Apparatus and method for generating data signals
First Claim
1. An apparatus for generating a data signal, the apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
means for coupling a first controller to the housing so that the first controller may move from a home position to a plurality of positions radially extending from the home position comprising a dome plate coupled with the first controller, the plate including a plurality of cantilever arms that matingly engage an upper surface of the housing to create a bias when the first controller is coupled to the housing and a director plate coupled with the dome plate, the director plate including a post affixed to a cantilever arm that fits within an aperture formed in the dome plate when the dome plate and director plate are coupled together;
means for guiding the first controller among the home position and the plurality of positions radially extending from the home position; and
means for sensing a position of the first controller and generating the data signal in response to the first controller being moved from the home position to one of the plurality of positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include 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 may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required. A keyboard layout may be used with the domes to associate movement of each dome with an alphanumeric layout of characters on a conventional keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard layout. Dome movement may also be associated with the relative location of alphanumeric characters on an associated keyboard and the repsective relative frequency of use of an alphanumeric character to be produced. Hand-held embodiments of the apparatus are provided that may be used with portable or other similar electronic devices.
49 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for generating a data signal, the apparatus comprising:
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a housing; means for coupling a first controller to the housing so that the first controller may move from a home position to a plurality of positions radially extending from the home position comprising a dome plate coupled with the first controller, the plate including a plurality of cantilever arms that matingly engage an upper surface of the housing to create a bias when the first controller is coupled to the housing and a director plate coupled with the dome plate, the director plate including a post affixed to a cantilever arm that fits within an aperture formed in the dome plate when the dome plate and director plate are coupled together; means for guiding the first controller among the home position and the plurality of positions radially extending from the home position; and means for sensing a position of the first controller and generating the data signal in response to the first controller being moved from the home position to one of the plurality of positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification