Rounded keypad

• US 6,657,560 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2001
• Issued: 12/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gabrielor Inc.
• Original Assignee: Richard Jung
• Inventors: Jung, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/682,796
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/22, 400/486, 345/168, 379/368, 361/679
• US Class Current: 341/22
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A rounded keypad device capable of being operated with only one finger comprises the invention. The keypad device includes a keypad having keys, which are positioned within a movement radius of the finger of an operator and have the English letters required for forming desired words or numbers or functions to be executed. The keys are arranged in a high using-frequency key section involving first set keys among the keys of the keypad, the first keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively frequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The first keys being positioned in a round configuration which is defined around the eye'"'"'s focal point on the keypad and in a minimum movement radius of the finger of the operator, along a first virtual circle. The keypad also includes a second low-using frequency key section comprising remaining second set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the second keys being assigned to English letters and functions that are relatively infrequently used when inputting letters and function executing instructions. The second set of keys is arranged in a rounded configuration concentric with the rounded configuration of the first set of keys and having a radius larger than the minimum movement radius. Various mode and function switches are also provided and the geometric configurations can be used with a variety of keypads and for inputting a variety of devices.

Claims

1. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger comprising:

a plurality of keys positioned within a movement radius of a finger of an operator and corresponding at least to the sum of the number of English letters required for inputting desired words and the instructions of functions to be executed;

a high using-frequency key section comprising a first set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the first set of keys being assigned to English letters and functions which are relatively frequently used when inputting letters and functions executing instructions, the first set of keys being positioned in a round type configuration which is defined around an eye'"'"'s focal point on the keypad and a minimum movement radius of the finger of the operator, along a first virtual circle, the keys of the first set being arranged sequentially to follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout; and

a low using-frequency key section comprising a second set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the second set of keys being assigned to English letters and functions which are relatively infrequently used when inputting letters and at functions executing instructions, the second set of keys being positioned outward of the round type configuration of the high using-frequency key section, around a second virtual circle which is concentric with the first virtual circle and has a radius larger than the minimum movement radius of the operator'"'"'s finger the keys of the second set being arranged sequentially to follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout.

2. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein;

the first set of keys that comprise the high using-frequency key section, are substantially vowel keys that are relatively frequently used when inputting letters.

3. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the second set of keys that constitute the low using-frequency key section, comprise consonant keys that are relatively infrequently used when inputting letter.

4. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 further including:

a function key section constituted by at least one third key;

the at least one function key being positioned anywhere within a movement radius of the finger of an operator;

the at least one third key being assigned to functions which are relatively frequently used when inputting function executing instructions.

5. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 further including:

a plurality of function keys positioned on the keypad device anywhere within a movement radius of the operating finger.

6. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 further including:

a function key section comprising at least one function key, the at least one function key being assigned to functions which are relatively frequently used when inputting function executing instructions; and

the at least one function key being positioned inward of the round type area of the high using frequency key section, in a third virtual circle which is concentric with the first and second virtual circles and has a radius smaller than the minimum movement radius.

7. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the first set of keys and the second set of keys permit mapping of any international alphabets or symbols.

8. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

each of the high and low using-frequency key sections define any possible virtually rounded arrangement.

9. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the first and second Bets of keys comprise any size or physical form.

10. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the first set of keys and the second set of keys are positioned in an alpha/numerical clockwise arrangement with the second set of keys being positioned concentrically and at a predetermined distance from the first set of keys.

11. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the keys of the first set and the keys of the second set alternate letter-wise in respective concentric circles.

12. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the keypad device is operated with one thumb.

13. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the keypad device is operated with both thumbs to facilitate speed of operation.

14. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the first set of keys and the second set of keys are positioned in an alpha/numerical clockwise arrangement with respect to each other with the second set of keys being positioned concentrically and at a predetermined distance from the first set of keys, said keys being substantially in alpha/numerical order in the first and second set of keys.

15. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the keys of the first and second set alternate and continue clockwise as close to alphabetical order as possible in respective concentric circles.

16. A keypad in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the keys of the first and second sets of keys are arranged relative to each other such that alphabetic letters of the first and second sets of keys together generally sequentially follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout.

17. A keypad comprising:

a first set of keys comprising a plurality of individual keys having a center coinciding with the eye'"'"'s focal point and having a predetermined rounded configuration, said keys being arranged in a predetermined order within the rounded configuration, the first set of keys including alphabetic keys arranged sequentially to follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout; and

,

a second set of keys comprising a plurality of individual keys surrounding externally and concentrically the rounded configuration of the first set of keys being arranged in a predetermined order, the first set of keys including alphabetic keys arranged sequentially to follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout.

18. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

the first and second set of keys each comprise a predetermined arrangement of keys positioned alphabetically in a clockwise pattern.

19. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 further including:

a set of keys for selectively inputting different case characters and functions.

20. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

a third set of keys for selectively inputting different case characters and functions is positioned internally within the rounded first set of keys and near the eye'"'"'s focal point.

21. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 further including:

a plurality of keys for executing predetermined functions, said keys being positioned within the rounded configuration of the first and second set of keys in a specific portion thereof.

22. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 further including:

a plurality of keys for inputting predetermined symbol characters, said keys being positioned within the rounded configuration of the first and second set of keys in a specific portion thereof.

23. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 further including:

a space key mounted on the keypad within the first set of keys.

24. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

the first set of keys comprise keys less frequently used in input and the second set of keys comprise keys used substantially more frequently in input.

25. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

the keys of the first and second sets of keys are arranged relative to each other such that alphabetic letters of the first and second sets of keys together generally sequentially follow an alphabetical arrangement thereabout.

26. A keypad in accordance with claim 17 wherein:

the first set of keys comprises keys substantially frequently used in input and the second set of keys comprises keys being less frequently used in input.

27. A keypad in accordance with claim 26 further including:

an arrangement of keys mounted on said keypad for executing predetermined functions.

28. A keypad in accordance with claim 26 wherein:

either the first set of keys or the second sets of keys comprise keys for inputting numeric characters.

29. A keypad in accordance with claim 26 wherein:

the first and second set of keys comprise keys for inputting predetermined international language characters.

30. A keypad in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

the first set of keys comprise substantially vowel characters and the second set of keys comprise only consonants.

31. A keypad in accordance with claim 22 wherein:

the first set of keys comprise only consonant characters and the second set of keys comprise substantially vowel characters.

32. A keypad in accordance with claim 29 wherein:

both the first and the second set of keys comprise consonant characters arranged in an alphabetically clockwise pattern, and vowel characters arranged in a different predetermined pattern adjacent to the clockwise pattern.

33. A keypad in accordance with claim 32 wherein:

the vowel characters are positioned in a straight line adjacent the rounded configuration of the second set of keys.

34. A keypad for inputting data to a device capable of being operated with only one finger comprising:

a plurality of keys positioned within a movement radius of a finger of an operator and corresponding at least to the sum of the number of English letters required for inputting desired words and instructions of functions to be executed;

a high using-frequency key section comprising a first set of keys among the keys of the keypad, the first set of keys being assigned to English letters and numbers which are relatively frequently used when inputting letters and functions executing instructions the first set of keys being positioned in a round type configuration a which is defined around an eye'"'"'s focal point on the keypad and a minimum movement radius of the finger of the operator, along a first virtual circle, the first set of keys which constitute the high using-frequency key section, comprise numerical keys arranged to follow a equential numerical arrangement thereabout; and

a low usincr-freauency key section comprising a second set of keys among the keys to the keypad, the second set of keys being assigned to English letters and functions which are relatively infrequently used when inputting letters and functions executing instructions, the second set of keys being positioned outward of the round type configuration of the high using-frequency key section, around a second virtual circle which is concentric with the first virtual circle and has a radius larger than the minimum movement radius of the operator'"'"'s finger the second set of keys that constitute the low using-frequency key section, comprise other keyboard symbol keys or signs.