Patent Application
20100207887
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer hardware, and particularly to a one-handed computer interface device, such as a keyboard or the like, that is adapted for use by a single hand of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Operation of a computer or other processing device typically depends upon a user inputting data or commands via an input device. Various devices are known for inputting data and commands including, for example, keyboards, keypads, mice, trackballs, joysticks, game controllers, voice recognition systems, wired or wireless remote controllers, or other input devices.
Several drawbacks and limitations exist, however, with known input devices. These drawbacks and limitations are often accentuated when individuals afflicted with hand disabilities, repetitive stress injuries, and arthritis attempt to navigate the human-computer interface. With the growing use of computers for communication, entertainment, composition, and information storage, retrieval, and analysis, an injury to even one finger of one hand may significantly impact a person's performance and outlook, both at home and in the work place. Additionally, using a conventional keyboard in conjunction with a separate input device, such as a mouse, takes additional time (as the user must switch from typing to positioning his or her hand on the mouse), and may cause even more severe repetitive stress injuries. Even for people without disabilities, there is need for improvement in the human factors and ergonomics of computer input devices.
Conventional “QWERTY” keyboards, for example, tend to be the industry standard for desktop and portable computers. These keyboards are generally bulky and are principally designed for operation by two hands. With two-handed touch-typing, individuals, on average, may input approximately sixty words per minute. Proficiency with “QWERTY” keyboards typically comes after many weeks of use, but may be significantly diminished by hand disabilities or injuries. Overuse of this type of keyboard is a primary cause of repetitive stress injury of the hands.
Smaller keyboards have been designed, but are often difficult to use, as the size of the keys are often reduced, without changing the overall configuration of the conventional keys, or the keys are arranged in uncomfortable ways. In addition, smaller keyboards generally do not allow effective use by a single hand. Other types of input devices often lack the range of functions that may be realized using full-sized keyboards. Specifically, other input devices have fewer controls for performing limited kinds of operations. Therefore, a need exists for a device which allows inputs of all characters and functions, but which is smaller than a full-size “QWERTY” keyboard, and is easily operable by one hand.
In addition to the smaller keyboards referenced above, various compact keypads have been designed. In general, such compact keypads, including one-handed character input devices, provide some sort of multiplicity for each key comprising the keypad, such that a reduced number of keys can represent a full character set. A common method for obtaining key multiplicity is key-chording. Key-chording uses key combinations, pressed or activated simultaneously or in sequence, to represent characters. A variation of the key-chording technique is the use of a selector switch. The keys on the keypad represent different characters depending upon the current position of the selector switch.
While key-chording provides key multiplicity and allows for a keypad with fewer keys than a full keyboard, it is a complex technique that must be mastered by the user, and which reduces the user's speed, particularly in relation to conventional touch typing. A user must learn which combinations of keys create each character. Furthermore, great precision is required during use to ensure that the sets of keys are pressed simultaneously or in the proper sequence. If keys are not activated simultaneously, an incorrect set of characters may result. Therefore, a need exists for a simple, compact keypad or other interface device that can easily represent all of the characters on an ordinary keyboard.
Another known, but less common, technique for inputting data and commands, is keypad-transplacement. Despite the improvements in keypad design using known keypad-transplacement techniques, various deficiencies exist. In at least some implementations, possible keypad positions are limited along a single axis of rotation or movement, which provides only three possible values for each of the keys. Additionally, a separate trackball or other device may be required for cursor or pointer positioning, or other movement commands in multiple dimensions.
One or more of the foregoing keyboards, keypads, or other input devices may also experience other problems which may limit their use. For example, some input devices are designed to operate with only a specific hand (e.g., the right hand). This may be difficult for left-handed people, or for individuals with disabilities.
In addition, some computer programs often require simultaneous operation of certain keys for additional functionality. For example, the “ctrl,” “alt,” and “shift” keys on an ordinary keyboard, when used in various combinations with other keys, may perform certain functions in various applications such as, for example, Microsoft Word®, produced by the Microsoft Corporation. Some alternative keypads do not include these keys or the possibility of simultaneous operation of such keys.
Furthermore, with many compact keypads, users may have difficulty remembering the combination of keys-, or combinations of position and keys, which generate specific characters or perform specific functions. As with any new input device, extensive practice is required to learn and become familiar with the operation. However, most keypads do not provide effective aids to assist the novice user. Often the characters are solely on the keys, which are covered by the user's fingers during operation.
Some input devices have incorporated thumb or finger scrolls. Such devices simplify scrolling and other functions when viewing documents. Nevertheless, compact keypads typically have not incorporated scroll devices. Additionally, keyboards and keypads are often uncomfortable for users. Incidents of carpal tunnel syndrome have increased in recent years, as people have increasingly used awkward input devices. Various accessories, such as pads and supports, have been developed for computer users to ease the strain on arms, hands, and other body parts that may result from use of conventional keyboards and pads. Nevertheless, a need exists for a keypad or other interface device that provides comfortable support and easy manipulation.
In addition to the foregoing drawbacks and limitations of known keyboards and keypad devices, many computer systems further rely on a second input device (e.g., a pointer device) to navigate the graphical user interfaces of various software applications. A computer “mouse,” for example, is perhaps the most commonly used input device used to effectuate pointer control. Many individuals often rely on both a keyboard or keypad and a mouse to input data and commands. This may be frustrating for certain applications that may require continual switching between a keyboard and a mouse such as, for instance, when creating and/or editing a word processing document. Alternatively, “quick keys” on a keyboard or keypad may be used primarily to avoid a pointer device altogether. Often, pointer devices on portable computers (e.g., laptop computers) are so poor that laptop users learn to become quite proficient with quick keys. Further, many applications require extensive use of a mouse, such as CAD and gaming applications, while also using the full functions of a keyboard. In these applications, the user typically has no option but to frequently switch one hand, back and forth, between the mouse and the keyboard.
As the number of different computing platforms expands, more and more devices are being programmed to provide various functions. Many gaming consoles, for example, now include network (e.g., Internet) connections. Cellular telephones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) also include network connections. As these and other devices and systems are being designed or enhanced, many different control devices are being provided with different functionality. It is not uncommon for a user to need to learn a myriad of interfaces just to control all of his or her electronic devices. Thus, a one-handed computer interface device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The one-handed computer interface device is a computer input device that allows the user to input a full range of computer commands typically provided by a computer keyboard, but using only one hand. The one-handed computer interface device includes a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface, with the upper surface preferably being contoured to ergonomically support the user's palm. The lower surface may be adapted for positioning on a support surface, such as a desktop or the like. It should be understood that other configurations for the housing may be necessary for application to devices other than keyboards, such as cellular telephones and the like. The upper surface of the housing is divided into a plurality of finger regions, with each finger region being adapted for receiving one of the user's fingers. Similarly, a thumb region is further defined on the at least one side surface, with the thumb region being adapted for receiving the user's thumb.
A plurality of sets of finger tip sensors and a set of thumb tip sensors are respectively positioned within each finger region and the thumb region. Each sensor may be any suitable type of finger-actuable sensor, such as mechanical switches or buttons, thermal sensors, pressure sensors, optical sensors or the like. Preferably, each set of finger tip sensors and the set of thumb tip sensors includes a plurality of radially arrayed sensors and a central sensor. Further, each finger region and the thumb region preferably each include a depression, for resting the user's finger tips and thumb tip during use. In use, actuation of one of the finger tip and thumb tip sensors generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer key.
A scrolling controller, such as a track ball, a conventional scroll wheel or the like, may further be mounted on the upper surface, thus allowing the keyboard to include additional functionality, similar to that of a conventional computer mouse. Further, indicia are formed on the upper surface and the at least one side surface adjacent the plurality of finger regions and the thumb region, with the indicia indicating the corresponding computer key for each finger tip and thumb tip sensor.
Preferably, each set of radially arrayed sensors includes eight sensors, thus providing the functionality and options of a conventional 104-key computer keyboard. In one possible arrangement, the thumb tip sensors and the central sensors may correspond to conventional function keys, with the radially arrayed sensors of the finger regions corresponding to conventional character keys.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
Now referring to
Housing 14 may be formed from plastic or any other suitable material. Interface device 10 communicates with an associated computer or other control-receiving system via cable, wireless interface, or through any other conventional communication, as is well-known in computer keyboards, computer mouse controllers and the like. It should be understood that the controls to be described in detail below may be applied to any input device, such as keyboards, keypads, personal digital assistants, game controllers, cellular telephones, navigations systems, remote controls and the like. Input device 10 is particularly useful in providing an ergonomic, stress and strain-free interface for an electronic device. The one-handed design prevents the causes of stress and strain related injuries, which are common from a conventional QWERTY-style keyboard.
As shown in
As noted above, the keyboard configuration of
As best shown in
In use, actuation of one of the finger tip and thumb tip sensors 30, 32 generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer key. Command signals are generated in a manner similar to that of signal-generation in a conventional computer keyboard or interface, as is well-known in the art of computer input devices. In addition to that shown, the finger and thumb sensors 30 may be activated by a raised button or joystick-type control, which can be pushed in up to eight different directions, and can further detect central pressure.
A scrolling controller, such as a track ball, a conventional scroll wheel or the like, may further be mounted on the upper surface 13 (with an exemplary scroll wheel 16 being shown in
It should be understood that sensors 30 and 32 may be set by the user to correspond to any desired function or character, and that the arrangement and key correspondence shown in
The radially arrayed sensors in region 18 correspond to conventional character keys of a QWERTY-type keyboard, as indicated by indicia 26. In this particular example, the eight sensors represent “Y”, “U”, “T”, “J”, “B”, “M”, “N”, and “H” keys of a conventional keyboard. As noted above, the indicia 26 and the selected function or character for each radially arrayed sensor 30 is user-defined, and those shown in the Figures are shown for exemplary purposes only.
In
In
In
Interface device 10 allows the user the full range of functionality of a conventional 104-key keyboard in addition to the functionality of a conventional mouse-type input device, but only requiring the user to use one hand, and further allowing the user to enter all input commands without moving his or her hand from one position. It should be understood that the specific examples given above are given for illustrative and exemplary purposes only. Alternate configurations of the key assignments, the number of sensors located within each finger region, the number of finger regions and the arrangement of the finger regions with respect to the housing, and the dimensions and contouring of the housing may all be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, though shown as a stand-alone unit, the interface device 10 may be incorporated or integrated into a separate device, a piece of computer hardware, a piece of furniture, or the like.
The one-handed configuration of interface device 10 is particularly useful in mitigating the causes of typical stress-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, for example. Further, assigning a particular finger region for each finger and not requiring the user to move his or her fingers from this single position allows for great ease in training, and further allows for an increase in speed of usage, when compared to a conventional computer keyboard.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
