Apparatus And Method For Generating Data Signals

• US 20060291938A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Game Star Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Game Star Systems LLC
• Inventors: McAlindon, Peter J.
• Application Number:
  US11/426,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291938A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/489
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20201 Control moves in two planes

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. A keyboard layout may be used with the domes to associate movement of each dome with an alphanumeric layout of characters on a conventional keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard layout. Dome movement may also be associated with the relative location of alphanumeric characters on an associated keyboard and the repsective relative frequency of use of an alphanumeric character to be produced. Hand-held embodiments of the apparatus are provided that may be used with portable or other similar electronic devices.

Claims

1. A method of entering data into a hand-held computing device, the method comprising:

providing a pair of pressure responsive signal generating means integral with the computing device and generally adjacent to opposite side edges of the computing device;

holding the computing device in the hands of a user such that each of the pair of signal generating means is in contact with a respective thumb of the user; and

controlling the entering of data by exerting forces on the respective signal generating means through thumb pressure thereon.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing the hand-held computing device with a processing module configured to receive signals from the signal generating means wherein the signals are indicative of an alphanumeric character for use with an application module executable by the hand-held computing device.