WO2001017790A1 - Ergonomic housing for a handheld device - Google Patents

Ergonomic housing for a handheld device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001017790A1
WO2001017790A1 PCT/US2000/024476 US0024476W WO0117790A1 WO 2001017790 A1 WO2001017790 A1 WO 2001017790A1 US 0024476 W US0024476 W US 0024476W WO 0117790 A1 WO0117790 A1 WO 0117790A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
keys
housing
housing according
row
planar surface
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/024476
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lisa L. Foote
Original Assignee
Foote Lisa L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Foote Lisa L filed Critical Foote Lisa L
Priority to CA002383406A priority Critical patent/CA2383406A1/en
Priority to JP2001521561A priority patent/JP2003508858A/en
Priority to AU71186/00A priority patent/AU7118600A/en
Priority to EP00959956A priority patent/EP1212199A1/en
Priority to KR1020027003100A priority patent/KR20020043579A/en
Publication of WO2001017790A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001017790A1/en
Priority to NO20021125A priority patent/NO20021125L/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/40—Circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
    • H04M1/0279—Improving the user comfort or ergonomics
    • H04M1/0281—Improving the user comfort or ergonomics for providing single handed use or left/right hand conversion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
    • G06F15/02—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators
    • G06F15/0225—User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
    • H01H9/0214—Hand-held casings
    • H01H9/0235—Hand-held casings specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
    • H01H2009/0257—Multisided remote control, comprising control or display elements on at least two sides, e.g. front and back surface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
    • H01H2009/189—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks with a tactile symbol or indication, e.g. for blind people

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a biomechanically improved device for handheld use More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved, ergonomic housing for handheld devices including, but not limited to, remote controls, telephones, pagers and calculators
  • the ergonomic device includes both left- and right-handed embodiments, based upon an operator's preference, and is adaptable to a wide range of hand sizes
  • ergonomic handheld devices are ergonomically shaped
  • a device that is shaped to nest comfortably within the user's hand is easier to hold for extended periods of time as compared to a bulky article that requires a positive grip on the device in order to manipulate the keypad
  • an ergonomic handheld device that is operable via sense of touch only would be even more advantageous, such as if a user necessarily operates the keypad in low light conditions or during activities requiring a significant amount of the operator s attention such as when operating a motor vehicle
  • U S Patent No 5,332,322 (“the '322 patent”) illustrates an attempt in the art to address the issue of ergonomic devices
  • the claimed device in the '322 patent allegedly minimizes hand, wrist and finger fatigue associated with operating conventional keyboards
  • the device requires a constant grip on the device while activating the keys on a recessed keypad via the operator's thumb only
  • the '322 patent severely limits itself to thumb-actuated keyboards coupled with a simultaneous requirement of an operator's constant grip on the device Accordingly, there is a need to provide an ergonomic device for handheld use that overcomes one or more of the deficiencies of those devices currently used
  • an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic housing for handheld devices in which one or more disadvantages of the prior art are overcome
  • a handheld apparatus housing comprising a front planar surface, a rear planar surface opposite said front planar surface, an upper surface interposed between the upper portion of said front planar surface and the upper portion of said rear planar surface of said housing, a lower surface interposed between the lower portion of said front planar surface and the lower portion of said rear planar surface of said housing, a keypad comprised of a plurality of keys on said front planar surface, said keys arranged in one or more horizontal rows along said front planar surface, and a plurality of radial ergonomic grooves arranged between said upper portion and said lower portion and along an edge of said apparatus, horizontally aligned with said rows of said keys
  • FIG 1 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld ergonomic device in accordance with the invention
  • Fig 2 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld device in use by a right-handed operator
  • Fig 3 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld device in use by a left-handed operator
  • Fig 4 illustrates a right plan view of a device in accordance with the invention
  • Fig. 5 illustrates a back plan view of a handheld device including a strap attachment according to the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a right plan view of the device of Fig. 5
  • the present invention provides an ergonomic housing for a handheld device
  • the operator's fingers naturally curve around the device, due to the presence of radial grooves in the side edge of the device that accommodate an operator's fingers without impinging on these fingers as they naturally surround the device
  • the device has a width allowing for the operator to grasp the housing and depress the keys at the same time. See, for example, Fig. 2 and 3.
  • the handheld apparatus housing previously described comprises a front planar surface wherein the keypad comprises at least two adjacent rows of keys, with each row of keys uniquely shaped in comparison with at least one immediately adjacent row of keys, so that a user may differentiate by touch, adjacent rows of unique keys.
  • each finger need only move in a linear horizontal direction across the face of the keypad, without requiring any vertical movement Accordingly, each finger can operate a single horizontal row of keys, minimizing finger movement along the entire face of the keypad
  • the operator may control the device without requiring a constant gripping action on the particular device
  • This can be accomplished by incorporating a strap into which an operator may insert his or her hand on the rear of the device housing The operator inserts his or her hand into the strap with the palm of the hand contacting the housing, so that the strap firmly engages the back of the operator's hand Accordingly, the operator may still maintain control over the device while his fingers and thumb are in a relaxed (/ e , non-gripping) position
  • the housing includes a keypad 4 including a plurality of keys 5 on the front planar surface 1 of the housing
  • the keys 5 are arranged in horizontal rows along the front planar surface
  • One or more rows can be present, with each row containing one or more keys
  • at least two rows with at least two keys in each row will be present
  • Each key in the same row has the same unique shape
  • the keys of the first row are oval
  • the keys of the second row are triangular
  • the keys of the third row are circular
  • the keys of the fourth row are square
  • Fig 2 shows the device of Fig 1 adapted for use by a right-handed person
  • Fig 3 shows the device of Fig 1 adapted for use by a left-handed person
  • Fig 5 is a side view of the device of Fig 1
  • Fig 5 shows a back plan view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a holding member 9 attached to the housing
  • Fig 6 shows a side plan view of Fig 1
  • the holding member can be an elastic strap or other member which allows for a person to insert his hand, thereby allowing one to hold the device in a relaxed position, without having to constantly grip the device

