One-handed data entry terminal and method of use
First Claim
1. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
- a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; and
means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data entry terminal for one-handed use, the terminal having a limited number of keys, all of which may be reached by a single hand of the user from a home position that does not require the keyboard operator to reposition their hand when moving from one key to another. The keyboard preferably includes a heel rest on which the heel of the hand may be pivotably positioned for comfortable, reliable positioning while operating the keyboard, requiring a minimum amount of eye contact with the keyboard, permitting the keyboard operator to maintain eye contact with the source of data being entered into the computer or other data gathering device. The terminal is preferably bent in two places, with a row of keys on each of the two resulting generally upwardly angled surfaces and three rows of keys on the flat intermediate surface connecting the two angled surfaces. Additionally, the keys are arranged in four columns, the first three of which are spaced a predetermined distance apart, and the fourth of which is spaced a slightly greater distance from the rest. It is also preferred that the middle row of keys include a generally outwardly projecting, generally bisecting ridge that is detectable by the keyboard operator without distracting the operator from the data entry task. Successful operation of the keyboard preferably requires two keystrokes for each alphanumeric character being entered into the data collection device by the data entry terminal.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; and means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A date entry terminal operated by single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device; at least one row of said manually actuable keys generally horizontally oriented on said first angled segment of said keypad; at least one row of said manually actuable keys generally horizontally oriented on said intermediate segment of said keypad; and at least one row of said manually actuable keys generally horizontally oriented on said second angled segment of said keypad. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device; first, second, third and fourth columns of said manually actuable keys; and said first and third columns of said manually actuable keys are generally equally spaced from said second column of said manually actuable keys, and said fourth column of said manually actuable keys is spaced from said third column a tactily distinguishable amount greater than said spacing between said second and third columns, respectively.
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20. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys; means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device; first, second, third, fourth and fifth rows of said manually actuable keys generally horizontally oriented on said keypad; at least four columns of said manually actuable keys generally vertically oriented on said keypad; a housing, said keypad being an integral, exposed portion thereof; means for supporting the hand being used by the person entering data on the data entry terminal; and a raised ridge portion for tactily determining the location of the fingers of the person using the data entry terminal, said raised ridge portion extending generally horizontally across and generally bisecting each said manually actuable key of said third row of said keypad. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device; at least four columns of said manually actuable keys generally vertically oriented on said keypad, at least one key of each said column being located on said intermediate segment, said first angled segment and said second angled segment; and at least three keys of each said column being located on said intermediate segment.
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33. A data entry terminal operated by a single hand for entering data to be collected by a data collection device, comprising:
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a keypad having a multiplicity of manually actuable, single-action keys, said keypad including an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with said intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of said intermediate segment, said second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with said intermediate segment; and means connected to said keypad for transmitting data collected by the data entry terminal to the data collection device.
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34. A method for operating a data entry terminal configured for one-handed operation, including a housing having a keypad, the keypad having an intermediate segment, a first angled segment projecting generally upwardly from and forming a first obtuse angle with the intermediate segment, and a second angled segment projecting generally upwardly from an opposing portion of the intermediate segment, the second angled segment forming a second obtuse angle with the intermediate segment, four columns and five rows of manually actuated keys, the first column of keys being the leftmost column and the fourth column of keys being the rightmost column, the first row of keys being positioned on the first angled segment, the fifth row of keys being positioned on the second angled segment, and the three middle rows of keys being positioned on the intermediate segment of the keypad, and a hand supporting portion, comprising the steps of:
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resting the heel of the hand being used by the person entering data on the data entry terminal on the hand supporting portion of the housing; positioning the three middle fingers of the hand being used for data entry generally above the keypad; determining the position of the fingers relative to the manually actuable keys of the keypad by locating the angled keys positioned on the first and second angled segments; and depressing two keys sequentially for each alphanumeric character and program function desired to be entered by the person entering data on the data entry terminal. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification