WO2004023281A2

WO2004023281A2 - Device for inputting data in a digital appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2004023281A2
Application number: PCT/BE2003/000136
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhardus Johannes Breukink
Original assignee: Gerhardus Johannes Breukink
Priority date: 2002-09-09
Filing date: 2003-08-14
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2003254430A1; WO2004023281A3; BE1015238A6; AU2003254430A8

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device for inputting data in a digital appliance, which device comprises a control panel (1) upon which is provided an electronic selection screen (2) with a group of symbols (15) in a number of fields (12), and a base plate (4) with contact points which can be shifted parallel to the rows (13) and the columns (14) of the electronic selection screen 82) until they are situated above a contact point (5, 6) in the extension of a selected row (13) or column (14). The contact points (5, 6) situated under the selection elements (8, 9) then make contact, or light signals are processed via optical encoders (39). Further, there are a number of additional pressure contacts (7) which can be manually operated.

Description

Device for inputting data in a digital appliance.

The present invention concerns a device for inputting data, i.e. alpha-numerical data and/or function commands, in a digital appliance with which it can be connected or to which data can be transmitted via infrared or Bluetooth technigues .

The present invention concerns among others a device for inputting data and commands in portable digital appliances having small dimensions, including handheld computers and PDA's, as well as digital mobile communication devices such as GSM and GPS systems . The input of alpha-numerical' symbols is not very user-friendly in these cases.

The invention also relates to the improvement of the user- friendliness of larger input devices, possibly in a fixed set-up, such as the conventional keyboard. Too often, manipulations with the mouse slow down the easy input of data and/or function commands.

The present invention aims to provide a solution thereto.

To this end, the invention concerns a device for inputting alpha-numerical data and/or function commands in a digital appliance, which device comprises a control panel and a base plate fixed thereto with contact points which are connected to an electronic processing unit whereby an electronic selection screen is provided on the control panel with a number of rows and columns consisting of fields with symbols representing the alpha-numerical data or the function commands, and the contact points on the base plate extend in two rows parallel to and in the prolongation of the rows and columns of the table, and whereby the device further comprises two selection elements which can be shifted parallel to the rows and the columns respectively into positions in which they ' are situated above a contact point, and whereby it comprises rollers to put the contact points situated below into contact by means of the selection elements, and it also comprises a number of pressure contacts which can be operated manually and which correspond to a single symbol of a selected field.

The input of alpha-numerical data and/or function commands can be done in a very simple manner. It is sufficient to place the two selection elements opposite to the required field and to manually operate one of the additional pressure contacts. The additional pressure contacts which can be manually operated are preferably provided on the base plate and preferably comprise a push button.

As a roller under each of the two selection elements makes contact with the contact point, it will reproduce the selected symbol and/or function command as one of the push buttons is pressed.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments of a portable device according to the invention are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 represents a top view of a device according to the invention; figure 2 is a view in perspective of the device from figure 1, with a partial cut-out; figure 3 schematically represents a base plate of the device in the shape of a printed circuit; figure 4 is a view in perspective of a variant of the embodiment of the device from figure 1, with partial cut-out; figures 5 to 8 represent sections to a larger scale, according to lines V-V, VI-VI, VII-VII and VIII-VIIl^' respectively in figures 2, 4 ,5 and 7; figures 9 and 10 represent two more variants of the embodiment; figure 11 represents a top view of a device provided in an input appliance .

The device for inputting data in a digital appliance, as represented in figures 1 and 2, mainly consists of a control panel 1 upon which are provided an electronic selection screen 2 and an electronic display screen 3, a base plate 4 with two rows of contact points 5 and 6 upon it, and a number of contacts 7 which can be manually operated, and two selection elements 8 and 9 which can be shifted over the control panel 1 and the base plate 4.

The base plate 4 is provided on the bottom 10 of a flat box 11, whose lid forms the control panel 1. The electronic selection screen 2 comprises a number of fields 12 erected in rows 13 and columns 14. The fields 12 may comprise several symbols .

For clarity's sake, the symbols 15 are only represented for one of the fields 12 in figure 2.

In the control panel 1, next to the electronic selection screen 2 and parallel to its edges, are provided two grooves 16 which are parallel to the rows 13 and the columns 14 respectively of the electronic selection screen 2, and which form guides for two sliding buttons 17 which are part of the selection elements 8 and 9.

The contact points 5, one of which is situated in the prolongation of each row 13, form row contact points situated in a row which is parallel to the columns 14.

In a similar manner, the contact points 6, one of which is situated in the prolongation of each row 14, form column contact points situated in a row which is parallel to the rows 13. Both the row and the column contact points 5 and 6 are situated outside the frame of the electronic selection screen 2 and under the sliding buttons 17.

As several symbols may occur in the fields 12, there are several pressure contacts 7 for the control in the given example. A few other pressure contacts 7 may be used to change the symbols of the electronic selection screen 2 or they may serve for example as shift key. In figure 2, the roller 18 is situated on a small shaft 19 suspended on a small holder 20 under the sliding button 17. Both the row and the column contact points are provided such in a base layer 21 that this base layer is entirely flat. The contact points 5 and 6 consist of longitudinal conductors. The roller 18 rolls as the sliding button 17 moves, as it comes into friction with the underlying layer 21, or as, on the side of the shaft 19, a knurled wheel 22 in a knurled track 23 makes the shaft 19 and the roller 18 turn.

As the outside of the rollers 18 is provided with conductive material and will touch the longitudinal part of a contact point 5 or 6 as well as the parallel line 25, the underlying contact point 5 or 6 will be able to transmit curren .

The pressure contacts 7 each comprise, apart from a switch mechanism 26, a push button 27 protruding through the control panel 1, and which has a narrowed far end 28 forming a locking pin which points towards the switch mechanism 26 and is directed at right angles to the base plate 4. The push button 27 is kept in its position of rest by means of a spring 29.

The contact points 5, 6 and pressure contacts 7 are electrically connected to an electronic processing unit 31 by means of conductors 30, which is itself connected to the display screen 3 or to be connected to a digital appliance via a conductor 32 and a connecting element 33. The processing unit 31 consists, as is represented in figure 3, of a microprocessor 34 which is connected to ' the contact points 5 and 6 and pressure contacts 7, and whose output opens into the connecting element 33 via a buffer 35 and an interface 36.

The working of the above-described device is relatively simple and as follows.

The sliding buttons 17 are placed opposite to a row 13, a column 14 respectively, whereby a required field 12 is situated in a row as well as in a column. In order to make the sliding easier, the sliding buttons 17 may be ribbed or have standing edges . The respective row and column contact points 5 and 6 are now touched by the rollers 18, so that a contact is created and signals, are sent to the electronic processing unit 31. This makes sure that the respective row 13 and column 14 are electronically made to change colour. In a next step, a single symbol 15 is selected from the selected field 12 by pushing a single corresponding pressure contact 7, for example but not necessarily with the other hand than the one with which the sliding buttons 17 have been shifted, as indicated in figure 1.

The electric signals, coming from the respective row and column contact point, together with the electric signal produced by pushing the pressure contact 7, are translated into a digital signal by the electronic processing unit 31 which can be recognised by the display screen 3 or by a digital appliance with which the device is connected. The alpha-numerical data or function commands then become visible on a screen with which it is connected or on the display screen 3 which is provided on the device itself.

In all cases, a single specific symbol is selected and confirmed with a restricted number of manual operations, in particular by shifting two selection elements 8 and 9 and by pushing one of the pressure contacts 7 to be operated manually, and a corresponding signal is sent to the display screen 3 or to the appliance with which it is connected.

The sliding buttons 17 with underlying rollers 18 and contact points 5, 6 and the pressure contacts 7 must not necessarily be situated in the position as represented in the figures. They can for example also be provided on the side of the device. In a left-handed embodiment, they may be placed mirrorwise in relation to an axial line of the electronic selection screen 2 which is parallel to the columns 14.

Figure 4 represents a variant of an embodiment of the device represented in figure 1, whereby this variant of the embodiment mainly differs from that in figure 2 by what follows .

The contact points 5 and 6 are no longer present. Instead, an optical encoder 37 is provided on both shafts 19 which processes the number of light signals going through perforations 38 in the wheel 39 and/or the number of light reflections on reflective parts 40 provided on the wheel 39. The wheel 39 turns when, as the sliding button 17 moves, a friction is created with the underlying layer 21, or as the .wheel 39 is knurled and can move in an underlying knurled track 23. The optical encoders 37 are electrically connected to an electronic processing unit 31 via a moveable wire 41, as well as for current supply.

The pressure contacts 7 are electrically connected to an electronic processing unit 31 by means of conductors 30.

Further, the working of the device is entirely analogous to that of the device from figure 1.

