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US 5,861,823 AGranted
Data entry device having multifunction keys
AssigneeGranite Communications Incorporated
InventorsGary J. Strauch, Paul Smola
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data entry device is provided, having as its primary function the entry of numeric data. A secondary function is the entry of alphabetic characters. The device is operated with a single hand and requires no shift or function keys. The number of keys of the device is kept to a minimum to avoid visual clutter and to facilitate its use with one hand. The keys are designed to be easy to access and to be operated while wearing a glove.
Claims17
A data entry device comprising:
- a power source;
- a keyboard having a plurality of multifunction keys, each of said plurality of multifunction keys producing one of a primary character and one of at least two secondary characters on a display when said multifunction keys are depressed by a user, each of said plurality of multifunction keys having an actuator with a convex profile on a bottom surface of said multifunction keys;
- and
- a circuit board disposed below said keyboard, said circuit board having a central electrical contact and a series of outer electrical contacts;
- wherein each of said plurality of multifunction keys produces said primary character when depressed vertically along an axis of said multifunction keys so that said actuator makes contact with only said central electrical contact, and
- wherein each of said plurality of multifunction keys produces said one of said at least two secondary characters when depressed vertically along said axis and simultaneously at an edge of said multifunction key, so that said actuator makes contact with said central contact and ones of said series outer electrical contacts.
3 more elements
A data entry device comprising:
- a power source;
- a keyboard having a plurality of multifunction keys, each of said plurality of multifunction keys producing one of a primary character and one of at least two secondary characters on a display when said multifunction keys are depressed by a user, each of said plurality of multifunction keys having an actuator with an arcuate profile on a bottom surface of said multifunction keys;
- and
- a circuit board disposed below said keyboard, said circuit board having a central electrical contact and a series of outer electrical contacts;
- wherein each of said plurality of multifunction keys produces said primary character when depressed vertically along an axis of said multifunction keys so that said actuator makes contact with only said central electrical contact, and
- wherein each of said plurality of multifunction keys produces said one of said at least two secondary characters when depressed vertically along said axis and simultaneously at an edge of said multifunction key, so that said actuator makes contact with said central contact and ones of said series outer electrical contacts.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.