Prioritizing input device having a circuit indicating the highest priority key value when a plurality of keys being simultaneously selected
First Claim
1. A prioritizing numeric data input apparatus that outputs numeric data selected by a user, comprising:
- an input device having a group of different numeric digits associated therewith, said numeric digits being represented by indicia that are located on said input device in close proximity to each other and being selectable by a user via said input device, with said input device being responsive to the selection of one or more of said numeric digits to provide at least one input signal indicative of said selected numeric digits;
an electronic circuit coupled to said input device to receive said one or more input signals, said circuit being operable in response to a single one of said numeric digits being selected to provide an output signal indicative of that single selected numeric digit;
said circuit further being operable in response to a plurality of said numeric digits being simultaneously selected by the user to provide an output signal indicative of the numeric value of the largest of the numeric digits simultaneously selected by the user, whereby numerically larger digits are given priority over numerically smaller digits.
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Abstract
A prioritizing input device such as a keyboard (10) having a base (12) and a number of single column arrays (20) of individually actuable momentary keys (24). Within each array (20), the keys (24) are closely-packed together and are prioritized so that the user need not avoid simultaneously depressing multiple keys; rather, selection of a particular key requires only that the user avoid depressing a key that is higher priority than the desired key. The keyboard (10) can be used as a numeric input device such that each key (24) within an array (20) is assigned to a different digit. Priority among the keys (24) within each array (20) can be assigned in ascending numerical order so that pressing multiple keys will result in the numerically largest selected digit being recognized as the valid keypress. This permits the keys (24) within an array (20) to be small and closely packed together so that they are all accessible within the range of motion of an average user'"'"'s finger. By providing an array on the keyboard for each finger, multi-digit numbers can be entered in a single operation by chording of the different arrays.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A prioritizing numeric data input apparatus that outputs numeric data selected by a user, comprising:
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an input device having a group of different numeric digits associated therewith, said numeric digits being represented by indicia that are located on said input device in close proximity to each other and being selectable by a user via said input device, with said input device being responsive to the selection of one or more of said numeric digits to provide at least one input signal indicative of said selected numeric digits;
an electronic circuit coupled to said input device to receive said one or more input signals, said circuit being operable in response to a single one of said numeric digits being selected to provide an output signal indicative of that single selected numeric digit;
said circuit further being operable in response to a plurality of said numeric digits being simultaneously selected by the user to provide an output signal indicative of the numeric value of the largest of the numeric digits simultaneously selected by the user, whereby numerically larger digits are given priority over numerically smaller digits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
wherein said circuit is operable in response to simultaneous selection of two or more keys from said second group to provide an output signal indicative of the largest of the numeric digits associated with the selected keys.
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7. An input apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said circuit is operable in response to simultaneous selection of at least one key from each of said first and second groups to generate a two-digit number.
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8. An input apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said input device comprises a touch sensitive device having a plurality of regions, each of which corresponds to a different one of said numeric digits.
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9. A prioritizing data input apparatus for use in connection with a microprocessor-based device to permit data input to the microprocessor-based device, the input apparatus comprising:
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an input device having a base portion and a group of keys supported by said base portion, said keys being switchable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state in response to finger pressure from a user of said input device, said keys being momentary in operation such that said keys are in said actuated state only when pressure is applied to said keys, said keys further being operable between said actuated and non-actuated states independently of actuation or non-actuation of any of the other keys in said group;
each of said keys having a different key value associated therewith, with said key values having a pre-selected ordering of priority, wherein each of said keys are operable in response to being switched from said non-actuated state to said actuated state to generate an input signal indicative of its key value; and
an electronic circuit coupled to said keys, said circuit being operable in response to a plurality of said keys being simultaneously selected by the user to provide an output signal indicative of the one of said selected keys having the highest priority key value associated therewith, wherein said output signal is the only user-selected data that is outputted as a result of the user'"'"'s simultaneous selection of said selected keys. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A chorded keyboard, comprising:
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a base;
a number of groups of keys supported by said base, each of said groups of keys including a plurality of keys that are switchable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state in response to finger pressure from a user, said keys being momentary in operation such that said keys are in said actuated state only when pressure is applied to said keys, said keys further being operable between said actuated and non-actuated states independently of actuation or non-actuation of any of the other keys in any of said groups;
wherein, within each of said groups, each key has a different key value associated therewith, with said key values having a pre-selected ordering of priority within each group, wherein each of said keys are operable in response to being switched from said non-actuated state to said actuated state to generate an input signal indicative of its key value; and
an electronic circuit coupled to said keys, said circuit being operable in response to a plurality of said keys within any one group being simultaneously selected to provide an output signal indicative of the one of said selected keys having the highest priority key value associated therewith;
wherein each of said groups of keys are arranged in an array separate from said other groups of keys, with each array being located adjacent at least one other array such that adjacent arrays are simultaneously accessible by adjacent fingers on a user'"'"'s hand, and wherein the keys within each array are organized in order according to the priority of their associated key values, whereby said arrays each comprises a prioritized array that together can be chorded by a user.
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Specification