Patents by Inventor Peter J. McAlindon

Peter J. McAlindon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8614667
    Abstract: An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Blue Orb, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 8487872
    Abstract: A handheld device having a main body and at least one button integral with the main body for causing generation of electrical signals. A pair of thumb controllers may be integral with the main body and positioned so that a user holding the device may tactilely engage each of the thumb controllers. A pair of sensing means may be operatively connected with the thumb controllers to generate an electrical signal in response to the user's tactile engagement with the thumb controllers. The signals may be resolved by a processor to determine an alphanumeric character to be generated. The signals may also be resolved with a signal generate by movement of the button to determine a state change to be generated in a video game so a user may interact with the video game. An electrical signal indicative of the video game state change may be generated and transmitted to a processing device executing the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Blue Orb, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 7262762
    Abstract: An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Keybowl, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 7151525
    Abstract: An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Keybowl, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Publication number: 20040227728
    Abstract: An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 6756968
    Abstract: An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with an electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Keybowl, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Publication number: 20040008186
    Abstract: An ergonomic apparatus for generating data signals that may be indicative of alphanumeric characters for use with an electronic device or system such as a computer or electric typewriter, for example. The apparatus may be configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and use one or two hands to generate the data signals. The apparatus may include a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome may be capable of movement in a plurality of directions extending radially from a home position to generate the data signal or a portion of the data signal. The two-handed implementation disclosed utilizes input movements that enable keystroke actuation via only slight arm or hand movement, no finger movement being required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Publication number: 20020109667
    Abstract: An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with an electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 5638062
    Abstract: An input device is described for generating a keystroke signal. A dome shaped to conform to the shape of a human hand at rest is supported to slide along a generally planar base top. The position of the dome on the base top, which is divided into sectors, is sensed, each sector correlatable with a keystroke signal. A system is also provided for outputting two position signals that are then correlatable into a unitary keystroke signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon
  • Patent number: 5473325
    Abstract: An ergonomically developed, dome-shaped, alphanumeric interface apparatus for use with a electronic system, such as a computer or electric typewriter is described. The apparatus is configured in accordance with ergonomic principles and uses chording of both hands to type the characters of any user-defined alphabet. The device includes a set of domes that are shaped and contoured to conform to the shape of hands in a relaxed state and to distribute pressures across the splayed underside of the user's hand. Each dome is capable of movement in a plurality of discrete lateral sectors. The domes used together, utilizing a chording principle, can generate up to 144 characters depending on how many discrete movements are defined by the user. In a nonchording mode of operation, each dome is capable of producing up to 12 characters independently of the other dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Peter J. McAlindon