Keyboard with keys for moving cursor

Details Keyboard with keys for moving cursor Keyboard with keys for moving cursor

2000-04-15

2001-11-06

Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)

Coded data generation or conversion

Bodily actuated code generator

Including keyboard or keypad

C341S020000, C341S034000, C400S472000, C400S481000, C400S491100, C345S168000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06313762

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
2. Prior Art
Miniaturization of electronic devices such as calculators, computers, telephones, amusement devices, and light electronic equipment has advanced rapidly over the past few years. Data entry devices have become miniaturized as well. The term “chicklet keys” has been used to identify very small tabs or keys utilized on some small devices for data entry into that device. While their keypads are somewhat “storable”, the problem with that type of terminal is that the operator has a difficult time in hitting the proper key to efficiently do the job. The data entry operators hands/fingers are relatively large, and these keys lack the full stroke, size and tactile contact feedback of full sized keyboards that are preferred. Current laptop and palmtop devices suffer from the problem of short stroke and compacted dense key layout. Further difficulties arise when cursor movement is desired. Touch pad screens are data entry devices which have replaced the “mouse” or trackball. Accuracy, however, may be lacking with such data entry devices, inasmuch as the exact location of a particular cursor/data entry point may be difficult to discern. One patent which has tried to show an improvement in the cursor moving art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,557 to Stokes et al. This patent however, discloses only a single key which is dedicated exclusively to the movement of a cursor. This is similar to a joy stick “built-into” the keyboard. This does not facilitate cursor movement while an operator's hands are on the alpha
umeric keys themselves.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a data entry panel which will accommodate the needs of the electronic device, will accommodate the physical reality of the data entry operator, and will permit the data entry equipment to be functionally full sized, and functionally similar feel to conventional keyboards familiar to most keyboard operators, and to permit several of the actual regular alpha
umeric keys on the keyboard to both enter data to the processing unit and to be manipulated to move a cursor/pointer themselves.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a signal generator arrangement for sending an electrical signal from an input stroke, the signal generator being defined by an upper layer of flexible, resilient, plastic-like material having an inner surface into which a fluid component is pressed thereagainst, and a signal completion means arranged within the fluid component, so as to establish an electrical signal to be sent in a proper circuit when the upper layer of flexible, resilient plastic material is deformed, or pressed by the input stroke. The fluid component adjacent the upper layer of flexible, resilient plastic material may be an expandable open or closed cellular foam material. The foam material may include a conductivity additive therewithin, which conductivity within the foam increases as the foam is compressed beyond a lower limit so as to establish a signal from that vicinity of the flexible, resilient plastic material of the upper layer.
A lower layer of flexible material may be disposed adjacent to the upper layer of flexible material, so as to define a resilient cavity or foam filled chamber therebetween. The upper layer of flexible plastic material may have a plurality of molded structures formed thereon, the molded structures enclosing at least a portion of the fluid or foam filled component thereby. An arrangement of electrodes may be arranged on or adjacent the inner side of the upper layer of flexible material, the electrodes being in electrical communication with a proper circuit through at least one of the layers of flexible material, and in communication with a further electrical device.
The cavity defined by the upper and lower layers of flexible, resilient plastic material may be filled with a gas through a valve arranged between one of the layers. The signal completion arrangement may include an arrangement of strain gauges arranged adjacent the inner surface of the upper resilient, flexible layer of material.
The invention thus comprises a signal generator for sending an electrical signal from an input stroke, comprising an upper layer of flexible, resilient plastic material having an inner surface, a fluid component pressing against the inner surface, and signal completion means arranged within the component pressing against the inner surface of the upper layer, so as to establish an electrical signal to be sent to an electrical device from the signal generator upon the receipt of a force input stroke thereon. The fluid component may in one embodiment, comprise an expandable cellular foam. The signal completion means may comprise a conductivity additive in the cellular foam. The signal generator may include a lower layer of flexible material having a periphery attached to the periphery of the upper layer, to define a fillable cavity therebetween. The upper layer has a plurality of molded structures molded therewith, the molded structures enclosing the fluid component means, and an arrangement of electrodes arranged adjacent the inner side of said upper layer, the electrodes being in electrical communication with a circuit through at least one of the layers of flexible material. A fluid controlling valve is arranged through at least one of the layers of flexible material, to permit entry of gas to the fillable cavity between the upper and lower layers of flexible material. The signal completion means in one embodiment, may comprise a strain gauge arranged adjacent the inner surface of the upper layer. The signal completion means also may comprise a plurality of layers of cellular foam, each layer having a different physical characteristic therewithin. The signal completion means may also comprise a plurality of spot electrodes arranged adjacent the inner surface of the upper layer, so as to establish a complete circuit during localized distortion of the upper layer.
The invention, in a further embodiment, comprise a signal generator for sending information to a computer monitor to effect proportional directional movement of a pointer or cursor on that monitor, comprising a plurality of the regular alpha-numeric depressable keys on the signal generator for the sending of electrical signals to the monitor through an electrical circuit, and a further electrical circuit arranged between each of said plurality of depressable keys and the signal generator, to effect motion in a cursor on the monitor, when the plurality of keys are depressed somewhat sideways or skewedly. The further electrical circuit in one embodiment, comprises a multiplicity of electrical components spaced adjacent the periphery of each of the plurality of depressable keys, each of the spaced components connected in parallel to correspondingly positioned components spaced about the other of the depressable keys, and connected to a processing unit for input to said monitor. The electrical components may comprise resistors which are variable in nature such as potentiometers, strain gages, or conductors in communication with the compressable foam (variable conductivity depending on the amount of conductors therein, and the amount of compression applied thereto), comprising part of a secondary contact point to receive signals when any of the keys are depressed or moved in a skewed or sideways direction. The signal generator may have an upper surface comprised of a layer of flexible plastic material, and the plurality of depressable keys may also formed of that flexible plastic material. A plurality of primary contact points are disposed on the lower surface of the layer of flexible material juxtaposed with respect to the secondary contact points to permit electrical communication therebetween when any of the plurality of keys are moved in a skewed manner, or pressed with an increased force to create a greater conductivity to get such cursor to move faster.
The invention further comprises a method of generating an electrical signal in order to effect propor

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