Analog input device located in the primary typing area of a keyboard

• US 5,521,596 A
• Filed: 07/29/1992
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UniComp, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Selker, Edwin J., Rutledge, Joseph D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HILL, ANDREW M
• Application Number:
  US07/915,704
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/22, 345/157, 345/161, 345/168, 345/160
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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: 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 25/04 Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick

Abstract

A sensor device is placed either underneath a key cap of a key on a keyboard or in between two keys on a keyboard so that cursor movement may be carried out from the keyboard itself. If the sensor device is placed underneath a key cap, then the key cap is a manual cursor controller. If, on the other hand, the sensor device is placed in between two keys, a joystick is used as a manual cursor controller.

Claims

1. A joystick for entering input data into a computer, said joystick being located in between adjacent keys of a plurality of keys in a primary typing area of a standard QWERTY keyboard.

2. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein said joystick has a substantially spherical handle.

3. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein said joystick has a substantially cup-shaped handle.

4. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein all of said keys have the standard spacing of said standard QWERTY keyboard, and wherein said adjacent keys include the G and the H keys of said standard QWERTY keyboard, said keyboard being non-split.

5. A joystick as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two keys are adjacent thumb-activated keys on a keyboard commonly used in airplanes.

6. A joystick as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adjacent keys are modified only in shape relative to a shape of other keys in said plurality of keys located in said primary typing area, in order to form a gap between said standardly spaced adjacent keys to accommodate said joystick.

7. A joystick for entering input data into a computer, said joystick being located in between two adjacent keys of a plurality of standardly spaced keys located in a primary typing area of a standard QWERTY keyboard, said adjacent keys being separated by a gap having a width that is less than a width of any of said adjacent keys.

8. A joystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein said standardly spaced adjacent keys are modified only in shape relative to other keys located in the primary typing area, in order to form said gap to accommodate said joystick.

9. A joystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein said adjacent keys are alphanumeric keys of said standard QWERTY keyboard.

10. A joystick as claimed in claim 7, wherein a spacing of said adjacent keys is a standard spacing of a keys of a QWERTY keyboard.

11. A keyboard for entering data into a device, said keyboard being a standard QWERTY keyboard, and comprising:

a plurality of adjacent keys having a standard spacing relative to each other; and

a joystick located in between at least two of said adjacent keys so that said standard spacing is maintained between said at least two adjacent keys.

12. A data entry device for entering data into a computer, comprising:

at least two keys; and

a joystick located in between said at least two keys, there being a gap between said at least two keys that is less than a width of each of said at least two keys.

13. In combination:

a standard QWERTY keyboard comprising a plurality of keys located within a primary typing area; and

a joystick disposed in between adjacent keys within the primary typing area of said standard keyboard, said joystick comprising a shaft which extends vertically from the primary typing area.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein:

said adjacent keys are the G and H keys of said standard keyboard.

15. A computer having a keyboard, wherein said keyboard is a standard QWERTY keyboard and comprises:

a plurality of adjacent keys having a standard spacing relative to each other; and

a joystick located in between at least two of said adjacent keys such that said standard spacing is maintained between said at least two adjacent keys.