Ergonomic human-computer interface apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An interface apparatus comprising:
- a base;
means for supporting a human palm, dimensioned substantially to conform to the shape of the human palm under low static muscle load and comprising a dome-shaped member having a lower edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
coupling means, movably connecting the palm support means to the base, a movement of the palm support means causing a movement of the coupling means, the coupling means movable between any one of a plurality of keystroke-defining locations and a home location, the coupling means comprising a rodlike member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end movably connected to the lower surface of the dome-shaped member;
position indicating means coupled to the coupling means for sensing a movement of the coupling means from the home location to a first of the keystroke-defining locations and generating a first location signal indicative of the first keystroke-defining location of the coupling means, the position indicating means comprising;
a support structure affixed to the base;
a spherical member having a bore dimensioned to permit the rodlike member to pass therethrough, the spherical member positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the rodlike member;
a first and a second sway arm, each sway arm having a distal end and a proximal end, each proximal end movably affixed to the support structure, the first and the second sway arm positioned in substantially 90 degree relation to each other, each sway arm having a central curved portion dimensioned to pass beneath and cradle the spherical member;
a first potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the first sway arm; and
a second potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the second sway arm;
wherein;
a movement of the rodlike member moves the spherical member;
a movement of the spherical member causes a movement of the first and the second sway arm;
a movement of the first sway arm causes the first potentiometer to generate a first potentiometer signal; and
a movement of the second sway arm causes the second potentiometer to generate a second potentiometer signal; and
means for limiting the movement of the rodlike member shaped to guide the rodlike member over a substantial portion of the movement from the home location to a one of the keystroke-defining locations, the movement limiting means affixed in spaced relation above the base and positioned beneath the dome-shaped member and above the spherical member, the movement limiting means having a star-shaped aperture, the aperture having a plurality of star points, the rodlike member passing through the aperture, wherein the position indicating means further comprises means for determining when the rodlike member has reached a first star point corresponding to the first keystroke-defining location and means for translating the first and the second potentiometer signals into the first location signal when the dome-shaped member is moved sufficiently far to cause the rodlike member to reach one of the star points; and
means for receiving the first location signal from the position indicating means and for translating the first location signal into a first keystroke signal having a unique correspondence with the first location signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with a electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user'"'"'s hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required. In addition, cursor control is possible via either dome.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An interface apparatus comprising:
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a base; means for supporting a human palm, dimensioned substantially to conform to the shape of the human palm under low static muscle load and comprising a dome-shaped member having a lower edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface; coupling means, movably connecting the palm support means to the base, a movement of the palm support means causing a movement of the coupling means, the coupling means movable between any one of a plurality of keystroke-defining locations and a home location, the coupling means comprising a rodlike member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end movably connected to the lower surface of the dome-shaped member; position indicating means coupled to the coupling means for sensing a movement of the coupling means from the home location to a first of the keystroke-defining locations and generating a first location signal indicative of the first keystroke-defining location of the coupling means, the position indicating means comprising; a support structure affixed to the base; a spherical member having a bore dimensioned to permit the rodlike member to pass therethrough, the spherical member positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the rodlike member; a first and a second sway arm, each sway arm having a distal end and a proximal end, each proximal end movably affixed to the support structure, the first and the second sway arm positioned in substantially 90 degree relation to each other, each sway arm having a central curved portion dimensioned to pass beneath and cradle the spherical member; a first potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the first sway arm; and a second potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the second sway arm; wherein; a movement of the rodlike member moves the spherical member; a movement of the spherical member causes a movement of the first and the second sway arm; a movement of the first sway arm causes the first potentiometer to generate a first potentiometer signal; and a movement of the second sway arm causes the second potentiometer to generate a second potentiometer signal; and means for limiting the movement of the rodlike member shaped to guide the rodlike member over a substantial portion of the movement from the home location to a one of the keystroke-defining locations, the movement limiting means affixed in spaced relation above the base and positioned beneath the dome-shaped member and above the spherical member, the movement limiting means having a star-shaped aperture, the aperture having a plurality of star points, the rodlike member passing through the aperture, wherein the position indicating means further comprises means for determining when the rodlike member has reached a first star point corresponding to the first keystroke-defining location and means for translating the first and the second potentiometer signals into the first location signal when the dome-shaped member is moved sufficiently far to cause the rodlike member to reach one of the star points; and means for receiving the first location signal from the position indicating means and for translating the first location signal into a first keystroke signal having a unique correspondence with the first location signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An interface apparatus comprising:
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a first and a second input device, each input device comprising; a device base; means for supporting a human palm, dimensioned substantially to conform to the shape of the human palm under low static muscle load, the palm support means comprising a dome-shaped member having a lower edge, an upper surface, and a lower surface; coupling means, movably connecting the palm support means to the device base, a movement of the palm support means causing a movement of the coupling means, the coupling means movable between any one of a plurality of keystroke-defining locations and a home location, the coupling means comprising a rodlike member having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end movably connected to the lower surface of the dome-shaped member; and position indicating means coupled to the coupling means for sensing a movement of the coupling means from the home location to a first keystroke-defining location and generating a first location signal indicative of the first keystroke-defining location of the coupling means, the position indicating means comprising; a support structure, the support structure affixed to the device base; a spherical member having a bore dimensioned to permit the rodlike member to pass therethrough, the spherical member positioned between the upper end and the lower end of the rodlike member; a first and a second sway arm, each sway arm having a distal end and a proximal end, each proximal end movably affixed to the support structure, the first and the second sway arm positioned in substantially 90 degree relation to each other, each sway arm having a central curved portion dimensioned to pass beneath and cradle the spherical member; a first potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the first sway arm; and a second potentiometer, affixed to the distal end of the second sway arm; wherein; a movement of the rodlike member moves the spherical member; a movement of the spherical member causes a movement of the first and the second sway arm; a movement of the first sway arm causes the first potentiometer to generate a first potentiometer signal; and a movement of the second sway arm causes the second potentiometer to generate a second potentiometer signal; and means for limiting the movement of the rodlike member shaped to guide the rodlike member over a substantial portion of the movement from the home location to the first keystroke-defining location, the movement limiting means affixed in spaced relation above the device base and positioned beneath the dome-shaped member and above the spherical member, the movement limiting means having a star-shaped aperture, the aperture having a plurality of star points, the rodlike member passing through the aperture, wherein the position indicating means further comprises means for determining when the rodlike member has reached a first star point corresponding to the first keystroke-defining location and means for translating the first and the second potentiometer signals into the first location signal when the dome-shaped member is moved sufficiently far to cause the rodlike member to reach the first star point; and means for receiving the first location signals from the position indicating means of the first and the second input devices and for translating the first location signals into a first keystroke signal having a unique correspondence with the first location signals from the first and the second input device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification