None
patent: 3-263118 (1991-11-01), None
patent: 6-012941 (1994-
Audebert Jean-Pierre
Riviere-Audebert Josette
Martin-Wallace Valencia
Nguyen Binh-An
Young & Thompon
LandOfFree
Interface device for central processing unit or network... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Interface device for central processing unit or network..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interface device for central processing unit or network... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2486770