Figure 9 represents a section of another embodiment of the device represented ift figure 1, whereby this variant is mainly different in that rollers 18 are no longer provided on shafts 19 under the selection elements 8 or 9. Instead, the selection elements 8 or 9 comprise small push buttons 42 which are directed at right angles to the contact points 5 or 6 via a narrow connecting piece 43 with side wings 44. By means of a far end 45 provided with a conductive material, both the longitudinal part of a contact point 5 or 6 and the parallel line 25 will be touched as the push button 42 is pressed in, and the underlying contact point 5 or 6 will be able to transmit current. One or several springs 46, mounted between the side wings 44 and the holder 47, maintain the push button in its ,position of rest.

Further, the working of this device is entirely analogous to that of the device from figure 1. Figure 10 is a representation of yet another variant of an embodiment of the device represented in figure 1 with a partial cut-out, whereby this variant is mainly different 5 in that the grooves 16 are provided on the sides of the box 11. The selection elements 8 and 9 have been replaced by round selection washers 48 and 49. The selection washers 48 and 49 are fixed to round press-on washers 51 and 52 via a bar 50. The contact points 5 or 6, as well as the 0 parallel line 25, are situated on small standing edges 53. By moving the selection washers 48 or 49 into another position, the opposite press-on washer 51 or 52 will touch the longitudinal part of a contact point 5 or 6 as well as the parallel line 25, as a result of which the contact 5 point 5 or 6 will be able to transmit current.

Further, the working of this device is entirely analogous to that of the device from figure 1.

0 In figure 11, the invention has been implemented in an — input appliance 54. While typing, it is possible to select for example words, text or function icons on the selection screen 2 with the sliding buttons 17 and to confirm with a pressure contact 7. The buttons 55 are used for scrolling. 5 By simultaneously pushing for example button 56 and the letter A, preference words starting with the letter A will appear. In this manner, one can work more efficiently at input level .

0 The invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments given as an example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a device for inputting data can be made in all sorts of variants while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims .

1. Device for inputting alpha-numerical data and/or function commands in a digital appliance, which device comprises a control panel (1) and a base plate (4) fixed to it with contact points (5,6) which are connected to an electronic processing unit (31) , characterised in that an electronic selection screen (2) is provided on the control panel (1) with a number of rows (13) and columns (14) consisting of fields (12) with a group of symbols (15) in a number of fields (12) representing the alpha-numerical data or the function commands, and whereby the contact points (5,6) on the base plate (4) extend in two rows parallel to the rows (13) and columns (14) of the selection screen (2) , and whereby each of said contact points (5,6) is situated in the prolongation of a row (13) or a column (14) .

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises : two selection elements (8,9) which can be shifted parallel to the rows (13) and the columns (14) respectively in relation to the contact points (5,6) and the electronic selection screen (2) into positions in which they are situated opposite to a contact point (5,6) in the extension of a selected row (13) , a selected column (14) respectively;

- selection elements (8,9) which let the contact points (5,6) situated underneath it make contact; and - a number of additional pressure contacts (7) which can be operated manually and some of which correspond to a single symbol (15) of a selected field (12) .

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the pressure contacts (7) which are operated manually are provided on the base plate (4) .

4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that a pressure contact (7) to be operated manually also comprises a push button (27) apart from a switch mechanism (26) .

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that, under the selection elements (8,9), rollers (18) are fixed on shafts (19) , and in that contact points (5,6) are situated under the rollers (18) which make contact as they get in touch with the rollers (18) .

6. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterised in that optical encoders (37) are fixed under the selection elements (8,9) which process light signals going through or reflected by wheels (39) on shafts (19) .

7. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterised in that the selection elements (8,9) comprise push buttons (42) whereby, as they are pressed in, a far end (45) makes contact with the contact points (5,6) .

8. Device according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterised in that, opposite to the selection washers (48,49), are situated press-on washers (51,52) which make contact with the contact points (5,6) .

9. Device according to claims 5, 6, 7 and 8, characterised in that, of each of the additional pressure contacts (7) , the switch mechanism (26) is provided on the base plate (4) and the push button (2'7) has a far end (28) working in conjunction with it.

10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electronic processing unit (31) comprises a buffer (35) , an interface (36) and a microprocessor (34) with which all the contact points (5,6) or optical encoders (37) and the additional pressure contacts (7) are connected, allowing rows (13) and columns (14) to change colour and digital signals to be converted.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is part of an input appliance (53) and simplifies the input of alphanumerical data and/or function commands in conjunction with it.

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a portable device.