Data Input Arrangement with a Shaped Interface

• US 20080101840A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Chaumont, Chad, MacGregor, Shane
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/490
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A data input arrangement may include a first array of input keys defining a first shape extending across a first typing surface thereof; and a second array of input keys defining a second shape extending across a second typing surface thereof. The first and second arrays are contiguous with one another so that the first and second shapes create a non-linear surface extending across the data input arrangement. The non-linear surface enables users to tactilely locate individual keys of the first and second arrays.

Claims

1. A data input arrangement, comprising:

a first array of input keys defining a first shape extending across a first typing surface thereof; and

a second array of input keys defining a second shape extending across a second typing surface thereof,

the first and second arrays being contiguous with one another so that the first and second shapes create a non-linear surface extending across the data input arrangement, the non-linear surface enabling users to tactilely locate individual keys of the first and second arrays.

2. The data input arrangement of claim 1, further comprising:

a third array of input key defining a third shape extending across a third typing surface thereof,

the second and third arrays being contiguous with one another so that the third surface lengthens the non-linear surface across the data input arrangement.

3. The data input arrangement of claim 1, wherein the non-linear surface is one of a wave shape, an angled shape, and a combination thereof.

4. The data input arrangement of claim 3, wherein an amplitude of the wave shape is one of maintained, increasing, decreasing, and a combination thereof.

5. The data input arrangement of claim 3, wherein the wave shape includes one of a full period, two full periods, a half period, and a combination thereof.

6. The data input arrangement of claim 1, wherein indicia is included on at least one input key of the first and second arrays.

7. The data input arrangement of claim 1, wherein the non-linear surface provides a contoured area to rest an object.

8. The data input arrangement of claim 1, wherein the data input arrangement is part of a computing device.

9. The data input arrangement of claim 8, wherein the computing device is one of a personal computer, laptop computer, mobile device, pager, cell phone, an imaging scanner, a laser scanner, a data acquisition device, a radio frequency identification reader, a barcode reader, and a wearable device.

10. A system, comprising:

a housing; and

a data input arrangement at least partially disposed within at least a portion of the housing, the data input arrangement including a plurality of input keys that define a non-linear surface extending across the data input arrangement, the non-linear surface enabling users to tactilely locate individual keys of the data input arrangement.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of input keys are arranged in at least one array defining a portion of the non-linear surface.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the non-linear surface is one of a wave shape, an angled shape, and a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein an amplitude of the wave shape is one of maintained, increasing, decreasing, and a combination thereof.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the wave shape includes one of a full period, two full periods, a half period, and a combination thereof.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein indicia is included on at least one of the plurality of input keys.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the non-linear surface provides a contoured area to rest an object.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is a mobile computing device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system includes at least one of a personal computer, a laptop computer, a mobile device, a pager, a cell phone, an imaging scanner, a laser scanner, a data acquisition device, a radio frequency identification reader, a barcode reader, and a wearable device.

19. A data input arrangement, comprising:

a first input means defining a first shape extending across a first typing surface thereof; and

a second input means defining a second shape extending across a second typing surface thereof,

the first and second input means being contiguous with one another so that the first and second shapes create a non-linear surface extending across the data input arrangement, the non-linear surface enabling users to tactilely ascertain a location within the first and second means.

20. A data input arrangement, comprising:

a first array of input keys defining a convex first typing surface;

a second array of input keys defining a concave second typing surface; and

a third array of input keys defining a convex third typing surface, the first, second and third arrays being contiguous with one another,

the second array being disposed between the first and third arrays to create a wave shaped combined typing surface enabling users to tactilely locate individual keys of the first, second, and third arrays.