GB2338052A - Foot operated computer input arrangements - Google Patents

Foot operated computer input arrangements Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2338052A
GB2338052A GB9801258A GB9801258A GB2338052A GB 2338052 A GB2338052 A GB 2338052A GB 9801258 A GB9801258 A GB 9801258A GB 9801258 A GB9801258 A GB 9801258A GB 2338052 A GB2338052 A GB 2338052A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
functions
foot
computer input
switches
accordance
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Withdrawn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
GB9801258A
Other versions
GB9801258D0 (en
Inventor
George Michael Ettinger
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 GB9801258A priority Critical patent/GB2338052A/en
Publication of GB9801258D0 publication Critical patent/GB9801258D0/en
Publication of GB2338052A publication Critical patent/GB2338052A/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • G06F3/023—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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/22—Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/50—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
    • A63F13/53—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
    • A63F13/533—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1018—Calibration; Key and button assignment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
    • A63F2300/209—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform characterized by low level software layer, relating to hardware management, e.g. Operating System, Application Programming Interface
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/30—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
    • A63F2300/308—Details of the user interface
    • 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

Landscapes

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

Abstract

Computer or game input arrangements are disclosed including foot switches or other external switches 5a-d to which are assigned functions duplicating or supplementing known keyboard functions. Means for assigning said functions to said switches may include an external control unit 2 connected between a keyboard 1 and the computer 3, or alternatively the switch means may be directly connected to a keyboard having connecting means therefor (see figure 5). Switch means may be connected to said switches, to allow variable functions to be carried out, which may be controlled by soft or firmware (ie via an on-screen menu).

