Foot-operated key pad

• US 7,554,526 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2008
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beckmer Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Beckmer Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Logue, Rebecca L.
• Primary Examiner(s): OSORIO, RICARDO
• Application Number:
  US12/116,182
• Publication Number:
  US 20080284725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-168
• US Class Current: 345/163
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0023 Foot control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• 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 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A foot operated data entry pad has a plurality of foot-operated buttons. The foot buttons are used to enter data values—e.g., numbers or symbols separately or in combination. Each button is capable of entering different data values, preferably depending on the length of time that it is pressed or on the number of times that it is pressed in succession. A small controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer'"'"'s pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields, as with a mouse. A heel rest may serve as both a heel rest and a button/switch for sending an electric/electronic signal. An automated voice system, or other audible and/or visual indicator system, may also be included to help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered. Various embodiments are capable of entering a variety of alphanumeric data rather than a simple binary-type data set, such as yes/no or on/off, or instructions, such as a joystick used with a flight simulator program. Multiple data entry pads may optionally be used in conjunction.

Claims

1. A data entry pad for a computer comprising a foot button, said foot button being configured to enter different data values according to a code of actuation of the foot button, wherein said code of actuation comprises a first data value being transmitted to the computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for less than one second and released, and a second data value being transmitted to the computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for one second or more and then released.

2. The pad of claim 1, wherein said code of actuation further comprises a third signal being sent to said computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for three seconds or more.

3. The pad of claim 2, wherein said third signal is a mouse control button signal.

4. The pad of claim 1, wherein said code of actuation further comprises a third signal being sent to said computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for more than three seconds.

5. The pad of claim 4, wherein said third signal is a mouse control button signal.

6. The pad of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said foot buttons, the foot buttons being spaced-apart in a generally radial planar pattern on said pad, each of said foot buttons being distanced about 5-10 inches from a center of a heel support area also located on said pad.

7. The pad of claim 6, which comprises a cursor controller farther from the heel support area than said foot buttons.

8. The pad of claim 7, which comprises a mouse control button farther from the heel support area than said foot buttons.

9. The pad of claim 7, which comprises a mouse control button in the heel support area.

10. The pad of claim 9, wherein said heel support area comprises a heel support rest that is pivotal in a rearward direction and, upon rearward pivoting, produces a mouse control button signal.

11. The pad of claim 10, wherein said heel support rest does not produce a mouse control button signal when said heel support rest is pushed straight down in a vertical direction.

12. The pad of claim 11, wherein said arc of foot buttons is 5-10 inches from the heel rest and said arc extends in a range of 30-150 degrees.

13. A data entry pad for a computer comprising a main body, a plurality of foot buttons, and a heel rest, the plurality of foot buttons being arranged on said main body in an arc on a radius wherein said arc has a center at or near the heel rest, wherein one of said foot buttons produces a plurality of data signals depending upon how long the button is continuously pressed, at least two of said plurality of data signals representing numbers, and another of said plurality of data signals being a mouse control button signal.

14. The pad of claim 13, wherein said radius is 5-10 inches.

15. The pad of claim 13, further comprising a controller joystick at a distal end of said main body.

16. The pad of claim 13, wherein said mouse control signal is produced when said one of the foot buttons is continuously pressed for a period of time greater than it is pressed to produce said at least two data signals representing numbers.

17. A data entry pad for a computer comprising a main body, a plurality of foot buttons, and a heel rest, the plurality of foot buttons being arranged on said main body in an arc on a radius wherein said arc has a center at or near the heel rest wherein one of said foot buttons produces a plurality of data signals depending upon how many times said one foot button is pressed, released, and repressed, wherein at least two of said data signals represent numbers, and another of said plurality of data signals is a mouse control button signal.

18. The pad of claim 17, wherein said mouse control signal is produced when said one of the foot buttons is pressed and released more times than said one foot button is pressed and released to produce said at least two data signals representing numbers.

19. A data entry pad for a computer comprising a foot button, said foot button being configured to enter different data values according to a code of actuation of the foot button, wherein said code of actuation comprises a first data value being transmitted to the computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for a time equal to or less than one second and released, and a second data value being transmitted to the computer when the foot button is continuously pressed for more than one second and then released.

20. A foot-operated key pad for use with a computer, the pad comprising:

a main body having a generally horizontal top surface;

a heel rest provided on the top surface at a rearward region of the pad;

a plurality of foot buttons provided in said top surface forward of the heel rest;

wherein said heel rest is moveable between two positions comprising an upright rest position wherein the heel rest does not move in response to pressure substantially downward on the heel rest, and a rearward-tilted switch position that produces an electronic or electric signal, wherein said heel rest is moveable from the rest position to the switch position by rocking the heel rest rearward.

21. The pad of claim 20, wherein the signal produced in the switch position is a mouse control button signal.

22. The pad of claim 21, wherein the mouse control button signal is a left click signal.