GB2451618A - Keyboard overlay for touch screen - Google Patents

Keyboard overlay for touch screen Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2451618A
GB2451618A GB0712571A GB0712571A GB2451618A GB 2451618 A GB2451618 A GB 2451618A GB 0712571 A GB0712571 A GB 0712571A GB 0712571 A GB0712571 A GB 0712571A GB 2451618 A GB2451618 A GB 2451618A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
keyboard
overlay
touch sensitive
sensitive screen
key
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0712571A
Other versions
GB0712571D0 (en
Inventor
Gary Edward Gedall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0712571A priority Critical patent/GB2451618A/en
Publication of GB0712571D0 publication Critical patent/GB0712571D0/en
Publication of GB2451618A publication Critical patent/GB2451618A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G06F3/0221—Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/0202—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
    • G06F3/0224—Key guide holders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
    • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
    • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
    • G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A mechanical keyboard overlay for use with a touch sensitive screen or base comprises a grid of walls or partitions surrounding keys to guide a user and enable easy and accurate input through a system of key or button presses. The overlay is preferably a sealed unit that may be easily interchanged with similar devices to change the input language or provide different functions such as a musical keyboard, a Braille keyboard, a telephone keypad or a series of shapes or blocks or simplified keyboard for use by children. The device may be foldable or made in separate parts for easy transportation and may contain light up elements.

Description

Three dimensional overlay for touch-sensitive screens and bases.
Background:
Although the use of touch sensitive screens has proven to be a successful innovation, its use as a system for entering complex data, words, numbers etc, is often handicapped by the object, (pen' or finger), entering the information.
Using a virtual keyboard to type on is not very successful as the virtual keys have to be quite large to register correctly finger typing.
Otherwise one needs to use a pen type pointer to either tap or write each character individually, which can be tedious.
Hence, the idea to have a keyboard that can be placed onto the screen when one might wish to enter a quantity of data might be an interesting idea.
The keyboard in a standard portable computer is also a vulnerable point when in certain inhospitable environments.
There might also be other situations where a specific type of keyboard might be more appropriate for certain applications; configurations for typing in different languages, technical papers where many symbols arc used or with bespoke applications where a unique entry system would be necessary. Video and editing controls and a mini piano' keyboard, might also be interesting as possibilities..
For younger users three dimensional; simple shapes, letters, objects, (animals etc), or even complete pages' of an interactive book' could prove to be interesting as part of either hardware (toys) or software computer packages.
These overlays might be placed either on touch sensitive screens or on touch sensitive pads.
A simple embodiment of the invention The basic design is very similar to that of a square' honeycomb, in the form of the keyboard, (or other overlay), Fig 1.
The keys' are each constructed of four vertical walls of a hard material. (Fig 2).
A square I piece', being an object square at the top, (horizontal), slightly smaller that the size of the horizontal space created by the 4 vertical walls with a single leg' protruding downwards from the centre, the total height being slightly less than the height of the walls' (Fig 3). The T piece' is inserted into cavity created by the walls', (Fig 4) The top and the bottom of the walls are covered by a flexible, (plastic) material. (Fig 5) By pressing on the top of the key the point of the T piece presses on the material at the bottom. (Fig. 6).
To protect the bottom material and the touch sensitive base, a block is attached to the sides of the walls, which limits the descent of the point of the T. (Fig 7) Variations: 1. To improve the quality of the key press, a spring could be placed between the bottom of horizontal part of the T piece and the limit block on the wall sides.
2. To increase the total surface area of the keyboard, to either allow for bigger keys and / or more space between the keys and / or to increase the number of keys available, the sides of the walls could be angled to create a fan like shape, and / or the keyboard could have a convex shape.
3. For certain applications, (children's toys for instance), the overlay could have the keys' placed over certain areas of the screen, joined by a transparent sheet, (part of the bottom material). Hence, large areas of the screen would still be visible.
4. The top of each key could house a number of light emitting elements, which could be programmed to change in response to a demand by the user. This would be useful for changing the input language.
5. An overlay can incorporate a system that could be read by the machine that it is working with, so that the machine could auto-configure itself to correctly interpret the key presses.
This, of course could also double as a Braille keyboard.
6. An overlay could be hinged or joined in such a way that it could be folded or separated for easy Iransport..
General Description:
A key-press overlay is a simple mechanical independent device which aids an individual to precisely contact a point on a touch sensitive device. The exact shape and form of each overlay would vary according to the specific application for which it has been created.

Claims (12)

  1. Claims: 1. A simple mechanical, self contained device which when placed over a touch sensitive screen or base would enable easy and accurate input through a system of key or button presses.
  2. 2. A device as described in claim 1 that can be in the form of a standard computer keyboard.
  3. 3. A device as described in claim 1 that can be easily interchanged with other similar devices, for instance to change the input language used.
  4. 4. A device as described in claim 1 that can be in the form of blocks, simple shapes or a simplified keyboard and used as a means of entering responses of children of all ages into a computer learning or games devices.
  5. 5. A device as described in claim I that can be in the form of a musical keyboard.
  6. 6. A device as described in claim 1 that can be used as a Braille keyboard.
  7. 7. A device as described in claim 1 that can be in the form of a telephone keypad.
  8. 8. A device as described in claim I that can be hinged and able to be folded for easy transportation.
  9. 9. A device as described in claim I that can be made to separate into smaller parts for easy transportation.
  10. 10. A device as described in claim I that can include a means for the touch sensitive screen or base to read the configuration of the device.
  11. 11. A device as described in claim I that can include a system of light emitting elements so that the keys could be reprogrammable.
  12. 12. A device as described in claim I that is sealed so that it can be used in inhospitable environments.
GB0712571A 2007-06-29 2007-06-29 Keyboard overlay for touch screen Withdrawn GB2451618A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0712571A GB2451618A (en) 2007-06-29 2007-06-29 Keyboard overlay for touch screen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0712571A GB2451618A (en) 2007-06-29 2007-06-29 Keyboard overlay for touch screen

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0712571D0 GB0712571D0 (en) 2007-08-08
GB2451618A true GB2451618A (en) 2009-02-11

Family

ID=38420882

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0712571A Withdrawn GB2451618A (en) 2007-06-29 2007-06-29 Keyboard overlay for touch screen

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2451618A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011056460A1 (en) * 2009-10-26 2011-05-12 Immersion Corporation Systems and methods for using static surface features on a touch-screen for tactile feedback
WO2011114276A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Chris Argiro Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4075465A (en) * 1976-05-19 1978-02-21 Sperry Rand Corporation Keyboard overlay
US4439757A (en) * 1981-11-06 1984-03-27 Mattel, Inc. Interchangeable keyboard defining means
US5286125A (en) * 1992-11-16 1994-02-15 Digiosia Antonio G Keyboard and key guide frame arrangement
GB2332172A (en) * 1997-12-13 1999-06-16 Darren Osdin Braille overlay sleeve for mobile telephone keypad
US20040000048A1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2004-01-01 Lee Hong Wu Method of assembly for modular computer keyboards
US20050099403A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2005-05-12 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US20060256090A1 (en) * 2005-05-12 2006-11-16 Apple Computer, Inc. Mechanical overlay

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4075465A (en) * 1976-05-19 1978-02-21 Sperry Rand Corporation Keyboard overlay
US4439757A (en) * 1981-11-06 1984-03-27 Mattel, Inc. Interchangeable keyboard defining means
US5286125A (en) * 1992-11-16 1994-02-15 Digiosia Antonio G Keyboard and key guide frame arrangement
GB2332172A (en) * 1997-12-13 1999-06-16 Darren Osdin Braille overlay sleeve for mobile telephone keypad
US20050099403A1 (en) * 2002-06-21 2005-05-12 Microsoft Corporation Method and system for using a keyboard overlay with a touch-sensitive display screen
US20040000048A1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2004-01-01 Lee Hong Wu Method of assembly for modular computer keyboards
US20060256090A1 (en) * 2005-05-12 2006-11-16 Apple Computer, Inc. Mechanical overlay

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011056460A1 (en) * 2009-10-26 2011-05-12 Immersion Corporation Systems and methods for using static surface features on a touch-screen for tactile feedback
WO2011114276A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Chris Argiro Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics
CN102884491A (en) * 2010-03-18 2013-01-16 克里斯·阿基罗 Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics
US8368662B2 (en) 2010-03-18 2013-02-05 Chris Argiro Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics
CN102884491B (en) * 2010-03-18 2014-05-14 克里斯·阿基罗 Actionable-object controller and data-entry attachment for touchscreen-based electronics

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0712571D0 (en) 2007-08-08

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)