US5365026A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
User interface control apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-04-23
•
Granted: 1994-11-15
•
Expires: 2013-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A user interface controller for use by physically challenged persons has multiple function capabilities to operate an electronic device such as a computer or video game system. The controller provides activation of a plurality of first type control devices through a first type movement of a mouthpiece actuator, selection of one or more banks of second type control devices through a second different type movement of the mouthpiece, and activation of one or more second control devices within a selected bank of second control devices through puff and sip operations performed through the mouthpiece.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry E. Cromer, Jr.
- 👤 Jerry E. Crower
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; A; A61; A61F; A61F4/00; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A user interface controller for use by physically challenged users to selectively provide electrical control signals for operation of an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of first control devices; a plurality of pneumatically responsive second control devices; and a single actuator operatively connected to said first and second control devices so as to select predetermined ones of said first and second control devices for actuation by movement of the actuator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A user interface controller for use by physically challenged users to selectively provide electrical control signals for operation of an electronic device, comprising: a plurality of first control devices; a plurality of pneumatically responsive second control devices; and a single actuator operatively connected to said first and second control devices so as to select predetermined ones of said first and second control devices for actuation by movement of the actuator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein the predetermined ones of said first control devices are selected by a first type of movement of said actuator and predetermined ones of said second control devices are selected by a second type of movement different from said first type of movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The controller of claim 2, wherein said first type of movement is pivotal and said second type of movement is axial.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said first and second control devices are switches electrically connected with inputs of the electrical device such that at least one control signal is produced responsive to switch actuation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said actuator comprises a mouthpiece pivotally movable relative to a pivot axis to actuate said first control devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The controller of claim 5, wherein said first control devices comprise a plurality of mechanically actuated switches radially spaced about the pivot axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The controller of claim 2, wherein said first type of actuator movement is controlled by a cam defining predetermined directions of actuation movement,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The controller of claim 7, wherein said actuator comprises a mouthpiece mounted in a housing for pivotal movement relative to an axis of movement for said second type of actuator movement, and said cam is formed by a shaped opening in said housing through which said mouthpiece extends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The controller of claim 5, wherein predetermined banks of said second control devices are selectively enabled through axial movement of said mouthpiece along said pivot axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The controller of claim 9, wherein each bank of second control devices fluidly communicates with said mouthpiece via an air flow path including a manifold controllable by said axial movement of said mouthpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The controller of claim 10 wherein said manifold includes spaced air passages respectively connected to a corresponding one of the air flow paths for the banks of second control devices, and a moveable, orifice-containing member in fluid communication with said mouthpiece and responsive to said mouthpiece axial movement to position a predetermined orifice in fluid communication with a predetermined manifold air passage in dependence on the relative axial position of said mouthpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein a puffing operation performed through said mouthpiece activates at least one of said pneumatic control devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein a sipping operation through said mouthpiece activates at least one of said pneumatic control devices.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein the relative degree of pneumatic pressure, created by a user sipping or puffing air through said mouthpiece, selectively actuates at least one of said pneumatic switches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein a bank of pneumatic switches comprises two or more individual pneumatic control devices responsive to different pneumatic pressures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The controller of claim 15, wherein a first predetermined air pressure activates one of said second control devices and a second predetermined air pressure greater than said first pressure activates two or more second control devices simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said second control devices comprise discrete individual pneumatic switches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The controller of claim 17, wherein said pneumatic switches are fixedly mounted in a stacked arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The controller of claim 18, wherein said individual pneumatic switches are fluidly connected so as to define at least two independently controllable banks of pneumatic switches, the individual pneumatic switches in each bank being fluidly connected in parallel with a common air flow path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
89 words
A user interface control system for use by multiple physically challenged users to selectively provide electrical control signals for operation of an electrical control device comprising at least two user interface controllers as recited in claim 1, wherein said controllers all share the same second control devices, and the mouthpiece of each controller fluidly communicates with the second control devices via an air block so that passage of air from one mouthpiece to another mouthpiece, and simultaneous actuation of second control devices by more than one mouthpiece are prevented.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3229059A
Cited
US3911316A
Cited
US3848249A
Cited
US4207959A
Cited
US4298863A
Cited
US4453043A
Cited
US4562432A
Cited
US4567479A
Cited
US4865610A
Cited
US4746913A
Cited
US4706067A
Cited
US4979094A
Cited
US4871154A
Cited
US5126731A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-14 | 1998-05-16 | 1998-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-14 | 2002-05-16 | 2002-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-14 | 2006-05-16 | 2006-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |