Micro word-pad with tactile multifunctional keys

• US 5,841,374 A
• Filed: 01/28/1997
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph N. Abraham
• Original Assignee: Joseph N. Abraham
• Inventors: Abraham, Joseph N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOST, JASON L
• Application Number:
  US08/790,047
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 341/34, 341/22, 341/23, 345/156, 345/168
• US Class Current: 341/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/028 on planes with different or alterable inclination, e.g. convex plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/022 other then row-column disposition

Abstract

An improved key and keyboard arrangement for a compact word processor, the keyboard arrangement consisting of only twelve toggle keys with each key capable of seven functions, six of the keys being operated in a tactile manner by the finger tips of each hand. Additional keys are provided along a vertical edge adjacent to the twelve keys for operation by the users thumbs. A second embodiment includes a pair of similar keyboards hinged together, each keyboard having a single row of six toggle keys movable in six directions and a center depressable function, and a plurality of keys perpendicular to the six toggle keys located along a vertical edge adjacent to the six toggle keys, each of the six toggle keys having seven functions operated by tactile manipulation. The six toggle keys on each keyboard portion and the associated perpendicular keys represent all of the functions of one half of a standard QWERTY computer keyboard.

Claims

1. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement comprising the combination of:

a) a portable word processor microcomputer having first and second keyboard portions, said keyboard portions being hinged and electrically connected for folding one over the other, at least one of said portions containing a display screen;

b) a single row of multifunctional, toggle keys located on an inner face of each said first and second portions, said toggle keys having a distance between adjacent keys sufficient to permit unhindered, tactile operation by an operator'"'"'s finger, each of said keys having a plurality of switching elements, and a means connected thereto to produce a different, distinguishable functional response to displacement of said toggle key by an operator'"'"'s finger, corresponding to each of said switching elements , said single row of multifunctional, keys comprises six keys on each of said first and second portions, each key having manual means for selectively activating up to seven functions; and

c) a plurality of thumb keys arranged linearly along a vertical side of said first and second portions adjacent said multifunctional keys in a manner sufficient to permit unhindered operation by an operator'"'"'s thumbs when the operator'"'"'s fingers are in contact with said multifunctional toggle keys, said multifunction, keys are comprised of;

i) a first, polymeric layer having a plurality of conductive toggle pins extending perpendicularly through said layer, said toggle pins having heads projecting above said layer;

ii) a second, polymeric, layer overlaying said heads secured to said first polymeric layer;

iii) a conductive material layer pierced by and in sliding contact with said toggle pins, located adjacent said first polymeric layer opposite said pin heads;

iv) a non-conductive material layer pierced by said toggle pins adjacent said third conductive material layer; and

v) a printed circuit board layer having sockets therein for receiving said toggle pins, located adjacent said non-conductive layer.

2. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said toggle pins are arranged in an elliptical configuration having three toggle pins in a semicircle clustered near each end of said configuration and a depression pin located at the center of said elliptical configuration.

3. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said toggle pins are pivotal about said conductive material layer, and make contact between said conductive material layer and said sockets as a result of toggling said pins.

4. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 3 wherein at least one said toggle pin is fitted with an insulting ring thereby preventing toggling.

5. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said toggle pin is fitted with an insulating ring and makes contact with said socket by a user depressing said toggle pin.

6. A portable, word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said multifunctional key comprises:

a) a finger key pad having a conductive stem projecting therefrom passing through a spherical spring plate held captive by a rim attached to said keyboard portions, said spring plate supporting said finger key pad;

b) a conductive material layer spanning said spherical spring plate and surrounding said conductive stem, said stem being in sliding contact and pivotal relative to said conductive material layer;

c) a conductive, star shaped member, having at least six points, pivotally attached to said conductive stem;

d) a non-conductive tube having inner and outer walls surrounding said star member, supporting said conductive material layer, said tube further comprising at least six electrical contacts projecting through said tube walls radially oriented around said tube wall in an engaging manner with points of said star shaped member;

e) a pair of non-conductive, leaf springs arranged between each electrical contact in a manner which tends to avoid accidental contact by repelling said star member away from said electrical contacts; and

f) a conductive cup centrally located below said tube directly below said star member for receiving a portion of said star member when said key is depressed.

7. A compact portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement comprising the combination of:

a) a word processing, microcomputer having a keyboard and a display screen; and

b) a single row of twelve, multifunctional, toggle keys, located on a face of said keyboard, said toggle keys having a distance between adjacent keys sufficient to permit unhindered, tactile operation by an operator'"'"'s finger, each of said keys having a plurality of switching elements, and a means connected thereto to produce a different distinguishable functional response to tactile displacement of said switching elements by an operator'"'"'s finger tips; and

a plurality of thumb keys arranged linearly along a vertical side of said keyboard adjacent said multifunctional keys in a manner sufficient to permit unhindered operation by an operator'"'"'s thumbs when the operator'"'"'s fingers are in contact with said multifunctional toggle keys, said multifunctional keys comprising;

a) a first, polymeric layer having a plurality of conductive toggle pins extending perpendicularly through said layer said toggle pins having heads projecting above said layer;

b) a second, polymeric layer overlaying said heads secured to said first polymeric layer;

c) a conductive material layer pierced by and in sliding contact with said toggle pins, located adjacent said first polymeric layer opposite said pin heads;

d) a non-conductive material layer pierced by said toggle pins adjacent to said third conductive material layer; and

e) a printed, circuit-board layer having conductive sockets therein for receiving said toggle pins, located adjacent to said nonconductive layer.

