Wearable computing, input, and display device

• US 20060012566A1
• Filed: 09/24/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shaknel Technologies, LC
• Original Assignee: Shaknel Technologies, LC
• Inventors: Siddeeq, Shakoor N.
• Application Number:
  US11/234,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20060012566A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0221 the switches being fixed to the operator's hand, e.g. integrated in a glove or fixed to a ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held

Abstract

A wearable computing, input, and display device is disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a band wrappable around a wrist of a user, one or more input mechanisms, a display mechanism, and a computing mechanism. The input mechanisms are attached to the band and have recessed and extended positions. In the recessed position, the input mechanisms are positioned under the wrist of the user. In the extended position, the input mechanisms are substantially positioned at the user'"'"'s fingertips. The display mechanism is attached to the band such that it is over the wrist of the user, whereas the computing mechanism is attached to the band and operably coupled to the input and display mechanisms. In an alternate embodiment, the display mechanism is additionally rotatable from a flat position to a raised position, and vice-versa, where the raised position is user controlled for optimal viewing by the user.

Claims

1. A thumb-held mobile computing device comprising:

a housing;

at least one of a computing mechanism and a wireless communication mechanism embedded within the housing;

an input mechanism having a folded position and an unfolded position, the input mechanism comprising a plurality of thin sections, each section containing one of a plurality of keys and a pointing device, the thin sections having one or more folds;

one of a thumb loop and an elastic band attached to one of the sections of the input mechanism into which a thumb of a hand of a user is inserted such that fingers of the hand of the user are able to use the plurality of keys in a one-handed manner; and

,

a flexible connector at each fold of the thin sections connecting the sections together at least one of physically and electrically.

2. The computing device of claim 1, wherein in the folded position the sections of the input mechanism are one of collapsed and folded on top of one another such that the one of the plurality of keys and the pointing device of each section is one of compressed and sandwiched in between the sections,

and wherein in the unfolded position the sections of the input mechanism are unfolded such that the one of the plurality of keys and the pointing device of each section is exposed and useable by the user in the one-handed manner,

lateral movement of the thumb rotating the sections of the input mechanism about an axis perpendicular to a plane of the sections such that lateral movement of the fingers of the hand substantially decreases.

3. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the sections of the input mechanism have alternate male and female connections, such that male-female connectors thereof mate in the unfolded position and separate in the folded position, the male-female connectors serving to at least one of substantially lock in place the sections of the input mechanism while in the unfolded position and electrically connect the sections.

4. The computing device of claim 3, wherein the sections of the input mechanism have at least one of embedded circuitry and electrical connectors, the embedded circuitry, the electrical connectors, and the male-female connectors located at one of slightly thicker areas and layers of the sections.

5. The computing device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of keys of at least one of the sections of the input mechanism has a default non-depressed position and a depressed position, each key comprising:

at least four sides;

an electrical contact beneath the key;

a resilient and compressible support attached to at least one of the sides of the key;

one of an axial hinge and a flexible connector attached to exactly one of the sides of the key,

wherein each key in the non-depressed position rises at an angle from a plane of the section of the input mechanism and the resilient and compressible material is non-depressed such that the material supports an upper most part of the key above the plane while the one of the axial hinge and the flexible connector lies within the plane of the section at a lower side of the key, and

wherein each key in the depressed position rotates downward about the one of the axial hinge and the flexible connector until all the sides of the key and the resilient compressible support lie within the plane of the section and complete an electrical circuit.

6. The computing device of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of keys has two sections directly adjoining one another with a width of a first section slightly smaller than a width of a second section, and each section being independently operable.

7. The computing device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of keys of at least one of the sections of the input mechanism has a default non-depressed position and a depressed position, such that the plurality of keys comprises at least one smaller key and at least one larger key, each smaller key enclosed within a corresponding larger key, each smaller key and each larger key having an independent resilient support pad and electrical contact underneath, each key in the depressed position lying within a plane of the section of the input mechanism and completing an electrical circuit, and each key in the non-depressed position lying above the plane.