Apparatus And Method For Generating Data Signals

• US 20070020013A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Game Star Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Game Star Systems LLC
• Inventors: McAlindon, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/426,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20070020013A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/489
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

Abstract

An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user'"'"'s hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required. A keyboard layout may be used with the domes to associate movement of each dome with an alphanumeric layout of characters on a conventional keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard layout. Dome movement may also be associated with the relative location of alphanumeric characters on an associated keyboard and the repsective relative frequency of use of an alphanumeric character to be produced. Hand-held embodiments of the apparatus are provided that may be used with portable or other similar electronic devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a data signal, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

at least one controller moveably coupled with the housing;

a kinematic map plate moveable in response to movement of the at least one controller;

at least one impression formed in the kinematic map plate defining a number of directions that the at least one controller may be moved;

a spider mechanism that cooperatively engages the at least one impression of the at least one controller to guide the at least one controller;

an upper director plate for guiding the at least one controller in at least one direction;

an actuator armature moveable in response to movement of the at least one controller;

means for sensing a position of the at least one controller operatively coupled with the actuator armature;

means for biasing the at least one controller so that it may be depressed and released and for biasing the spider mechanism against the kinematic map plate; and

a processing means configured to receive a signal from the means for sensing a position of the at least one controller and generate the data signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second controller moveably coupled with the housing;

a second kinematic map plate moveable in response to movement of the second controller;

at least one impression formed in the second kinematic map plate defining a number of directions that the second controller may be moved;

a second spider mechanism that cooperatively engages the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate to guide the second controller;

means for engaging and disengaging the second spider mechanism with the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate;

a second upper director plate for guiding the second controller in at least one direction;

an second actuator armature moveable in response to movement of the second controller;

second means for sensing a position of the second controller operatively coupled with the second actuator armature;

second means for biasing the second controller so that it may be depressed and released and for biasing the second spider mechanism against the second kinematic map plate;

means for switching the apparatus between a mouse mode and a keyboard mode, the switching means activatable by depressing and releasing the second controller; and

wherein the processing means is configured to receive a signal from the second means for sensing a position of the second controller and generate the data signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one controller and the second controller are each formed having a contoured upper surface that substantially conforms to the palmer architecture of a human hand and wherein the at least one controller and the second controller are positioned within the housing to have a bilateral symmetry.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one impression formed in the kinematic map plate and the second kinematic map plate form eight directions that the at least one controller and the second controller may be moved.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

means for switching the apparatus among a num lock mode, a shift mode and a caps lock mode, the switching means activatable by depressing and releasing the at least one controller and wherein the processing means is configured to generate a data signal indicative of an alphanumeric character.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, the means for engaging and disengaging the second spider mechanism with the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate comprising a camming mechanism positioned within a center aperture of the second spider mechanism, the camming mechanism including a plurality of opposing camming surfaces that cooperatively engage a plurality of camming protuberances disposed in the center aperture of the second spider mechanism, the plurality of opposing camming surfaces and the plurality of camming protuberances configured to cause the spider mechanism to rotate approximately 45 degrees when the second controller is depressed and released.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the means for sensing a position of the at least one controller comprising a strain gauge.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a biasing means operatively coupling the actuator armature to the means for sensing a position of the at least one controller.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the biasing means operatively coupling the actuator armature to the means for sensing a position of the at least one controller comprising a coil spring.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, the biasing means operatively coupling the actuator armature to the means for sensing a position of the at least one controller comprising a spring having curvilinear legs.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, the spring comprising eight curvilinear legs.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the spring is formed of a polymer composition.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, the means for biasing the at least one controller so that it may be depressed and released comprising a spring coupled with the spider mechanism and positioned on an upper surface of the upper director plate.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, the at least one impression comprising a centrally located indentation have a first depth and a plurality of grooves each having a second depth and extending radially from the centrally located indentation wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.

