KEYBOARD WITH KEYS FOR MOVING CURSOR

• US 20090002201A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Research Transfer Enterprise, LLC
• Original Assignee: Research Transfer Enterprise, LLC
• Inventors: Halgren, Donald N., Crowley, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US12/204,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/02 Piezo element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/006 Force isolators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/03 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/052 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/074 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/002 Fluid or inflatable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/052 piezoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/034 Support for hands or arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/038 Fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/042 : Foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/084 : made at least partly of elastic foam
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/052 : reductible in size, e.g. for transportation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/002 : superimposed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 : Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/034 : Regulation of operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/05 : Forming; Half-punching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/01 : Toy
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/012 : Decoding impedances
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 : Strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/964 : Piezoelectric touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 : Switch making

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a signal generator for sending an electrical signal from an expandable, flexible layer of material, the signal generator comprising an upper layer of flexible, resilient material and a lower layer of flexible, resilient material which between them define a cavity for enclosing an expandable material such as a cellular foam or gas, whereupon localized distortion of one of the layers of flexible material, effects a signal generation within the structure, which is transmissible through a proper circuit to an outside electrical device. A circuit may be arranged adjacent a plurality of said keys which senses when several of said keys are depressed in a skewed or sideways manner, so as to effect movement of a cursor or pointer on a monitor in communication with a processing unit and said keyboard.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A signal generating keyboard having a plurality of depressible key members on said signal generating keyboard, each of said key members arranged for the generation of a particular electrical signal, at least one of said depressible key members comprising:

an upper keytop surface of said key member; and

a circumferential wall portion of said key member, wherein said key member has a pressure producing medium disposed therewithin to effect an erect pre-depressed state of said key member, wherein at least one of said key members has a signal generating arrangement disposed within said at least one key member and said circumferential wall portion of said key member is flexible.

18. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said signal generating keyboard is comprised of a plurality of sheets of flexible material.

19. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said keytop surface is of less flexibility than said flexible circumferential wall portion of said key member.

20. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one of said key members has a signal generating arrangement disposed within said at least one key member.

21. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said key member is arranged to provide a tactile response to a depression of said upper keytop surface.

22. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said circumferential wall portion of said key member is arranged to flex when said keytop is depressed.

23. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said key member has a pressure producing medium disposed therewithin to effect an erect pre-depressed state of said key member.

24. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 23, wherein said pressure producing medium is selected from the group comprising:

a liquid, a gas and a foam.

25. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 23, wherein said pressure producing medium disposed within said key member is pressurizably adjustable to effect a controlled adjustment of said key member.

26. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 25, wherein said controlled adjustment of said key member comprises tactile adjustment of said key member.

27. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 25, wherein said controlled adjustment of said key member comprises a heightwise adjustment of said key member.

28. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 18, wherein said keyboard is rollable into a compressed tight configuration.

29. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said keyboard has a solar collector thereon to provide electrical power to said keyboard.

30. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal generating arrangement comprises a loudspeaker.

31. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal generating arrangement comprises a microphone.

32. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal generating member is comprised of a piezoelectric material.

33. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 17, wherein said keytop surface of said key member is rigid.

34. The signal generating keyboard as recited in claim 20, wherein said signal generating arrangement is attached to an inner surface portion of said at least one key member.