Computer input device with individually positionable and programmable input members

• US 20040056781A1
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ergodex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ergodex Incorporated
• Inventors: Roberts, Michael S., Kelly, Larry J., Rix, Scott M., Brown, Preston D., Summit, Scott W., Kelly, Tim C., Burling, William L. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,903,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0224 Key guide holders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/705 characterised by construction, mounting or arrangement of operating parts, e.g. push-buttons or keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/026 Guiding or lubricating nylon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/03 Stoppers for on or off position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/034 Coded keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/066 replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/042 Snap coupling; Snap mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/01 combined with other elements on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/024 with inductive switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/032 using RFID technology in switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers

Abstract

A configurable computer input device. A base is operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal. A plurality independently positionable input members are each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.

Claims

1. A configurable computer input device, comprising:

a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal; and

a plurality of independently positionable input members each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.

2. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein input members modulate the carrier signal through inductive backscattering.

3. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one computer input function is assignable to activation of at least one of the input members.

4. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is positionable in an infinite number of positions on the base.

5. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises memory operable to store an input function assigned to activation of the input member.

6. The computer input device according to claim 5, wherein the input member memory stores at least one of strings of characters, macro sequences, executable programs, scripts, application plug-ins, user identity data, passwords, advertising information, electronic images, and a scan code that corresponds to an input function.

7. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises memory operable to store an input function assigned to activation of the input member.

8. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein an input function assigned to activation of at least one of the input members is stored in the host computer.

9. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises a coil, an RFID chip, and a switch circuit connecting the coil and the RFID chip.

10. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises an electromechanical element, a coil, and a microprocessor connected to the electromechanical element and the coil.

11. The computer input device according to claim 10, wherein electromechanical element comprises output members connected to digital input pins of the microprocessor.

12. The computer input device according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the input members comprises an analog input member, a microprocessor and an analog to digital converter means.

13. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises at least one antenna operable to receive power and carry out base-to-input member and input member-to-base communication.

14. The computer input device according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the input members comprises a first antenna operable to receive power, a second antenna operable to carry out base-to-input member communication and a third antenna operable to carry out input member-to-base communication.

15. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises a tuned coil operative to receive power and communicate with the base.

16. The computer input device according to claim 15, wherein inductance and capacitance of a circuit comprising the coil produces a naturally resonant circuit.

17. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members comprises a tuning capacitor.

18. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the input members are simultaneously operable and the base is operable to prioritize modulations of the carrier signal by the input members.

19. The computer input device according to claim 18, wherein the base comprises a multiple object, multiple-protocol anticollision algorithm.

20. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is operable to selectively interrogate the input members.

21. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is operable to selectively ignore communications of status by the input members.

22. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is operable to only transmit its status in response to interrogation by the base.

23. The computer input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a wired or wireless connection for communication with a host computer.

24. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is operable to communicate to the base upon a change in its status.

25. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein a status of at least one of the input members is initialized upon being operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base.

26. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a cover on which the input members are each independently positionable.

27. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the input members is independently positionable in an infinite number of locations on the cover.

28. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein the cover is removable.

29. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the cover and the base comprises at least one attachment element operable to removably secure the cover to the base.

30. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the input members is attached to the cover with a reusable adhesive.

31. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein at least one of the input members is independently removably attachable to the cover.

32. The computer input device according to claim 26, further comprising:

a template operable to indicate at least one of positions and functions for the input members.

33. The computer input device according to claim 32, wherein at lease one of the cover and the template comprises an RFID circuit.

34. The computer input device according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the base and the template is operable to modulate the carrier signal.

35. The computer input device according to claim 26, wherein the cover comprises a template operable to indicate at least one of positions and functions for the input members.

36. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input devices is independently repositionable.

37. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is independently removably attachable to the base.

38. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises at least one antenna operable to transmit and receive the carrier signal.

39. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is arranged on a keyboard housing.

40. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is removably positionable in an infinite number of locations on the base.

41. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the input members are selected from the group comprising keys, buttons, button pads, key pads, thumb pads, joysticks, sliders, dials, trackpads and jog/shuttle wheels.

42. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the input members is inductively powered by the carrier signal.

43. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein at least one the input members is powered by a power source included in each input member.

44. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is operable to record computer input functions to be assigned to activation of the input members.

45. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is operable to launch a configuration program on a host computer.

46. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input members is independently positionable in a plurality of discrete positions.

47. The computer input device according to claim 1, wherein the base is operatively connectable to a host computer.

48. A computer system, comprising:

a host computer;

an input device comprising a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal, the base being operatively connected to a host computer and a plurality of independently positionable input members each operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.

49. A configurable computer input device, comprising:

a base operable to generate and detect a radio frequency carrier signal; and

at least one independently positionable input member operatively positioned in the vicinity of the base and individually operable to modulate the carrier signal responsive to its identity and status.