US6259044B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic device with tactile keypad-overlay
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
•
Filing: 2000-03-03
•
Granted: 2001-07-10
•
Expires: 2020-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A keypad-overlay for use with an electronic device. The electronic device has a plurality of keys or signal input members coupled to electronic components within a housing of the electronic device. The signal input members have key indicia that identify key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components. The keypad-overlay is removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members. The keypad-overlay has a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over a respective key indicia within the key indicia being visible to a user through the translucent cover member. The cover members have tactile indicators that provide a tactile indication to a user that the cover member has depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke. The cover members have a key-activating protrusion positioned to engage and activate the key when the cover member is depressed toward the key.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Paratore
- 👤 Thomas R. Benson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0488; G06F3/04886; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04809; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/016; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/006; H01H2215/008; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A hand-held electronic device, comprising: a housing with a plurality of electronic components therein; a display coupled to the housing; a plurality of signal input members with key indicia identifying key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components; a keypad-overlay removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members, the keypad-overlay having a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over the respective key indicia with the key indicia being visible to an operator through a respective translucent cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators providing a tactile indication to the operator that a respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke, the cover members having a key-activating projection positioned to engage a selected signal input member when the cover member has been moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A hand-held electronic device, comprising: a housing with a plurality of electronic components therein; a display coupled to the housing; a plurality of signal input members with key indicia identifying key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components; a keypad-overlay removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members, the keypad-overlay having a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over the respective key indicia with the key indicia being visible to an operator through a respective translucent cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators providing a tactile indication to the operator that a respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke, the cover members having a key-activating projection positioned to engage a selected signal input member when the cover member has been moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of signal input members are on the display and the keypad-overlay is positioned adjacent to the display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the display is a touch-sensitive screen and the key indicia are on the display, the keypad-overlay is removably positioned on the touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cover members are transparent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the key-activating projection is positioned substantially along a central axis of the cover member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the key activating projection is positioned substantially around a perimeter portion of the cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cover members are resilient collapsible dome-shaped members, each of the cover members being movable from a raised position to a collapsed position when a selected force is applied to the cover member and being biased toward the raised position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cover members include a top-side and collapsible sidewalls connected to the top side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cover members are movable between raised and collapsed positions and are biased toward the raised position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the keypad-overlay is a sheet of molded thermoplastic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electronic device, comprising: a plurality of signal input members with key indicia that identity key strokes usable in operation of the electronic device; a keypad-overlay removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members, the keypad-overlay having a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over respective key indicia with the key indicia being visible to a user through a respective translucent cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators providing a tactile indication to a user when a respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke, each of the cover members being a convex member with an interior area and a key-activating portion in the interior area, the key-activating portion being positioned to engage a selected key when the respective cover member has been moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electronic device, comprising: a plurality of signal input members with key indicia that identity key strokes usable in operation of the electronic device; a keypad-overlay removably positioned adjacent to the signal input members, the keypad-overlay having a plurality of translucent cover members each positioned over respective key indicia with the key indicia being visible to a user through a respective translucent cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators providing a tactile indication to a user when a respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke, each of the cover members being a convex member with an interior area and a key-activating portion in the interior area, the key-activating portion being positioned to engage a selected key when the respective cover member has been moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the key indicia is on a display and the keypad-overlay is positioned adjacent to the display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising a touch-sensitive screen and the key indicia are displayed on the touch-sensitive screen, the keypad-overlay is removably positioned on the touch-sensitive screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the cover members are transparent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the cover members are resilient collapsible dome-shaped members, each of the cover members being movable from a raised position to a collapsed position when a selected force is applied to the respective cover member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the key-activating portion is positioned substantially along a central axis of a respective cover member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the key-activating portion is positioned substantially adjacent to an outer perimeter portion of a respective cover member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic device of claim 11 wherein the key-activating portion is spaced substantially concentrically about a central axis of a respective cover member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
151 words
A keypad-overlay for use with a hand-held electronic device having a housing with a plurality of electronic components therein, a display coupled to the housing, and a plurality of key indicia identifying key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components, comprising a web portion removably positionable adjacent to the key indicia, and a plurality of translucent cover members connected to the web portion, each of the cover members being positioned over a respective key with the key being visible to an operator through the respective cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators configured to provide a tactile indication to an operator that the respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke during operation of the electronic components, the respective cover member having a key-activating protrusion positioned to engage the respective key when the respective cover member is moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
151 words
A keypad-overlay for use with a hand-held electronic device having a housing with a plurality of electronic components therein, a display coupled to the housing, and a plurality of key indicia identifying key strokes usable in operation of the electronic components, comprising a web portion removably positionable adjacent to the key indicia, and a plurality of translucent cover members connected to the web portion, each of the cover members being positioned over a respective key with the key being visible to an operator through the respective cover member, the cover members having tactile indicators configured to provide a tactile indication to an operator that the respective cover member has been depressed a selected distance to accomplish a key stroke during operation of the electronic components, the respective cover member having a key-activating protrusion positioned to engage the respective key when the respective cover member is moved to accomplish the key stroke.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the plurality of key indicia are on the display and the keypad-overlay is positioned adjacent to the display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the cover members are resilient collapsible dome-shaped members, each of the cover members being movable from a raised position to a collapsed position when a selected force is applied to the respective cover member and each of the cover members is biased to the raised position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the key-activating protrusion is positioned substantially along the axis of the respective cover member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the web portion is integrally connected to the cover members.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the keypad-overlay is a disposable molded sheet of thermoplastic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 , wherein each of the cover members includes a top side and collapsible sidewalls connected to the top-side.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the respective cover member is movable between raised and collapsed positions, and the cover members includes collapsible sidewalls that provide the tactile indication to the user when the respective cover member moves toward the collapsed position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the key-activating protrusion is positioned substantially around a perimeter portion of the respective cover member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein the key-activating protrusion is a compressible member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The keypad-overlay of claim 19 wherein each of the cover members is movable between raised and collapsed positions, and the cover member includes a biasing member that biases the respective cover member toward the raised position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4092527A
Cited
US4644326A
Cited
US4758699A
Cited
US5172805A
Cited
US5359658A
Cited
US5561278A
Cited
US6084190A
Cited
US5900599A
Cited
US5934450A
Cited
US5960942A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-09 | 2005-01-08 | 2005-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-09 | 2009-01-08 | 2009-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-09 | 2013-01-08 | 2013-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |