Input and output keyboard

• US 6,590,566 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2001
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiyasu Abe
• Original Assignee: Toshiyasu Abe
• Inventors: Abe, Toshiyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Saras, Steven
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anyaso, Uchendu O.
• Application Number:
  US09/808,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20020130845A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 345/160, 345/168, 345/169, 341/22, 341/21, 341/27, 379/396, 708/168, 434/112-117, 400/109-111, 400/483
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/00 Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute audible presentation of material to be studied G09B5/04; devices or methods for replacing direct visual or auditory perception by another kind of perception A61F9/08, A61F11/04; audible indication of meter readings or of colour G01D7/12; watches for blind persons G04B25/02; speech analysis, speech recognition G10L; sound-recording or reproducing, per se G11B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/004 the operating member being depressable perpendicular to the other directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/014 handicapped
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/022 other then row-column disposition
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/002 having an operating member rectilinearly slidable in different directions

Abstract

A user interface device for allowing people with and without impairments to easily send and receive alphanumeric messages. The device includes a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or symbols. The device also includes a key driver system that includes a processing component configured to generate key motion signals according to output information, and key motion drivers configured to drive one or more of the keys based on the generated key motion signals. The key motion drivers include a lateral motion component configured to move the one or more keys in a directional plane approximately parallel to a surface of the keys, and key identifier components configured to move a corresponding one or more keys of the plurality of keys in a directional plane approximately perpendicular to the surface of the keys.

Claims

1. A user interface device comprising:

a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or symbols; and

a key driver system comprising;

a processing component configured to generate key motion signals according to output information; and

key motion drivers configured to drive one or more of the keys based on the generated key motion signals.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the key motion drivers comprise:

a lateral motion component configured to move the one or more keys in a directional plane approximately parallel to a surface of the keys; and

key identifier components configured to move a corresponding one or more keys of the plurality of keys in a directional plane approximately perpendicular to the surface of the keys.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the lateral motion component comprises a plurality of electromagnets.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the key identifier component comprises a plurality of solenoids, wherein each of the solenoids is assigned to a separate key.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein each key is hexagon-shaped.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the lateral motion component drives the plurality of keys in directions that correspond to each edge of the keys.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein each character and symbol associated with a key is further associated with a lateral motion direction and the output information is a text message, and

wherein the processing component is further configured to parse the text message into base components, base components correspond to one of the characters or symbols associated with the keys, and generate a pair of key motion signals for each base component, the generated pair of key motion signals comprises a lateral signal for directing the lateral motion component and a key signal for directing one of the key identifier components.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein one or more base components correspond to one or more words that are associated with a lateral motion direction and a key.

9. A user interface method using a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or functions, comprising:

parsing a text message into base components, each base component corresponds to a character or symbol associated with a key;

generating a pair of key control signals based on each base component; and

moving one or more of the keys in two directions based on the generated pair of key control signals,

wherein each character and symbol associated with a key is further associated with a lateral motion direction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein one or more base components correspond to one or more words that are associated with a lateral motion direction and a key.

11. A user interface device comprising:

a plurality of keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters or symbols; and

a key driver system comprising;

a processing means for generating key motion signals according to output information; and

key motion driver means for driving one or more of the keys based on the generated key motion signals.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the key motion driver means comprise:

a lateral motion means for moving the one or more of the keys in a directional plane approximately parallel to a surface of the keys; and

a key identifier means for moving each of the plurality of keys in a directional plane approximately perpendicular to the surface of the keys.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the lateral motion means comprises a plurality of electromagnets.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the key identifier means comprises a plurality of solenoids, wherein each of the solenoids is assigned to a separate key.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein each key is hexagon-shaped.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the lateral motion means drives the plurality of keys in directions that correspond to each edge of the keys.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein each character and symbol associated with a key is further associated with a lateral motion direction and the output information is a text message, and

wherein the processing means further parses the text message into base components, base components correspond to one of the characters or symbols associated with the keys, and generates a pair of key motion signals for each base component, the generated pair of key motion signals comprises a first signal for directing the lateral motion means and a second signal for directing the key identifier means.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein one or more base components correspond to one or more words that are associated with a lateral motion direction and a key.

19. A user interface device comprising:

a plurality of geometrically-shaped keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of characters, functions or symbols; and

a key driver system comprising;

a processing component configured to generate key motion signals according to output information; and

key motion drivers configured to drive one or more of the keys based on the generated key motion signals;

a force detector configured to detect force applied to one or more of the plurality of keys;

a lateral movement sensor configured to sense direction of motion of the plurality of keys; and

a selection component for selecting at least one of a character or function based on the detected force and the sensed direction of motion.