Patent ID: 6322449
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: A63F,G06F,G09B

Abstract:
An interface device for placement over an underlying keyboard which has a plurality of keys, including number keys and letter keys, each key being configured to move along a generally vertical axis, the interface device comprising:a housing configured to be removably secured to the underlying keyboard and sized so that the housing covers letter keys of the underlying keyboard when secured to the underlying keyboard;three-dimensional representational objects mounted on the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user, each representational object providing a three-dimensional representation of an object selected from the group consisting of construction tools, controls of a vehicle, and elements of a play environment; andmechanisms coupled to the representational objects and configured to press keys on the underlying keyboard in response to manipulation of the representational objects by the user,wherein, when the interface device is placed over the keyboard, at least one representational object is positioned generally over a key on the keyboard that is pressed by a mechanism coupled to the representational object, such that the axis of the key passes through at least a portion of the representational object during manipulation of the representational object, and the representational object is configured to move in a direction other than along the axis of the key, andone of the representational objects comprises a toy drill, the toy drill further comprising:a handle having a first terminal capable of being manipulated by the user like a real drill;a cam portion attached to a second terminal of the handle wherein the cam portion moves when the handle moves; anda rod having a first end in close proximity to the cam portion and a second end in close proximity to one of the mechanisms, wherein the rod engages the mechanism in response to manipulation of the handle by the user.