15. An apparatus for generating a data signal, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

at least one control assembly coupled with the housing, the at least one control assembly comprising;

a controller;

a kinematic map plate coupled with the controller;

at least one impression having a plurality of grooves formed within the kinematic map plate;

a spider mechanism having at least one post that impinges upon the at least one impression for guiding the controller among a plurality of directions defined by the plurality of grooves;

an upper director plate seated within an annular rim formed in the housing, the annular rim defining a circumference of an aperture formed within the housing for receiving the at least one control assembly;

a guide plate;

means for sensing a position of the controller; and

a control circuit configured to receive a position signal from the means for sensing a position of the controller and generate the data signal in response to receipt of the position signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the means for sensing a position of the controller comprising:

an actuator armature coupled with the spider mechanism to move in response to movement of the controller;

a biasing means coupled with the actuator armature; and

a strain gauge coupled with the biasing means such that the biasing means exerts a force against the strain gauge in response to movement of the controller.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, the biasing means comprising a coil spring.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, the biasing means comprising a spring having curvilinear legs.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, the spring comprising eight curvilinear legs.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the spring is formed of a polymer composition.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

means for biasing the controller so that it may be depressed and released.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, the means for biasing the controller so that it may be depressed and released comprising a plurality of compression springs fitted over a plurality of corresponding legs extending from the kinematic map plate that fit within a plurality of corresponding apertures formed in the actuator armature.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

means for engaging and disengaging the spider mechanism with the kinematic map plate.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, the means for engaging and disengaging the spider mechanism with the kinematic map plate comprising a camming mechanism positioned within a center aperture of the spider mechanism, the camming mechanism including a plurality of opposing camming surfaces that cooperatively engage a plurality of camming protuberances disposed in the center aperture of the spider mechanism, the plurality of opposing camming surfaces and the plurality of camming protuberances configured to cause the spider mechanism to disengage from the kinematic map plate and be retained in a position below the kinematic map plate when the second controller is depressed and released a first time and wherein the spider mechanism is released from the retained position and engages the spider mechanism when the controller is depressed and released a second time.

25. The apparatus of claim 15, the at least one control assembly further comprising:

means for selecting a reference direction for the controller.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, the means for selecting a reference direction for the controller comprising at least one tooth formed on an underside of the upper director plate and at least one recess formed within the annular rim for receiving the at least one tooth.

27. The apparatus of claim 15, the at least one control assembly further comprising:

means for adjusting the rotational position of the controller relative to the kinematic map plate.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, the means for adjusting the rotational position of the controller relative to the kinematic map plates comprising a plurality of teeth circumferentially disposed on an upper surface of the kinematic map plate that matingly engage a plurality of opposing teeth on an underside of the controller.

29. The apparatus of claim 15, the at least one control assembly further comprising:

means for biasing the controller so that it may be depressed and released;

means for engaging and disengaging the spider mechanism with the kinematic map plate;

means for selecting a reference direction for the controller;

means for adjusting the rotational position of the controller relative to the kinematic map plate; and

means for switching the apparatus among a num lock mode, a shift mode and a caps lock mode, the means for switching activatable by depressing and releasing the controller and wherein the data signal is indicative of an alphanumeric character.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, the at least one control assembly further comprising:

a base plate;

a central post extending through the upper director plate, the spider mechanism and the kinematic map plate;

a top cover plate attached to an upper end of the central post; and

a receptacle mounted to the at least one control assembly operatively coupled with the control circuit so that the control assembly may be removed from and operate remotely from the housing.

31. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

a second control assembly, the second control assembly comprising;

a second controller;

a second kinematic map plate coupled with the second controller;

at least one impression having a plurality of grooves formed within the second kinematic map plate;

a second spider mechanism having at least one post that impinges upon the at least one impression for guiding the second controller among a plurality of directions defined by the plurality of grooves;

a second upper director plate seated within an annular rim formed in the housing, the annular rim defining a circumference of an aperture formed within the housing for receiving the at least one control assembly;

a second guide plate;

means for biasing the second controller so that it may be depressed and released;

means for engaging and disengaging the spider mechanism with the kinematic map plate;

means for switching the apparatus between a keyboard mode and a mouse mode;

means for sensing a position of the second controller; and

wherein the data signal is indicative of an alphanumeric character.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, the second control assembly further comprising:

means for selecting a reference direction for the second controller; and

means for adjusting the rotational position of the second controller relative to the second kinematic map plate.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the controller of the at least one control assembly and the second controller are formed having a contoured upper surface that substantially conforms to the palmer architecture of a human hand.