Description

2338052 COMPUTER INPUT ARRANGEMENTS This invention relates to input
arrangements for computers and the like.
Computers and data systems have, up to the present time, been controlled for data input, or for selecting their operating modes or other functions, by keyboards which have remained relatively unchanged from the keyboards developed for the earliest typewriters and teletype machines. Their use has involved the use merely of the ten fingers of a computer operator. To overcome the limitations of this approach, attempts have been made to utilise speech input, or to use so-called "mice" which have also to be controlled by one of the operator's hands. It has been found that keyboard operators suffer from repetitive strain injuries caused by continuous hand operation of keyboards or mice. Where computers are employed for games and simulations, special hand-operated joystick arrangements are employed to represent, by way of example, the controls in aeroplanes, but these games or simulations often do not make use of the foot pedals used in real aeroplane cockpits.
It is a first object of the invention to improve the speed and convenience of keyboarding operations and to reduce fatigue and strain effects, by means of arrangements allowing operators to employ their feet as well as their hands to control computers, games or similar systems and it is a second object to allow control of computers, games or similar systems to be shared by more than one operator. It is a further object of the invention to provide keyboard arrangements to allow these objects to be achieved.
Long before the availability of computers, musical instruments have io been controlled by the use of a player's two hands as well as his two feet. On the piano, by way of example, high speed activation of 13 keys per octave, or 91 keys on a 7-octave piano, is achieved with ten fingers, and the control functions are carried out by two footpedals. Examination of a computer keyboard, as used for word- processing for example, indicates that ten fingers control about 45 data input keys, but that the same ten fingers are also expected to operate up to about 25 control keys. For carrying out certain functions, several keys have to be operated by hand simultaneously. Referring now to the construction of an organ, it is seen that a wider range of control functions, such as those of natural /f 1 at /sharp and others, is achieved by the player's feet. In a real aeroplane cockpit, foot-operated rudder pedals are normally provided.
According to the present invention there are provided computer input arrangements including one or a plurality of foot-operated switches to which are assigned functions which may correspond to any of the functions of known keyboards or any other functions.ln a basic arrangement according to the invention, means are provided for letters and punctuation and sign keys or other keys in a computer or game system to be operated in a known manner by ten fingers, with a limited number of control functions, such as by way of example the so-called enter, shift, backspace and space or function keys, to be operated either by foot- operated switches or by the fingers. In a more flexible arrangement according to the invention, means are W provided for assigning to a plurality of foot-operated switches a wider range of control functions or letters or numbers, and in a further arrangement, certain foot-operated switches may have assigned to them socalled macro-functions.
In further arrangements according to the invention, relating to t5 computer games and simulations, foot pedals are to be provided, which may be operated in addition to hand-operated joystick controls of known form.
Embodiments of the invention will now be discussed solely by way of example and with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a computer 3, a display screen 4 and a keyboard 1 to which are connected, through a junction control unit 2, a set of four foot- operated switches or the like 5a, 5b, Sc and 5d, which have assigned to them certain functions such as "enter"', "shift", ".space". and "backspace", although the number of foot-operated switches, and the functions assigned to them, can differ from those shown in the figure. Figure 2 shows an arrangement similar to figure 1, where an arrangement of switching means 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d is provided within or in association with a junction control unit 2, associated with a set of foot-operated switches 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, to allow the functions assigned to said foot-operated switches to be varied.
Figure 3 shows an arrangement similar to figure 2, where sockets or the like, identified as 8a to 8d, are provided within or in ic) association with a junction control unit 2, associated with plugs 7a, 7b, 7c and 6d which are connected with foot-operated switches 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, thereby allowing the functions to be carried out by said foot- operated switches to be varied.
Figure 4 shows an arrangement similar to figure 1 where the C5 assignment of functions to said foot-operated switches is controlled by software or firmware 11, said assignment of functions being capable of being varied by a menu 12 which may be called up on display screen 4 by said software.
Figure 5 shows diagrammatically an arrangement in which foot-operated switches may be connected to said keyboard through optional electronic switching elements 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d by means of suitable connections to contacts provided in said keyboard, thereby allowing key functions to be duplicated between hand and foot operation or between two or more operators.
-5Figure 6 shows how the state of said foot-operated switches can be indicated to said computer 3 through an access port or ports 10 which may, by way of example, be of serial or of parallel form, and where the linking to said computer may be by electrical, optical, acoustic or other means.
Figure 7 shows how the assignment of functions to foot-operated switches may be controlled by means of additional instructions 13 contained in software applications packages 11, by way of example in word-processing packages or in so-called "search" or 'query" or other k7 packages. References in this specification to computers are to be read as applying also to games.
Figure 8 shows a keyboard for computers or games, which includes additional internal circuits 14 and means 15 for making connections between external foot-operated switches and said additional internal circuits 14, allowing one or a plurality of the functions of said keyboard to be duplicated by said external switches.
Reference to foot-operated switches in this specification is made by way of example and one or more foot-operated switches may be replaced by externally operated switches suitable for operation other than footoperation.
For ease of understanding, switches 5a to 5d in figures 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 8 are drawn as providing connections to earth, but it should be understood that said switches may have any suitable connections, by way of example matrix connections.
6

Claims (1)

