Contoured touch type data processing keyboard

• US 4,994,992 A
• Filed: 03/21/1989
• Issued: 02/19/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Original Assignee: Laitram LLC
• Inventors: Lapeyre, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Malzahn, David H.
• Application Number:
  US07/327,422
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 364/709.15, 341/27
• US Class Current: 708/145
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/28 Multiple-action keys, e.g. keys depressed by two or more amounts or movable in two or more directions to effect different functions or selections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/127 Details of the key cap concerning the actuation by fingernails or having provision to allow usage with long fingernails
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/036 Plural multifunctional miniature keys for one symbol
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/011 with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/08 by operating selected combinations of multifunction keys

Abstract

Typically twelve keys are arranged for one-hand touch typing in alphanumeric data processors permit a single finger to choose either single keys or multiplicities of side-by-side keys to give enough selection for alpha processing and to arrange keys conveniently about the fingers for touch typing. Tactile feedback structural patterns including indentations and raised surface portions identify single keys and intersections of two and three keys where the finger strokes occur. By providing three key intersections a larger number of different selections of input data characters or control functions may be entered with fewer keyboard keys.

Claims

1. In a touch type data processor keyboard assembly system of the type having a field of side-by-side keys arranged on a keyboard field for selective manual actuation by the stroke of a single finger of either selected keys individually or multiplicities of simultaneously actuated keys of side-by-side keys arranged in said field by bridging the multiplicity of keys with a single finger, the improvement comprising:

said field of side-by-side keys presenting respectively (1) a generally flat keyboard surface plane, (2) variations from the flat keyboard surface comprising contoured surface areas defining first tactile feedback pattern means departing form the keyboard field flat surface to define a first set of finger rest positions for stroking a plurality n of said multiplicity of keys simultaneously with a single fingerstroke, and (3) further variations from the flat keyboard surface comprising a second different type of contoured surface pattern means departing from the keyboard field flat surface to define a second set of finger rest positions for stroking a different number than n of said keys comprising second tactile feedback pattern means on the keyboard flat surface defining a further set of finger rest positions.

wherein the second said pattern means comprises on predetermined keys indentations inwardly from said flat keyboard surface and the first said pattern means comprises raised surface portions extending from said keyboard surface,

a pattern of said variations and keys positioned in said field of side-by-side keys to define in said first set of finger rest positions means for stroking simultaneously by a single finger two keys at intersections of two keys and at least one further set of finger rest positions for stroking simultaneously by a single finger three keys at intersections of three keys,

surface contour structure on the flat keyboard surface defining said indentations in individual keys for identifying single keys for locating said second set of finger rest positions on the keyboard surface,

surface contour structure on the flat keyboard surface defined by the intersections of two side-by-side keys to identify said first set of finger rest positions for bridging and actuating said set of two simultaneously stroked keys, and

surface contour structure on the flat keyboard surface defining the raised surface portions of said first pattern means at finger stroke positions for actuating concurrently said three keys.

2. In a touch type data processor keyboard assembly system of the type having a field of side-by-side keys arranged on a keyboard field for selective manual actuation by the stroke of a single finger of either selected keys individually or multiplicities of simultaneously actuated keys of side-by-side keys arranged in said field by bridging the multiplicity of keys with a single finger, the improvement comprising:

said field of side-by-side keys presenting respectively (1) a generally flat keyboard surface plane, (2) variations from the flat keyboard surface comprising contoured surface areas on predetermined keys defining first tactile feedback pattern means departing from the keyboard field flat surface to define a first set of finger rest positions for stroking three of said multiplicity of keys simultaneously with a single fingerstroke, and (3) further variations from the flat keyboard surface comprising a second type of contoured surface pattern means departing from the keyboard field flat surface to define a second set of finger rest positions for stroking a single one of said multiplicity of keys comprising second tactile feedback pattern means on the keyboard flat surface defining a further set of finger rest positions,

a structural arrangement of some of the keys in side-by-side columns with the keys offset to provide a plurality of common intersections of three keys identified by said finger rest positions, and

data processing means for responding to a single finger stroking the finger rest positions of these three key intersections to provide individual signals for entry by the keyboard distinguished from response to single finger stroking of single keys or combinations of two keys,

said keyboard assembly system having eleven keys arranged in columns and one additional key bridging at least three columns to define fifty-five of said finger rest positions.

3. In a touch type data processor keyboard assembly system of the type having a field of side-by-side keys arranged on a keyboard field for selective manual actuation by the stroke of a single finger of either selected keys individually or multiplicities of simultaneously actuated side-by-side keys arranged in said field by bridging the multiplicity of keys with a single finger, the improvement comprising:

three differing tactile feedback patterns placed in the keyboard field to define finger placement positions for actuating respectively one key, two keys simultaneously and more than two keys simultaneously wherein said patterns comprise keys of different surface configuration,

wherein the three differing tactile feedback patterns constitute raised, indented and substantially flat surface configurations.

4. The keyboard assembly system of claim 3 wherein said more than two keys finger placement positions comprise intersections of three side-by-side keys in side-by-side columns of offset keys.