Abstract

An ergonomic housing (1, 2, 3, 8) for a handheld device is provided. The device includes an ergonomic housing that is shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of a human hand, while simultaneously allowing fingered tactile operation of a set of key members (5) on the face and lateral portions (1) of the housing. The device is particularly useful for one-handed operation of portable devices utilizing a keypad (4) where operation of such a device using two hands is not desirable. The position of keys (5) on the housing facilitates minimal movement of both the fingers and thumb of the operator to operate the keys (5, 7) of the device. Such manipulation of keys may also be accomplished completely by touch, due to the uniquely shaped keys strategically placed in rows on the housing face within close proximity of the operator's natural finger position and additional keys placed within close proximity of the operator's natural thumb position. An integral strap (9) enables an operator to maintain control of the device without being forced to maintain a constant grip on the housing. The device may be used as, for example, a remote control, portable telephone, pager, or calculator.

Description

ERGONOMIC HOUSING FOR A HANDHELD DEVICE
Background Of The Invention
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biomechanically improved device for handheld use More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved, ergonomic housing for handheld devices including, but not limited to, remote controls, telephones, pagers and calculators The ergonomic device includes both left- and right-handed embodiments, based upon an operator's preference, and is adaptable to a wide range of hand sizes
Description of Related Art
The increasingly popular use of handheld electronic devices is due to many factors, including the technological advances in processor computing power and miniaturization of such powerful processors These technological advances have yielded devices of decreased dimensions, such as cellular telephones, calculators, remote controls, pagers and other similar devices incorporating keypads Currently, there are available some of these types of convenient devices which are small enough to fit within a shirt pocket Electronic handheld devices which incorporate a keypad for numerical or text entry and/or bi-directional communication are extremely popular consumer items However, such devices are not limited to telephones and text-based pagers Rather, consumers continue to purchase handheld items for use in operating audio and visual equipment via remote control For example, virtually all currently available models of televisions (TVs), video cassette recorders (VCRs), digital video disc players (DVDs), and associated stereo components are supplied with a handheld remote control Such remote controls enable a user to operate a TV, VCR, DVD, stereo component, and the like, from the comfort of the user's chair or sofa, thereby eliminating a need to physically interact with the main electronic unit itself
Along with the development of handheld devices in general, the need has arisen for such devices that are ergonomically shaped One of the key advantages of ergonomic handheld devices is that they minimize the stress on the operator's arms, hands and wrists that are associated with operation of non-ergonomic devices Also, a device that is shaped to nest comfortably within the user's hand is easier to hold for extended periods of time as compared to a bulky article that requires a positive grip on the device in order to manipulate the keypad Further, an ergonomic handheld device that is operable via sense of touch only would be even more advantageous, such as if a user necessarily operates the keypad in low light conditions or during activities requiring a significant amount of the operator s attention such as when operating a motor vehicle
U S Patent No 5,332,322 ("the '322 patent") illustrates an attempt in the art to address the issue of ergonomic devices The claimed device in the '322 patent allegedly minimizes hand, wrist and finger fatigue associated with operating conventional keyboards However, in the '322 patent, the device requires a constant grip on the device while activating the keys on a recessed keypad via the operator's thumb only Accordingly, the '322 patent severely limits itself to thumb-actuated keyboards coupled with a simultaneous requirement of an operator's constant grip on the device Accordingly, there is a need to provide an ergonomic device for handheld use that overcomes one or more of the deficiencies of those devices currently used
Summary Of The Invention
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic housing for handheld devices in which one or more disadvantages of the prior art are overcome
In accordance with this objective, there is provided in accordance with the invention a handheld apparatus housing, comprising a front planar surface, a rear planar surface opposite said front planar surface, an upper surface interposed between the upper portion of said front planar surface and the upper portion of said rear planar surface of said housing, a lower surface interposed between the lower portion of said front planar surface and the lower portion of said rear planar surface of said housing, a keypad comprised of a plurality of keys on said front planar surface, said keys arranged in one or more horizontal rows along said front planar surface, and a plurality of radial ergonomic grooves arranged between said upper portion and said lower portion and along an edge of said apparatus, horizontally aligned with said rows of said keys
Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows
Brief Description Of The Drawings Fig 1 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld ergonomic device in accordance with the invention
Fig 2 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld device in use by a right-handed operator
Fig 3 illustrates a front plan view of a handheld device in use by a left-handed operator
Fig 4 illustrates a right plan view of a device in accordance with the invention Fig. 5 illustrates a back plan view of a handheld device including a strap attachment according to the invention.
Fig. 6 is a right plan view of the device of Fig. 5
Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments
The present invention provides an ergonomic housing for a handheld device In the housing, the operator's fingers naturally curve around the device, due to the presence of radial grooves in the side edge of the device that accommodate an operator's fingers without impinging on these fingers as they naturally surround the device The device has a width allowing for the operator to grasp the housing and depress the keys at the same time. See, for example, Fig. 2 and 3.
The device includes keys strategically arranged in horizontal rows, whereby the keys within a row are similarly shaped, with each row or each adjacent row containing a different shape common to the keys of that particular row For example, the keys in the uppermost row may be comprised of round keys, with the next lower row comprised of square keys, the next lower row of triangular keys, and the lowest row of oval keys These keys thus enable an operator to intelligently operate the keys by sense of touch alone.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, the handheld apparatus housing previously described comprises a front planar surface wherein the keypad comprises at least two adjacent rows of keys, with each row of keys uniquely shaped in comparison with at least one immediately adjacent row of keys, so that a user may differentiate by touch, adjacent rows of unique keys.
Further, in operating the keypad, the operator's fingers need only move in a linear horizontal direction across the face of the keypad, without requiring any vertical movement Accordingly, each finger can operate a single horizontal row of keys, minimizing finger movement along the entire face of the keypad
The housing also may include at least one actuator key lying directly beneath the natural position of the operator's thumb, so that the operator's thumb rests comfortably on the device The additional thumb-actuated key(s) may also comprise distinctly shaped keys, further enabling touch-sensitive operation of the device. The ergonomic housing incorporates uniquely shaped keys for operation by touch on tactile-indicative keys Such tactile-indicative keys are uniquely shaped to enable an operator to identify the specific keys by sensing the shape of the key without resorting to visual means for manipulating the keys These keys may be activated while the operator's fingers are in a naturally curved holding position
The ergonomic housing is shaped to comfortably reside in a human hand, while facilitating ease of manipulation in operating the incorporated keypad and/or peripheral actuator keys The device housing nests within the palm of the operator's hand, thus facilitating ease in operating and transporting the device
In an embodiment, the operator may control the device without requiring a constant gripping action on the particular device This can be accomplished by incorporating a strap into which an operator may insert his or her hand on the rear of the device housing The operator inserts his or her hand into the strap with the palm of the hand contacting the housing, so that the strap firmly engages the back of the operator's hand Accordingly, the operator may still maintain control over the device while his fingers and thumb are in a relaxed (/ e , non-gripping) position
The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures The following described embodiments are only presented by way of example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept to any particular physical configuration
Fig 1 shows a front plan view of a handheld apparatus housing according to the invention The housing includes a front planar surface 1 and a rear planar surface 8 (See Fig 4) opposite the front planar surface As seen in Fig 4, the housing includes an upper surface 2 interposed between the upper portion of the front planar surface 1 and the upper portion of the rear planar surface 8 The housing also includes a lower surface 3 interposed between the lower portion of the front planar surface 1 and the lower portion of the rear planar surface 8 See Fig 4
The housing includes a keypad 4 including a plurality of keys 5 on the front planar surface 1 of the housing The keys 5 are arranged in horizontal rows along the front planar surface One or more rows can be present, with each row containing one or more keys Generally, at least two rows with at least two keys in each row will be present Each key in the same row has the same unique shape For example, as shown in Fig 1 , the keys of the first row are oval, the keys of the second row are triangular, the keys of the third row are circular, and the keys of the fourth row are square
The housing includes a plurality of radial ergonomic grooves 6 There is a groove for each row of keys For example, as shown in Fig 1 , there are four rows of keys and four grooves The grooves are adjacent to a specific row of keys as shown in Fig 1
The housing may also include one or more buttons 7 moveably mounted on the upper surface for triggering by a person's thumb
Fig 2 shows the device of Fig 1 adapted for use by a right-handed person Fig 3 shows the device of Fig 1 adapted for use by a left-handed person Fig 5 is a side view of the device of Fig 1
Fig 5 shows a back plan view of an embodiment of the invention that includes a holding member 9 attached to the housing Fig 6 shows a side plan view of Fig 1 The holding member can be an elastic strap or other member which allows for a person to insert his hand, thereby allowing one to hold the device in a relaxed position, without having to constantly grip the device
It will be understood that the above described embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the appended claims Further, although a number of equivalent components may have been mentioned herein which could be used in place of the components illustrated and described with reference to the described embodiment, this is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of all the possible equivalents, nor to limit the invention defined by the claims to any particular equivalent or combination thereof A person skilled in the art would realize that there may be other equivalent components presently known, or to be developed, which could be used within the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the claims