  1. Claim 1: Computer input arrangements including one or a plurality of
    footoperated switches, and means for assigning to said foot-operated switches functions which may correspond to any of the functions of known keyboards or to any other functions.
    Claim 2: Computer input arrangements in accordance with claim 1, including a keyboard of known form and one or a plurality of foot- operated switches, and means for assigning to said foot-operated switches 10 functions which may correspond to any of the functions of known keyboards or to any other functions.
    Claim 3: Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including hardware means for assigning functions to said footis operated switches.
    Claim 4: Computer input arrangements in accordance with any of the preceding claims, where said hardware means for assigning functions comprise switches.
    Claim 5: Computer input arrangement in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including software means for assigning functions to said foot-operated switches.
    Claim 6:
    Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including firmware means for assigning functions to said foot-operated switches.
    1 Claim 7: Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, 5 or 6, where instructions for assignment of functions of foot-operated switches are contained in applications software packages.
    Claim 8: Computer keyboards generally of known form but having additional internal circuits and external connecting means allowing one or a plurality of functions to be duplicated by means of foot-operated switches linked to said external connecting means.
    claim 9: Computer input arrangements substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
    Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claim 1: Computer input arrangements including one or a plurality of footoperated switches, and means for assigning to said foot-operated switches functions which may correspond to any of the functions of known keyboards or to any other functions.
    Claim 2: Computer input arrangements in accordance with claim 1, including a keyboard of known form and one or a plurality of foot- operated switches, and means for assigning to said foot-operated switches IC functions which may correspond to any of the functions of known keyboards or to any other functions.
    Claim 3: Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including hardware means for assigning functions to said footoperated switches.
    Claim 4: Computer input arrangements in accordance with any of the preceding claims, where said hardware means for assigning functions comprise switches.
    in -% Claim 5:
    Computer input arrangement in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including software means for assigning functions to said foot-operated switches.
    Claim 6:
    Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, including firmware means for assigning functions to said foot-operated switches.
    1 i 9-0f-25-9.ú, 9 Clak A Computer input arrangements in accordance with claims 1 or 2, 5 or 6, where instructions for assignment of functions of foot-operated switches are contained in applications software packages.
    -5 Claim 8: Computer keyboards generally of known form but having additional internal circuits and external connecting means allowing one or a plurality of functions to be duplicated by means of foot-operated switches linked to said external connecting means.
    Claim 9: Computer input arrangements in accordance with any of the preceding claims, where said functions comprise one or more duplicates of keyboard functions and one or more macro-f unctions.
    Claim 10; Is Computer input arrangements substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9801258A 1998-01-21 1998-01-21 Foot operated computer input arrangements Withdrawn GB2338052A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9801258A GB2338052A (en) 1998-01-21 1998-01-21 Foot operated computer input arrangements

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9801258A GB2338052A (en) 1998-01-21 1998-01-21 Foot operated computer input arrangements

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9801258D0 GB9801258D0 (en) 1998-03-18
GB2338052A true GB2338052A (en) 1999-12-08

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Family Applications (1)

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GB9801258A Withdrawn GB2338052A (en) 1998-01-21 1998-01-21 Foot operated computer input arrangements

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001084292A1 (en) * 2000-05-04 2001-11-08 Markku Sundell Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface
US6798396B2 (en) * 2000-02-22 2004-09-28 Air Techniques, Inc. Foot switch interface for operation of computer
GB2450497A (en) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 Ian Mclauchlan A computer/mobile phone input device comprising a mat operated by a user stepping thereon
US10895920B2 (en) 2013-11-15 2021-01-19 Eric K-Laflamme Pneumatically actuated computer input device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3719247A1 (en) * 1987-06-10 1988-12-22 Dieter Leipold EDP keyboard
US5148152A (en) * 1991-01-11 1992-09-15 Stueckle Duane H Foot pedal control mechanism for computers
WO1995034872A1 (en) * 1994-06-14 1995-12-21 Fleetfoot, L.L.C. Foot-operated computer input device and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3719247A1 (en) * 1987-06-10 1988-12-22 Dieter Leipold EDP keyboard
US5148152A (en) * 1991-01-11 1992-09-15 Stueckle Duane H Foot pedal control mechanism for computers
WO1995034872A1 (en) * 1994-06-14 1995-12-21 Fleetfoot, L.L.C. Foot-operated computer input device and method

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6798396B2 (en) * 2000-02-22 2004-09-28 Air Techniques, Inc. Foot switch interface for operation of computer
WO2001084292A1 (en) * 2000-05-04 2001-11-08 Markku Sundell Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface
GB2450497A (en) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 Ian Mclauchlan A computer/mobile phone input device comprising a mat operated by a user stepping thereon
US10895920B2 (en) 2013-11-15 2021-01-19 Eric K-Laflamme Pneumatically actuated computer input device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9801258D0 (en) 1998-03-18

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