Keyscreen

• US 6,492,978 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 12/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Selig, David G., Lyons, Dale R., Forsythe, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Said, Mansour M.
• Application Number:
  US09/087,816
• Time in Patent Office: 1,656 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/173, 345/174, 345/1, 345/169, 345/184, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/18.05, 178/18.06, 178/18.07
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/016 Control panel; Graphic display; Programme control

Abstract

A KeyScreen includes a touchscreen for providing an output position signal indicative of location thereon, with a keypad disposed over the touchscreen. The keypad has a plurality of articulated keys to operably engage the touchscreen upon depression thereof and thereby provide tactile feedback to the user.

Claims

1. A KeyScreen comprising:

a touchscreen for providing a position signal indicative of location thereon;

a keypad disposed over said touchscreen, and having a plurality of hollow articulated keys to operatively engage said touchscreen upon depression thereof; and

each of said keys includes a target resiliently supported around a perimeter thereof to a common web by a support wall integral therewith, and said support wall is resilient and elastic for being deformed during depression and returning to original shape after depression to provide snap action tactile feedback.

2. A keyscreen according to claim 1 wherein each of said keys includes an internal central stem extending from an underside of said target toward said touchscreen.

3. A keyscreen according to claim 1 wherein each of said keys is in the form of an empty inverted cup.

4. A keyscreen comprising:

a touchscreen for providing a position signal indicative of location thereon;

a keypad disposed over said touchscreen, and having a plurality of articulated keys to operatively engage said touchscreen upon depression thereof;

wherein said keys include a barrier over said touchscreen for preventing direct actuation thereof, and said keys are resiliently supported over said touchscreen for being resiliently depressed toward said touchscreen for in turn actuating said touchscreen; and

wherein each of said keys further includes a target defining at least a portion of said barrier resiliently supported by a web, with said target being depressible toward said touchscreen for actuation upon depression thereof to effect said position signal.

5. A method of using said keyscreen according to claim 4 for providing tactile feedback for data entry on said touchscreen comprising attaching said keypad over said touchscreen and depressing one of said keys to operatively engage said touchscreen.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said keys are resilient and elastic and said touchscreen is actuated by firstly depressing and deforming one of said keys which in turn actuates said touchscreen, and said deformed key returns to original shape after depression thereof to provide snap action tactile feedback.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein each of said keys includes a central stem movable downwardly toward said touchscreen upon depression for interrupting an infrared light beam emitted by said touchscreen to detect location of said depressed key.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein said keys are configured for imparting a contact force through said support walls on said touchscreen for actuation thereof.

9. A method according to claim 6 wherein said keys are electrically conductive for effecting an electrical circuit from said touchscreen and through said depressed key to an electrical ground.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein said keys are configured for transmitting light therethrough from said touchscreen for viewing a corresponding virtual keypad displayed on a monitor disposed behind said touchscreen.

11. A method according to claim 6 wherein said keys are opaque.

12. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein each of said keys further includes a resilient support wall supporting said target atop said web, with said support wall being disposed atop said touchscreen for actuating said touchscreen upon depression of said target.

13. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein each of said keys further includes a central stem extending from said target toward said touchscreen for actuating said touchscreen upon depression of said target.

14. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein said keys are supported atop said touchscreen for pressing said touchscreen upon depression thereof to effect said position signal corresponding thereto.

15. A keyscreen according to claim 14 wherein said touchscreen is a resistive touchscreen being actuated solely by pressing contact by said keys thereatop.

16. A keyscreen according to claim 14 wherein said touchscreen is a capacitive touchscreen being actuated by pressing contact by said keys thereatop.

17. A keyscreen according to claim 16 wherein said web is an electrical insulator, and said keys provide an electrical grounding path from said touchscreen to said respective targets when depressed to contact said touchscreen.

18. A keyscreen according to claim 17 wherein said keys are interconnected in a common electrical grounding path, and joined to an external ground.

19. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein:

said touchscreen is an infrared touchscreen including a plurality of light emitters and corresponding light detectors for detecting location thereon; and

said keys are spaced atop said touchscreen, and are configured to interrupt a light path between a respective pair of said emitters and detectors upon depression thereof toward the touchscreen to effect said position signal.

20. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein said target is translucent.

21. A keyscreen according to claim 11 wherein said target is opaque.

22. A keyscreen according to claim 11 further comprising:

a display monitor configured for defining a virtual keypad;

said touchscreen being positioned atop said monitor; and

said keypad being positioned atop said touchscreen in registry with said virtual keypad for permitting data entry with said keys corresponding to said virtual keypad.