Claims

What is claimed is:
1 A handheld apparatus housing, comprising. a front planar surface, a rear planar surface opposite said front planar surface; an upper surface interposed between the upper portion of said front planar surface and the upper portion of said rear planar surface of said housing; a lower surface interposed between the lower portion of said front planar surface and the lower portion of said rear planar surface of said housing; a keypad comprised of a plurality of keys on said front planar surface, said keys arranged in one or more horizontal rows along said front planar surface; and a plurality of radial ergonomic grooves arranged between said upper portion and said lower portion and along an edge of said apparatus, horizontally aligned with said rows of
2. A housing according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one key mounted on said upper surface for triggering by thumb
3. A housing according to claim 1 , which additionally comprises a holding member fixedly attached at said upper and said lower portions of said rear planar surface.
4 A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said keypad comprises a plurality of numeric keys and at least one function key
5. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each said row of said keys comprises uniquely shaped keys.
6. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each said row of said keys comprises a common shape, selected from the following: oval, triangle, square, round
7. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein each said row of said keys is uniquely shaped, wherein a top row of said keys comprises keys selected from the following shapes: oval, triangle, square, round, and a second row of said keys comprises keys selected from the following shapes oval, triangle, square, round; and a third row of said keys comprises keys selected from the following shapes: oval, triangle, square, round; and a fourth row of said keys comprises keys selected from the following shapes: oval, triangle, square, round.
8. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a telephone.
9. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a calculator.
10. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a pager.
11. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said housing comprises a remote control.
12. A housing according to claim 2, wherein said holding member comprises elastic material.
13. A housing according to claim 1 , comprising at least two horizontal rows of keys, and an ergonomic groove adjacent each of said horizontal rows.
14. A housing according to claim 2, wherein there are at least two keys having different shapes on said upper surface for triggering by thumb.
15. A housing according to claim 1 , comprising four horizontal rows of keys and an ergonomic groove adjacent each of said horizontal rows.
16. A housing according to claim 1 , wherein said keypad comprises at least two horizontal rows of adjacent keys, wherein each said row of said keys comprises a common shape, and each said adjacent row contains a different common shape from said other adjacent row of said keys.
PCT/US2000/024476 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device WO2001017790A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002383406A CA2383406A1 (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device
JP2001521561A JP2003508858A (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic enclosure for handheld devices
AU71186/00A AU7118600A (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device
EP00959956A EP1212199A1 (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device
KR1020027003100A KR20020043579A (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device
NO20021125A NO20021125L (en) 1999-09-09 2002-03-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/392,250 1999-09-09
US09/392,250 US6164853A (en) 1999-09-09 1999-09-09 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001017790A1 true WO2001017790A1 (en) 2001-03-15

Family

ID=23549879

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/024476 WO2001017790A1 (en) 1999-09-09 2000-09-07 Ergonomic housing for a handheld device

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US6164853A (en)
EP (1) EP1212199A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003508858A (en)
KR (1) KR20020043579A (en)
CN (1) CN1373713A (en)
AU (1) AU7118600A (en)
CA (1) CA2383406A1 (en)
NO (1) NO20021125L (en)
WO (1) WO2001017790A1 (en)

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US6164853A (en) 2000-12-26
NO20021125L (en) 2002-05-07
NO20021125D0 (en) 2002-03-07
CA2383406A1 (en) 2001-03-15
JP2003508858A (en) 2003-03-04
KR20020043579A (en) 2002-06-10
AU7118600A (en) 2001-04-10
CN1373713A (en) 2002-10-09
EP1212199A1 (en) 2002-06-12

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