Mechanical interface device

• US 6,322,449 B1
• Filed: 02/04/1998
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Klitsner Industrial Design, LLC
• Original Assignee: Klitsner Industrial Design, LLC
• Inventors: Argentine, Jeff, Clemens, Brian, Klitsner, Dan, Levenberg, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US09/018,691
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 463/37, 463/47, 341/22, 345/168, 345/156, 345/169, 400/472, 273/241, 273/148.B
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0205 Lever arrangements for operating keyboard cursor control keys in a joystick-like manner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

The present invention comprises both a system and a method for mechanically depressing a key of an underlying keyboard in response to a user input. The system preferably comprises a computer system and a mechanical interface device. The mechanical interface preferable mounts on top of the underlying keyboard and preferably includes a three dimensional representational object configured for manipulation by the user. This computer system preferably comprises a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and the underlying keyboard coupled to the processor. The computer system preferably shows a corresponding image in response to manipulation of the three dimensional representational object by the user. By utilizing the three dimensional representational object instead of a keyboard as the user'"'"'s interface, the present invention gives the user a simpler, more realistic computer interface. Further, the present invention allows the existing computer system with the processor, display and keyboard to be conveniently and inexpensively customized for specific applications by placing the mechanical interface device over the existing keyboard and properly configuring the processor. These are various applications for the present invention which include in part: providing realistic and entertaining games for the user, teaching young children coordination and other skills, and training users for specific occupations.

Claims

1. An interface device for placement over an underlying keyboard which has a plurality of keys, including number keys and letter keys, each key being configured to move along a generally vertical axis, the interface device comprising:

a housing configured to be removably secured to the underlying keyboard and sized so that the housing covers letter keys of the underlying keyboard when secured to the underlying keyboard;

three-dimensional representational objects mounted on the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user, each representational object providing a three-dimensional representation of an object selected from the group consisting of construction tools, controls of a vehicle, and elements of a play environment; and

mechanisms coupled to the representational objects and configured to press keys on the underlying keyboard in response to manipulation of the representational objects by the user,

wherein, when the interface device is placed over the keyboard, at least one representational object is positioned generally over a key on the keyboard that is pressed by a mechanism coupled to the representational object, such that the axis of the key passes through at least a portion of the representational object during manipulation of the representational object, and the representational object is configured to move in a direction other than along the axis of the key, and

one of the representational objects comprises a toy drill, the toy drill further comprising;

a handle having a first terminal capable of being manipulated by the user like a real drill;

a cam portion attached to a second terminal of the handle wherein the cam portion moves when the handle moves; and

a rod having a first end in close proximity to the cam portion and a second end in close proximity to one of the mechanisms, wherein the rod engages the mechanism in response to manipulation of the handle by the user.

2. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy saw, the toy saw being movable by the user in a sawing motion and including an incline portion coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to movement of the toy saw by the user.

3. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy saw, the toy saw being movable by the user in a sawing motion and including a semi-circle portion coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to movement of the toy saw by the user.

4. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy screw, the toy screw being rotatable by the user and including a cam coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to rotation of the toy screw by the user.

5. The interface device according to claim 4 further comprising a toy screwdriver for engaging and turning the toy screw.

6. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy nail, the toy nail being movable by the user in a nailing motion and including a connector coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to movement of the toy nail by the user.

7. The interface device according to claim 6 further comprising a toy hammer for contacting and depressing the toy nail.

8. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy sander, the toy sander being movable by the user in a sanding motion and including an incline portion coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to movement of the toy sander by the user.

9. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy sander, the toy sander being movable by the user in a sanding motion and including a semi-circle portion coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to movement of the toy sander by the user.

10. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein one of the representational objects comprises a toy sprayer, the toy sprayer being manipulable by the user in a spraying motion and including a connecting rod coupled to engage one of the mechanisms in response to manipulation of the toy sprayer by the user.

11. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the mechanisms further comprises:

an actuator coupled to one of the representational objects for pressing a corresponding key in response to manipulation of the representational object, and

a spring coupled to bias the actuator away from pressing the corresponding key.

12. The interface device according to claim 11, wherein the spring is made of silicon rubber.

13. The interface device according to claim 11, wherein the spring is a bellows type spring.

14. The interface device according to claim 11, wherein the actuator is made of silicon rubber.

15. The interface device according to claim 11, further comprising a cushion coupled to the actuator.

16. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the mechanisms further comprises:

a. a lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is hingedly coupled to the device;

b. an actuator coupled to the second end of the lever for selectively depressing a corresponding key on the underlying keyboard;

c. a spring coupled to the second end of the lever for biasing the actuator away from depressing the corresponding key; and

d. a vertical pusher coupled to a corresponding one of the representational objects and slidably coupled to the lever between the first end and the second end.

17. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the lever is configured to act as a reducer.

18. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the lever is configured to act as a multiplier.

19. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the spring is made of silicon rubber.

20. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the spring is made of metal.

21. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the spring is made of plastic.

22. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the spring is a coil spring.

23. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the spring is a bellows spring.

24. The interface device according to claim 16, wherein the actuator is made of silicon rubber.

25. The interface device according to claim 16, further comprising a cushion coupled to the actuator.

26. The interface device according to claim 1, wherein the representational objects represent a set of construction tools.

27. The interface device according to claim 1, further comprising the underlying keyboard and a computer to which the underlying keyboard is attached, the computer including a processor and a display, wherein:

the interface device is attached to the underlying keyboard such that manipulation of the representational objects cause the mechanisms to press particular keys of the keyboard; and

the processor is operable to cause the display to display images corresponding to manipulation of the objects represented by the representational objects when the particular keys are pressed.

28. An interface device for placement over an underlying keyboard which has a plurality of keys, including number keys and letter keys, each key being configured to move along a generally vertical axis, the interface device comprising:

a housing configured to be removably secured to the underlying keyboard;

three-dimensional representational objects mounted on the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user, each representational object providing a three-dimensional representation of a control mechanism of a vehicle; and

mechanisms coupled to the representational objects and configured to press keys on the underlying keyboard in response to manipulation of the representational objects by the user,

wherein;

when the interface device is placed over the keyboard, at least one representational object is positioned generally over a key on the keyboard that is pressed by a mechanism coupled to the representational object, such that the axis of the key passes through at least a portion of the representational object during manipulation of the representational object, and the representational object is configured to move in a direction other than along the axis of the key, and

one of the representational objects comprises a toy drill, the toy drill further comprising;

a handle having a first terminal capable of being manipulated by the user like a real drill;

a cam portion attached to a second terminal of the handle wherein the cam portion moves when the handle moves; and

a rod having a first end in close proximity to the cam portion and a second end in close proximity to one of the mechanisms, wherein the rod engages the mechanism in response to manipulation of the handle by the user.

29. The interface device according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the mechanisms further comprises:

an actuator coupled to one of the representational objects for pressing a corresponding key in response to manipulation of the representational object, and

a spring coupled to bias the actuator away from pressing the corresponding key.

30. The interface device according to claim 29, further comprising a cushion coupled to the actuator.

31. The interface device according to claim 28, wherein at least one of the mechanisms further comprises:

a lever having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is hingedly coupled to the device;

an actuator coupled to the second end of the lever for selectively depressing a corresponding key on the underlying keyboard;

a spring coupled to the second end of the lever for biasing the actuator away from depressing the corresponding key; and

a vertical pusher coupled to a corresponding one of the representational objects and slidably coupled to the lever between the first end and the second end.

32. The interface device according to claim 31, further comprising a cushion coupled to the actuator.

33. An interface device for placement over an underlying keyboard which has a plurality of keys, including number keys and letter keys, each key being configured to move along a generally vertical axis, the interface device comprising:

a housing configured to be removably secured to the underlying keyboard and sized so that the housing covers letter keys of the underlying keyboard when secured to the underlying keyboard; and

three-dimensional representational objects mounted on the housing and configured to cause predetermined keys of the keyboard to be pressed in response to predefined movements of the representational objects, each representational object providing a three-dimensional representation of an object selected from the group consisting of construction tools, controls of a vehicle, and elements of a play environment,

wherein;

when the interface device is placed over the keyboard, at least one representational object is positioned generally over a key on the keyboard that is pressed by a mechanism coupled to the representational object, such that the axis of the key passes through at least a portion of the representational object during manipulation of the representational object, and the representational object is configured to move in a direction other than along the axis of the key, and

one of the representational objects comprises a toy drill, the toy drill further comprising;

a handle having a first terminal capable of being manipulated by the user like a real drill;

a cam portion attached to a second terminal of the handle wherein the cam portion moves when the handle moves; and

a rod having a first end in close proximity to the cam portion and a second end in close proximity to one of the mechanisms, wherein the rod engages the mechanism in response to manipulation of the handle by the user.