Keyboard in stationary vehicle control units

• US 6,181,022 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Combitech Traffic SYST AB
• Original Assignee: Combitech Traffic SYST AB
• Inventors: Johansson, Alf, Lejonberg, Gunnar
• Primary Examiner(s): PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US09/284,500
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/132.R, 307/116, 379/434, 379/428, 345/173, 345/168, 340/407.2, 361/680
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• 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 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/018 Indication of switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/068 having a not operable condition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/018 rotatably
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car

Abstract

A keyboard means in stationary control units (23) in a vehicle. The keys (24) thereof are arranged at an outer edge portion of the unit (23), which has the shape of a thin plate (23), which may be embraced in a pinching movement, preferably a pinching movement between the thumb and some finger. The keys may thus be pressed down from one side of the edge portion while supporting it from the opposite side by another finger. This results in very limited free forces against the unit during operation.

Claims

1. A keyboard means in stationary control units (23) in a vehicle, and in particular those which comprise a transponder for remote communication such as by means of microwaves and which, for executing the remote communication, require a specific location in the vehicle and a limited size, such that an ordinary keyboard is not suitable to arrange, characterized in that the control unit (23) is adapted to be connected to an attachment (18) in the vehicle, to an internal portion thereof, and that it comprises an outer edge portion in the form of a thin plate (23) and that the keys (24) of the means are arranged on this plate (23), which has such a limited thickness that it may be embraced in a pinching movement, preferably between the thumb and some finger, of a hand which, when operating the keyboard means, is inserted over the plate at said outer edge portion so as to enable a key to be pressed down from one side of the plate while supporting the same from the opposite side by a finger, whereby the plate and hence the control unit at its outer edge portion only need to be subjected to very limited free forces during the operation.

2. A keyboard means according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (23) is connected to the attachment (18) by means of a hinge (22) in such a way that the unit may be folded in with the outer edge portion, supporting the plate (23), against the location of the attachment in the vehicle, or, alternatively, be folded out to an operating position (FIGS. 2, 3).

3. A keyboard means according to claim 1, characterized in that the keys (24) are designed as pressure points on a diaphragm, whereby the outer edge portion of the unit (23), also forming the edge of the plate (23), is designed with projections (26) by means of which the positions of the pressure points are marked, such that the positions thereof may be sensed with the fingers.

4. A keyboard means according to claim 1, characterized in that close to the keys (24), which preferably form a row, there is arranged a display (30).