US5358343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Keyboard with transversely activated non-alphanumeric keys
Assignee: Keyboard Advancements Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-11
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2012-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling cursor functions on a touch typing keyboard, comprising activation of the cursor control functions via transverse force applied comfortably by thumb movement. Such activation can be accomplished more easily, more efficiently, and more ergonomically effectively than prior art methods because it can be done without averting the eyes from the text copy and does not entail moving or uncomfortable stretching of the hands.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Klauber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/0202; G06F3/0219; B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/18; B41J19/60; B41J19/62; B41J5/00; B41J5/08; B41J5/10; B41J5/28; G06F3/021; G06F3/0213; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/84; H01H25/00; H01H25/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A keyboard for a computer, electronic typewriter, word processor, and the like comprising: a plurality of alphanumeric keys comprising at least twenty-six alphabetic keys and ten numeric keys arranged corresponding to touch typing position each of which alphanumeric keys automatically types a different alphanumeric character in response to downward actuation thereof; and at least one cursor control actuator movable transversely for automatically effecting a cursor control function in response to actuation thereof, and at least one space bar positioned within reach of a thumb of a touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on the keyboard in touch typing position, wherein said cursor control actuator is positioned outside of the area occupied by said plurality of alphanumeric keys in the row of said space bar and within reach of at least one thumb of the touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on the keyboard in touch typing position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A keyboard for a computer, electronic typewriter, word processor, and the like comprising: a plurality of alphanumeric keys comprising at least twenty-six alphabetic keys and ten numeric keys arranged corresponding to touch typing position each of which alphanumeric keys automatically types a different alphanumeric character in response to downward actuation thereof; and at least one cursor control actuator movable transversely for automatically effecting a cursor control function in response to actuation thereof, and at least one space bar positioned within reach of a thumb of a touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on the keyboard in touch typing position, wherein said cursor control actuator is positioned outside of the area occupied by said plurality of alphanumeric keys in the row of said space bar and within reach of at least one thumb of the touch typist having hands and fingers positioned on the keyboard in touch typing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator has sufficiently greater height than said at least one space bar to enable transverse actuation of said cursor control actuator by touch applied to a side other than a top face of said cursor control actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises two transversely actuable actuators, one located on either side of said at least one spacebar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
126 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises two transversely actuable actuators, and the two transversely actuable actuators comprise a first transversely actuable actuator which causes a cursor to move leftward when touch is applied on one side of said first transversely actuable actuator and to move in one of the upward and downward directions when touch is applied on a second side of said first transversely actuable actuator, and a second transversely actuable actuator which causes a cursor to move rightward when touch is applied on one side of said second transversely actuable actuator, and to move in one of the upward and downward directions when touch is applied on a second side of said second transversely actuable actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The keyboard of claim 4 wherein the first transversely actuable actuator causes another function to be effected when touch is applied to a third side of the first transversely actuable actuator, and the second transversely actuable actuator causes another function when touch is applied to a third side of the second transversely actuable actuator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator is a key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator is a lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for activation of at least two different functions by applying pressure on at least two different sides of said actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for activation of at least three different functions by applying pressure on at least three different sides of said actuator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator is located to the left of, and within reach of, a left thumb of the touch typist.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator is located to the right of, and within reach of, a right thumb of the touch typist.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator is located to the right of, and within reach of, a right thumb of the touch typist and at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator is located to the left of, and within reach of, a left thumb of the touch typist.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting a cursor right function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting a cursor left function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting a cursor up function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting a cursor down function.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting a home function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator comprises means for effecting an end function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the arrangement of alphanumeric keys conforms to ISO standards row and column designation standards, and at least part of the cursor control actuator is located in row A.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises at least two such cursor control actuators wherein one such cursor control actuator is located within reach of a left thumb of the touch typist, and another such cursor control actuator is located within reach of a right thumb of the touch typist.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one cursor control actuator is located within reach of both thumbs of the touch typist.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
106 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein said at least one cursor control actuator comprises first and second transversely actuable actuators wherein the first transversely actuable actuator is located to the right of, and within reach of, a right thumb of the touch typist and said first transversely actuable actuator effects a cursor right function in response to actuation thereof in a rightward direction, and the second transversely actuable actuator is located to the left of, and within reach of, a left thumb of the touch typist and said second transversely actuable actuator effects a cursor left function in response to actuation thereof in a leftward direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the cursor control actuator effects cursor motion in effectively continuous movement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein the cursor control actuator effects cursor motion in effectively discrete movements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein a backspace/erase key is located within reach of at least one thumb.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The keyboard of claim 1 wherein touch applied on a first side of one of the at least one transversely actuable actuators causes a cursor to move leftward, and touch applied on a second side of said transversely actuable actuator causes the cursor to move rightward.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-24 | 1998-04-25 | 1998-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-24 | 2002-04-25 | 2002-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-24 | 2006-04-25 | 2006-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |