Direction Sensitive Input System for a Computer

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a manually activated direction sensitive input system having a contact surface that is movably attached across the front of a computer keyboard so as to be conveniently and easily accessible to a computer operator for selectively initiating one of a plurality of available software controlled functions.

2. Background Art

As will be known to those skilled in the art, a computer input device commonly referred to as a "mouse" is sometimes connected to a personal computer to enable a computer operator to selectively initiate a software controlled function. The mouse typically includes one or more push button switches to complement the input of its rotatable ball. By moving the mouse and properly activating a switch, the computer operator has the ability to selectively control the operation of the computer with which the mouse is associated.

The mouse is usually positioned remotely from the computer by means of an electrical wire or cable. Thus, the computer operator must remove his hands from the computer keyboard and his eyes from the computer monitor in order to visually locate and manually operate the mouse. These steps interrupt the computing process, introduce wasteful delay, and interfere with the concentration of the operator, particularly when the mouse must be frequently accessed. What is more, the mouse typically consumes a relatively large amount of space peripheral to the computer. With the advent of smaller personal computers, it is desirable to avoid space consuming peripheral devices. More particularly, if a laptop computer is to be used on an airplane, or the like, there may be little additional room for a mouse, without subjecting the computer operator to both inconvenience and inefficiency.

The present direction sensitive input system overcomes the foregoing problems and the inefficiencies associated therewith by consuming virtually no additional space and by having a convenient and easily accessible location relative to the computer so as to avoid the loss of concentration and the need for the operator to remove his hands and eyes from the computer in order to gain access to the switch system.

In general terms, an efficient direction sensitive input system is disclosed to be associated with a personal computer, such as a latop computer, or the like, to enable the computer operator to selectively initiate one of plurality of software controlled functions. The system comprises an elongated contact bar which is connected across and spaced slightly from the front of the computer keyboard so as to be readily and conveniently accessible to the computer operator. The contact bar is movable with respect to an array of single pole, double throw switches that are fixedly retained within the computer keyboard. A spring biased linking assembly extends between the contact bar at the front of the keyboard and the switch array at the interior of the keyboard to translate a movement of the contact bar into the actuation of one or more switches from the array thereof. More particularly, the contact bar is movable against the normal spring bias of the linking assembly, whereby the linkig assembly is moved in a corresponding direction so as to contact and depress the respective push button of at least one of said switches.

In operation, and in order to initiate a particular software controlled function, the computer operator merely slides his thumbs downwardly along the keyboard until the contact bar is located. The operator may then displace the contact bar upwardly or downwardly or push the bar inwardly towards the keyboard to cause a corresponding movement of the linking assembly with respect to the switch array to thereby depress the push buttons of one or more switches from the array. Conventional sensing circuitry detects which switch or switches are in a depressed state and generates a suitably encoded signal to the computer to initiate a corresponding software controlled function (e.g. changing the display). Hence, the operator can select a particular function to be initiated by moving the contact bar in one or more pre-determined directions to depress the push buttons of one or more level switches. When the operator releases the control bar, the normal spring bias of the linking assembly and the switch push buttons cause the control bar to be automatically returned to its at rest position so that the computing operation may be resumed with minimal delay and maximum efficiency relative to the conventional computer related mouse.

FIG. 1 is illustrative of a personal computer of the type to which the present direction sensitive input system is applicable;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the computer and input system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a switch of the type which may be utilized within the input system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the input system of the present invention in the at rest position; and

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the input system of FIG. 4 moving in three different directions relative to the computer for actuating respective switches and initiating corresponding software controlled computer functions.

The direction sensitive input system 10 of the present invention, by which different software controlled functions may be selectively initiated on a computer, is described while referring to the drawings, where FIG. 1 is illustrative of a portable (e.g. laptop) personal computer 1. Although the computer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is of the portable laptop type, this is not to be regarded as a limitation of the present invention, and it is to be understood that the soon to be described input system 10 may be associated with any computer, especially those which have heretofore had computer functions selectively controlled by what is commonly known in the art as a "mouse". Computer 1 has the conventional components, including a monitor 2, a keyboard 4, and a housing 6 in which the computer software and hardware is located. Computer 1 is also provided with an optional image position control system 8 by which the position of a video cursor may controllably moved on the monitor 2. The optional image position control system 8, which translates lateral and rotational movements of a cylindrical bar into corresponding movements of the cursor, is fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,049 issued January 17, 1989 and no further description thereof will be provided below.

