Method and device for the one-handed input of data

• US 6,333,734 B1
• Filed: 05/07/1999
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wolf Heider Rein
• Original Assignee: Wolf Heider Rein
• Inventors: Rein, Wolf Heider
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZAMANI, ALI A
• Application Number:
  US09/242,681
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/161, 345/168, 345/123, 345/124, 345/125, 345/160, 345/169, 345/156, 345/157, 341/22, 341/23
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for the one-handed input of coordinates of multi-axis coordinate systems and alphanumeric characters and control commands, the device being operable with one hand. The forearm does not participate in the movements and rests on a support. The device comprises a plurality of elongated keys having sensor surfaces which, when depressed, detect and evaluate the position of a fingertip as a coordinate. The device comprises a housing which detects and evaluates the ulnar pivot movement of the hand as a horizontal coordinate and the pronation of the hand and a translation in the direction of the arm as control signals. The device combines the input functions of a mouse and a keyboard.

Claims

1. A device for single handed input of data as coordinates in a multi-axis coordinate system and as alphanumeric symbols and control commands, comprising:

a stationary lower member for disposal upon a support surface;

a housing mounted above said stationary lower member for transverse pivoting, relative to said lower member, about an axis perpendicular to the support surface extending through a wrist of a user;

an elongated key disposed in an upper part of said housing for data input, said key having a transmitter member for detecting a longitudinal coordinate position of a fingertip of the user on said key, and

a converting device disposed within said housing between said elongated key and said stationary lower member to detect and convert said transverse pivoting of said housing and said longitudinal coordinate position of said key into electrical signals as data interface input, wherein conversion of said input motion is effected with a resolution which depends on a mode of operation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing for longitudinal displacement on said lower member in a direction of a forearm of the user, wherein this longitudinal displacement is converted into electrical signals by said converting device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein an ulnar pivot motion of a hand is converted into electrical signals by said converting device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a pronation is detected by means of at least one of an angle of rotation or a tip angle of said housing.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said resolution depends on individual fine motor motion amplitudes of a hand.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein conversion of said input motion produces coordinate signals for pointing devices and code signals for a keyboard.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is symmetric in construction and a keyboard mapping can be adjusted for operation with one of a right and a left hand.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein sense of touch feedback is effected during at least one of motion of said key and motion of said housing in dependence on an instantaneous mode of operation and an instantaneous key mapping.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said key and said converting device for right-handed operation.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said key and said converting device for left-handed operation.

11. A method for single hand input of data using an input device comprising the following steps which can also be carried out in differing sequence:

a) choosing differing keyboard assignments for input of coordinates, alphanumeric symbols and control commands;

b) detecting said keyboard assignments;

c) detecting a position of a fingertip on an elongated key relative to a longitudinal extent of said key, wherein said longitudinal extent is in a longitudinal direction of a forearm of a user;

d) detecting a pivot motion at the input device as an ulnar abduction via a pivot angle;

e) at least one of rotating and tilting the input device as a pronation via at least one of a tilt angle and a rotation angle; and

f) detecting said pronation of step e), wherein conversion of input motion is effected with a resolution which depends on a mode of operation.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a conversion of sampling points of the fingertip and of positions of the input device into corresponding signal sequences is effected with changeable patterns.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein motion of the input device effects sense of touch feedback in dependence on an instantaneous mode of operation and an instantaneous keyboard mapping.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein a keyboard napping for input with one of a right and left hand.