Body wearable keyboard

• US 6,237,846 B1
• Filed: 06/29/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Inagaki, Kazuhiko, Lowell, Richard Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/106,792
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/145, 235/1
• US Class Current: 235/145.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0216 Arrangements for ergonomically adjusting the disposition of keys of a keyboard for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1664
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224

Abstract

A body-wearable keyboard features an optimized key layout that can be used in a conventional configuration or a body-wear configuration. By rotating one or more key clusters, the keyboard can be used in a vertical lengthwise position resting flat on the body on the user in the body-wear configuration. Multiple placement of frequently used keys in the key clusters provides for ease of use, whether the keyboard is in the conventional configuration or the body-wear configuration.

Claims

1. A body-wearable keyboard, comprising:

a first key cluster configured for use by a first hand of a user of the body-wearable keyboard;

a second key cluster configured for use by the first hand of the user; and

a third key cluster removably coupled to the keyboard to be capable of being removed, rotated, and replaced back into the keyboard in a body-wear configuration,

wherein in the body-wear configuration, the third key cluster is configured to be operated by the second hand of the user, and in a conventional configuration, the third key cluster is not rotated.

2. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the first key cluster occupies a first end portion of the keyboard for use by the first hand of a user of the body-wearable keyboard, the third key cluster occupies a second end portion of the keyboard for use by the second hand of the user, and the second key cluster occupies a middle portion of the keyboard for use by the first hand of the user.

3. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the second key cluster is a calculator key cluster containing a plurality of number keys and a plurality of mathematical operator keys.

4. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a first cursor control mechanism that provides for cursor control by the first hand of the user, comprising;

a first gimbal control of the first key cluster; and

a first mouse mechanism, wherein manipulation of the first gimbal control and the first mouse mechanism by the first hand of the user controls a cursor, and

a second cursor control mechanism that provides for cursor control by the second hand of the user, comprising;

a second gimbal control of the third key cluster; and

a second mouse mechanism, wherein manipulation of the second gimbal control and the second mouse mechanism by the second hand of the user controls the cursor.

5. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a support means for attaching one or more support devices to the keyboard that enable the body of the user to support the keyboard.

6. The keyboard of claim 5, wherein the support means comprises:

a first strap device to which a strap support is attached.

7. The keyboard of claim 6, wherein the strap support is stored in the keyboard when not used.

8. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the first key cluster has a first space bar and a first return key, the second key cluster has a first backspace key and a second backspace key, and the third key cluster has a second space bar and a second return key.

9. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

one or more module slots to accommodate one or more modules that are plugged into the keyboard.

10. The keyboard of claim 9, wherein the one or more module slots accommodates a supplemental power module for the keyboard.

11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

an attachment means for attaching a monitor to the keyboard.

12. The keyboard of claim 11, wherein the attachment means comprises:

a first attachment device for attaching the monitor to the keyboard in the conventional configuration; and

a second attachment device for attaching the monitor to the keyboard in the body-wear configuration.

13. The keyboard of claim 12, wherein the first attachment device contains a power source.

14. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a wireless control select mechanism that provides for the user to select a type of wireless control of the keyboard.

15. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

an internal power supply of the keyboard.

16. The keyboard of claim 1, further comprising:

a mode means of the keyboard for selectively setting and displaying a mode of the keyboard and displaying assigned functions of a plurality of function keys in accordance with the mode of the keyboard.

17. The keyboard of claim 16, wherein the mode means comprises:

a selection mechanism for selectively setting the mode of the keyboard;

a mode display mechanism for displaying the mode of the keyboard set by the selection mechanism; and

a plurality of display mechanisms with each display mechanism corresponding to a function key of a plurality of function keys of the keyboard, wherein each display mechanism displays a function of its corresponding function key as defined by the mode of the keyboard.

18. The keyboard of claim 17, wherein the mode display mechanism is a liquid crystal display and the plurality of display mechanisms are liquid crystal displays.

19. A body-wearable keyboard, comprising:

a first key cluster configured for use by a first hand of a user of the body-wearable keyboard;

a second key cluster removably coupled to the keyboard to be capable of being removed, rotated, and replaced back into the keyboard in a body-wear configuration; and

a third key cluster removably coupled to the keyboard to be capable of being removed, rotated, and replaced back into the keyboard in the body-wear configuration,

wherein in the body-wear configuration, the second key cluster and the third key cluster are configured to be operated by a second hand of the user and in a conventional configuration, the second key cluster and the third key cluster are not rotated.

20. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the first key cluster occupies a first end portion of the keyboard for user by the first hand of a user of the body-wearable keyboard, the second key cluster occupies a middle portion of the keyboard for user by the second hand of the user, and the third key cluster occupies a second end portion of the keyboard for use by the second hand of the user.

21. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the second key cluster is a calculator key cluster containing a plurality of number keys and a plurality of mathematical operator keys.

22. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a first cursor control mechanism that provides for cursor control by the first hand of the user, comprising;

a first gimbal control of the first key cluster; and

a first mouse mechanism, wherein manipulation of the first gimbal control and the first mouse mechanism by the first hand of the user controls a cursor, and

a second cursor control mechanism that provides for cursor control by the second hand of the user, comprising;

a second gimbal control of the third key cluster; and

a second mouse mechanism, wherein manipulation of the second gimbal control and the second mouse mechanism by the second hand of the user controls the cursor.

23. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a support means for attaching one or more support devices to the keyboard that enable the body of the user to support the keyboard.

24. The keyboard of claim 23, wherein the support means comprises:

a first strap device to which a strap support is attached.

25. The keyboard of claim 24, wherein the strap support is stored in the keyboard when not used.

26. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the first key cluster has a first space bar and a first return key, the second key cluster has a first backspace key and a second backspace key, and the third key cluster has a second space bar and a second return key.

27. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

one or more module slots to accommodate one or more modules that are plugged into the keyboard.

28. The keyboard of claim 27, wherein the one or more module slots accommodates a supplemental power module for the keyboard.

29. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

an attachment means for attaching a monitor to the keyboard.

30. The keyboard of claim 29, wherein the attachment means comprises:

a first attachment device for attaching the monitor to the keyboard in the conventional configuration; and

a second attachment device for attaching the monitor to the keyboard in the body-wear configuration.

31. The keyboard of claim 30, wherein the first attachment device contains a power source.

32. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

a wireless control select mechanism that provides for the user to select a type of wireless control of the keyboard.

33. The keyboard of claim 19, wherein the keyboard further comprises:

an internal power supply of the keyboard.

34. The keyboard of claim 19, further comprising:

a mode means of the keyboard for selectively setting and displaying a mode of the keyboard and displaying assigned functions of a plurality of function keys in accordance with the mode of the keyboard.

35. The keyboard of claim 34, wherein the mode means comprises:

a selection mechanism for selectively setting the mode of the keyboard;

a mode display mechanism for displaying the mode of the keyboard set by the selection mechanism; and

a plurality of display mechanisms with each display mechanism corresponding to a function key of a plurality of function keys of the keyboard, wherein each display mechanism displays a function of its corresponding function key as defined by the mode of the keyboard.

36. The keyboard of claim 35, wherein the mode display mechanism is a liquid crystal display and the plurality of display mechanisms are liquid crystal displays.

37. A keyboard having a mode means of a keyboard for selectively setting and displaying a mode of the keyboard and displaying assigned functions of a plurality of function keys in accordance with the mode of the keyboard, said mode means, comprising:

a selection mechanism for selectively setting the mode of the keyboard;

a mode display mechanism for displaying the mode of the keyboard set by the selection mechanism; and

a plurality of display mechanisms with each display mechanism corresponding to a function key of a plurality of function keys of the keyboard, wherein each display mechanism displays a function of its corresponding function key as defined by the mode of the keyboard.

38. The keyboard of claim 37, wherein the mode display mechanism is a liquid crystal display and the plurality of display mechanisms are liquid crystal displays.

39. A method for selectively setting and displaying a mode of the keyboard and displaying assigned functions of a plurality of function keys in accordance with the mode of the keyboard, said method comprising:

selectively setting the mode of the keyboard through a selection mechanism of the keyboard;

displaying the mode of the keyboard through a mode display mechanism of the keyboard; and

displaying a plurality of functions of a plurality of function keys of the keyboard through a corresponding plurality of display mechanisms, wherein each display mechanism displays a function of its corresponding function key as defined by the mode of the keyboard.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the mode displayed is set by the selection mechanism.