Foot-operated key pad

• US 20050156878A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beckmer Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beckmer Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Logue, Becky
• Granted Patent: US 7,369,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0023 Foot control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A foot operated data entry pad has a plurality of foot buttons. The foot buttons are used to enter data values—e.g., numbers or symbols separately or in combination. Each button is capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of time that it is pressed or on the number of times that it is pressed in succession. A small controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer'"'"'s pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields, as with a mouse. An automated voice system, or other audible and/or visual indicator system, may also be included to help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered. Various embodiments are capable of entering a variety of alphanumeric data rather than a simple binary-type data set, such as yes/no or on/off, or instructions, such as a joystick used with a flight simulator program. Multiple data entry pads may optionally be used in conjunction.

Claims

1. A data entry pad for a computer comprising a foot button, said foot button being configured to enter different data values according to a code of actuation of the foot button.

2. The pad of claim 1, wherein the code of actuation depends upon how long the button is continuously depressed.

3. The pad of claim 1, wherein the code of actuation depends upon how many times the button is depressed, released, and re-depressed.

4. The pad of claim 1, which comprises a plurality of said foot buttons, the buttons being spaced-apart in a generally radial planar pattern on said pad, each of said foot buttons being distanced about 5-10 inches from the center of a heel support area also on said pad.

5. The pad of claim 4, which comprises a cursor controller further from the heel support area than said foot buttons.

6. The pad of claim 5, which comprises a mouse control button further from the heel support area than said foot buttons.

7. The pad of claim 5, which comprises a mouse control button in the heel support area.

8. A foot key pad for a computer, which comprises a cursor controller and a mouse controller button, the cursor controller and mouse controller button being spaced-apart in a generally radial planar pattern on said pad, and both said cursor controller and said mouse controller button being distanced about 5-10 inches from the center of a heel support area also on said pad.

9. The key pad of claim 8, which comprises a plurality of mouse controller buttons.

10. The key pad of claim 9, wherein one mouse controller button is in the heel support area.

11. A computer system comprising a computer, finger keyboard, mouse, foot-operated key pad and a multiplesupport area.

11-1. A computer system comprising a computer, finger keyboard, mouse, foot-operated key pad and a multiplexer, wherein:

the finger keyboard, mouse and foot-operated keypad are connected to the inputs of the multiplexer;

the output of the multiplexer is connected to the computer'"'"'s input;

the multiplexer is configured to feed information to the computer in the order it is input by the user of the system from the finger keyboard, mouse, and foot-operated key pad.

12. A method of data entry with a foot operated key pad comprising a foot button, the method comprising a code of actuation of said button with a timing feature.

13. A method of data entry with a foot operated key pad comprising a foot button, the method comprising a code of actuation of said button with a repeat feature.