Computer keyboard including a control unit and a keyboard screen

• US 9,335,831 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2013
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adaptable Keys A/S
• Original Assignee: Adaptable Keys A/S
• Inventors: Forshaug, Rune
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jr., Kenneth B
• Application Number:
  US14/053,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20150103007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0235 using chord techniques G06F3/0234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An ergonomic writing apparatus including a keyboard screen integrated in the ordinary screen image, alternatively an independent keyboard screen, which interacts with a control unit. When the control arm/lateral joystick is moved, then two cursors which can be moved independently of each other and simultaneously, are displaceable over the columns of characters in the keyboard image. A choice of keys in the keyboard windows and control of the ordinary PC functions is realized by finger keys.

Claims

1. Ergonomic writing apparatus for at least one of a PC and/or refinement of a traditional keyboard, comprising:

a control unit, working in combination with a keyboard image,

wherein the keyboard image is integrated in a PC screen or on an independent keyboard screen,

wherein, when the keyboard image is integrated in the PC screen, the keyboard image occupies little space in a lower part of the PC screen,

wherein characters and other functions which are shown in the keyboard image, can be chosen with the aid of the control unit, the keyboard image comprises a complete alphabet and one or more symbols, the keyboard image is clearly visible on the PC screen or the independent keyboard screen, placement of characters in the keyboard image is approximately the same as the placement of keys in the traditional keyboard,

wherein two separate manual controls, which, with the aid of an arm, hand or another body movement, each control a respective cursor in a left half and a right half of the keyboard image,

wherein the manual controls include control arms or joysticks,

wherein the cursors can be displaced simultaneously and independently of each other, choice of characters on the keyboard image and control of the ordinary PC functions is made by finger keys on the manual control,

wherein the keyboard image includes specific fields of characters that are each selectable by the cursors,

wherein the manual controls include individual finger keys,

wherein each of the finger keys controls one of the characters within the selected one of the specific fields of characters, which is highlighted in the keyboard image,

wherein moving each of the manual controls moves each of the respective cursors and respectively selects one of the specific fields of characters in the keyboard image to determine which character each of the finger keys controls,

wherein the physical placement of the finger keys on the manual control is arranged such that this placement is easy to associate with the physical placement of the characters in the keyboard image, wherein all the finger keys can be activated and dedicated to specific functions,

wherein it is possible to shift between three keyboard windows of the keyboard image which each have a fixed set of characters, and

wherein the number of keyboard images can be extended, the other functions for the PC are present as keys on a mini keyboard, via a stationary mouse which controls a cursor, or via two foot pedals which control a cursor.

2. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the two cursors in the keyboard image are stood vertically, when the manual controls are moved, then the two vertical cursors are displaced over columns of the characters in the keyboard image to select the specific field of characters, a character in the topmost row, at the site of the cursor, can be chosen by pressing of an index finger key on the manual control, a character in the second row in the keyboard image can be chosen with a long finger key on the manual control, a character in the third row in the keyboard image can be chosen with a ring finger key on the manual control, and a character in the fourth row in the keyboard image can be chosen with a little finger key on the manual control,

wherein a choice and a switch between different keyboard images can be made with simple key presses with the thumb:

small letters, large letters, numbers/symbols and possibly other keyboard images.

3. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, further comprising software for the keyboard image, wherein the control unit communicates with the PC through a standard USB by using interface electronics for standard joysticks and is based on using standard drivers from the different operating systems, the system employs two analogous axes, an axis, eight finger keys for the left hand, eight finger keys for the right hand, the software uses the axis position for positioning the cursor and the finger keys for choosing the character in the highlighted specific field of characters, the finger keys can be used to shift between keyboard windows and can be used as Shift, Caps Lock, Backspace, Delete, Enter, Space and Full Stop, the character set of the keyboard image is based on the choice of language which is made at system level,

wherein the main function of the software is to combine the axis position with the functions of the finger keys so as thereafter to forward the chosen character to the active program window or application,

wherein, when the keyboard image is integrated into a PC screen, at least one of a standard screen division and/or a transparent solution can be used, wherein the transparent solution can be placed over the program window or application, the keyboard screen is clearly visible on the PC screen and does not disturb the choice of active program or application by the user, and wherein the integrated keyboard window can be displaced to the right side or the left side of the PC screen and dropped onto the taskbar.

4. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the character set is based on the choice of language which is made at system level, and wherein the characters in the keyboard image are adaptable to different languages, different language signs, symbols, pictorial signs, numbers, and other expressions of language.

5. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the standard size of the keyboard image is adaptable according to requirement, or wherein the size of the characters in the keyboard image is adjustable, wherein the standard size of the keyboard image includes the number of columns and the number of rows in the keyboard image.

6. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, further comprising keyboard image that is integrated in a PC screen, wherein the standard size for the integrated keyboard image is 3×

10=30 keys,

wherein the two cursors can be displaced independently of each other and simultaneously,

wherein a primary region of the keyboard image shows a set of characters, and a secondary region of the keyboard image can be shown in the keyboard image,

wherein the secondary region is a tool for seeing the placement of thumb keys on the manual control, the secondary region shows three or more thumb keys depending on which solution is chosen.

7. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein standard placement of keys on the manual control can be changed, and the number of keys on the manual control can be adapted according to requirement.

8. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the manual control has four thumb keys mounted on each hand as a standard number and placement, on the left thumb:

delete, numbers, space and key, on the right thumb there are placed four keys;

full stop, enter, backspace and key, in this solution for the manual control the thumb also plays a part in controlling characters in the keyboard image, wherefrom the designation;

“

key”

, delete is an erasure key, numbers key makes it possible to choose between keyboard images;

small letters, large letters and number symbols, space ensure interspaces between words, full stop, enter and backspace are self-explanatory.

9. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the manual control has 5 positions, which correspond to the cursor on the keyboard image, these are 5 standard positions, wherein the number of positions is adaptable according to requirement.

10. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the control unit for the keyboard image is mounted such that the control arms hang straight down, and wherein arm movement is a to-and-fro movement, the control unit is mounted on an office chair with an elbow shape, a hand shape, and the manual control with the control arm for each hand,

wherein the axis and the ball bearing are mounted such that the control arm is moved movable to and fro, the cursor on the keyboard image is moved when the control arm is displaced to and fro,

wherein the control unit, which is fitted for hanging arms can also be adjusted up and down, and the angle of the control arm can be lifted up to 90°

, an adjustable weight is fitted in the rear of the control unit in order to balance the control arm, a spring for to-and-fro movement is adjustable, the armrest can be height-adjusted in relation to the seat.

11. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is usable together with:

a stationary hand mouse having a ball which controls a cursor, wherein the hand mouse is primarily mounted on one of the control arms, or in some other usable place,

wherein the writing apparatus is usable together with other types of hand mouse, or a foot mouse, wherein one foot controls a cursor and the other foot controls a right and left click.

12. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor which registers arm movement and the use of the finger keys, wherein a signal appears in a combination of arm positioning and use of the finger keys, which the signal is forwarded to a transmitter, which relays a wireless signal that goes to a receiver and a signal processor, wherein the signal passes on to a disk, which relays the signal to the keyboard image screen,

wherein a battery and a charging station are fitted as a part of the transmitter, the transmitter and the receiver are mounted such that optimal contact is opened, the sensor for arm movement can be laterally adjusted such that the sensor opens a good arm position.

13. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein signals between the control unit and the PC go directly through a standard USB and not via a transmitter and a receiver.

14. Writing apparatus for a PC according to claim 1, wherein a small side panel or a mini keyboard is fitted, and wherein the writing apparatus is mounted on the control arm for the control unit,

wherein finger keys for four arrow keys, tabulator, escape, change of language for character set, adjustment of the size of the keyboard image, and other specific functions can be included on the control arm,

wherein the mini keyboard can have a configuration other than that which has been proposed, the number of finger keys on the mini keyboard can be changed based on requirement.

15. Ergonomic writing apparatus for a PC, comprising:

two manual controls with dedicated finger keys for each finger,

wherein the finger keys control the choice of characters in a virtual keyboard integrated in a keyboard image,

wherein the characters include keys, symbols, and functions,

wherein the manual controls have a plurality of sensor types built in that can register different movements of the hand in different positions, and

wherein these movements and signals from the sensors move cursors for each of the manual controls in at least one of the keyboard image and/or the control panel and allow movement between different keyboard images,

wherein the keyboard image includes specific fields of characters that are each selectable by the cursors,

wherein each of the finger keys controls one of the characters within the selected one of the specific fields of characters,

wherein moving each of the manual controls moves each of the respective cursors and respectively selects one of the specific fields of characters in the keyboard image to determine which character each of the finger keys controls.

16. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the manual controls are strapped to the hand.

17. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a connection can be made to two simple wireless rocker foot switches or foot sensors, which control movement of the cursors in the keyboard image.

18. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein there are five finger keys on each manual control which control the choice of the characters in the keyboard image, and other finger keys on the manual controls which control the most ordinary PC functions, these being principally controlled by thumb keys.

19. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising sensors which directly register the actual movement of the manual control and transfer hand movement to displacement of the cursors in the keyboard image, or transfer the hand movement to shifting between the different keyboard images.

20. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising sensors which register the angle of the manual control on the basis of horizontal and vertical position, or compass position, where the sensors will have a different function in a first position, hanging arms versus a second position, a third position, and a fourth position, positions and where a change of angle is registered, which transfers a hand movement to displacement of the cursors in the keyboard image, or a change of angle in another hand movement to shifting between the different keyboard images.

21. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein movement of a cursor the cursors in the keyboard image can result from a sideways “

joystick”

hand movement, a to-and-fro “

joystick”

hand movement, an up and down with the arm movement, a to-and-fro with the arm movement, a swing the arm to the side movement, wherein all possible movements can be made in combination with pressing of the finger keys.

22. Writing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a change of the keyboard images is made with a sideways “

joystick”

hand movement, a to-and-fro “

joystick”

hand movement, an up and down with the arm movement, a to-and-fro with the arm movement, a swing the arm to the side movement, or any other that can be made in combination with pressing the finger keys.