Shift knob computer operating device
First Claim
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1. A computer operating device for use in an automobile, said device comprising:
- a housing for the receipt of a users hand mounted atop the gearshift;
an analog directional input device partially contained within said housing;
at least one pressure sensitive actuation button partially contained within said housing;
electronic circuitry within said housing, in electrical communication with said at least one pressure sensitive actuation button and said analog directional input device, translating actuation of said actuation button and the position of said analog directional input device into electric signals;
a signal transfer means in electrical communication with said computer, and said electronic circuitry; and
a power source in communication with said signal transfer means and said electronic circuitry.
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a computer input device adapted to the environment of an automobile in communication with an in-vehicle computer system. The present invention discloses a easily installed computer-operating device for use in an automobile in conjunction with an in-vehicle computer system that provides the user with an uninhibited, ergonomically comfortable and fully functional mouse like control system. This is accomplished with a base housing unit attached to the gearshift of an automobile with a directional input device and pressure sensitive actuation buttons for the receipt of users fingers.
73 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer operating device for use in an automobile, said device comprising:
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a housing for the receipt of a users hand mounted atop the gearshift;
an analog directional input device partially contained within said housing;
at least one pressure sensitive actuation button partially contained within said housing;
electronic circuitry within said housing, in electrical communication with said at least one pressure sensitive actuation button and said analog directional input device, translating actuation of said actuation button and the position of said analog directional input device into electric signals;
a signal transfer means in electrical communication with said computer, and said electronic circuitry; and
a power source in communication with said signal transfer means and said electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An computer operating device for use in an automobile, said device comprising:
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a directional input device housing;
an analog directional input device partially contained within said directional input device housing;
an actuation button housing;
at least one pressure sensitive actuation button partially contained within said actuation button housing;
electronic circuitry in electrical communication with said at least one pressure sensitive actuation button and said analog directional input device, translating actuation of said actuation button and the position of said analog directional input device into electric signals;
a signal transfer means in electrical communication with said computer, and said electronic circuitry;
a power source in communication with said signal transfer means, and said electronic circuitry; and
a securing means attached to said actuation button housing, said analog directional input device housing, providing removable communication with the handle of said gearshift of said automobile. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer operating device for use in an automobile, said device comprising:
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a housing mounted atop a gearshift of said automobile for the receipt of a users hand;
an analog directional input device partially contained within the top of said housing, wherein said analog directional input device is a generally round member having a knob like protrusion inclined in an arbitrary 360 degree planar angle providing pressure sensitive actuation, wherein said knob is shaped to receive a thumb of said user when said users right hand is in communication with said housing in a grasped vertical stack orientation. at least one pressure sensitive actuation button on at least a portion of the left side or front side of said housing for the receipt of a portion of the middle or distal phalange of at least one of said users fingers, when said users right hand is in communication with said housing in a grasped vertical stack orientation;
electronic circuitry within said housing, said electronic circuitry being in electrical communication with said at least one pressure sensitive actuation button and said analog directional input device for translating actuation of said actuation button and the position of said analog directional input device into electric signals;
a signal transfer means in electrical communication with said computer, and said electronic circuitry;
a lock switch partially contained within said housing, said lock switch having an enabled and disabled state; and
a power source in communication with said signal transfer means and said electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A computer operating device for use in an automobile, said device comprising:
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a directional input device housing removably attachable to the top of a gearshift handle of said automobile;
an analog directional input device partially contained within said directional input device housing consisting of a generally round member having a knob like protrusion inclined in an arbitrary 360 degree planar angle providing pressure sensitive actuation, wherein said knob is shaped for the receipt of a thumb of said user when said users right hand is in communication with said gearshift handle in a grasped vertical stack orientation. an actuation button housing removably attachable to at least a portion of the left side or front side of said gearshift handle at least one pressure sensitive actuation button partially contained within said actuation button housing, for the receipt of a portion of the middle or distal phalange of at least one of said users fingers, when said users right hand is in communication with said gearshift handle in a grasped vertical stack orientation;
electronic circuitry in electrical communication with said at least one pressure sensitive actuation button and said analog directional input device, translating actuation of said actuation button and the position of said analog directional input device into electric signals;
a signal transfer means in electrical communication with said computer, and said electronic circuitry;
a lock switch partially contained within said actuation button housing, said lock switch having an enabled and disabled state;
a power source in communication with said signal transfer means and said electronic circuitry; and
a securing means attached to said actuation button housing, said analog directional input device housing, said signal transfer means and said electronic circuitry providing removable communication with said gearshift handle of said automobile. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification