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US 6,377,685 B1Granted
Cluster key arrangement
OwnerRavi C. Krishnaninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cluster key arrangement may be mechanically configured or electronically configured. The cluster key arrangement may include twelve cluster keys configured in an arrangement of three columns by four rows, such as conventionally found on standard telephones. The cluster key arrangement may also be configured for use on cellular/mobile telephones, television remote controls, other handheld data entry devices, automotive controls, desktop/wall-mounted/cordless telephones, combination telephone recorders, Personal Digital Assistants, and other electronic devices. The mechanically or electronically configured cluster keys provide a user with the ability to select one of a plurality of key elements representing numbers, letters, symbols, functions, etc., in a mutually exclusive manner.
Claims39
A cluster key arrangement comprising:
- at least one cluster key, said cluster key comprising:
- a single primary key;
- at least one secondary key, said secondary key being located immediately adjacent to said primary key of said cluster key;
- and
- mutual exclusivity selecting means for selecting said primary key or said secondary key in a mutually exclusive manner;
- wherein when both said primary key and said secondary key have met a threshold for actuation close in time to each other, said mutual exclusivity selecting means includes the use of a difference between said primary and said secondary key other than a difference in order of activation of said primary and said secondary key to select between said primary and said secondary key;
- each of said primary and secondary keys is individually actuable;
- each of said primary key and said secondary key upon actuation move in a direction substantially parallel to the motion of the other of said primary and said secondary key upon actuation;
- each of said primary key and said secondary key has an associated electrical contact, activation of each said electrical contact sends a signal which indicates an input from said cluster key arrangement, and said mutual exclusivity selecting means selects between said primary key and said secondary key during preprocessing prior to activation of any one of said electrical contacts.
6 more elements
A cluster key arrangement comprising:
- at least one cluster key, said cluster key comprising:
- a single primary key;
- at least one secondary key, said secondary key being located immediately adjacent to said primary key of said cluster key;
- and
- a mutual exclusivity actuator for selecting said, primary key or said secondary key in a mutually exclusive manner;
- wherein each said cluster key includes a support structure supporting said cluster key;
- said mutual exclusivity actuator interacts with said support structure of said cluster key, such that a user may mutually, exclusively select between said primary key and said secondary key;
- each of said primary and secondary keys is individually actuable;
- each of said primary key and said secondary key upon actuation move in a direction substantially parallel to the motion of the other of said primary key and said secondary key upon actuation;
- each of said primary key and said secondary key has an electrical contact, activation of each said electrical contact sends a signal which indicates an input from said cluster key arrangement, and said mutual exclusivity actuator selects between said primary key and said secondary key during preprocessing prior to activation of any one of said electrical contacts.
7 more elements
A cluster keyboard comprising:
- at least one cluster key, said cluster key comprising:
- a primary key, said primary key having a first support structure that supports the primary key;
- at least one secondary key, said secondary key being located immediately adjacent to said primary key of said cluster key, said secondary key having a second support structure that support the secondary key;
- a mutual exclusivity actuator, said mutual exclusivity actuator interacting with said first support structure of said primary key and with said second support structure of said secondary keys, such that a user may mutually exclusively select between said primary key and said secondary key;
- wherein each of said primary and secondary keys is individually actuable.
2 more elements
A method of inputting data using a keyboard in which more than one key is located within the width of a fingertip, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cluster keyboard comprising a first cluster key and a second cluster key, each said cluster key comprising at least two keys:
- one of said keys of each cluster key being a primary key;
- at least one of said keys of each cluster key being a secondary key, said secondary keys being located immediately adjacent and circumferentially to said primary key of said cluster key;
- receiving input signals from two of said keys, said input signals being received close in time to each other;
- and
- processing said input signals in accordance with a predetermined set of logical rules such that the cluster keyboard recognizes said input signal from only one of said keys;
- wherein said set of logical rules includes a plurality of sensory thresholds;
- at least one of said sensory thresholds is a threshold for actuation;
- wherein when both said primary key and said secondary key have met said threshold for actuation close in time to each other, said set of logical rules includes the use of a difference between said primary and said secondary key other than a difference in order of activation of said primary and said secondary key to select between said primary and said secondary key.
6 more elements
A method of inputting data using a keyboard in which more than one key is located within the width of a fingertip, comprising the steps of:
- providing a cluster keyboard comprising a first cluster key and a second cluster key, each said cluster key comprising at east two keys:
- one of said keys of each said cluster key being a single primary key, said primary key having a support structure that supports the primary key;
- at least one of said keys of each cluster key being a secondary key, said secondary key being located immediately adjacent and circumferentially to said primary key of said cluster key, said secondary key having a support structure that supports the secondary key;
- actuating two of said keys, said two of said keys being actuated close in time to each other, thereby actuating a mutual exclusivity actuator;
- said mutual exclusivity actuator interacting with said support structure of said two actuated keys, said mutual exclusivity actuator acting to exclude input from one of said two actuated keys.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.