Pointing stick in a computer keyboard for cursor control

• US 5,407,285 A
• Filed: 07/14/1994
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Home Row, Inc.
• Inventors: Franz, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US08/275,946
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 400/490, 400/485, 400/481, 235/145 R, 235/146, 341/22, 341/34, 200/5 A, 200/6 A, 200/5 R, D16/161, D16/160, D16/167, D16/162, D16/163, 345/160, 345/157, 345/161, 345/168, 345/145, 345/158, 345/184, D14/115
• US Class Current: 400/490
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04762 Force transducer, e.g. strain gauge
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• 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 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• 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: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• 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 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/02 Piezo element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/018 Consecutive operations
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/03 Different type of switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/052 Strain gauge

Abstract

Apparatus for use in a computer keyboard for cursor control is disclosed. The apparatus includes a compound key which serves for both typing a character and for pointing operations, i.e. for cursor control like a mouse. For pointing operations, a pointing stick or shaft is pressed in a desired direction by a user for moving a cursor in a corresponding direction on a display screen. The pointing stick is disposed in an aperture that extends through a modified key cap, so that no additional keyboard space is required for the pointing device, thereby obviating a separate mouse, keyboard mounted trackball or the like. In an alternative embodiment, the pointing stick extends through an aperture in the keyboard space bar. In another embodiment, adjacent key caps are modified so as to fit closely around the key cap that houses the pointing stick without interfering with operation of either the pointing stick or the keyswiches.

Claims

1. A compound key for use in a computer keyboard for both typing and cursor control, comprising:

a key cap coupled to a keyswitch for typing a predetermined alphanumeric character, the key cap having an aperture formed through it along a generally vertical direction for receiving a shaft;

a rigid shaft sized and arranged so as to extend through the aperture to a predetermined height slightly above a top surface of the key cap for actuation by a user'"'"'s fingertip;

the aperture being sized so as to allow slight lateral motion of the shaft for cursor control; and

force sensing means coupled to the shaft for sensing forces applied to the shaft by the user for cursor control.

2. A compound key according to claim 1 wherein the key cap has a slanted beveled side wall, and the aperture is formed in the side wall without enlarging the size of the key cap.

3. A compound key according to claim 1 wherein the key cap is generally square and the aperture is formed adjacent a corner of the key cap.

4. A compound key according to claim 1 wherein the shaft includes an enlarged head portion for receiving force applied by the user'"'"'s fingertip;

the head portion arranged so as to extend slightly over the top surfaces of adjacent key caps when the compound key is deployed within the typing array of keyswitches in a computer keyboard.

5. A compound key according to claim 1 wherein the key cap further includes a n extension protruding therefrom, and the aperture for receiving the shaft is formed in the extension.

6. A compound key according to claim 5 wherein the extension is sized so as to clear adjacent key caps when the Compound key is deployed within the typing array of keyswitches in a computer keyboard.

7. A compound key according to claim 5 wherein the extension is located adjacent a front comer of the key cap.

8. A compound key according to claim 1 wherein the key cap is an elongated space bar key cap.

9. An apparatus for use in a computer keyboard comprising:

a first key cap coupled to a first keyswitch for typing a first alphanumeric character;

a second key cap coupled to a second keyswitch for typing a second alphanumeric character; and

a third key cap coupled to a third keyswitch for typing a third alphanumeric character;

the first, second and third key caps being arranged adjacent each other in a generally triangular configuration for fitting into a typing array of key caps in a computer keyboard;

the first key cap including a top surface and depending sidewalls, the sidewalls together forming a perimeter of the key cap, and further including an extension formed in said perimeter of the key cap, the extension including a central aperture formed therein for receiving a shaft;

a rigid shaft, sized and arranged so as to extend through the aperture for actuation by a user'"'"'s fingertip;

the aperture being sized so as to allow slight lateral motion of the shaft for cursor control;

force sensing means coupled to the shaft for sensing forces applied to the shaft by the user for cursor control; and

at least one of the second and third key caps having a modified region so as to form a generally concave gap between the said one key cap and the extension of the first key, whereby the said extension does not interfere with normal operation of the adjacent key cap.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the extension is formed along a rear side wall of the first key cap;

and

at least one of the second and third key caps includes a respective modified portion so as to form a corresponding concave gap between said one key cap and the extension of the first key cap, whereby all three key caps fit closely together and provide for cursor control through the said shaft without interference with normal typing operations.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the shaft extends generally upward through the aperture to a predetermined height slightly above the top surface of the first key cap so as to receive force applied by the user'"'"'s fingertip for cursor control without actuating the first key switch.