Foot-operated input device

• US 7,990,366 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2010
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• 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 L
• Application Number:
  US12/754,570
• Publication Number:
  US 20110084902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 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 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• 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 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A foot operated data input pad has a plurality of foot-operated buttons that may be used to enter data, information, or instructions, including but not limited to numbers, symbols, words, or phrases, separately or in combination. In some embodiments, each button is preferably 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 controller may be included to allow the user to control the computer'"'"'s pointer, allowing the user to switch between data entry fields. In embodiments wherein a heel rest is provided on the housing of the pad, the rest may optionally 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 help the user keep track of the data value as it changes and is entered. In alternative versions for input of instructions, single values, binary information, or for selection of items in a pull-down screen window, a pad may have two foot buttons provided adjacent a cursor controller, wherein the cursor controller and right and left click buttons are on an arc or on an angle so that the foot buttons are rearward on the housing relative to the cursor controller so that pivoting the foot to the right or left on the heel places the toe-end of the foot over each foot button for actuation.

Claims

1. A data input pad for resting on a floor and for communicating with a computer, the pad comprising:

a pad housing;

a plurality of foot buttons and a cursor controller arranged in an arc curving an amount in the range of 120-170 degrees on a top surface of the pad housing, wherein a first button of said foot buttons is on a left side of the cursor controller and a second button of said foot buttons is on a right side of the cursor controller, wherein said first button and said second button are adapted to be a left-click button and a right-click button for cooperating with a computer;

wherein the arc has a radius in the range of 5-10 inches; and

wherein the pad housing has a left end, a right end, an inner perimeter edge between said left end and said right end and curving on a perimeter arc in the range of 120-170 degrees on a rear side of the pad housing.

2. A data input pad as in claim 1, wherein said inner perimeter edge curves partially around and defines a heel-receiving space between said left end and said right end.

3. A data input pad as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of foot buttons and cursor controller are arranged in an arc curving in an amount in the range of 140-150 degrees.

4. A data input pad as in claim 1, wherein the pad comprises only two of said foot buttons which are said first button and said second button and said cursor controller.

5. A data input pad as in claim 1, wherein each of said first button and said second button is adapted to be both a right-click button and a left-click button for cooperating with said computer when switched between right-click operation and left-click operation by a switch accessible from an outside surface of the pad housing.

6. An input pad as in claim 1, wherein said pad housing is an arc-shaped housing with said inner perimeter being arc-shaped and the pad housing further having an outer perimeter extending between said left end and said right end on a front side of the pad housing and wherein said outer perimeter is arc-shaped.

7. An input pad as in claim 1, wherein said cursor controller comprises a generally flat-topped rocking plate.

8. An input pad as in claim 1 adapted so that actuation of said first foot button enters data selected from the group consisting of a single number, a plurality of numbers selected from a range of numbers, a word, a phrase, an instruction for said computer, binary information, and a selection of an item from a pull-down screen window.

9. An input pad as in claim 8 adapted so that actuation of said second foot button enters data selected from the group consisting of a single number, a plurality of numbers selected from a range of numbers, a word, a phrase, an instruction for said computer, binary information, and a selection of an item from a pull-down screen window.

10. A data input pad for resting on a floor and for communication with a computer, the pad comprising:

a pad housing having a bottom side for placement on the floor, a top side, a front side, a rear side, a left wing with a left end, a right wing with a right end;

a foot-operated cursor controller provided at a junction of said left wing and said right wing, a first foot button on top of the left wing and a second foot button on top of the right wing, wherein spaced-apart on the top side of said pad housing, wherein said first and second foot buttons are located rearward relative to the cursor controller;

the pad housing having, an inner perimeter edge extending between said left end and said right end on the rear side of the pad housing, and an outer perimeter edge extending between said left end and said right end on the front side of the pad housing, wherein said left wing and said right wing join so that longitudinal centerlines of the wings are at an angle in the range of 120-150 degrees.

11. An input pad as in claim 10, wherein the inner perimeter edge comprises a generally straight left portion and a generally straight right portion that join at an angle in the range of 130-155 degrees, and the outer perimeter edge comprises a generally straight left portion and a generally straight right portion that join at an angle in the range of 100-145 degrees.

12. A data input pad as in claim 10, wherein said inner perimeter edge bends partially around and defines a heel-receiving space between said left end and said right end.

13. A data input pad as in claim 10, wherein the pad comprises only two of said foot buttons which are said first button and said second button and said cursor controller.

14. A data input pad as in claim 10, wherein each of said first button and said second button is adapted to be both a right-click button and a left-click button for cooperating with said computer when switched between right-click operation and left-click operation by a switch accessible from an outside surface of the pad housing.

15. An input pad as in claim 10, wherein said cursor controller comprises a generally flat-topped rocking plate.

16. An input pad as in claim 10 adapted so that actuation of said first foot button enters data selected from the group consisting of a single number, a plurality of numbers selected from a range of numbers, a word, a phrase, an instruction for said computer, binary information, and a selection of an item from a pull-down screen window.

17. An input pad as in claim 16 adapted so that actuation of said second foot button enters data selected from the group consisting of a single number, a plurality of numbers selected from a range of numbers, a word, a phrase, an instruction for said computer, binary information, and a selection of an item from a pull-down screen window.