GB2115352A - Data input device with tactile feedback - Google Patents

Data input device with tactile feedback Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2115352A
GB2115352A GB08204847A GB8204847A GB2115352A GB 2115352 A GB2115352 A GB 2115352A GB 08204847 A GB08204847 A GB 08204847A GB 8204847 A GB8204847 A GB 8204847A GB 2115352 A GB2115352 A GB 2115352A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
keyboard
operator
key
signal
actuated
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Withdrawn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
GB08204847A
Inventor
John Anthony Mcnulty
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 GB08204847A priority Critical patent/GB2115352A/en
Publication of GB2115352A publication Critical patent/GB2115352A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • B41J5/26—Regulating touch, key dip or stroke, or the like
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B13/00—Teaching typing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B19/00—Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
    • G09B19/0053—Computers, e.g. programming
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B21/00—Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
    • G09B21/001—Teaching or communicating with blind persons
    • G09B21/002—Writing aids for blind persons

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A keyboard adapted for use as a data entry device in a data- or word-processing system, having keys which are each provided with respective active transducer devices, such as piezo-electric transducers, which can transmit a tactile feedback signal to the fingers of the operator. The transducers are activated either automatically whenever a respective key is pressed, or under the control of a software program which detects whether the keys have been actuated in an intended sequence, and then activates the transducers, or activates the transducers in advance to provide prompts to the operator to signal keys which are intended to be actuated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data input device with tactile feedback This invention relates to keyboards such as those used with computers for data input, and on musical instruments, and to methods of teaching keyboard skills on such devices.
With some types of computer keyboards in particular, it can be difficult for the operator to be certain whether a particular entered character has been properly received by the system.
This is particularly the case when the keyboard is designed to be "soft" to the touch or when it is constructed in the form of a flat printed circuit board covered with a plastic surface.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard adapted for use as a data entry device for a computer or like data or word processing device, (hereinafter referred to as a computer) in which at least some of the keys are each provided with a transducer adapted to transmit a tactile feedback signal to the fingers of the operator.
The invention also extends to a method of teaching keyboard skills, comprising programming a computer device having a keyboard for data input and means for feeding back tactile signals to the operator, in such a way that a cueing signal is transmitted to a key which it is intended should be operated or a confirming signal is sent to the operator when a correct response is given to a prompt from the program.
In one possible embodiment of the invention, hardware or software interface means are provided to transmit an activating signal to a given transducer of the keyboard, whenever the corresponding key is properly actuated by the operator. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, software means are provided to transmit an actuating signal to a given transducer only when the corresponding key is validly activated in accordance with an instruction or set of exercises (for example) presented to the operator by the computer system.
One embodiment of the invention comprises a flat printed circuit keyboard having an overlay printed with a pattern corresponding to the key positions, which comprise sensors incorporated in the printed circuit. The arrangement is such that the overlay can flex slightly when it is pressed, so that the underlying sensor is actuated. A piezo-electric transducer is positioned between the sensor and the overlay and is arranged to be actuated by a feedback signal from the computer to the keyboard. The feedback signal is produced by a software interface which can be programmed so that (for example) it transmits a signal to the appropriate keyboard transducer whenever the corresponding sensor is actuated.Alternatively the signal may be transmitted only when a program routine confirms that the sensor which has been actuated constitutes a correct operator response to the program, or it may be transmitted to a key before the operator is expected to actuate it as a cueing signal.
1. A keyboard adapted for use as a data entry device in a data-or word-processing system, having at least some keys which are provided with respective active transducer devices adapted to transmit a tactile feedback signal to the fingers of the operator.
2. A keyboard according tod claim 1 in which the transducers are piezo-electric.
3. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 including circuit means adapted to transmit an activating signal to the transducer of each key, whenever that key is actuated by the operator.
4. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide an activating signal for the transducer of each key, whenever that key is actuated by the operator.
5. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide an activating signal for the transducer of each key, only when that key is correctly actuated by the operator in accordance with a sequence set by the program.
6. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide activating signals for the transducers of a series of keys in accordance with a sequence set by the program, so as to promt the operator to actuate the keys in the said sequence.
7. A keyboard substantially as herein described.
8. A data-or word-processing system having a keyboard substantially as herein de scribe.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Data input device with tactile feedback This invention relates to keyboards such as those used with computers for data input, and on musical instruments, and to methods of teaching keyboard skills on such devices. With some types of computer keyboards in particular, it can be difficult for the operator to be certain whether a particular entered character has been properly received by the system. This is particularly the case when the keyboard is designed to be "soft" to the touch or when it is constructed in the form of a flat printed circuit board covered with a plastic surface. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a keyboard adapted for use as a data entry device for a computer or like data or word processing device, (hereinafter referred to as a computer) in which at least some of the keys are each provided with a transducer adapted to transmit a tactile feedback signal to the fingers of the operator. The invention also extends to a method of teaching keyboard skills, comprising programming a computer device having a keyboard for data input and means for feeding back tactile signals to the operator, in such a way that a cueing signal is transmitted to a key which it is intended should be operated or a confirming signal is sent to the operator when a correct response is given to a prompt from the program. In one possible embodiment of the invention, hardware or software interface means are provided to transmit an activating signal to a given transducer of the keyboard, whenever the corresponding key is properly actuated by the operator. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, software means are provided to transmit an actuating signal to a given transducer only when the corresponding key is validly activated in accordance with an instruction or set of exercises (for example) presented to the operator by the computer system. One embodiment of the invention comprises a flat printed circuit keyboard having an overlay printed with a pattern corresponding to the key positions, which comprise sensors incorporated in the printed circuit. The arrangement is such that the overlay can flex slightly when it is pressed, so that the underlying sensor is actuated. A piezo-electric transducer is positioned between the sensor and the overlay and is arranged to be actuated by a feedback signal from the computer to the keyboard. The feedback signal is produced by a software interface which can be programmed so that (for example) it transmits a signal to the appropriate keyboard transducer whenever the corresponding sensor is actuated.Alternatively the signal may be transmitted only when a program routine confirms that the sensor which has been actuated constitutes a correct operator response to the program, or it may be transmitted to a key before the operator is expected to actuate it as a cueing signal. CLAIMS
1. A keyboard adapted for use as a data entry device in a data-or word-processing system, having at least some keys which are provided with respective active transducer devices adapted to transmit a tactile feedback signal to the fingers of the operator.
2. A keyboard according tod claim 1 in which the transducers are piezo-electric.
3. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 including circuit means adapted to transmit an activating signal to the transducer of each key, whenever that key is actuated by the operator.
4. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide an activating signal for the transducer of each key, whenever that key is actuated by the operator.
5. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide an activating signal for the transducer of each key, only when that key is correctly actuated by the operator in accordance with a sequence set by the program.
6. A keyboard according to claim 1 or claim 2 in combination with a data processing device programmed to provide activating signals for the transducers of a series of keys in accordance with a sequence set by the program, so as to promt the operator to actuate the keys in the said sequence.
7. A keyboard substantially as herein described.
8. A data-or word-processing system having a keyboard substantially as herein de scribe.
GB08204847A 1982-02-18 1982-02-18 Data input device with tactile feedback Withdrawn GB2115352A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08204847A GB2115352A (en) 1982-02-18 1982-02-18 Data input device with tactile feedback

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08204847A GB2115352A (en) 1982-02-18 1982-02-18 Data input device with tactile feedback

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2115352A true GB2115352A (en) 1983-09-07

Family

ID=10528439

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08204847A Withdrawn GB2115352A (en) 1982-02-18 1982-02-18 Data input device with tactile feedback

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2115352A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5982304A (en) * 1997-03-24 1999-11-09 International Business Machines Corporation Piezoelectric switch with tactile response
DE10103563A1 (en) * 2001-01-26 2002-08-01 Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Input device and method for entering information into a control unit
WO2003047007A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-06-05 Nokia Corporation Piezoelectric user interface
EP1610281A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-28 Aruze Corp. Typing practice apparatus, typing practice method, and typing practice program
EP2138927A2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 LG Electronics Inc. Haptic effect provisionig for a mobile communication terminal
US10429929B2 (en) 2010-09-24 2019-10-01 Blackberry Limited Piezoelectric actuator apparatus and methods

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5982304A (en) * 1997-03-24 1999-11-09 International Business Machines Corporation Piezoelectric switch with tactile response
DE10103563A1 (en) * 2001-01-26 2002-08-01 Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete Input device and method for entering information into a control unit
WO2003047007A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-06-05 Nokia Corporation Piezoelectric user interface
US7869589B2 (en) 2001-11-28 2011-01-11 Nokia Corporation Piezoelectric user interface
US8953779B2 (en) 2001-11-28 2015-02-10 Nokia Corporation Piezoelectric user interface
US9865142B2 (en) 2001-11-28 2018-01-09 Nokia Technologies Oy Piezoelectric user interface
EP1610281A1 (en) * 2004-06-25 2005-12-28 Aruze Corp. Typing practice apparatus, typing practice method, and typing practice program
US7301481B2 (en) 2004-06-25 2007-11-27 Aruze Corp. Typing practice apparatus, typing practice method, and typing practice program
EP2138927A2 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 LG Electronics Inc. Haptic effect provisionig for a mobile communication terminal
EP2138927B1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2014-11-19 LG Electronics Inc. Haptic effect provisioning for a mobile communication terminal
US10429929B2 (en) 2010-09-24 2019-10-01 Blackberry Limited Piezoelectric actuator apparatus and methods

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