Environmentally safe machine control security switch

• US 5,785,439 A
• Filed: 05/19/1997
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Product Engineering & Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Product Engineering & Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Bowen, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KELLEY, STEVEN SHAUN
• Application Number:
  US08/858,919
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 340/825.31, 341/22, 345/168, 345/170
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/10 Arrangements of keyboards , e.g. key button disposition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3271 Power saving in keyboard
• 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 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/00 Teaching typing
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 13/04 Devices used in association with a real typewriter, teleprinter, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A keyboard where no finger pressure is needed to input data, that uses rows of emitters opposed by rows of detectors to detect a finger position, that is environmentally sealed, and inherently intrinsic safe. The keyboard has a mouse function so an operators finger can be tracked to position a cursor on a host display, and input normal keyboard functions. A sleep mode for a display or keyboard that slows down the scan rate and emitter intensity to increase emitter life. A split keyboard for each hand with an arm rest with an arm strap to attach the keyboard to an operators arm and a strap to attach the keyboard to the arm of a chair. A learning keyboard with a mode for QWERTY or other key pattern keyboards that the position of the operators fingers are tracked and supper imposed on a display, so the operator can see when their finger is over the correct keyboard indicia so correct data entry can be made without looking at the keyboard.

Claims

1. A data input panel with a non-penetrating security switch, comprising:

a housing having a unilocular area formed on one side, said unilocular area having a bottom surface and sidewalls surrounding a perimeter of said bottom surface which extend above said bottom surface, said unilocular area having a centrally located data input region and at least one border region adjacent a sidewall of said unilocular area;

a light emitter and a light detector positioned within said sidewalls of said unilocular area and defining a first light path which extends across said border region; and

a security key connected or connectable to said housing, said security key being moveable between a first position in said first light path which blocks light transmitted from said light detector from being detected by said light detector, and a second position which is outside of said first light path, thereby allowing light transmitted from said light detector to be detected by said light detector.

2. The data input panel with a non-penetrating security switch of claim 1 wherein said security key is pivotally connected to said housing.

3. The data input panel with a non-penetrating security switch of claim 2 wherein said security switch is positioned within said unilocular area.

4. The data input panel with a non-penetrating security switch of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of paired data input light emitters and light detectors positioned within said sidewalls of said unilocular area, said plurality of paired data input light emitters and light detectors being configured to detect objects within said centrally located data input region of said unilocular area.

5. The data input panel with a non-penetrating security switch of claim 2 further comprising a second light emitter and a second light detector positioned within said sidewalls of said unilocular area and defining a second light path which extends across said border region, and wherein said security key blocks light transmission from said second light emitter to said second light detector when it is in said second position.

6. A data input panel, comprising:

a planar surface forming a substantially flat bottom of a unilocular area;

a light emitter and a light detector disposed at a border surrounding and above said planar surface and having a first light path therebetween; and

a security key positioned inside said unilocular area, said security key being pivotable to at least a first position where said security key blocks said first light path, and at least a second position where said first light path is unimpeded by said security key.

7. The data input panel of claim 6 further comprising:

a second light emitter and a second light detector having a second light path therebetween, said second light path being substantially perpendicular to said first light path, and wherein said security key blocks said second light path when it is in said second position.

8. The data input panel of claim 6 further comprising:

an electronic circuit that illuminates said light emitter to emit light that is detected by said light detector; and

means for sensing said security key when said security key blocks said first light path.

9. A data input panel, comprising:

a light emitter and a light detector having a first light path therebetween, said light emitter and said light detector being disposed at a border of an area in said data input panel; and

a security key positioned inside said area, said security key being pivotable to at least a first position where said security key blocks said first path and at least a second position where said first path is unimpeded by said security key.

10. The data input panel of claim 9 further comprising a second light emitter and a second light detector disposed at said border of said area and having a second light path therebetween, said second light path being substantially perpendicular to said first light path, and wherein said security key blocks said second light path when it is in said second position.

11. A data input panel, comprising:

a light emitter and a light detector disposed at a border of an area in said data input panel having a first light path therebetween;

a security key selectively positionable inside said area at a position which blocks said first light path; and

a second light emitter and a second light detector disposed at said border of said area having a second light path therebetween, said second light path being substantially perpendicular to said first light path, and wherein said security key is selectively positionable at a second position in said area where said security key blocks said second light path.