Data entry apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for entering data comprising a number of primary independently-operated input devices for entering a set of responses, wherein:
- each of said primary input devices is actuable in at least five directions; and
a unique response of the set is associated with each of the directions.
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Abstract
Each of a number of independently-operated input buttons is actuable in five directions and a unique output response is associated with each of the directions. Preferably, there are five finger buttons and at least one thumb button. The five-position thumb button can be used to shift the key assignments of the finger buttons and thus greatly enlarge the size of the response set. The apparatus may be configured to receive a mouse, or it may be incorporated into a cell phone.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for entering data comprising a number of primary independently-operated input devices for entering a set of responses, wherein:
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each of said primary input devices is actuable in at least five directions; and
a unique response of the set is associated with each of the directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for entering data comprising one or more input devices, wherein:
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each of said input devices is actuable in at least one of a plurality of directions;
a unique response is associated with each of the plurality of directions; and
said apparatus is configured to receive a mouse. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of entering data comprising providing a sufficient number of independently-operated input devices for entering a set of responses, wherein:
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each of the input devices is actuable in five directions; and
a unique response of the set is associated with each of the directions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification