BODILY ACTUATED CODE GENERATOR

A wheelchair mounted control system may be activated to enable propelling of the wheelchair at different predetermined speeds, to cause portions of the wheelchair to recline or be elevated, or to cause a signal to be generated to operate other apparatus such as a book page turner, a light switch or a...     

A human-machine interface apparatus includes a first, or phase, surface with associated circuitry so devised that an alternating electrical field is created above the surface with its phase, relative to a fixed point on the surface, changing continuously along an axis of the surface; a second, or pickup,...     

A data encoding keyboard for use in electronic processing systems such as electronic calculators includes a pushbutton encoded thumbwheel switch. A plurality of cams secured to the switch define different codes in accordance with the angular orientation of the thumbwheel. The cams engage contacts on...     

A digital joystick control includes an elongated shaft member having a spherical ball at one end thereof. First and second socket members are coupled to the joystick to provide a swivel joint between the ball and the socket members enabling movement of the shaft about the ball in any direction; movement...     

A remote control transmitter for transmitting remote control signals which omprise an alternating sequence of two chronologically successive pulses having a first and a second frequency, respectively. The transmitter comprises a plurality of manually-operable command keys for supplying a command signal...     

A hand controller having a control handle member supported by a hexagonal array of three pairs of oppositely-angled force sensors provides for creation of control signals according to degree of input manual effort in any and all linear and rotary directions: left; right; up; down; fore; aft; forward;...     

A touch activated controller generates UP/DOWN control signals in response to movement of a human finger (or other comparable contact) along a control surface thereof. The UP information is derived from movement of the finger in one direction and the DOWN information is derived from movement in a substantially...     

A switch apparatus having first and second surfaces with conductive pattern segments thereon in proximate spaced overlying relation, each of the patterns being generally identical and having a circular array of alternating solid and interleaved conductive portion, one pattern being movable toward the...     

Apparatus for detecting the position of an object, e.g. for interaction with a computer graphic display, has a number of light emitting diodes in an endless array, and a lesser number of light detecting devices for providing electrical signals in response to momentary and successive energization of the...     

An interactive display device is of the type which displays data and allows an operator to input fresh data and/or change the data that is displayed. The data is displayed by a plurality of arrays of discrete display elements each of which can be independently driven to produce an optical output, and...     

Apparatus used in identifying a person by means of pressure patterns and X-Y movements of a stylus associated with a signature includes first and second spaced and parallel planar conductor means with an excutcheon means for defining on an exposed surface of one of the elements to provide a writing surface...     

The touch screen target designator provides an interface between an opera and an automatic tracking system, which uses the operator's overpressure or touch on the displayed image of a target to designate the target for an automatic tracker. Necessary components include an imaging device/seeker, operator...     

A control panel for displaying, monitoring and controlling conditions of a process plant, the control panel includes a graphic display, and permits quick and easy rearrangement and repositioning of control switches associated with the graphic display. The control switches are mounted behind a graphic...     

A video game apparatus and method in which two-axis output signals are produced when a surface activated with X-Y excitation signals is touched by the human finger. The control surface has a configuration corresponding to the play area on the video display. The device has the ability to sense the presence...     

An electronic two-directional control apparatus responsive to the capacitance of an external object for generating two electrical outputs simultaneously referable as co-ordinates defining the position of an external object in relation to a control surface, four sensing electrodes of approximately equal...     

An electronic control system for controlling the operation of electromotive apparatus utilizes a capacitive sensor for sensing human touch and producing a command signal whose magnitude corresponds to the contact area of the contact. The sensor command signal is applied to an oscillator which produces...     

A touch sensitive device is arranged with substantially parallel surfaces inside which light from a synchronized source, such as a CRT, can become trapped by total internal reflection. The edges of the device are fitted with photodetectors which respond to the entrapment of light within the surfaces....     

A general method is disclosed for accurately determining the location or position of a source or sink of electric current on the surface of a resistance element or impedance layer. Touch panels are described that detect the presence of a user's finger on such surface, and produce output signals corresponding...     

A garage door opener system includes a radio receiver actuable by reception of a preselected radio signal for moving a garage door between opened and closed positions and a portable hand-held transmitter manually actuable to transmit such preselected radio signal to the receiver. The transmitter includes...     

A main control circuit for controlling a door open-close drive motor and a lamp illuminating the interior of a garage is disposed in a body of a door operation control apparatus, and an interface circuit for applying control command signals to the main control circuit is connected by two signal conductors...     

An industrial process control system in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of device controllers connected together through a common buss with each device controller connected to an associated controlled device(s) that effect process control. A computer-aided system interface...     

A musical instrument is disclosed in which light beams striking a detector produce various tones and the loudness of the sounds produced is dependent upon the intensity of the light beam which can be changed by interrupting the beam or reflecting the light backwards to a detector situated next to the...     

A frequency synthesized transceiver capable of tuning to a plurality of communication channels is disclosed. The transceiver includes a receiver section and a transmitter section which are coupled to the synthesizer which generates the appropriate injection signals to achieve tuning. The frequency synthesizer...     

A data entry unit has a board on which a matrix of cells are arranged, for example, twelve columns by four rows. When turned on, each column is sequentially illuminated in a continuous cyclic fashion. The illumination of a column indicates that the data associated with each of the four cells in that...     

A transducer for indicating changes of an applied physical force including a first electrically propertied means connected within an electrical circuit to create an electrical potential across the first means, a second electrically propertied means adapted to be placed in contact with the first means...     

A radio receiver in a boat actuates a horn and a rotary strobe light when it receives an appropriate signal from a transmitter recessed in the handle of a ski rope. The actuation of the transmitter is controlled by a trigger on the handle.

An energy conversion and transmission device is disclosed which, in its preferred embodiment, has a rigid substrate with a resistive area printed on its top surface, a spacer of non-conductive material with an aperture therethrough positioned in register with the rigid substrate resistive area, and a...     

A portable word processor incorporates a keyboard for typing-in data relating to a textual document, a microprocessor for processing the data, and a microcassette recorder for storing each page of the textual data when typing of the page is complete. A half-line character display is situated on an operating...     

A microwave oven control utilizing a microcomputer. The control permits changing or adding to previously inputted parameters without requiring the cancellation of the entire program and without affecting the progression of other cycles of the program. In the illustrated embodiment, the control provides...     

A digital fader or like device having slidably operable means, such as a touch-sensitive strip, which is manually operable to different settings that are represented by a digital signal. Manual changes in the relative operating position of the slidably operable means produce corresponding adjustments...     

A technique is provided for entering certain information into a computer without the use of hands. A touch screen system which utilizes a grid of light beams across a display surface is modified. Instead of interrupting the light beam with the operator's finger, light blocking devices are moved into...     

A control apparatus for use in a fly-by-wire flight control system. The apparatus comprises a support structure, a tube (22) mounted to the support structure for rotation about the tube lengthwise axis, at least two joysticks (18, 20) mounted to the tube, a coupling bar (24) and sensors (14, 16). Each...     

A hand held remote control device having enhanced range capability includes a radio transmitter for transmitting encoded signals at a frequency between 1 MHz to 1 GHz, a battery and switch for energizing the transmitter, means for encoding and transmitting signals, and a housing, the improvement wherein...     

A computer control includes a control member movably mounted for movement in two dimensions wherein orthogonally related gratings are moved to the corresponding directions to generate pairs of quadrature related signals. Circuitry produces binary signals defining four states for each cycle of quadrature...     

A self-contained data terminal or typewriter keyboard completely operable by a single human hand for the input of information into a computer or other electronic device. The keyboard comprises five sets of keys, each set aligned respectively with the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and...     

An ergonomically-shaped hand controller of the type commonly referred to as a "mouse", is specially configured to prevent or reduce hand muscle fatigue despite continuous use over a protracted period of time. A housing for receiving the anterior surface of the hand comprises an arched metacarpalphalangeal...     

A joystick controller apparatus comprises a lever mounted for pivotal motion in at least two directions, a guide defining a preselected shift pattern for the lever, and an indicating arrangement for producing a digital logic representation of the position of the lever relative to the shift pattern. The...     

A joystick assembly for converting push-button keys to joystick actuation comprises a handle and a multi-arm member, the multi-arm member includes arms located for contact with keys of a computer keyboard, each arm having a depending end for engaging a respective key. The handle inserts perpendicularly...     

A touch panel having a panel body formed by transparent upper and lower electrodes spaced a predetermined distance. The touch panel is mounted on a front surface of a display device to detect a coordinate at a depressed position on the upper electrode. The improvement comprises a transparent insulating...     

In an information input device for inputting information in an information processing apparatus by means of contact on an input surface provided on a display picture, an input-prohibiting area is provided on the input surface in response to setting a cleaning mode of the input surface, and the input-prohibiting...     

A modular keyboard apparatus allowing users to reconfigure the keyboard for their particular applications and convenience. The modular keyboard allows the user to place modules such as alphanumeric keypads, numeric keypads and trackballs into the keyboard housing in positions which are most convenient...     

An electronic keyboard template for use with software applications programs is responsive to command signals transmitted by designated function keys on a computer keyboard. The template includes an LCD display screen for displaying icons representative of operations performed by the function keys, control...     

A system includes a control station for remotely controlling an animated character. Radio frequencies are used to transfer audio, video and other control signals to the animated character to provide speech, hearing, vision and practically any movement in real-time. A camera is used in the head of the...     

This invention relates to a personal computer with a folding keyboard and, more particularly, to a personal computer contained within a compact enclosure when stored in a non-use position. The personal computer has a clamshell enclosure having first and second housings joined for pivotal movement one...     

An input device has an exciting coil for generating a predetermined exciting magnetic field. First and second coils are displaced from each other by a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction and capable of generating an induced electromotive voltage when excited by the exciting coil. Third...     

A data input device for a computer or other electronic apparatus includes a grid panel having a pattern of grooves in the panel surface and a plurality of sensors along the grooves. The sensors sense the passage of a stylus along the grooves and feed the stylus movement information to electrical circuitry...     

An operating lever device constructed such that the members thereof having a comparatively high rigidity can be used in such a way as to minimize the wear-down thereof and enable the angle of inclination of the lever to be detected precisely over a long period of time. The operating lever device is arranged...     

A joystick and associated circuit including a joystick handle and angularly oriented opposed pairs of first and second switches positioned apart from each other on respective axes, the switches being selectively actuatable by movements of the handle, and a resistive path connected to each pair of opposed...     

A variable resistance joystick (20) configured for computer control is provided. A stepper motor (34) turns threaded screws (30) to move a system of springs (26) up and down on the joystick thus varying the lever arm on which the springs impart force. Thus computer commands (113) to the stepper motor...     

A keyboard arrangement in which a conventional keyboard is divided into two sections, each of which is separately supported on a joint which is freely rotatable and pivotable. The joint in turn may have a supporting base adapted to rest on or to be clamped to a table top or other support surface. Alternatively,...     

In a preferred embodiment, a capacitive switch system including two capacitive switches which must be activated nearly simultaneously to operate a piece of equipment. When one switch is touched, a timing function is activated. If a predetermined length of time lapses before the other switch is touched,...     

A manually operated ergonomic multi-axis controller such as those used for controlling cursor position along x and y axes and for entering x, y and/or z coordinate information into a computer or the like. The housing includes a distal end portion angled with respect to the upper surface and the base...     

A laptop computer and keyboard provides an improved assembly of a central processing unit (CPU) housing, keyboard and screen, utilizing a keyboard having a right and left hand pair of keyboard portions or halves joined together in a non-planar (V-shaped or open-book shaped) arrangement along a common...     

A computer input device uses an ordinary sheet material such as a card, letter or envelope to select and point to a symbol. A remote portion of the sheet material covers sensors which sense available ambient light. Uncovered sensors provide background light information. A single sensor is associated...     

A keyboard arrangement and particularly an ergonomic keyboard arrangement is provided which includes, in particular, keyboard blocks (5, 6) that are arranged in the shape of a V for ergonomic operation. In order to be able to vary the V-shaped arrangement of the keyboard blocks (5, 6), one or a plurality...     

A device is provided which allows multidimensional information signals concerning coordinates, directions and the like of an object to be input to a CPU exactly as intended by an operator on a non-contact basis, and without restrictions on the place where it is used. Angular velocity detectors (4), (5),...     

A computer keyboard includes a plurality of pairs of side by side keys, each pair of which is on opposite sides of a vertical plane lying between such keys. The keys are mounted for pivotal movement about respective first and second axes. The first key is located at one side of the plane and its pivotal...     

A keyboard for a computer is used with the hands of a user disposed substantially in a prehensile position with the thumb opposed to the fingers in a grasping position. The keyboard includes a first slanting keyboard surface for locating keys to be activated by a user's left hand adjacent and sloping...     

A method and apparatus for the conversion of a standard push button telephone keypad into a data entry terminal permitting full alphanumeric DTMF entry through a telephone system to a file server for delivery to a service provider computer. The alphabetical letters are prearranged to enable single or...     

A computer input device uses an ordinary sheet material such as a card, letter or envelope to select and point to a symbol. A remote portion of the sheet material covers adjacent light emitters and sensors which sense reflected light from the emitters. A single sensor is associated with multiple symbols...     

An adjustable keyboard for electronic instruments having a pair of demi-boards which are extendable from a retracted, flat position to an extended, tetrahedal position wherein the distal side of one of the demi-boards is located closer to the other demi-board than the proximate side, the first and second...     

A computer keyboard includes two symmetrical parts, each consisted of a bottom shell supported on a common base plate above a common bottom plate, and a top shell supported on the respective bottom shell, wherein the bottom shell has inverted T-rods made to slide in respective arched slots on the base...     

A data input device and method for producing signals corresponding to symbols, comprises: at least one manually actuatable switch having a home state and manually actuatable from the home state to one of a set of first states and manually actuatable from the set of first states to one of a set of second...     

A computer keyboard includes two symmetrical parts, each consisted of a bottom shell supported on a common base plate above a common bottom plate, and a top shell supported on the respective bottom shell, wherein the bottom shell has inverted T-rods made to slide in respective arched slots on the base...     

A keyboard arrangement in which a conventional keyboard is divided into two sections, each of which is separately supported on a joint which is freely rotatable and pivotable. The joint in turn may have a supporting base adapted to rest on or to be clamped to a table top or other support surface. Alternatively,...     

The present invention relates to a machine actuating system, which includes a hand actuator system which responds to the presence of at least one operator body part at a predetermined location by generating control signal and an actuator control system to actuate the machine in response to the control...     

An x- and y-axis translating apparatus independently translates the motion of a primary shaft in the x- and y-axis directions simultaneously to transducers which generate electrical signals representative of the motion of the primary shaft in the x- and y-axis directions. The apparatus may include button-activated...     

An ergonomic computer keyboard. The computer keyboard includes two keyboard portions having keyboard keys disposed on at least two surfaces of one keyboard portion (e.g., a top side and a bottom side) and on at least one surface of the other keyboard portion (e.g., a top side). The keyboard portions...     

The handle is arranged to be expanded from a compact, collapsed configuration, into an expanded configuration for comfortable manipulation by the user. Upon completion of the use of the handle, the handle is collapsed to the compact configuration for stowage in the computer.

A computer keyboard is designed such that a user may acquire total tactile familiarity with the keyboard, thus enabling the user to copy written material and look at the screen while typing without looking at the keyboard. One embodiment of the keyboard of the invention is divided at its midpoint by...     

The invention relates to a keyboard (1) to be used, for example, at a computer terminal. The preferred embodiment comprises a keyboard (1) having mounted thereon a number of keys (5), the keyboard being formed in at least two segments (2,3) which are mutually detachable and/or pivotable and wherein each...     

A pyramid shaped ergonomic keyboard comprised of three sets of keys or three keypads. A front keypad faces the operator and contains number keys, specialty keys, function keys and a trackball/mouse. The left and right keypad are at approximately a 45.degree. angle positioned in a tripod fashion substantially...     

The position encoder system requires no keyboard surface area and includes a retractable and extendable handle that is stored inside the computer when not in use. The handle is extended for use near the computer keyboard. The movement of the handle is sensed by a high resolution sensing system that consumes...     

An input device including a case defining an opening, a bearing member pivotally mounted in the case about an axis and disposed adjacent to the opening, a roller rotatably disposed on the bearing member and having a portion exposed through the opening, an encoder disposed adjacent the axis of the bearing...     

A keyboard has two segments connected to each other at their rear ends by a connector. The two segments can be pivoted about the connector through 90.degree. in the plane of a support surface for the keyboard. In one embodiment, each keyboard segment may be disposed at a maximum angle of 45.degree. to...     

A logic device having a state machine for serially transferring data between an AT-compatible mother board and a keyboard having a microcontroller for scanning the keyboard matrix, without the need for a microcontroller on the mother board. A timer is provided to signal a transmission time-out error,...     

The present invention relates to a keyboard apparatus for electronic computers. In order to improve the work efficiency and lighten the weariness of an operator, the basic keys in common use consisting of 26 English letter keys and some of punctuation mark keys arranged in three rows are located on different...     

A data input device and method for producing signals corresponding to symbols, comprises: at least one manually actuatable switch having a home state and manually actuatable from the home state to one of a set of first states and manually actuatable from the set of first states to one of a set of second...     

A digital keypad for a controller of an electrical device includes keys which are circularly arranged in a clock face pattern. The keys are marked with numeric indicia in sequential numeric order from 1 to 12, each switch being radially spaced 30-degrees apart. Some of the numbered keys may be replaced...     

A sign language/word translation system can cope with the case where no word corresponding to a hand operation is found. The system includes a configuration for taking a countermeasure against the finding of a plurality of words corresponding to a hand operation. When a word corresponding to a hand operation...     

A small, stylus-based keyboard in which the arrangement of the keys is a function of predetermined estimated probabilities of the occurrence of various possible sequences of keystrokes. Sequences of keystrokes which are estimated to have a high likelihood of occurrence result in the associated keys being...     

A computer interface device includes a gimbal mounted handle having a plurality of input members for effectively communicating navigation and command signals to a computer. This invention provides a user with six degrees of freedom for navigation within a virtual reality world while simultaneously enabling...     

A touch control device comprising a plate (10) in which at least one portion (14) is partly cut (12) such that it can be inclined around at least one remaining connection area (15). Strain gauges (17) render it possible to measure the intensity of a force (F) applied to the said portion (14). Applications...     

A hand held control device formed as a rigid body adapted to be gripped and carried by a single hand of a user and comprising a plurality of control elements operable by the thumb or a finger of the user's hand gripping and carrying the body, a pointing stick and a chirality detector for sensing whether...     

A n-key rollover keyboard having an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with a large number of pins, each pin directly connected to a key contact, with the other side of the key contact connected to ground. The direct wire arrangement allows use of a single sided circuit board. The keyboard...     

A keyboard for a photographic printing apparatus includes a set of entry keys arranged on a board base for entering corresponding data to correct exposure and/or color tone. A primary group of the entry keys are linearly aligned at a home position, and the remaining keys are disposed along a path of...     

A keyboard assembly for a computer with movable keyboard pallets. The pallets are movable relative to each other between a compact stowing position and an extended operational position. A movement mechanism moves at least one of the pallets in a lateral direction relative to the other pallet and then...     

The invention relates to a keyboard (1) to be used, for example, at a computer terminal. The preferred embodiment comprises a keyboard (1) having mounted thereon a number of keys (5), the keyboard being formed in at least two segments (2,3) which are mutually detachable and/or pivotable and wherein each...     

A hand mounted keyboard, having a pair of opposed keypads for receiving the fingers of the mounting hand between, the opposed keypads operable by opposed movements of those fingers. The keyboard also has a thumb operated keypad mounted on the exterior of the keyboard. The characters and functions are...     

In a keyboard housing a housing top with a key pad and a housing bottom with support legs wherein the housing includes a support mat and a multi-layer contact foil set arranged underneath the key pad to be actuated thereby, a metal plate is embedded in a recess formed in the housing bottom below the...     

In one aspect of the present invention, a joystick is disclosed. The joystick includes a control shaft having an operator handle and a base. A cardan joint is provided to pivotally mount the control shaft to the base. An actuating body is rigidly attached to the control shaft. Advantageously, a plurality...     

An information input device is provided comprising a connecting matrix, a voltage source, a probe pin coupled to said voltage source, a first multiple channel delay circuit, a second multiple channel delay circuit, a NOR circuit with multiple inputs, a first pulse generator having a trigger input connected...     

A method for providing a realistic sense of touch in virtual reality by means of programmable actuator assemblies is disclosed. Each tactile actuator assembly consists of a number of individual actuators whose movement is controlled by a computer and associated drive electronics. When an actuator is...     

A multi-purpose keyboard controller includes a matrix keyboard control circuit, a serial keyboard control circuit, a PC/AT port control circuit, and an external interface for RTC control. These control circuits are coupled in parallel with the interface logic of the computer system and use the built-in...     

A multi-axial position sensor assembly for a joystick in which sensor/magnet pairs are positioned orthogonally on concentric gimbal rings such that each sensor and corresponding magnet pivot in relation to each other as a result of joystick movement. The sensors produce a reference output voltage when...     

On word starts, the system displays sets of very frequent words and attributes in locations which associate them with input actions. Possible attributes include letters, phonetic sounds, character strokes or parameters as appropriate for the language. Attributes inputted select word sets from a vocabulary...     

A compact stylus keyboard assembly includes a generally planar upper surface formed by a plurality of adjacently positioned, co-planar, electrically conductive key members which together form a keyboard. A hand-held stylus member is used to lightly touch and couple a predetermined voltage to each of...     

The menu selection device uses a combination of the rotary position of a rotary optical encoder and the operation of a coaxially mounted push-button switch to enable the user to progress through various layers of a hierarchical menu system. The rotary position of the shaft translates to a menu category...     

A key switch includes a rubber key body mounted within a key switch hole on a key pad device above a circuit board thereof, and a key cap fastened to the rubber key body at the top and depressed to move the rubber key body downward in triggering a contact on the circuit board, wherein the key cap is...     

An object of this invention is to provide a system switch device having a board switch and a display unit separated from the latter, with which terminals units can be operated in a blind touch mode. The system switch device comprises: a board switch having switches and touch-operated mechanisms which...