The direction sensitive input system 10 of the present invention for controlling computer 1 is initially disclosed while referring currently to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Input system 10 includes a manually operable contact surface which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises an elongated bar 12. Contact bar 12 is disposed across the front of and spaced slightly from the computer keyboard 4 so as to be readily and conveniently accessible to the computer operator. More particularly, the contact bar 12 is mechanically interfaced with and movable relatively to an array of switches 20 by means of a spring biased linking assembly 14. Linking assembly 14 extends from the contact bar 12 at the front of the keyboard 4, through the keyboard, to the array of switches 20 which are fixedly retained therewithin.

In its at rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the contact bar 12 is arranged in spaced, parallel alignment with the front of keyboard 4. However, and as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, when referring to FIGS. 5-7, contact bar 12 is characterized by multiple degrees of freedom so as to be adapted to be manually accessed by the computer operator and moved in at least one of three different directions relative to keyboard 4 to selectively actuate at least one of the switches 20 from the switch array and thereby initiate a corresponding software controlled function of the computer 1.

The switch array 20 within the housing 6 of the computer 1 includes three single pole, double throw switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3. As is best shown in FIG. 3, each switch (e.g. 20-1) includes a push button 24 and three terminals 25-1, 25-2 and 25-3. In general terms, when the switch 20-1 is at rest, such that its push button 24 is released, electrical contact is established between terminal 25-1 and one of the terminals 25-2 or 25-3, whereby switch 20-1 exhibits a first resistance level at said terminals. When push button 24 is otherwise depressed, electrical contact is established between terminal 25-3 and the other one of the terminals 25-1 or 25-2, whereby the resistance exhibited by switch 20-1 at such terminals changes to a second level. Conventional detection circuitry including resistance responsive electronics is interconnected with the terminals 25-1, 25-2 and 25-3 by respective wires of a ribbon cable for detecting a change in the resistance exhibited by each switch to indicate whether the push buttons 24 thereof are in the released or the depressed state. The detection circuitry is interconnected with a compatible signal generator which is adapted to generate signals that are reflective of the detected depressed or released states of switches 20. The signals are transmitted from the signal generator to the computer to initiate a corresponding software controlled function, such as, for example, displaying a menu or a drawing or changing the image on the monitor. By way of example, the resistance responsive circuitry and the signal generating and transmitting means for causing the computer to initiate a software controlled function, as just described, may be indentical to that found in a computer mouse when one or more of its buttons are to be depressed.

While the switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 of the switch array 20 have been shown and described as being single pole, double throw switches, it is to be understood that other types of switches having a variety of switch terminals and pole positions (e.g. membrane switches, capacitance sensing switches, dome switches, and the like) may also be employed herein. Moreover, by using a total of three switches, the input system 10 of the present invention can emulate the three switches that are associated with certain conventional mouses.

The linking system 14 which interfaces the movable control bar 12 at the exterior of the computer keyboard with the array of stationary switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 at the interior of said keyboard is described in detail while referring to FIG. 4 of the drawing. Linking system 14 includes a pair of motion transmitting arms 15 which are interconnected with each other in a V-shaped configuration. That is, each motion transmitting arm 15 is connected at one end thereof to a respective end of contact bar 12 by means of a post 16, or the like. The opposite ends of motion transmitting arms 15 are connected together at a movable switch control plate 18, whereby the movement of said plate can be controlled by the contact bar 12 via the motion transmitting arms 15. The arms 15 are seated upon and spaced from the base of the computer keyboard (as best illustrated in FIG. 2) by respective supports 22. One end of each support 22 is affixed to the base of the keyboard, while the opposite end thereof is hook-shaped to receive and support a motion transmitting arm 15 so that said arm 15 may slide linearly therethrough in response to movement of contact bar 12 in a direction towards the keyboard. Moreover, and as an important aspect of the present invention, the supports 22 also function as fulcrums around which the motion transmitting arms 15 may pivot in response to an upward or downward displacement of the contact bar 12 relative to the keyboard.

The V-shaped configuration of motion transmitting arms 15 prevents one end of the contact bar 12 from twisting or rotating relative to the opposite end when the computer operator pushes or rotates said first end. Thus, and as will soon be described, rotational or linear forces applied to contact bar 12 at either end thereof will be uniformly translated by linking assembly 14 into the actuation of a respective one of the switches 20-1, 20-2 or 20-3, depending only upon the direction in which contact bar 12 is moved in response to said applied force.

A pair of flexible bars 23 are interconnected with the motion transmitting arms 15 to assure that a linear or rotational force being manually applied to either end of the arms will be accurately reflected and transmitted to the switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3. The flexible bars 23 are connected in parallel alignment with one another at opposite ends of the V-shaped configuration of the motion transmitting arms 15, such that said arms will move in unison in response to a force applied to contact bar 12. That is, a first flexible bar 23 extends between a mounting post 25 and a first end of a motion transmitting arm 15. The second flexible bar 23 is connected between a mounting post 26 and the opposite end of such motion transmitting arm 15 (e.g. at the common connection of the pair of motion transmitting arms).

FIG. 4 shows the linking assembly 14 and the array of switches 20 of the input system of the present invention in the at rest position with contact bar 12 disposed in spaced, parallel alignment with the computer keyboard (as best depicted in FIG. 2). The switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 of switch array 20 are disposed within the computer keyboard such that the push buttons 24 thereof are in the released state. More particularly, each switch of the switch array 20 is affixed to the base of the computer keyboard such that the respective push buttons 24 are oriented in different directions. By way of example, the push button 24 of switch 20-1 projects upwardly, the push button 24 of switch 20-2 projects laterally towards contact bar 12, and the push button 24 of switch 20-3 projects downwardly.

As previously disclosed, the motion transmitting arms 15 are connected together at a movable switch control plate 18. That is, switch control plate 18 is moved by means of motion transmitting arms 15 to translate a displacement of contact bar 12 into the actuation of a particular switch from the switch array 20. The switch control plate 18 is generally z-shaped having horizontally extending head and tail portions 28 and 30 that are spaced from one another by a vertically extending neck 29. The switch control plate 18 provides contact surfaces which, in the at rest configuration of FIG. 4 are in spaced alignment with the respective push buttons 24 of the switches from array 20. That is to say, the horizontally extending head portion 28 of switch control plate 18 is spaced above the push button 24 of switch 20-1, the horizontally extending tail portion 30 of plate 18 is spaced below the push button 24 of switch 20-3, and the outside edge of plate 18 is spaced laterally from the push button 24 of switch 20-2. As will be described when referring to FIGS. 5-7, the movement of switch control plate 18 in response to the movement of control bar 12 will cause one of the contact surfaces of plate 18 to move towards and depress the push botton 24 of one of the switches from the switch array 20, whereby to activate the switch and initiate a particular software controlled function of the computer which corresponds to the switch being actuated.

Linking system 14 is biased by a compression spring 32 which extends between a mounting post 34 at the base of the computer housing and the common connection of the motion transmitting arms 15. In the at rest configuration of FIG. 4, the compression spring 32 normally biases the linking assembly 14 such that the contact bar 12 is positioned in spaced, parallel alignment with the keyboard (best shown in FIG. 2), and the switch control plate is positioned such that the contact surfaces at the head 28, tail 30 and outside edge thereof are aligned with, but spaced from, the respective push buttons 24 of the switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3.