8. A compact, portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said toggle pins are arranged in an elliptical configuration having at least three toggle pins clustered in a semicircle near each end of said configuration and a depression pin located at the approximate center of said elliptical configuration.

9. A compact, portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 8 wherein said toggle pins are pivotal about said conductive material layer, and make contact between said conductive material layer and said conductive sockets as a result of toggling said pins.

10. A compact, portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 9 wherein at least one said toggle pin is fitted with an insulating ring thereby preventing toggling.

11. A compact, portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 10 wherein said toggle pin fitted with an insulting ring makes contact with said socket by a user depressing said toggle pin.

13. A compact, portable word processor, key and keyboard arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said multifunctional key comprises:

a) a finger key pad having a conductive stem projecting therefrom passing through a spherical spring plate held captive by a rim attached to said keyboard portions, said spring plate supporting said finger key pad;

b) a conductive material layer spanning said spherical spring plate and surrounding said conductive stem, said stem being in sliding contact and pivotal relative to said conductive material layer;

c) a conductive, star shaped member, having at least six points, pivotally attached to said conductive stem;

d) a non-conductive tube having inner and outer walls surrounding said star member, supporting said conductive material layer, said tube further comprising at least six electrical contacts projecting through said tube walls radially oriented around said tube wall in an engaging manner with points of said star shaped member;

e) a pair of non-conductive, leaf springs arranged between each electrical contact in a manner which tends to avoid accidental contact by repelling said star member away from said electrical contacts; and

f) a conductive cup centrally located below said tube directly below said star member for receiving a portion of said star member when said key is depressed.

12. A compact portable, word processor key and keyboard arrangement comprising the combination of:

a) a portable word processing, microcomputer having a self-contained keyboard and a display screen integral with said keyboard; and

b) a single row of twelve, multifunctional toggle keys capable of performing all the functions of a QWERTY type computer key board including the function keys and number pad in a single mode, located on a face of said keyboard, said toggle keys having a distance between adjacent keys sufficient to permit unhindered, tactile operation by an operator'"'"'s finger, each of said keys having a plurality of switching elements having up to nine functions, and a means connected thereto to produce a different distinguishable functional response to tactile displacement of said switching elements by an operator'"'"'s finger tips; and

a plurality of thumb keys arranged linearly along a vertical side of said keyboard adjacent said multifunctional keys in a manner sufficient to permit unhindered operation by an operator'"'"'s thumbs when the operator'"'"'s fingers are in contact with said multifunctional toggle keys.

14. A foldable, portable, pocket, word processor comprising:

a) a folding, portable, pocket computer having integral keyboards and display screen;

b) a single row of six keys arranged on each of two similar said keyboards which are hinged and electrically connected together for folding one over the other, said keys having a distance between adjacent keys equivalent to the natural spacing on a user'"'"'s hand;

c) a means for toggling each of said keys tactilely in six directions relative to a center position and a means to produce a different distinguishable letter or numeric function in response to toggle movements of said keys in each of said six directions;

d) a means for activating a seventh function on each of said keys by depression of said keys; and

e) a single row of at least three keys located perpendicularly along an edge parallel and adjacent to said means for toggling said keys.

15. A method for entering data into a compact, portable, pocket type word processor computer comprising the steps of

a) manipulating a set of toggle keys on said portable pocket type word processing computer having an integral keyboard portion comprising a single row of twelve toggle keys, on a face of said keyboard portion, arranged to correspond to the finger spacing on each of a user'"'"'s hands, each of said twelve keys having seven functions operated tactilely by each of said user'"'"'s finger tips and wherein six of said twelve keys are operated with the fingers tips of each hand;

and

b) manipulating, with the user'"'"'s thumbs, a single row of keys, located along a vertical edge of said keyboard parallel and adjacent to said twelve keys, operable with the fingers tips of each hand placed on said twelve keys.

16. A method for entering data into a compact, portable word processor computer comprising the steps of:

a) unfolding a pocket size, micro, word processing computer having a self contained keyboard and integral display screen;

b) manipulating tactilely, a single row of six toggle keys, arranged on each of two hinged and electrically connected similar keyboard portions of said computer, with the fingers tips of each hand, said computer comprising a display screen integral with one said keyboard portion, each of said six keys having seven functions operated tactilely by each of a user'"'"'s finger tips; and

c) manipulating, with a user'"'"'s thumbs, a single row of keys located vertically along an edge of said keyboard portions, adjacent to each of said six keys.