Physical Key Interface

• US 20100097247A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neale Martin
• Original Assignee: Neale Martin
• Inventors: Martin, Neale
• Granted Patent: US 8,368,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/00 Facilitation of operation; Human engineering
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held

Abstract

A physical keyboard interface for controlling a computer device and methodology of use. The interface includes a body having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, with each of the left and right ends including an ergonomic hand grip. A display is on the upper side of the body and at least four finger keys are adjacent to each ergonomic hand grip on the lower side of the body that are configured for inputting at least alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the finger keys. At least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, and at least one thumb key is utilized as an input for controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device.

Claims

1. A device having a physical keyboard interface, comprising:

a body having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, wherein the left end and the right end each includes an ergonomic hand grip;

a display on the upper side of the body;

at least four finger keys on the lower side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, each key having a predetermined functionality, and the at least four finger keys further configured for inputting alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the finger keys; and

at least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, the at least one thumb key configured to be utilized as a input for controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thumb key input is a shift function.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the at least one thumb key shifts the functionality of one or more of the finger keys.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thumb key is a pressable button.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thumb key is an articulable ball.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one thumb key is a scroll function.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thumb key accepts predictive text suggestions.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one thumb key is a graphical mouse controller.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a recessed area surrounded by the at least one thumb key on all four sides of the recessed area.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the computer device is enclosed within the body, and wherein the display is configured to display a program executing on the computer device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is a screen for viewing said alphanumeric characters.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said screen provides access to a plurality of user applications.

13. A method of interaction with a computer device through a physical keyboard interface, the interface having a body having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, wherein the left end and the right end each includes an ergonomic hand grip, the body further comprising a display on the upper side of the body and at least four finger keys on the lower side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, each key having a predetermined functionality, and at least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grip, the method comprising:

inputting at least alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the four finger keys, and

controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device through interaction with the at least one thumb key.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device comprises positioning a thumb on the at least one thumb key located on the upper side of the body.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein inputting at least alphanumeric characters into a computer devices comprises using the at least four finger keys for chorded text and data entry.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling a function of a program executing on a computer comprises using the at least one thumb key for at least one of:

controlling a graphical mouse, clicking on a graphical mouse, and pressing Enter.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device comprises inputting shifts to switch modes using the at least one thumb key.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein switching modes comprises changing from a lower case letter to a capital letter, switching between text and numbers, tabbing, creating new paragraphs, and performing gaming commands and mathematical functions.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising using the at least thumb key to scroll over applications represented by icons viewable using the display, and to select an icon.

20. A device having a physical keyboard interface, comprising:

a housing means having an upper side, a lower side, a left end and a right end, wherein the left end and the right end each includes an ergonomic hand grip;

a means for displaying on the upper side of the housing means;

at least four means for inputting on the lower side of the housing means adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, each means for inputting having a predetermined functionality, and the at least four means for inputting configured for inputting alphanumeric characters into a computer device based upon physical interaction with one or more of the finger keys; and

at least one thumb means for inputting located on the upper side of the housing means adjacent to one of the ergonomic hand grips, the at least one thumb means for inputting configured to be utilized as a input for controlling a function of a program executing on a computer device.