Virtual keyboard and keyboard support arm assembly

• US 20040041716A1
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CompX International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CompX International Incorporated
• Inventors: Barber, Peter M.
• Application Number:
  US10/230,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0426 tracking fingers with respect to a virtual keyboard projected or printed on the surface virtual keyboards on touch screens G06F3/04886

Abstract

A keyboard support arm assembly includes the keyboard platform having a planar surface and upon which is projected a virtual keyboard the projection being by means of a projection device having virtual image capability and having the capability of reading on a site-by-site basis the position and existence of or status of any manual digit input signal.

Claims

1. A virtual keyboard and keyboard support arm assembly comprising, in combination:

a keyboard platform having a generally flat planar projection surface with a top edge, a bottom edge and spaced first and second, opposite side edges defining an image projection plane;

a bracket assembly for said support platform for attachment of the platform to a desk support, said bracket assembly including means for adjusting one or more of the level, pitch, and yaw of the platform and the extent of spacing of the platform from the desk support; and

a virtual projection monitor mounted on the keyboard platform at the top edge for projecting a virtual keyboard image onto the projection surface and for sensing the site specific interaction of digital placement on the virtual image.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the virtual keyboard image includes sight specific locations for computer control.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly further includes a brake mechanism for maintaining the support platform in a specific orientation and position.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly includes an arm having a first end connected to the platform and a second end connected to a desk support and further wherein the connection at each end of the arm is adjustable.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein two or more arms connect the keyboard platform to a desk support and wherein the connections are pivotal to effect alterations in orientation and height of the support platform relative to the desk support.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the platform further includes at least one support pad located thereon for ergonomic support of a person utilizing the virtual keyboard image to input signals to a processor.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the keyboard platform may be locked in a fixed position in space and with a fixed orientation relative to the desk support and further wherein the pitch, yaw, level and spacing of the platform are each independently adjustable.