More particularly, and referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the computer operator may wish to initiate a particular software controlled function of the computer by means of moving the contact bar (12 of FIG. 4) in an inward direction (designated 50-1 in FIG. 4) towards the keyboard. Therefore, the operator merely pushes inwardly upon the contact bar, whereby the motion transmitting arms 15 are correspondingly relocated in a linear direction and the switch control plate 18 is moved, in the direction of reference arrow 38 and against the normal bias of spring 32, towards the switch array 20. The movement of switch control plate 18 (as indicated in phantom) towards the array of switches 20 causes the contact surface at the outside edge 31 of plate 18 to move into contact with against the normal spring bias of the push button 24 of switch 20-2. Accordingly, the push button 24 is depressed and switch 20-2 is actuated to produce an output signal (as previously described while referring to FIG. 3) so that a corresponding software controlled function may be initiated. When the computer operator releases the contact bar, the spring memories of spring 32 and push button 24 automatically return the contact bar, the motion transmitting arms 15 and the switch control plate 18 to the at rest position of FIG. 4, whereupon the push button 24 of switch 20-2 returns to its released state.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the computer operator may wish to initiate a particular software controlled function of the computer by means of displacing the contact bar (12 of FIG. 4) in a downward direction (designated 50-2 in FIG. 4) relative to the keyboard. Therefore, the operator merely pushes downwardly on the contact bar, whereby the motion transmitting arms 15 are correpsondingly pivoted in a upward direction (around the supports 22 of FIG. 4) and the switch control plate 18 is moved, in the direction of reference arrow 39 upwardly relative to the switch array 20. The upward movement of switch control plate 18 (as indicated in phantom) causes the contact surface at the horizontal tail 30 of plate 18 to move into contact with, and against the normal spring bias of, the push button 24 of switch 20-3. Accordingly, the push button 24 is depressed and switch 20-3 is actuated to produce an output signal so that a corresponding software controlled function may be initiated. When the computer operator releases the contact bar, the spring memory of push button 24 automatically returns the contact bar, the motion transmitting arms 15 and the switch control plate 18 to the at rest position of FIG. 4, whereupon the push button 24 of switch 20-3 returns to its released state.

In FIG. 7 of the drawings, the computer operator may wish to initiate a particular software controlled function of the computer by means of displacing the contact bar (12 of FIG. 4) in an upward direction (designated 50-3 in FIG. 4) relative to the keyboard. Therefore, the operator merely pushes upwardly on the contact bar, whereby the motion transmitting arms 15 are correspondingly pivoted in a downward direction (around the supports 22 of FIG. 4) and the switch control plate 18 is moved, in the direction of reference arrow 40 downwardly relative to the switch array 20. The downward movement of switch control plate 18 (as indicated in phantom) causes the contact surface at the horizontal head portion 28 to move into contact with, and against the normal spring bias of, the push button 24 of switch 20-1. Accordingly, the push button 24 is depressed and switch 20-1 is actuated to produce an output signal so that a corresponding software controlled function may be initiated. When the computer operator releases the contact bar, the spring memory of the push button 24 automatically returns the contact bar, the motion transmitting arms 15 and the switch control plate 18 to the at rest position of FIG. 4 whereupon the push button 24 of switch 20-1 returns to its released state.

It has been disclosed herein that the contact bar 12 is selectively movable in any one of at least three different directions (i.e. upwardly, downwardly or inwardly) to depress the respective push buttons 24 of three switches 20-1, 20-2 and 20-3 and thereby initiate a corresponding software controlled function of the computer. However, it is also possible to move the contact bar 12 in two directions simultaneously (e.g. upwardly and inwardly or downwardly or inwardly) so that the push buttons of a pair of the switches may be concurrently depressed. In this manner, the contact bar 12 may be moved in a total of five different directions to increase the flexibility of the input system of the present invention and enable a relatively large number of software controlled functions to be quickly and easily initiated. Moreover, and unlike the mouse, the directional unput system of this invention always returns to its initial, at rest configuration (of FIG. 1) after use. What is more, the operator may also use the image position control system (designated 8 in FIG. 1) in much the same way as a rolling ball is used in some conventional mouses. Thus, the image position control system 8 and input system 10 of FIG. 1 may be used sequentially with one another as an efficient space conserving, easily accessible means by which to replace the remotely located mouse.

It will be apparent that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.