Ergonomic human-computer input device

• US 6,756,968 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gametronics LLC (Jeffrey M. Gross)
• Original Assignee: Keybowl Incorporated
• Inventors: McAlindon, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WU, XIAO MIN
• Application Number:
  US09/993,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20020109667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/156, 345/157, 345/163, 345/167, 345/184, 341/20, 341/21, 341/22, 341/23, 400/489, 200/5.R, 200/6.A
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04714 with orthogonal axes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with an electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user'"'"'s hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required. In addition, cursor control is possible via either dome.

Claims

1. An input apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a controller moveably coupled with the housing;

a kinematic map plate moveably coupled with the controller such that the kinematic map plate moves in response to movement of the controller;

at least one impression formed in the kinematic map plate defining a plurality of keystroke-defining locations and a home location;

a spider mechanism that cooperatively engages the at least one impression to guide the controller for movement among the plurality of keystroke-defining locations and the home location;

an upper director plate for guiding the controller in at least one direction;

an actuator armature moveable in response to movement of the controller;

means for sensing a position of the controller operatively coupled with the actuator armature and the controller, the means for sensing a position of the controller configured to sense a movement of the controller from the home location to a first keystroke-defining location and generate a first location signal indicative of the keystroke-defining location;

means for biasing the controller so that it may be depressed and released and for biasing the spider mechanism against the kinematic map plate; and

a processing means configured to receive the first location signal and translate the first location signal into a keystroke signal having a unique correspondence with the first location signal.

2. The input apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second controller moveably coupled with the housing;

a second kinematic map plate moveably coupled with the second controller such that the second kinematic map plate moves in response to movement of the second controller;

at least one impression formed in the second kinematic map plate defining a second plurality of keystroke-defining locations and a home location;

a second spider mechanism that cooperatively engages the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate to guide the second controller for movement among the second plurality of keystroke-defining locations and the home location;

means for engaging and disengaging the second spider mechanism with the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate;

a second upper director plate for guiding the second controller in at least one direction;

a second actuator armature moveable in response to movement of the second controller;

means for sensing a position of the second controller operatively coupled with the second actuator armature and the second controller, the means for sensing a position of the second controller configured to sense a movement of the second controller from the home location to a second keystroke-defining location and generate a second location signal indicative of the second keystroke-defining location;

second means for biasing the second controller so that it may be depressed and released and for biasing the second spider mechanism against the second kinematic map plate;

means for switching the apparatus between a mouse mode and a keyboard mode, the switching means activatable by depressing and releasing the second controller; and

wherein the processing means is further configured to receive the first and second location signals and translate the first and second location signals into a keystroke signal having a unique correspondence with the first and second location signals.

3. The input apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller and the second controller are each formed having a contoured upper surface that substantially conforms to the palmer architecture of a human hand and wherein the controller and the second controller are positioned within the housing to have a bilateral symmetry.

4. The input apparatus of claim 2, wherein the respective at least one impression formed in the kinematic map plate and the second kinematic map plate form eight respective keystroke-defining locations into which respective ones of the controller and the second controller may be moved.

5. The input apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

means for switching the apparatus among a num lock mode, a shift mode and a caps lock mode, the switching means activatable by depressing and releasing the controller and wherein the processing means is configured to generate a keystroke signal indicative of an alphanumeric character in response to receipt of the first and second location signals.

6. The input apparatus of claim 2, means for engaging and disengaging the second spider mechanism with the at least one impression of the second kinematic map plate comprising a camming mechanism positioned within a center aperture of the second spider mechanism, the camming mechanism configured with an opposing ramp geometry to cause the second spider mechanism to rotate approximately 45 degrees when the second controller is depressed and engage the second kinematic map plate when the second controller is released so that the second spider mechanism and the second kinematic map plate are not cooperatively engaged thereby allowing the second controller to be moved about within 360 degrees to control movement of a cursor and wherein rotation of the second spider mechanism activates a switch initiating a mouse mode and wherein the processing means is further configured to allow the second controller to control movement of the cursor.

7. The input apparatus of claim 1, the means for sensing a position controller comprising:

a strain gauge affixed to a base portion of the housing; and

a biasing means operatively coupling the actuator armature to the strain gauge such that the biasing means exerts tangential forces on the strain gauge in response to movement of the controller.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, the biasing means operatively coupling the actuator armature to the means for sensing a position of the controller comprising a coil spring.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, the means for biasing the controller so that it may be depressed and released comprising a spring coupled with the spider mechanism and positioned on an upper surface of the upper director plate.

10. The input apparatus of claim 1, the at least one impression comprising a centrally located indentation have a first depth and a plurality of grooves radially extending there from each having a second depth wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.